Full-size 9 for the wife

[tehweej]

Looking at getting a full-size pistol for the wife. She shot a Beretta 92fs, and the grip is a little large for her. Went down to Scheels to check out different options and the guy there had her hold a Springfield XD and a Smith and Wesson M&P 9. She liked the size of the grip on them both, but was leaning towards the M&P. Both have changeable backstraps, so that helps with the sizing. I am sure there are lots of you who have experience with one/both, and I am just looking for info that would help to make a decision (especially if there are any women with experience)

Thanks guys!

 

[Echo9]

For a dedicated range gun in 9mm, I always recommend a Hi Power or a CZ-75B (or a 92FS). I think the CZ will have a slimmer grip than the Hi Power.

As for the Springfield vs. the S&W, maybe a good compromise would be an XDM.

 

[postalnut25]

I'm not a woman, but I have very small hands like one. I love my M&P with the small insert. It is very ergonomic. The M&P with the small insert fits me better than my XDm with the small backstrap. However, Doc is right. Let her shot some different models and let her pick what feels best to her.

 

[Nushif]

Yeeah, let her pick for sure.

As for the grip size ... I realized single stack is the way to go for me and my hands are smaller, too.

 

[tehweej]

Unfortunately, there is not a rental range nearby. I might ask a gun nut friend if he has one/both of them to see if she can get some range time.

Echo- Looked at CZ75, and the grip is similar to a 92, so that would be just a bit too big. I was kinda hoping it would fit better, because I want to get a CZ75 , but alas, too big.

Her hands are not much smaller than mine, and she says that the 92 is ok, just a hair on the big side for her. I LOVE the ergonomics on the 92, my dad put a Hogue grip with the finger grooves on, and it fits just perfectly in my hands.

 

[Agostini]

My wife picked the M&P9c because she liked the ergonomics the most, especially compared to Glock. It's a good gun with great sights and fun to shoot.

She should definitely select her own gun, no doubt about it.

 

[Nushif]

My wife picked the Beretta 84 ... It's not a 9mm ... but she loves it crazy-like.

 

[ichiban]

I'd like to recommend that you look at a FNP-9. It also has the interchangeable backstraps. It is accurate, reliable and has great ergonomics. It is an often overlooked option and is a very good deal for the money. Everyone that I have let shoot mine has really liked it.

 

[M2 Carbine]

I am just looking for info that would help to make a decision (especially if there are any women with experience)

Of course the best thing is to have her pick out her own gun by shooting it.
Even at that, there have been females shooting on my range and trying out a number of my guns, that have changed their minds several times about which gun they liked best.

Recently I bought a 9mm Beretta PX4 full size and sub compact. I just impulse bought the guns but I've been very suprised with them. I've put about a thousand rounds through them and from the first shot I haven't had a single gun related malfunction, when using 5-6 different kinds of ammo.

A (small) neighbor lady shot the sub compact and said how much more she likes the PX4 than her G19.

Several extra grip inserts come with the guns to better fit different size hands.

 

[ross1]

You could look at the CZ p07, nice thin grip and still packs 16+1. Very comfortable to shoot and the ergo's that you expect in a CZ.

Ross

 

[Lonestar49]

Beretta's Px4 full size or the new Midsize to come

...

Not the tilt up action-barrel of the Px4 SC 9's.. very wide/grips to accommodate wide double-loading mags for round capacity..

Looking at post #11, Beretta's Px4's, are great, soft shooters, easy to inspect, clean, reassemble, and are very forgiving guns (talking about full size) and they are coming out soon with the "Midsize" Px4 (with rotating barrel) that is about the same size as a Sig P229 series gun..

With the 3 backstraps, thinking, small one for the little lady's grip, there are 2 good choices there for ya, her, in 9mm..


Ls

 

[Gun Geezer]

Suggest that you back off of the "full size" auto 9's and look at the "compact" size.

As many have noted, the CZ 75 is a wonderful pistol. The compact CZ's such as the P-01 and PCR are somewhat smaller in grip but still over 14+1 mags.

S&W has a number of smaller framed 9's. The Lady Smith is out of production, but might fit the bill. If I ever see one, I'll buy it quick! I think it would make a great CCW for IWB.

Still, the best way to find a workable grip size is holding them. Find a range with rent models or hit a gun show just to hold a few.

 

[TonyT]

The S&W M&P9 is a great pistol. I shoot the M&P9Pro in the normal pistol games. You should also consider the S&W99 which I use for IDPA is is similar to the Walther P99 - interchangeable backstraps, and a unique ambidextrous mag release.

 

[9mmepiphany]

posted by tehweej
Her hands are not much smaller than mine, and she says that the 92 is ok, just a hair on the big side for her. I LOVE the ergonomics on the 92, my dad put a Hogue grip with the finger grooves on, and it fits just perfectly in my hands.

the obvious solution would to just take the Hogue finger groove grips off and replace them with the Hogue aluminum panels.. the Hogue rubber panel are pretty think to begin with and the finger groves add a significant thickness to the grip. Beretta 96 i carried on duty has the Hogue rubber panels and that was plenty thick even with my long fingers...i've found that the more experience you become, the more you are likely to leaan toward thinner grips for their better index

if you just want to buy another gun, i'd suggest the full sized M&P9 based on it's superior ergos

 

[Lorenzo Rojo]

I would recommend a Sig 229--as cruel a deadly piece of weaponry that I have ever laid eyes on. A good friend of mine bought one for himself and his Indonesian wife. She picked it over about a dozen other 9mm and .380s. It is a very sweet shooter.

 

[JW2]

I'll second the PX4. I have girl hands and my full size PX4 9mm fits me perfectly with the small backstrap. The trigger is really nice too!

 

[ccsniper]

I only have one thing to say about that

Browning High Power!!!

 

[jon86]

I was thinking about getting my wife a 3 inch 357 mag. After handling a few handguns, my wife picked a glock 17. Have you considered a glock 17 or 19?

 

[Pilot]

Yeah, I second the Browning Hi Power. I have large hands and CZ's fit be very well. While I love my BHP the trigger reach is a smiggen short, but still OK. For a woman, this may be perfect. Have her shoot a BHP.

 

[rellascout]

+1 for the BHP perfect 9mm for smaller hands.

 

[Tacoma]

S&W M&P. These guns are taking the market buy storm. VERY ERGONOMIC and even reduce recoil a bit (due to low axis of bore.) The triggers can be made NCIE with just a drop in part too. The M&P is a newbie and small hands friendly firearm. FWIW, I now have a M&P 9mm in 5" and 3.5". Shot them tonight. Love them both.