Budget 9mm for Small Hands...Opinions on Steyr M9A1 and the Beretta PX4 Storm

[allivak]

There is a big difference between a Beretta PX4, Steyr M9, Ruger SR9 and little guns like the Glock 43 and the S&W Shield.

I see this all the time in the "my wife/girl friend/daughter/etc. needs a handgun" threads. People always start recommending little concealment guns like the G43, Shield, J-Frame, etc. The issue is usually trigger reach not concealment. Nobody wants to shoot a little gun, they just want a gun that is easy to shoot that they can comfortably reach the trigger.

The PX4 is a pretty good choice, as is the Ruger SR9. The S&W M&P is another that would be a good choice. The 1911 is also a great choice for those with small hands. It's been my choice for about 30 years, but they are usually quite a bit heavier, and usually more expensive than the current polymer guns. If I were starting out today, I'd probably choose between the Beretta PX4 or the M&P9.

DING DING DING!

finally someone who understands my frustrations....even at LGS I get the same responses. "hey guys I have small hands and I can't get a good purchase while reaching/pulling the trigger on a lot of guns...." 90% of the time they immediately walk me over to the compacts/concealed section....which has absolutely NOTHING to do with my issue in selecting a gun.

I really appreciate you pointing this out....while the responses in here are generally much better than what I get at a LGS, you will still find plenty of people that seem to automatically equate small hands with "wants a concealed".

 

[allivak]

I
I am sure you are aware that the firing mechanisms and manual of arms for these two pistols is very different. The Steyr is a hammerless, striker-action pistol with no manual safety. The PX4 is a hammer-fired, DA/SA pistol that usually comes stock with a safety/decocker (dead trigger decocker), but the PX4 can be converted to a "G" model pretty easily in which the lever works as a live trigger decocker only. \

If you are used to a Glock my guess is that the hammerless, striker-fired action and the grip angle of the Steyr M9-A1 would seem more natural to you than those of the PX4 Storm.

yeah I'm aware the guns I've mentioned are all over the place in terms of their basic type//design....that's because my small hands create such a big issue when selecting a handgun that the ergonomics/grip size/trigger reach is literally more important than any other feature.

honestly if I could pick my perfect gun it would probably be single action only, metal framed, double stacked with around a 4in barrel...something small enough that it could be concealed/holstered easily but not too small as to create an unpleasant shooting experience. sounds like the 1911 9mm may be the closest thing and I've actually had no issues shooting/gripping 1911s, even in .45

 

[allivak]

whoever recommended the Beretta/Stoeger Cougar...thank you. I am gonna go check one out at a LGS right now, I'll report back.

 

[Snowdog]

Of course it's best to get to the shops and actually feel the grips, but it doesn't hurt to get some suggestions before you go.
If you're on a budget, I cannot recommend the Canik TP9V2 enough. It has a rather slim grip, surprising since it's a 18+1 pistol.

I have the M40 and love it. I did replace the captured recoil assembly with a spring and stainless recoil rod as I did have some issues where the pistol would not go completely into battery, killing the trigger. It has been 100 percent since I made that change.

The Steyr M series is quite stout. It's beefy, but has a very ergonomic grip. The more aggressive stippling of the newer models are much appreciated as well. The Steyr L9-A1 is still on my short list. I will say the Caniks jumped the line (both the TP9SA and TP9V2 did) but I eventually will get the 2nd Steyr in 9mm.


ETA: It appears the Canik TP9V2 is catching on and is harder to get than when I made the purchase. They appear to still be at the $345 price point, but all my sources are back-ordered.

 

[FireInCairo]

I am a huge fan of the Springfield line of pistols now, but for your needs, really, since you're a Glock user, the XD line of pistols will likely feel awesome to your hands. That was one of my main beefs with Glocks, their brick-like grips.

 

[pblanc]

whoever recommended the Beretta/Stoeger Cougar...thank you. I am gonna go check one out at a LGS right now, I'll report back.

I have seen the Stoeger Cougar 8000F 9mm for sale NIB for $299 very recently at Academy Sports.

 

[allivak]

well I went up to a couple places and held a few more guns....they didnt have the Steyr M9 at either place, but I did get a good chance to feel and hold a PX4 Storm along with some of the other suggestions....of all the guns I held, these three stood out in terms of comfort(in order):

1.) 1911 in 9mm....forgot the manufacturer, but the single stack grip frame and short reach to trigger is just awesome. by far the most comfortable gun to hold and squeeze.

2.) CZ-P07 Duty and CZ-P07(2.0) in 9mm....can't believe nobody mentioned this gun in the thread....seemed to be of excellent quality and had a surprisingly small/narrow grip frame, the newer generation had removable backstraps too....

3.) Stoeger Cougar 8000F 9mm....wow first thing I noticed when the gun was placed on the counter is how big and wide the grip frame appeared. I was about ready to write it off before I even picked up the gun and handled it...to my surprise, the gun was actually quite comfortable to hold and did not feel too big. the DA trigger's reach-length is just at the edge of my comfort zone but very manageable especially with a half-cock. the more and more I handled the gun, the more I was impressed. The guy behind the counter was quite surprised that I actually preferred the Cougar over the PX4 storm because he told me the Storm was essentially the new polymer framed version of the Cougar.


So with all that being said, if I had a larger budget and wasn't worried about magazine capacity, I would go with a 1911 9mm 10 out 10 times. However the Stoeger Cougar met all my requirements and was only $320 to walk out the door.....so I brought it home.

Haven't fired it yet, but I am extremely happy with the gun and its overall feel in my hand....huge improvement over the Glock19. I'l let you guys know what I think after shooting it!

 

[pblanc]

Some folks find the Cougar to be somewhat odd in that it has a rather compact slide and barrel dimension (slightly sub 4" barrel) but a full-size grip. It was basically designed as a duty carry weapon so that concealing the frame and grip was not an issue, and the shorter barrel and slide dimension made it a bit faster on the draw.

Despite the shorter sight radius I have found the Cougars to be quite accurate. The Cougars did and do have the same rotary barrel lock up design that the PX4 Storm inherited, but they are all-metal pistols, unlike the polymer-frame PX4s. Most Cougar owners find their pistols to shoot flat and be very recoil-friendly.

The rotary barrel design does seem to like to be greased. Don't overdo it but before you shoot it definitely field strip it and wipe it down. I use grease on the slide rails, the barrel locking lugs, and the bearing surfaces on the interior of the slide that the barrel rotates on. I also put a little dab of grease on the lug of the central block. I have recently read a recommendation to apply a light coating of grease to the breech end of the barrel where it rotates against the breech block before it unlocks from the slide.

Some people have bashed the Cougar but virtually everyone I know who actually owns one is happy with it, if not delighted. I have let a number of people at various ranges try my 45 caliber Stoeger 8045F and virtually all have been amazed at how tame the recoil is.

 

[AnselHazen]

I have a good size hand, am also a lefty so my choice was the Steyr L9-A1. It melts into my hand and just well, fits!

My first thought when reading your initial post was maybe you might find the C9-A1 a possibility too.

 

[bannockburn]

allivak

I also have smaller size hands and find the grip design of the Steyr M9 to fit like my hand inside a glove. The Beretta PX4 is similar but not quite the same ergonomics as the Steyr M9. I have found both the Ruger SR9c and CZ P01 to be equally comfortable in terms of their size and grip designs.

 

[rick 9]

Take a look at eaa witness pavona buds has them for $320
Its designed for small hands . A woman at the range had one and shot it vary
well . gallery of guns has u tube video on it

 

[legion3]

Good to see more Steyr fans. An odd but underrated shooter.

I like that the plus mags add 2 rounds to the full size with little extra length.

 

[Grunt]

I love my Steyr M9-A1. Mine did have a break in period with a few failures to extract and eject but after 200 rounds, it hasn't been an issue. I also installed the 1911 plunger spring inside the extractor spring for a little extra extractor tension and more positive extraction...just to be sure. I haven't had any other issues with the pistol though. Very comfortable grip but the angle is more Glock/Lugerish than the SR9 that is more akin to a 1911 grip angle.

 

[DaBruins]

I'm not familiar with the Steyr, but I have a 9mm full-size PX4 that I bought new 3 yrs ago and it is my favorite range gun. I have shot a few thousand rounds through it without a single hiccup or issue of any type. Shoot; clean; repeat. And you can't beat Beretta quality, as I currently own 5 Beretta firearms and I've never had a problem with any of them. The only feature on the gun that I wish was different is the safety lever- it is very edgy/sharp and I find it difficult to operate with my thumb, so you might want to check this out if you get a chance to handle a PX4 before you buy one.

 

[9 fingers]

My first thought was a CZP07, double stack, high quality, adjustable grips, reasonable sized gun, about $410 at Sportsman's Guide and maybe $440 other places. I have not shot the PX4 but find the grips slippery feeling. The local PD used them and has mixed feelings for the PX4. I don't think the P07 can be beat at that price range. It is not the smallest or lightest but it is an excellent gun. Someone above suggested a CZ83, and while I own one and am a fan, the grip is quite fat and not that well suited for small hands, IMO. And it is not a 9mm.
9 fingers

 

[GoPappy]

'm not familiar with the Steyr, but I have a 9mm full-size PX4 that I bought new 3 yrs ago and it is my favorite range gun. I have shot a few thousand rounds through it without a single hiccup or issue of any type. Shoot; clean; repeat. And you can't beat Beretta quality, as I currently own 5 Beretta firearms and I've never had a problem with any of them. The only feature on the gun that I wish was different is the safety lever- it is very edgy/sharp and I find it difficult to operate with my thumb, so you might want to check this out if you get a chance to handle a PX4 before you buy one.

I assume you are aware that Beretta sells a low profile safety replacement kit if you want to dehorn your PX4. I haven't done it to mine because it is just a range gun for me right now. But I agree that the PX4 is a great, dependable gun, and a soft shooter also. Love it.

 

[StrutStopper]

I have had some reliability issues with my Steyr M9 but it is strictly a range gun. Pretty sure a good detailed cleaning will cure all. My Px4 in .40 has been nothing but reliable since day 1 though. It does come with 3 backstraps, perhaps the small would suit your hand size. It is a very soft shooter for a .40 too due to the rotating barrel design. I can only imagine it would be an even softer shooter in 9mm.

 

[mkc451]

Wife shot the Steyr, PPQ M1, SR9 plus a Shield & Glock 43 at an indoor range when she went looking for a 9mm. Her issues were mostly comfort in trigger reach. The issue with small compacts like Shield & 43 -- it's not a fun range gun. Full size pistols are much more pleasant to shoot. She's all of 5' 2" with small hands. After it all, she liked the PPQ, but felt the SR9 was almost as good and CDNN had them for 329$. So she now has a SR9, loves it.

 

[FireInCairo]

The Springfield XD9 Essentials package (pistol and one mag) has to be one of the best values available for a brand new pistol at a meager $399.

 

[wileybelch]

I have a PX4 Storm as my primary 9mm. When I entered the 9mm world, I decided I would not consider any pistol that did not have a hammer that I could see! I dislike striker fired pistols. The Storm feels and performs excellently. Long live the hammer!!!!

 

[GLOOB]

If you want to see what it's like to be a giant, get your huge, manly mitts on a Daewoo DP-51. It's a full size doublestack 9mm, and I would bet money you will find the trigger reach to be too short. And it will cost you under $300, if you can find one.

 

[Girodin]

I'm a fan of the Steyr. It is a gun that languishes in its own obscurity. It is simply not even on most peoples radars. When a friend who owns a gun shop first recommended one to me I turned up my nose. I'd heard of Steyr but was totally unfamiliar with the M series. I didn't want to waste my time on some odd ball gun. Well a couple years later the same friend still had a Steyr and I had read some pretty positive reviews. He sold it to me for a song and so I figured why not. I quickly fell in love and it soon became my carry gun.

Its big disadvantage is its own lack of popularity and the resulting lack of support in terms of parts etc. That said one can get what one needs.

I have glocks, HKs, etc and I really like the Steyr. I think the Steyr and the VP are both guns that are easier to shoot well the a Glock 19/17.

The reality is I'll carry and feel perfectly fine with one of my glocks, the VP 9, or my Steyr. They have slightly different characteristics and trade offs but they are all much more up the task than most shooters are.

 

[FL-NC]

The storm is a horrible gun in my opinion. I tested them when they came out. Trigger is horrible and the lockup is... weird. Go to a gun show or a well-stocked shop and try several for grip, price, and trigger. I would advise looking at the ruger SR pistols, and the S&W sigma and SD series.

 

[Winkman822]

From a reliability and price standpoint, the PX4 and Steyr are great options, but as others have said the Steyer has a very different feel from other guns out there. In the price point needed, the Walther PPX is a good place to start for a double stack gun with a surprisingly good trigger that may fit the bill well. The Walther PPS is also very good and an alternative to the S&W M&P Shield and Glock 43. Another good option would be the Springfield XD in your size of choice.

 

[Zendude]

I have read some reviews of the Diamondback FS9 that mentioned the grip is not too big for medium or small hands. I haven't seen one to try it out though.