Finding something to fit my hands.

[Ironhawk]

So I've been in search of ccw pistol for some time. And my problem is that I like everything....well just about everything...lol My other problem is that my hands are on the smaller side of the average sized hand. I'm finding it difficult to find a handgun with a grip frame that I can take hold of and be left with the feeling that "this one" fits me like a glove. At this point I'm not concerned with a price range. I've decided that its beyond the worth of the investment to own a gun that fits me like no other, is reliable and accurate. By the way, I'm an accuracy nut. Cumulatively all of you have far more hands on experience with just about everything under the sun then I can claim, so what would y'all reccommended? My thanks in advance for any and all comments, I really appreciate the input. Have a good one!

 

[Arkie]

First, I would like to welcome you to The High Road. HOWDY!!!!

It really depends on what caliber you are looking for also. I carry a Ruger P345 and I'm a small guy but it does fit in my hand quite nicely. It's slim and pretty accurate too. Have you looked at the XD models?

Lots of people will chime in and give you lots of choices for your perfect CCW.

 

[cbailey]

For small-handed ccw I’d recommend looking at a compact 1911 (4“ or less), w/slim grips. If required, short triggers can also be installed. The Xd’s that I own or tried fit the hand well and are offered in ccw-friendly sizes, and I imagine the SW M&P’s can fit small hands even better, but I don’t know how compact they make them. My Glock 19, which I like a lot, isn’t too large for my hand, but I can’t say that it feels “right” (angular, blocky). I’ve gotten used to it.

If you’re an accuracy nut, I’d lean towards the 1911, (heck, and maybe even get a 5”). If you can’t make that fit your hand with slim grips and a short trigger you’ll probably be hard-pressed to find a major-caliber autoloader that will fit the bill. I don’t know about the absolute mechanical accuracy potential of the bushingless barrel designs typically found in the shorter 1911’s, but you will have the potential for a nice trigger if not already have one. And for accuracy shooting, I think I prefer a ~4lb 1911 pull over the 2.5lb pull on my modified XD - crisper, less take up.

If you think you can ccw a full size, I’d at least try out a cz75 non-decocker models. The double action trigger pull will be too long, but you can carry cocked and locked. The grips feel nice in my smallish hands for a double-stack 9mm.

If your not committed to getting an auto-loader and can live with a 5-shot capacity, I’d also look at a Ruger SP101.

 

[Texastbird]

It might take some range time to "get used" to the way a particular gun feels. I have large hands and my wife has fairly petite hands. We shoot the same pistols and revolvers at the range. It funny that we both wind up liking the same ones even though we have to hold them totally differently to be comfortable. Sometimes a simple grip panel change can completely change the way a gun handles and feels. Some guns just might have too long of a reach to the trigger for smaller hands, though. The new SR9 Ruger has a nice slim grip, and I'm sure there are many others.

 

[DMK]

I like thin guns for a CCW. They aren't very common though since double stack magazines are very popular.

Guns that I've found to have thin grips include:

Kahrs (any model)
Ruger 345
Taurus 24/7
Any single stack 1911 (and you can make it smaller with thin grip panels)

 

[bannockburn]

Ironhawk

I feel your discomfort, as I too have small hands. I know you mentioned CCW, but if you want to consider full size as well, a 1911 (or smaller) sized frame is very comfortable to me. Another one high on my list is the Browning HiPower. The newer Rugers, like the P345 and SR9, are both very slim and easy to use for someone with small hands. For true CCW, the Kahr's are hard to beat for size, ergonomics, and concealability. My only disclaimer here is with their polymer framed guns; I had trouble with one that I had, so check them out thoroughly if you decide to go that route.

 

[coma]

For CCW take a look at the SIG P239 in 9mm or .40 S&W.....I have one and while I have large to extra large hands it fit three people with normal to small hads very well. These as all SIG guns are more accurate than most people can shoot. The P229 and P226 have Large double stack grips and dont fit most smaller hands, I have a p229 and one of my female friends loves the gun even with the fat double stack grip so to each their own.

Also look into the Kahr line of pistols they have some very CCW friendly stuff and many claim that they are as accurate or better then glocks in that department, BOTW the Kahrs do seem to to require a "break in" of about 500 rounds before some of the pistols run 100% with out failures.

Try as many as you can and pick something that is comfortable and reliable. Then work form there.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[mattw]

I've got small hands too. Since this is the auto loader forum I won't say try a J-Frame S&W.

Try a 1911 with a flat mianspring housing or a springfield armory XD.

 

[modifiedbrowning]

Try out the Walther P99. The most ergonomic pistol out there and it comes with three different backstraps. Also, a very accurate pistol.

 

[Kimber1911_06238]

+1 on single stack 1911 with thin grips

 

[Blarelli]

Kahr CW9 or CW40. Affordable, reliable, and works very well with small hands.

 

[Searcher1970]

I have pretty small hands too. I'd say a 1911 full size or compact. Kahrs, single stack S&W auto's. Try a Hi power, they are pretty slim for a hi cap.

 

[wrench]

Small hands here, as well. I'd recommend Browning Hipowers, XD9s, S&W 3913, Beretta 92 compact type 'M', 1911s.
There's a few that I like.

 

[Navy87Guy]

My wife (5'2") absolutely fell in love with my Beretta PX4 Storm with the small backstrap installed. I'd highly recommend looking into any of the pistols that can be adjusted (PX4, Walther P99, M&P) -- you can get the performance of a high-quality pistol in a package that fits.

Jim

 

[larry24]

I have very small hands myself and most any of the doublestack magazine guns are too large for my hands........I almost have to use 2 hands with my beretta, even the smaller frame glocks feel awkward to me........

I would try any of the single stack mag Smith and wesson autos, I have 2 model 3914's (one blued, one stainless) and they fit perfect.

 

[ewayte]

The new Ruger SR9 has very slim grips and the backstrap is reversible (flat or arched).

 

[nainc]

Try a Sig P239. It's got everything you mentioned in your OP.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I wear a men's medium glove with some room to spare. Some guns with slim grips and/or short trigger reaches I've found to work well are:
1911 (can be thinned/shortened further with slimline grips, flat mainspring housings and short triggers)
S&W M&P
S&W 3913 and similar models
Kahr
Compact-frame Glock
CZ75 Compact (barely with a decocker model, should be better with a manual safety cocked and locked)

 

[flashman70]

Don't see that anyone has suggested the H&K P2000 or the new P30.

 

[JDGray]

Seen alot of good choices posted! Here's one of my favs

 

[TheReeves]

Another vote for a compact 1911 with slim grips, and a vote for Kahr, although I haven't had the chance to carry my CW40 yet.

Pictures (Cause everybody loves pictures):

Colt Defender with slim Alumagrips. My carry gun, fits my small hands the best.



Kahr CW40

 

[Ironhawk]

Thank you everyone for the ample feedback! It has been a great help and opened my eyes to a couple of manufacturers that I had previously not considered. I'll be keeping a sharp eye for those, and try to get some fondling time with 'em to see how they feel. thanks again!

 

[camacho]

My wife (5'2") absolutely fell in love with my Beretta PX4 Storm with the small backstrap installed.

I will second that. The PX4 is one of the the most ergonomic pistols I've handled. I will strongly recommend giving it a try!

 

[antsi]

A few recommendations for the SIG P239 already noted - it is worth adding, though, that SIG has a factory trigger mod for folks with small hands and/or short fingers called the "short trigger." This reduces the distance your trigger finger has to reach. A P 239 with the short trigger installed is highly beloved of the small-handed over on Sigforum.com

PS - one hint as to whether the gun fits you well or not is to watch the sights while dry firing. If the gun is too big and makes you adopt a strange grip or reach too far for the trigger, you are likely to see the sights move while pulling the trigger. If you can pull the trigger while maintaining a steady sight picture, that is a better sign. PPS - be sure to ask the gun store dude for permission before dry firing and be double sure the gun is unloaded.

 

[bobaloo]

My daughter is 5'0" tall and has very small hands. She carries a Kimber ProCarry that I put a short trigger in along with slim grips, or a Kahr PM9, they both fit her very well. Even a J frame has too long of trigger reach for her to give you an idea.

I carry a Browning HiPower in .40, that also fits here well.