Handgun for small hands?

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Thank all you guys for the help. I'll be meeting with mom and daughter soon. In the meantime, they'll cruise some gun shops. Those of you who recognized that the gun will likely be a home-gun only are on target. That makes revolvers a very good option. Her mother carries a .38 revolver in her purse. Still, we'll keep looking.
 
Sniper66 said:
Thank all you guys for the help. I'll be meeting with mom and daughter soon. In the meantime, they'll cruise some gun shops. Those of you who recognized that the gun will likely be a home-gun only are on target. That makes revolvers a very good option. Her mother carries a .38 revolver in her purse. Still, we'll keep looking.
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Why do you make that assumption?
 
Oldschool shooter said:
Grandpa was a Detriot police officer from the late 20s theu the mid 50s. He had huge hands. Grandma was 5' tall if she stood up real straight. While she hated his 1903 Pocket Hammerless in 32acp, she was deadly with his 38/44HD revolver. That wS an early N Frame S&W in 38 Special. Best bet is to take her to a range that rents guns and let her shoot several different guns.
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The guys at the range come to see what all I brought to shoot whenever I show up. "What is that?" is often heard.
 
Over a decade ago they told me a small 380 would be hard to shoot. They told me it would even be harder since I have a size L hand and long thin fingers and wear a size xtra large gloves. They told me a DAO would be hard to learn.
Lol, turned out that shooting them became a big hobby. I fell in love with shooting them and now can shoot the heck out of one. And I love the Beretta Pico. And for sure they can do MUCH more than the internet will tell you. These are not just gut guns. Shoot em often and they can be good up to 15 yds.
And heck, do not even own a larger 380. Anything larger, I shoot the soft shooting Beretta Nano.

Moral of story. Don't judge the gun or the shooter or the size hand. The Op's daughter might just find something that suites her fancy that might not even be listed here.

No matter which gun she choose, expect to get diligent range time. and 380 will be real hard to find.
 
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I picked up a Glock 48 and 43X a while ago. The grips are pretty thin, they are easier for me to shoot than many subcompacts, especially the 48 and with the Shield Arms magazines it holds 15+1 rounds.
 
How about a 1911, in 9mm.
Since it is a house pistol no reason not to get a full sized pistol.
40K rounds on a Springfield loaded 1911 in 9mm
A full size 1911 in 9mm is a joy to shoot.
I happen to like 1911s others will say old tech, finicky, etc.
The problems I have had
failure to chamber one round, bad brass on a reloaded round before I case gauged no fault of gun
Some failures to lock back, bad mag springs, replaced mags, problem solved.
So 40k rounds and no failures I can blame on the gun.
One of my friend's wife who had never shot a pistol before the current range session was shooting his Glock .40.
She was having a hard time with the Glock (nothing against Glocks or .40,just maybe not the best choice for a new shooter)
I let her shoot my Springfield and she loved it and was making good hits, than asked hubby to get her one. (Hubby not happy Springfield is a 1K gun as opposed to a $400 one)

Not saying a 1911 is the right answer, but should be worth considering.
 
Very subjective. My wife tried several guns and finally settled on a Glock 42. It works extremely well for her and is surprisingly accurate for her.
 
Shield
LC9S
LCP
SA 911
Sig P938
Hellcat
P365
XDs
Kimber Micro9
Kimber striker gun. Don't remember the name.
HK VP9SK or P30SK if a bit larger can be tolerated.
J Frame
SP101 if you don't want to be beat up by a small revolver.
Beretta ugly little guns.

There are a lot to choose from. Pick a few and go fondle what can be found.
 
Sniper66 said:
I friend's daughter wants to get a small handgun to have available for self protection. Of course, she's had some experience and will go thru additional training and supervised practice. She is a mature 19yr old going off to college and wants a gun in her apartment where she will be living alone. But, she is quite petite and has smallish hands. Of course we'll be taking her to gun stores where she can try out different options, but wondered if you guys out there have any suggestions as to make and model of small handguns. I have a Kimber Micro .380 that I like a lot and it is amazingly accurate for a short barreled pistol. Looking forward to your suggestions.
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Just went through the "tiny hands" thing at the rental range with a lady friend of mine.

Ruger LC380.

Easy to shoot well and operate, except for gettin' that last round or two into the mag w/o practice.

Have researched them, and they are both economy priced and hammer reliable.

With proper ammo, like Speer 90 gr. GD, should be a fine choice for an SD pistol.




GR
 
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For 460Shooter,

I believe you mentioned in another thread, you have large hands. These are typical recommendations from somebody that doesn't understand the issue for those with small hands.
460Shooter said:
Shield
LC9S
LCP
SA 911
Sig P938
Hellcat
P365
XDs
Kimber Micro9
Kimber striker gun. Don't remember the name.
HK VP9SK or P30SK if a bit larger can be tolerated.
J Frame
SP101 if you don't want to be beat up by a small revolver.
Beretta ugly little guns.

There are a lot to choose from. Pick a few and go fondle what can be found.
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JTQ said:
We seem to do this in all these type threads...

Little guns aren't easy to shoot.

The issue for folks with small hands is trigger reach. Recommending a gun that has a short grip - top to bottom - isn't an advantage to anyone, unless you're trying to conceal it. A home defense gun doesn't need to be concealed.
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JTQ said:
For 460Shooter,

I believe you mentioned in another thread, you have large hands. These are typical recommendations from somebody that doesn't understand the issue for those with small hands.
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I missed that she didn’t plan to carry it. I agree, if this is for home defense only it should be the highest capacity gun she can handle, and have some weight to mitigate recoil.

Thought carry was a need also.
 
This sort of thing is so subjective. I have rather smallish hands myself but have no problem with my Glock, which is supposedly too big and blocky for someone with small hands.
 
alfsauve said:
I vote a J frame revolver. Simple manual of arms, small grip, enough weight to not be unpleasant to shoot.
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For a non-carry gun, a K frame might be easier concerning recoil. A snubbie, especially if it is DAO, is hard to master.
 
many small hand people have found the Glock 42 to be just about perfect for them.
 
George P said:
For a non-carry gun, a K frame might be easier concerning recoil. A snubbie, especially if it is DAO, is hard to master.
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Agree, these are guns that require diligent training and practice. BUT, once learned, they conceal well, easy to use and a whole lot of tun to shoot.The LCR22 has turned out to be my favorite plinker and trainer. And there is a certain satisfaction that comes with shooting one well that is hard to describe. And a gun should not be dependent on the size of the hand. It should be what feels right for the individual.
For myself, all my Defense guns are DAO. Prefer them over any other trigger. From Pocket guns to Micro 9mm's. Smooth, controlled, deliberate.
But again, your are right, not every one can master a DAO or willing to try and learn.
 
MedWheeler said:
If she likes the mini-1911, then the Kimber or any of the other similars. The Glock 42 or Ruger LC380 should suffice if she does not. Of course, 9mm versions of similar guns may well fill the bill if she isn't "restricted" to the .380ACP.

The Smith and Wesson Shield EZ is an excellent option in .380, too.
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^^^Good options here.
I was asked about something similar for a classmate of mine last year. I took her to the local rent a range and tossed a couple hundred bucks down to rent 5 guns.
1. S&W Shield 9mm. 1.0
2. Ruger Security 9
3. S&W Bodyguard
I don't remember what #'s 4 and 5 were but she liked the security 9. With her smaller hands she ended up finding the compact version and she loves it.
 
Sneakshot92 said:
^^^Good options here.
I was asked about something similar for a classmate of mine last year. I took her to the local rent a range and tossed a couple hundred bucks down to rent 5 guns.
1. S&W Shield 9mm. 1.0
2. Ruger Security 9
3. S&W Bodyguard
I don't remember what #'s 4 and 5 were but she liked the security 9. With her smaller hands she ended up finding the compact version and she loves it.
Click to expand...
Will you be my friend? Nice 'classmate' you are..
 
FFGColorado said:
Will you be my friend? Nice 'classmate' you are..
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I graduated high school with her back in 2011. That definitely fits the 'classmate' bill. Besides. I wanted to make sure she had a good experience since she comes from a mainly anti gun family.
Always nice to help bring someone into the world of firearms.:thumbup:
 
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