IDPA, small hand

[dashootist]

Hi,
I've shot 1911's and numerous S&W K/L frames, and I thought those fit my hands alright, until I got my Makarov. Yes, the Mak is a small 380-size pistol, but I can wrap my hand around the grip good and tight easily. I can shoot it one handed with confidence. I can grab it and make minor adjustment to my grip quickly. I think what I've learned is small grip gives me awesome control. I shoot the best with my Mak. Eventhough I can reach the trigger on my 1911 comfortably, I always felt something wasn't quite right. I know now that my hand just isn't big enough to wrap around the 1911 grip confidently. My S&W K/L frame revolvers have small grip, but the trigger reach is a problem. So I always find my hand slid over to reach the trigger; hence, always having to correct my grip to maintain control when shooting hot rounds. While the 1911 and K/L frames are alright for plicking, I find I need better control for running-n-gunning games. So, I'm basically looking for a auto/revolver for IDPA. It has to be 10-round 9mm Luger or 6-round 38spl+p, and it has to have a Makarov/PPK/Bersa/SP101size grip for my small hands. What is this gun? Thanks.

 

[chris in va]

The XD9 has a pretty small grip, one of the main reasons I sold it. My hands are large and I couldn't quite disengage the grip safety all the time.

 

[MrBorland]

Try shooting a Ruger GP100 if you get a chance. Although it's definitely a full-size revolver, the reach to the trigger is a bit shorter than a K/L frame Smith, IIRC. They tune up nicely, too.

BTW, K/L-frame or GP100, lightening the trigger pull a bit might also let you get less finger on the trigger, so you don't have to reach quite as far. And you'd also want grips with an exposed backstrap if you don't already have them.

 

[BCRider]

A Tokarev in 9mm with the small non-wrap around grips sounds like it would fit your hands well then. But they are single action with no safety so they would not qualify for use in run-n-gun games.

What about a round butt K frame with shaved down grips? The grips are just wood after all. Get a coarse half round file and have at a set of cheap or damaged grips. Work on thinning the sides but maintain an oval shape so your fingers are comfortable as they wrap around. And the round butt version allows a better wrap around of the lower portion of your hand and last two fingers.

I've got big hands but I still found that the swell of the lower portion of the stock target grips did not let my hand get a good wrap. The grips were scratched and chipped a little anyway so I didn't have a moments remorse about taking a rasp to them. If you want some inspiration I'll take a picture of the results and post it later.

If you want to try this you'll need a good way to hold the grips while you work on them. In my case I used the stock screw hole and a cut off nail in the positioning pin hole to hold them to a piece of 1x4 that was cut to match the profile of the guns stock. This made clamping the grips in the vise easier so I could use both hands on the tools.

 

[Jim Watson]

A short trigger and thin grips would help that 1911.

S&W Plastic M&P with the small backstrap would be worth a look; or a Gen 4 Glock at small.

 

[Ed from Maine]

S&W 3rd gen

A S&W 3913/14, or a 3904/06 would probably feel pretty good to you, but I think the mags are 9 rounds, maybe there are some bigger ones which work. these are single stack mags, hence the friendlier grip size.

 

[btg3]

The small hand, big hand discussion never seems to get resolved from 2nd-hand input. Hand size is only one-facet of determining the handgun best suited to a particular hand. Consider:
1. Large -vs- slender fingers.
2. Stubby -vs- long fingers.
3. Level of dexterity.
4. Strong -vs- weak grip strength.
5. Etc. etc.

Think about it this way... when you shake hands with folks do all the big hands feel the same? Are all the small hands the same? Hardly.


Get off the keyboard. Go to a gun store. Handle the guns.

(Or stay on the keyboard and order a M&P, because I have small hands and love the way that both my compact and full size M&P fit MY hands.)

 

[David E]

I know now that my hand just isn't big enough to wrap around the 1911 grip confidently.

Unless you're on "Little People, Big World," that's unlikely.

What IS likely is that you haven't tweaked the 1911 to suit your hand properly.

Do you have slim grips on it? A short trigger? A flat mainspring housing? A high-cut beavertail?

If you have all these and STILL find it's too big, there is always the machined grip reduction, but I doubt you'd need that, since you think the Makarov fits you so well. (does that include reaching the trigger when it's fully forward?)

 

[dashootist]

What IS likely is that you haven't tweaked the 1911 to suit your hand properly. Do you have slim grips on it? A short trigger? A flat mainspring housing? A high-cut beavertail?

No, I didn't do any tweaking at all. I might have if I didn't hate the recoil of the 45 so much. Maybe a 9mm 1911 is what I need.

...since you think the Makarov fits you so well. (does that include reaching the trigger when it's fully forward?)

No, Mak's DA pull is tough to reach. But since I have a good grip on the gun, I can manage.

 

[dashootist]

I think I found my IDPA gun: SP101 327 Mag. Fondled one at a gun shop. It fits my hand like a glove. And the local IDPA authority gave me permission to use it in the match.

 

[btg3]

Since you intend to shoot IDPA with the SP101 327 Mag, you may want to investigate holsters and speed loaders before committing to a purchase.

 

[Wedge]

Since you intend to shoot IDPA with the SP101 327 Mag, you may want to investigate holsters and speed loaders before committing to a purchase.

Don't forget ammo costs as well.

 

[David E]

SP101 is a poor choice as far as competition goes. And you'd ONLY be able to shoot it at the local match, since the current rules don't allow the caliber.

Managing the recoil of a .45 1911 isn't difficult, but it requires proper technique. My petite daughter could easily handle it at 16

The smallest grip on competition worthy guns would be the XD, XD-m (with the "small" insert it's even smaller than the XD) and the S&W M&P. If the "small" insert is still too big, you could run it without any insert installed. At least one smith does that work. (filling it in)

but if you think the SP101 is "the" gun for you, then you should be able to handle at least one of the above.

 

[Lefty Wright]

I old, with arthritis and small hands. I shoot a 1911 (Kimber Pro Carry II), in 9mm with slim grips and a short trigger. Go try one. You'll like it.

 

[Tacoma]

Any list of good Semi autos for small hands should include the Browning hipower and the S&W M&P.

 

[dashootist]

I guess I just have freakishly short fingers. When I try on motorcycle gloves, the small size isusually too tight, and my fingers are still too short for them.

 

[David E]

I guess I just have freakishly short fingers. When I try on motorcycle gloves, the small size isusually too tight, and my fingers are still too short for them.

Were you the guy in that Burger King commmercial?

I'm basing my comments off how you say the Mak fits you. Try the guns I suggested and see if you find something.

A Kahr P-9 has a very small grip, so give that a look also.