Hi everyone I'm new here and was hoping to get some suggestions on a different pistol. I currently have a Ruger P93DC. My Problem it is I'm a little guy at only 5'4" and can't operate all the functions of my gun single handedly with my little hands. I was hoping to get some suggestions on some smaller framed guns but I don't want anything smaller then a 9mm.
pistol suggestions
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Mauser lover
Member
Did you consider a revolver?
There is no slide lock to work, there is no safety to get in the way, and they come in big bore sizes.
There is no slide lock to work, there is no safety to get in the way, and they come in big bore sizes.
Telekinesis
Member
Are you ok with a low capacity 9mm? If you are, some of the single stacks might work for you. There are some Sig P6s at Wideners for about $400 (if you can stretch the size a tad bit, you may be able to work a Sig 228 which is very similar but a double stack). The P6 is a single stack 9mm which means you only have 8 rounds in each mag, but Sigs are great guns.
Another option if you're ok with spending a bit more is a HK P7 PSP. It has a pretty cool squeeze cock/safety/slide release mechanism, and is a single action. Because its SAO and it has a fixed barrel and low bore axis, it is a very accurate gun. Like the P6, it has a single stack mag, though it only holds 7 rounds. The P7 also has a heel mag release as opposed to an American style release (button at the trigger guard) but with practice it is easy enough to use. Much easier than other heel release designs like the Makarov. Depending on how nice the gun is, the gun will go for $600-700. Mags are more expensive too.
Both these guns are police surplus and are out of regular production, so there will be some holster wear on them, but they are very serviceable guns. I wouldn't hesitate to carry one.
If you like the P7, there are some other versions including one with an American style mag release and also a double stack, but they are both a good bit more expensive than the PSP.
Another option if you're ok with spending a bit more is a HK P7 PSP. It has a pretty cool squeeze cock/safety/slide release mechanism, and is a single action. Because its SAO and it has a fixed barrel and low bore axis, it is a very accurate gun. Like the P6, it has a single stack mag, though it only holds 7 rounds. The P7 also has a heel mag release as opposed to an American style release (button at the trigger guard) but with practice it is easy enough to use. Much easier than other heel release designs like the Makarov. Depending on how nice the gun is, the gun will go for $600-700. Mags are more expensive too.
Both these guns are police surplus and are out of regular production, so there will be some holster wear on them, but they are very serviceable guns. I wouldn't hesitate to carry one.
If you like the P7, there are some other versions including one with an American style mag release and also a double stack, but they are both a good bit more expensive than the PSP.
S&W 3913 'LadySmith' or shall I say "LaddieSmith".
If you like Ruger, the LC9 is a great small frame semi-auto. Also, you can't go wrong with a Glock 19 or 26. If a revolver strikes your fancy, S&W's 642 or 442 .38 special is an excellent compact revolver.
Some will disagree with me, but I have had nothing but trouble from Taurus and Kahr. Their prices make them tempting, but my experience is the quality does not compare to the savings.
I hope that helps! Good luck on your search, read everything you can find!
Some will disagree with me, but I have had nothing but trouble from Taurus and Kahr. Their prices make them tempting, but my experience is the quality does not compare to the savings.
I hope that helps! Good luck on your search, read everything you can find!
Shadow 7D
Member
GO FONDLE THE GOODS
that's about it, I don't know what'll work for you,
you should go to a range that rents, talk the guy behind the counter and see if they will let you try out all the guns.
That said, little hands, you should love a Seecamp or a KT P32...
that's about it, I don't know what'll work for you,
you should go to a range that rents, talk the guy behind the counter and see if they will let you try out all the guns.
That said, little hands, you should love a Seecamp or a KT P32...
Or just get a handgun that doesn't have any controls. Get something like a Glock, M&P, or XD/XDM (if you've seen my other posts, you know my vote is XDM) and all you have to do is pull the trigger. Magazine release isn't hard to reach either.
I'm 5'6 and I have small hands, but I spend a LOT of time doing online gaming, which involves reaching across a keyboard and holding onto a mouse (the mouse makes any double stack handgun feel like an eating utensil), so YMMV.
Side note - I'm pretty sure that racking the slide is not something you can do simply with one hand (maybe one hand + an object, but not just holding it in your hand). I leave the weapon loaded at all times, however, so I won't need to rack the slide when I use it for defense.
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Another option, as has been said, is a revolver. Ruger SP101 is just about right for my Mom, who has smaller hands than I do. You still can't reload single-handed, if you think you need more than 5-6 rounds.
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The third option I'll suggest is a 1911. I don't have much experience with one, but I do know a lot of people complain about double-stack guns being too big, but the 1911 is comfortable. (I complain about it being too thin, the dang thing needs to eat a cheeseburger).
I'm 5'6 and I have small hands, but I spend a LOT of time doing online gaming, which involves reaching across a keyboard and holding onto a mouse (the mouse makes any double stack handgun feel like an eating utensil), so YMMV.
Side note - I'm pretty sure that racking the slide is not something you can do simply with one hand (maybe one hand + an object, but not just holding it in your hand). I leave the weapon loaded at all times, however, so I won't need to rack the slide when I use it for defense.
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Another option, as has been said, is a revolver. Ruger SP101 is just about right for my Mom, who has smaller hands than I do. You still can't reload single-handed, if you think you need more than 5-6 rounds.
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The third option I'll suggest is a 1911. I don't have much experience with one, but I do know a lot of people complain about double-stack guns being too big, but the 1911 is comfortable. (I complain about it being too thin, the dang thing needs to eat a cheeseburger).
chieftain
Member
My youngest daughter at 24 stands 4'10" and likes a 1911. She shoots a full size Colt government 5" in 45acp after I set it up with thin grips, short trigger, low thumb safety.
For CCW/EDC she has a Springfield EMP in 9mm, available in 40, and is deadly with both guns. 9 round magazine in 9, 8 in 40S&W.
I tried to get her to carry one of my other compacts, Glock 26, SIG 239, HK P2000sk 9, S&W M&P compact 9 etc... she said they all felt much to "clunky" for her. She likes the single stack 1911's. And for carry her EMP. I have one too.
Personally I am not a fan of the 40. For the record my own CCW/EDC is primarily a custom Colt Commander LtWgt in 45acp.
The good news is that there are more quality weapons available today than every before. Makes choosing tough, but fun. Hard to go wrong as long as you buy a quality gun.
Good luck.
Fred
For CCW/EDC she has a Springfield EMP in 9mm, available in 40, and is deadly with both guns. 9 round magazine in 9, 8 in 40S&W.
I tried to get her to carry one of my other compacts, Glock 26, SIG 239, HK P2000sk 9, S&W M&P compact 9 etc... she said they all felt much to "clunky" for her. She likes the single stack 1911's. And for carry her EMP. I have one too.
Personally I am not a fan of the 40. For the record my own CCW/EDC is primarily a custom Colt Commander LtWgt in 45acp.
The good news is that there are more quality weapons available today than every before. Makes choosing tough, but fun. Hard to go wrong as long as you buy a quality gun.
Good luck.
Fred
I'll second chieftain on this, 1911 with slim grips and extended slide release + thumb safety + mag release. That's probably the closest you'll get in conventional one-hand-operable format. An unconventional choice could be HK P7-series that allow you to operate mag release with your index finger and both slide release and cocking mechanism are incorporated in the squeeze-cocker in the handle.
MedWheeler
Member
Bersa Thunder 9. Kel-Tec P11 (though trigger pull is reportedly heavy and long; try one.)
JTQ
Member
Since your screen name is gunnewbe, a point to consider, depending on the pistol, most people need to rotate a pistol in their hand to reach various controls (not counting the trigger) no matter what the size of their hand. It may not be a problem just for you.
Though I don't know for sure, my guess is some pistols require you to move your hand to reach some controls so they aren't engaged/disengaged while you are shooting.
dcarch
Member
I'm going to give you the time tested adage: Get a Glock. It's quite a versatile pistol, it's durable, has virtually no hard to reach controls, and is quite accurate. Also, the Gen4 version probably has a backstrap that will fit even your hands. Good luck!
billwitten
Member
Get a Kahr or a 1911
Small hands love Kahrs. They also like 1911s with thin grips. The real question is: Is your budget bigger than a breadbox or smaller?
Go down to you local (reputable) gun store or--even better--your local range with guns for rent. Sign up for a class and explain that you'd like to try a variety of guns to help you decide which one is for you. Most places understand and will help you out as much as they can.
Small hands love Kahrs. They also like 1911s with thin grips. The real question is: Is your budget bigger than a breadbox or smaller?
Go down to you local (reputable) gun store or--even better--your local range with guns for rent. Sign up for a class and explain that you'd like to try a variety of guns to help you decide which one is for you. Most places understand and will help you out as much as they can.
LiveLife
Member
I would recommend you try handling M&P pistols with the small grip inserts. My hand size is 10 (using this hand size pdf) and my wife's smaller 7.5 hands are comfortable with both M&P40 and even the M&P45 with the small grip inserts and state comfortable recoil. My sister with even smaller hands tried various pistols (I am a Glock fan), but she found the M&P40 grip comfortable for her and recoil softer than Glock 22 (she bought the M&P40).
I also recommend Taurus Mil Pro models with SA/DA trigger (over the DAO trigger) as they seem to have the smaller grip size compared to other pistols. My wife's smaller hands are VERY comfortable with the PT145 double stack 45ACP grip.
Here's comparison of grips on my hands and yes, Glock 27 grip is a bit "bulkier" than other pistols that were comparable (including the Sig 1911). If you note the position of thumb/3rd finger finger nails, you will note PT145 has similar smaller grip size as 1911.
I also recommend Taurus Mil Pro models with SA/DA trigger (over the DAO trigger) as they seem to have the smaller grip size compared to other pistols. My wife's smaller hands are VERY comfortable with the PT145 double stack 45ACP grip.
Here's comparison of grips on my hands and yes, Glock 27 grip is a bit "bulkier" than other pistols that were comparable (including the Sig 1911). If you note the position of thumb/3rd finger finger nails, you will note PT145 has similar smaller grip size as 1911.
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Bozwell
Member
You may want to consider a CZ75B or a variant thereof. I know several people with smaller hands that shoot these guns very comfortably. I would recommend picking up a pair of the slim aluminum grips and a CGW reach reduction kit if you go that route. The best thing you can do though is find a range with a good selection of rentals, shoot a lot of different guns and see what works best for you.
JTQ
Member
My .02 on the CZ75B.
If you can comfortably reach the (standard) trigger when it is in double action mode, you don't have small hands.
If you then say, "just use it single action", you will find the reach to the thumb safety quite a bit farther than the thumb safety reach on a 1911.
The CZ75B does feel very comfortable in the hand (regardless of hand size), but the pistol is really designed for folks with larger hands.
If you can comfortably reach the (standard) trigger when it is in double action mode, you don't have small hands.
If you then say, "just use it single action", you will find the reach to the thumb safety quite a bit farther than the thumb safety reach on a 1911.
The CZ75B does feel very comfortable in the hand (regardless of hand size), but the pistol is really designed for folks with larger hands.
chieftain
Member
Still "Clunky" per my daughter who is a "Gunnie". Think thin. Glock ain't, and that is where many folks get hung up.
The Kahr is thin enough, but many women have problems working the heavily sprung slide. Also a problem in some, but not all short barreled guns. I doubt our OP will have that problem.
Don't buy to small a "first" gun either. I found that the width of a gun has more to do with concealment then the length, within reason, good belt and holster too. Others of course have their own experiences.
You are lucky, today there are a lot of good choices.
Just my 3 Drachma's. Good luck.
Fred
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