Problem with small hands

[rellascout]

As far as trigger finger, I never try and get more than the pad of the finger on the trigger. Any more or any less and you end up pushing or pulling the gun in either direction while attempting to pull the trigger straight back. I couldn't get the first joint of my trigger finger inside the trigger guard of most guns while maintaining a proper grip in the first place

I assumed but was just checking. Really try to get your hands on a BHP...

 

[WifeofBleys]

Just a suggestion, and I am in NO way trying to make you feel worse about this situation. I can only imagine what a difficulty you must be having.

Have you tried the Walther P99 with the smallest backstrap? When I originally fired my husband's P99, he had the medium backstrap on it and it was a bear for me (and even hard for him and he is 6' tall). Recently, he put the smallest backstrap on and it fits my hand much, much better (and he even likes it better as well)! I am small, 5'4".

Hope this helps and that you find a semi-auto that works for you!

 

[drw2514]

Out of all the semi-auto pistols I've owned, save the 1911, the P99 with the smallest backstrap was the one that felt the best and was the most recent. The trouble is that the backstrap does not change the size of the frame directly below the slide, like I stated previously. It wouldn't get bloody like the M&P did, but it was still fairly uncomfortable to shoot for extended periods. I couldn't get used to the "hump" at the bottom of the grip, even with the small backstrap. I like a flat backstrap, like a flat MSP on a 1911. I understand the SR9 has the reversible backstrap that allows for an arched or flat profile, and the one I handled had the arched installed and was still VERY comfortable.

Still looking for opinions, but I have it narrowed down to:

SR9
BHP
Kahr
3900 series

The only thing keeping me from taking the plunge on the SR9 right away and coming here to seek other potential options was the trigger (HEAVY!) and lack of a reputation. The trigger is something I could get used to through practice, so it isn't that big of a dealbreaker.

 

[Telekinesis]

Have you tried a HK P7? The single stack PSP (euro/heel mag release) and M8 (mag release under the trigger guard, similar to the USP) might work. They're SA only, but with a squeeze cocking grip/safety that decocks the striker when it's released.

They're kind of hard to come by (they have been out of production for more than a few years) and can get expensive if you like to keep a good number of mags on hand, but they're nice little guns.

 

[drw2514]

Have you tried a HK P7?

Actually, yes! Well, I didn't shoot it as it wasn't for rental, but I did hold one. Was very nice, except for the squeeze-cocking feature. That was much heavier than I thought it would be. LGS had a run of them, about a dozen or so, ranging in price from about $700 to $1,000 IIRC.

It seems like the slimmer the slide area, like on the 1911, P7, SR9, etc, the better for me, as I can deal with trigger reach as long as the rear of the gun, the part that hits the web of my hand, is slim enough.

 

[Chuck Perry]

Try the SIG E2 pistols, either P226 or P229. I have smaller hands and they fit me perfect. Probably the best fitting gun I've ever handled. I'm ordering one tomorrow in fact

 

[Telekinesis]

Top Gun Supply had a few of them a while ago, but I don't think they have any left. They had some used (B grade) going for $500. It's still on their website so they could be getting a few more in. I have seen some M13s going for over $1300, so they certainly do get up there.

I actually didn't find the squeeze-cocking to be that heavy, but it was on a P7 M13 so they might have lightened it more than the single stacks that preceded it.

 

[drw2514]

The E2 Sigs are very intriguing, I must admit. I would love to handle one, but alas, none of the stores have one. And as I've stated earlier, I highly doubt any store would order me a pistol just to handle as they all have very small inventories and I can't imagine they do that large of a business.

 

[labhound]

If you can shoot an SR9 before you buy one. My wife had the exact same problem you have. Our SR9 felt good in her hand and the grip was slim in width, but it fairly long front to back. When she shot it she was having to slightly rotate her grip to reach the trigger and the gun was hitting her thumb knuckle fairly hard. We eventually sold the gun to a friend. We bought her a Beretta Cheetah 85FS .380 which fit her hand perfectly. I know you want a 9mm but you might want to consider a large .380 like the Cheetah 84FS/85FS or a CZ 83.

 

[Usmcfox]

Or try the Taurus pt145 millenium pro 45acp might seem like a lot but my wife has no problem shooting it at all and at a mere 420 bucks doesn't put a huge dent in your wallet.

 

[1SOW]

I'm 5'8", 135 lbs, old and have small hands. My strong hand was 'damaged years ago and my trigger finger is 1/4" shorter than my weak hand.

For range and gun games, right or wrong, I shoot what I like with light springs. I have a permanent large callous next to the web on my strong hand knuckle.

For SD I shoot a Sig 239 single stack with the optional short-reach trigger. I can 'just' reach this trigger DA and the gun is 'allllmost' aligned with my forearm.

The BHP did feel pretty good in my grip, but wasn't the gun I wanted to play games with.

I really do hope you find the gun that feels perfect.

I wish you luck!

 

[drw2514]

Our SR9 felt good in her hand and the grip was slim in width, but it fairly long front to back.

This is certainly true. I did hold the SR9 in a full firing grip and was able to put the full pad of my trigger finger on the trigger, still maintaining a gap along the right side of the frame, and my thumb knuckle cleared the rear of the frame to the left. I was able to squeeze back and forth with the strong hand and side to side with the weak hand and it certainly felt right. It was so perfect that I made double and triple sure just to make sure I wasn't being an idiot... . I'm going to try and track one down, I think it might be for me. That trigger will take some work though...

Those small Millennium Pros are quite attractive, and I've held one (the 10 shot model) and it felt okay, but I think I'd like a little larger of a pistol.

Thanks for all the advice and well-wishes! I've got some ideas and some things to look for/track down, some of what I was feeling was reinforced, and I certainly don't feel alone in my predicament any longer!

 

[sakata8242]

If you can find one of the E2 SIGs to handle, they might be an option. These guns come with the short trigger, short reset trigger, and thinner grips.

http://www.sigsauer.com/Products/ShowCatalogProductDetails.aspx?categoryid=7&productid=285

Topgun Supply has these on sale right now: $799. If the E2 fits you this is a terrific deal IMO.

 

[denfoote]

I both resemble and feel your pain.

I've pretty much gotten rid of the guns that don't fit.

What I have left are mostly revolvers and single stack autos.

The full size auto list includes:

1911
Browning High Power
Walther P99 with the small back strap
Walther P38/P1
Glock 30SF (short frame)

What finds it's way onto my hip most of the time is my Kahr MK9.

 

[Shadow 7D]

Hate to say this, but keep trying, shoot the gun before buying, and grip, is grip and is as individual as your hands, I'm from the school of if it works don't knock it, so I would say choose a gun you shoot well.

 

[Xfire68]

At 2 5/8" your fingers are short but, not as short as my girlfriends and she has 0 problems shooting my CZ 75B with a larger Hogue grip? She does have a problem reaching the safety with her thumb so the CZ 75 is not for her.

We rented a SR9c to see how well it shot and fit her hands and it was a Home Run!

 

[Doogle]

I would also recommend the BHP. It's great for smaller hands...>

...even though it has a double stack magazine. This was part of the reason I got one. I simply can't comfortably reach the DA trigger on, say, a Beretta 92. My choice came down to a 1911 type or the BHP.

​

 

[Jaywalker]

I'm certain I don't have as many firearms as a lot of the folks who are advising you, so take this info for what it's worth. I've had my Browning HP for 30-some years and my Kahr K9 (steel frame) for 15, and I think that's my most recent purchase. The problem is that "small" doesn't really accurately describe anything that others can understand, so let me try something more descriptive.

I play golf and use a "Cadet Medium Large" golf glove. That describes a hand that is medium large across the palm but which has shorter fingers than a "Regular Medium Large" would. The HP and the Kahr K9 fit me so perfectly that I haven't seen much of a reason to buy anything else. May I suggest you try on a golf glove and see if those two handguns might also be close to your size, also?

Another way to improve the BHP would be to spring for Spegal grips, which are a little thinner, as shown here:





I also have been tempted in the last few days by a Walther P99AS. The trigger system is good, but a little complicated to describe. I would not be able to use the "decocked, double action," but I would be able to use the "assisted, trigger forward and trigger rear" modes.

Let us know what you end up with, but i truly believe the BHP will work for you.

 

[drw2514]

I also have been tempted in the last few days by a Walther P99AS.

Wonderful firearm. I owned the AS version myself, the trigger reset is nearly non-existent. It was amazing.

 

[EnderWiggin]

Take a look at the Springfield EMP 9mm. It is a 1911 platform but because it was built around the 9mm cartridge, the distance between the front of the trigger and the back of the grip is shorter.

I have small hands as well. So far, the guns that fit me the best have been 1911's, XDm's with the smallest backstrap, BHP, and the Colt Mustang 380. The Colt Mustang 380 feels like it was made for my hand.

I recently bought the Glock 26 Gen 4 and it feels SO MUCH better in my hands than the Gen 3 (I have the Gen 3 as well). With no backstraps, the gen 4 grip is the same size as their Short Frame versions.

The SR9c grip is thin but I don't like that. The issue is the distance between the back of the grip and the front of the trigger. The SR9c just felt like the distance was the same as other guns but the thickness of the grip was a lot thinner. It felt uncomfortable and cheap for me. But that's just my opinion.

I think the best comfort for small hands will come from a 1911/BHP platform. If you want a polymer pistol, then I would look into the XDm or the Gen 4 Glocks.

 

[Sauer Grapes]

I agree with this to a point but I often see way too many people adjusting their to fit the weapon they are shooting. IMHO you need to pick handguns that fit your hand and point naturally. In a defense situation you do not have time to adjust it has to be natural. The OP does not state what the gun is going to be used for but feel in the hand is the #1 most overlooked feature of handguns IMHO.

+1 on fit!

Maybe the way I stated it wasn't quite right. I understand the need for "fit", and didn't mean to offend the OP. Or diminish his quest for the perfect handgun. It can be a vicious cycle finding all the things you want in a pistol.
Sometimes you just have to find something that's close to your criteria.
Good luck.....