Small hands, Trigger Reach and Proper Grip

[TMann]

I have small hands. Most of the handguns that I own have are small enough that I can easily reach the trigger and still maintain a straight alignment from my elbow to my wrist to the barrel tip. (I hope that made sense.) However, I have one gun, a CZ P-01, that is just big enough that I can’t reach the trigger without “rotating” it slightly to the right. It’s not a huge amount of rotation, but it’s enough that I have to readjust my arm/hand position slightly compared to my other guns to get the sights on target.

Is this a big deal? Am I overthinking this? Do you all own guns that require some readjustment to your shooting grip?

TMann

 

[GimpyLeg]

Personally, I may shoot a handgun that does not fit like I want, but I don't own one and prolly won't.

 

[David E]

It can be a big deal. Gun fit is critically important. If you must, then rotate the hand around the grip until the trigger is in the first crease of the trigger finger.

It's not ideal and you'll have to fight the tendency of the gun aiming off to the right. It's not the best way to do it, but it can be done.

It's better if you chose a gun that fit you properly.

 

[bigfatdave]

It's better if you chose a gun that fit you properly.

There you have it.

Ergonomics is the number one concern for handguns, everything else lumped together comes in a distant second place.
Personally ... If a grip swap won't fix it, I'd designate it a range-only toy or be looking for a sale/trade.

 

[Straight Shooter]

It may be a big deal but it depends...

Is this a range only or a SD gun? If range only, no big deal.

At which trigger position are you having trouble? Hammer fully down (full DA) or half cocked? The P-01 is designed to be carried decocked (half cock).

If you are just a little short and you are using the stock rubber grips, the thinner aluminum grips from CZ may be a benefit to you.

If this is to be a self defense weapon and it doesn't fit right in your hand, I would suggest looking at other guns.

 

[JTQ]

I have the same problem with CZ75 pistols. There is no pistol out there that I want to like more than this line-up. They seem well made, but just don't fit me.

In double action I can't easily reach the trigger and in single action (cocked and locked) while I can now reach the trigger, I have trouble reaching the thumb safety. Because of this, I don't own one and probably never will.

 

[rellascout]

The P01 is very different than the rest of the CZ75 Line. I have smaller hands and love my P01. Short length of pull IMHO.

I recently put a pair of slim alum grips on my gun. I love them.....

 

[GRIZ22]

I have short fingers and have to rotate my hand a bit on many guns to place my finger properly on the trigger. I have shot well with Glock 45s (fat grip) to 1911s with arched mainspring housing (my best fit probably). There is something to "gun fit" but I think too much is made of it. The agency I worked for adopted Glock 9mms back in the late 90s and at the same time ceased authorizing personal handguns all together. We had agents from 4-10 with tiny hands to 6-7 with hands that could palm basketballs shoot well with the Glocks.

I think those who give "gun fit" as a reason for not shooting well with a particular gun is saying they refuse to adapt. Be willing to adapt and you can shoot any handgun well.

 

[Samgotit]

I'm doubly cursed with small hands and short fingers. The HK P30 is the only hand gun that really 'fits' me.

 

[rellascout]

Another suggestion is the looking into a Browning Hi Power or a 1911. Both are very comfortable in a smaller hands.

How is your grip. Many people put too much finger on the trigger causing them to reach and not grip the gun properly. It also leads to a 7 oclock push.

Check out this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysa50-plo48

 

[JDGray]

I cured the long reach CZ problem, by selling my DA-SA, and picking up an SA versian, using the thin aluminum grips. Hated that DA pull!! Those grips will help your P01, along with starting in half cock.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I prefer to have a gun that fits my hand, i.e., to point naturally with my finger centered on the trigger, to start with. If you have to rotate it sideways to get a proper purchase on the trigger, it is not impossible to shoot it fast and well, but you will have to work a lot harder to achieve it.

However, I have one gun, a CZ P-01, that is just big enough that I can’t reach the trigger without “rotating” it slightly to the right.

Is this with the hammer fully at rest, or decocked? When the gun is made ready by using the decocker to lower the hammer on a loaded chamber, the hammer starts from a "one-third cock" position, shortening the reach to the trigger as well as its length of stroke. This is what I like about my similar PCR.

 

[TMann]

Is this with the hammer fully at rest, or decocked? When the gun is made ready by using the decocker to lower the hammer on a loaded chamber, the hammer starts from a "one-third cock" position, shortening the reach to the trigger as well as its length of stroke. This is what I like about my similar PCR.

Even with the gun in the half-cocked position, the trigger is just a bit too far for me to reach comfortably.

Interestingly, I also have a stainless 75B which I love to shoot. However, on that gun I treat it like its a SA-only gun, like a BHP or a 1911. I rarely shoot it DA since it has an identical trigger reach as the P-01. (For those of you who aren't CZ owners, the 75B has a manual safety, which allows it to be carried cocked-and-locked. The P-01 has a decocker.)

In any case, I just sold my P-01 to a local shooter. There are enough good guns out there that it makes no sense to own one that I'm totally comfortable with.

Thanks, everyone, for all of the good advice.

TMann

 

[rskent]

For me, fit is everything. That is probably why I mostly shoot single stack guns. Double stacks are just too big for me.
1911s fit the best of course. I do have one double stack, a Sig 228. I love that gun. I can’t shoot it for s*** but I still
love it. After 5000 rounds I sent it back to Sig. They did a tune up and a trigger job. I still can’t hit well with it.
My son shoots it like it’s a laser. When he wants it, I guess it’s his.
Good Luck
Steve

 

[TMann]

...I mostly shoot single stack guns. Double stacks are just too big for me.

I'm starting to feel the same way. I'm going to the range tonight, and I'm going to try out a bunch of double-stack 9mm's to see which (if any) of them are really work well with my small hands.

I love that gun. I can’t shoot it for s*** but I still love it.

Frustrating, isnt' it? I'd love to own some of the double-stack SIGs and Berettas, but I just can't reach the DA trigger.

TMann

 

[Black Dime]

Hey Griz22,
Better not go to the local trap range and tell the guys with their Kolars that. Holy...........!!!!!

 

[wrench]

TMann, I'm in the same boat with you, small hands. There are a lot of nice pistols out there that I would love to own, but just cannot reach the trigger on them.
I console myself with all the nice pistols that I can shoot