So I'm looking to buy my first handgun...

[1911 guy]

Short fingers, SA, DAO, Slide releases and safeties

I think I caught something that got missed so far. You mentioned the 1911 in a list of pistols I assume you were taking a serious look at. First, with a good belt and holster, it doesn't weigh you down like you'd expect. It's not a feather, but it's not a boat anchor by any stretch. Secondly, you don't want to hit the slide release with your right thumb. As you're locking the mag with the heel of your left hand you hit it with the left thumb. Don't lose your shooting grip that way. If the 1911 is out for other reasons, fine, but if those were the disqualifiers please take another look.

 

[colubrid]

Try the Glock 36. It is slimmer than the other Glocks and is made [perfect for your short fingers. I am 5'8 160lbs and it fits my hands perfect.

It also the only single stack Glock makes so the grip is much thinner. Light as a feather to. Carries 6+1 .45's.

 

[tomkatz]

I leave my slidelock lever alone and slingshot my slide closed .....that puny slidelock lever on my glocks stays out of my way just like it was designed to do .....and my tiny little wife with her tiny little hands shoots her glock 19 with absolutely no problem.....
......tom

 

[sabre2]

I like a glock 19 or Springfield xd-9 for a first all around use pistol. The xd is better for smaller hands. The p 2000 is a great pistol, but I find the double action trigger to be a bit more difficult than the Glock or xd trigger. A friend with bigger hands than I have, has no difficulty the p 2000 lem trigger.

 

[drf]

The P2000 is a compact and the P2000 SK is the subcompact which would be the smallest H&K....

H&K makes great guns, you wont be dissapointed with the quality and durability. They are one of the best....

But you stated that the Glock grip felt big in your hand. The H&K should feel even bigger in your hand than the Glock....
They have different back straps for the P2000 to make the grip smaller but they still feel bulkier than a Glock.....Hope this helps!

Also the P2000 compact comes in either DA/SA with decocker or DAO (LEM trigger).. But the smallest P2000 SK only comes with the LEM trigger....

I wouldnt have a Glock anyway, the trigger scares me but only if I were to carry it IWB........drf

 

[Texfire]

I'm going to chime in with the Kahr crowd. I'd take the opportunity to hold one before I made a purchase. It has one of the nicest slim grips that I have come across, and the DAO trigger will be consistent through the whole magazine, another plus for a later shooter.