huntsman
Member
I wear 2xl gloves, from the tip of my pinkie to the tip of my thumb is 10" yet an LCP is my EDC. Big hands don't necessarily need big guns in fact I believe big hands just means greater versatility when it comes to gun fit.
Suggestions for sidearm for a new shooter with BIG hands.
- Thread starter Darkbob
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Confederate
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Back in the late 70s someone showed me how to convert my Ruger Security-Six from square-butt to round-butt using the small panel grips to score the gun to round-butt configuration. It made all the difference in the way the gun felt and I also converted my short-barrel SS as well.
I don't know much about the grip configurations available for the GP-100, but since it essentially has a spring strut extending from the frame over which grips fit, you should be able to find a grip size to fit you. The Smith & Wesson 686 has a K-frame grip and perhaps can be ground down to a round-butt.
Unless you're going to be in Grizzly bear country, a .357 mag should be fine against most other bears. You just need a load that penetrates well, and most loads that are manstoppers do not penetrate optimally for bear. A 158-grain JSP or heavier should work fine, but in the home they would be excessive. The lighter-weight 125- or 140-gr. JHP would be optimal for self defense against people, but indoors even they could be a problem. So I'd lean towards a good .38 +P round.
The sheer availability of ammo for the .357 makes it an all-around great choice for people of varying needs. You can still find Ruger Security-Sixes at great prices and in great shape. Or you can look for a stainless Speed-Six with a 4-inch barrel and a round-butt. Or you can check out GP-100 grips. The S&W 686 is an astoundingly good choice, too, if you can find a set of good grips that fit. You might also investigate the .41 mag market and see if you can find anything that suits you.
I don't know much about the grip configurations available for the GP-100, but since it essentially has a spring strut extending from the frame over which grips fit, you should be able to find a grip size to fit you. The Smith & Wesson 686 has a K-frame grip and perhaps can be ground down to a round-butt.
Unless you're going to be in Grizzly bear country, a .357 mag should be fine against most other bears. You just need a load that penetrates well, and most loads that are manstoppers do not penetrate optimally for bear. A 158-grain JSP or heavier should work fine, but in the home they would be excessive. The lighter-weight 125- or 140-gr. JHP would be optimal for self defense against people, but indoors even they could be a problem. So I'd lean towards a good .38 +P round.
The sheer availability of ammo for the .357 makes it an all-around great choice for people of varying needs. You can still find Ruger Security-Sixes at great prices and in great shape. Or you can look for a stainless Speed-Six with a 4-inch barrel and a round-butt. Or you can check out GP-100 grips. The S&W 686 is an astoundingly good choice, too, if you can find a set of good grips that fit. You might also investigate the .41 mag market and see if you can find anything that suits you.
actionpistol327
Member
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2015
- Messages
- 8
I have big paws and like the xdm, m&p, eaa witness match elite for the semi auo. For the revolvers like the new frame and k frame revolvers but have herrit grips on all my revolvers, you mail on a tracing of your hand and they custom make the grips to fit your mits
actionpistol327
Member
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- Feb 10, 2015
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- 8
That should read n frame not new
I think it's best to not make a big deal about hand size and just let new shooters shoot. Don't make them feel handicapped because they have large/small hands with slender/fat/short/long fingers. Just let them shoot and figure it out as they go along
Crowcifier666
Member
Look at the new Sig P320. It has different sized interchangeable frames, and slides. The actual serialized "gun" is just the FCG. Made to be adaptable fit many shooters/applications. I want one.
I have big mitts and did exactly this with my HK P30. This grip with the large backstrap and grip shells really fills up my shooting hand nicely and it makes a big difference in the way the gun points and shoots.
In addition, I put the large backstrap on my Gen4 Glock 21 and that made a positive improvement for me with this gun. I put the rubber factory grips on my CZ 75B and that made a big difference. I put one of those Hogue palmswell grip sleeves on my Gen3 Glock 17, and that made a really nice improvement in the way that gun shoots for me.
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I appreciate all or your replies and suggestions.
We're going to the range tomorrow afternoon and I'll update to let you know what he liked.
I'm not sure what all the range has to rent, but we're going to shoot a bunch. I may even rent the .50 Desert Eagle, just to say I did.
We'll save that one for toward the end after he gets a feel for his recoil tolerance.
We're going to the range tomorrow afternoon and I'll update to let you know what he liked.
I'm not sure what all the range has to rent, but we're going to shoot a bunch. I may even rent the .50 Desert Eagle, just to say I did.
We'll save that one for toward the end after he gets a feel for his recoil tolerance.After Action Review:
Ok, we went to the range this afternoon. After shooting through a bunch of rounds and a bunch of guns, he has narrowed down his list to two guns that he really liked.
He tried shooting a bunch of different rentals in addition to the two carry guns I brought (and my Ruger MK III 22/45 to rest and get back to basics).
I have to say that he shot really well. All of the guns he tried, he was able to shoot well. We shot some 9's, .40's, 45's. We shot multiple different rental guns, covering most of the usual suspects mentioned in this thread. Alas, there were not any HK's or FN's as rentals and he just wasn't keen on the revolvers so we didn't try any of those either. There was only one model with ergonomics that he disliked. He said that the Glock 30 (compact .45) was uncomfortable to shoot.
We did both shoot the .50 DE though. That thing is very big in the hands, but the recoil was not as bad as I was expecting. We both shot it well.
He ended up liking the 1911, and the CZ 75.
All in all it was a great day. I shot some of the models (like the CZ75) for the first time too. It was a lot of fun. I'd like to thank you all again for your suggestions.
Ok, we went to the range this afternoon. After shooting through a bunch of rounds and a bunch of guns, he has narrowed down his list to two guns that he really liked.
He tried shooting a bunch of different rentals in addition to the two carry guns I brought (and my Ruger MK III 22/45 to rest and get back to basics).
I have to say that he shot really well. All of the guns he tried, he was able to shoot well. We shot some 9's, .40's, 45's. We shot multiple different rental guns, covering most of the usual suspects mentioned in this thread. Alas, there were not any HK's or FN's as rentals and he just wasn't keen on the revolvers so we didn't try any of those either. There was only one model with ergonomics that he disliked. He said that the Glock 30 (compact .45) was uncomfortable to shoot.
We did both shoot the .50 DE though. That thing is very big in the hands, but the recoil was not as bad as I was expecting. We both shot it well.
He ended up liking the 1911, and the CZ 75.
All in all it was a great day. I shot some of the models (like the CZ75) for the first time too. It was a lot of fun. I'd like to thank you all again for your suggestions.
softmentor
Member
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2007
- Messages
- 22
10 inches
My hand also spans 10 inches, big hands. I love the fit of my H&K USP full size (9, 40 or 45, all a great fit although the 45 is a tiny bit bigger.
The VP9 is a little tight from the finger roll to the trigger guard, so it is a squeeze, and rubs my finger a little too much up against the trigger guard. The USP doesn't have the finger roll and has plenty of length for me to get a full grip. Although I don't have one, the newer HK45 also have plenty of room for big hands to get a full grip.
My hand also spans 10 inches, big hands. I love the fit of my H&K USP full size (9, 40 or 45, all a great fit although the 45 is a tiny bit bigger.
The VP9 is a little tight from the finger roll to the trigger guard, so it is a squeeze, and rubs my finger a little too much up against the trigger guard. The USP doesn't have the finger roll and has plenty of length for me to get a full grip. Although I don't have one, the newer HK45 also have plenty of room for big hands to get a full grip.
roval
Member
Try the sig 227 or other double stack 45s.
bikerdoc
Moderator In Memoriam
Im glad he came to a decision based on use.
The 1911 and CZ's are 2 of the most addictive firearms made.(ask me how I know)
The 1911 and CZ's are 2 of the most addictive firearms made.(ask me how I know)
Zaydok Allen
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- Feb 12, 2011
- Messages
- 13,274
Glad he narrowed it down! Sounds like you two had fun.
Makes sense, good choices. Any service pistol size double stack should work well. I don't have huge hands but wear a size L glove and shoot/carry a P226.
My short list would have been G21 & Sig P227, then any double stack in any make/caliber that strikes his fancy.
boatdoc173
Member
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- Mar 7, 2014
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- 219
big hands
I have been told I have big hands--it is all relative I guess
you can try any CZ, beretta 92 esp. the 92g brigadier, magnum research eagle.. revolvers are great for big hand too--I love my ruger gp 100
any H+K has adjustable grips--fit me like--well like a glove
happy holidays to all
happy-accurate shooting too
I have been told I have big hands--it is all relative I guess
you can try any CZ, beretta 92 esp. the 92g brigadier, magnum research eagle.. revolvers are great for big hand too--I love my ruger gp 100
any H+K has adjustable grips--fit me like--well like a glove
happy holidays to all
happy-accurate shooting too
TRX
Member
Desert Eagle
Coonan .357 (1911 pattern)
AMT Auto Mag
AMT Automag III, IV, V
LAR Grizzly .45 Win Mag (1911 pattern)
The common characteristic of all of the above is that they have grip frames designed to take longer than normal Magnum cartridges. The longer cartridges require more room in the magazine and grip.
The Coonan is available in the standard 1911 form factor, other than the modified grip. It's the smallest of the group. The Desert Eagle is the bulkiest, though the Grizzly usually came with the longest barrel. The Auto Mags are expensive collectables, and the Automags and Grizzly are headed that way; all are out of production now. You can still buy Desert Eagles and Coonans new.
Coonan .357 (1911 pattern)
AMT Auto Mag
AMT Automag III, IV, V
LAR Grizzly .45 Win Mag (1911 pattern)
The common characteristic of all of the above is that they have grip frames designed to take longer than normal Magnum cartridges. The longer cartridges require more room in the magazine and grip.
The Coonan is available in the standard 1911 form factor, other than the modified grip. It's the smallest of the group. The Desert Eagle is the bulkiest, though the Grizzly usually came with the longest barrel. The Auto Mags are expensive collectables, and the Automags and Grizzly are headed that way; all are out of production now. You can still buy Desert Eagles and Coonans new.
Armor Snail
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- Aug 29, 2013
- Messages
- 530
CZ97
Or a poly Witness in 45
Both are quite large
Or a poly Witness in 45
Both are quite large
- Status
