What Handgun for Very Large Hands?

[3KillerBs]

My 17yo DS#1 (who is 6'3" and still growing), admitted tonight that the reason he hasn't been very enthusiastic about the handguns is that his hands are so big that holding and firing the guns we have is uncomfortable because he has to crank his fingers around strangely to reach the trigger, the safety, etc.

We have a Ruger Mark III, a Hi-Standard revolver, and an S&W M&P 9mm. He hasn't tried the last with the largest backstraps yet because he either didn't understand until this afternoon that his hand size was the problem or he didn't want to admit that it was a problem. He's also tried a S&W j-frame revolver and a Ruger Single Six.

So, the antithesis of the perennial small hands thread, ...

What guns do you suggest we try to rent/borrow for him to try?

We came up with the following possibilities:
Full-size 1911
S&W K or L frame revolvers
Glocks (though DS#1 may be the only teenager in the US who thinks that Glocks are boring rather than cool)
Beretta 92FS or the Taurus PT92 clone

He needs a large-framed, large-gripped gun, but not a large caliber -- .22 (or a .22 conversion), 9mm, or .38 special is what we can afford to shoot.

Here's some shots of his big mitts dwarfing our guns:




Yes, that thing in his hands that looks like a toy in the second picture is my Mark III Hunter, the physically largest handgun in the house.

 

[presspuller]

My full size Kimber 1911 fits my big ole mitts the best of any I have.

 

[Sistema1927]

Try square-butt S&W revolvers, either in factory configuration or with round to square grips.

 

[Technosavant]

The Smith N frame is pretty good in big mitts- the 627 can shoot .38 special (being a .357). Otherwise, the Beretta 92 is probably a good pick in 9mm, the CZ 75 might be worth a look (trigger reach on that can be a bit long for the small handed).

 

[treeprof]

I, too, have good size hands, which rule out a lot of cool handguns I'd like to own and carry.

Among semi autos I find the standard Glock 20/21 frame, the SIG 226 w/Hogue wrap-around finger groove grips and the Beretta 92 offer just about the best fit (.22 conversions are available for each of them). Among revolvers, the Ruger GP100 or Super Redhawk with the Hogue "Tamer" grips fit me well. I have a Super Blackhawk and a couple of Single Sixes that I detest when they wear with the standard grips (which might have fit me at age 8), but they are just about perfect fitted with the oversize Hogue Monogrip with the finger-grooves. Mind you, they detract significantly from the traditional SAA-like profile of those guns but I care nothing about aesthetics if it impairs shootability in any way.

Among dedicated .22's, my S&W 41 fits the best by far, but those are a significant investment (above $850 now in these parts). If you have regualr access to a Single Six, spending <$15 for the Hogue grip seems like a natural place to start:

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=781093

 

[3KillerBs]

Thanks. The Single Six was borrowed for DD. She decided she wanted something else.

 

[lee n. field]

Full-size 1911
S&W K or L frame revolvers
Glocks (though DS#1 may be the only teenager in the US who thinks that Glocks are boring rather than cool)
Beretta 92FS or the Taurus PT92 clone

Bill Jordan favored a K-frame Smith, and he had enormous hands. That's a Model 19 peeking out of his grip in this picture.

 

[Drgong]

I have big hands, and they where too small for the CZ 75b

 

[juk]

I'm voting for the Cz 75 or 97. I love mine although it may be a tad too large for my hands.

 

[Steel Talon]

Have him hold Springfield Armory XD

 

[herohog]

That and add a nice set of Pachmyer grips. If .45 is a bit much for him, get him one in .38 Super or 9x23 and hand load for it. He will love it.

 

[Furncliff]

Pachmyer grips... these have made ALL the difference for me. I have them on a 1911 and on a S&W model 15.. .38 spl. My cz75b is one that doesn't have a Pach grip, he should that try that for an auto 9mm.

I like the model called "Gripper".

 

[denfoote]

I would say N-framed revolver. You can buy extra fat grips.
The Glock 30 or 21.
Walther P99 with the biggest grip panel.

 

[Defensory]

Kimber 1911 chambered for 9mm

Springfield XD9 Service Model

Both are great for folks with big paws.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I would get a revolver since you can then easily fit the grips to him.

There are several surplus ones that have hit the market lately, check CDNN, I think they had them in both .38 or .357. Smith 64's and 65's IIRC.

Then you can change the grips as needed on them. On of the reasons I usually prefer revolvers. Also, .38 ammo is pretty cheap compared to other options.

 

[lechiffre]

large grip pistols that come to mind:
beretta 92
s&w n frame
cz 97
para-ordnance
hk usp .45
ruger redhawk
glock 20 or 21

 

[Taurus92 in KyleTX]

Sig P226 or P229 w/wood grips other than Nils.

I have medium sized hands, and the factory polymer grips on my 229 fit perfectly.

I added Hogue checkered wood grips, and it really screwed up my grip. (Guess which set my 229 wears now.)

 

[bwavec]

I don't know of anyone who has complained that the grip on the HK USP45 or HK Mk23 is too small for their hands........

 

[FlyinBryan]

the biggest grip ive ever felt was a desert eagle.

felt like i was holding a 2x4

 

[jcalys]

I have pretty big hands, I'm 6'3", and wear a XL golf glove. I just bought a SIG 226 and the stock polymer grips fit me perfectly. Also the grips on the Smith .500 magnum revolvers are big and comfy, and I think they fit on some of the other Smith revos. Hogue makes them, I believe.

 

[gtmerkley]

Tec 9, I am 17 and have big hands and thats the gun I want for carrying when ture 18 for ccw. besides It will fit in with my Xm15 G3 type and AK47 I have now.

 

[Ivy Mike]

gtmerk, how do you intend to conceal a Tec-9?

 

[Ivy Mike]

Also, I'm gonna throw my vote in for the Ruger P-Series and the CZ75 or CZ97.

 

[mtngunr]

Same problem here, huge boys....best fit to date that meets your caliber/budget requirements would be a used N-frame S&W .357 Highway Patrolman with used Herrett "Shooting Master" or "Jordan Trooper" grips, purchase the grips through auctions for $10-$40...those big grips add another 1/2" to an already long trigger reach, and Bill Jordan had HUGE hands....can't help you on a cheap HP as they've doubled in cost over the last 7yrs....but hey, look what gas is doing....

 

[gtmerkley]

I ware boots all the time. So I'm hopping It will fit if not I'll work something out. I may need to carry my raven on me and carry a Tec 9 in the car. The Tec 9 is mostly a scare tactic anyway if the bad guy sees a weapon like that staring at him hopefully I wont need to use it with any luck, which is kind of the point if carrying anyway that way. I will still have the raven if worst comes to worst.