What is a good gun for a female?

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scastle

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I am looking to purchase a handgun in the next year. I went to the gunshow yesterday and got a good feel on a couple of guns but I found that most of them had a grip that was just slightly too big for my hand. The handle does not fit in the web between my thumb and index finger. Because the handle is so big, I have to move my hand so that the nuckle of my thumb is aligned with the back of the gun. This is the only way that my finger will comfortably reach the trigger. The problem with this is that when the gun recoils, my nuckle takes an ugly beating. Can anyone suggest any handguns that have a smaller grip?

I did like the CZ-57. It felt pretty snug in my hand but I would like to explore all of my options.
 
If you like the CZ 75, try an XD in 9MM out for size. I find the XD grip a tad smaller than the CZ, which is a great gun, by the way. :)

Have you tried out any revolvers?

The Cornered Cat

Welcome to THR
 
Kahr

Period. No full sized semi has a smaller grip. In fact, it's so small, that men with larger hands sometimes can't shoot it well.

If you are looking at revovlers, then check out a smith and wesson J frame "lady smith".
 
I actually have tried out revolvers and I do not have that problem with them. I actually prefer them over pistols but I want to get a pistol so that I can use it for my CHL test.
 
You might look at some of the compacts and sub compacts such as the Kel Tec, Taurus, Smith etc . Small single stack semis. Not the greatest for targets and such but good for CC, easy to conceal and have small grips for small hands!
 
scastle,

My wife doesn't have large hands in any stretch of the imagination. While you may not feel the same as her, she loves her Glock 19.

Try one and see if it feels right to you.

-- John
 
good for you

I think you ave the right idea, trying what feels good is just fine. You can certainly conceal a revolver or an auto depending on which you like better once you get the license.

I have a younger female friend who has very small hands. She shoots a 1911 .45 and it works just fine for her. She filed down a small part of the rubber handgrip I think and its even more custom to her taste. .45's are a blast to shoot and dont kick as much as you think they would. I have had 9mm my whole life and recently fell in love with the 1911. It will always score high marks, but is a bit pricey compared to some.

take care and best wishes

st
 
Look into a Walther P99. Very comfortable, dependable and easy to use and clean. Interchangeable backstraps on the grip make it adjustable for all hand sizes.
 
In certain locales, if you qualify for your CCW with an auto, you can carry either an auto or a revolver. Qualifying with the revolver limits you to revolvers only :confused:

Goofy laws abound. . .
 
My wife really likes the M&P 9mm I just bought. She says "That gun fits my hands better than any of your other guns (SIG, Glock, 1911)".

She was putting some guys to shame yesterday shooting 4 inch steel plates @ 15 yards with it.
 
I'm a guy with small hands.


In no order of preference; here's what I've found and what I do:

[] Springfield Armory EMP (1911 styled small-frame) pistol: Good fit, no mods needed.

[] Walther PPS pistol: Good fit, no mods needed.

[] Kahr pistols: All fit, no mods needed.

[] Beretta, CZ, Heckler & Koch, FN, Browning, IMI, Sig Sauer, etc. pistols: Double-Action type pistols carried with hammer cocked (must use good belt holster + safe handling and trigger-finger discipline, ie. Don't holster with finger in trigger-guard :p).

[] Springfield Armory, Colt, etc. 1911 pistols: Equipped with short trigger.

[] Smith & Wesson, Ruger, Colt, etc. revolvers: J or K frame sized: Most fit with factory grips. In some cases equipped with smaller aftermarket grips.

[] Glock pistols: Trigger ground/cut and trigger-safety removed. I've never had it done, but grip reduction services are available from a decent number of popular gunsmith shops.

Calibers for all of the above: 9x19mm for pistols and .38 Special for revolvers. If you like the 1911, check out the EMP in 9x19mm. If you want a full-size 1911, I'd stay with .45 ACP.

.

Whether you get trained or learn by yourself, you ought to try and start with .22 LR caliber sidearm to build a solid skill foundation:

[] .22 (conversion units) that fit onto pistol models noted above: 1911, CZ, Sig Sauer, Beretta, Glock.

[] .22 (complete) pistols: Ruger Mark series or 22/45, S&W (variety of models), CZ Kadet, Browning Buckmark.

.

Best! :)

.
 
“CHL” and “need semi-auto pistol to qualify” sounds like Texas. A ridiculous law to be sure but we’re stuck with it.

Any chance you can borrow one as opposed to buying something you don’t really care for?
 
kahr , Glock 26 , springfield XD compact , SW M&P compact,
Beretta storm compact , CZ makes a compact , SIG 239
 
scastle said:
I actually have tried out revolvers and I do not have that problem with them. I actually prefer them over pistols but I want to get a pistol so that I can use it for my CHL test.
Click to expand...

My first gun was a S&W 640 (stainless steel .357 mag). It's a great gun, and conceals easily in a pocket. Before I took the CHL class, I rented a Glock 19 at the range, and practiced with it until i was confident I could pass the test with it.

Passed the test, so I can carry either revolver or semiautomatic, and I've since bought a Glock 30, but I still usually carry the S&W 640.

Buy the handgun you're comfortable with now. If that's a revolver, and you want the flexibility of carrying a semiauto later, rent a semiauto at the range and try shooting with it. Try several similar models, until you find one you like, or at least can shoot with well enough to pass the test.

Then take your time about buying a second gun, until you've practiced with one you really like.
 
+1 on borrowing a semi for the class, and then buying and carrying whatever suits you. (I am assuming you are in TX, and the revolver/semi dilemma applies.)

And select your CHL class carefully. The one I attended, the instructor brought a number of his own handguns and would allow any student to use whatever suited him/her, free of charge.

He even brought ammo and was definitely not making any money on the deal. I thought about it later and concluded that I should have used his gun, his ammo and let him clean the gun afterwards :)

If you are in the DFW area, pm me and I will forward details.

Good luck with whatever you decide.
 
Because the handle is so big, I have to move my hand so that the nuckle of my thumb is aligned with the back of the gun. This is the only way that my finger will comfortably reach the trigger. The problem with this is that when the gun recoils, my nuckle takes an ugly beating.
Click to expand...

My wife had this problem with our Beretta 92FS. She loves everything about the pistol except for the grip size. She's also deadly accurate with it. One of the downsides to semi-automatics (especially the 92FS) is the fact that the pistol doesn't shoot reliably unless there's a person "properly" absorbing recoil -- by holding the gun right. Every 92FS she's tried jams at least once per magazine and never jam for anyone else.

Make sure you can properly hold anything you buy. It's not a comfort issue with semi-automatics -- it could save your life.

FWIW - There's an extensive collection of CZ's here. At the range, my wife's favorite is the SP01 Tactical, although she carries a P01, which is essentially a compact version of the same pistol. IMO, you can't go wrong with any CZ pistol, except for the CZ100... if they're still even made.

Good luck in your quest, and do keep us posted.
 
There are variations of the 92 beretta that are easier on smaller hands.

Vertec
compact "L" type "M"
 
Let the female decide. My wife has long fingers and loves her "J" frame, by daughter-in-law has short stubby fingers and loves her 1911.

Go figure.

Woody
 
Try before you buy. Many ranges rent.

I teach many women most of whom have more problems with slide movement than recoil.

This can be especially true with well manicured nails that inhibit grasping the slide firmly, pushing on the mag release and so forth.

Try all aspects of the gun so you are comfortable with quick and easy operation.
 
I have teeny tiny lanky hands. I have problems getting a comfortable grip on say, a Glock (well I can't get a comfy grip on a Glock).

What I have found, with said tiny hands, is that the 1911 is an incredibly ergonomic, comfortable design. Even more so with slim grips that many manufacturers sell. You should 'try one on for size', so to speak.
 
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