9mm for small handed shooter

Just ducky · April 10, 2013, 10:48 PM

I purchased a Sig P250 9mm and the smaller grip to go with it thinking it would be an "thinner grip gun" but regular gun in all other ways. The grip is a little thinner but unfortunately is shorter as well so it is still somewhat difficult to grip. Another thing I don't care for with this gun is the slide is slightly loose which I don't notice with any of my other semi's including my 2 Sig 45's. In fact it won't fire both factory and reloads on a too regular basis (once every 20 shots). Is there an alternative out there for a good quality 9 mm semi that is a regular size gun but with a thinner grip? Thanks for your advice.

Laz · April 10, 2013, 11:10 PM

Look at the Kahr series. Kahr makes both polymer and steel-framed pistols, mostly compact, all single-stack. Their steel, full-sized 9mm is the T9. It is fairly rare and would probably have to be ordered but is a full sized 4 inch barrel with 8+1 capacity. Not cheap at close to $700 retail but very nice. Kahr's polymer pistols are considerably cheaper and they make a full-sized polymer counterpart to the T9 and I forget the designation.

Also pricey and none too common but a Browning Hi power with aftermarket grips from Spegel, Hogue and others is a thin gripped double stack 13+1 single-action pistol which fits many smaller hands well.

I hear the Ruger SR9 has a very trim grip.

Just ducky · April 10, 2013, 11:30 PM

Price really isn't a consideration at this point...for the most part. My P250 needs the grip to be about a 1/2 in longer. I just want a good quality double action 9mm that fits my grip.

donglock26 · April 10, 2013, 11:50 PM

Sig P225, P239, or Kahr.

CurlyQ.Howard · April 11, 2013, 02:11 AM

CZ 91159 CZ75 SP01 Target 9mm 18RD

CZ75 SP-01 SHADOW TGT 9MM 19+1

Price: $1,132.27

In stock - I just got this email yesterday.

http://grabagun.com/cz75-sp-01-shadow-tgt-9mm-19-1.html

Bentonville · April 11, 2013, 06:00 AM

You owe it to yourself to investigate an HK P30. It has side and back panels which can be customized at your kitchen table with ease. I have not held a more comfortable grip. I have smallish hands as well. It is accurate, tough, reliable, et al. For very detailed descriptions of the various options, including trigger configurations, visit hkpro.com.

springer99 · April 11, 2013, 06:19 AM

1911

kahrguy · April 11, 2013, 06:37 AM

Look at the Kahr cm9, cw9 for a concealable pistols. The TP seies has the same frame grip size just a 4" barrel & full grip length version. CM and CW can be bought for un 400 dollars and TP is around 550 lgs priced.

wllfthn · April 11, 2013, 07:08 AM

Kahr K9 or T9. Both are single stack 9mm, both have a longer grip and both shoot like a dream.

dajowi · April 11, 2013, 10:22 AM

The Springfield EMP 1911 is designed around the 9mm cartridge.

djdasher · April 11, 2013, 10:27 AM

Smith & Wesson Model 3913, if you can find one. Single stack magazine that will hold eight rounds. I use an inner tube grip slip on to enhance my grip in the weapon. The weapon is full sized, but slim enough for smaller hands.

CurlyQ.Howard · April 11, 2013, 12:29 PM

Just ducky, My wife's hands are six inches long - enough for her to have a comfortable grip on the CZ75 SP01 Shadow Target. I hope this is of some help to you.

breakingcontact · April 11, 2013, 12:48 PM

Sometimes, how a gun feels in the hand is not entirely indicative of how it will shoot.

BigJimP · April 11, 2013, 12:52 PM

Sig 239 .....or a 1911 in 4" or 5" ....in 9mm are both good choices.

The base pad on the mag on the 239 ...extends it just enough to be comfortable to shoot - for shooters even with bigger hands.

Bill DeShivs · April 11, 2013, 01:14 PM

Browning High Power.

Tactical Jackalope · April 11, 2013, 01:19 PM

My girlfriend has pretty little hands. She didn't seem to mind the SIG P226 with or without the e2 grips. But she did say it was difficult to manage the levers.

She was, however..Good to go with the Glock 19 and 26.

KyJim · April 11, 2013, 03:03 PM

I carry a Kahr CM9 sometimes but would not recommend it to the OP because it has a short grip frame and has expressed a dislike for his Sig P250 for that reason. I would suggest looking at the Smith and Wesson M&P Compact. It has interchangeable backstraps for different sized hands. I have small hands and feel comfortable with mine using the smallest of the three backstraps. It has a proven track record and, even though it is a double stack, is small enough to conceal carry wearing most clothes. It is striker fired, similar to double action only.

Another poster mentioned the SW 3913 (no longer made). I have one of those, as well, and can heartily recommend it. It is one of the finest compact handguns ever made. The only reason I don't carry it is because it has a slide mounted safety (up for fire) and I am used to a frame mounted safety (down for fire).

I also carry 1911s quite a bit. I only recommend a 1911 for carry if you have some experience with handguns and are willing to do some testing and possibly small tweaks.

ClydeFrog · April 11, 2013, 07:09 PM

The ParaUSA LDA Stealth model, the SIG Sauer SAS P239 DAK(double action Kellerman), the SIG-Sauer P225/P6(used but in top condition), the HK P7m8 9x19mm, the Kimber Solo 9mm, M&P Shield 9mm.

ClydeFrog

57K · April 11, 2013, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just ducky
Price really isn't a consideration at this point...for the most part. My P250 needs the grip to be about a 1/2 in longer. I just want a good quality double action 9mm that fits my grip.

There isn't any reason to spend more than what you can buy an SR9 for. It is the thinnest double-stack 9mm on the market, and even as thin or thinner than a 1911. It's not a DA, but has a manual safety so that you can carry it safety on or off. The trigger action is a pre-cock system where the later stage of the trigger pull will complete the rearward travel of its striker, but it is shorter and crisper in comparison to a Glock albeit about 1# heavier. http://www.ghostinc.com/ has several trigger reset bar options that will lighten the pull to fit your needs at $20 - $27. Since the SR9 breaks down into sub-assemblies, changing the reset bar is a piece of cake and even at the 3.5# level, they still have an option that's rated tactical or for LE use.

I have large hands with long fingers and generally prefer a polymer framed pistol in .45 ACP because of the larger/longer grip dimensions but I have no problem with the SR9 grip being long enough while it is very narrow compared to other double-stack 9mms and the mags hold a very comforting 17 rounds.

Ben Dover · April 11, 2013, 09:52 PM

My wife has small hands. The SIG P239 fits her well and she is frightingly accurate with it.

robctwo · April 12, 2013, 09:36 AM

I have small hands. The CZ75, full size or compact work well for me. I have the BHP as well, nice, but not as comfortable as cz.

My favorite 9mm is a 1911 with the thin grips. I have a Les Baer and a S&WPD. I take my Baer to steel plate shoots and often let women shoot it to see how it feels. Most of the guys hate me because the wife says she wants one just like it, and there goes 2k.

I have an STI commander on order, I will put thin grips on it as well.

April 10, 2013, 10:48 PM	#1
Just ducky Junior Member Join Date: April 10, 2013 Posts: 3	9mm for small handed shooter I purchased a Sig P250 9mm and the smaller grip to go with it thinking it would be an "thinner grip gun" but regular gun in all other ways. The grip is a little thinner but unfortunately is shorter as well so it is still somewhat difficult to grip. Another thing I don't care for with this gun is the slide is slightly loose which I don't notice with any of my other semi's including my 2 Sig 45's. In fact it won't fire both factory and reloads on a too regular basis (once every 20 shots). Is there an alternative out there for a good quality 9 mm semi that is a regular size gun but with a thinner grip? Thanks for your advice.

April 10, 2013, 11:10 PM	#2
Laz Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 1999 Posts: 1,278	Look at the Kahr series. Kahr makes both polymer and steel-framed pistols, mostly compact, all single-stack. Their steel, full-sized 9mm is the T9. It is fairly rare and would probably have to be ordered but is a full sized 4 inch barrel with 8+1 capacity. Not cheap at close to $700 retail but very nice. Kahr's polymer pistols are considerably cheaper and they make a full-sized polymer counterpart to the T9 and I forget the designation. Also pricey and none too common but a Browning Hi power with aftermarket grips from Spegel, Hogue and others is a thin gripped double stack 13+1 single-action pistol which fits many smaller hands well. I hear the Ruger SR9 has a very trim grip. __________________ Laz I’m just a nobody, trying to tell everybody, about Somebody, who can save anybody.

April 11, 2013, 01:14 PM	#15
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	Browning High Power. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

April 11, 2013, 07:09 PM	#18
ClydeFrog Junior member Join Date: May 1, 2010 Posts: 5,797	Pistols... The ParaUSA LDA Stealth model, the SIG Sauer SAS P239 DAK(double action Kellerman), the SIG-Sauer P225/P6(used but in top condition), the HK P7m8 9x19mm, the Kimber Solo 9mm, M&P Shield 9mm. ClydeFrog

April 11, 2013, 09:52 PM	#20
Ben Dover Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 2013 Location: High up in the Rocky Moun Posts: 665	My wife has small hands. The SIG P239 fits her well and she is frightingly accurate with it. __________________ The soldier's pack is not so heavy a burden as the prisoner's chains. Dwight Eisenhower It is very important what a man stands for. But it is far more important what a man refuses to stand for.

April 10, 2013, 11:30 PM	#3
Just ducky Junior Member Join Date: April 10, 2013 Posts: 3	Price really isn't a consideration at this point...for the most part. My P250 needs the grip to be about a 1/2 in longer. I just want a good quality double action 9mm that fits my grip.

April 10, 2013, 11:50 PM	#4
donglock26 Senior Member Join Date: July 4, 2001 Posts: 186	Sig P225, P239, or Kahr.

April 11, 2013, 02:11 AM	#5
CurlyQ.Howard Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2012 Posts: 280	CZ 91159 CZ75 SP01 Target 9mm 18RD CZ75 SP-01 SHADOW TGT 9MM 19+1 Price: $1,132.27 In stock - I just got this email yesterday. http://grabagun.com/cz75-sp-01-shadow-tgt-9mm-19-1.html

April 11, 2013, 06:00 AM	#6
Bentonville Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2002 Location: NC Posts: 345	You owe it to yourself to investigate an HK P30. It has side and back panels which can be customized at your kitchen table with ease. I have not held a more comfortable grip. I have smallish hands as well. It is accurate, tough, reliable, et al. For very detailed descriptions of the various options, including trigger configurations, visit hkpro.com.

April 11, 2013, 06:19 AM	#7
springer99 Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2008 Posts: 355	1911

April 11, 2013, 06:37 AM	#8
kahrguy Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2012 Posts: 561	Look at the Kahr cm9, cw9 for a concealable pistols. The TP seies has the same frame grip size just a 4" barrel & full grip length version. CM and CW can be bought for un 400 dollars and TP is around 550 lgs priced.

April 11, 2013, 07:08 AM	#9
wllfthn Member Join Date: July 2, 2012 Posts: 48	Kahr K9 or T9. Both are single stack 9mm, both have a longer grip and both shoot like a dream.

April 11, 2013, 10:22 AM	#10
dajowi Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2005 Posts: 1,196	The Springfield EMP 1911 is designed around the 9mm cartridge.

April 11, 2013, 10:27 AM	#11
djdasher Member Join Date: April 15, 2009 Posts: 47	Smith & Wesson Model 3913, if you can find one. Single stack magazine that will hold eight rounds. I use an inner tube grip slip on to enhance my grip in the weapon. The weapon is full sized, but slim enough for smaller hands.

April 11, 2013, 12:29 PM	#12
CurlyQ.Howard Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2012 Posts: 280	Just ducky, My wife's hands are six inches long - enough for her to have a comfortable grip on the CZ75 SP01 Shadow Target. I hope this is of some help to you.

April 11, 2013, 12:48 PM	#13
breakingcontact Junior member Join Date: October 25, 2012 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 736	Sometimes, how a gun feels in the hand is not entirely indicative of how it will shoot.

April 11, 2013, 12:52 PM	#14
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Sig 239 .....or a 1911 in 4" or 5" ....in 9mm are both good choices. The base pad on the mag on the 239 ...extends it just enough to be comfortable to shoot - for shooters even with bigger hands.

April 11, 2013, 01:19 PM	#16
Tactical Jackalope Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2010 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 6,429	My girlfriend has pretty little hands. She didn't seem to mind the SIG P226 with or without the e2 grips. But she did say it was difficult to manage the levers. She was, however..Good to go with the Glock 19 and 26.

April 11, 2013, 03:03 PM	#17
KyJim Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2005 Location: The Bluegrass Posts: 9,142	I carry a Kahr CM9 sometimes but would not recommend it to the OP because it has a short grip frame and has expressed a dislike for his Sig P250 for that reason. I would suggest looking at the Smith and Wesson M&P Compact. It has interchangeable backstraps for different sized hands. I have small hands and feel comfortable with mine using the smallest of the three backstraps. It has a proven track record and, even though it is a double stack, is small enough to conceal carry wearing most clothes. It is striker fired, similar to double action only. Another poster mentioned the SW 3913 (no longer made). I have one of those, as well, and can heartily recommend it. It is one of the finest compact handguns ever made. The only reason I don't carry it is because it has a slide mounted safety (up for fire) and I am used to a frame mounted safety (down for fire). I also carry 1911s quite a bit. I only recommend a 1911 for carry if you have some experience with handguns and are willing to do some testing and possibly small tweaks.

April 12, 2013, 09:36 AM	#21
robctwo Senior Member Join Date: May 10, 2002 Location: Albany, Oregon Posts: 644	I have small hands. The CZ75, full size or compact work well for me. I have the BHP as well, nice, but not as comfortable as cz. My favorite 9mm is a 1911 with the thin grips. I have a Les Baer and a S&WPD. I take my Baer to steel plate shoots and often let women shoot it to see how it feels. Most of the guys hate me because the wife says she wants one just like it, and there goes 2k. I have an STI commander on order, I will put thin grips on it as well.