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Old February 19, 2013, 12:37 AM   #1
defscarlett
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Need help choosing a duty gun

Let my first preface by saying I don't know a whole lot about handguns I just know how to shoot them lol.

I need to pick a duty weapon chambered 9mm or higher that will be on me 40 hrs/week. As a female with a small frame I find most guns too large for my hands but today I did find that the Glock 19 does fit extremely comfortably in my hands, it's just a little too much gun for me. My first mag I had a nice shot group at 25 ft but after that first one I could barely (eventually couldn't even hit the target) keep the shots on the target because of fatigue (only shot 50 rounds). I can shoot 22's all day, but the recoil on all 9mm that I've ever tried kill my hands.

Can you please suggest a good duty weapon for me that I'll be able to control. I was looking at a Ruger P95 primarily because of the price but I've never as much as seen one.

Does not matter brand or model as long as I can find a duty holster for it and also no revolvers only semi-automatics.

Thank you all I appreciate the assistance.

Last edited by defscarlett; February 19, 2013 at 12:53 AM.
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Old February 19, 2013, 02:17 AM   #2
alex0535
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Going any higher than 9mm, the recoil is going to be even more of an issue unless you are willing to carry a heavier gun. A heavier gun will generally give you less felt recoil when you compare it to a lighter gun in the same caliber.

It sounds like you need a full size 9mm. Look at the Springfield XD Service 9mm. It is a full half pound heavier than the Glock 19. Its a couple hundred dollars more than the P95, but you will get a better gun with the XD.
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Old February 19, 2013, 02:27 AM   #3
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I have several fullsize 9mm's plus a compact Glock 19. Try shooting an SR9 fullsize or a Stoeger Cougar 8000 F 9mm. If the Glock fit your hand then the SR9 or Stoeger Cougar should fit and both have less felt recoil than the Glock.
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Old February 19, 2013, 04:26 AM   #4
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How about the 9mm Beretta used by the US military?

I don't remember what the recoil is like (my guns are all rifles), but I seem to remember fairly mild recoil from a friend's Sig 228.
Even with no actual handgun tng., the nice trigger on that 228 made my hits closer (plastic jug at 70') than what most handguns can do in these untrained hands.
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Old February 19, 2013, 04:53 AM   #5
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My wife has pretty small hands and she gets a good firm grip on the M&P 9mm with the smallest grip insert and its been a completely reliable and accurate pistol so far. Also so far the M&P is noticbly softer shooting or just better handling than the G19 to both my wife and myself. Something to consider. If you can fit the 9mm then you can surely fit the .40 in the M&P line.
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Old February 19, 2013, 05:32 AM   #6
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My picks...

Handguns are really difficult to come by as of 02/2013.
Even for armed professionals(sworn LE, corrections, private security or protection specialists, etc) the prices & selection(available choices) may be difficult to deal with.
From what you posted so far, I would highly suggest a simple, robust well engineered DA only(hammer fired/no hammer spur) pistol in 9mm or 9x19mm, .40S&W or the more powerful .357sig caliber.
The .357sig would be my 1st pick because it's well engineered & feeds(cycles) well with most ammunition brands. It's not as popular as the .40S&W for sidearms but it's used by many major federal/state/local LE agencies; Texas DPS, US Secret Service, FAMs(air marshals), NM State Police, VA State Police.
For firearm brands or models, I'd check the HK P2000 LEM, the SIG P229R DAK, the PX4 C format(.40 or 9x19mm), the S&W SD9 or SD40(a striker system but full DA only), the new Walther PPX in 9x19mm.
I'd get the new sidearm fit with 3 dot night sights(for low light events) & a 1913 or rail for white lights/laser aimers. New green laser systems are out there. They are not cheap but worth the use under some applications. See Lasermax & Crimsontrace; www.crimsontrace.com . Some forum members may suggest a Glock or XDm which are top choices but I'd go with a SIG, Beretta, HK, or S&W first. Know too that you could buy a compact sidearm than get a sub-compact model to use for off duty/2nd gun use. The firearms could share duty magazines too. Like a P2000 & a compact P2000sk. Or a SIG Sauer P229R DAK & a new P224 DAK in .357sig, .40 or 9x19mm.
Keep your new firearms clean & check them often. Use a top CLP(clean lube protect) like LPX, Gunzilla or Weaponshield; www.brownells.com www.gunzilla.us .
For duty ammunition see; Ranger T/T Series Speer Gold Dot or the new Critical Duty line(9mm 135gr +P, .40 175gr).
Stay safe out there!
CF
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Old February 19, 2013, 06:22 AM   #7
xLPlushy
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Need help choosing a duty gun

Check out a S&W M&P 9 full size or compact. They've got very mild recoil, are very reliable, lightweight, and they're very comfortable in the hand.
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Old February 19, 2013, 06:32 AM   #8
AndyWest
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Hi Scarlett.

I know you said 9mm+ but don't forget the .380 ACP. You have lots of options there that might suit your smaller frame. Walther comes to mind, and you'll still have a broad selection of rounds. You might like a mid-sized 380 with some aftermarket grips to tame the recoil.
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Old February 19, 2013, 07:07 AM   #9
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M&P compact might work, your going to have to practice and work on your hand strengh.
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Old February 19, 2013, 07:10 AM   #10
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Everyone is different but a female on my job went through the academy with a Ruger P89 and she didn't care for it. She got a Glock G19 and loved it. If your appointed and have an ID you can purchase through the blue label program for a discount.
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Old February 19, 2013, 07:12 AM   #11
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She said she had small hands; if she said she had weak hands, I missed it. (Edit: Never mind, she mentioned she fatigued out despite a good fit with the G19. My bust. Note to OP - pull-ups are very good for rapidly increasing grip strength.)

Small hands and the Beretta 92 series are not a good match.

The SIG P228 or P229 would make more sense, in a traditional DA auto.

The S&W M&P is very friendly to smaller hands.

Last edited by MLeake; February 19, 2013 at 07:26 AM.
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Old February 19, 2013, 07:22 AM   #12
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It may be time to do some strengthening exercises with your hands, arms, and upper body.
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Old February 19, 2013, 07:31 AM   #13
MTSCMike
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If the Glock 19 fits you well then try the Glock 17 which fits exactly the same and is longer for more comfortable shooting...and remember, a duty weapon is carried a LOT and shot very little except for practice. Fatigue will not usually be an issue when actually on duty.
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Old February 19, 2013, 07:56 AM   #14
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IF it works, Scarlett... don't fix it. Your gun and cartridge are adequate for your purposes.

I find the Glock 19/23 size tp be about perfect for all around use and I carry one IWB constantly, off duty. I use and issued G22 on duty and it fits my hands a little better.

On hands... you can't change the size of your hands but you can change the strength of them. Hand, arm and forearm exercises that build strength/stamina will help your shooting endurance. But the simple fact is that 50 rounds, every couple of weeks, is plenty for skill maintenance; provided your practice session covers the basics that apply to your expected use of the pistol.
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Old February 19, 2013, 07:58 AM   #15
ClydeFrog
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.380acp and below...

One of the basic rules of modern gun fighting is to USE ENOUGH GUN.
The .380acp isn't a good choice as a main sidearm.
A few years back, an off duty cop in metro Las Vegas NV walked into a armed robbery with multiple subjects. He shot it out with a small caliber pistol & was seriously wounded in the exchange.
The brave officer was later named NRA law enforcement officer of the year.
He returned to full duty & started to carry his regular sidearm with 2 15rd magazines all the time.

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Old February 19, 2013, 08:46 AM   #16
zeke4351
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Need help choosing a duty gun

Stay away from 357 Sig if you are recoil sensitive. People that say it doesn't kick has never shot it. It kicks more than .40 in the same gun I own. Take a look at a Sig P250. It comes in 3 sizes and all calibers. There are all kinds of exchange kits for the gun and you can make it how you want it. There is a Sig P250 forum dedicated to just this model.
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Old February 19, 2013, 09:01 AM   #17
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The above poster is correct if your shooting well with the 19 and dropping your groups you need to excersice your hands and build up your intrinsic muscles. These small muscles is what gives your hands and fingers strength. Don't even think about a 380. If grip comfort is a issue see if you can fondle a walther p99 you might like the grip more but until you start doing hand excersises your going to have a problem.
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Old February 19, 2013, 09:23 AM   #18
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I recommend a good used Sig P226 9mm if you intend on carrying openly. The P226 will tame the 9mm more so than a Glock, and if that still isn't tame enough for you, there are buffer systems you can have installed to further tame it. Here's one that was made in Germany - http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=329423200. The American made ones are good too.

If the Sig P226 grip is too fat for your hands, then I'd look at S&W 3rd gen single stack 9mm's. Something like a Smith & Wesson 3913. Of course, you could always go with a Browning Hi-Power - mild 9mm recoil and fits smaller hands nicely; however it is single action only.

Last edited by Skans; February 19, 2013 at 09:29 AM.
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Old February 19, 2013, 09:33 AM   #19
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I would also think that the Beretta 92 and Sig P226 would be too big for small hands. The S&W M&P9 or 9c would be a great option especially with the small grip insert.

Another option would be a single stack nine, such as one of the larger Kahr models and to soak up recoil the steel frame such as the K9 or T9.
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Old February 19, 2013, 09:45 AM   #20
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I'd buy Glock or Sig. I like the Sig a little better, but my Glocks do everything just as well, weigh less and cost less.

The Beretta is a good gun, but I'd much rather have one of the others.

The now discontinied S&W 3rd gen semi's were darn good, underrated guns, but now that they have been discontinued I wouldn't want one as duty gun. Wouldn't mind one for my personal use.
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Old February 19, 2013, 09:46 AM   #21
defscarlett
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Thanks for the replies so far I really appreciate the assistance. I'm definitely in shape overall I knock out 100 push-ups daily etc and being prior military have a good fitness mentality are their specific exercises that I need to be doing to strengthen these specific muscles?

I did try a G17 and a SR9 last night and they were too big for my hands I also tried the SR9C which I felt was too small.

I'm heading over to another gun store today to see what I can try.
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Old February 19, 2013, 10:03 AM   #22
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What job is this for, out of curiousity?

Some good choices, in no order:

Sig Sauer P226 or P229 with the E2 grip mod (All newer Sigs should come with this grip- it is a one-piece grip with no screws that snaps on around the backstrap of the pistol for a smaller grip diameter than the old-style traditional grips.

Beretta 92FS or 92A1. It is a fat gun, but I've known very small female soldiers who had no problem with it. Accurate and easy to shoot, and if you had prior experience with it in the military, it may be something you already know.

Glock 19. You already said this was a decent one. All the Glocks will have the same grip feel to them, with the grip being longer on the full-size Glock 17.

S&W M&P9. Adjustable palm swells that snap over the backstrap to allow you to change the width of the grip. They have a more ergonomic grip than the Glocks, IMHO. Also very soft shooting. I felt that the full-size M&P .40 S&W recoiled like a Glock 19. The 9mm version I have not shot in full-size, only compact, but I would guess it is also very soft shooting.

Springfield Armory XD9 or XDm 9. Also very soft shooting.

The Glock, S&W, and Springfield XDs all function in more or less the same way with similar triggers. Try all three and see which one feels best to you- and try at least one metal-framed hammer-fired semiauto to compare.
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Old February 19, 2013, 10:04 AM   #23
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The push-ups are great for stability across the pectorals. I like forearm curls/reverse curls for lower arm strength and mass, and to stiffen the wrists when locked. Mixed with some bicep/tricep work for arm strength and stability. I also like spring-loaded grip strengtheners, you simply squeeze with your hand.

You can overdo this stuff. Just stay focused on the objective of building strength & stamina into muscle groups that support the pistol.
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Old February 19, 2013, 10:17 AM   #24
defscarlett
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Armed security and I'll also be teaching firearms and tactic classes. Of course to learn some of this stuff I have several classes that my job is sending me to, to learn.

Also CZ 75 fits my hands nicely as well.
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Old February 19, 2013, 10:41 AM   #25
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Did you try a Gen 4 Glock? The smallest grip (no backstrap,) is much smaller then a regular Glock grip. Be careful with compacts vs medium or full size guns. The compacts, such has G19, SR9c, P229... just have shorter grips not smaller grips. The trigger reach would be the same. The bottom sticks out with a proper grip so shorter won't fit any better. Try an M&P and see how it fits. You more then likely need to work on your grip and have your thumbs piggy backing each other and web of the shooting hand high up on the backstrap. The smallest girl in my academy shot a Beretta 92FS. I'm not saying your grip is wrong, I haven't seen it, but go online and check out a few videos and compare with your current grip. Good luck.
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