The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > Hogan's Alley > Handguns: The Semi-automatic Forum

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old May 10, 2013, 05:36 PM   #1
AK71
Member
 
Join Date: March 9, 2013
Location: Central PA
Posts: 42
Compact for bigger hands

I've been resistant to considering compact/subcompact guns because I haven't liked the feel of the smaller grips. Are there some good options that feel more like full-size guns?
AK71 is offline  
Old May 10, 2013, 05:56 PM   #2
Waspinator
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 10, 2013
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 517
I've been looking at a lot of guns for my first handgun purchase, mostly compact semis and smaller revolvers (I'm focusing more on steel/alloy frames).

One gun that has defiantly perked my interest, it the Bersa Thunder Pro Ultra Compact line.. especially the 9mm version. It is double stack and comes in either 13+1 or 10+1 configuration. The frame is alloy with steel slide, giving it a bit more heft then most compact guns. The grip frame has molded finger groves in it and the magazines have extensions on them. People report it is a very comfortable gun to hold and fire (due to the combination of finger groves, fatness of the double stack, recoil reducing weight and the mag extension).

I'm on the look out for one so I can see how it fits myself.

Here is a link
http://www.bersa.com/bersa-firearms/...ro-series.html

Watch some youtube videos, maybe it might be something along the lines you were looking for.
Waspinator is offline  
Old May 10, 2013, 06:05 PM   #3
chris in va
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 26, 2004
Location: Louisville KY
Posts: 13,805
My Kahr K9 fits my XL hands rather well. I call it my 'little big gun'.
chris in va is offline  
Old May 11, 2013, 03:20 PM   #4
Ozzieman
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 14, 2004
Location: Northern Indiana
Posts: 6,117
I’m not the biggest fan of Glocks but the 26 that I own is the one sub compact that fits my large hand.
The item that makes it fit best is the small pinky extension that’s available for the 10 round mags. Also when you want more rounds you can use 17 or 19 magazines with small rubber covers that make the gun fit like a full sized 17 or 19. The rubber cover looks a little sloppy but the fit and feel is good.
__________________
It was a sad day when I discovered my universal remote control did not in fact control the universe.

Did you hear about the latest study.....5 out of 6 liberals say that Russian Roulette is safe.

Last edited by Ozzieman; February 12, 2017 at 06:27 PM.
Ozzieman is offline  
Old May 11, 2013, 04:16 PM   #5
Captains1911
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 18, 2009
Location: West of the Blue Ridge, VA
Posts: 684
I have large hands and the Ruger LC9 with the pincky extension mag floor plate works for me.

As mentioned, the G26 with an extension is pretty hefty, but I don't consider a double-stack a "sub-compact."
Captains1911 is offline  
Old May 11, 2013, 06:25 PM   #6
oldandslow
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 2, 2007
Posts: 641
AK,

I have large size hands and one of my favorite carry pistols in the Sig
P-245, a six plus 1 .45 ACP compact. It's new version is called the 220-compact. It's light, accurate and reliable. The Glock recommendations are also good. Good luck in your search.

Best wishes- oldandslow
oldandslow is offline  
Old May 11, 2013, 07:09 PM   #7
AK71
Member
 
Join Date: March 9, 2013
Location: Central PA
Posts: 42
Quote:
I have large size hands and one of my favorite carry pistols in the Sig
P-245, a six plus 1 .45 ACP compact. It's new version is called the 220-compact. It's light, accurate and reliable
Is this the gun you are talking about?:

http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProdu...r-compact.aspx



I would definitely consider it because a Sig P22X was high on the list for my next gun. So you find it easy to carry? Very interesting if so...
AK71 is offline  
Old May 11, 2013, 07:32 PM   #8
Nanuk
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 2, 2005
Location: Where the deer and the antelope roam.
Posts: 3,082
I have very large meaty hands. I find that I need an auto with a dove tail to fit me right. Every Glock I have to modify. The compact 1911's work well though.
__________________
Retired Law Enforcement
U. S. Army Veteran
Armorer
My rifle and pistol are tools, I am the weapon.
Nanuk is offline  
Old May 12, 2013, 06:54 PM   #9
LewSchiller
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 21, 2013
Location: Metro Denver Colorado
Posts: 227
While it might not be small enough for your needs, my big hand is right at home on an M&P Shield.
My Kel-Tec P-11 isn't bad either - especially with a grip extension.
__________________
"When the Going gets Weird the Weird Turn Pro"
Hunter S. Thompson
LewSchiller is offline  
Old May 13, 2013, 12:24 PM   #10
BigJimP
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 23, 2005
Posts: 13,195
Sig 239 ..../ the base pad on the mag - giving you a place for the small finger on your hand makes a difference....and if you want to go a little bigger than the stock grips ...Hogue makes a rubber grip with finger grooves - that bulks the grip up a little.

I have 239's in 9mm and .40S&W ...and with big hands find them both very manageable.
------------
Compact is a relative term.....but a gun like a Kimber Tactical Pro model, 4", in an alloy frame...in 9mm is also a good alternative ( light, easy to shoot, thin...)....there are other 4" 1911's out there too ....like this one...

http://wilsoncombat.com/new/handgun-...p#.UZEhk4zn_X4

available in 9mm, .38 super and .45 acp....
BigJimP is offline  
Old May 13, 2013, 02:39 PM   #11
Tactical Jackalope
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 5, 2010
Location: Miami, Florida
Posts: 6,429
Oh man...This is fun.

Glock 19 or SIG P229 in 9mm is what I would look at if I were you.

They're both awesome guns. Small enough to carry and big enough to fight with.
Tactical Jackalope is offline  
Old May 13, 2013, 03:01 PM   #12
USVI
Member
 
Join Date: May 9, 2013
Posts: 42
Always try to bring as much gun as you can to a fight. Here are two "No Compromise" options.

HK P2000 V3 9mm



HK 45c V1

USVI is offline  
Old May 13, 2013, 04:31 PM   #13
BarryLee
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 29, 2010
Location: The ATL (OTP)
Posts: 3,944
I agree with Ozzieman that for a small lightweight gun the GLOCK G26 just seems to feel more like a “real” gun than some of the other small options. I also have the X-Grip extension that allows the use of a G17 magazines and the pinky extension. However, after a little practice I have become pretty proficient even with the standard 10 round magazine.
__________________
A major source of objection to a free economy is precisely that it ... gives people what they want instead of what a particular group thinks they ought to want. Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself.
- Milton Friedman
BarryLee is offline  
Old May 13, 2013, 08:54 PM   #14
Chesster
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 6, 2007
Location: Dixie
Posts: 2,538
For me, the G19 gen 2 fits the bill.
__________________
Chesster
Proud NDN
"The American Idle"
Vote 'Pro-Choice' on 2nd Amendment issues!!!
Chesster is offline  
Old May 13, 2013, 09:05 PM   #15
Revolver1
Junior member
 
Join Date: January 21, 2013
Location: NY
Posts: 150
S&W MP 45, 4" barrel, 8 shot. You can change backstraps to suite your hand size.
Revolver1 is offline  
Old May 14, 2013, 08:08 PM   #16
huskybiker
Member
 
Join Date: March 10, 2013
Posts: 97
I have both the M&P9C & 9 Shield. Both are exceptionally good shooters.
huskybiker is offline  
Old May 16, 2013, 02:08 AM   #17
5Wire
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 13, 2008
Posts: 262
Some smaller pistols in a comparison I ginned up.



I didn't include this when I did the graphic, but it fits right in at 6.5 inches.

Para LDA Carry .45ACP Para makes the same frame size in different calibers and in single action.

__________________
5Wire
(Bob)

We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.

Last edited by 5Wire; May 16, 2013 at 02:19 AM.
5Wire is offline  
Old May 16, 2013, 04:51 AM   #18
dayman
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 18, 2011
Location: The Woods
Posts: 1,197
I don't have huge hands, but they're fairly wide. I find the XDS with the Peirce grip extension installed is just about perfect. It's as small as a gun could get while still allowing all my fingers to fit on it.
__________________
si vis pacem para bellum
dayman is offline  
Old May 16, 2013, 06:14 AM   #19
Kreyzhorse
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 12, 2006
Location: NKY
Posts: 12,463
I have big hands myself and the Walther PPS feels very comfortable to me. The gun is well made, well thought out, has a great trigger and personally, I think it shots as well as a full sized gun.
__________________
"He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson
Kreyzhorse is offline  
Old May 17, 2013, 09:11 PM   #20
pete2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 15, 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,566
Compact/sub compact aren't supposed to have large handles, then they wouldn't be small. It's part of the trade off. Some of them work well for my rather large paw. I find the LC9 works well for me even without the extension on the mag. I also have a 642 and it can be a handful but I can hit with it if I concentrate.
pete2 is offline  
Old May 18, 2013, 09:56 AM   #21
PSP
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 2, 2006
Location: Bowling Green Virginia
Posts: 4,484
HK USP compact or P2000SK. Great guns for large hands.
PSP is offline  
Old May 18, 2013, 12:51 PM   #22
AK71
Member
 
Join Date: March 9, 2013
Location: Central PA
Posts: 42
Thanks for all the responses!

I really like that graphic, 5wire
AK71 is offline  
Old May 18, 2013, 01:33 PM   #23
skeath
Member
 
Join Date: May 15, 2013
Location: McKinney, TX
Posts: 17
Take a look at the CZ P-01. While a compact, it is larger than the usual pocket gun, and well thought of.
__________________
NRA Member
TX CHL Instructor
skeath is offline  
Old May 18, 2013, 03:03 PM   #24
5Wire
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 13, 2008
Posts: 262
Quote:
I really like that graphic, 5wire
Thanks, AK71.
__________________
5Wire
(Bob)

We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.
5Wire is offline  
Old May 19, 2013, 09:08 AM   #25
loose_holster_dan
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 5, 2011
Location: NE Ohio
Posts: 2,461
i'm 6'6" 280. i can comfortably shoot the walther pps (or xds) with anything but the smallest mag. the smallest glocks are harder to hold onto for me. i can also easily handle the ruger sr9c.

if you can find one in good condition in your price range, the hk p7 psp is hard to beat.
__________________
Favorite range gun for the money - CZ 75B or STI Spartan V 9mm
Go-to carry setup - Walther PPS or PPQ in FIST kydex holster 1AK
Favorite semi-auto design - HK P7
"A Sig is like a lightsaber - not as clumsy or random as a Glock."
loose_holster_dan is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:47 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.11871 seconds with 10 queries