New Shooter, New gun, Small hands.

Zacten · July 31, 2007, 06:53 PM

Hey everybody. I just recently started shooting the past few months and am interested in buying my first pistol. This pistol will primarily be used for 2 things...mostly range shooting, and concealed carry. I was looking for a 9mm due to the cost of ammunition (I'm a poor college student.) I'm a tiny guy, 5'9'' 155 pounds and I have small hands. I'm looking for a gun with a trigger like a H&K USP. I like that DA/SA trigger. Here's the guns I have tried so far and my problems with them.

Glock 17,19-angle is awkward and it's too thick for my hands. I also don't like the type of trigger pull it is.

H&K USP- Loved the gun, too thick for my hands.

S&W M&P-Just didn't feel comfortable to me, didn't like the trigger either.

Para ordnance....not sure what kind but it was in a .45 full size not a 1911 style-Liked the gun, too expensive of a caliber.

Beretta 96-just slightly too large for my hands.

So there's the list so far, any recommendations? My main problem is I hate having to try to reach to get to the trigger. I can get it but that puts my hand at an awkward angle where the valley of my thumb and index finger isn't snuggled in at the place in the gun underneath the slide (which I think it should be). Any good 9's out there that have a narrower grip that are reliable? I was looking at a Walther p99 and the p99c and was wondering people's views on that. Are there any other recommendations? Thanks for all the help everyone and I appreciate your time.

DennisE · July 31, 2007, 07:23 PM

Hard to beat the SIG 239 in 9mm! Dennis

JWT · July 31, 2007, 07:31 PM

Take a look at the CZ PCR. I've got relatively small hands and it fits my grip fine.

David the Gnome · July 31, 2007, 07:33 PM

How about the Kahr PM9 or MK9? They have a very thin grip and are excellent CCW firearms.

http://www.kahr.com/PA-1_9mm.html

Ozzieman · July 31, 2007, 07:51 PM

There is NO better gun,,, NONE than an HK P7.
They cost a bunch but you get a lot of gun. Single stack 9mm thats gas retarded that shoots like a 32 auto of the same size and has one of the highest resale values on the market.

MPanova · July 31, 2007, 09:16 PM

Sounds like you need a Taurus Millennium Pro Pt111 or if you have a little extra to spend get the Taurus 24/7 Pro compact 9mm, it comes with a 12 round mag for carry and a 17 round mag for the range

the MilPro normally runs about $350 and the 24/7 compact is a little over $400

Both have Heinie straight 8 2 dot sights and they have a single action trigger pull but unlike any other striker fired pistol if a round fails to go bang you can simply pull the trigger again because the Taurus reverts back to a double action in the event that a primer fails to go off, it gives you a 2nd try at it before ejecting it for a fresh round. 80% of fist time primer fails go off on the 2nd strike. Taurus also comes with a lifetime of the firearm warrenty not that you will need it. It is there should something happen to go wrong though. Both are light and small with a high capacity

Mark P. · July 31, 2007, 09:23 PM

Honestly, if the Beretta was a bit large for your hands, try the Beretta Cougar or Px4 if you are looking Beretta. I would also definitely recommend checking out the Walther P99 or P99 Compact as they are amazing 9mm pistols. Or if you really have your heart set on the HK, definitely check out the HK P2000 - great gun. Not a Glock fan personally so no advice there. For what you want I would probably check out the Beretta Px4 or the HK P2000.

Taurus_9mm · July 31, 2007, 09:31 PM

A big +1 on what MPanova said, You can't go wrong.

flashman70 · July 31, 2007, 09:38 PM

I second the P2000. I have small hands (esp. short fingers) and it fits me well with the medium backstrap. But if that's still too big you can put the small backstrap on it. I don't think the Kahr PM9 is very suitable for range use. It's great for carry, but not much fun to shoot. I have the larger P9 and it's OK at the range and good for carry. You might try a commander size 1911 if you like the .45 ACP round. The single stack is what makes most 1911s good choices for those of us with smaller hands. The Sig P239 is single stack and thus a good choice - you give up capacity, of course. Sig has what they call their "short trigger" which makes it less of a stretch to reach the trigger. I got one for my P229 - a double stack pistol - and it makes it comfortable for me to shoot.

Rogueone · July 31, 2007, 10:20 PM

I'll second the suggestion to check out the Taurus 24/7Pro. very nice gun, easy to get under $400.

If size of the grip is an issue, the M&P has interchangeable backstraps, make sure the one you held had the smallest ones maybe? Also the Walther P99 and the S&W version of it has backstraps so you can adjust the grip size.

I'm about your size, 5' 8", but carrying a little extra poundage in my old age

but I've found the Glock 19 I bought on Saturday to be fitting my hand wonderfully. I've always thought it was not comfortable, I've shot a friend's a few times, but just didn't have a real feel for it. But after much consternation I broke down and bought one this weekend because I really wanted a gun I could swap a .22 conversion kit on for cheaper practicing. So I got the glock. And I've put almost 400 rounds thru it already, plus a bit of dry fire and practice draws, and the more I learn about the Glock and handle it, the more impressed I am.

I didn't know how easy they are to work on, until Sunday at a gun show I saw a guy with a booth doing work on them, and he did a trigger job, I think he put in a 3.5# trigger, in about 2 minutes, all while jabbering and joking with me while I asked what he was doing. When I got home, I started researching, and well, I want to become a amateur Glock armorer now haha. It's so easy and looks like so much fun. and I'm gonna buy some Truglo T.F.O. sights tomorrow probably, and put those on myself. I'm amazed how easy some of this work is, and I'm excited about the prospect of being able to DIY

I love DIY, I'm a computer DIY'r, and work on my cars as well and other such things, so I love the idea of getting more intimately familiar with my firearm. Before ruling out the Glock, or really any gun that's reasonable for you, see if you can't rent one and drop a hundred rounds thru it.

Oh, and the other thing I'm quickly liking about glock? accessories accessories accessories. more and easier to get, and mags are about $20 unlike most being $40 - 75. and of course the Advantage Arms .22 kit I'll be getting this weekend at the latest

for a college student, 500-550 rounds for $10 - $20 based on what quality you need to buy so it'll cycle properly, is a lot better than 100 rounds for $15 (best price I've found at Wal-mart on Blazer Brass).

Enjoy and good shopping and shooting

Rogueone

Spenser · July 31, 2007, 10:57 PM

I'd look hard at the Walther P99 AS.

A Sig 239 is a great bet as well. You might also think about a 229 Sig in 9mm.

There's a lot of love being given to the S&W M&P's on this forum lately. I admit I like the wya they feel, but have put no rounds through one.

Scorpion46 · August 1, 2007, 07:59 AM

Here's another way to think about your situation. Have you considered buying a "pre-owned" pistol? Costs much less than new, and there are great ones out there at a very reasonable cost. For example, I have always loved the S&W Model 39-2. Sounds like it would fit your hand (critical issue), it's a single-stack and it's easy to carry. You can even find a writeup about it on Wikipedia! It's a great first gun...and you can spend your money on reloaded or otherwise inexpensive 9mm.

A way to find one used: http://www.gunbroker.com/

Musketeer · August 1, 2007, 08:06 AM

Find a used Firestar M-43 for around $200 - $250. It is a SA only gun so you will have to be content with having a good trigger pull for every shot instead of the horrible DA pull on the first one for a DA/SA

Take the rest of the money you will save and buy ammo and training.

I am 5'5" and LOVE my M-43, have it on right now. Single stack small, SA, all steel 9mm. Reliable and a tack driver.

natjohnb · August 1, 2007, 02:54 PM

try a S&W 908 or a 3913 (used)

hj28rules · August 1, 2007, 03:42 PM

+1 on the CZ75 PCR. Damn good pistol for the investment. Works good, last a long time.

LM...Ft. Worth, Tx.
PO1 USN: 1964-1972 Viet Nam Vet
SFC US ARMY (NG): 1982-1996 Desert Storm Vet (ret.)

okiewita40 · August 1, 2007, 05:11 PM

You could look at used XD9's. Maybe even the dreaded sigma series from S&W. Most any modern pistol should you just fine. Handle as many as you can before you buy.

July 31, 2007, 06:53 PM	#1
Zacten Junior Member Join Date: July 31, 2007 Posts: 3	New Shooter, New gun, Small hands. Hey everybody. I just recently started shooting the past few months and am interested in buying my first pistol. This pistol will primarily be used for 2 things...mostly range shooting, and concealed carry. I was looking for a 9mm due to the cost of ammunition (I'm a poor college student.) I'm a tiny guy, 5'9'' 155 pounds and I have small hands. I'm looking for a gun with a trigger like a H&K USP. I like that DA/SA trigger. Here's the guns I have tried so far and my problems with them. Glock 17,19-angle is awkward and it's too thick for my hands. I also don't like the type of trigger pull it is. H&K USP- Loved the gun, too thick for my hands. S&W M&P-Just didn't feel comfortable to me, didn't like the trigger either. Para ordnance....not sure what kind but it was in a .45 full size not a 1911 style-Liked the gun, too expensive of a caliber. Beretta 96-just slightly too large for my hands. So there's the list so far, any recommendations? My main problem is I hate having to try to reach to get to the trigger. I can get it but that puts my hand at an awkward angle where the valley of my thumb and index finger isn't snuggled in at the place in the gun underneath the slide (which I think it should be). Any good 9's out there that have a narrower grip that are reliable? I was looking at a Walther p99 and the p99c and was wondering people's views on that. Are there any other recommendations? Thanks for all the help everyone and I appreciate your time.

July 31, 2007, 07:33 PM	#4
David the Gnome Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2007 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 2,286	How about the Kahr PM9 or MK9? They have a very thin grip and are excellent CCW firearms. http://www.kahr.com/PA-1_9mm.html __________________ David the Gnome's Collection

July 31, 2007, 07:51 PM	#5
Ozzieman Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 2,577	For what your looking for There is NO better gun,,, NONE than an HK P7. They cost a bunch but you get a lot of gun. Single stack 9mm thats gas retarded that shoots like a 32 auto of the same size and has one of the highest resale values on the market.

July 31, 2007, 09:16 PM	#6
MPanova Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2006 Location: Houston TX Posts: 658	Sounds like you need a Taurus Millennium Pro Pt111 or if you have a little extra to spend get the Taurus 24/7 Pro compact 9mm, it comes with a 12 round mag for carry and a 17 round mag for the range the MilPro normally runs about $350 and the 24/7 compact is a little over $400 Both have Heinie straight 8 2 dot sights and they have a single action trigger pull but unlike any other striker fired pistol if a round fails to go bang you can simply pull the trigger again because the Taurus reverts back to a double action in the event that a primer fails to go off, it gives you a 2nd try at it before ejecting it for a fresh round. 80% of fist time primer fails go off on the 2nd strike. Taurus also comes with a lifetime of the firearm warrenty not that you will need it. It is there should something happen to go wrong though. Both are light and small with a high capacity __________________ .45 CALIBER FANATIC!!! "WALK SOFTLY AND CARRY A BIG GUN!"

July 31, 2007, 09:38 PM	#9
flashman70 Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2006 Location: Northern VA Posts: 164	I second the P2000. I have small hands (esp. short fingers) and it fits me well with the medium backstrap. But if that's still too big you can put the small backstrap on it. I don't think the Kahr PM9 is very suitable for range use. It's great for carry, but not much fun to shoot. I have the larger P9 and it's OK at the range and good for carry. You might try a commander size 1911 if you like the .45 ACP round. The single stack is what makes most 1911s good choices for those of us with smaller hands. The Sig P239 is single stack and thus a good choice - you give up capacity, of course. Sig has what they call their "short trigger" which makes it less of a stretch to reach the trigger. I got one for my P229 - a double stack pistol - and it makes it comfortable for me to shoot. __________________ Clarior hinc honos

July 31, 2007, 07:23 PM	#2
DennisE Senior Member Join Date: September 3, 1999 Location: Utah Posts: 397	Hard to beat the SIG 239 in 9mm! Dennis

July 31, 2007, 07:31 PM	#3
JWT Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 2,164	Take a look at the CZ PCR. I've got relatively small hands and it fits my grip fine.

July 31, 2007, 09:23 PM	#7
Mark P. Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2006 Posts: 107	Honestly, if the Beretta was a bit large for your hands, try the Beretta Cougar or Px4 if you are looking Beretta. I would also definitely recommend checking out the Walther P99 or P99 Compact as they are amazing 9mm pistols. Or if you really have your heart set on the HK, definitely check out the HK P2000 - great gun. Not a Glock fan personally so no advice there. For what you want I would probably check out the Beretta Px4 or the HK P2000.

July 31, 2007, 09:31 PM	#8
Taurus_9mm Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2006 Location: Louisville, Kentucky USA Posts: 923	A big +1 on what MPanova said, You can't go wrong.

July 31, 2007, 10:20 PM	#10
Rogueone Senior Member Join Date: July 12, 2007 Location: Northern Virginia, DC Metro area Posts: 204	I'll second the suggestion to check out the Taurus 24/7Pro. very nice gun, easy to get under $400. If size of the grip is an issue, the M&P has interchangeable backstraps, make sure the one you held had the smallest ones maybe? Also the Walther P99 and the S&W version of it has backstraps so you can adjust the grip size. I'm about your size, 5' 8", but carrying a little extra poundage in my old age but I've found the Glock 19 I bought on Saturday to be fitting my hand wonderfully. I've always thought it was not comfortable, I've shot a friend's a few times, but just didn't have a real feel for it. But after much consternation I broke down and bought one this weekend because I really wanted a gun I could swap a .22 conversion kit on for cheaper practicing. So I got the glock. And I've put almost 400 rounds thru it already, plus a bit of dry fire and practice draws, and the more I learn about the Glock and handle it, the more impressed I am. I didn't know how easy they are to work on, until Sunday at a gun show I saw a guy with a booth doing work on them, and he did a trigger job, I think he put in a 3.5# trigger, in about 2 minutes, all while jabbering and joking with me while I asked what he was doing. When I got home, I started researching, and well, I want to become a amateur Glock armorer now haha. It's so easy and looks like so much fun. and I'm gonna buy some Truglo T.F.O. sights tomorrow probably, and put those on myself. I'm amazed how easy some of this work is, and I'm excited about the prospect of being able to DIY I love DIY, I'm a computer DIY'r, and work on my cars as well and other such things, so I love the idea of getting more intimately familiar with my firearm. Before ruling out the Glock, or really any gun that's reasonable for you, see if you can't rent one and drop a hundred rounds thru it. Oh, and the other thing I'm quickly liking about glock? accessories accessories accessories. more and easier to get, and mags are about $20 unlike most being $40 - 75. and of course the Advantage Arms .22 kit I'll be getting this weekend at the latest for a college student, 500-550 rounds for $10 - $20 based on what quality you need to buy so it'll cycle properly, is a lot better than 100 rounds for $15 (best price I've found at Wal-mart on Blazer Brass). Enjoy and good shopping and shooting Rogueone

July 31, 2007, 10:57 PM	#11
Spenser Senior Member Join Date: December 18, 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 359	I'd look hard at the Walther P99 AS. A Sig 239 is a great bet as well. You might also think about a 229 Sig in 9mm. There's a lot of love being given to the S&W M&P's on this forum lately. I admit I like the wya they feel, but have put no rounds through one.

August 1, 2007, 07:59 AM	#12
Scorpion46 Member Join Date: July 5, 2007 Location: New York City Posts: 19	Another Way to Approach This.... Here's another way to think about your situation. Have you considered buying a "pre-owned" pistol? Costs much less than new, and there are great ones out there at a very reasonable cost. For example, I have always loved the S&W Model 39-2. Sounds like it would fit your hand (critical issue), it's a single-stack and it's easy to carry. You can even find a writeup about it on Wikipedia! It's a great first gun...and you can spend your money on reloaded or otherwise inexpensive 9mm. A way to find one used: http://www.gunbroker.com/

August 1, 2007, 08:06 AM	#13
Musketeer Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2005 Posts: 3,501	Find a used Firestar M-43 for around $200 - $250. It is a SA only gun so you will have to be content with having a good trigger pull for every shot instead of the horrible DA pull on the first one for a DA/SA Take the rest of the money you will save and buy ammo and training. I am 5'5" and LOVE my M-43, have it on right now. Single stack small, SA, all steel 9mm. Reliable and a tack driver. __________________ "Religions are all alike - founded upon fables and mythologies." Thomas Jefferson "The way to see by faith is to shut the eye of reason." Benjamin Franklin

August 1, 2007, 02:54 PM	#14
natjohnb Senior Member Join Date: December 18, 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 401	try a S&W 908 or a 3913 (used)

August 1, 2007, 03:42 PM	#15
hj28rules Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2007 Location: Texas Cross Timbers Posts: 278	+1 on the CZ75 PCR. Damn good pistol for the investment. Works good, last a long time. LM...Ft. Worth, Tx. PO1 USN: 1964-1972 Viet Nam Vet SFC US ARMY (NG): 1982-1996 Desert Storm Vet (ret.)

August 1, 2007, 05:11 PM	#16
okiewita40 Member Join Date: June 11, 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 97	You could look at used XD9's. Maybe even the dreaded sigma series from S&W. Most any modern pistol should you just fine. Handle as many as you can before you buy. __________________ What on god's green earth do you think your doing?