I took a look at one of the women's hand gun sites and in their threads (all by women) they use the same guns we guys use. They seem to favor .45s over other weapons but they cover the entire panopoly of weapons that you see out there. See: Women & Guns :: View Forum - Women & Guns

My GF has rather small hands and we discovered that she could handle 9mm in my Sig 226 but the grips were simply too large for her to get comfortable with. After firing a dozen different models she finally settled on the Ruger LCP but the Ruger LC9 was a very close 2nd. She felt the snap of the 9mm in the small frame was just a bit much for her at this time. After talking it over we decided that 7 well placed shots of .380 was better than 8 scattered shots of 9mm.

If we get CCW here in IL i'm going to buy a LC9 for myself and the GF will most likely step up to one as well. If you have not shot the LC9 I would recommend that you give it a try. The snap might be just fine for you. Having shot it myself for about 50 rounds I'm very happy with it and comfortable it will perform if needed.

i find it amazing no one suggested a Kimber. My wife has small hands and just loves the feel of a Kimber. (can't afford to buy one right now) I carry a Ruger P95 and my wife (with her small hands) loves to shoot it.

My gf has small hands. She likes her S&W M&P9. She also likes shooting my XDm and CZ-75b.

You should go someplace where they have a S&W M&P 9c. That is the compact version of their 9mm auto. It is about 3/4 the size of the full-size M&P. These M&P guns all come with adjustable grips. You open the grip and find two additional size inserts that change the width and length of the grip. Ask the salesperson to open the grip for you as it is a little tricky. Once you get the right grip you'll be in business. Their price is generally under $500.

My 2 Daughters experienced the same thing small hands hard choices to make since there is so many guns out there, Now My daughters keep in mind Their dad Is a Instructor And I must say I have a nice collection in my gun safe. lol, neverless I worked with them 2 daughters different personalities, One chose a semi-auto the other chose a revolver, My oldest I bought her a taurus mill pro PT-111 9mm she already put 500 rds through it, my youngest has a Taurus 2 inch snub nose 357 mag She keeps 38spl+ps in it its a 7 shot and the semi auto is 12 rds
now to show the difference my oldest got mad at my youngest cause she put 7 rds at 15 yrds in the x well she cut the x off the target, the oldest hit the x 3 times out of 12 shots. but its just what feels the best is how well you will be with it, alot of people suggested go to place that actually rents guns try all you can find the one that you feel the most comfortable with and the one that you can handle the recoil and I think you will know what suits you its hard to say what is best for me will not be best for you. good luck on finding the one that fits you But they are out there Just try alot before just going to buy one in a hurry and end up being unhappy later. its like car buying you have to test ride them first before putting hard earned money into them.

I too am new to the forum.... but I'll wade right in ....


This is strictly my opinion, and has worked in many years of firearms training, and for men and ladies alike. Buy a handgun just like you would buy a pair of shoes. If Ol' Joe over here says he likes Charlie China tennis shoes, and you're looking for a new pair of shoes, do you run out and buy Joe's pick, just because HE likes 'em? Probably not. If a new shooter is asking what to buy for a carry gun, it doesn't matter what works for me, or anyone else. I suggest telling that new shooter to go to many gun shops, and/or gun shows, and handle all the guns they can get hold of. Just like they would try on shoes. Before long they'll be able to make a list of guns that feel ok, pretty good, real good, and "that really feels great in my hands". The last two are the ones to pursue, and here's why I say that....
If a given handgun doesn't feel "right" in your hands, you'll not shoot it enough to become proficient with it, because it's not comfortable, and you won't like shooting it. Just like you rarely wear shoes that are UNcomfortable. If you're not gonna become proficient with it, save your money, and buy a ball bat to carry. With proper training, and fundamentals, he/she can learn to shoot almost any handgun, or any caliber. Very few folks can re-train their hands to make just any handgun feel comfortable. The last suggestion.........proper shooting techinques, practiced slowly, but proficiently, will breed speed. Do it slowly, and do it the right way, every time.......If you practice speed first, and introduce less efficient techniques into your training, you'll have to do it all over again to get it right.

By the way..... anyone who introduces a new shooter to our pastime by having them start with a large-caliber handgun, makes a very poor decision. Yes, some folks do ok starting out with large calibers, but the vast majority will not continue to shoot if their very 1st experience is with .50 S&W. Start with a .22 caliber something, and as your technique/accuracy improves, work up from there. Caliber doesn't count until after you can hit your target.

There always will be a trade-off..... light weight, more recoil...... shorter barrel, more recoil... just sayin....

Again, just my ramblings.... but they work for me...

Shoot Safely....

All of your comments are gold. Thank you so much! I've gotten a lot of incredible suggestions, and I'm still doing a lot of research. I'm going to continue to search until I find the one that I really think is going to work. I don't want to buy it and then realize I made a mistake. I may not be able to shoot the gun before I buy it, but I will know the reviews on it and I will certainly know the comfort of it in my hand.
I'm currently eyeing the glocks. A 19 or a 26, but like a few of you have said, it just may not fit my hand. I haven't had time lately to go try one out.
If the 19 fits my hand, I'll snatch it in a heartbeat. But I have a feeling it's not going to since it's double stack and a 9mm.


We shall see, and I will certainly let you all know whenever I find the right one! Until then I'm going to continue to play around with my bf's 9mm and my dad's .40







Jessi

Originally Posted by Ala Tom

You should go someplace where they have a S&W M&P 9c. That is the compact version of their 9mm auto. It is about 3/4 the size of the full-size M&P. These M&P guns all come with adjustable grips. You open the grip and find two additional size inserts that change the width and length of the grip. Ask the salesperson to open the grip for you as it is a little tricky. Once you get the right grip you'll be in business. Their price is generally under $500.

I've heard the same as far as fitting womens hands well over the slightly thicker glocks. Here's a review from her perspective.

Smith & Wesson M&P 9c - Full Review of an Exceptional Pistol - YouTube

So I went to my local pawn and gun shop today and I looked at several of the guns you guys recommended for me. I tried the glock 19 first, because that is the one I most wanted, but unfortunately it was too big for my hand. Every glock I tried was just too big (grip-wise). So those are just out of the question.

I narrowed my selection down to three guns that actually felt comfortable in my hand. There was the kahr 9c, the m&p 9c, and the sr9c.

Then I threw out the kahr because of it's low magazine capacity.

Before I left, I decided that of the m&P and the sr9, the m&p 9c just felt more comfortable in my hand, and with that small grip, it fit perfectly. I'm telling you, my hands are just tiny.

I've been doing research on the m&p just to be sure that's the one to get. I've seen nothing but good reviews. Many would even buy it before they'd buy a glock 26, which I thought was impressive.


Any other thoughts on the m&p 9c? I may have missed an earlier comment about it.

My gf will put 50 rounds into a jagged hole about the size of the bottom of a soda can from 7 yards out using her M&P 9c. Just do it.

I rarely make guarantees, especially to strangers. But here I will make a guarantee. No matter what gun you buy now, it won't be the last gun you ever buy. If your experience runs true to course you will buy, try, and re-sell several before you find the one that really works for you.

This is not a marriage. If it does not work out well for you, try another. Of course you don't want to go blindly into gun store and buy the first thing that looks sexy. So your research is well-founded. But keep in the back of your mind that this is not a forever deal--until death do you part.

Make an informed decision, shoot it for several months. If you feel it is not the right weapon for you after that time, trade it in and get something else.

Personally I would never own a glock, but having said that, I know that millions of folks love them. You may want to check out Gripreductions.com. This may provide the answer to all your firearms needs. I have seen many good reviews of this business.

Originally Posted by propellerhead

My gf will put 50 rounds into a jagged hole about the size of the bottom of a soda can from 7 yards out using her M&P 9c. Just do it.

Nice!



Packard, you make a good point. I suppose I'm just so excited about my first gun that I am just so desperately finding one that I KNOW I'll like. But you're totally right. It's not a marriage like I'm acting like it is.

all64, thanks for this website. I had no idea there was anything like that out there! Very very useful

Here are a couple of suggestions that you might want to consider; find someone who has a Beretta 92fs compact and check it out I believe it's 8+1 but not sure about it and a little thicker grip is the 92fs Centurian which is a double stack mag. You might also want to check out a Sig P6 it is the smaller single stack, although all of these will be used, they are still really servicable. You may even find one that the owner has had modified with the short reset trigger and, a lighter mainspring, haven't had mine done but it's not too bad as is. Good luck on your search.

S&W BG380 with Hornady Critical defense ammo.

If you can't find a used Sig P6 (or also a Sig P225) to try out/handle (as suggested by SigP229R above), you could always look at the Sig P239 in 9mm. It is also a single-stack 9mm and may fit your hand.

However, the M&P 9c is a good choice if you decide to go that route.

sounds like your wishes gets you a glock 26 or the springfield XD9
the next bigger size would be a
glock 19
then
glock 17 generation 4 has interchanable back straps but with your small hand you would probably go with the small backstrap
if you want a lot of bullets then all glocks mentioned above can take the glock clip that holds 30 rounds

How do you plan on carrying this weapon? To a great extent the manner in which you will carry will determine the weapon you will choose.

For ankle carry, for instance, the G19 is not well suited, but the G26 (Glocks) is perfect.

For purse carry you will have greater latitude as there are several purse manufacturers making carry specific models.

I have the Glock 26 on my hip right now in my office as I type. It is not the greatest weapon in the world and I in no way use it as the weapon I compare all others too. My very good friend has the M&P 9c and he shoots it as well as anyone I know. He shoots it better then some of my other buddies shoot tjeir race guns. Throwing out the Kahr was in my opinion silly itis a great gun and they can always have more then one mag. The SR9c is a fine weapon with a very hearty slide release/lock back. Glock is a very well known and very well made weapon, it is not the envy of the gun world and it should not surprise anyone that people would pick another brand over it. Doing as much research as you seem to be doing can get confusing.

If you can't shoot one before you buy it. hold a bunch. see what feels good. can you manually rack the slide? will it fit where you plan to carry it? Is it easy to breakdown and clean...and the reassemble? does it look good to you? is it too heavy?Can I afford this one? Never buy a gun just because it is cheap...If you got all good answers to the gun you are holding right now....what is going to change in 2 weeks? Buy it shoot it enjoy it. Put thos elittle hands of yours to use loading some mags........Its a lot more fun going to the range and shooting then wondering and thinking....you can always start planning your second gun immediately, but at least you will be shooting and gaining persective in the mean time.

RCG

im a big guy... but i have small hands..... about the size of my wife hands, she is 5 3... anyway... i really like of my beretta px4 compact 9mm... fits my hand great with the small back strap... very little recoil... something to think about..

I know what you mean about the fast matabolism... I'm not a real big guy either but I love my Sig Sauer P229. It may not be exactly what you are looking for but hold one and see how you like it.

Originally Posted by eterntyinanhour9

So I went to my local pawn and gun shop today and I looked at several of the guns you guys recommended for me. I tried the glock 19 first, because that is the one I most wanted, but unfortunately it was too big for my hand. Every glock I tried was just too big (grip-wise). So those are just out of the question.

I narrowed my selection down to three guns that actually felt comfortable in my hand. There was the kahr 9c, the m&p 9c, and the sr9c.

Then I threw out the kahr because of it's low magazine capacity.

Before I left, I decided that of the m&P and the sr9, the m&p 9c just felt more comfortable in my hand, and with that small grip, it fit perfectly. I'm telling you, my hands are just tiny.

I've been doing research on the m&p just to be sure that's the one to get. I've seen nothing but good reviews. Many would even buy it before they'd buy a glock 26, which I thought was impressive.


Any other thoughts on the m&p 9c? I may have missed an earlier comment about it.

I rented an M&P9c to check it out, and I was very impressed by the sights. I liked them better than my son's G26 or even my SR9c. You would not know it if you haven't shot one, but it could be an important factor for your decision. I also have an M&P9 Pro, and it is very accurate and reliable. I would definitely recommend the M&P9c. Good Luck

The local police use S & W M & P, but in the more potent .40 caliber. The two guns are about the same size and weight; the .40 carries 10 rounds, the 9mm carries 12 rounds.

Surprisingly to me, guns that initially feel awkward don't feel that way after shooting them awhile. So while I still give the advice that you should pick something that feels good in your hand, my experience is that it is not always a good predictor of how well you will shoot it after using it a while.

So I would not automatically discard a gun that does not fit the hands well. If there are enough significant advantages to using the ill-fitting weapon I might try it for a while and see.

I have not traded in any guns lately but when I have I always felt that I did not take too much of a beating (money-wise). And while guns are not cheap and disposable, they are way cheaper than other capital investments. Heck, you can spend nearly $500.00 on a Dyson vacuum cleaner that will only last what? 7 or 10 years? (And you can't trade in your vacuum if you don't like it--you end up giving it to a relative for free.)

So buy something that feels reasonable and use it for 6 months. If you don't like it, I would guess you'd be out $150.00 to $250.00. That's about 8 months worth of lattes at Starbucks.