Slim grip full size 9mm?

[scootle]

Those little guns she already has are harder to shoot due to their shorter sight radius, less mass, and less to hold on to. One day guys will stop buying their WAGs small guns. My suggestion is CZ.

Truth. No idea why anyone who knows anything about firearms would hand a mouse gun to a new shooter, male or female, honestly. The slides are often harder to rack too, due to the tighter recoil assemblies.

9mm 1911 with custom grips is definitely an option, imho... M&P are off roster, but the small-sized backstrap can result in a pretty comfortable double-stack full-size. Maybe the CA-roster SD9 VE is worth a look.

Honestly though... small hands doesn't always mean a small grip is better... give something like a Beretta 92FS a try too... that thing is pretty comfy to shoot if you can get past the DA/SA trigger and other ergos.

Have you given revolvers a try as well? A solid .357 loaded with .38spc is just downright pleasant to shoot.

[sly-jay]

Being a lady with medium hands I feel qualified to put in my two cents, which is: Another vote for CZ. I've got an SP-01 and 75B and they are the most comfortable of my pistols. I believe it's because of how they taper up top, nudging your hand naturally into a high grip.

And CZ ergos seem to work for everyone. I let a big guy check out my SP-01 with his giant bear mitts and he exclaimed "Wow! I love how this feels! Like it was built for my hand!" So hey, you can buy it for her and shoot it yourself too

[freonr22]

smith and wesson model 39 anyone?

[TeeMon5]

My Kahr K9 fits my small to medium sized hand very well. It's very slender and it's all steel. But, while it is not a full size gun, it's close. It is very reliable.

My other suggestion would be the Ruger SR9, which is a full size pistol. Unfortunately, it is now off the roster. I had one and I foolishly sold it so I could buy a Shield 9 (bad move on my part).

The SR9 holds 10+1 and works very well and it's slender. I also have a SR9c, which is more compact but otherwise just like the SR9, including 10+1.

[djeddiebear]

Being a lady with medium hands I feel qualified to put in my two cents, which is: Another vote for CZ. I've got an SP-01 and 75B and they are the most comfortable of my pistols. I believe it's because of how they taper up top, nudging your hand naturally into a high grip.

And CZ ergos seem to work for everyone. I let a big guy check out my SP-01 with his giant bear mitts and he exclaimed "Wow! I love how this feels! Like it was built for my hand!" So hey, you can buy it for her and shoot it yourself too

I think you should take this woman's advice. CZ SP-01 and P-01 are so fun to shoot.

[PoorRichRichard]

OP- You might want to have her take a look at a Smith & Weeson SDV. I've head they are good guns if you are willing to do a few upgrades. I'd suggest at least a better trigger.

[uhlan1]

You said it in your post that she wants a full size 9mm and likes the 1911 platform. There you go 1911 in 9mm!

Not a lot of options out there for 1911's in 9mm. End of SSE, SA ceasing to manufacture the Loaded Target, kinda leaves only the Kimber unless you want to pay premium prices in the marketplace.

I'd recommend the CZ 75 or SP 01. Great guns and affordable.

[Jimi Jah]

Used Browning. I have a BDA that is super thin. It's a great gun.

[NorzelKid]

Currently she has a XDS 3.3" 9mm and a Sig P232. She isn't as keen on the XDS as she is on the P232. Her P232 has the rubber Hogue grips on it with the finger grooves and she loves that way that feels in her hand.

If your wife loves the way the Hogue grips on the P232 feel, then she will for sure enjoy the Sig P239, because there are Hogue grips available for it that, once installed, feel just like the P232 grip (Check out the pic below to see a P239 with the Hogue grips).

[_TomT_]

The VP9 has a very thin grip on their smallest setting.

[Euphoria526]

Op. Where are you located.
I have a p01/07 and an Sti 9mm 1911. If you guys are close maybe we can meet and shoot.

[SurferSeth]

Op. Where are you located.
I have a p01/07 and an Sti 9mm 1911. If you guys are close maybe we can meet and shoot.

We are in the south bay in between LAX Range and Sharpshooters. We are always looking for more shooting buddies.

[Euphoria526]

Just saying. Cause I go up to Oaktree and checking out Angeles a lot if you guys want to check out an outdoor range and come up this way. Let your wife try the cz's and the 1911. I was surprised at how easy it is to shoot accurately. Rediculous

[Citizen_B]

You haven't mentioned what the purpose of the gun application will be. CCW, home defense? Assuming home defense..

Having put a few new shooters through this process, here's my 2 cents.. A lot of times they pick the smaller guns because they think it will be softer shooting. It's hard to get over the visual bias even when you explain the physics. Once they get to the range they feel the real difference.

People with smaller hands also gravitate towards smaller circumference grips because it feels like they have better control of the gun. This is actually sometimes true, sometimes not depending on the person, how they want to grip the gun, and how they adapt to a proper grip. Sometimes they find a bigger grip is easier to control the gun. Point being, your wife may adapt to a normal/larger grip over time. The main gripe with large circumference grips tends to be comfortable trigger reach. Some guns can come with shorter reach triggers, others interchangeable grips that reduce circumference.

I am also of the camp that 9mm is "good enough" as a personal defensive firearm. I think it lives in the sweetspot of adequate ballistics and lower training requirement for proficient shooting. I think of 380 ACP in a slighter similar way for specific applications but that's another story. With that all said, here's my full-size 9mm suggestions to try out:

- Browning Hi-Power (on roster)
- Springfield 1911 Loaded (on roster)
- Sig Sauer P226 Stainless Elite, w/ SRT, short reach trigger, E2 grips (off roster)
- CZ SP-01 (on roster)
- Any of the modern full-size polymer pistols from Springfield/Glock Gen4/etc. that have removable backstraps.
- A full/medium size revolver shooting 38 special (most on roster, GP100, SW offerings etc.)

The metal framed guns typically have changeable grips, whether they be slimmer style or meatier/softer like the Hogue grips. Some of them the trigger reach can be shortened. A revolver may be a good option if she doesn't plan to train that often (let's be realistic about the training interest our significant others have), so long as the long/heavy DA trigger isn't an issue. Good luck - it's a process.