Does size mean everything?

[JHT]

" Does size mean everything?"

It really does

Richie,
I was hoping someone would say this! Could you elaborate or are you just kidding (but not really)? Thanks!

[JHT]

What matters is what feels best to you, and then learning to use whatever you choose as efficiently as possible...

CC Gunsmithing, thanks for the reply! I like this advice...

[Moto4Fun]

Moto4fun, thanks for the game plan! I need to do some research on conversion barrels and weigh out the options. To be honest, I'd prefer just get more guns and not worry about switching parts back & forth.

Could you shoot with both the original & conversion barrels in the same trip to the range? That's actually a huge factor for me...

Switching barrels is nothing to worry about. Once you learn your pistol and are comfortable with it, changing the barrel is simple and easy. I suggest this as an option to buying a nearly identical gun in a different caliber.

While almost all of Moto4Fun's advice has been great, I kinda have to disagree with this one. I have club thumbs (a.k.a. Megan Fox thumbs) and medium-small hands, so that combination might just be the cause of this. I can tell that if the gun is too big, my hands can't get a full grip on it and I can't control the recoil very well or it feels like my hands are slipping. I'm really not confident when it feels like that. However, with compact polymers, and slim single stacks, I can really put rounds downrange, and the recoil absorbing just feels natural and the grip feels positive.

Moto4Fun is right though, shooting it yourself, and picking the right gun for the purpose.

We are in agreement. I am just suggesting that people (myself included) put a little too much value in how the gun FEELS at the gun counter, rather than how it FITS. If it fits well, all of those smooth contours (or lack thereof) that are noticeable when you are handling a gun at the counter become superfluous when you are actually shooting. Glock is a perfect example. The Glock 19 fits my hand fine, but it feels like a brick. When shooting it however, my mind is so focused on shooting, that I no longer feel the lack of contours and super comfy palm swells that you find on CZs or M&Ps. I guess what I am saying is dimensions are more important than contours.

[CAglock20c]

Go big or go home

[JHT]

When I reach for that gun at night I want a full on positive grip, but there is a place and time for everything.

drider, that's why I installed a Knoxx stock on my Remington 870!

But in all seriousness, I know what you're saying; if my little paws can't grab ahold of my gun in a time of need - I'm f*cked.

[mrkam]

We are in agreement. I am just suggesting that people (myself included) put a little too much value in how the gun FEELS at the gun counter, rather than how it FITS. If it fits well, all of those smooth contours (or lack thereof) that are noticeable when you are handling a gun at the counter become superfluous when you are actually shooting. Glock is a perfect example. The Glock 19 fits my hand fine, but it feels like a brick. When shooting it however, my mind is so focused on shooting, that I no longer feel the lack of contours and super comfy palm swells that you find on CZs or M&Ps. I guess what I am saying is dimensions are more important than contours.

That makes total sense. We are definitely in agreement then. JHT, obey everything Moto4Fun says!

[Boltz]

One more thing about the brand loyalty thing is customer service. Some companies give you lifetime, no-questions-asked warranties and take care of their customers, while others would rather just kick you to the curb. So be sure to keep that in mind whatever brand you are looking at.

[JHT]

Thanks for the advice and suggestions, guys & gals!

I decided to get a Glock 19, for the same reasons I was going to cancel my M&P 40C order. But I'll need to wait 38 days until it's in my hands... woe is me.

[Hilldweller]

http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread629097/pg3

[thenodnarb]

From what I've found, after learning the proper grip, those "big" grips got small real quick. I kinda wish my Beretta96 had an even bigger grip. I might add some hogue grips to see if I can squeeze a little more room in there from my support hand.

If I were you, I would learn the proper grip, practice on your current compact pistol, then after you have figured out the grip that works for you, then go and handle some pistols.
I adopted Todd Jarrets suggested grip and it has made a HUGE difference in my shooting ability. I went from not being able to hit a can at 21 feet single action, to being able to hit a bottle cap at 21 feet, double action.

[JHT]

OMFG that couldn't even fit in my MINI Cooper!

[JHT]

From what I've found, after learning the proper grip, those "big" grips got small real quick. I kinda wish my Beretta96 had an even bigger grip. I might add some hogue grips to see if I can squeeze a little more room in there from my support hand.

If I were you, I would learn the proper grip, practice on your current compact pistol, then after you have figured out the grip that works for you, then go and handle some pistols.
I adopted Todd Jarrets suggested grip and it has made a HUGE difference in my shooting ability. I went from not being able to hit a can at 21 feet single action, to being able to hit a bottle cap at 21 feet, double action.

Thanks for the advice! But the wheels are already rolling on the G-19. I will however implement the training/practice suggestions when I take delivery of it.

[Rekrab]

Hello,

Just purchased my first pistol yesterday, a Smith & Wesson M&P 40 Compact, but already want need another. I know what you're thinking, "join the club!" That isn't my problem...

I want to get a 9mm, specifically a Glock 19 or M&P 9 Compact, but wonder if getting another compact/sub-compact is a bad idea. Mind you, I'm only punching paper (indoors) and having small hands makes the full-size pistols feel "wrong".

Could someone please explain why I should get a full-sized pistol versus another compact/sub-compact?

NOTE: Just to clear things up, I am not new to firearms or shooting - just new to gun ownership. I am not looking for referrals or suggestions of pistols, just the reason(s) behind choosing a full-size vs. compact.

Since I don't carry I only own one compact handgun and I only bought it because it was quite inexpensive. I don't have terribly large hands either, I can barely get my mitts around most double stack handguns and if the trigger has a long reset I'm pretty much done.

That being said, I wouldn't give up on full size handguns right away. I know you seem pretty excited about a Glock or an M&P but maybe you ought to look at something else just to see if other full size 9mm handguns work for you.

[JHT]

Since I don't carry I only own one compact handgun and I only bought it because it was quite inexpensive. I don't have terribly large hands either, I can barely get my mitts around most double stack handguns and if the trigger has a long reset I'm pretty much done.

That being said, I wouldn't give up on full size handguns right away. I know you seem pretty excited about a Glock or an M&P but maybe you ought to look at something else just to see if other full size 9mm handguns work for you.

Thanks, Rekrab!
I'm not giving up on full-sized pistols. But after shooting quite a few different makes & models, the Glock 19 was the clear winner for what I need/want to do with it.

Plus, it's not like this is going to be my last gun purchase!

[redcliff]

I like Commander size 1911's probably the best of all 1911's I shoot. For general purpose/range use a steel Combat Commander is a great pistol.

Another 60 days and I should be getting my favorite one back from Dave Severns