Budget 9mm for Small Hands...Opinions on Steyr M9A1 and the Beretta PX4 Storm

I'd personally look at the Walther PPQ (or P99) if you're looking for a double stack as I think these both are available with small back straps. If you're ok with moving to a single stack, I'd take a hard look at the S&W Shield and the Glock 43 (with my personal preference going to the Shield).

I don't know about grip length, but I've heard a number of people say that the Ruger SR9 feels very narrow for a double stack. If you're willing to change calibers the CZ82/ CZ83 come in at ~$300-$400 and have a very comfortable grip for smaller hands.

I have rather small hands and grip size is always a priority for me when looking for a pistol. I bought a PX4 Compact today. That's the mid-sized PX4. I have the small backstrap on it. In some ways it works well with my hand and not as well in other ways. I can take a full grip on it with no pinky overhang at all. It feels great in hand and reach to the trigger is no problem even in double action. The other controls are more of a bother. When holding the PX4 in one hand, some require or almost require me to shift my grip to operate them. I'm left-handed and am adept at operating a mag release for right-handers with my middle finger--that's not a problem for me on the PX4; however, I can't release it with my thumb when I hold the pistol in my right hand unless I shift my grip. I don't think I'll switch the button to the lefty configuration. (It takes a pretty small pistol for me to operate a mag release with my thumb without shifting my grip. I can do it with my Kel-Tec P11. I can't do it on my S&W 5904. Actually, most of my PX4 difficulties also apply to my 5904.) I can't really work the decocker without shifting my grip. I can flick the safety off without shifting my grip, but it's a bit of a stretch. Reach to the slide release is less of a problem but still not ideal, but I slingshot a pistol's slide to release it anyway, so that's not a big concern for me.

With a two hand grip, using the thumb of my weak hand to operate the controls is no problem.

I haven't shot my PX4 yet, but I'll be very surprised if I don't really like it.

Tough to accurately describe my hand size, but maybe this will be of some use to you. My palm is about 4 inches long. Thumb measured with tape measure between thumb and index finger is about 2 1/4 inches. With the tape measure between my index and middle finger, my index finger is about 2 3/4 inches and my middle finger is about 3 inches.

I agree with shotgunjoel that the Ruger SR9 is another one to consider. I almost bought the SR9c a few years ago. Can't remember how well I could reach the controls, but I do remember liking the feel of it.

Now you have a excuse to buy a cx4 storm carbine to be its companion and share magazines. Win win.

I am really attracted to the guns low recoil and unique design coupled with the large magazine size.

Click to expand...

That was a big attraction for me. I have pistols that are nice to conceal & carry and pistols that are nice to shoot lots of rounds through, but I didn' t have anything that did both very well. I'm hoping the PX4 Compact's recoil is low enough that I'll enjoy shooting it a lot and that it conceals pretty well.

i would love to hear you're feelings after getting a chance to shoot the gun

Click to expand...

The roads to where I usually shoot are snowy right now. Not sure I want to mess with that. I may be giving an indoor range here a try in the next few days. I'll report back when I do get a chance to shoot it.

Now you have a excuse to buy a cx4 storm carbine to be its companion and share magazines. Win win.

Click to expand...

One of the reasons I bought a Kel-Tec P11 was that it could use my S&W 5904 magazines. I'd thought about buying a carbine that would take my 5904 magazines, too. The CX4 looks quite a bit nicer than most of those.

The Ruger SR9 has a slim grip for a double stack mag.

The RIA 1911 in 9mm is a great gun. I recommend the Tactical model.

Both are well within your budget.

Of the 2 guns you mentioned I would go with the Px4 Compact with the small back strap. The PX4 grip is very svelte. If you can go full size there is a Px4 C model with a consistent trigger pull (somewhat like a Glock) so no Da/SA issues.

While I like the Steyr M9, its grip, while not fat, is at quite an angle and does take some getting used too. As do the sights. Steyr's are not well known guns and are harder to re-sell.

Mags are plentiful for both guns and at reasonable prices.

No the Walther ppq's - a Great gun and great trigger- quality is not leaps and bounds over the other two guns. But I have seen some used PPQ's in the $400 dollar range.

Most of the female and some small handed male detectives/LEO's I have worked with carried either Glock 19's or 26's and they didn't have any problems, no matter how petite the hands.

Read the last review on the

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...c+ACC9B+1911+Commander+9mm+4.25"+9+1+Checkere

Are these made in the Philippines?

Not sure this would be a better choice in 1911's.

http://www.shootingreviews.com/american-classic-commander-review/

The second review I posted is telling, no point for it to fit your hand if its going to cut it up.

FWIW there are plenty of $1000 1911's I would not buy either just for their fit and finish.

It's a low cost 1911 9mm but for Bud's cost of over $500, with FFL transfer, I bet you could do much better

RIA had a better review.

Shoot the Glock 43 and the SW Shield are less than this 1911.

Now if you really want a 1911, then there it is.

Now for a little bit of fun

Hokey religions and ancient (1911) weapons are no match for a good (Glock) blaster at your side, kid.

Just kidding please no 1911 attacks.

Enjoy what ever you get.

There is a big difference between a Beretta PX4, Steyr M9, Ruger SR9 and little guns like the Glock 43 and the S&W Shield.

I see this all the time in the "my wife/girl friend/daughter/etc. needs a handgun" threads. People always start recommending little concealment guns like the G43, Shield, J-Frame, etc. The issue is usually trigger reach not concealment. Nobody wants to shoot a little gun, they just want a gun that is easy to shoot that they can comfortably reach the trigger.

The PX4 is a pretty good choice, as is the Ruger SR9. The S&W M&P is another that would be a good choice. The 1911 is also a great choice for those with small hands. It's been my choice for about 30 years, but they are usually quite a bit heavier, and usually more expensive than the current polymer guns. If I were starting out today, I'd probably choose between the Beretta PX4 or the M&P9.

Well I didn't really recommend either gun but the Px4

Just saying that the quality of a under $500 gun should not be what the report posted showed.

All 1911's are not equal.

If you do not mind the feel of a duoble action trigger pull, the Sccy CPX is a great shooter under $300. Comes with 2-10 rd mags both with pinky extensions from the factory. If you want a smaller grip it comes with the flat base plates to change to.

I will be shopping for a compact 9mm pistol and both the PX4C and the Steyr M9-A1 are on my list of candidates. The other candidates are the Walther PPQ, Walther P99, HK VP9, and SIG P320.

I have not had an opportunity to shoot or even dry fire either the Steyr or the PX4 Storm. I have handled both and they were both quite comfortable in my hand but my hands are not small. I have no idea how they would work in practice, but I rather liked the trapezoidal sight picture on the Steyr. I have heard of extractor issues affecting some M9-A1s. The Steyr does have a more layed-back grip angle akin to a Glock but not quite as Glockish/Lugerish. It seemed to point more naturally for me than Glocks do.

I do have 3 Cougars which have the same rotary barrel lock up system that the PX4 has. One is a full-size Stoeger 8045 .45 ACP, one a Beretta mini-Cougar 8000D 9mm DAO, and the last a Beretta mini-Cougar 8040F .40 cal. All of my Cougars shoot well and handle recoil extremely well. The rotary barrel mechanism does like to be greased, however.

I am sure you are aware that the firing mechanisms and manual of arms for these two pistols is very different. The Steyr is a hammerless, striker-action pistol with no manual safety. The PX4 is a hammer-fired, DA/SA pistol that usually comes stock with a safety/decocker (dead trigger decocker), but the PX4 can be converted to a "G" model pretty easily in which the lever works as a live trigger decocker only. In handling the PX4 I was not crazy about the prominent "bat ears" on the safety/decocker but Beretta makes a couple of different "stealth" levers for the PX4 safety/decocker. I know some have complained that the PX4 grip becomes slippery in action and many seem to have either added stippling, a piece of bicycle inner tube, or skateboard tape to the grip of their PX4s.

If you are used to a Glock my guess is that the hammerless, striker-fired action and the grip angle of the Steyr M9-A1 would seem more natural to you than those of the PX4 Storm.

Given the current $50 rebate deal on the Taurus PT111 G2, I'm considering getting one myself - but I better decide soon since the rebate ends after 12/31/15.

I mention it because the grip narrows at the top, reducing the distance from back strap to trigger more than most double stack 9mm's. It is an inexpensive option if the Taurus brand doesn't bother you.

I would recommend the Walther PPS, or Bersa BP9CC for single stacks- both I've seen for $350 or less and have been flawless for me-eats everything and are lightest recoiling in Single stacks(imo)....the Taurus PT111 is a fabulous pistol for the price....however the sights are really poor quality and of 4 I've had, no sights were correct from factory and couldn't be adjusted enough to be perfectly on-also the triggers are just far to mushy for me and doesn't break til all the way back, I couldn't get used to that-great reliable gun otherwise, especially if you can get it for under $200....
As for double stacks, the Walther P99as, or P99asc, or PPQ, HK Vp9, or Steyr- but I strongly recommend purchasing 2 of the Steyrs (1 for back up) because their supply and parts is highly intermittent to impossible to find in general.

By the way I have seen the PPQ for under $500 the VP9 for $525

I've got a friend who really likes the Steyrs and has owned a number of them.

After the first iterations, which had reliability issues, the later guns generally seem to get good reviews.

I had the Steyr M9. Good gun, and I liked the high grip, and low bore axis. I only sold it because I just don't like the feel of polymer. If you have a few more bucks get a used Browning Hi Power. The grip will fit you fine.

Walther PPS!