Suggestions for sidearm for a new shooter with BIG hands.

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Darkbob

Darkbob

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Like the title suggests, I'm looking for suggestions for a sidearm that will be used for home defense and may even see some use as a carry piece. The caveat is the that the new shooter, my brother in law, is a dude with huge hands.

I am not a small guy, but my fingers and hands are, delicately sized. :eek:

I love my 1911, and carry it regularly. I also sometimes carry my Kahr MK9. I also suggest these to most folks who are looking into firearms for the first time. The weight of the steel guns tames recoil and their sizes feel good in my hand.

His hands make mine look like a childs.:what: We plan to go to a range that will have quite a few rental guns this weekend or next, and he's going to shoot all of my guns, and rent some of theirs to shoot. I'd appreciate some input from some of you guys with big paws and fingers that look like more like summer sausages than smokey links. What guns feel good in your hands?

I'm going to have him try the usual suspects like Glock, CZ75B, and M&P. Are there any others that you'd suggest him try out?

He has stated a preference for a semi-auto, but if there are any revolvers that may fit the bill I'll get him to try them out too.
 
I don't have the biggest hands but they are a lot bigger than average. For a semi I am comfortable with the CZ75b and S&W M&P, even the Shield, as well as the larger models. I'm not a Glock fan but your BIL might try one of their double stack versions.

Revolvers: Just for target fun, try a Ruger Blackhawk with the Bisley grip. For HD and, maybe, carry, what about a Smith N-frame with the full size target grips? My old Model 29 grips really fill my hand.

Just some thoughts.

Jeff
 
I would say that your BIL needs to try some guns on for size, it's not just about about size of his hands. That said, the Springfield Armory XD(M) series comes to mind as a gun with a generous grip (19/16/13 rounds in 9mm/.40S&W/.45ACP) even with a relatively short barrel.

XDM3.840blk.jpg

Then again, your friend might like a compact grip model on which most folks can just manage a three-finger grip but he would treat it like a subcompact with a two-finger grip.
 
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I have larger hands also, though certainly not huge, with boney fingers. Boney fingers for me means not the strongest grip. This causes problems.

As a result, small guns are hard for me to shoot well. They jump around in my hand too much, and the biggest problem is that I often find a gun that I'm interested in doesn't give me a proper trigger reach. So I end up having too much finger on the trigger, or a weak grip on the gun because I have my trigger finger so jacked out to the side that the meat of my hand is now out of contact with the grip.

The only time a smaller/thinner gripped gun works for me is if the trigger breaks early, like on a 1911 or a striker fired gun with a short trigger travel distance.

So, what has worked for me so far is:
1. An HK45 with the large backstrap is just barely big enough.
2. I have a Wilson/Beretta 92 Brigadier Tactical that is just about the right size for me, though wider grips would probably help a bit.
Full sized XDm's work alright as do FNS pistols so long as the large backstrap is in. FNX, not so much as the trigger travel is way too long and the tip of my trigger finger ends up banging into the mag release every shot.

Your friend would probably be suited to a Desert Eagle, given the grip size. The only other semiauto that I'd suggest he really play with is the HK VP9. The multitude of different grip panel combinations may give him the flexibility he needs to get a proper fit to his hand, and the smooth trigger with a short travel distance would probably help him. One thing he needs to check though is the trigger travel trench at the bottom of the trigger guard. It pinches some people's fingers, and if he has sausage fingers, this may be a problem for him.

Oh yeah, the Para Ordnance double stack 1911's might fit him too, though I have no experience with them and can't comment on their quality.

What I've found works best for me is revolvers with large aftermarket grips. I shoot them much better than most semiautos, even given the long DA triggers involved. I'm a firm believer it's because of the proper trigger reach I get. This points out a huge benefit of revolvers. You can completely replace the grip with something that fits your hand perfectly.

The guns I shoot best are my X frame 460 magnum, and my two L frame 686's. The X frame has a large Hougue monogrip on it that fits me well. On both of the 686's I've replaced the open backstrap grips that came on the guns with closed backstrap grips from Nill grips.

http://www.mactecsales.com/nill_grips_s/1817.htm

Personally, they vastly improve my accuracy because I'm not fighting the grip. I pick it up, point, and squeeze the trigger. I honestly think your BIL would be happiest with this type of setup. He may be better suited to an N frame sized grip, but if you look around on the website I linked, you'll see there are a few larger grips available. Herrett stocks may also help him out.

Good luck!
 
Thank you all for your input. We definitely intend to shoot multiple guns and see what seems to fit him. The range has (I think) around two dozen or so rentals of varying make model and caliber. They do have a Desert Eagle, though I'm hesitant to have him try it unless he's completely comfortable with the recoil of the 9's, .40's, and .45's that we'll be trying out.

That's a good point that for some revolvers you can have a completely custom grip. I'll make sure that he is aware of that.

Does the XD come with adjustable back straps?
 
1200 x 782 pixels is too big. Please reduce the size of your pictures.
Ruger Super Redhawk. Desert Eagle. 'N' frame Smiths.
Changing grips can make too small fit. Either way, he needs to go shopping and try a few on for size. Just like somebody with, um, delicately sized hands does.
 
I have bigger than normal hands. I handle the beretta m9 and the taurus clones extremely well, 1911s nicely as well, and a k or L frame revolver extremely well. Of the plastic guns, I would suggest the Springfield xd, but plenty of golds shoot glock with no issues.
 
Darkbob said:
Thank you all for your input. We definitely intend to shoot multiple guns and see what seems to fit him. The range has (I think) around two dozen or so rentals of varying make model and caliber. They do have a Desert Eagle, though I'm hesitant to have him try it unless he's completely comfortable with the recoil of the 9's, .40's, and .45's that we'll be trying out.

That's a good point that for some revolvers you can have a completely custom grip. I'll make sure that he is aware of that.

Does the XD come with adjustable back straps?
Click to expand...

That's very prudent about being able to handle recoil. Personally, I don't see that 50AE is a real good idea for a new shooter or someone who won't use it for hunting. If it were me, I'd get a 44 mag DE, as I don't own a 44 yet. However, if he doesn't care for the recoil on those two chamberings, the DE comes in 357 magnum as well. I'd think in a gun that large and heavy, the recoil would be quite manageable.

The DE is not really a gun I'd normally suggest for someone new to handguns, but given his hand size, it might just be a good idea.
 
My brother is a big guys with large, beefy hands and he like double stack .45's the best.l. para 1911 or xd especially or for a revolver a 629 s&w.
 
Have him try a S&W "N" frame in 45 caliber, either ACP or long Colt. If he likes the revolver, grips can be made to fit his hands to the frame.

Kevin
 
I agree with the N frame suggestions. Great guns, and definitely fit the bill for large hands. Favorite of a mechanic friend of mine, and he's got salad plates for mitts :rolleyes:

In the semi auto realm, HK's have some nice roomy trigger guards, and are pretty long in the grip as well.
 
I am 6'6" and even have big hands for my height. Since my fingers are strong I can shoot almost anything, but small guns are more difficult and my accuracy isn't terrific with them.

I have been shooting regularly for 35 years. Here is what has worked well for me:

CZ75
Beretta 92
1911
Ruger Blackhawk
large frame revolvers
medium frame revolvers with large after-market grips

The medium frame revolvers are maybe the most pertinent. I can CCW a snub 44 easily, and my 4" medium frame 357 HD gun is usable by my wife or teenaged children if needed.
 
I am 6'5 and have huge hands. It doesn't mean that the biggest grip works the best. Have him try some out.

What I prefer is an Officer's size 1911 with slim grips. Followed by CZ-75, Full-size 1911 with full size grips, then 45 SAA.

I have no idea why I prefer slim grips on an Officer's ACP. I just do.
 
I really appreciate all of the responses guys!

I'm kind of getting the feeling that even with large hands, most guns (full sized anyway) tend to be able to fit. It is still going to be a matter of preference to him, but it's not necessarily a thing where bigger is going to be better.

Other than the suggestions of double-stack .45's (which do feel big for me), pretty much all of the rest are guns that I enjoy and tend to shoot well.

I'll make sure he tries at least one N-frame revolver even if I have to rent it myself :).
 
I suggest either a Glock 21 or a Glock 20. If he is a big man but unfamiliar with pistols I recommend the Glock 21 first. The upside is that you can also share your ammo with him.
 
As noted above, the large frame Glock 20 & 21 are made for large hands and my new favorite 9mm, an HK VP-9 has a large trigger guard and interchangeable grip panels & back straps to fit most any size hand. The Ruger DA revolvers with the large factory Houge grip should be quite friendly to a large hand as well.
 
I wear large gloves and believe me a glock 21 or 41 is a handful for me. Never liked the Beretta 92 frame but BIL might give that one a go also.

A S&W K frame with factory target grips is a lot of realistate to hang on to as well. A shooting buddy recently compared two S&W m10s with both targa and target grips and commented that the target grips were too big for him. Preferr g the targa in stead. He constantly complains about grips being too small for him.
 
Darkhorse candidate for someone with big hands who likes autopistols: the FNH FNX-45 (15+1 rounds of .45 ACP goodness). My personal favorite is the Beretta M-9/92FS ...

45s010_zpsaa35d686.jpg
 
The full-size Glocks in .45 ACP and 10mm (The 21 and 20 respectively) have a grip that many folks find too large - and of course, the Desert Eagle has one of the largest grips I've tried.

The CZ 97 has a fairly large grip as well.

Most revolvers can be fitted with large aftermarket grips to fit large hands.
 
My brother has hands like that. He chose the PX4 in .45 and it works for him. He also likes the way the Hi Point .45 fills his hands.

The Glocks (in 9mm anyway) come in third
 
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