Wife is 5' and 95 lbs: Can you guys help me shorten the shopping list?

[BrianB]

My XD is way too big for her to handle (she has trouble with the slide alone) and we really should get something she can handle and feel comfortable with.

I'm not looking for THE ONE, but rather to shorten the shopping list down to a few solid suggestions. Then I'll have her go shoot them all, and go from there.

Much appreciated,

Brian

 

[gilfo]

Look into tthe CZ line of pistols. Should find one she might like.

 

[azhunter12]

Are you wanting one for ccw for her?
CZ75s are excellent but too big for carrying if thats what you want.

 

[BrianB]

Thanks, but we're stuck in Illinois. So, really just for the house and range.

 

[3KillerBs]

You might look back for my threads "The Short List" and "Does This Gun Exist?"

I'm a bit taller than your wife, but I have rather small hands so all the suggestions I've gotten might carry over.

Has she been to The Cornered Cat? www.corneredcat.com

The article about racking the slide might be helpful. It might also be helpful for her to work out with small weights to strengthen her hands, wrists, and arms.

And, of course, there are always revolvers for people who can't comfortably work the slide.

 

[Chem Geek]

If her hands are small, and I mean really small (like my fiancee's) don't even worry about double stacks. They won't fit right, and she'll never be comfortable with them. I've asked before, and people think they know what I mean by small hands and they have no idea. I had a friend give her a bunch to try, and he was absolutely baffled by how small her hands were. My fiancee can't even hold a Glock 19 straight on and reach the trigger, she has to hold is cockeyed just to be able to reach the trigger, and hates it as a result.

So far, she likes the Sig P239 (with normal plastic grips, not wood ones) and the Kahr pistols. The P239 filled her hands nicely, and the Kahr even has a little space to spare. The Sig P225 was a little too big for her to be comfortable with. The 220, 226, 229, XD9, G19, M&P 9, and CZ-75 were all way to big for her. Top that off with the fact that since her hands are so small, heavy trigger pulls are out of the question as well. The best choices so far for her have been a Sig P239 w/ DAK trigger, or the Kahr for their nice DAO triggers. I have high hopes for a P250 with small frame and short trigger, but I certainly don't want to drop money on it just to find out.

Tiny hands certainly limit choices for pistols.

 

[belus]

Glocks are too thick for my hands.

Hi powers have very small grips for a double stack, but are very strongly sprung. My girlfriend of the same stature struggles to cock it even though it fits her hand very well.
The CZ 75's grip is slightly larger, but the springs are much lighter.

I'd look into the CZ PCR (or P01, but I don't care for rails) as it's supposed to have slightly better ergonomics.

The Khars and Sig 225/239 sound like good suggestions to me too

 

[Josh Aston]

J-frame S&W or similar sized revolvers and Kahr.

My wife is 5'1" and 100 lbs with tiny hands. The above two are the only ones she's found that fit her so far. Other than the Walther P22 that is.

 

[J Lambs]

Kimber Stainless Ultra Carry in 9mm

 

[Huddog]

Bersa / Walther .380 should fit. But Kahr would also be excellent.

 

[easyrider604]

Are you open to the idea revolvers, instead of semi-auto?

 

[BrianB]

Absolutely. We'll use autos or revolvers. I probably mis-placed this thread, but thanks to eerybody so far.

 

[TheReeves]

Don't know your budget, but try the Springfield EMP.

 

[CajunBass]

I hate to inject logic here, but SHE is the only one who can "help" you. Take her to a big gun shop, preferably one that has/rents guns she can actually shoot, and let her "try them on."

 

[rellascout]

The browning hi power is your answer.

Perfect ergonomic for shooters with small hands. All steel gun that soaks up the recoil and with a little work one of the best triggers out there in a 9mm.

Also consider the CZ P01 which has a thick grip but a very short length to pull on the trigger. Trigger reach is excellent on this gun with my small hands.

 

[Scratchshooter40]

Try the S&W M&P Compact 40. We have a female deputy who carries one and she is very petite. In the LE model you have 10+1 available and it is managable. Sprinco is working on a recoil reducer for the M&P and it would seem natural they'd do the Compact as well. I have an M&P 40 full size and it shoots well, feels much better than my Glock 22 and has a much better double tap performance, plus the adjustable backstraps. Anyway, give it a try in her hands.

 

[RyanM]

Kahrs are pretty friendly to small hands, and the 9mms have barely any kick at all as long as you stay away from +P ammo.

 

[BrianB]

Thanks, Cajun

I hate to inject logic here, but SHE is the only one who can "help" you. Take her to a big gun shop, preferably one that has/rents guns she can actually shoot, and let her "try them on."

Thanks for the input. Here's my OP

...shorten the shopping list down to a few solid suggestions. Then I'll have her go shoot them all, and go from there.

 

[DataMax]

Hey Brian,

This may sound a little off the wall after all the auto recomendations you have received ... but ... I would get her an SP101 3" in .357 mag, put Houge grips on it, and buy her a case of LSWC in .38sp. to practice with.

For the home keep it loaded with 125gr JHP in .357.

Just my .02

- Mark

 

[Navy87Guy]

My wife is 5'2" with little hands. Try something that has interchangeable backstraps like the M&P, the Beretta Storm or the Walther P99. My wife's favorite gun was actually the Ruger P93 (which feels like a brick to me!) until she held the PX4 with the small backstrap. I recently bought an M&P 9 Compact and she likes that with the medium backstrap. The backstraps are easy to swap and let you set up the pistol to be just right for either of you.

Jim

 

[1SOW]

S&W M&P 9mm
Sig P239 9mm

My wife has a short reach too, and my Sig 239 and a friends S&W with the smallest grip insert work for her. 9mm sub-sonic will keep her comfortable with the gun, and leave the option for heavier loads later..

 

[HeavyDuty]

3913
M&P Compact
Kahr

 

[jon_in_wv]

+1 on the Kahrs. The ones I handled had very slender grips and a wonderful DOA trigger. I think I would serve her well. Get one of the regular sized ones and not the micros though.

-1 on the CZs. They have a very long DA trigger. That means she would have to use it cocked and locked and she might not be comfortable with that. If she is, the HP might also be an option. The M&P also have a nice grip, low recoil, and the grip and trigger reach is small enough for small hands.

 

[bluetopper]

I bet a Makarov would fit the bill nicely.

 

[RPCVYemen]

No telling what will fit her - at least based on her height and weight. I have seen skinny little girls who shoot guns that are uncomfortable for me. I turns out I have big palms and sort of short fingers - my most comfortable gun is my Ruger Blackhawk - though the AR 24 also fits pretty well. But it's hard for me to get a comfortable grip on a SIG or Glock.

Hand size, length of finger, etc. make a lot more difference than height and weight.

Mike