45s for smaller hands

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Shaft

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I'm interested in buying a .45 ACP to play with, but my major concern is getting my midget hands around the grip comfortably. As a reference I've fondled 1911s and they fit fairly well but a Glock 21 is too chunky. A sweet shooting polymer 10-rounder with a smallish grip would be perfect but obviously I have to consider lower capacity to get smaller grips. The emphasis should be on shoot-ability and fun over carry, the gun would be primarily for punching paper and only HD in an emergency.

On my watch list are the XD/XDm, HK 45C, Glock 36, Kahr P45/CW45, M&P 45. What am I missing? Does anybody have positive experiences with these or other 45s with grips on the slimmer end of the spectrum?

Thanks!
 
Yeh im going torwards the XDS when it comes out , though its not a 10 rd .

But i learned from an insider, they are making extended mags that hold 7 rd's of .45 which should be available almost immediately after release
 
Ruger P345 might be good. Or a Kahr PM45.

Honestly, though... I have short fingers, too - to the point where I don't even like trying to shoot square-butt K-frame Smiths, Glocks, Beretta 92FS... and I have several different 1911s and love the way they fit me. Try shooting one and see how it fits. You can also get slim grips for them, too.
 
I'm a relatively petite person and I have 1911s, a Glock 36 and Adam's double-stack .45 Glocks are crowding the safes. A double stack Glock does not fit my hand correctly either. I love my 36 for carry, but as a range gun? meh. I'll pick the 1911 every time.
 
fbirdquik6 said:
a 1911 will be the best for small hands. If you are set on a polymer double stack, try the small backstrap on a M&P
Click to expand...

^^^^^This I have smaller hands, the low profile stock grips on my SW 1911 fit well as does the small backstrap on my M&Ps.
 
A 1911 with slim grips and a flat main spring housing and short trigger, even fits my kids hand well.
 
Thanks for the tips, everybody! I'm definitely game for trying 1911s, although I understand they're a gateway to bankruptcy if you catch the bug. I'll try the XDs if I can find one and I'll handle a Ruger P345 and see how that feels, too.
 
Don't know where you are, Shaft, but lots of folks will be happy to let you try their guns if you ask. There's a shoot coming up at the end of April in NH for NES members, so that would be a GREAT opportunity for you.
 
fbirdquik6 said:
a 1911 will be the best for small hands. If you are set on a polymer double stack, try the small backstrap on a M&P
Click to expand...

Or no backstrap at all.

Someone like BEC here can fill in and texture the grip if that feels right.

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk
 
andypieces said:
I don't understand your question. He is asking about .45's for smaller hands.
Click to expand...

I thought you were poking fun at yourself about the fact you buy something then sell it within a week.

My comment about the G36 was about giving the OP my opinion on it. He asked if anyone had any input on the handguns he noted.

I know I know sometimes I tend to type in riddles.
 
I've actually had the 36 for a while, wish I never sold my 30SF. I may sell the 36 for a 30Sf, or just get a 30SF frame.
I love the 36, just my hand is a little cramped up on it.
 
I have small hands, the Beretta 92FS was too chunky for me.

For a .45, If I had the $$ I would by the compact size E series S&W 1911. I had a full size 1911 which which fit me great but was too heavy to carry.

I now have the M&P 45, with the smallest size backstrap it's not too wide, but I would love something a little slimmer. The Sig single stack P220 compact is good, but kind of heavy again.

I'm eager to see if that new XDS compact 45 polymer pistol will work for me.
 
I have a 1911Sc 4.25". It fits almost great. I have shot the same with slimmer panels and will be buying some as soon as I find what I want. I am switching over to single stacks regardless of caliber as the compacts with their double stacks were a little too hard to hold onto as well as I wanted to. Sold my g26 and M&P40c for this reason. Just bought a Sig 239 and love it! Waiting to buy another 1911, probably the e series.
 
http://www.gunsandammo.com/2012/03/29/carrying-it-off-the-springfield-xds-review/
specs-ul.jpg

specs-ll.jpg

specs-lr.jpg
 
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A buddy of mine picked up a XD 45 Tactical a couple weeks ago and I had a chance to shoot it today. The grip wasn't too massive and has more ergonomic sculpting in the upper grip area and has a more generous trigger guard undercut than say a Glock, so it was easier to get my hands around comfortably.

Of course a 1911 would be even easier, but it's good to know I could make the XD work. The XDs looks like a sure thing, too.

Thanks again for all the suggestions (especially the one about attending the NES shoot in NH, that's a great opportunity)!

Cheers
 
dwarven1 said:
Ruger P345 might be good. Or a Kahr PM45.

Honestly, though... I have short fingers, too - to the point where I don't even like trying to shoot square-butt K-frame Smiths, Glocks, Beretta 92FS... and I have several different 1911s and love the way they fit me. Try shooting one and see how it fits. You can also get slim grips for them, too.
Click to expand...

i have small sized hands myself. all gloves i wear are small. i found that the ruger p345 fits my hand very good. check it out and see for your self.

bob
 

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