45s for smaller hands

[SSW]

I have a 1911 E series 4 1/4 I love it, all I can say is dig deep. After the firearm purchase she likes to feed on filet minion

That's a nice looking gun!!

 

[Independence Arms]

If you put on some slim grips, it drastically changes the profile nicely!

 

[Kursac]

That's a nice looking gun!!

It a very comfortable firearm to carry, the scandium frame lightens it up quite a bit. 29 ounces empty. The single stack of the 1911 makes it nice and thin and why a wanted this as a carry. Not to mention a 1911 is pure sex. I'm sure it isn't for everyone but if you are going to carry a 45 this might be worth looking into. Their is nothing cheap when considering a 1911 or feeding any 45 putting lead down range.

Another shot from the drivers side

 

[FrugalFannie]

Where did you get those grips? How 'thick' are they? Does it usally specify on websites how thick the grip panels are?

If you put on some slim grips, it drastically changes the profile nicely!

 

[Independence Arms]

Those are VG Operator 2's
Not sure if they spec actual thickness, I would imagine they would.
Keep in mind, when ordering, you need to get the correct bushings and screws.

 

[greencobra]

All traditional 1911's grip frame are basically the same size. The Glock 36 is a wee thinner I believe (I own one). The M&P with the small grip insert might be your best bet. Mine is way small when I install it on my 40c. There are some makers of grips out there that make aftermarket thin 1911 grips that might help. Some are identical to stock grips and you can't tell a difference until you pick the gun up. Another thing is to make sure the gun has a flat mainspring housing, 1911 style pistols only, instead of the arched one, that might reduce the grip circumference for you too. I didnt read all the posts on this thread so I'm sure some already mentioned these few things.

 

[Nicole]

Okay, capitalizing on my close relationship with the gun dealer.

Comparing a Ruger P345, a 1911 (Auto Ordnance), a Glock 36, and a M&P9c with the small insert (no M&P45's here to use at the moment).

Impressions:

The P345 FEELS narrow, but is apparently longer front-to-back than a 1911: when I pick it up, if my 4 fingers are positioned properly, the rear of the grip is further onto my thumb than is desirable, i.e., it's not resting in the web of my hand. If I put it in the web, my fingers do not wrap around the front of the grip properly.

The M&P seats much better in my hand than the 1911 - I can wrap around it properly. My pinky finger does not have a solid purchase on the grip however. With the extended mag, my pinky has a good grip.

The Glock also seats snugly, but better - the M&P firmly contacts the web of my hand near the top of the grip, but does not firmly contact the rest of my palm with the same positive contact. I get a solid contact with the Glock all the way down.

Everything but the Ruger comes up to my eye naturally aligned with the target. The front sight on the Ruger is low when I present it. This may be in part due to the fact that I practice with the Glock and the 1911. However, after 5 presentations, the S&W was right on point thereafter. The Ruger is obstinate in coming up low.

ETA: Pictures

 

[AngelKing]

I too have smallish hands, which makes weapons made by glock and some Sigs and HKs harder to hold comfortably.

That said, I love the 45 acp round - and would advise a good quality 1911 or such variant. Its an obviously time-tested and venerated design whose accolades I don't need to add to.

I don't have experience with the poly guns -- Ive owned glocks and sigs - but not in 45. I will say this, the first handgun I ever fired was a 1911 and aside from my .38, I always go back to the 1911 - no matter what gun I try for awhile, my fan favorite is the 1911.

 

[Jbarila]

1911 with thin grips or We just replaced our club training guns with Ruger SC9's. They have a 1911 grip with reversable backstrap that helps alot for small hands.

 

[M1911]

Nicole: have you tried a 1911 with a flat mainspring housing? I prefer that to the arched mainspring housing.

 

[Shaft]

Wow, Nicole, that's quite a comparison, thanks for taking the time to do that and post pics. You're totally right that the backstrap-to-trigger distance is a key component to comfort, at least for me. If the pad of my index finger just barely covers the trigger, especially on a gun with a trigger safety, then it feels awkward. That's how a Glock 19 typically feels in my hand (a Gen 4 with a medium backstrap or earlier generations). I can get around a Gen 4 Glock 17 with no backstrap fairly well because its thinner and the palm swell is lower down on the grip than the 19. Glock 21s are bricks in comparison, though.

It looks like the 1911 is probably the best way to go, assuming my budget can withstand the abuse.

 

[Nicole]

Wow, Nicole, that's quite a comparison, thanks for taking the time to do that and post pics. You're totally right that the backstrap-to-trigger distance is a key component to comfort, at least for me. If the pad of my index finger just barely covers the trigger, especially on a gun with a trigger safety, then it feels awkward. That's how a Glock 19 typically feels in my hand (a Gen 4 with a medium backstrap or earlier generations). I can get around a Gen 4 Glock 17 with no backstrap fairly well because its thinner and the palm swell is lower down on the grip than the 19. Glock 21s are bricks in comparison, though.

It looks like the 1911 is probably the best way to go, assuming my budget can withstand the abuse.

If you decide to go the 1911 route and the budget is a concern, take a look at the Remington 1911R1 and the Ruger 1911 (if you can find one in stock). They are nice range guns that won't disappoint if you're just out to have a good time. There are reasons why the higher end 1911's cost more, but there's always time to buy more 1911's later!

I only like shooting my Glock 36 at this point - the others are just too darn bricky for my hands too. I CAN shoot them, and with a reasonable level of proficiency, but why fight the gun when I can shoot a single-stack instead?

 

[Nicole]

Nicole: have you tried a 1911 with a flat mainspring housing? I prefer that to the arched mainspring housing.

I have not that I remember, but I like the arch - I'd be willing to bet my hands aren't nearly as...meaty? as those of the average shooter here and there's a noticeable hollow formed in my palm when I grip a gun. For my hand, it's the circumference of the grip at the top of my hand that determines if I can wrap my hand around the grip comfortably. Without a bit of a bulge lower on the grip, I end up with a gap between the bottom part of my palm and the backstrap. Look at the Glock versus the S&W - the Glock maintains the contact all the way down while the S&W gives me that gap.

I will keep my eyes open for a flat mainspring housing just to get the feel though. Always good to try and learn.

 

[Mass-diver]

One pistol worth a look is the S&W 457 - you can pick up a used on dirt cheap. It's a single stack .45 so it's great for small hands. I owned one a while a go an put a ton of rounds through it without a single malfunction.

 

[HTRN]

Remember that you can shoot the m&p without a backstrap.

If that feels best, the voids can be filled with plastic and textured.


For some, this results in the best package.

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk