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Well I went to several gun shops in the Houston area today with my girlfriend in an attempt to find a single stack 9mm that would fit in her hand and weighed over 20 oz so she can handle the recoil. There was not one gun that fit her hand and weighed over 20oz. The only gun that fit was a Kahr P9 and that weighed almost nothing. There are the K9s but I had two gun dealers from two different stores tell me they do not carry any Kahrs anymore because they have so many returns and problems. Here are all the guns we tried.

-Sig 239 (A little to big and she could not reach the trigger)
-sig P6 (similar to 239)
-Walther PPS (Neither of us liked it)
-S&W 908 ( I loved it and wanted to walk out with it but it was even bigger then the sig and it was to thick for her. Thick for a single stack)
-Colt defender in .45acp (This was the closest one to the Kahr but it was almost a grand.

She has extremely small hands. I have never seen a grown woman with smaller hands and the gun dealer said his little girl had bigger hands. She has a revolver and can shoot it well. I just wish I could find a semi auto she and I could both fire in 9mm. She wants to shoot my semi autos but she just can’t. Any other makes and models that I missed? If all else fails she is still happy with revolvers and can live without semi autos.

I'd be looking at 1911s in 9mm. Something like this. I've never handled a Para, so I'm not actually recommending this one, but you should be able to find slim grips for the already slim 1911 officer size grips.

While not single stacks, the Browning Hi power, and the CZ 75 are both good guns for shooters with smaller hands.

I believe the Springer XD series has interchangeable back straps, which may help her out as well.

Texas Dan Mosby wrote:While not single stacks, the Browning Hi power, and the CZ 75 are both good guns for shooters with smaller hands.

I believe the Springer XD series has interchangeable back straps, which may help her out as well.

XDm actually, as does the Smith & Wesson M&P series. There are companies that specialize in grip reductions for Glocks.

I have small hands and the guns I can shoot the best - guns that have the shortest reach from the backstrap to the trigger in 9 mm are:

1. M&P
2. 1911
3. Browning Hi Powers

I still am rotated out of center on even these guns but they are the best out there in my opinion.

The weight of a gun does help with recoil but fit is more important in managing recoil.

I am in Conroe. Feel free to PM me if you want to try any of these or discuss options.

I hate to throw this out there because its not a 9mm. but try sig p230, p232. wather ppk, ppk/s. in .380 all are small and somewhat on the heavy side.
a makarov in 9x18 is also not to bad to handle.

Have you considered stepping down to a .380?

It still makes a 9mm-sized hole and the handguns tend to be much smaller.

CC Italian wrote:
-Colt defender in .45acp (This was the closest one to the Kahr but it was almost a grand.

I bought my Colt Defender in 9mm a few weeks ago at the Ft. Worth gun show for well under a grand. I love this gun. It has an aluminum frame but is over 20 oz.

Wow!! A lot of replies really quick. Thanks. Let's see if I can answer all the comments.

dcphoto- Yep, that’s the carry 9 from Para Ordance. I could not find one to let my girl handle but that was the gun I almost bought before my Glock 27. A little pricey but felt great. I will have to find another to let her hold. It does seem like the compact 1911s work pretty good for her. Both dealers I went two recommended Colt over Kimber and Para because of resale value. They both said all three were great quality but people will just pay more for a used Colt. One dealer said that the Colt New Agent in 9mm had even thinner grips and would be even easier for her to hold then the .45acp defender that he had in store. Only problem is these are all around a grand and I would have to save longer which is fine.

- I forgot the M&P. That was another one she held, the M&P was also too big and her step dad owns a Browning Hi Power, which is similar in feel to the S&W 908. That’s why I love them but it is still a little big for her.

-As for the .380 we already have one and yes it fits in her hand but we were looking at stepping up to the 9mm. I carry my .380 sometimes but I don't like the round from a stopping power stand point. I know . 2-3 rounds of .380 will get the job done but why settle for a .380 when a 9mm has more acceptable power and costs less. This gun is not being bought for carrying but it is quickly becoming that all the guns she can hold are carry guns. Those Sig .380s are sweet though.

Yep. G26ster that’s the Colt we handled today but in a .45. It was a beauty. I assume the 9mm is the same size as the .45 defender? They recommended the New Agent because of the slim none Hogue grips.

My vote would be for one of the 9mm 1911 pistols from Para, Springfield or don't forget about STI made right here in Texas.

If she goes with a 1911, you can put thin grips and a short trigger on it. This combination makes a very big difference for people with small hands. My wife has small hands and my legal assistant has very small hands. Both of them do well with 1911's equipped like that.

Chas.

For 1911s, you can get thinner grips, shorter triggers, and lowered/altered safeties to make them even more comfortable for people with smaller hands.
You can get them in 9mm, but the ones I know of aren't cheap.

EDIT: Charles beat me by that much.

My wife looked for a good while to find a pistol that fit her smaller hands. SHe likes her cz 75 for the fit. She's said she has a hard time with the DA trigger pull , though.

Well it seems like the 1911 is the best route I will have to save a little more. $700 is about all I have for now. Also I will contact my friend who is an FFL and have him look into finding her a really good used 1911. Thanks