It keeps the weight down and with the slightly longer grip, gives the hand better leverage to fight recoil. This is accomplished by using a polymer frame and polymer magazines. It is also the lightest and usually the least expensive. By many measures, the Glock 42 is the largest of this group.

The next step up in size is not that much bigger, but it makes a world of difference in recoil control. SIG 238, Kimber Micro, Glock 42 The Kimber Micro 9 is an excellent carry gun. These guns make it fairly easy to fulfill the first rule of a gun fight, have a gun. The good news, capacity is limited to 6 or 7 shots and for defense, recoil-induced hand pain is a very low priority. Anywhere beyond 20-30 rounds is punishing. All three of these guns (and their variants) are very small, very light guns and are quite difficult to shoot accurately. The Bodyguard 380 has the best sights, easier to rack slide, and for many people, has slightly less felt recoil. Subsequent iterations provide an improved trigger, better ergonomics, and sight options. That is partly because it uses a heavier recoil spring and partly because it has the lightest weight. It is usually the least expensive and definitely the coarsest, and most heavily recoiling, option in the group. The progenitor of this category is the Kel-Tec P3AT. Kel-Tec P3AT, Ruger LCP, Smith and Wesson Bodyguard 380 Kel-Tec’s P32 is the smaller caliber cousin of the P-3AT. The rounded contour provides for less total circumference and has the bulges in less hindering places. In contrast, the rounded grip sides on the SIG 938 / Kimber Micro families tends to create a more positive grip feel for those with small hands. However, people with long fingers like the large block shape as it reduces excessive overwrap of the fingertips. In the Glock single stack family (G43, 42), this is much less of an issue. In the full-sized family, (G17/22) this makes it very difficult for people with short fingers to get a complete grip. For example, Glock grips are a very square shaped. There are also areas on the grip that have a much larger impact. Each grip has a shape that can complement or hinder good feel. The size of a grip is not as simple as small, medium, and large. These two items have a huge impact on the ability to control a gun, especially when having to overcome a poor fit.

Many women have hands my size, but they rarely have as much hand strength. They are not huge by any stretch of the imagination. Men often fail to take into account the smaller hands of their female compatriots.Īnother thing I noticed, men failing to take into account the smaller hands of their female compatriots. Once the list has been narrowed down, rent the remaining guns and let the mechanics of shooting tell you which is best.

This first step will immediately tell you which guns do not fit your hand. I will state for the record, the best way to determine a good carry gun, is to personally handle the guns. This was especially evident regarding carry pistols. One thing I noticed while working in a retail gun store, was that many people disregard ergonomics for new shooters.

Best compact 9mm for small hands