A gun that fits your hands

[otis24]

We know that in the realm of self defense, misses don't count; only hits. That being said, in my opinion, it is easier to get hits with a weapon that fits your hands well. I have a S&W Shield 9mm for concealed carry when I travel. It fits my hand extremely well. Particularly with the addition of grip extensions on the magazines. For a trail gun, I have a 686-3 and a Ruger Vaquero .357. I know that the 686 is one of the finest revolvers ever made. But it is a little large for my hands. For a DA revolver, a K frame seems to suit me best. The arguments of DA revolver vs SA aside, if I found myself in the field, I would probably opt to carry the Vaquero just based on how it fits my hands. When I have a free weekend, I plan on doing a comparison shoot to see how my grouping is with each revolver. Is there anyone else here who would choose a "lesser" gun (K frame vs L for instance) based upon how it fits your hand?

 

[oink]

You gotta shoot what works for you.

 

[Jeppo]

I have a pretty broad assortment of handguns available. Despite it having lesser capacity than others, I carry my H&K VP9SK. Not because of how it fits in my hand but because it feels like part of my hand.

 

[shouldazagged]

Isn't the grip portion of the L frame virtually identical to the K? The stocks interchange.

Grips can make a huge difference. For me, Pachmayr Compacs are perfect on a J-frame, while magnas and a T-grip-type adapter work better on a K.

 

[otis24]

Isn't the grip portion of the L frame virtually identical to the K? The stocks interchange.

Grips can make a huge difference. For me, Pachmayr Compacs are perfect on a J-frame, while magnas and a T-grip-type adapter work better on a K.

I don't know. I have a Taurus Model 80 which is very similar in size to a K frame. It fits my hand much better than the 686. I do have a variety of grips for the 686. Perhaps I need to revisit my grip selection.

 

[WC145]

I don't know. I have a Taurus Model 80 which is very similar in size to a K frame. It fits my hand much better than the 686. I do have a variety of grips for the 686. Perhaps I need to revisit my grip selection.

How a gun fits and feels in your hand can make all the difference in the world when it comes to shooting it accurately. That is one of the reasons I carry 1911s.

K and L frame grips are interchangeable, as the grip frames are the same size. Find something similar to your Taurus grip for a K frame S&W and it will fit your 686.

 

[Bakebfr480]

The 1911 fits either hand very well for me!

 

[keithherrington]

OP is right on the mark

Over the decades I've spent a lot of time, money and effort getting all my guns to feel right in my hands. After it is all said and done I've arrived at this solution - Craig Spegel extended and checkered Boot Grips. Round butt on my carry guns, and square butt on my house gun. I find the quality and beauty of his grips to be unsurpassed, and the fit and feel on the gun unequaled. I have large hands and they help me accommodate the size of difference between my L-Comp and my 3" 625. Consequently, I shoot all these guns very well indeed. As for SA guns, I have standardized there as well. John Linebaugh does a grip modification on the Ruger Bisley grip frame, and in conjuction with his custom grips the Rugers I own perform brilliantly.

 

[brucev]

Is there anyone else here who would choose a "lesser" gun (K frame vs L for instance) based upon how it fits your hand? I do not have overly large hands. While I adore a N-Frame, it is not me ideal. Day in and day out I come back to the four inch 19-3. There is no difference between the blue and stainless steel. But, the 19-3 I enjoy has a pair of K-Frame presentation grips that I've had for a number of years. They came to me as a karama from one of our board members. These grips have been repaired and refinished. They are just about ideal for my grip. I grab the gun and it just comes up pointing in the right direction.

Earlier this summer I bought a Sig Sauer P-226 Legion. It is a pistol that I have long admired and happily I was able to work a deal w/ the LGS to get one. On Monday I took it to the range where I fired 350 rounds through it. Fired the standard qualification course on a B-27. Very remarkable pistol in every respect. Outstanding accuracy. Even with arthritis, I can shoot this pistol one handed without so much pain. It simply fits my hand. Fired a 50 rd. string at 7 yds. shooting about as fast as I could take a flash sight picture and pull the trigger. Shot a single round into the bare edge of the 9 ring at 2 O'clock. Other 49 rounds were in the X/10 ring. That was with bi-focals on. Guess that is about as close to real world as I can get short of actually (God forbid) ever having to act in SD/HD. Figure a large part of those on target results comes from the way that 226 fits my hand. JMHO. Sincerely. bruce.

 

[cmansguns]

I'm with shouldazagged as I believe grips can make all the difference at least to me.

EDC is 637 with combats and +P aboard. I can put them where they belong at practice, and comfortable with rapid "point n shoot".

Best factory fits for me seem to be the Model 66 with factory rubbers, Model 28 or 29 with Targets.

Now.........for absolute "best fit ever", "natural pointer", "feels like part of my hand" ....the 1941 byf "Black Widow" Luger tops most all guns I've owned. Sold it years ago to fund more S & W's that I "had to have"....never regretted it, but if that Luger had only been made in 44 Magnum.....I would have been a real happy camper!

 

[murphydog]

Yes, the K and L grip frames have the same dimensions, so grips/stocks that fit one will fit the other. However, it is not only the the dimensions, "fit" also involves what material is used, the contours and how they make the gun balance. Keep trying and you'll find the right set.

 

[weatherby]

I disagree

Misses absolutely do count.
Your sending it and responsible for what it does hit.

 

[03hemi]

1911 carrier here too, K frames feel good, but the Browning Hi Power is ergonomically the absolute best fitting handgun in the word, IMO.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Over the decades I've spent a lot of time, money and effort getting all my guns to feel right in my hands. After it is all said and done I've arrived at this solution - Craig Spegel extended and checkered Boot Grips. Round butt on my carry guns, and square butt on my house gun. I find the quality and beauty of his grips to be unsurpassed, and the fit and feel on the gun unequaled. I have large hands and they help me accommodate the size of difference between my L-Comp and my 3" 625. Consequently, I shoot all these guns very well indeed. .

Ditto; Spegel's since about "198something" for me.

K and L grip frames and trigger reach are the same........

For "field carry" I tend to favor K-frame guns..... or even a little J frame 60-10 micro 686......... as these guns tend to get carried a lot more than they get shot.....

 

[old bear]

based upon how it fits your hand?

As Johnnie Cochran announced to the world, " if it don’t fit you must acquit", and a 2 /12” round butt K frame, loaded with mid-range .357 Magnum ammo, fits me like a glove.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Is there anyone else here who would choose a "lesser" gun (K frame vs L for instance) based upon how it fits your hand?

By now, it is probably obvious that there is. You can count me in, too.

You have also gotten some suggestions about grips. They are VERY important, and what works for you may not be what someone else likes best. They may even be made out of a "low-class" material like rubber, neoprene, or colored plastic. Some of my very best grips are Rogers (plastic). Most of the other really good ones are Pachmayr or Hogue.

 

[EMP3]

I'm adaptable. If I like a gun, I can make my hand fit it ;-)

 

[EMP3]

I disagree

Misses absolutely do count.
Your sending it and responsible for what it does hit.

Now that would depend upon circumstances.

You might want to research the felony-murder rule.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Misses absolutely do count.
Your sending it and responsible for what it does hit.

Now that would depend upon circumstances.

You might want to research the felony-murder rule.

Apples and oranges. While a "homicide" that takes place during a felony will be "chargeable" to the felon as a separate criminal offense there could be civil liability for the self defense shooter and, besides, the shooter will ALWAYS feel badly about it. So the responsibility "legally" for the "crime" will never "personally absolve" the self defense shooter who missed a felon and killed an innocent third party by accident even if there are no courtroom repercussions.

Don't miss.

Seriously.

Find a way to practice under pressure and definitely do try to perfect your point shooting skills. Better to not press that trigger if you are uncertain of your point of aim under pressure.

=========================================

That said, I am pretty adaptable to various grip styles my own self. I have a plethora of guns to choose from and while my EDC guns are routinely the same three I am not put off when I am shooting some other guns with different grips. I do like my double action, self defense sixguns to wear Tyler-Ts or otherwise be more hand filling than simple Magna-type stocks but if I am shooting at the range and I switch to a sixgun with target stocks or even an automatic pistol I just adapt.

I just don't shoot 1911s or Glocks. I'm competent with both, and dislike both for different reasons. Once, a couple of years ago in a close quarters pistol craft "class", I ran out of 9mm ammunition for my Browning HP so I switched to a 4" 686+ with factory rubber. No big deal; the results were the same.

 

[CB3]

I try to buy shoes that fit my feet and are comfortable.

There are runners, dress shoes, sandals, boots and all kinds of different footwear that cover my feet and are comfortable, but they are different and they fit differently.

I have big handguns, small handguns, revolvers, and pistols. I do make some adjustments to grips to fit me better, but you can’t make a sandal into a boot.

I have learned to shoot the gun I have for my intended purpose, even if it doesn’t fit my hand perfectly.