Equivalent to SW3913 size

[SW CQB 45]

Looking for opinions on smaller gripped semi autos

I teach firearms to cadets. my time is limited but the issued piece is a Glock dbl stack 9mil.

The first class I taught, there was a very small handed, short fingered cadet who was having trouble gripping the gun (no hand strength) and reaching the trigger. She had to turn the Glock in her hand to get a good finger purchase for a stronger pull. very ackward looking.

She had alot of trouble but I was able to work her through and she passed.

My next class is in April 2010. I would like to have at least two smaller gripped guns of quality manufacture in class should I run into the same issue which cost me alot of time away from the entire class to focus on one cadet.

The only gun that comes to mind is a SW 3900 (3913/3953) but most of the young officers today have ZERO handgun handling experience and it might be difficult to learn the Double Single TDA in the short week or might not have the finger strength to shoot a week long of SW DAO.

is there any other handguns that have a the following
*slim single stack 9mm
*short reach trigger
*consistent and decent trigger pull
*quality manufacture
*preferred used to save on limited budget

thanks in advance

 

[DavidA]

Unless you are restricted to one particular caliber take a look at the Bursa Thunder 380. It is small enough for small hands, it is DA/SA and the SA trigger pull is very smooth and light weight.

 

[18DAI]

3953?

CS9D?

Only two I can think of...besides the Sig 239 DAO model. Regards 18DAI.

 

[BarbC]

Walther PPS.

 

[starman041]

I understand the situation, because I was a firearms instructor and taught in many basic police classes.

Para Ordnance makes a 9mm 1911 platform with their Light Double Action trigger. The Para LDA has one of the best, most consistant triggers around. They are not cheap though.

S&W use to make some double action only 9mm pistols. They had one double stack, DAO that was pretty slim. Time has take a toll on my memory, so I don't remember the model number.

I have not found the DA/SA action transition to much of an issue
in my experience. It might be easier for the student to learn than dealing with a gun with too big of a grip.

My first thought is they need to learn with the type weapon they will be carrying. If their department issues a Glock and they are unable to use it at a proper level, they might need to seek another career. We washed out some cadets fror failing firearms.

 

[SW CQB 45]

The Academy buys 9mil in bulk.

I am limited to 9mm.

Are the older DAO 3953s an easier trigger pull and a shorter reach than a TDA?

thanks for the info so far

 

[g26s239]

Sig P239, Kahr K9.

 

[RogueJSK]

The Kahr P9, K9, and CW9 are compact, DAO 9mm single stack handguns. Check those out.

You might also look into a DAO/DAK Sig P239 with a factory Short Trigger.

 

[Ron H.]

Sir, despite its double-stack magazine, the Browning Hi-Power has a very small grip and short trigger reach. It's also been around forever, so should be easy to find used.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[586L-Frame]

How about a Sig P225 or P6 9mm single stack?

586L-Frame

 

[safearm]

I too recommend the Kahr. The DA pull is generally pretty smooth, and the single stack makes the frame relatively easy for even small hands.

 

[LouisianaJoe]

You can buy a used SIG 225 here for $349

SIG P6 (P225) 9mm caliber, semi auto Sig Sauer pistol. Very good condition

 

[RogueJSK]

While the P225/P6 would generally be a good choice, the OP stated he's looking for something with "a consistent trigger pull", since it would be tough for the cadet to master two different trigger pulls in such a short time.

The vast majority of P225s are DA/SA, and the relatively few DAO P225s can be fairly tough to find.

 

[M29since14]

Is there something wrong with the M&P9 or 9c with the smallest backstrap installed? The gun set up this way is so small (in my hands anyway) that I can hardly control it comfortably. Should be perfect for those with smaller paws.

 

[oldRoger]

I have a P239 DAK, I also have large hands, and the reach to the trigger on my pistol is long for me. In fact I changed to slimmer stocks to ease the reach. The Kellerman (sp?) design trigger on the DAO pistols (DAK) is a smooth, reduced effort pull, but long.

 

[Shorty4T]

CQB, don't forget about the M&Ps. While they are double stacks with the small backstrap they are really quite small for a double stack pistol. The trigger would be consistant as opposed to training on the TDA. I just picked up a 40 compact that feels more like a single stack to me than a 3rd gen double. I would love to see S&W come out with a single stack M&P.

Cheers,
Sam

 

[2000Z-71]

I think a Sig 239 with the DAK trigger may be what you are looking for. Single stack, 9mm, consistent trigger pull with less pull weight than a conventional DAO, short trigger available (but probably not needed), may be a possibility of picking up a factory CPO gun for considerably less than the cost of a new one.

 

[george minze]

I agree with those who say.....3953, Walther PPS and Kahr 9. all have good and consistent trigger pull, All three are very good for small hands. Probably the Walther as it has a Glock type of trigger and the trigger pull is like a Glock but grip is smaller and all three mentioned are single stack mags.

 

[Dougdeb]

I'd have to vote for the Kahrs.
I'm biased b/c a Kahr was my first firearm. Since you said that you are training cadets, what are the department's authorized weapons? If you need a larger single-stack 9mm for uniform use, I'd look at the T9 version of the Kahr.
Good luck,
Doug

 

[SW CQB 45]

the cadets are either hired by an agency or just trying to get the PO license as many agencies today are looking for licensed officers.

this area is Glock country but unless they are going to work for a larger agency, they have to provide their own weapon.

I did not think of the M/P as I dont think there would be much in the trade in dept. Since my job is to recommend to the director, I just wanted a plethora of choices to throw his way.

He told me the smith single stacks, but I wanted other options just in case the used market is flooded with something else.

thanks for the options so far.