Small Hand Struggling with Grip

[H Richard]

This is not on a revolver, but does show what fitting a grip to your hand cam look like over time. This is a .22 RF IZH 35M Target pistol that I use in indoor competition. The grips are actually original, but with varying amounts of bondo applied and then sanded down to fit. Originally I did have some "Form a Grip", which is a two solution putty that dries to a rock hardness, but slowly enough that you can put a rubber glove on and squeeze your hand around the grip which will dry with your imprint on it. This is a work in progress, and currently fits pretty well.






It isn't pretty, but when I get to the point I am satisfied I will paint them.

 

[S.B.]

Assuming your gun is square butt, try a pair of Magna grips. Should be able to find some in the Classifieds on this forum?
Steve

 

[chiltech500]

K22fan thanks so much, you are really there with your information.

I intended to shoot SA for Bullseye and do have the target trigger.

I suggest trying a set of Herrett’s Shooting Stars. They are about $30 used. All the ones I’ve seen have been checkered walnut with no finger grooves. Of all the stocks I’ve used they have the least wood over the side plate to reach around with your trigger finger. Their diameter at the butt is barely any larger than what your second finger wraps around.

I seem to like a low profile slab grip on my 1911's so your suggestion sounds close to that for the revolver.

 

[chiltech500]

HRichard, your work in progress makes a lot of sense also. May I ask what does that heel of the hand plate do?

I bought some non-custom target grips for a 1911 that had the heel rest, but could never tell what the purpose was, seemed a distraction for me. I don't use those grips, back to thin slabs. Grip selection is making me nuts

 

[M2MikeGolf]

Small handed shooter here that has had good luck with Ahrends.

On K/L-frames, I have found the round butt finger groove combats to fit my small hands perfectly, almost like custom fit.

On a square butt K-frame, the boot grips are slightly too small, but may an excellent concealment and secure grip. For a really small hand, I think these would be ideal

I recommend either or both. Ahrend's is top of the line to me.

K-frame (547) with square butt, boot grips on top, L-frame (619) with round butt combat finger grooves on bottom:

 

[Hapworth]

...L-frame (619) with round butt combat finger grooves on bottom:

Those are Ahrends Tacticals.

 

[jtcarm]

Hogues should be a cheap expedient fix. You can always grid off the FGs if you don't like them.

One thing you should try is getting the web of your hand up over the top of the backstrap (you may not be able to go far with a target hammer.). That's how Jerry Miculek grips his gun, and it was a revelation to me & my stubby digits. It shortens the reach to the trigger and better controls muzzle flip. For me, at least, it also puts my wrist at an angle that I can lock it better.

Magnas are the worst of all worlds, IMO. They place the three gripping fingers so far back it's harder to reach the trigger and puts even more strain on the trigger finger.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

If Magnas and a Tyler are too big, which is not surprising, try the older service grips, which don't come up above the circular cutout, and a Tyler. Also, you might try a J-frame Tyler, although it probably won't make much difference.

 

[bronco45]

Uncle Mike's Sq Butt K Frame boot grip. I wear a size 9 men's glove and this grip fits perfectly to my large palm short finger hands.

I have a set on a S&W Model 14-3.

 

[Chukar60]

I have small hands and Smith targets are too big for me. Magnas are OK, but the ugly, utilitarian Hogue Monogrips work the best for me..

 

[M2MikeGolf]

Those are Ahrends Tacticals.

For what it's worth, on Ahrends site, the grips on my 619 are on the tactical page, but are referred to as "round butt finger groove". S&W (where I bought them from) refers to them as "finger groove combat grips" and makes no mention of "tactical". For my little 547 up at the top, Ahrends has them on the "retro grips" page and lists them as "concealed carry boot grip (square butt)"

Whatever they may be called, Kim Ahrends makes the best!

 

[Grayfox]

I'm with H Richard here. Make 'em fit.
In my case, I absolutely hate a round butt on anything bigger than a snubby K-frame. Unfortunately, I have a couple of N-frames and a L-frame that have round butts. Like Richard, I have begun to buy cheap Rd to SQ conversion grips and modify them to fit me and my needs. It does work. I now find myself looking at used grips and thinking about what they could be.
You can find a pair of beater target grips dirt cheap and go to cuttin'. May take some time and some trial and error, but I'll bet you will end up with a set that's perfect for you.

 

[Hapworth]

For what it's worth, on Ahrends site, the grips on my 619 are on the tactical page, but are referred to as "round butt finger groove". S&W (where I bought them from) refers to them as "finger groove combat grips" and makes no mention of "tactical". For my little 547 up at the top, Ahrends has them on the "retro grips" page and lists them as "concealed carry boot grip (square butt)"

Whatever they may be called, Kim Ahrends makes the best!

Yep, the ones on the Tactical page are called that, and you have the round butt finger groove option. Ahrends also makes their version of a combat grip and call it that, as part of their retro line-up.

Tacticals and Retro Combats; you have the former. S&W is using the wrong names.

Agreed on Ahrends grips, they're terrific.

 

[Biggfoot44]

Grips (aka Stocks) are highly subjective, and more subtle than seem at first glance. Yes the total overall net effect on trigger reach is key , but there's more to it than the one dimentional distance from the back to the trigger face, the circumfrence and shape is at least as important. And the dynamics of actual shooting can be quite difference than static fondling.

As noted the Gripper Profesional is very square in profile. This pretty much tie you into them being comfortable with only one position in the web of the hand. If that also happens to work for you , great , but if not , no joy in revolverville. The standard Grippers are more oval in profile , but allow for subtle repositioning in the web. Another inexpensive grip not yet mentioned is the Uncle Mike "Combat" grip. *To me* they feel kinda so-so , but they are more forgiving to a variety of hand and finger sizes than any other grip I've used.

For years the feel of Magnas with grip adapter in static fondling left me unimpressed. When I had opportunity to shoot them at length , it became ....interesting . They point naturally. I can shoot them accuratly in DA ( as I do nearly all my shooting). They do twist in the hand in recoil somewhat more than my usual choices , but up thru the level of .38 std P no biggie , and +P still workable.

In recent decades Grip Adapter is nearly synonomus with Tyler. But the Pachymer's with no finger grooves , and small, medimum, and large for each application filled a niche. Sounds to me the OP should try a Pach Small , or just possably a medimum. Of course having been out of production so long they're harder to find.

And the other factor the OP probably doesn't want to hear- The wide trigger is a big part of your issue. A narrow trigger with surface of your preference , or possably a combat specifically in smooth will feel like a different gun to you.

 

[wheelgun28]

I bought this M14 a while back it had grips that were custom made.

They make a grip very small...

Someone did do a decent job when they did it.

I think of them as prototype combat grips











A round file some sand paper and time to make it fit well.

 

[chiltech500]

Thanks for all the replies on this most excellent topic.

One thing you should try is getting the web of your hand up over the top of the backstrap (you may not be able to go far with a target hammer.). That's how Jerry Miculek grips his gun, and it was a revelation to me & my stubby digits

That high hand position is what I seek, as close to the bore as possible. BUT, that's where my current grips let me down. When using that favored position it feels like I have no control of the bottom of the stock and the gun can pivot too freely (shooting with 1 hand). With my hand high I don't think I have a solid grasp of the current stock.

 

[chiltech500]

Wheelgun that is an excellent custom job.