What pistol would fit me best??

sogetthis said:
Hmmm... That's funny, because if I take all my pistols out of my safe, there is not a one that has identical size, or ergonomics.

Each pistol will feel different in the hands of each person. Just like one pair of pants may be comfortable for me, but someone else may not like the fit even if they wear the same size.


This is such a stupid argument, I can't believe you guys. So because a person's hand can reach around a glock, they should be comfortable with its controls? Since a 9yr old can hold it straight enough to put holes on paper with it, everyone else should love it?

Nice try, guys. :slap:

There is a lot more to a pistol "fitting" someone's hand than whether or not they can reach the trigger.
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You've missed the point completely. Try to see past your hate-on for Glocks.

The fact that these kids can run Glocks competently, doesn't prove that Glocks are the only gun out there. It proves that anyone can run any gun. All this winging and mincing about "fit" and "feel" is meaningless.
 
sogetthis said:
Hmmm... That's funny, because if I take all my pistols out of my safe, there is not a one that has identical size, or ergonomics.

Each pistol will feel different in the hands of each person. Just like one pair of pants may be comfortable for me, but someone else may not like the fit even if they wear the same size.


This is such a stupid argument, I can't believe you guys. So because a person's hand can reach around a glock, they should be comfortable with its controls? Since a 9yr old can hold it straight enough to put holes on paper with it, everyone else should love it?

Nice try, guys. :slap:

There is a lot more to a pistol "fitting" someone's hand than whether or not they can reach the trigger.
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If you watch the videos I posted, you'll notice that McKenzie is having little issue manipulating the pistol. She can put rounds on target and clear malfunctions. At 11 years old weighing in at around 75 pounds. So what is everyone else's excuse?? Stevo's picture of his 9 year old son only reinforces the point, that the relative grip size of a pistol is more of a mental issue than a physical issue.

The ability to the reach and/or use the controls is a personal problem. Depending on how you train and who you train with. The use of the controls is not a crucial factor. At the end of the day unless you train for the purpose of personal protection with the right mindset. It doesn't matter what pistol you use for recreational purposes regardless of "fit".

TDC
 
Personally, I DO say that there is something fit that makes guns 'better suited' or 'matched' to a given operator.

This is not to say that a given user CANNOT reasonably operate a particular firearm but that one may be more comfortable with one over another.

As shown, little children with rather small hands and frame can in fact handle standard sized Glocks with reasonable success. A given person may not necessary like the feel of the pistol in hand or feel the grip angle is too wide, etc etc...

Certain guns may be considered more natural or "instinctual"....only that nothing about shooting is instinctual. As much as I'd like to say I flew out of my mother's womb and quickly had an AR fitted with a pacifier and a 1911 holstered to my Pampers, shooting is learnt. The best shooters adapt and notice the fine details so that they can adjust accordingly for the firearm, the ammo used, etc.

That said...a 1911 starts off pretty damn fine in the hand, lining up the sights, etc....a Mk23 probably won't for most people. :p
 
Obviously comfort and preference are something to consider when you pick up a new gun. Also, why do really competitive, Olympic style pistols have such bizzare-looking grips and difference adjustments on them?

I.e. what would be the point of this if you are just supposed to tough it out when you don't like how a gun feels in your hand?

herrets_national_match_45R.jpg


Of course, that being said I'm sure I could shoot any handgun in existence and most of them I would probably enjoy shooting as well.
 
Winz summed up a lot of the points nicely. Fit and feel are not prerequisites to successful shooting, nor are they necessarily indicators that a gun that "fits" well, will be easier to shoot.

I don't like the way a 1911 feels, but I shoot it just fine, my Hi-Power feels great in my hand, but I don't shoot it any better than other guns, for example.
 
Tyler582 said:
I.e. what would be the point of this if you are just supposed to tough it out when you don't like how a gun feels in your hand?
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Any new pistol is going to feel odd, particularly if you've previously been shooting one type a lot. I can't say that I've ever had any pistol that "tough it out" would have come into play. Shoot a few hundred rounds through anything and you'll become used to it.

I did not like the Glock initially, but I'd been shooting a DA/SA S&W 469 before it. Not hard to imagine the huge difference between the two, is it? Now, my 469 feels odd.

The only pistol that I truly don't care for is the HK Mk23, solely due to it's size.
 
evan the cdn said:
TDC,
What criteria do you base your hand gun purchases on?
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I select my pistols on several criteria, fit and comfort are far down the list. Here's how I select a pistol.

Reliability
Ease of use
durability
availability of parts and accessories(holsters and such)


Naturally if the pistol won't work everytime all the time. It is of little value. Ease of use is determined by the ability to operate the safety(s) cycle the slide and release the magazine. If the controls are difficult to reach, stiff to operate or are plain not needed, that all weighs in on my choice. Durability is the life span of the firearm and its components. If the pistol tends to break or wear out parts a lot faster than other pistols, that too will play a part in my decision. Availability of parts and accessories is crucial if you expect to keep your pistol running. Every pistol will eat parts. Also, every pistol requires a holster or two, or three. If you can't get parts, your gun won't run. If you can't find a holster you can't effectively use your pistol.

Tyler,

Olympic style pistols and their competitors are accuracy junkies. Their "sport" involves great discipline and consistent performance. Their equipment reflects this. With a service type pistol (Glock, SIG, Beretta, S&W, Springfield, Kimber, Walther, Browning, Colt etc etc) the name of the game is survival. These pistols are designed for fighting, not competing. Two different tasks, two very different sets of equipment.

TDC
 
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TDC said:
I select my pistols on several criteria, fit and comfort are far down the list. Here's how I select a pistol.

Reliability
Ease of use
durability
availability of parts and accessories(holsters and such)

Ease of use is determined by the ability to operate the safety(s) cycle the slide and release the magazine. If the controls are difficult to reach, stiff to operate or are plain not needed, that all weighs in on my choice.

TDC
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I would tend to agree that anyone who has an idea of how to shoot pistols can pretty much make anything work.
I don't know about the rest of the guys here, but when someone refers to 'fitting in the hand', I take it figuratively to mean your above statement.
 
This young lady proves that anyone can adapt to a pistol, but since I spend MY money on MY pistols, I don't think I should have to adapt to fit them. I don't like H gripping because it makes it easier to miss (it can work, but so can attempting to drive a car with the seat all the way forward when you're six feet tall - I don't do that either). The fact that there are pistols that are as reliable as a Glock, (I clean my guns - even Glocks when I owned them) that don't force me to hold funny means I spend my money on those. Can this die now, it's boring.

PS, didn't see any targets, not to knock the young girls accomplishment - it is quite amazing, and it's a great motivation, but since we're being "logical" and basing a "logical" argument on the video content here, shouldn't we see the targets? Otherwise it is simply gun handling, not shooting.
 
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ian_in_vic said:
This young lady proves that anyone can adapt to a pistol, but since I spend MY money on MY pistols, I don't think I should have to adapt to fit them. I don't like H gripping because it makes it easier to miss (it can work, but so can attempting to drive a car with the seat all the way forward when you're six feet tall - I don't do that either). The fact that there are pistols that are as reliable as a Glock, (I clean my guns - even Glocks when I owned them) that don't force me to hold funny means I spend my money on those. Can this die now, it's boring.

PS, didn't see any targets, not to knock the young girls accomplishment - it is quite amazing, and it's a great motivation, but since we're being "logical" and basing a "logical" argument on the video content here, shouldn't we see the targets? Otherwise it is simply gun handling, not shooting.
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For starters, here's the links to the two videos where you can clearly see McKenzie's targets.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2B2rKj4eZgo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2B2rKj4eZgo&feature=user

Second, if all this talk is only talk without targets, where is everyone's target who posts here on CGN? I mean, without targets its just gun handling.

Could you please explain just what the hell an "h grip" is? Your grip although important, does not make or break the shot. A proper grip definitely aids in consistent accurate shooting but is not required. Aligning your barrel with the target(usually through the use of the sights) and smooth consistent trigger pull are what makes the shot.

Have a look at the XS sight videos on youtube. Mr Yeager engages steel at 25 yards upside down with one hand. Myself and the others who attended the Tactical Response Fighting Pistol course in GP witnessed a shooter(I can't remember his name, sorry) engage a steel target at 50 yards upside down. He then attempted to hit the target with his pistol over his shoulder using a mirror. Although he did miss, the shot was very close to the target. So how is it that a specific "grip" causes one to miss more readily??


From what I've seen in the videos, McKenzie shoots better than many I've seen at three gun matches or the club. I'd say she's proof that a standard service pistol is too big is pure crap and her performance proves that anyone with some professional training and the willingness to learn can shoot very well without having to use compensators, red dot sights, mag well funnels or any other gimmick. Choosing a pistol because you personally find the fit to be more comfortable over another is your choice. Proclaiming that brand X pistol does NOT fit your hand is bullsh*t. It may not feel comfortable, but it does fit your hand....Unless your hands are smaller than an 11 year old girls.

TDC
 
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Stevo said:
All it takes is some training and motivation. It's not rocket surgery.:)
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And time and money. Two kids and a single income do not leave a lot of room for shooting. I would love to take some courses but that time and money thing always seems to get in the way. Someday I'll be able to shoot as well as that 11 year old.:D
 
GIGGIDY said:
And time and money. Two kids and a single income do not leave a lot of room for shooting. I would love to take some courses but that time and money thing always seems to get in the way. Someday I'll be able to shoot as well as that 11 year old.:D
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Yeah, there is that money thing. Get the kids out collecting bottles every weekend so you can take a course next summer!;)
 
I think just beacuse shes clearly amazing for an 11 year old heck for even a 30 year old! I think front sight should offer her a lifetime membership and sponcer her! haha seems they are big on the whole family training!
 
Front sight is a poor school. Having never attended I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the following. However, everyone I've talked with that has gone has not been impressed. Couple that with Front sights apparent Scientology connections and their dream world idea of an armed "family community" and I'll save my money for other schools.

TDC
 
sogetthis said:
This is such a stupid argument, I can't believe you guys. So because a person's hand can reach around a glock, they should be comfortable with its controls? Since a 9yr old can hold it straight enough to put holes on paper with it, everyone else should love it?

Nice try, guys. :slap:

There is a lot more to a pistol "fitting" someone's hand than whether or not they can reach the trigger.
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i think you're a ####ing idiot. how you perceive a pistol to "fit" your hand has very little to do with your ability to shoot it.

it will never "feel natural" because you were not born with one attached.

my guess is that if the pistol in the video was one that you liked you'd be on the other side of the argument with a big jug of kool-aid and some lube.
 
manboy said:
i think you're a f**king idiot. how you perceive a pistol to "fit" your hand has very little to do with your ability to shoot it.

it will never "feel natural" because you were not born with one attached.

my guess is that if the pistol in the video was one that you liked you'd be on the other side of the argument with a big jug of kool-aid and some lube.
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:agree::kickInTheNuts::cool:

TDC
 
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