What criteria do you use when selecting a handgun? Size specific.

WRH

WRH

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I'm looking for another handgun, and as I do, I'm noticing what I like, and what I don't based on comfort and feel. There have to be some specific tests that can help narrow down the choices. Anyone have any tips?

I'm interested in just the types of things you could do in a gun store, not the range.
 
It's like buying underwear, it's a personal choice. I could tell you such and such a gun is the best gun in the whole world and you may despise it. if you let someone else pick it out for you, you take what you get. If one particular gun worked for all of us, there would only be one gun and one manufacturer. First decide what you want to do with it, and then get out and try some guns. Like you said you know what you like, so start from there.
 
I should have been more clear in the original post. I'm not looking for a "Buy 'X' gun because..." response. I'm interested in certain things you should look for when handling a gun. Something that would sway my decision when I'm holding two guns that feel good in my hand.

When I bought my Gen 4 Glock 17, it was the better feeling/handling pistol to me. The same goes for my S&W L frame with a Hogue Monogrip - it felt better than any other I handled.

I'm happy with both, but I want some standardized criteria to judge the 'fit' of a handgun.
 
I think you're referring to what Jeff Cooper called the "index of deflection", that immutable, intangible feeling that it's just 'right'. He was of the opinion that the Colt 1911 offered that and many agree with him to this day.
When S&W was doing computer analysis for the best ergonomics for their first polymer framed pistol, it was a mere 1/2 degree different from what Browning had determined for the 1911.

WRH said:
I should have been more clear in the original post. I'm not looking for a "Buy 'X' gun because..." response. I'm interested in certain things you should look for when handling a gun. Something that would sway my decision when I'm holding two guns that feel good in my hand.

When I bought my Gen 4 Glock 17, it was the better feeling/handling pistol to me. The same goes for my S&W L frame with a Hogue Monogrip - it felt better than any other I handled.
I'm happy with both, but I want some standardized criteria to judge the 'fit' of a handgun.
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WRH said:
I'm looking for another handgun, and as I do, I'm noticing what I like, and what I don't based on comfort and feel. There have to be some specific tests that can help narrow down the choices. Anyone have any tips?

I'm interested in just the types of things you uld do in a gun store, not the range.
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For me living in Canadaland, one thing that I can eliminate as a factor is single vs doublestack since we can only have 10 round mags anyway. Single stack fit me better more often then not....hence a P220, 4x 1911's, P1, and a few others make up the majority of my safe
 
I like the fit in my hand. Years ago I ran the tech inspection station for an IPSC match. I got to shoot dozens of really well set up guns. I was surprised how many did not fit my long fingers. Some had an uncomfortable grip angle. Others weren't balanced for my tastes. I found the old fashioned Browning HP and CZs were rounded enough with a swell for my palm. The 1911s were too skinny feeling. The exotics like the H&K (something pricey) was just too awkward.
 
WRH said:
I'm looking for another handgun, and as I do, I'm noticing what I like, and what I don't based on comfort and feel. There have to be some specific tests that can help narrow down the choices. Anyone have any tips?

I'm interested in just the types of things you could do in a gun store, not the range.
Click to expand...

The first thing I consider is what calibre I'd like to add. Next consider what brands offer the best quality-price relationship for your needs. What is the best value for you? Once you've found a short list of models you'd like to check out, go to a gun store and fondle some. I look for signs of poor manufacturing, check for comfort, check to see the controls are well designed and easily manipulated by my hands, and raise the gun to aim to see if the grip angle naturally provides a good sight picture.

If the gun fits you just right and you're satisfied with the ergonomics, the price and the quality, then go home and sit on it for about a week....researching the pistol for reviews, the best price and after-market support. If you still want it a week later...go out and buy it!
 
I'd pick a gun up (unloaded of course) and hold her muzzle down,then I focus on a point in the room.Close eyes,raise gun as you would aim at the point.Open eyes...check how far off the aim is of your focused point.If it's a foot or more at room distance,the gun don't fit you...no matter how she looks or how hip she is.Worked for me all times...
CG
 
It has to be reliable and look good to me, don't care about feel and comfortable because I am the one who shoot it and I can adjust myself to handle it. That said I keep two ugly guns and sold off all the good looking one, what a world...

Trigun
 
I'm working at acquiring one of every hand gun....that way I don't need criteria and won't be guilty of discrimination.
 
I am interested in IPSC, IDPA style shooting, so for when when selecting a new handgun I do the following:
- read forums, watch YouTube, etc and get as much info as possible
- in the store, check to see that I can easily manipulate and controls, mag release, slide lock, etc
- pick a point in a safe direction on a wall about ten feet away, a light switch, specific letter on a poster, and bring the handgun up and try to point in naturally at that point and then check my sight picture ( I shoot Sigs a lot and find they point very naturally, I have a Glock which I always seem to be aiming low with it.
- for revolvers, see if the store has snap caps and speed loaders so I can see how much clearance there is when using them
 
Things to watch for are how it fits in your hand and where the controls fall in relation to your trigger finger and strong hand thumb. Another factor is how far around your fingers wrap. This second aspect plays into how well the gun will be supported during recoil. And yet another is to look for even pressure all around with the gun in your grip.

First how your hands fit in relation to the controls. Ideally the slide lock release should be easily thumbed by your strong hand thumb but it shouldn't be actually in the way. Similarly any thumb activated safety should not stick into your thumb during a normal hold or hang up on the web of your thumb to forefinger. Ideally you should be able to also reach down and activate the magazine release using your strong hand thumb without altering your grip. During all this the gun should be resting neutrally in your grip in such a way that it lines up with a natural hold and in line with your forearm.

Then there's the associated amount of finger wrap around and how even your grip pressure is on the gun. To get good support of the gun to absorb the recoil you want your fingers to wrap around quite far in a comfortable manner. But not so far that there isn't any room to fit in your other hand to add support. I like to see my fingertips reach about half way back on the side grips while the front strap falls naturally into the joints of my fingers.

Associated with the fit of the gun is the desire to feel like you're applying pressure evenly all the way around the grip area. Two examples for me where this fails are the Ruger 22/45 that has the all black one piece lower frame. It's too thin side to side so all the pressure is on the front and back strap areas with noticeably less pressure on the sides. Another that doesn't work for me is the earlier series Glocks. They feel like I'm holding a hunk of 2x4 because I can feel the four corners of the grip area.
 
misanthropist said:
IMO, whatever you go with feels natural by the time you get enough rounds through it to be proficient with that gun anyway. So I just don't really worry about it.


I think "fit" is totally overrated, gun shop BS that doesn't really have much to do with anything, performance-wise.
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I agree fully. fit is an excuse used by shady salesman and uninformed enthusiasts. Learn to shoot and the whole fit bs won't make a difference.

Tdc
 
So, it pretty much comes down to feel? I guess I'll keep doing what I've been doing. It's worked so far.
 
last month I shot 2 different polymer handguns. never again, piles of crap. I prefer my heavy all metal shooter.
 
feel is relative, fit is not. Fit refers to the grip size and not the grip angle/feel of the gun.
Grips angles and controls are things you CAN learn to shoot and get used to, between different guns, but a grip that is too big for your hands is TOO big, hence, you are handicapping yourself.

Grab the gun and see where you index finger falls and how it wraps around the trigger, this might feel OK for everygun for the first 10 shots, but when you shoot 100 in a row you will feel every bit of awkwardness if the fit is wrong.

Slide releases, hammer, magazine release, those are thing you anyone can adjust while breaking your grip (re-adjusting you grip means that at that point you cannot shoot, something that in a combat situation might cost your life).
So, FIT is not BS, fit is real. Buy the one you like for looks, but you will be a better shooter if your hands wrap around the grip naturally, why fighting the beast when there are so many others already domesticated...

Cheers.
 
TDC said:
I agree fully. fit is an excuse used by shady salesman and uninformed enthusiasts. Learn to shoot and the whole fit bs won't make a difference.

Tdc
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Up to a point I agree. Hell, I've got one of the little NAA revolvers that is tough as heck to hold decently. But with practice and familiarization I can still do 2 inch or less groups at 15 yards.

But for those of us that use our handguns in speed related matches or shoot bullseye style the fit to our hands DOES make a difference. For IDPA and IPSC being able to feel the gun index in a nice natural manner into our hands counts for a lot. Also the aspect of the grips being shaped to fit within our hands to provide even pressure contact all around DOES count for much in terms of multiple shots fired.

Case in point. On revolvers the rather thin and flat sided Pachmyer grips do not fit my hands at all well. I end up with solid contact on the front and rear with greatly reduced pressure on the sides. I can't shoot such guns well other than in slow and deliberate mode. But the more oval shaped Hogue grips or some of the wood grips such as Arrends fit in my grip with good even pressure all around. Such fits do lead to better shooting.

Same in top class bullseye shooting. The guns would not have those fancy wrap around "put 'em on like a glove" styles of grips if fit to the hand was not important.

So it's not the total BS that you and misanthropist claim.
 
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