Choice for 9mm that will accommodate partial RH thumb loss

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shopping question, A friend is looking for something that you can use in a semi (holster course etc)that would have an easier to assess safety or slide release,prefer lighter as well... thought of but was told the Norinco Np34 wasnt the best choice so going from there,,thanks
 
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Glock 17. No safety*, slingshot the slide with the left hand, no problem.



*Trigger safety doesn't count.
 
If he don't want to spend much, a TT-33 would fit the bill perfectly, Zastava makes the 9mm models but unsure about a safety on them.

Glock is a top choice as well.
 
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I'd go Glock like WRH 'cause it's easy to slingshot it than fumble with a small slide release. Another option is the M&P series with ambi-safety and slide release.
 
Glock 17, just make sure to shop around.... I see prices all over the place from $650 to $900+....yes the same Gen4 model...
 
If he wants to compete he will likely need something that is double action and run in production class. I would normally recommend a Shadow but it doesn't meet your light preference. It doesn't have a decocker (which he may want) but most people manually lower the hammer with their left hand anyways. Double action means you don't have to engage the safety at the start line.

Also, shadows typically will release the slide when you do a mag change If you slam it home.
 
Grove said:
If he don't want to spend much, a TT-33 would fit the bill perfectly, Zastava makes the 9mm models but unsure about a safety on them.

Glock is a top choice as well.
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A stock TT33 does not have a safety of any sort. And it's a single action so there' no way to perform a DA first shot. So they are not going to be allowed in any holster course or in IDPA or IPSC.

The added on safeties I've seen and used on them were worse than useless. The abysmal version on the Norinco M203 that I had was in a place where my grip would push it on due to the recoil. So one, maybe two shots and then nothing. It pushed itself onto safe. It was also just about impossible to work the safety one handed.

So in this case I'd also vote for a Glock, Ruger SR9, S&W M&P or a Springfield XD and simply train to slingshot the slide with the left hand instead of using the slide lock/release. It's also not that hard to adapt to using the left hand thumb to work the magazine release. Or flip the release around and learn to work it with the trigger finger on the right side.
 
Nobody has mentioned these yet is the walther PPQ or p99. I just picked up a PPQ and love it!!

*****The great thing about those two is you can operate the controls mag release and slide release with either your trigger finger or middle finger!!! No thumb movement needed*****

This should accommodate your friends thumb injury better than any of the other pistols mentioned. I believe this is his best choice. If you want pics or a short video on how the controls work please PM me and I'll do all I can to help you out!
The mag release is total genius! You can keep a positive grip while dumping mag. No shifting of grip. Best idea I've seen in awhile.
Also there's no safety on either one.
They are slightly more than some other pistols but fit and finish are very nice!!
Your friend should take a good look at these it sounds like to me one of these would be perfect for him. Good luck and get him out shooting!
 
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I'd forgotten about the Walther. And yes, this would be THE ANSWER to someone that doesn't have a full thumb. The time or two I've shot them it was as natural as breathing to withdraw the trigger finger, straighten it up and then press down on the release to drop the magazine.

Couple this with training himself to slingshot the slide after reloading or to CAREFULLY adjust the slide lock engagement faces to allow for slamming the mag in place and popping the slide loose and he'd be good to go.
 
The slide release can also be operated with the left hand instead of sling-shotting the slide. I actually prefer this method; it's faster than sling-shotting and does not require shifting the grip of your shooting hand.
 
Lobster_pot said:
Nobody has mentioned these yet is the walther PPQ or p99. I just picked up a PPQ and love it!!

*****The great thing about those two is you can operate the controls mag release and slide release with either your trigger finger or middle finger!!! No thumb movement needed*****

This should accommodate your friends thumb injury better than any of the other pistols mentioned. I believe this is his best choice. If you want pics or a short video on how the controls work please PM me and I'll do all I can to help you out!
The mag release is total genius! You can keep a positive grip while dumping mag. No shifting of grip. Best idea I've seen in awhile.
Also there's no safety on either one.
They are slightly more than some other pistols but fit and finish are very nice!!
Your friend should take a good look at these it sounds like to me one of these would be perfect for him. Good luck and get him out shooting!
Click to expand...

X2...I release the magazine with my middle finger. Super slick. Plus the pistol is fantastic and easily outshoots me every time.
 
Although I'm not missing the last bit of my thumb I have small hands and I find the ambi controls on my HK P30 the most comfortable among many of the options presented. The paddle mag release can be hit with my index or trigger finger as opposed to my thumb and with the version I have the ambi safety can be easily manipulated with my thumb in/around the knuckle point, as can the rear-mounted de-cocker. The paddle mag release on the Walthers and some other European guns might fit the bill too, at least as far as the mag release is concerned. Slide release can be manipulated with the trigger finger as well, but it feels a tad awkward to me. That's with a DA/SA trigger, some of the options aren't available if he goes with a LEM/SAO trigger.
 
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