Handgun Options for Short Thumbs? Help please

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Hello, I am looking for some suggestions on good handguns for someone with short thumbs. I recently got my restricted license. I have been to the range 3-4 times and shot my buddies PPX and an H&K. Did months of research online and had decided on buying a glock. But then when I went to hold one at the store I couldn't reach the mag release button! :( I guess that is why practical experience is important. The only gun they had at the store that I could reach the mag release was a PPX like the one I was shooting at the range. I am not sure if that is grip circumference or what? (PPX grip circumference is 5.2") Because the rest of my grip feels fine. I just can't reach the mag release. If you know any other handguns other than a PPQ, which is the only one I could find, that have an easy to reach mag release please help me. I just have a few requirements...

Has to be 9mm
Not a revolver
Good quality - I'd take a PPQ over a PPX and I can reach the mag release on both.
Not lever action mag release like the H&K's
I don't want to hit the mag release with my weak hand so please don't suggest that.
Willing to spend up to $1200

I looked on the forums here and there was one posting for small hands. I think the rest of my hands are okay just short thumbs. Sorry if this sounds stupid or noobish in any way. Thanks in advance.
 
Try a Ruger SR9. Ambi mag release and reversible backstrap. Only problem is that it's not a Glock or an M&P or a Sig or a CZ or a _________________ (insert more popular brand here) otherwise, I think they're pretty darn good.
 
My two cents.... find the gun that fits you the best (ignoring the mag release). Look for how the grip feels, trigger pull, sights, etc and then press the mag release with your weak hand if you can't reach it with your strong hand thumb.
 
I've got short thumbs and I don't think there are any mag releases that I can reach with my normal firing grip. I just flip the gun around a bit and it works fine. Why don't you like the H&K release? Hitting the paddle release with my trigger finger works great--I don't have to change my grip at all.
 
Many guns have aftermarket extended mag releases, which might help.
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I have short-ish thumbs. Never realized so until I was training on the Browning 9mm for work. I had a hard-time reaching the mag release as well. I was skeptical on buying a fullsize handgun after this but regardless picked up a Sig/GSG 1911 but in .22LR.

I couldn't quite hit the mag release and expected this so I ordered an extender from Brownells. I know there are 9mm 1911's out, Sig even makes some so there is surely other mag release extenders for other pistols. Important note, as your issue from what I read is you can't quite reach altogether, there are extenders which have "paddles" that extend a larger contact area towards the rear of the pistol and closer to your thumbs. Might help, worth a look.

& also as a note if you are worried about buying from brownells and paying lots of currency exchange and shipping; these are like $20 and they shipped it for about $10 through letter mail.

Good luck to you!
 
Juster: "Many guns have aftermarket extended mag releases, which might help."

+1. Was literally typing the above message as you posted this! :)
 
I tried the lever release with my trigger finger and i felt like really awkward. I read online and someone said use your middle finger. But then you are only holding the gun with three fingers during a mag release. I was just too uncomfortable for me. Some people swear it is the best but I just find it too uncomfortable.
 
khows said:
I have short-ish thumbs. Never realized so until I was training on the Browning 9mm for work. I had a hard-time reaching the mag release as well. I was skeptical on buying a fullsize handgun after this but regardless picked up a Sig/GSG 1911 but in .22LR.

I couldn't quite hit the mag release and expected this so I ordered an extender from Brownells. I know there are 9mm 1911's out, Sig even makes some so there is surely other mag release extenders for other pistols. Important note, as your issue from what I read is you can't quite reach altogether, there are extenders which have "paddles" that extend a larger contact area towards the rear of the pistol and closer to your thumbs. Might help, worth a look.

& also as a note if you are worried about buying from brownells and paying lots of currency exchange and shipping; these are like $20 and they shipped it for about $10 through letter mail.

Good luck to you!
Click to expand...

Paddles eh? That would be great. I'll check that out. Thanks khows
 
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