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O.K. the title is clear as mud - let me clarify because I need input.

My wife and I have a friend, female, who really likes the grip of my wife's G19 that has had a grip reduction by Dale Hunnicut. He made the grip as small as possible as my wife's hands are quite modest in size.

That said, she shot it this past week-end (her first time to ever shoot a pistol and did quite well too) and stated she wants a G19. I informed her about the grip reduction and she's willing to pay extra for it, however, I suggested she try the grips of other pistols before she makes her decision on what she ultimately buys. (why not get one that comes with reduced grip - so to speak...)

Glocks are my baseline for dependability. But, I think there are (maybe) other pistols just as dependable. Perhaps, an XD, or ?. Therein lies my problem in what she ought to try.

What other highly dependable pistols come with a much smaller grip without having surgery? I don't know that XD's comes with slimmer grips. I know the Ruger SR9 comes with a slimmer grip, but I'm not certain as to it's dependability.

So, what highly dependable, high capacity, 9mm, slimmer grips pistols are out there?

P.S. She doesn't want a revolver...

Thanks!

Well, considerations include grip thickness but also overall circumference and "reach," the distance from the backstrap to the trigger. A thicker grip with a shorter reach may feel just fine. First pistol that comes to mind is a Smith & Wesson M&P9 or 9c.

+1 on the S&W M&P 9. If willing to consider a single stack, lots of ladies (and men) like feel of the Kahrs. Had another lady student last week who tried several and settled on XD-9 Subcompact.

I like the M&P 9mm too. The grip is ergonomic and the backstraps are adjustable so you can get an almost custom fit. The controls are ambidexterous and you can get it with or without a thumb safety (if that matters to her).

One noticable difference is it has a 6.5 lb trigger which is a little heavier than most glocks but it has a smooth pull with a short reset. The weight is balanced so there is minimal recoil. I've only shot the full size, so I don't know how the compact version compares.

One other PLUS is that it is very easy to takedown for cleaning and reassembly is a whiz -- and (in my mind) easier than the glock.

I am a small woman with very small hands. I shoot an M&P 9 for that reason. I find it is a shorter reach to the trigger then even a grip reduced Glock.

I shoot competitively with the M&Ps and carry a M&P 9c, so I have shot them a lot! They are dependable and accurate.

If you live in the Houston area and your lady would like to try them drop me a PM.

Thanks all - very much!

CompVest ,

Thank you for the offer, but sadly, she lives in the Dallas area and was down visiting for the week-end.

As she's only shot the Glock and liked it, she's certain that's what she wants. I'm trying to convince her to try other pistols before she makes a decision.

The M&P sounds excellent. I'll add that one to the list for her to try.

Thanks again!

I have seen the M&P line a few times at Academy....she might be able to visit her local store and try the grip on one.

Jason

Jason,

Great idea!

Thanks for the tip!!

If she doesn't mind the cocked and locked carry, I have always been partial to the Browning Hi-Power for a 9mm. A natural pointer, a fairly compact grip, and a John Browning design. What more could a person want?

A Walther PPS in 9mm *might* work. It's all of 0.9" wide (single stack mag); OTOH the grip might be a bit long. It does come with two backstraps to adjust that dimension. It field strips exactly the same as a Glock (I've got the PPS, a Glock 23, and a Baby Eagle).

To me, the only unfortunate thing about the Walther is that they're hard to find compared to the more mainstream brands in the US, and spare mags are backordered.