Do you have small hands and have issues with shooting some handguns?
Being tall or short doesn’t hinder anyone from enjoying themselves at the range while shooting various handguns. However, individuals with small hands may face some challenges.
This post is specifically for those of you who have small hands and sometimes find it challenging to select the right firearm. A “perfect” handgun doesn’t exist, as most handguns are not explicitly designed for people with smaller hands. That said, specific models, like the Walther PPQ and the Smith & Wesson M&P pistols, offer interchangeable inserts to help accommodate different hand sizes.
Are those of us with small hands limited to certain firearms? What if, like me, you love shooting and own different sizes of handguns?
For instance, I have been shooting competitively for years with a 2011 pistol known for its large frame. My current handgun is a Walther PPQ Q5 Steel Frame with a larger frame than the polymer PPQ models.
It is essential to choose a handgun that fits your personal preferences and the specific activity you plan to use it for. However, achieving the perfect balance can be challenging. To improve my skills and perform well, I take the following steps:
- Dry fire is a must:
While everyone needs to dry fire to get used to their guns and equipment, I dry fire almost daily to ensure I grip the pistol the same way. While someone with an average hand size might feel uncomfortable with a lousy grip, they would most likely be able to pull the trigger. In my case, a bad grip can be catastrophic because I might not reach the trigger. - Index with your trigger finger first to find the ideal grip.
Place your finger on the trigger of your unloaded firearm, and then wrap your hand around the pistol. This technique is somewhat like a reverse grip for holding a gun. Alternatively, you can grip the handgun first, then adjust your hand position until your finger rests in the ideal trigger spot. It is important to note that when shooting a medium or large-frame firearm, the web of my hand or my trigger finger will be in the correct position, but not both at the same time. In this instance, I prefer the latter. - Do not touch the frame of the pistol.
Touching the pistol frame means your finger is fully extended, which can prevent a comfortable and smooth movement. Instead, maintain a natural curvature to achieve a smooth trigger pull without compromising your grip too much. - Grip Strenght
Having small hands makes it challenging to grip the pistol as firmly as I would like. To address this, I focus on training to improve my grip strength. During dry firing practice, I grip the firearm firmly with my support hand and keep my joints locked for better control.
Having small hands does not prevent you from shooting different sizes of handguns and enjoying the experience. Remember to follow these four tips:
- Dry fire to practice your aim.
- Keep your trigger finger in the optimal position.
- Avoid touching the frame with your trigger finger.
- Maintain a firm grip with your support hand and ensure your wrist is locked.
Thank you for watching! If you enjoyed this video, please share it with your friends and subscribe to my channel so you won’t miss the new episode I have ready for you next month.
I would love to hear your opinion. Share your thoughts in the comment section below.