I personally struggle with choosing handguns because I have small hands. Or, more accurately, I have tiny, childlike hands.
This makes finding a gun with a short enough trigger reach and a comfortable grip a pain.
If you can relate, then this is your lucky day!
I’m using my experience to recommend some small grip handguns and some companies with a good selection of aftermarket grips so that you can get a handgun that works with your hand size.
Please note that this list isn’t just for women, though women are more likely to experience the small handgun buying struggle.
Anyone with small hands — whether man, woman, or child — can appreciate the guns and grips discussed here.
But before we dive in, let’s talk about how you should be holding your handgun and what you should look for when selecting a handgun that suits your hands.
Summary of Our Top Picks
Table of Contents
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Checking the Fit of a Handgun
Before we get to the recommendations, let’s start with some tips for making sure your handgun isn’t too big.
(If you aren’t familiar with handguns or just need a refresher, check out the “Handgun Grip” section of our Ultimate Guide to Shooting a Pistol Accurately to learn the basics.)
To start, when you hold a handgun, your trigger finger should have a shallow curve, and the pad at the end of your finger should rest on the trigger.
On a gun that’s too big, your finger will be straight along the side of the frame of the gun in order to reach the trigger.
Next, when holding your grip, your thumb and fingers should comfortably meet at the side of the grip.
Your thumb should rest along the top of your fingers.
Adjusting Your Grip When You Have Small Hands
Now, for a grip that’s just a little too big, you can slightly rotate your shooting hand toward the trigger.
You don’t want to rotate it so far that your thumb is in the way of the beavertail or posterior bulge, though. If you have to, then your gun is too large to work.
You also want to make sure that the rotation of your hand isn’t causing you to compromise the strength or comfort of your grip or hold your gun at an angle.
For small hands, a two-hand grip makes it much easier to control your gun, especially since smaller guns, which are usually easier for small hands to grip, tend to have more recoil.
Bring your non-shooting hand under your grip so its heel rests against the heel of your shooting hand while helping to support the gun.
However, relying on a two-hand grip is less than ideal for a defensive situation, where one of your hands may be injured.
For a defensive gun, it’s best to go with a gun that fits your hand well, but a two-hand grip is good enough for just killing time at the range.
Best Pistols for Small Hands
Now that you know how to make sure a gun fits your hand, as well as how to adjust your grip for larger guns, let’s move on to some gun recommendations.
One quick note before we get started, though.
For all of these pistols, I prefer versions chambered in 9mm because it has less recoil than .45 ACP or .40 S&W.
Since small hands can have a harder time getting a firm grip, especially on full-size guns, less recoil means less need for adjusting your grip between shots.
With that said, these all come in other calibers, too, and if you prefer one of them, then more power to you.
I’m not trying to tell you how to live your life; just sharing my experience.
Best Handguns for Small Hands
1. Sig Sauer P365
First up is the Sig Sauer P365…
This micro-compact features a single-stack magazine for a slender grip. In fact, the P365 has an exceptionally slender profile in general. It’s just 1.1 inches wide.
Despite this, it’s still able to fit 12 rounds — 10-round versions are also available, though, for people in states with magazine limits.
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The grip is also aggressively textured to help small hands keep a more secure hold. This 9mm pistol weighs just 17.8 ounces and is 6 inches long and 4.8 inches tall.
For a slightly larger version of the same gun, you could also go with the P365XL.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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2. Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0
The M&P 2.0 doesn’t have completely replaceable grip modules, but it does come with four different sizes of grip inserts to help you customize your fit.
And if the smallest insert is still too big, you can actually use the gun without any insert at all.
The textured grip makes the pistol much easier to keep a secure grip on, even in small hands.
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The M&P M2.0 is available in full-size and compact versions. Both are great, so just go with whichever feels better.
If you want something even smaller, you can try the similar but subcompact Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard.
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What’s your take on the M&P 2.0? Give it a rating below!
3. Springfield 1911 Enhanced Micro-Pistol
Love a 1911 but feel like it’s too much gun for your hands? Then the Springfield 1911 EMP may be just what you’re looking for.
It’s one of the smallest 1911s currently on the market, with an action 1/8 inch shorter than the original 1911, a height of 5 inches, and a length of 6.6 inches.
It’s not short on any features, though. The 1911 EMP offers 3-dot tritium combat sights and a match-grade barrel.
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And if the grip is still bigger than you’d like, there are plenty of compatible aftermarket grips to help you slim the grip down even more.
4. Ruger LCR
Some small-handed shooters may find revolvers to be unwieldy compared to pistols since they have more recoil, but that doesn’t mean you have to avoid them altogether, especially if you prefer revolvers.
If you want to go that route, I recommend the Ruger LCR.
With a .357 Mag caliber, the LCR is available in a few different versions with different combinations of barrel lengths, finishes, and grips in a 6- or 7-round capacity.
I like the 4.2-inch barrel because I find it easier to balance, but I recommend handling the various sizes to see what works for you.
It also comes in a couple of different grip options. For my tiny hands, the cushioned rubber grips with a hardwood insert were a little big, but the Hogue Monogrip option was more manageable.
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There are also plenty of aftermarket grip options to help you narrow it down even more. In fact, Ruger designed the grip frame specifically so that it would be compatible with a variety of aftermarket and custom grips.
There’s also a 10-round capacity, .22 LR, 5.5-inch barrel version that’s not a great option for self or home defense, but makes an excellent fun gun.
5. HK VP9 SK
The entire VP series is great, but for small hands, I particularly like the VP9 SK.
This 9mm compact pistol comes with three backstrap options, plus replaceable side panels. The grip is also contoured to help cut down on bulk.
This makes the double-stack magazine, which comes in 10-, 13-, and 15-round capacity options, easier for small hands to manage.
In addition, the HK VP9 SK has an extended slide lock, which is great for shorter thumbs.
For a similarly easy-to-handle-with-small-hands gun in full size, you can instead opt for the VP9 or VP40.
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Want to learn more about the VP9? Check out our review here!
6. Walther PDP-F
Editor’s Addition: We’re adding the PDP F because we really like it!
The PDP F-Series is the next step in the PDP series, designed specifically for smaller-handed shooters.
All the great features of the original PDP are there, just with a reduced circumference grip and length of pull.
Chambered in 9mm, the PDP-F brings a modern pistol that is optics-ready to those with tinier mitts. It sports one of the best stock, striker-fired triggers on the market today to boot.
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This gun’s aggressive grip texture pairs well with the relaxed finger grooves. This, in turn, allows the shooter to get an excellent grip on the pistol and that, my friends, helps mitigate recoil.
The PDP is one of the best striker-fired handguns on the market right now. The F stands out from other similar guns because it has an intentional design to fit smaller-handed shooters better.
We like when companies are purposeful with their designs, and Walther definitely hit that mark.
Want to see more? Check out our full video review and article on the Walther PDP-F.
Aftermarket Grip Solutions
Speaking of aftermarket options, maybe you already have a gun that you love, but it’s a bit too large for your hands.
Let’s talk about some options to make the gun work better for your hand size.
Depending on the gun, you can get an aftermarket grip and switch it out yourself. A ton of brands exist, but a few of my favorites are Altamont Company, Hogue, and VZ Grips.
All three offer high-quality grips for a variety of guns and in a range of profiles. So, between them, you’re sure to find something (probably several somethings) that work for you.
A textured grip will make your handgun easier to grip. You can either get a textured grip or get a textured wrap that goes over the grip you have from a company like Gun Grip or Talon.
If your gun’s grip can’t be easily switched out or you can’t find a grip you like, you can also see about having the gun’s grip reduced by a gunsmith.
But be warned: a poorly done reduction can make your gun much less functional, so make sure you have it done by a gunsmith with an excellent reputation.
In addition, a grip reduction will void the gun’s warranty and can make it more difficult to sell later on. So I’d go with a grip reduction as a last resort.
Lucky Gunner has a great article on grip reductions if that is something you’re interested in.
If you’re really having a hard time with mass-market grips, try a custom grip first.
There are tons of companies that make them, as do many gunsmiths.
Final Thoughts
While switching out grips or finding a gun that is a more manageable size makes holding and shooting your handgun easier, they aren’t replacements for basic firearm skills.
Without solid fundamentals, you won’t be able to shoot comfortably, accurately, and safely no matter what gun you’re shooting with.
Various drills can be used to work on your shooting skills. Dry fire drills are a great way to brush up on your skills even when you can’t make it to the range.
Trigger control, in particular, can be difficult when you have small hands, so be sure to make sure you’re at the top of your game.
What are your favorite guns for shooters with small hands? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to check out our general Best Handguns for Women.
64 Leave a Reply
Bit surprised you showed the Shadow Systems MR920 in the photos for this article but then didn't list it in your rankings. I've got smaller mitts and the thinnest grip that comes with the MR920 was a game changer for my grip and shooting ability. Before that, I was sticking with a Glock 26 in order to get a solid grip with hands flush together on the backstrap side to effectively manage recoil and flip. Consider adding it!
Hey Andy! We're big fans of the MR920 -- in fact, that's my EDC. It didn't make the list simply because we can't include everything. We do have it listed in a few other articles, though.
The MR920 is too thick tang to trigger for my wife. Fits me perfectly with no back strap added. May try the PDP-F for her. She likes the SA EMP 9mm 4”.
Sig Sauer P320. It has innumerable configurations, several grip sizes, and loads of aftermarket parts. I love my P320 XCompact with Romeo 1 red dot, flat trigger, & suppressor height night sights. Ooh la la.
I generally carry my P938 because it’s smaller, but not as light as the P365.
But when I want more rounds it’s the P320 all day.
Thanks got the help!
"To start, when you hold a handgun, your trigger finger should have a shallow curve, and the pad at the end of your finger should rest on the trigger.
On a gun that’s too big, your finger will be straight along the side of the frame of the gun in order to reach the trigger."
That could have been said a little better. Your finger should never be on the trigger when just holding a gun.
On a gun you don't index your finger along the side because of the size of the gun. You index it along the side yo keep the finger off the trigger until ready to fire.
The photo labeled "1911 custom grip reduction" is not really a grip reduction. The pistol in front sports an original M1911 flat mainspring housing while the pistol to the rear sports the M1911A1 rounded mainspring housing. All that is required to accomplish the "reduction" is to swap out the mainspring housing, but some fitting is required. I'd like to see two pistols added to the list: (1) Sig P365 X-Macro, and (2) Springfield Hellcat Pro. Both of these solve my problem: wide, fat palms with short, sausage-like fingers. The width of my palms demands the longer grip provided by the Sig and the Hellcat, while the length of my fingers requires the smaller diameter of the grip and shorter length of pull. Another contender would be the Lone Wolf Arms "Timberwolf" frames for Glock. They are a 1-for-1 replacement for a Glock frame but provide a significantly smaller grip with the flat backstrap. Or you can use a Timberwolf as the base for a non-Glock using all aftermarket parts. The Timberwolf allows me to shoot Glocks comfortably for the first time. I have not handled or shot a Shadow Systems MR920 (shown in the top photo), so I have no idea whether that design would work with my hands. It looks about the same size as a Glock 19, which fits me poorly.
I'm male, 5'-8" and wear medium sized gloves. So I consider myself small handed. The Glock 48 and 43X and the Mossberg MC2c all feel great and fit well in my hands.
You clearly left out the Glock slim frame 43X and 48. Both pistols are great for small or arthritis crippled hands (or both) and offer plenty of grip surface. Plus the aftermarket support community makes so many options that these pistols can be ultimately customized.
Bersa Thunder 380, accurate, manageable recoil, fits smaller hands perfectly
I'm a Smith & Wesson guy but don't ever buy the Bodyguard .380 . It is by far the worst gun you can possibly buy . It is unreliable and doesn't always fire when you pull the trigger . Terrible gun .
I was surprised to see that you didn't include the Smith and Wesson .38 Bodyguard revolver in your recommendations. I have one and I would highly recommend it for women or anyone with smaller hands.
You obviously cut and pasted your Ruger revolver information because some of it is duplicated and most of it is incorrect.
The Taurus G3C is a good option as well (and proving to be remarkably reliable). The mag release is easily actuatable, which is a good indicator of the smaller grip footprint.
Great article! I just started searching for a compatible handgun for my daughter. She has small hands and we will be starting with the guns in your article. I guess we will find out which ones are California compatible!
Well done article. There are so many choices out there these days. I have a small hand and love the Kimber micro .380 the most but also have the Springfield XDM 9 mm. Both fit my hand well. For me it has been about feel of the gun in my hand, being able to reach the trigger without having to rotate my hand and being able to release the slide lock with one hand. I practice often to ensure I am confident and comfortable with my firearms.
A n informative article, except for the "teacup hold" suggestion.
Now that you covered the small hand options, how about one for us with XL (Mongo) hands.
The following sentence, albeit I may be reading it wrong, sounds like the author advises women to use the "teacup" hold. If so, such rubbish advice is most surprising especially coming from a writer in the industry.
"Bring your non-shooting hand under your grip, so its heel rests against the heel of your shooting hand while helping to support the gun."
I do think you are reading it wrong. I think you are reading it as if the author had said non shooting hand palm helps to support the gun.
Hey Alexandra, sorry about the confusion, but no we are not suggesting a teacup grip. In fact, all of the photos in this article demonstrate a correct grip -- not the teacup. It can be tricky sometimes to describe things in words which is why we load articles with pictures that demonstrate what we mean. Thanks for reading!
Hi Jacki, thanks so much for the reply and resolving my confusion. I did think I had to be interpreting it wrong. Best to all of you, stay safe and strapped. Good shooting!
I am surprised that the new Smith and Wesson M&P9 Shield Plus wasn't on this list. In my experience many people, especially women, prefer the Shield or Shield Plus.
Steel semiautos with good grips for small hands include the old and soon-to-be-revived Browning Hi Power, the Model 1911 and the CZ 75B compact. Once the Springfield PA 35 becomes more available, it will merit a good look from folks with small hands. Revolvers with small frames include the many different models of the Smith and Wesson model 60 and many Charter Arms models. Taurus, too, has some small revolvers.
I have had several CZ 75 series pistols: P01, PCR, 75BD, I found in all of them the factory trigger reach is too long for my not-too-small hand …. I would not recommend CZ pistols to folks with small hands.
CZ RAMI is awesome, although no longer in production.
You missed a few. The biggest error was the absent Glock G48 that gives you a trim 10 round (15 rd. aftermarket magazines available) pistol the height and length of G19 with a very trim grip. The G43 is a 7 shot (6+1) very small pocket pistol. Another first rate pocket gun is the S&W M642, a J-frame with a concealed hammer.
Revolvers have more recoil?
Typically, yes, as with semi auto pistols some of the recoil is absorbed in cycling the slide to the rear and back forward whereas with revolvers you get the full brunt of recoil but I'm old and old school and love a .357 magnum 4" barrel
It's a blanket statement that doesn't hold up to scrutiny. Recoil is a function of bullet mass, bullet velocity, and weapon mass. That's all. The revolver may have a sharper felt recoil, maybe, since it's a solid mass of metal, and all recoil is transmitted to the shooter's hand in a short period of time. But, remember, a semi auto is locked up at the moment of firing. Some of the energy of the recoil does go into compressing the recoil spring and moving the slide, but that energy isn't lost, it's still transmitted to the shooter albeit over a longer time frame. It's the law of conservation of momentum.
I'm well familiar with the .357. It'd be hard to find a comparable auto round, maybe the 10mm. Revolvers have a higher bore axis than most semi autos, that has a large influence on muzzle flip. Muzzle flip isn't recoil.
But, it's going to be hard to find an apples to apples comparison between a revolver and a semi automatic. A comparable semi automatic might be more comfortable to shoot than a revolver, but it's not because it recoils less.
Yes. Slides on automatics distribute the recoil impulse. Shoot the same ammo in a similar weight revolver and they recoil more.
Thank you Megan for a great article. Sigs modular system on their P320 is a great idea for getting a smaller grip. If you don't want to mess around trading out parts, I have to agree with the other comments about PPQ and the VP9. I have small hands and my wife's are smaller. We both tried all the popular full size and compact models available to us locally. The PPQ and VP9 were our top two choices and we ended up purchasing two Walthers of different calibers. Personally, I like the PPQ over the M&P and I like the Sig 1911 over the Springfield. ...And for what it's worth, my wife could not rack the M&P in the store. Fit in our hands, price, and easy to use, put the PPQ on top for us.
I agree with you about the PPQ. Definitely the most comfortable grip of any gun I've held. However, I have to say, if the slide on the M&P is giving you trouble, try the Shield EZ version in 9 or .380. They both slide like butter.
Disappointed that neither the Walther PPQ or PPQ m2 were mentioned.
magazine release is the hardest thing to reach for people with small hands, and both the paddle and button on the ppq are positioned well for smaller hands, and also has theee back strap options.
between the PPQ and the SIG P320, both have easy to reavh magaxine release buttons, but the SIG benefits from the slingshot slide release method whereas the PPQ has a slide stop that is meant to be used as a slide release and is very easy to engage, making 1R1 drills much faster, for example.
What about an HK VP9 with the smallest grip panels? They come with three changeable backstraps and six side panels, so it looks to be the most adjustable pistol out there. It also comes in a subcompact model, the VP9 SK, smaller but with the same features. And don't forget my personal favorite, the Walther PPS M2 (on sale today at Palmetto State Armory for $270). I like it best with the 8-round magazines (+1 in the chamber). Fits my hand better than any gun I own except the S&W J-Frame with Spegel boot grips.
I thought the Springfield XD9 was the most comfortable I tried.
I thought the Soringfield XD9 was the most comfortable I tried.
GP100 instead of SP101!?!?! For small hands!
Definitely need to let our fellow small handed shooters that the Ruger SP 101 might just be the perfect fit for them.
The GP100 is big and has a terrible DA pull.
I have small hands and my personal fav is the Sig P228 (I haven't handled a P229 but assume its grip dimensions are very similar, if not identical).
SP 229 is a service sidearm. I have huge hands and it fits me perfectly.
I personally like the Sig 938 better than the Springfield 1911. If anything, it is smaller and lighter and has all the 1911 controls except grip safety, including tritium night sights.
I personally like the Sig sauer 938 very much. It is simply a diminutive 1911. My 9mm weighs about a pound.
Like to see an article for those of use with the opposite problems, those of us that are true manly men and have larger hands. Trying to find a concealable gun that fits right in my large hands isn't as easy as it sounds. As the larger grips of the larger guns fit right but just get too big to conceal.
Try the Ruger Alaskan.
My wife actually has longer, but slimmer fingers than I do. I have trouble getting my shooting finger on the trigger of any regular size frame but the SW M&P9 2.0 Compact is the goldilocks solution for both of us. My EDC is a SW M&P9 Shield with tritium night sights. We're both extremely happy now.