CCW options for big hands

[clodhopper]

I have been looking for a CCW pistol for over a year now. I am a rifle guy, so my awareness of pistol options is lacking. Hoping you guys can help me out.

I fit full frames well, have a P226 and a G17. Like them both. Like I said, big mitts, XL work gloves are a tight fit on me. When I go looking for a CCW pistol, nothing seems to fit. feels like a mini derringer that is going to end up in my forehead if I shoot it.

A G19 was ok, but didn't feel quite right. 26 was a no go, too effin small, i have two fingers hanging off the grip. Having the 17 and other glock mag based rifles, I was originally planning on staying glock, but finally decided to go looking further.

I was out of town with some time to kill and stopped into a shop. Ended up going through a case of different pistols.... too small.... top heavy..... unbalanced.... and then I picked up an XD mod 2. For some reason, i hadn't considered it before. It was a short barrel with an extended mag to give a more full grip. Best so far, need to look into it more with research. Honestly I thought I had enough identity info to go do some research, until I looked it up and found out there are like 9 different XD pistols (XD, XDM, mods, etc). I just don't know enough about the springfield pistols to move further on my decision. Again more familiar with Glock and Sig, what should I be aware of on the XD lines?

What other options can I consider? Short barrel, big grip arena.

[00tec]

Glock 30?

[SouthPaw]

Glock 19x?

[cstone]

For me, concealment is more about body size and clothing than hand size. Much of the year I easily carry a G22 and an extra magazine. For the summer months I carry a P250 subcompact. Yes, my bottom two fingers wrap under the base plate on the magazine.

Something you may want to try with the P250/320 series is putting a subcompact slide/barrel on a full size, large frame. Just cut and sand the plastic dust cover on the frame to match the length of the slide. Lots of room for grip but short depth in the holster. Just an idea.

I hope you find something that works for you.

[clodhopper]

Glock 30?

I neglected to note in my OP, looking for 9mm.


Glock 19x?

Huh. Never heard of that one. I will look into it more.


For me, concealment is more about body size and clothing than hand size. Much of the year I easily carry a G22 and an extra magazine. For the summer months I carry a P250 subcompact. Yes, my bottom two fingers wrap under the base plate on the magazine.

I am a big enough guy who wears bulky clothes all year. I do enough outside work and jobsite work that I am just more comfortable in boots and workshirts. Not too worried about issues with printing. I would rather carry something that doesn't feel like I am tweezing it from the holster with my fingertips.


Something you may want to try with the P250/320 series is putting a subcompact slide/barrel on a full size, large frame. Just cut and sand the plastic dust cover on the frame to match the length of the slide. Lots of room for grip but short depth in the holster. Just an idea.

I hope you find something that works for you.

The 320 wasn't bad. But it felt like the slide was big and heavy, top heavy. I am sure I could have gotten used to it if necessary. Swapping for a 250 might be an option.

[hurley842002]

I am sure I could have gotten used to it if necessary.

Same could be said for the G26, which was going to be my recommendation before reading your post. Having two fingers hanging off feels awkward at first, but after shooting the pistol a good amount, I've found most people (myself included), get used to it, and find the pistol to be as accurate and easy shooting as many full size pistols.

[ray1970]

Look at the M&P. Good pistols and they come with an assortment of back straps to fit just about anyone.

[Irving]

Competing with what you carry is a great way to get used to a gun in a hurry.

[skoodge]

I'm not a big guy, 5"7, 185lbs athletic, and I ccw a sig p226 with an extra mag. I wear a size or so larger cargo shorts and an untucked tee shirt. A big help, I think, is the DeSantis holder i have is 360 degrees adjustable on the angle, so I have it tilted forward a bit so the guns grip points more up into my ribs than out my back. It is more noticeable if you bend over or whatever, but most people wouldnt notice unless they're looking for it.

But I'd rather have a gun I know I can shoot well and accurately, than one that's just a little better at concealing. You just have to be a little more cognizant on your bending/twisting movements, and for me, I make sure the gun is always tilted forward at the angle I want.

[clodhopper]

Same could be said for the G26, which was going to be my recommendation before reading your post. Having two fingers hanging off feels awkward at first, but after shooting the pistol a good amount, I've found most people (myself included), get used to it, and find the pistol to be as accurate and easy shooting as many full size pistols.

This is what I keep hearing. But I cant get past my concerns with an undersized grip.


But I'd rather have a gun I know I can shoot well and accurately, than one that's just a little better at concealing.

This is where I am coming from. I like shooting my 226 because it is heavy, but that is counterproductive to keeping my pants pulled up. That and the barrel is longer than I want to haul around. Don't want the micro pistolas (control issues :)), so looking for stuff in the middle that happens to have a bigger or longer grip option.

[TFOGGER]

I have very wide palms and short fingers, and it took a while to warm the the G26, but after a couple of range sessions I found that I could shoot it acceptably.

[Wulf202]

I'm 6'4"

Glock 19 with undercutting the trigger guard will work.

[cstone]

Good belt and suspenders under your shirt will allow you to carry your P226. I have a pair of Carhart suspenders from the surplus store. They are the alligator clip-ons and I wear them under white dress shirts when wearing a suit and today I am wearing them with some shorts under my Hawaiian shirt. I just like not having to readjust my pants every ten minutes. The belt is just something to hang the holster.

[feal]

was there a reason the sig 229 was discounted? I like the 239, stock grips were too thin, with after market hogues, i feel it's slightly smaller than the 229

[skoodge]

Good belt and suspenders under your shirt will allow you to carry your P226. I have a pair of Carhart suspenders from the surplus store. They are the alligator clip-ons and I wear them under white dress shirts when wearing a suit and today I am wearing them with some shorts under my Hawaiian shirt. I just like not having to readjust my pants every ten minutes. The belt is just something to hang the holster.

I agree, if your pants are falling down because of the weight of the 226, it sounds like you dont have a sufficient carry belt. I'm pretty sure there's a thread here in the forums about belt recommendations; there a a ton go choose from. Spend the money and get a good one thatll last.


was there a reason the sig 229 was discounted? I like the 239, stock grips were too thin, with after market hogues, i feel it's slightly smaller than the 229

I'd also ask if you've looked at the 229. I think the barrel is about 1/2" shorter then the 226, but about the same height.

[clodhopper]

I agree, if your pants are falling down because of the weight of the 226, it sounds like you dont have a sufficient carry belt. I'm pretty sure there's a thread here in the forums about belt recommendations; there a a ton go choose from. Spend the money and get a good one thatll last.

Yeah right. I have been wearing 2+" wide, thick leather belts for the last 30 years or so. Unless I cinch that bastid to the point of restricting bodily functions like breathing and digestion, at some point during the day I will be hiking up my pants. What can I say, I am a normally shaped dude without hips. I wear tool belts or tool pouches enough to know that much of any weight is going to increase the gravitational drag on my lower cover units. Maybe my 226 isn't made of the same materials yours is, but mine is heavy and will adversely affect my aversion to being called out as "plumber pants". An even stiffer or wider belt isn't going to help in that department. If an open carry thigh holster was generally accepted in society and public buildings, the 226 would be all I need.

Maybe I need to re-evaluate my reticence toward accepting grampy suspenders as a now required part of my life. fookin senescence.

[cstone]

...Maybe I need to re-evaluate my reticence toward accepting grampy suspenders as a now required part of my life. fookin senescence.

Come to the dark side. The water is fine. I am a grandpa and I don’t give a dusty old fart about what others may think about my fashion choices. Besides, belt and suspenders are about the only Dad joke that my kids laugh at anymore.

I hope it works out for you.

[ChickNorris]

14. Always carry a change of underware

15. Suspenders ...

:)

[SideShow Bob]

14. Always carry a change of underware

15. Suspenders ...

:)


It’s underwear, you don’t pick them up in the hardware, cookware or housewares section of Kmart..... Though to some here it is standard to wear around the house....... [Flower]

[Irving]

Maybe I need to re-evaluate my reticence toward accepting grampy suspenders as a now required part of my life. fookin senescence.

If you get cool suspenders with a rock band on them like ZZTop or Black Sabbath, no one will think you're old.

[SideShow Bob]

You could just move on to wearing bib all’s, the suspenders are built in........

[ChickNorris]

It’s underwear, you don’t pick them up in the hardware, cookware or housewares section of Kmart..... Though to some here it is standard to wear around the house....... [Flower]

Riiiiiight. Next time I'll go to hardwear, cookwear, or housewears. Thanks!

[brutal]

was there a reason the sig 229 was discounted? I like the 239, stock grips were too thin, with after market hogues, i feel it's slightly smaller than the 229


I agree, if your pants are falling down because of the weight of the 226, it sounds like you dont have a sufficient carry belt. I'm pretty sure there's a thread here in the forums about belt recommendations; there a a ton go choose from. Spend the money and get a good one thatll last.



I'd also ask if you've looked at the 229. I think the barrel is about 1/2" shorter then the 226, but about the same height.

Ditto P229

[encorehunter]

I wear XL gloves as well. I carry a Kahr cw9 with the finger extension on the magazine and a cheap Hogue slip on grip. It made a huge difference in fit. Maybe check for a finger extension for the glocks. The hogue grip gave it just enough belly to be comfortable in my hand. Both pieces were less than $20.

[Joe_K]

Glock 34 with a weapon mounted light in a PHlster Spotlight is awesome. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180831/1a7702bda48e5b009f9d5a6710d4bfad.jpeg

[clodhopper]

A g34 in appendix carry...... the women will think you might be packin' something else.

[Joe_K]

A g34 in appendix carry...... the women will think you might be packin' something else.

I doubt it, unless you’re wearing Yoga pants or skinny jeans.


“Don’t go slow, be careful” Jedi

[Jeffrey Lebowski]

I'm 6'4"

Glock 19 with undercutting the trigger guard will work.

I’m 6’5”, 185 with very large hands and 19/43 are my choices. 20 in the woods...

[davsel]

John Moses Browning created the Hi-Power for men like you.
Carry it with pride.

[Joe_K]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4HD4J37u6I


“Don’t go slow, be careful” Jedi