Small hands feedback please!

[AlaskaXD]

Okay so I need some feedback from those of you with or who know someone with small hands that shoot the XD 45 acp.

I am 5'7", 155 lbs and have small hands for a guy. I have been wanting an Xd for about 3 years. I have been interested in the .40 service model mainly because, up until last year, there was no 45 acp. Every chance I got I would go to the gun counter and ask to hold one. I loved the way it felt. So a couple of years go by and I finally sell a rifle that has stayed in the gunsafe way too much in order to finance my new purchase.

When I get to the gunshop I ask the owner his opinion between me getting the 40 and the 45 acp that came out last year. I expressed my concerns about my hand size as the main factor. He said that all that mattered was how my finger laid agsinst the trigger and that he didn't like the .40 in any model compared to .45 acp. I took his advice and put the 45 service model on layaway.

Now I do nothing but think about picking it up and putting rounds through it. I also am second guessing myself on the slightly larger grip. I don't know anyone in my area that has them that I could try out. I appreciate the gunshop owners input but I have very high expectations on this gun based upon all that I have seen on this site and others. I like the 13+1 in 45 acp caliber and will be putting a lot of rounds through this baby as well as keeping it by my side. Because it is on layaway I can still change.

Thanks for letting me ramble. Any feedback is appreciated.

[Requiem]

I think you'll be happy with it.

I have very small hands... size SMALL in most gloves. I have a XD Compact 45. Love it. It fits my hands fine and I don't have the problems that others do with using the compact magazines since my whole hand fits just find on the grip. I do like the extended mag for double hand but it's not needed.

The only trouble that I have which will get better with more practice is the mag release button. It's a little small and is a reach for my thumb which means I have to change grip slightly to have a solid push against it. I think changing out the mag release button with a larger one will fix that.

[propellerhead]

I'm a small guy too but I love the XD45's grip. I've held small pistols before like a Keltec P3AT and they are harder to hold. It's like riding a bicycle that had pencil-sized handlebars. You just can't hold onto them. With the XD45's slightly larger grip, I have more open are to place the palm of my support hand. I end up with both hands' bone structures firmly pressed against the grip. With a smaller grip, my support hand goes over the fingernails of my shooting hand. A little awkward at times. Small hands doesn't always mean you need a small grip.

[Harris]

My buddy that just bought an XD45 Service has very small hands. The most amazing thing to me, since he can't comfortably hold a Govt. Model, is that the grip on the XD works perfectly for him. This is in spite of the fact it's a 13 round magazine, vs a seven. The Govt. Model's front to rear length (if I'm making sense) makes that grip not work well for him. Had I not seen it with my own eyes, I would never have believed the XD would be better for someone with small hands.

For the poster above that talks about the mag release, he invented a technique I'd have never thought of. Instead of re-adjusting his grip to use his thumb on the left side button. He retains his two-hand grip and brings his trigger finger back to hit the right side button. Then, after the mag drops he uses his left hand to install the new one. It sounds crazy, but it sure works for the small hands.

In short, go get it off lay-away. You're going to love it.

Harris

[GlockConvert]

[quote=AlaskaXD]He said that all that mattered was how my finger laid agsinst the trigger and that he didn't like the .40 in any model compared to .45 acp. quote]

I think that is pretty crappy advice, boarding on intellectual dishonesty. I have small hands. I have big palms and short fingers. I can shoot a glock 21 just fine, as long as I shoot it slowly and from a stable position. As soon as I have to shoot it one handed, weak handed, when my hand is wet... my grip deteriorates badly. Even shooting with both hands I find that i have to regrip the gun after 6 or 7 quick shots.

Note this is about shooting and speaks nothing about retention, drawing, manipulating mag releases... . For a defensive pistol, you have to be able to do all that as well.

D

[deputymeaux]

You made the right choice in the 45xd. I'm a die hard 1911 fan (I carry one on duty), but I have to admit my 45XD feels pretty good in my small hands. I have considered carrying it on duty a time or two.

[Hwkeye]

I really dont think the difference between the 40 and 45 is that much that it will make a HUGE difference for you... most people even with relatively small hands can handle it fine.

[AlaskaXD]

Thanks to all of you for your input. I appreciate your time and thoughts. I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on my new XD and putting my concerns to rest.

[AKM]

My fiancee wears size XS women's gloves. She has the smallest hands I've ever seen on an adult. She owns and enjoys shooting an XD45. (Although I must say it's a 2-hander for her. She just can't get enough of a grip with one hand to shoot it comfortably.)
.

[bb21]

I too have smaller hands, I have a difficult time feeling comfortable with a 1911, I can't seem to reach the slide release or mag release very well, My only gripe with the XD45 is that I find it difficult to reach the Mag release, but as stated above my solution is to use my right hand to release it, but instead of using my trigger finger I use my middle finger. I have also considered getting a mag extension which would also solve the problem and is probably the better solution. I was in the same boat, but my XD45 compact changed my mind, it is great and the grip is not too big for me to shoot comfortably. The XD is awesome, I doubt you will be disappointed.
Good Luck and Be Safe!