Carry gun suggestions or tips?

[ericinmn1970]

Hey all, not sure if this post belongs here or in tactics. So admins by all means move if need be, but my questions are related to both handguns and tactics.

The Problem:
I guess I have small hands? Or, I have short thumbs? [See Images below]

I'm unable to operate the mag and slide releases on my handguns (Ruger LC 380, AO 1911, G21 Gen 4) without adjusting my grip! My concern is that in a stressful situation, the reduced fine motor skills that go with that, and if I ever needed to reload in a hurry, could end badly for me. I've tried an extended mag release button on my Glock, but it doesn't help. Not sure if those are available for my LC 380 or 1911, but I don't think it would help anyway.

So I'm looking to the group for some guidance. Should I just keep training myself to adjust my grip when it's time to reload and hope for the best if the worst happens? Or, are there any handguns, preferably in .45 ACP, that anyone knows of that are more ergonomically friendly for people like me? Thanks ahead of time!

[dcam]

Have you tried a Smith Wesson M & P compact or full size? Maybe with the different size palm swells it would work better. I think there are also some other makes/models with grip adjustments, i'm just not familiar with them.

[Ivan45]

Slide release is unnecessary. Rack the slide, problem solved.

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk

[Hmac]

Train more. I think the "reduced fine motor skills" in a stressful situation concept is highly overblown and be overcome with just practice and good muscle memory, and the extra time it takes is meaningless, practically speaking. Personally, I think the chances that I'd ever need to draw and fire a carry weapon are extraordinarily remote, let alone the chance that I'd run out of ammo and have to reload. I don't carry any extra magazines anyway.

To your question...I prefer an overhand slide release too, so that's not an issue. I have small hands too but have no trouble working the slide release or the trigger-guard magazine release on my Walther PPQ. Likewise, I can work both on my PPS, which is the gun I prefer to carry (if I carry) without shifting grip.

[ericinmn1970]

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk[/quote]

Have you tried a Smith Wesson M & P compact or full size? Maybe with the different size palm swells it would work better. I think there are also some other makes/models with grip adjustments, i'm just not familiar with them.

No I haven't because their grips look as fat as my Glock's. But I'll have to take a second look.

[quote="Ivan45"]Slide release is unnecessary. Rack the slide, problem solved.

Well true, I actually have been training myself to use my offhand to hit the slide release after I've reloaded and am setting my grip and taking aim. It still just somehow seems wrong that the controls like the mag & slide releases should be operable with the thumb on my firing hand, and I just can't do it while maintaining a proper grip?!

[goett047]

Revolver

[Sietch]

I also have smaller hands and carry a full-size Glock. This extended slide release helps a lot. Be warned it may screw with your holster fit if you use a polymer rig.
https://tangodown.com/shop/vickers-tactical-slide-stop-for-glock/

[andrewP]

Walther or HK with "paddle" mag release. (Walther PPS, P99/P99c, PPQ M1, HK P30, P2000, P2000SK, I believe USP as well.) They are ambidextrous and operable with your trigger finger, solving the thumb issue. Similarly, any pistol with a button that can be reversed to the other side will allow for this type of use as well.

[Ghost]

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk

Have you tried a Smith Wesson M & P compact or full size? Maybe with the different size palm swells it would work better. I think there are also some other makes/models with grip adjustments, i'm just not familiar with them.

No I haven't because their grips look as fat as my Glock's. But I'll have to take a second look.

Slide release is unnecessary. Rack the slide, problem solved.

Well true, I actually have been training myself to use my offhand to hit the slide release after I've reloaded and am setting my grip and taking aim. It still just somehow seems wrong that the controls like the mag & slide releases should be operable with the thumb on my firing hand, and I just can't do it while maintaining a proper grip?!

Been watching gun fighting with the 1911 from Tiger McKee and he says to aggressively rack the slide during reload. Makes a lot of sense to do as he says. He explains a lot of his technique with the concept that learning and training on a few important skills makes you smoother and faster. The slide rack is the same that he'd use to unload (racks 3 times) and is used in malfunction drills.

[Jackpine Savage]

I don't think it is uncommon at all for people to have to shift their grip somewhat to reach the mag release. One technique that I've seen on a video (I think Dave Spaulding) is to use your support hand (as it is leaving the two handed grip) to rotate the gun in your strong hand until your thumb can reach the mag release. I think that is better than just trying to shift it with your strong hand only.

As far as the slide release I think the majority of trainers advocate the overhand release.

[LePetomane]

Revolver

Ditto!

[gunsmith]

Revolver

Beatles best album, 1966.

[andrewP]

Slide release is unnecessary. Rack the slide, problem solved.

As far as the slide release I think the majority of trainers advocate the overhand release.

Unnecessary? Perhaps, but it's demonstrably faster, as you can have your thumb sitting on the slide release lever as you put a new mag in the gun, allowing you to actuate said lever in a fraction of the time that it'd take to do an overhand rack of the slide. Yes, it's good to train on malfunction clearances and unloading the gun, but I think it's valuable to be able to use the slide release lever as well.

Been watching gun fighting with the 1911 from Tiger McKee and he says to aggressively rack the slide during reload. Makes a lot of sense to do as he says. He explains a lot of his technique with the concept that learning and training on a few important skills makes you smoother and faster. The slide rack is the same that he'd use to unload (racks 3 times) and is used in malfunction drills.

That may be simply because it's a presentation on the 1911, which has a slide release lever mounted quite far forward. This makes it difficult or impossible to actuate it with the strong hand thumb for many people. Because of this, many advise using either the weak hand thumb or an overhand rack with the 1911 vs the strong hand thumb on modern designs that place it in a more accessible location.

[Hmac]

Unnecessary? Perhaps, but it's demonstrably faster, as you can have your thumb sitting on the slide release lever as you put a new mag in the gun, allowing you to actuate said lever in a fraction of the time that it'd take to do an overhand rack of the slide. Yes, it's good to train on malfunction clearances and unloading the gun, but I think it's valuable to be able to use the slide release lever as well.

Ongoing debate, overhand rack vs slide release. Personally, I doubt that the tenths-of-second saved by using the slide release will materially affect the outcome of any combat situation a typical civilian will encounter, in the unlikely event they will ever be in such a situation, or the even more unlikely event they'll need to reload.

[Ghost]

If you are reloading you better be moving or behind cover/concealment. It's much easier to rack the slide on the move.