The gun may not fit your hand, but it could
There are a lot of things to think about when you are choosing a primary firearm for concealed carry purposes. Not only will you have to find the right holster configuration and see if it works for you, but you may have to think about another mode of carry if the seasons change and you have to wear a t-shirt or a winter jacket. I have carried 1911s in the past, but the more I had to wear as far as clothing, the less I liked carry them. The notion of having to disengage a manual safety after moving a vest or jacket out of the way, seemed to be too cumbersome, and after having too many problems disengaging the safety, I moved on to a different firearm.
Another thing to think about when choosing a primary CCW gun is how well your hand falls into place. If you have to constantly adjust your grip on the firearm, you may want to consider swapping out the pistol grips and try something different. Many firearms are now coming out with new generations with adjustable backstraps that will help you with fitting the gun, but to actually retain the firearm better you may want to try Hogue pistol grips or some other brand.
I recentely mention the need for rifle operators to consider customizing their rifles to their liking. Every rifle stock and pistol grip should be modified to fit the user, there is no such thing as one length or universal pistol grip. I have modified many of my Carbines to a SAW type grip just because I expect to be the one shooting them, but as I have found out from bringing new shooters to the range, they aren’t comfortable for small hands. The same goes for handguns.
Hogue grips are molded from a synthetic rubber that will help you keep your grip during rapid fire or slow fire engagements. There are other options for replacing your factory grips on semi-autos and revolvers. Remember that it is normal to have to customize a firearms grips because all of us are not the same, and one way to improve our accuracy, and shooting skills is to customize a firearm to our particular tastes. You may want to think about this the next time you go to a gun shop and check out the same model firearm, but with different grips.
I must admit that I have my preferences when it comes to handguns and rifles, but I realize because I like something more than another, it doesn’t mean that they are functionally better. I’m aware of dust tests on firearm where one beats out another, but for non-military endurance levels, most of what I normally handle is in the top tier. Firearm maintenance is another area that people don’t like to venture into, because some people seem to think that just because it’s got a good reputation for being reliable means it’s always going to work for them. Tools break, operators can abuse, and climate and enviroment can have an impact on your weapons, but when it comes to proficiency with the firearm, customization is something I strongly encourage.
I’m the type that goes through sticker shock whenever I go to gun shops or gun shows and see the prices the NIB guns cost. People seem to think that buying used means the gun is closer to breakage than a new gun. Nothing could be further from the truth. There are several manufacturers that are making incredible reliable and durable firearms that may have fewer than 500rds through. If you look at barrel life and frame life, those guns are in the equivallent of being in the early stages of grade school. There are plenty of used police trade ins that just have holster wear and probable only were shot during qualification each year by an LEO.
There area a lot of good upgrades one can do to a firearm, a fighting rifle should be customized to fit an operator. Advanced Technology makes some quick and easy upgrades for your shotgun or carbine that can give you better grip or balance. Shotgun shell holders on the buttstock or riding side saddle is a practical tactical upgrade you can do on your remington 870. The fiberforce stock for the MAK90 is a way to legally get around some firearm bans and are a big step up compared to the stupid thumbhole stocks. Attach a rifle sling that fits yoru purpose from Blue Force Gear, they come in 1 point, 2 point and 3 point attachements. Minor firearm modifications make need to be done to attache rifle slings, but do some research on various rifle sling configurations to see what works for you.
While there are many arguments about which firearm may suit you, one issue that the novice shooters often need to be educated about is that even if you are shopping for a gun that is reliable and a caliber you can handle, everyones hands are different and knowing that a gun grip can be easily customized or modified is something often over looked.