Any love for Glocks around here?

Years ago, after having pared down my handguns to 2, a model 15 and a MKII Ruger, the first gun I bought to replenish my stock was a Gen 4 17. I needed something that wasn't too expensive, had excellent reliability and acceptable accuracy from my hands. It fit all 3. The grip angle is poor and the trigger is meh, but it does it's job. I have since bought many different handguns, some costing 3-4 times what that 17 cost me. But I can't say any of them are demonstrably better at the job. It may not be my go-to gun, but I wouldn't hesitate to wade out into the apocalypse with it.
 
Some Glocks are harder to 'love'...
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this one belonged to a late friend who always had it with him in his house & van. I still don't get it.
 
As a LEO firearms instructor I've taught dozens and dozens of LEOs how to effectively shoot Glocks. Not all Glocks are alike, there are some models I really like and other models not so much, that's why Glock makes different models. I'm a big fan of the G19 and G23.

Just like you have to learn to shoot double action revolvers or 1911's, you have to learn to shoot Glocks. I have enough range time to say I can shoot most double action revolvers, 1911s, and Glocks quite well. I happen to like the Glock stock trigger and grip angle. I like that they do not have a thumb safety. I'm okay with their no nonsense profile and can shoot both with or without finger grooves equally well.

In my opinion, those who think Glocks are unsafe are those who have not been adequately trained with them. That being the case, it would probably serve them well not to shoot Glocks, but frankly, there are those who probably shouldn't handle 1911's either without adequate familiarization. What I don't get are Glock haters, with little to zero experience with them, who are so emotional about it.

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Well said.

I started shooing at 8 years old. I’ve been a student of the gun ever since.

I shot nothing but revolvers. That’s all we had. I have the first revolver I ever shot. A Smith model 19-2.

I remember the first Glock I ever saw. A 17 which belonged to my uncle who was LEO. I was intrigued but skeptical. Especially after I didn’t shoot it well.

Many years later and thousands of dollars spent on different carry guns, I bought my first Glock 19. I didn’t get along with it very well and sold it.

I finally realized that the gun would never change for me. I needed to change and adapt to the gun. So I bought another 19.

After many years and thousands of rounds later, the 19 which was a Gen 2 and used developed a crack. I retired it and gave it to a friend for parts.

I now own a Gen 4 19 and a 48. I shoot both very well. They have not failed me and I don’t expect them to. When I need ANYTHING for Glocks, I don’t have to look far.

My 19 sits on my nightstand. Have about 20 different magazines for it. My 48 gets equal carry time with my Kimber K6.

I think all guns are cool. The design and innovation are intriguing. Just when you think that the perfect gun has come along, someone produces something different.

I’ve been fortunate enough to shoot guns that most people will never see or touch. But the continued performance of Glock pistols will always be a major reason why I rely on them.
 
Just to follow up, all of the shooters I've worked with who say they think the Glock grip angle is odd are generally those who grew up shooting other guns, but most often 1911's.

I've been shooting Glocks for 25 years and am pretty much a late comer to 1911. As a result, I found the 1911 grip angle to be odd to me, not to mention all the extra thumb safety and heaven forbid you don't hold it just right and the grip safety not activate. I'm not saying 1911's are bad, they're just different from what I was used to. It's the same the other way around, it's different but can be overcome with familiarization.

I sometimes wonder about these folks who can't seem to transition from one grip angle to another, whether it be revolver or 1911 or Glock, etc. Do these same people have issues when they drive their daily commute vehicle all week then hop in the driver's seat of their wife's car on the weekend?
 
Just to follow up, all of the shooters I've worked with who say they think the Glock grip angle is odd are generally those who grew up shooting other guns, but most often 1911's.

I've been shooting Glocks for 25 years and am pretty much a late comer to 1911. As a result, I found the 1911 grip angle to be odd to me, not to mention all the extra thumb safety and heaven forbid you don't hold it just right and the grip safety not activate. I'm not saying 1911's are bad, they're just different from what I was used to. It's the same the other way around, it's different but can be overcome with familiarization.

I sometimes wonder about these folks who can't seem to transition from one grip angle to another, whether it be revolver or 1911 or Glock, etc. Do these same people have issues when they drive their daily commute vehicle all week then hop in the driver's seat of their wife's car on the weekend?

I often wonder the same.

Again, as a student of the gun, I don’t consider myself an expert. But I forced myself to learn to shoot different guns as well as maintain them.

So I know that when I pick up a gun. I may have to make a slight adjustment.

To each their own. But I don’t understand people that won’t even try.

I relate guns to music. Having been fortunate to have parents that listened to a wide variety of music, I grew up with the same appreciation. I know people that only listen to one type of music. I don’t understand why people would limit themselves with such a wide variety of guns or music available.
 
I respect Glocks but I don't love them.

They are simple. They generally work.

Glock arguably invented the format for the modern, polymer, striker-fired service pistol.

They deserve respect for that but there are other designs that I prefer owning and shooting more.
 
Glocks..........

About 25-30 years ago I worked part time at a local shooting range. Got tired of the Glock guys coming in and bragging about their Glocks, they loved to tell me how many thousands of rounds that they ran through theirs and that they never cleaned them..... disgusting.... :(

Anyway, not long after that my favorite gun shop had a Gen 2 G19 that has the letters on the slide of "WPBPD", the best I can come up with is West Palm Beach Police Department...... Anyway, that was my first, and since have accumulated 4 other G19's, all Gen 3's. In addition I've also accumulated 6 or 8 Gen 3's chambered in the .40S&W cartridge (actually my favorite defense round).

My go-to bag has a couple G19's in it, none of the Glocks I have have ever burped at all. AND, I've turned into one of those guys..... I've never cleaned any of 'em..... :) :) :) :)

p.s. I save all my Hoppe's for my Smiths....!
 
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I often wonder the same.

Again, as a student of the gun, I don’t consider myself an expert. But I forced myself to learn to shoot different guns as well as maintain them.

So I know that when I pick up a gun. I may have to make a slight adjustment.

To each their own. But I don’t understand people that won’t even try.

I relate guns to music. Having been fortunate to have parents that listened to a wide variety of music, I grew up with the same appreciation. I know people that only listen to one type of music. I don’t understand why people would limit themselves with such a wide variety of guns or music available.

This, and what Faulkner said. I too have eclectic tastes in pistols, largely driven with my fascination with different operating systems. See my post from a couple of years ago about a range trip with no Browning action pistols.

The concept of training/learning your firearm applies to vehicles, too. If you think that attacking a corner in a loaded RAM van the same way you would in a Miata is a bright idea, I hope you like hospital food.
 
I, too, enjoy refreshing my experience with revolvers and pistols of multiple calibers and differing designs. From 22lr through 45 Colt.

There are those models and makes I prefer, and those that I intentionally reacquaint myself with in order to attempt to retain some degree of proficiency: there's a huge difference between the HiPoint 10mm and an XDM Elite in the same caliber. But both are reliable and quite accurate & effective.

Firearms designed for carry purposes need to have frequent practice, but it's not too hard remembering the manual of arms for the Model 442, or a PM40 for that matter? Or a nM&P Compact or a G19: but PRACTICE is essential.

I enjoy GLOCKs in 9mm (and their clones) and seldom is there a trip to the range that fails to include at least one version. If I could only have one 9mm it would unquestionally be my CZ75. M&Ps rule in 40 S&W & 357 SIG, but 9mm is always an option there as well. The FNX is no slouch either.

45acp is a favorite caliber and 1911s feel just SO right!

I try not to be a caliber OR make/design "snob": I guess I just love to shoot (and load my own)...?

Cheers!

P.S. Please forgive my off-topic ramblings!:o
 
People talk about Glocks' unnatural grip angle and blocky grip contour. I used to say that, too. I even went so far as to say "I don't shoot Glocks well". Then I realized that was like saying "I don't drive Toyotas well". I then made an effort to learn to shoot them well. They shoot differently than S&W revolvers or 1911s. But the technique is no more or less "natural" than any other gun.
 
I sometimes wonder about these folks who can't seem to transition from one grip angle to another, whether it be revolver or 1911 or Glock, etc. Do these same people have issues when they drive their daily commute vehicle all week then hop in the driver's seat of their wife's car on the weekend?

To some extent, I think there's validity in the concerns about grip angle. I have no difficulty adapting to differing grip angle, grip styles, auto/revolver etc. in a calm, controlled situation. As an example I often shoot both a Ruger MKIII and a 1911 in Bullseye competition. They have significantly different grip angles and operate a bit differently. Heck, I can even shoot revolvers in competition. I have time to think and to adapt.

Where I think a simple, naturally pointing gun matters is in a critical situation where you don't have time to think about the specific gun in your hands. If it points like my index finger would, and all I need to do is pull the trigger, it serves its purpose. My mind is, or should be, on the situation not the kind of gun in my hand. This is why I don't want a thumb safety and I don't believe in the notion of "carry rotation." A naturally pointing gun is a big benefit in that situation. If a Glock doesn't point naturally, then adaptation is one solution. But train incessantly with that gun so you're not faced with adaptation in a crisis.
 
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A gazillion cops are handed Glocks and head to the range. No one cares if it “fits their hand” or “the trigger feels funny”. That’s your gun. Qualify or go home.

I qualified busloads of people on Glock .40s and 9s. They always worked, and if somebody was gonna qualify, a Glock would get it done.

Its like the old saw about Smokey the Bear hats not fitting anyone. Eventually your head grows to fit the hat.
 
Just to follow up, all of the shooters I've worked with who say they think the Glock grip angle is odd are generally those who grew up shooting other guns, but most often 1911's.

I've been shooting Glocks for 25 years and am pretty much a late comer to 1911. As a result, I found the 1911 grip angle to be odd to me, not to mention all the extra thumb safety and heaven forbid you don't hold it just right and the grip safety not activate. I'm not saying 1911's are bad, they're just different from what I was used to. It's the same the other way around, it's different but can be overcome with familiarization.

I sometimes wonder about these folks who can't seem to transition from one grip angle to another, whether it be revolver or 1911 or Glock, etc. Do these same people have issues when they drive their daily commute vehicle all week then hop in the driver's seat of their wife's car on the weekend?

The grip angle is different than What I'm used to, but within the first few rounds, I'm over it.
I shoot all handguns pretty well. It took me 2 or 3 rds to figure out a P-38, then the holes started grouping up.
It doesn't point naturally for me, like a 1911 does, and I have to force the front sight down a bit, so the easiest way to put it is:
If you made me take one shot from the holster cold for my best time, a Glock wouldn't be the pick. Otherwise, I think they're excellent firearms. And 5 minutes of practice later, I'd be pretty close to my best time.
They do what they're built for, and do it well.
 
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