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Glock or not?
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Hotcoley
Member
Okay, so I know this is a S&W forum, but does anyone have any experience with Glocks? Quality? Reliability? I have been looking into purchasing one for a while now. I have no way of testing one out first before you buy, so it's either like it or your stuck with it. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.
ray45
Member
Get a Glock! Love the steel guns but Glock is my go to gun.
This is what I got for my daughter in law. We had the frame dura coated pink.
Glock 21sf .45
This is what I got for my daughter in law. We had the frame dura coated pink.
Glock 21sf .45
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ray45
Member
To be honest Glock is not for everyone. I would try to shoot whichever model you are thinking of buying before putting money into one. You may lilke one Glock model and caliber combination and not the others.
I have been a pistol instructor for many years. I use all major brands of pistols, as a portion of my work involves police I see many flavors of Glock products. Accuracy tends to be average for a sevice automatic and they seem to be very flexiable about the type and design of amunition they use. The only short comings I have incountered are bad mags (due to letting the mags set for years fully loaded, or cheap aftermarket mags) and the ocasional jam from limp wristing. Both of these problems are seen in most pistols of there type irreguardless of manufacture. In short if you are looking for a defence auto the Glock is a viable option. As a side note parts and service are availiable nationwide if needed. The number of glocks in law enforcement use speaks for there durability. I would recomend third or forth generation models over earler designs. I would also recomend trying one out before you buy, any handgun is a substantial investment now days. Happy shooting - Allan
I own exactly one Glock, and I probably won't be adding any more to my collection. Glocks are well engineered TOOLS that perform their intended function almost perfectly and there is nothing necessarily "wrong" with them. However, they just don't give me the pride of ownership that a well made conventional metal handgun gives. Also I will never like the "swoose" trigger action (half swan/half goose) of the striker fired Glock.
On the other hand, you may love the Glock.
On the other hand, you may love the Glock.
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Glock 'em down
Member
I agree with Allan...up until the end.
I've carried a Glock on duty for a little over 18 years now. I personally favor the 2nd gen Glocks, the ones without the finger grooves and light rail. I think they just fill the hand better and I've actually seen rust issues with the 3rd generation Glocks. Something I've never, ever seen on a 1st or 2nd gen gun.
Glocks are tuff as nails. Period. No other weapon out there today comes close to Glock's hard use resistance. The other thing I love about the Glock is it's ease of takedown. Hell, I could take my Glock apart...and I mean COMPLETELY apart - down to the bare plastic with all the guts out and the firing pin and all it's components out of the slide, all while driving down the highway using nothing more than a toothpick!
Yeah, they are awesome weapons. They ain't no beauty contest winner, but they are built for hard use not purdy looks.
Smith & Wesson revolvers are what you show your friends.
Glocks are what you show your enemies.
IMHO, Glocks are the "AK" of the handgun world. They go bang every time, regardless of the conditions (and mostly because they have similar amounts of slop built in, like an AK).
I would never own one because I don't shoot them well. Between the grip angle and the trigger, it just doesn't "work" for me, and I don't see any reason to change the way I shoot just so I can own one particular brand of gun when there's plenty out there that DO work with how I shoot.
The subcompact models are really small - you definitely need to hold/shoot one before buying one, as it's a bit strange feeling having your pinky finger (and maybe the next one if you have big hands) hanging off the bottom of the grip.
Seems every gun store I go into is a Glock dealer - shouldn't be a problem to try some on.
I would never own one because I don't shoot them well. Between the grip angle and the trigger, it just doesn't "work" for me, and I don't see any reason to change the way I shoot just so I can own one particular brand of gun when there's plenty out there that DO work with how I shoot.
The subcompact models are really small - you definitely need to hold/shoot one before buying one, as it's a bit strange feeling having your pinky finger (and maybe the next one if you have big hands) hanging off the bottom of the grip.
Seems every gun store I go into is a Glock dealer - shouldn't be a problem to try some on.
My Smiths recolvers are pretty on display. My Glock guards my life. When I started being a cop in 1983 used a NYPD model 10. Switched to Glock around 2000, and would never feel good carrying a model 10 again. They just work, period
Messer
Member
I have two Glocks - a model G33 in 357 Sig as a daily carry gun, and a model G34 in 9mm as my IDPA Stock Service Pistol gun.
As others have noted, it depends on how it feels in your hands. I carried a 1911 for decades as my CCW pistol, but wanted something smaller/lighter but still had good power. The G33 fits that role perfectly - but it took a while for my hands to make peace with the different grip.
The newer 4th Generation Glocks have replacement back straps to fit different size hands, this will be a big plus for many.
Unlike many guns out there, parts are plentiful & cheap. The aftermarket support is huge! About the only thing I recommend to my students is to pick a good set of night sights (I like the Heinie Straight Eights), and you are good to go.
I love my S&W's, Colts, Brownings, etc... but as a carry gun, the Glocks are hard to beat.
That is, at least for people willing to practice enough with a semi-auto to not have to think about what to do - whether it's load/unload/clear a jam, etc... if not, a good revolver is still the best answer.
Find a IDPA match near you, bring a box of factory 9mm ammo - I'll bet you have several people that will let you try their Glocks. If not, come down to Virginia, I'll let ya.
Hope this helps,
Bob S.
As others have noted, it depends on how it feels in your hands. I carried a 1911 for decades as my CCW pistol, but wanted something smaller/lighter but still had good power. The G33 fits that role perfectly - but it took a while for my hands to make peace with the different grip.
The newer 4th Generation Glocks have replacement back straps to fit different size hands, this will be a big plus for many.
Unlike many guns out there, parts are plentiful & cheap. The aftermarket support is huge! About the only thing I recommend to my students is to pick a good set of night sights (I like the Heinie Straight Eights), and you are good to go.
I love my S&W's, Colts, Brownings, etc... but as a carry gun, the Glocks are hard to beat.
That is, at least for people willing to practice enough with a semi-auto to not have to think about what to do - whether it's load/unload/clear a jam, etc... if not, a good revolver is still the best answer.
Find a IDPA match near you, bring a box of factory 9mm ammo - I'll bet you have several people that will let you try their Glocks. If not, come down to Virginia, I'll let ya.
Hope this helps,
Bob S.
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A fellow LE firearms instructor and I were once attending the Sigarms Academy (having already been to the Glock schools). We were sitting back and looking at the different guns being used and how Glock had pretty much saturated the police market via extreme pricing and marketing towards public safety administration (we both had Gov't issue Glocks in our holsters as well). After a short conversation he said to me "Glocks are okay, they go bang, but they feel like a chunk of wood and they have no soul". We both laughed at the comment, but it rings true. The only Glocks that I have are department issue.
I will also add, because it needs to be said, that we perform routine maintenance on our Glock 22's and 23C's and they are far from infallible. We have had to replace several parts over the years (including over a dozen firing pins, frame pins and extractors), we have had to rebuild and replace magazines several times over and we have had numerous issues with attached weapon lights causing malfunctions because they restrict frame flex. This is not to say they are bad guns, but they are not the indestructible fail-proof wonder guns some people make them out to be. These guns are run hard and shot often. They do break down and they do wear out just like every other gun manufacture's products.
If I were to buy a Glock for personal use, it would be a 2nd or 3rd Gen 9mm. I have been thoroughly underwhelmed by the 4th Gens. When our current issue guns begin to reach the end of their service life I will recommend we go in a different direction. Of course that is partially because I want to spend half the summer at the range with T&E guns and department ammo!
I will also add, because it needs to be said, that we perform routine maintenance on our Glock 22's and 23C's and they are far from infallible. We have had to replace several parts over the years (including over a dozen firing pins, frame pins and extractors), we have had to rebuild and replace magazines several times over and we have had numerous issues with attached weapon lights causing malfunctions because they restrict frame flex. This is not to say they are bad guns, but they are not the indestructible fail-proof wonder guns some people make them out to be. These guns are run hard and shot often. They do break down and they do wear out just like every other gun manufacture's products.
If I were to buy a Glock for personal use, it would be a 2nd or 3rd Gen 9mm. I have been thoroughly underwhelmed by the 4th Gens. When our current issue guns begin to reach the end of their service life I will recommend we go in a different direction. Of course that is partially because I want to spend half the summer at the range with T&E guns and department ammo!
You don't say what your purpose is in buying a Glock. Is is home defense, competition or carry?. They will serve you well in all of these, but then you have to consider what caliber and what model. In home defense or target shooting/competition a larger, longer barreled gun is best. For concealed carry a smaller/shorter barreled one is best. In all these situations Glock has something that should work.
I presently have three Glocks. The G22, G23 and G27. All are in .40 S@W. I had a G21 and G30 for a while but didn't like them. They are .45 ACP and were just too big for my hands.
The thing I like about these pistols is they aren't pretty, heck I'd call 'em ugly! If they get scratched up a bit, I don't mind, and a gun that lives under a car seat will. If they get soaked with sweat they aren't going to get rusty. And they always go bang. I would never subject my revolvers to the things I subject my Glocks to. To me, they are tools, nothing more. If one gets broke, I can buy another one. It cracks me up that there are Glock "collectors". I suppose you could get one of each model, but where is the individuality? It's not like there are rare models and such. To me they are just a good product that isn't real special, but they sure do work and I highly recommend them.
I presently have three Glocks. The G22, G23 and G27. All are in .40 S@W. I had a G21 and G30 for a while but didn't like them. They are .45 ACP and were just too big for my hands.
The thing I like about these pistols is they aren't pretty, heck I'd call 'em ugly! If they get scratched up a bit, I don't mind, and a gun that lives under a car seat will. If they get soaked with sweat they aren't going to get rusty. And they always go bang. I would never subject my revolvers to the things I subject my Glocks to. To me, they are tools, nothing more. If one gets broke, I can buy another one. It cracks me up that there are Glock "collectors". I suppose you could get one of each model, but where is the individuality? It's not like there are rare models and such. To me they are just a good product that isn't real special, but they sure do work and I highly recommend them.
I currently own one Glock, a 27. It's small, and I like having a .40. I have owned numerous ones in the past, and they have always been dependable. They are ugly, but in dire circumstances I would trust it with my life. You might also take a look at the plastic Springfields. I have an XD .45 that fits my hand perfectly, and is along the same lines as the Glock. Again, it's ugly but it always goes BANG.
Greenbeanie67
US Veteran
I usually carry a Glock 20, 10mm, for everyday carry. It is the third Gen version, with the light rail . I have had some
modifications done, grip reduction, different sights,hard chromed slide, and a 3.5 trigger. The gun is reliable, accurate, and goes bang every time I pull the trigger. My back up is usually a S&W J Frame, just to keep the record accurate. If you have a Glock and a J Frame you are good to go any where.
modifications done, grip reduction, different sights,hard chromed slide, and a 3.5 trigger. The gun is reliable, accurate, and goes bang every time I pull the trigger. My back up is usually a S&W J Frame, just to keep the record accurate. If you have a Glock and a J Frame you are good to go any where.
rappa29
Member
You pretty much have to at least handle one before you decide if it's for you or not.
The common 'issues' that people have with them are ergonomics, grip angle, trigger and aesthetics.
The first pistol I bought when I turned 21 was a Glock 19. That was 18 years ago. I still have it. I still shoot it. It still performs flawlessly. I still carry it occasionally when I'm uber paranoid and want 17rds available vs the 7rds in my 3913TSW.
BTW, it's mostly stock. The only thing I changed for maintenance were the mag springs. The only thing I changed out of preference is the trigger. Switched from OEM serrated trigger to OEM smooth trigger.
FWIW, I've owned 2 3rd Gen Glocks (Glock 26 and Glock 36). Both of which performed boringly reliable as well! Sold them only because they didn't do anything special that my 19 didn't already provide me.
Everyone should have a Glock as a beater\truck\HD\boat\farm\woods\competition\fun\plinking\all purpose, etc gun. You can get them relatively inexpensive used and you won't care if they get dinged, scratched, bruised, dirty, etc. They're pretty easy to maintain and there are billions of aftermarket and\or 3rd party parts and accessories for them. Ok, maybe not billions..but there are A LOT!
Like someone else posted, they're the AK of the pistol world.
IMHO, YMMV, etc.
The common 'issues' that people have with them are ergonomics, grip angle, trigger and aesthetics.
The first pistol I bought when I turned 21 was a Glock 19. That was 18 years ago. I still have it. I still shoot it. It still performs flawlessly. I still carry it occasionally when I'm uber paranoid and want 17rds available vs the 7rds in my 3913TSW.
BTW, it's mostly stock. The only thing I changed for maintenance were the mag springs. The only thing I changed out of preference is the trigger. Switched from OEM serrated trigger to OEM smooth trigger.
FWIW, I've owned 2 3rd Gen Glocks (Glock 26 and Glock 36). Both of which performed boringly reliable as well!
Sold them only because they didn't do anything special that my 19 didn't already provide me. Everyone should have a Glock as a beater\truck\HD\boat\farm\woods\competition\fun\plinking\all purpose, etc gun. You can get them relatively inexpensive used and you won't care if they get dinged, scratched, bruised, dirty, etc. They're pretty easy to maintain and there are billions of aftermarket and\or 3rd party parts and accessories for them. Ok, maybe not billions..but there are A LOT!
Like someone else posted, they're the AK of the pistol world.
IMHO, YMMV, etc.
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mgo
Member
1: Glocks are pretty good, but the "limp wrist" myth is not an excuse for failure to function. It is a design flaw.
see this link:
YouTube - Limp Wrist Test
2: Because of the short, light trigger stroke, inattentive handling of the Glock can lead to trouble. Re-holstering one handed, chambering a round with finger near the trigger, etc. are risky.
Andy Griffith
Member
That's why there is a plethora of many fine self-loading pistols on the market- try as many as feasibly possible and settle on the one shot and handled the best that will fit the budget.
Be open, and don't settle until many have been tried.
Be open, and don't settle until many have been tried.
cmort666
Member
I've got two Glocks, a Glock 19 and a Glock 22. I carry them on a regular basis. They're accurate and reliable.
I have MANY other firearms, most of them pre-lock S&W revolvers. I own no S&W designed semi-autos because other than the Models 41 and 52, I don't like them, with the possible exception of the M&P.
There's simply no reason why you can't own Glocks, S&Ws, etc.
I have MANY other firearms, most of them pre-lock S&W revolvers. I own no S&W designed semi-autos because other than the Models 41 and 52, I don't like them, with the possible exception of the M&P.
There's simply no reason why you can't own Glocks, S&Ws, etc.
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