IF I were going to buy a 9mm Glock...which one and what to add/change?

Today's trend of people buying new guns and immediately making changes baffles me. If you don't shoot it a while in stock configuation, how can you know it wasn't just right to begin with? Fashion, I reckon'.

I know the stock answer is some version of "I'm very experienced and know what I want". Okay1
 
The G26 is a time proven model that remains the most versatile 9mm Glock makes.
 
The Glock 17 and 19 are both great depending on your hand size. I shoot both really well now that I have accustomed to them, (just like anything)...Both the Glock 17 and 19 are the S&W model 10's of the semi-auto world.

If you plan on getting a 1987 Gen 1, then get ready to spend some real money...Gen 3 to Gen 5 is easiest on the wallet.
 
I really wanted to buy a Glock 19. Rented one to try it out. Then I rented an M&P with 4.25" barrel. There was absolutely no contest. One was very clearly better for me than the other.

(You'll notice that I'm here, on an S&W forum, and not on a Glock forum!)
 
A 19 or a 17. I keep mine bone stock. I find no reason to "upgrade" anything other to have fun with a project.
 
Another vote for the Gen 3 19. (most aftermarket support is aimed at the Gen 3) But since the butt is the hard part to hide, consider a 19/26. Basically I cut my 19 to a 26 grip size. Hides easily under a T-Shirt and I didn't have to lose my Trijicon. Yeah, when I started with the red dot, you had to get a custom slide.
 

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First, if you are serious about getting another Glock, join the GSSF for $35 and get the discount coupon so you can purchase a discounted Glock from a Blue Label dealer. You can get most Gen 3 9mm Glocks for $410, and most Gen 5 9mm Glocks for $425.

Second, Glock is discontinuing a large number of pistols, but it's not currently reflected on the US Glock website. Suggest that you visit their forums.

Third, I have a 17.5, 17.5 mos, and a 26.5, plus a 43. I use mine predominantly for GSSF matches. What you get really depends on how you'll use it at the range. Consider first the grip length, then the slide length. If you are comfortable with the longer grip, but prefer a shorter barrel/slide, get the G45. As I mentioned earlier, how you will use the pistol will dictate which pistol to purchase.
 
I’ve owned many over the years and it was my duty gun for many of them.

I don’t carry them anymore now that I can carry what I want.

If I was going to only have one it would be a Gen 3 19.

What to change? Better sights (not plastic) and then only one thing after that and it never ends. Change you ammunition. Put rounds in the bottom and send them out the front. Leave the fashion statements to the fashion conscious effeminate shooters among us and only worry about parts should something break.

These days we seem to be raising a couple generations who view gun ownership as a status symbol or fashion accessory rather than a discipline. I’d rather be partnered with someone who shoots 1000 rounds a month out of a stock gun than someone who shoots 1000 rounds over 5 years with his Gucci Glock for fear of getting a scratch on the burnt bronze super coating or marring up the end of his titanium firing pin or jeweled flat trigger.

Don’t take it’s picture, just shoot it.
 
So I've owned two Glocks since I started shooting sometime in the very early 1960's. I couldn't shoot them worth a damn (when I was shooting everything else just fine) and sold them almost immediately (Glock 19 and 17).

I'm tempted to try one last time, strictly for range use.

I figure on fitting it out with a bunch of Apex stuff, new sights, and whatever else will improve it.

And I'm wondering which one to buy: 17? 19? Another number. And which version: 1, 2, 3, what's to choose from and why?

There's plenty to read about how to upgrade, so I won't be asking that here...just what one I can get for the least price, invest a couple of bucks making it better, and be able to say I got one (as I have 'bout everything else I need or want, except a Walther P88 which I can't afford, a S&W 1911 which is also out of my current price range & I have a decent 1911 anyway, and a 4053 or 43 which I'm sure I'll find soon.)

I'm thinking of a gen 1 19 or 17, as they are probably not-so-rare and cheaper than anything later..but any and all advice is appreciated.
I was a certified Glock armorer for nearly 30 years and did 1.5 lb trigger jobs for the target shooters. Also, installed external thumb safeties (by Joe Commanally) on all Glocks. Packed a 29 for a good portion of that time.
Now retired and 2 years ago discovered the S&W CSX. Bought it and shot it for 6 weeks.... then purchased the 2nd one. Now have sold all of my Glocks. Shot the 10mm at 200 yards consistently with excellent results. IF you can do that with your carry piece, think what you can do in a stress fire 7 to 10 yard situation.
I find the CSX to be as good at 150 yards. Metal frame, external safety and no twist when fired from the off hand.
Just saying... if your looking for something for daily carry, you might want to check out the CSX.
 
Looked at several, including the 19.
Bought the 43x, upgraded to after market 17 round Shield Mags and steel mag release.
 
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I own a Glock 19, Glock 26 and a Glock 43. I don't have a picture of the Glock 43 and I don't think I've carried it in a year or two. To be honest if I could talk my wife into it I would sell it and the Ruger LC9 and buy an M&P Shield Plus as a replacement.

The only thing I've changed on either one of those guns. Was the Glock 19 has OEM steel sights instead of the plastic Glock plastic sights, and the 26 has Ameriglo I Dots on it.

I don't know if it counts as a change but when I bought the Glock 26 I bought a bunch of Magpul 12 round magazines for it and I bought five or six OEM 12 round magazines for it and three OEM two round extensions for the 10 round magazines that came with it.

The Glock 43 somebody put skateboard tape on it before we bought it.

I qualified expert with the Glock 19 every time I qualified with it.

I don't think I ever tried to qualify with the 26.
 
Since you mentioned “range use only”, I would recommend the Gen3 17L long slide version.

I fitted mine with an aftermarket conventionally rifled precision barrel, 3 1/2 pound trigger and HiViz sights.

( Not sure if it’s still a valid concern. But at the time I purchased it, use of lead bullets was discouraged in the Glock polygon rifling. I reload much of my range ammo)

It’s proven to be exceptionally accurate for me and Glock reliable. Impressive performance for bullseye style shooting or rapid fire on steel knockdown plates.

Can’t say I like the “feel” of the gun. But, I can’t criticize the performance.
 
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