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

[Davethegundoctor]

I would go with Glock 19X.

 

[oberon]

Not a Glock guy, but I can tell you this: Glock is the cockroach of the firearms world. They are ubiquitous. They are indestructable. You can put about a zillion rounds through 'em with no problem. If one works for you, they will all work for you. Few guns have that attribute across all their variants.
When space alien archaeologists come here in about 5 million years, all they will need to do is pick one up and shoot it.
Other equipment will have long ago turned to dust.

 

[shawn mccarver]

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.

Glock 19 Gen 5 and make NO changes. Buy 6 extra mags and a couple of cases of 9mm ammo and you are good to go.

 

[M2MikeGolf]

My vote is for the Glock 19 in any iteration from Gen 3 on up. I was a Glock hater for many years, until I was in Iraq in’04. No boring details on how I ended up with one, but I carried a Glock 19 Gen 3 for several months. At that time it was sort of an unspoken gold standard for 9MM. The Army CoStaff a few years later tried to have them be the next Army pistol. No bashing on other 9s, and I have a lot of other brands (SIG, Beretta, Ruger, HK, etc), like them all. Anyway, I was immediately impressed with it and bought one as soon as I could. If I could only have one, that would be it, G19.3. But I’m a lot more fortunate than that, I have a Gen.4 and no less than four Gen 5s and a 19x. One Gen 5 is an MOS, I put that solar powered Holosun on it and it looks OEM and shoots terrific and doesn’t need hi riser co-witness sights. Any of them are great. But if you get one, beware, you’ll get more. I never in a million years thought I’d warm to Glocks, but after carrying one in Iraq, I was sold. A close second would be the G32. I think the Army really should have gone with .357 SIG as a pistol cartridge, and then a sub machine gun in that caliber too, but 9MM is good in my books, no matter what anyone else says.

 

[Harv 24]

Glock...who wants a gun from a brand that when they all sit on the counter they all look alike. They may be reliable but they sure are ugly and boring.

Only reason I carry is to protect me and mine, I want the most reliable gun on the planet I can stake my life on. Beauty and exciting is not part of my criteria.

 

[bigggbbruce]

Only reason I carry is to protect me and mine, I want the most reliable gun on the planet I can stake my life on. Beauty and exciting is not part of my criteria.

I've owned a lot of guns. Brands, styles, calibers. I do mean a lot. I honestly can't recall any that I chose to carry as unreliable. I presently carry a Smith mdl 60. I think that is more reliable than a Glock, at least I would choose it over any Glock. Auto carry is mostly 1911 Kimbers Pro carry in 45, or TLE 10mm. Only striker gunI have is an FNS 9 compact.

 

[flagaman1950]

I do own several Glocks, but my go-to favorite is the 42. I am much more recoil sensitive as I mature. Also do like the 43, but recoil becomes worrisome after just a few rounds. The 42 carries so easily. Also like to carry my model 37 as well. But that's just me. That said, you certainly can't go wrong with the 17 or the 19.
Best sir.

 

[pasound]

My small vote for an RXM, again. Took mine to my local club yesterday. 150 rounds (with Glock mags) on steel at 10 and 20 yards. Used my junk 9mm - Tula steel case 115gr. 100% operation, no failures of any kind. Hit the steel easily. Only misses were my own hand shake. It's a very good alternative to guns costing $150-200 more.

 

[hudson69]

My own $.02…
I have both a 27 and 35, both in .40 S&W
…BUT…
I also have match-grade 9mm conversion barrels for both of them. In fact, I carry them with the conversion barrels installed as SOP. No further tweaking necessary with the 27 but you DO need a 34 recoil spring in the 35 due to the extra mass of its slide in relation to the lesser recoil of 9mm compared to the.40. But both are reliability machines. Note: for max reliability, you need 9mm mags to use with the conversions.
I A/B’ed mine with the conversion barrels with a friend’s actual 26 and 34, both factory 9mm.

Reliability was identical and I shot them all equally badly.

ETA - I forgot to mention that in keeping with my propensity for having carbines chambered for my pistols’ calibers AND sharing mags in this instance, the Glocks facilitated having KelTek Sub2k’s (I know, I know) in 9 and .40 that take my pistol mags. Practically speaking, a Sub2k folded up in my get-home backpack with a few 35-rnd candy bars that’ll go in either my carbine or EDC pistol just makes sense in my world. I also love the ability to be able to use both calibers by switching barrels and in the case of the 35, the recoil spring. Only takes a second.

+1 to this. When I was an investigator in Colorado I carried a G23 and G27. Still have them. I still have the 9mm conversion barrels for each. I was all over the state, in some pretty rural areas. We weren't allowed to have AR-15 ir similar rifles. It had to be .40 cal and take Glock mags. I eventually chose the Ruger PC Carbine f0r the same reasons; take-down/packable.

So, to make short answer really long. There is still a surplus LE Glocks to be found. Mostly in .40. Pick up one of these in the size you want (27/26, 23/19, 22/17) and then with the savings buy a 9mm conversion barrel and 3 - 300 spare mags.

 

[venomballistics]

Glock 26.
This model addresses CCW needs like few other Glock offerings.

 

[jackmoineau]

Third time at the range with my brand new Glock 17 Gen 5...I won't spam and post the same picture twice, but go check the other thread about 9 mm to see how it performs at 25 meters! It shoots like a dream, so I'm considering another one (G19 or G26). So my vote goes for whatever model suits your hand, but keep it stock! No need to upgrade anything, keep it simple!

 

[walternash]

The OP mentioned that it was to be a range toy only. Given that, look hard at a 34 MOS. The MOS gives you the option of a reflex (dot) sight should you go that way.

The Gen 5 for me is superior (no grooves). The 34 is grip length is the same as a 17, 45, 47 and 19X. I shoot 19s as well (shorter grip), but the longer grip seems to balance better in my hands as the hump at the bottom of the grip starts lower in the heel of my palm.

Sights are personal preference. As my eyes grower older and dimmer, I prefer TruGlo TFX Pro sights if I am running iron sights, Trijicon Bright & Tough suppressor sights if I run a dot.

The Glock Performance trigger is an improvement. I have been trying the new Timney Alpha Competition trigger in my range Glocks and it has been a game changer for me.

If you decide on a Gen 5 34 (MOS or not), move quickly as Glock has just discontinued them. Lots of them out there in the marketplace still.

 

[Cibermac]

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.

Why spend more money on the gun to make the gun right if you can just buy a gun that is right and spend the about the same? I learned early enough the a $400 dollar gun with $250 worth of upgrades is still only a $400 gun and you might get something more for the upgrades. But if you just buy $650 gun from the factory which has all you need and want you will still have a $650 gun. Make sense?

 

[PittsburghJon67]

So true these days.

Bought my Gen3 Glock 19 in early 2000's during a LGS Glock Days sale. Replaced the polymer sights with steel, changed the trigger spring to non-coil, changed the recoil spring guide rod from polymer to steel, and it has served us very well ever since as our house gun - actually shot NRA Expert with it, so the accuracy is fine, at least with this one. I wouldn't suggest CCW this size of pistol, or my 1911 for that matter; can we get past the idea that full size and slightly smaller pistols are good candidates for CCW for smaller women and men? We generally CCW S & W J-frames since 1974 with good success, and you can't beat 50 years with the same platform for familiarity and confidence. BTW, for the guy on this forum that was wanting a S & W J-Frame, but an older model, I agree, but be advised that these older guns are NOT supported by S&W with spare parts availability; turns out that if you want a spare part (like the cylinder stop stud screw #052780000 for example) you can't buy one for love or money. They told me that they will support these older revolvers with parts that are broken, if you send it in and are willing to wait while they make the part that is needed; then again, I got two different answers from the same customer service guy, distinctive voice, three weeks apart. Dear S$W, spare parts are 100% necessary, despite what S&W believes. So if you do hold out for an older used J-frame, be very sure that you are getting a good one, otherwise you will absolutely be sending it in for warranty work at the very least. My new Centennial J-frame went back to S&W twice fifteen years ago to bring it up to spec, and the tech that fixed it called me to say that the internals on the newer ones are not what you think they are, or words that suggest MIM parts. As I have always kept spare parts for all my firearms with the exception of the J-frames; the good news is that ours don't need work - the bad news is "per S&W" no one can be trusted with spare parts, and the really bad news is that some of these parts were physically changed dimensionally for various years of manufacturing of the same model number, like my Chief Spl Model 36, so pls be aware! Oh, and also BTW, our J-frames will never be for sale in our lifetimes, period. You always dance with them who brung ya!

 

[MOONDAWG]

I go way back to the first GLOCKS to enter my neck of the woods on the coast of the Gulf of America in 1987; a Gen 1 Model 17.

About 18 months later, according the Southern Guns distributor, I bought the first Model 19.

Liked the sight picture, got used to the BB gun trigger, loved their reliability but absolutely hated the scrap lumber 2X4 feel of their grip.

Over the decades went through Gens 1-4.

Several months ago bought a Gen 5 model 19.

Why, because by now I have a foot locker full of magazines. (Slight Exaggeration)

The Gen 5 has a considerably improved trigger and the new barrel makes it a tack driver.

I “Prefer” carrying my genius designed ergonomic SIG 365 and often get asked why I bought the Gen 5 M-19.

Because I can hit what I shoot at, and it always works regardless of what you feed it.

I can pack it any which way without worry about getting nicks, scuffs, scratches or dings on it.

Still hate it grip.

 

[venomballistics]

Why spend more money on the gun to make the gun right if you can just buy a gun that is right and spend the about the same? I learned early enough the a $400 dollar gun with $250 worth of upgrades is still only a $400 gun and you might get something more for the upgrades. But if you just buy $650 gun from the factory which has all you need and want you will still have a $650 gun. Make sense?

Yes ... Perfect sense right up until you add up the cost of all the ammo you will use in it.
At which point, the price of the gun is hardly worth any consideration.

 

[nksmfamjp]

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 applaud your vision here. I had that vision and acted on it. Now I just slap myself and go back to bed!

I bought a USA made Glock 23. Like you I thought let’s make this thing decent, shoot it a ton and decide where it fits in my rotation. So, I bought it….black Friday deal! The I bought sights….Ameriglow ledge rear black and front tritium. The sight picture was great. I shot it ok. Then I went after it. I tried triggers, connectors and springs. Meh,,,,trigger was still like a marginal staple gun. I found anything lighter than the 5.5 connector made the trigger mushy or creepy. So, I stuck at 5.5. I found the carry springs got weight just under 6lbs. I found the smooth trigger pulled much better to me. I trained another 500 rounds. Ahh…ok, but….so, I tore it apart. I polished everything that makes contact in the pull. I added some grease….pretty light application. I bought a contoured safety plunger. It helped. I worked on all the surfaces that continued to impede a good pull. I got this thing great at just over 5lbs. This was the best Glock trigger I ever handled. Speed and accuracy were good.

So, let’s carry this thing. So, I’m going to put this loaded w/o safety gun in my iwb holster….ok, I guess. Then I’m going to carry in a shoulder holster where it points at people I love. Nah, I’m out. Why would do that when there are all these guns with thumb safeties?? Even if I ignore that, the trigger never was very good. There is creep from the relative movement between the slide and frame. If I ignore that, there is the huge width compared to a 1911, browning hp, s&w shield, etc….why ignore all the bad for the good of 100% reliable when the other guns are 100% reliable. It was sold within days of that realization. I now have a m&p 40 5” in its place and my CCW is a Shield Plus with rds. So much better….steel trigger parts and a safety!

 

[skywag]

I ended up with a 43X, and like it a lot.

 

[Always Faithful Holsters]

Not a range “toy” but it is in my buyout bag.

 

[OutAtTheEdge]

How about the new Ruger/Magpul RXM? Plenty of aftermarket parts and the modular fire control module. I’ve been tempted.

So I'm waiting for delivery of my new 9mm suppressor which will live primarily on a 9mm SBR as my go-to house gun. I have several other rifles I can use it on, but no pistols that are properly set up. I mentioned this to my bride the other evening, to which she replied that I should probably fix that situation. I wanted a gun that uses the Glock mags my SBR uses, and in pretty short order I decided on the RXM. I had handled one briefly a couple months ago and was impressed with the grip angle and overall value. A quick check showed it in-stock at a local dealer where it was on sale for $379.99. That sealed the deal. I've only put one mag through it so far, but I'm impressed. The threaded barrel was ordered an hour ago.