Ugly but dependable: The Glocks

[rags]

Nice article John.

(If I had eight Glocks, I would have a problem. I only have seven. So, I'm good. )

 

[walkin jack]

My Glock 36 is my primary daily carry. My Glock 23 is one of my alternate carry weapons. My Glock 21 sleeps next to my bed every night and rides in the console of my F-150 on road trips. My Glock 17 is my plinker. They are ALL accurate and tough and dependable.

As I have mentioned I have well over 22,000 rounds through my Glocks over the last 10 years and I'm still waithing for my first problem of any kindI love my Smiths and my Colts and my Rugers and even my little KelTec but my Glocks are the back bone of my little collection. I trust them implicitly...completely.

Pics:
1. G-23
2. G-19
3. G-21
4. G-36
5. Da boyz (The barrel in the center is a G-32, .357 sig, it drops into the upper of the G-23) .357 sig is a necked down .40. They use the same magazine and ejector, recoil spring etc.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Great article!

I like my 19.

I went to the LGS to buy a 9MM. I had three choices. An M&P, an XD, or Glock 19.

Even though I've owned a few I always resisted Glock. I think because of the superior attitude that some Glock people have. But as I tried to decide which to buy I found everything I could possibly want for the Glock at the very store I was shopping.

Do you have Tru Glo sights? YES!
Can you install a different trigger? YES!
Holsters? YES!
Extra mags? YES!
Mag extensions? YES!

The above reasons along with the ease of installation sold me. Is it PERFECTION? For me maybe. It always works.

If I drop it, who cares?
If I get sweaty, who cares?
Does the grip angle bother me? Nope. Shot the hell out it and got used to it.

I'm a gun nut. I like all guns. I like mine and everybody else's.

 

[4506517]

Love my Glocks!

19
21
23
31
32
33
34
36

I even CC the 21 sometimes......just cause.

 

[Bluecoat76]

I learned my lesson with Glocks the hard way. They are not a "Hands On" or safe to handle firearm like a single action auto or revolver. Just load it and don't touch. Never again.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I learned my lesson with Glocks the hard way. They are not a "Hands On" or safe to handle firearm like a single action auto or revolver. Just load it and don't touch. Never again.

Please explain.

 

[Cyrano]

EDIT: Forgot to add... PALADIN85020... good article... lot of smart folks on this site... and you are one of 'em.

Amen to that. We're lucky to have him (and a lot of others) on the site.

 

[Cyrano]

I like Glocks. Have had two 17s (full sized 9mm). One was very early with smooth grips. Wish I hadn't sold it. Had a 21, (full sized 45). Too big for my hands, although they've since changed the grip to avoid that. Had a 36 (single stack 45) for many years. Great pocket rocket or concealed carry weapon. However the recoil pinched my finger between the magazine and the frame so I sold that one. Probably will regret it. Have two 19s now, one in my bugout bag, the other somewhere else. I take them out and practice with them, great fun. If nothing else Glocks ae great fun to shoot.

I mostly shoot cast bullets in mine and have been doing so for 20 years, despite predictions of disaster. I think I've avoided trouble for three reasons. 1. My Glocks are in 9mm and 45; neither is a high pressure cartridge like the 40 S&WS, 10mm and 357 SIG. 2. I keep my loads fairly moderate as I use them for practice and plinking. 3. I use a relatively soft alloy that expands to obturate and thus avoids gas blow-by.

Sure like to see a Glock carbine in 9mm and 45.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I still don't like them. I'd never ever own one.

The Colt 1911 is the best pistol.

I felt that way once upon a time.

Glocks may not be the best gun. But they could quite possibly be the best TOOL!

 

[Gunslinger808]

How can they then advertise, in the US that it is a tennifer finish?

For real Tenifer, the slides are finished in Austria and shipped to the US for final assembly in Smyrna GA.

 

[Badkarma 1]

Excellent article. Ugly=maybe, dependable=sometimes. I do own a G19 2nd gen, it works, gets carried some. But it's not my favorite! That honor goes to the excellent 3rd gens, SIGs and an SW99. Dale

 

[Gyrene6891]

As usual, great article John!!!

 

[alwslate]

Great article John. I like my two Glocks, a 19 and a 26.

 

[Texas Star]

Did you discuss the issue of inadequate chamber support in some calibers, resulting in case head ruptures? That seems to get talked about.

And I've read that cops armed with Glocks have a considerably higher number of AD's than with most other autos. The only safety on those things is a trigger within a trigger.

Finally, I read that Glock shot his attacker, and you say it was a fistfight. I don't know which is correct.

 

[Darkenfast]

I really like the looks of my early G17L (the longslide with the six-inch barrel). It doesn't seem ugly at all, in fact I think it's just as attractive as a GI-issue World War II 1911-A1. Working gun finishes have an beauty of their own: look how popular older Model 28's are, even when compared to their prettier sisters, the 27's. Balance and grip are an individual preference, but I love how mine handles.

I do believe that you have to really be on your game safety-wise to use a Glock. They are mechanically safe, but they are unforgiving of careless handling.

 

[rodcraft]

Another good article, I imagine its difficult to cut it down the the space allotted. I've never encountered factory 3-dot sights that weren't tritium. Not sure what to call the sights I'm familiar with, U-dot perhaps?

 

[cmort666]

I've got two, a Glock 22 2nd Gen and a Glock 19 2nd Gen.

I prefer the Glock 19, which I bought for CCW.

The Glock 22 has EXTREMELY snappy recoil that makes it hard to control for followup shots. It doesn't have a LOT of recoil like my 4" 29-2. It's just SHARP, causing a very pronounced muzzle flip.

 

[jimmyj]

WOW ! HOLY MOLY !!
All this time I was a "Closet Glock" owner/shooter.
And now I discover that there was a whole bunch of guys in the closet with me.
**** If a really big monkey starts hammering at your front door. DO NOT ANSWER OPEN IT!!

 

[mr-mom]

Great article John, thank you. Currently have two, G19 Gen 3 and a G26, Gen 4. They get rotated regularly with my J frames. They work. Period.
Dave

 

[S&W45Colt]

Glock 19, 20 and 21 owner here. Another 19 and a 30sf will be along one day soon. Boring, drab, but reliable and 1/4 the cost of it's competition to modify, that's Glock's true secret to success.

 

[Arik]

Did you discuss the issue of inadequate chamber support in some calibers, resulting in case head ruptures? That seems to get talked about.

And I've read that cops armed with Glocks have a considerably higher number of AD's than with most other autos. The only safety on those things is a trigger within a trigger.

Finally, I read that Glock shot his attacker, and you say it was a fistfight. I don't know which is correct.

Chamber support is fine. Never heard of one blowing up from FACTORY ammo. Always someone with reloads. Never seen a full first hand account. Always a photo acompanied by "40s&w blows up Glock". Like that story of a S&W 44mag that blew up from Chinese ammo.

ND happen because people, cops including, cant keep their booger hooks out of the trigger guard. Or they snag something while holstering. Also doesnt help that Glock is the most widely used police handgun. If most departments issue M&P then youd hear more about M&P ND

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[PALADIN85020]

Did you discuss the issue of inadequate chamber support in some calibers, resulting in case head ruptures? That seems to get talked about.

And I've read that cops armed with Glocks have a considerably higher number of AD's than with most other autos. The only safety on those things is a trigger within a trigger.

Finally, I read that Glock shot his attacker, and you say it was a fistfight. I don't know which is correct.

Space limitations for The Blue Press prevent me from addressing the chamber support issue in any depth. One of the reasons the Glocks are so reliable is that the feed ramp does cut deeper into the chamber area than with most pistols in similar calibers. I have noted this in my .45 ACP models 21 and 30. With factory ammo, which Glock specifies, no problem. With ammo reloaded many times, there can be a head support/blowout issue, particularly with unusually hot loads. Another problem with reloads is using sizing dies which do not go down far enough on the case to squeeze down the resultant bulge near the extractor groove. If the bulge is retained and it does not line up with the feed ramp "groove," a jam is very possible if not probable.

My references, including one which was quite detailed and specific, show that Gaston Glock did indeed best his adversary hand to hand. It makes better press to say that he was able to use one of his own guns, but the believable evidence says no.

Some have said that putting a "safety" on the trigger is akin to giving the keys to the hen house to the fox. The Glock is perfectly safe until the trigger is pulled, which is true in large measure with most guns. However, since there is no manual safety, the owner must be especially careful not to touch the trigger until one is ready to shoot, and avoid setting up any situation where the trigger could become snagged. One aftermarket solution is a small plastic insert designed to be applied behind the trigger; it can be pushed out quickly with the trigger finger before shooting. Here's one that I sometimes use on my G21 and G30; it's set-screw adjustable for the best push resistance and has a hole in the off side for a small padlock to secure the gun.

I've seen pictures of an ND where the culprit was a well-used holster that had a projection that snagged the trigger, resulting in a nasty wound down the leg. I personally would not "Mexican carry" a Glock by just shoving it into my waistline. I'd have to carry it chamber-empty to feel safe. Above all things, safe use of the Glock requires one to THINK.

John

 

[PALADIN85020]

Another good article, I imagine its difficult to cut it down the the space allotted. I've never encountered factory 3-dot sights that weren't tritium. Not sure what to call the sights I'm familiar with, U-dot perhaps?

You know, it's been so long since I've handled a stock Glock, that I forgot the configuration of the plastic sights. I modifed the original post to eliminate the 3-dot reference. Thanks!

John

 

[Bozz10mm]

They may be plain, but I don't think Glocks are ugly. The Pontiac Aztek, now that was ugly.

 

[Budasac]

Nice to see other Glock owners here. I love my 23. Don't have any issues with the .40 recoil. Yes, it's a bit "snappy", but no issues keeping a tight group with rapid fire. I don't think they're ugly per se. I'm currently contemplating a Sig 1911 Carry Scorpion, I think it's a beautiful gun, but even if I add it to the collection I'll still keep the glock next to my bed at night. I love all guns, and pretty is nice, but in the end it's a tool, and it works. ALWAYS.

BTW- I know one person who had a Glock 22 blow up in his hand. He was using reloads he bought. A friend who reloads checked the ammo and said they were way too hot. The guy who sold the ammo offered to repair the gun. After some discussion he gave my friend retail price for a new one.

 

[PALADIN85020]

BTW- I know one person who had a Glock 22 blow up in his hand. He was using reloads he bought. A friend who reloads checked the ammo and said they were way too hot. The guy who sold the ammo offered to repair the gun. After some discussion he gave my friend retail price for a new one.

A cardinal rule with me is NEVER to shoot someone else's reloads, in Glocks or any other type of gun. This incident underscores the validity of that personal rule. I recommend it to others.

John

 

[walkin jack]

Did you discuss the issue of inadequate chamber support in some calibers, resulting in case head ruptures? That seems to get talked about.

As I understand it this was an issue with some of the earlier generation 3 G-23s. And it is also my understanding that the problem was corrected and the ones after that were alright. I have a G-23 with nearly 6,000 rounds through it (all factory fresh ammo and no solid lead or semi jacketed bullets) and I haven't had any problems of any kind.

I have seen the reports of some of them going KABOOM but actually it doesn't seem to be as many as a lot of people think. The 23 is one of the most popular Glocks in the line and I don't know anyone that has ever had that happen to them. I'm sure glad they took care of that problem before I got mine.

 

[Bill Bates]

John, good article.

I'm one of those that never had any great love or desire to own a Glock until the SF frames came along. My occupation allows me the opportunity to buy firearms at very good prices.

Anyway, I recently broke down a added a Glock 30SF to the stable. She ain't pretty but she is a good work horse that rides well. Honestly isn't that what we really want in a working gun: reliability, accuracy and affordable all come to mind. Of course I'm one that had real problems with the ergonomics of the Glocks. The short frame solved that issue for my paws.

Let's just say I'm warming up to Glocks, finally. It is an old dog kind of thing.

and of course a pic of my Glock 30SF ... I need to take another just for varieties sake.

 

[sigp220.45]

I hated Glocks until I got one. I've carried my little Glock 27 since about 1995 and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I just upgraded my wife to this Glock 19 - she loves it.

 

[Smithsrevenge]

I carry a Gen3 G22 12+ hours a day 6 days a week on duty. Have for a while. Its ugly its uncomfortable . But neither matter when my life is at risk. I trust my Glock with my life. That outweighs ergonomics and styling any day.

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