Ever tried an AMT Backup? My finger managed 2 pulls at 25+ pounds before calling no joy for a third.
Why not just get a Glock.
- Thread starter OLDSTER
- Start date
Ever tried an AMT Backup? My finger managed 2 pulls at 25+ pounds before calling no joy for a third.
I've never been a poly pistol fan. That said, I've also tried many of them, Glocks, Sigs, M&Ps, Rugers, Springfield Armory, and others. I tried each with an open mind, and learned a lot along the way. I still prefer a metal frame, but I also have a few polymer pistols that impressed me. My favorites are Sig P320 and P365, Ruger Security Nine and the M&P series. I like the Sigs for ergonomics and reliability, and the 365 is my daily carry. I like the Ruger for it's simple value. Accurate, reliable and snag free design for under $350. I have 4 of these (well, actually I have one, and my 3 daughters each have one, and know how to use them.) With the M&P series it's it's back to ergonomics. They just feel good. I have tried an unbelievable number of Glocks, and none fit my hand. The gen. 5 came closest of all, but still not nearly as comfortable as any of the above mentioned.
43x MOS EDC here so engage bias shields...
The older I get, the more I appreciate the OEM Glock. In spite of grip angle, trigger and all other nit picking, they just work for me overall. Lose it to Davy Jones' locker? Go grab another...
Whereas I break out in hives if I am carrying my S&W xxxx, rub against an abrasive rock, heaven forbid lose something unreplaceable.
The older I get, the more I appreciate the OEM Glock. In spite of grip angle, trigger and all other nit picking, they just work for me overall. Lose it to Davy Jones' locker? Go grab another...
Whereas I break out in hives if I am carrying my S&W xxxx, rub against an abrasive rock, heaven forbid lose something unreplaceable.
Glock is to polymer, striker fired pistols as Kleenex is to tissues.
When you needs a tissue do you ask for a certain brand or just ask for a Kleenex?
The market is flooded with reliable, more refined and inexpensive polymer, striker fired pistols and Glock by another name such as PSA Dagger. I brought my first Glock (a 48) earlier this year. I traded it for a Glock 43X after the 48 would not feed reliably with the same ammunition I use in my other eight 9mm pistols (so much for Glock Perfection). So far the 43X has been reliable. With it's smaller, thinner frame and Shield Arms 15 round magazines it fills a niche for me.
Personally we prefer the S&W M&P 9mm but that should not be a surprise. After all this is a Smith and Wesson Forum.
When you needs a tissue do you ask for a certain brand or just ask for a Kleenex?
The market is flooded with reliable, more refined and inexpensive polymer, striker fired pistols and Glock by another name such as PSA Dagger. I brought my first Glock (a 48) earlier this year. I traded it for a Glock 43X after the 48 would not feed reliably with the same ammunition I use in my other eight 9mm pistols (so much for Glock Perfection). So far the 43X has been reliable. With it's smaller, thinner frame and Shield Arms 15 round magazines it fills a niche for me.
Personally we prefer the S&W M&P 9mm but that should not be a surprise. After all this is a Smith and Wesson Forum.
When I moved to Florida, I rented a place in St. Augustine, my wife stayed in Ohio till our house sold. I only brought 2 guns with me, a AMT Back Up and my Winchester 1200.
Took the shooting part of my conceal carry class with that AMT. Was surprised I passed.
You ain't lying about the trigger pull.
ColbyBruce
Member
As well stated by other posters, get what fits your hand the best, it's the key to better shooting.
OLDSTER, just to elaborate a little. Up until maybe 2017, I would have passed by any Glock. When it comes to handguns, I was weened on 1911s and S&W revolvers. My club, with over 1500 members, was required by our insurance company to have certified range officers. My club paid for a number of us to take the NRA range officer certification class. Being disabled, I really couldn't do work parties, so I started to serve as a range officer during club events. After working my first GSSF event and offered the opportunity to borrow a Glock and shoot the match, I decided that if I worked the match, I might as well shoot the match. Back in the 1980s, I tried the Glock and hated it.
If I hadn't gotten involved in the GSSF matches, I would probably have just my Gen 5 G17 MOS. After that first match, I decided to do some combat-style shooting, and took my S&W 439 to the Adaptive Defensive Shooting Summit, and found that the 439 wasn't working in my favor with the first shot DA. However, with that match, I won my SIG P320 Xcompact. The next year, I returned to the ADSS and used my G17 and won my first P365.
I still prefer my 1911s and my Sigs (just purchased a P365-380 at the Sig Academy), but I am finding that the GSSF events are giving me a purpose and opportunity for shooting my pistols, and I appear to be shooting them well enough for them to be profitable. Currently, I have 8 Glocks (5 purchased and 3 won [RO gun, a random draw gun, and a performance win gun]). My best Glock purchase was a little G42 in 380. That little pistol cost $240, and has won me about $300 and my G43! It has more than paid for itself as a target pistol.
The bottom line behind this dissertation is, what mission are you anticipating the G19 to fulfill, if you buy it? Would it be a carry gun, a plinker, or a match gun? Only you can make that call. Personally, my Glocks are currently dedicated target pistols. With the exception of a few permitted upgrades, they remain stock in order to be shot in GSSF events. I am willing to travel, and work a number of GSSF events due to the shortage of volunteers. Currently, I aim to shoot/work 7-8 outdoor matches a year, and 3 or 4 indoor league events a year.
Up front, if other manufacturers held similar events, I would probably shoot them and volunteer. But the closest thing that exists is IDPA, which requires more movement than I am comfortable with, and the award structure just isn't there.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2005
- Messages
- 8,020
- Reaction score
- 7,100
For general all around use, the Glock 19 is a great choice. It can be carried with the 15 round magazine and you can use 17 round or greater capacity as spares. I could write a book, and tell you why all of the others are pretty good, and why all of the others are not quite as good, but in the end, you must be happy with the choice you make, not with a choice made by someone else. Much of it is subjective, and even if not subjective, often the reasons would not really crop up in light civilian use such as law enforcement or personal defense for non-sworn citizens. Often, the differences become apparent only in military versus civilian use. My advice. . . . get the Gen 5 Glock 19 or the 19M. No person can fault you for that choice.
CustomChevyGuy
Member
I'm a firm believer in the feel of a gun being the first step to shooting it well. If you know you're in the market for a poly striker fired pistol, go and handle, even shoot if possible, as many of them as you can. Then choose what you're going to purchase. Then invest in training, ammo, and practice, practice, practice.
I have a Springfield XD9 sub compact 9 first generation fits my hand better than the Glock has a grip safety like my 1911 eats everything I feed it shoots where I point it. That being said buy what works for you.
I carried a Glock as an issued weapon for the last 10 yrs of my career. It's a great weapon, never failed on the range and I shot high expert w/it. When I retired in '97 I purchased the S&W M&P 2.0 9MM Compact. It's got great ergos, comes w/three mags (LE version) & metal sights. I qualify for LEOSA w/it annually and it's never malfunctioned. Both are good, rent them and decide. You really can't go wrong w/either one.
I have a shield 9mm and a Shield 45 both have the manual safety. I prefer the safety on striker fired pistol.
That may also be baggage from 50 years with the 1911.
Any you listed would work. Pick the one you will carry and shoot the best.
That may also be baggage from 50 years with the 1911.
Any you listed would work. Pick the one you will carry and shoot the best.
Dave from Pa
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Glock17/19 and the HK VP9 appeal to me the most as a serious go to tool.
Oddly enough, the VP9 is the only HK that doesn't do it for me. USP, P30, P2000 in all variants and calibers are good to go but the VP9? Meh...
To the OP... lost somewhere up there in the weeds.
Ergonomics. What "works" best for you. Mostly all equal quality potential in the brands you list.
This thread, like so many is such a wonderful source of answers to hundreds of unasked questions.
Ergonomics. What "works" best for you. Mostly all equal quality potential in the brands you list.
This thread, like so many is such a wonderful source of answers to hundreds of unasked questions.
Agreed……since joining this forum I've come to realize how fussy guys are about grip angles and recoil. I just pick up a gun and shoot it. I don't really think about it.
john14_18
Member
Spend a little more money and get a Shadow Systems MR920. They took the Glock patent and made the gun Glock should have been to start with. Makes the Glock 19 look like a blackpowder gun.
357-RevolverGuy
Member
Glock makes a quality pistol and they probably have the most aftermarket parts available if you're looking to mod. The thing is we are living in times when just about every manufacturer is making something in the once Glock dominated category. As others here have mentioned you need to find what feels best in your hand and price budget. For me it's currently a Walther PDP, which ironically uses Glock sights.
I have also tried the Glocks 3 times, a 27, a 22 and a 19 (twice, so I guess that's 4 times), and settled on a PX4 Storm 9mm. I just can't do striker fired very well.
I do have a Shield 45 acp that shoots well, and a Kel-Tec PMR 30 22WMR (yard gun), but the Glocks just don't point well for me. And I prefer hammer fired guns myself.
Not that there's anything wrong with a Glock..............
Similar threads
- Locked
