Modifications to your Glock???

[RudyCakes]

I don't shoot competitions but I am interested in what their modifications can do for a defense firearm. I keep a Glock 35 for HD and have been considering a conversion barrel for 357 SIG. Then I saw a barrel threaded for a compensator, which, with a few google links, led me to the quirky world of Open Class race Glocks. Now I'm really interested in a compensated 357 barrel and a Seattle slug and extended mag and maybe even having a new slide milled for mounting a Trijicon RMR red dot.
Many of these upgrades could mess with Glock's well respected reliability but I think SOME of them could actually be a real improvement.
That being said, what, if any, mods have your done to your HD pistols (not just Glocks)?
And do you support such mods? And why?

p.s. It's not a CCW Glock so I'd like to skip the part where someone tells me the gun is too large for concealment or holsters. Non-issue here.

[zfields]

Night sights for an HD gun. Thats it. Comps make the gun VERY loud.

BTW threaded barrels are not legal in CA for pistols. It would have to be perm attached to the comp.

[HighLander51]

Do not start out trying to build an Open Gun because it looks cool. Go shoot a USPSA match near your with your G35 just the way it is. You will need a good holster, belt, mag pouches and extra mags. Shooting is much more involved than having a cool gun. Then shoot at least a dozen more matches before changing anything, other than night sights are not an advantage for competition, most guys run Dawson/Heines.

[dart368]

I would stay away from the compensators for home defense. They tend to make muzzle flash more noticable which could be detrimental to your night vision as most incidents occur at night. Also, one of my range master buddies with a local department said it could possibly burn your arm or body if you are doing retention type shooting.

Your 35 is an awesome gun with a decent trigger pull on it, an extended slide release and I believe an oversized magazine release as well. If not, that might be an option if you wanted and if your 35 doesn't already have it. As far as a extended magazine, you might want to go with a 15 round magazine depending on how you feel legality wise about it.

I would encourage you to get into some tactical shooting classes using it and maybe even do some competition through IDPA to become even more comfortable with using the gun. But then again, you might be a Delta Force, Navy SEAL, Marine Recon, Pararescue guy for all I know. :-)

By the way, my buddy carries his Glock 35 on and off duty all the time. A holster is a holster, you gotta wear a sweatshirt, button up shirt, vest or jacket to cover it up anyway so the size isn't that important as much as how you shoot it. My buddy likes the comfort of knowing he has a long barrell for accuracy if he needs it. Good luck.

[RudyCakes]

Yeah, the comp would be removed when not at the range, hence the threaded barrel. Which I now understand is illegal. SMH
The Trijicon RMR is what I think can make a real difference. Faster aquisition and finer aiming for longer ranges.
I have indeed shot some IDPA with my stock XD45 but unfortunately I haven't been in a while.
I'm no SEAL but I am a veteran. I was a medic so my skills were elsewhere.

[Distro]

My HD guns are as stock as possible (sights, lights,grip) because in the unfortunate chance I have to use it, I don't want to be forced into building another custom while mine is locked up in some evidence locker.

[bsg]

i'd consider swapping the sights out for defensive duty; that's it.

[RudyCakes]

Do not start out trying to build an Open Gun because it looks cool. Go shoot a USPSA match near your with your G35 just the way it is. You will need a good holster, belt, mag pouches and extra mags. Shooting is much more involved than having a cool gun. Then shoot at least a dozen more matches before changing anything, other than night sights are not an advantage for competition, most guys run Dawson/Heines.

I'm looking up local matches right now.

[SouperMan]

I was thinking the opposite of you; getting a .40 S&W barrel for my .357 SIG barrel

You sure you want to go .357 SIG? I have a Glock 32 and the ammo for just FMJs are about $30; unless you go reloads.

Ported barrels are fun to shoot; some claim that it's a fix for something that there are no issues with, but I think it's cool to start turning heads at the range and wonder WTH is up with that ominous orange and yellow glow that keeps coming from that stall...

[drunktank]

In your situation (and mine) I'd say just night sights for reasons already mentioned. The .40 Short & Weak is plenty good for am HD pistol. Just find a good round that feeds reliable in your weapon. Good luck with your decision.

[Squidward]

I'm not a big fan of mods beyond good sights and maybe a flashlight on the rail. Lasers, barrels, comps, 3.5 lb. trigger connectors and other mods are no replacement for sound fundamentals, training and practice. Did I mention practice??

If you want a cool-looking 'toy'; its your money,have fun! But I'd suggest buying a second Glock 35 to tart up as a 'race' gun and leave the HD gun as it is... If you want to participate in matches, look into the GSSF.

[SDM44]

Mounting a red dot or RMR onto a pistol is nice and works really well with a weapon-mounted light, but it's a bit overkill IMO.

Night sights are good for extreme dark situations (near pitch black) since it allows you to get a reference of how your gun is oriented and where it's pointed. It'll help with target acquisition in the dark as well, but only if you don't use a light next to or underneath the gun.

A light will normally bleed out the tritium and you'll just see a black silhouette of the sight posts, depending on where you're holding it in reference to the handgun. Working that way would really be no different than if you have standard 3-dot plastic sights, so all you need to do is line up the front sight in between the 2 rear sights. But because of my previous reasoning, I feel NS is still worth it and a valuable tool for HD use.



IMO, all you really need for HD use (for any gun) is a good reliable handgun, night sights, weapon-mounted light, spare flashlight next to it, and some good reliable JHP rounds that you've tested and fired through your gun and know it'll fire 100% of the time.

[beretta929mm]

Night sights for your glock, and be done with it. If you havie trouble changing out the rear one, just buy a Mepro front sight.

[RollingCode3]

i'd consider swapping the sights out for defensive duty; that's it.

+1... leave it stock. Why on earth do you want threaded barrel and red dot on a HD handgun? If you want a race gun, buy another one and turn it into a race gun.

[chesterthehero]

HD gun.... only mod is some bright orange fingernail polish on the front sight blade with a bit of glow in the dark paint on top of it...

now for a competition gun thats another story.. fancy sights, different triggers, ect all of them have a purpose.. however a lot of peoples competition guns are better shots than the shooter.. untill your gun is holding you back theres no need to improve it unless you just want to own something fancy that you cant use very well