Glock 19 First Time Out

[desertjunkie760]

So I got to take out my G19 yesterday for the first time. Went to the local indoor range along with my Sig P226. Ran 100 Rds of Federal 115Gr through the Glock. I must say that I was by no means impressed. I have had the opportunity to shoot a handful of firearms at indoor ranges and I have had a handful of firearms stand out for me, but the Glock came up short. I actually ended up going through my Sig's 40S&W ammo first because I enjoy shooting it so much.

I picked up the Glock because I got a good deal on it and figured I would see what the hype was about. I have shot other Glocks such as the G22 previously but wanted to run one for a few rounds. I did a 10, 15, and 25 yard target distance and to be honest it was bad enough not to want to take a picture. I haven't been shooting for awhile so thats my excuse, and I'm sticking to it. First thing I noticed was that on the first magazine, the Glock failed to feed the round. It jamed on the feed ramp and failed to go into battery. Its a brand new firearm so ill give it a break, but they say its supposed to be the most reliable platform. As we all know the sights suck, but those are replaceable, and the slide stop isn't the greatest. I DO power stock the slide on a mag release, but I still like to utilize my slide stop when needed. Which leads to the magazines. Out of the 100 rounds fired, the magazines only locked the slide 2x. The recoil wasn't bad being a 9mm but I would grab my friends M&P over the Glock any day. Lastly was the trigger. I hear that the Glock has one of the best factory triggers for a striker fire, but it didn't call my name. The break is decently crisp and a lot smoother than the M&P but the reset is pretty long.

Now I know that its a low round count on an indoor range so I could run it very hard. I will be putting more rounds through it in the next few weeks and maybe it will grow on me a little. Im not trying to bash a good gun, we all know they work when needed and its not going anywhere, but by no means did it make the list of favorites. Any comments are welcome, but lets not get too crazy for all you Glockies out there.

[tal3nt]

I always felt that Glocks had a nice short & pronounced trigger reset.

Glocks definitely arent as easy to shoot as SA/DA & SAO pistols.. but they are just as accurate.

[mr2ndamendment]

My thoughts on Glock that relate to your experience:

Firstly, in my experience, Glocks are extremely reliable out of the box in almost all circumstances. It's a well-made gun with a proven track record in LE, military, and civilian use but sometimes every manufacturer sends out a mistake from the factory and if you feel like there's a problem, I would send the gun and the mags back to them and they'll make it right.

Next, the Glock is extremely well-made with quality materials and the design itself is very well-done. The only functional issue I have with the factory gun is the sights, which as you've stated, are horrendous but there are replacements (and I recommend people to replace the sights ASAP).

Lastly, if you call Glock as ask why their slide release is so low-profile they'll be happy to inform you that their guns do not have slide releases on them -just slide locks. Glock encourages the power-stroke method for all reloading/chambering and they kept with the minimalist approach by making their slide lock/release completely absent of profile and real texture. If you love actuating slide releases on guns to reload or chamber, I'd advise you to switch out the stock G19 slide lock for a G34/35 slide lock, which is slightly better.

With all the respect I have for Glocks, I must insert my personal opinions; I hate shooting the gun. The grip angle doesn't work for me and the trigger is downright nasty IMHO. I can't hit with it like I can with a good 1911, anything Sig, or especially my S&W M&P9. With guns like the M&P I've found no reason to own a Glock -they basically shamelessly copied the Glock's design themes and ideas and made them better IMHO. Much like how Taurus came up with the Judge concept, but S&W hijacked the idea/concept and executed it 1000% better with the Governor. I only own a G17 because the prepper side in me wants to own guns in common use so I can find mags and spare parts easier in desperate times, but I don't enjoy shooting the gun and I only shoot it to keep up on how to use it.

There will always be the Glock fanboys who swear by it, as they should because it's well-made, reliable, and simple, but I just can't get it to work for me. Working in a gun shop for years, I've sold HUNDREDS of Glocks and I recommend them to many people, but I just can't get it to work for me. I always recommend for customers to shoot the gun before they buy it, which has resulted in thrilled customers coming back to buy one or customers coming back looking for something different that has more to offer.

Many people will look at the Glock as the "Jesus pistol" -it can do no wrong and is flawless in all ways. This simply isn't so, I've been left wanting more, and I feel like other competing pistols can fill the void. I'm sure I could spend a nice chunk of change at Glock Works or another custom Glock shop and finally create a Glock I can love and do well with, but I'm not interested in a $2,000 polymer gun. Out of the box with no mods, the M&P is a far superior offering out of the box IMO.

[n2stackin]

I felt like I could drive a nail with a 1911 the first time I shot one (not true, but it felt like it).

When I shot a Glock for the first tme, I felt like I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn.

I'm proficient with them now, but it did take a little getting used to.

[ChrisBrooklyn]

its the grip angel IMO, takes some getting used to, but once you do the gun runs great.. YMMV

[stphnman20]

Glocks are not a happy medium. It's either you love them or hate them.

[30LPI]

I took 4 guns to the range this weekend. 3 were new although I've been dry fire practicing with all. The Sig 226, 938, 227 and a Glock 42 (my wife's). Each of the guns has its own quirks although the 226 did impress me the most. The 938 was all over the place. I expected that. It's a small gun and requires much more effort on my part. The 227 is almost perfect. It will be once I upgrade to the SRT trigger. The glock 42 did not perform well. I had one misfeed in 3 full mags while my wife had one almost every magazine, as well as one FTE. I suspect she may be limp-wristing but I'll need to focus time on that next range trip. The g42 is the most current version, by the way...

Anyway, I do own other Glocks - a 19, 21sf and 30 and all have been strong performers. The 19 and 30 have not been tack drivers for me because I dont train with them like I should. The 21sf is a tack driver. It's also big enough to land a small plane on... I think the Glocks have merit (and training will help.) I just like Sigs better. Maybe you do too?

[LRShooter]

Desert, what size groups at 10 or 15 yards do you shoot with the Sig? How did that compare with the Glock?

If you want to get good with the Glock, shoot it exclusively for the next 500-1000rds.

I shoot my Glock 22 better than my 1911. I put 5x the ammo thru the Glock than the 1911 though.

[tonyxcom]

I don't think there are very many shooters that come from Sig's that like Glocks and it comes down to the trigger and grip angle. The grip angle is just a muscle memory thing and can be overcome with training - and it only matters on presentation so for most shooters it isn't much of a problem anyway.

The trigger on the other hand, and I don't say this to be obtuse... lighter triggers mask overall bad technique and I always get a good chuckle when I hear of 1991 or Sig shooters complain about not being able to hit the broadside of a barn with a Glock (or any striker fired gun for that matter).

All modern guns are plenty accurate out of the box. Shooters not so much, especially the ones unwilling/unable to learn to be proficient with the platform. Sig's are great guns and I plan to add one to the collection one day.

With regards to your feeding problems, unfortunately the Glock 10rnd magazines still ship with those problematic followers, but a quick phonecall to Glock and they'll send you ones that work (I forget the part number).

[safety-1st]

What Gen did you buy?

Don't gen 4 Glock 19s have slightly different grips or grip attachments?

[KahrGuy9]

OP, which Gen Glock? What ammo? Which follower number on the mags?

[thegamettt]

I seem to shoot glocks/mps better than 1911s, but I shoot a sig better than I do a glock. Weird.

[JDW67]

I seem to shoot glocks/mps better than 1911s, but I shoot a sig better than I do a glock. Weird.

Not too weird, I'm the same. I shoot my Glock 19 better then I shoot a 1911 and my Sig 226 outshoots my Glock. Thought it would be the other way around...

[tbc]

I have owned and shot many many handguns. In the trigger department, IMO, the M&P trigger is last on the list. Glock trigger is second to last.

[billybob_jcv]

The first time I shot a Glock, I did not like the trigger or grip angle at all. Of course, I need very little excuse to shoot badly - I seem to be able to do that regardless of what handgun I'm using! The Sig DA/SA, *in SA* is great. I really don't like any of the DA/SA guns for DA pulls. I'm fairly sure that if I shot a striker-fired gun all the time, I could get used to it, and I suspect I would like it much better than a DAO or DA/SA double tap.