Help me understand Glocks

[heidad01]

Glock is like Two Buck Chuck - those who drink it can't tell the difference and it will get you drunk alright...

This is the best way to describe it.

In general, if you are a beginner and do not have a big budget, you will end up with a Glock. Nothing special.

[artb]

The reliability and accuracy of a revolver in a semi-auto.

[meno377]

I am fairly new to guns and have been following this forum for a while. Overall, Glocks appear to have the biggest fan base than any other brand. Like I said, I am fairly new to the sport, but I just don't see the fascination of Glocks.

I asked one of my LGS and the gentleman said they are like Hondas (implying great, reliable, comfortable, affordable and not very exciting). So, please let me know what I have failed to understand about Glocks. I have an itch to make a purchase and would be open to purchasing a Glock.

If you were forced to pick up a gun to defend your life and you saw a Glock, 1911, Hi Point, XD, H&K, Sig, which one would you reach for?

[CSACANNONEER]

They have a great advertising program and their fan boys believe everything they are told is good about them. Glocks, just like any other machine , can and do have failures. Some are simple and others are catastrophic. They are relatively cheap and relatively reliable firearms. That's about it.

[artb]

They have a great advertising program and their fan boys believe everything they are told is good about them. Glocks, just like any other machine , can and do have failures. Some are simple and others are catastrophic. They are relatively cheap and relatively reliable firearms. That's about it.

.... above posted by a man who doesn't like Glocks ...

I've heard all that simplicity of design accuracy and reliability is a myth.
I guess those 7,000 to 8,000 rounds through the barrel lied to me.

[tomrkba]

For me, a Glock gets “exciting” after it has few a few thousand *accurate* rounds without a jam.

I have one G19 that I “play” with—G19 MOS. It sports whatever mod I like though it will never get stippled. I switch parts out whenever I feel like trying something new. Next up is an Agency Arms trigger to replace its McNally trigger. The AA trigger in my 43 is excellent and won’t be removed (that is a carry gun so it stays like that).

As for carry Glocks: they all get the same treatment (except the 43 whose trigger was so awful it wasn’t shootable). They get Trijicon 3 dot white outline night sights, a Ghost 3.5# connector and a NY-1 trigger spring. This smooths out the trigger, makes a positive reset, and increases the weight to 5.75-6.25#. This exceeds factory spec while giving me the advantages of a smooth pull throughout the trigger’s arc of movement, a very positive reset and a trigger spring that likely will never break.

I have three Dan Wesson 1911’s and one Springfield EMP. TWO of those guns are down. One of those started jamming during the last range session. It no longer feeds. I think it needs a new recoil spring and a new tuned extractor. The other is not functional from the factory. My EMP was a disaster from the factory. SACS fixed it with a fluff n buff and pinned the ejector into place. Now it runs but the trigger sucks at 7# with lots of stacking and grit. Gunsmiths quoted me around $200 ( plus $75 shipping each way) to rip out the MIM parts and tune up some good forged parts. Contrast that with $25 for every Glock. Ghost 3.5# connectors are $15 ($20 if I splurge on a better model) and $5 shipped for the trigger spring. I can do the fluff n buff for Glocks but it is not needed with this combination of parts.

Glocks are an acquired taste. You get used to them. A proficient shooter has no trouble with them. Shooters lacking proficiency will immediately start complaining about “grip angle” and ergonomics. The Glock’s 22 degree grip angle is weird. However, a 1911 with arched mainspring housing also has a weird grip angle too. I like the 18 degrees of the 1911 with flat mainspring housing and S&W M&P. I even like the intermediate angle of the SIG P-Series. It doesn’t matter if you know what you are doing.

[omgwtfbbq]

Purchasing/using/collecting firearms is just like anything else. There are a variety of different reasons and uses for any given piece of equipment. Glocks are very much like what the guy at you LGS said; simple, reliable, comfortable.

They are the base model, and I mean that in the very best way possible. That doesn't mean that you can't also enjoy owning, shooting, or collecting other handguns. I love shooting sigs at the range, and there will ways be a soft spot in my heart for wheelguns. However, when it comes to carrying a handgun for self defense, there's no need to go further than a Glock.

At the end of the day, it's all personal preference. If you're new to shooting and collecting, I'd say find a range that rents handguns and try a number of them out. It's your money, and your gun, so you should figure out what you like, not what a bunch of people on the internet say.

[tomrkba]

Remember, there are tons of great guns out there, though THE ROSTER limits your choices now. Acquire an M&P if you do not like Glock or want something different. The HK USP is also good and you can set it up in a variety of ways.

You can always go with revolvers. They are another level of addiction.

[One in the pipe]

I bought a glock because I'm new to guns and I can beat the crap out of my glock and not care. I figured it was the first of many guns.

[ACfixer]

OP, decide what your ultimate use is for the handgun. I concealed carry a Glock 365 days a year, my requirements are that it never go off in the holster but always goes off out of the holster if I pull that trigger. No ridiculous safeties to mess with, trigger pull is the same each and every time, and it is acceptably accurate. For me it's a self defense tool, I put good sights on it and that's it. Glocks are like a Jeep to me, they don't lose any "value" because there is some wear on it because the value to me is in it's usefulness not in it's resale. I've never purchased a $500 gun worrying that if I sell it two years from now I'll lose $100 in resale costs or anything silly like that. If that kind of thing actually DOES matter to you then Glock is your gun for sure because other guns people really get anal about.

[watevers1]

if you're fairly new to guns, you are bound to have a glock in the collection. might as well start off with one. on your second pistol, you'll be able to compare the differences.

[Dvrjon]

Yes, they do.

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If you were forced to pick up a gun to defend your life and you saw a Glock, 1911, Hi Point, XD, H&K, Sig, which one would you reach for?

Trick question

-I wouldn't take one...I have two hands.

-Which models? Given a choice between .45 ACP in a ten-round Glock v. a 7-round 1911, I'd take the Glock.

--If it's a Glock 42 and a 1911, in .45ACP, I'm taking the 1911 (and the Glock).

[unusedusername]

OP:

This stuff isn't rocket science. Nearly all production model firearms are reliable, accurate, and safe. The other differences are mostly personal opinion.

Go to a place that rents firearms with a buddy. Rent a Glock. Rent a few other model guns at the same time. Try them.

It takes a couple of hours, but by the end of the session you'll have a reasonable idea if you "like" the Glock.

Better yet, take that experience with a professional instructor.

[phantomx48]

I prefer the Walther PPQ brand Glock. Or the HK VP9 brand Glock. You get all that Glocky goodness without the feel of holding a brick in your hand.

[wurger]

If you were forced to pick up a gun to defend your life and you saw a Glock, 1911, Hi Point, XD, H&K, Sig, which one would you reach for?

The one that is closest to my strong hand.

If I'm defending myself or mine, I'm not going to be a yappy, internet <felmale dog> about the "grip angle" on a Glock if that is the most handy gun in that situation.