What's wrong with Glocks?

[model 70]

I hear some of you dislike them. What are the reasons behind this?

[VinVega]

I think they're ugly. I also don't like the idea of a gun with no safety other than the trigger thing. I know it's "safety enough" to keep your finger off the trigger, but in a holster I like the extra reassurance. Don't let the metal vs. plastic thing get to you, polymer's just as strong as a lot of metals, and the frame won't rust (but the other metal parts will). Glocks are fine pistols if that's what you like. They're dependable, and well built, and lots of parts and holsters and accessories are available for them. I just wouldn't have them mostly for the fact that I think they're ugly.

[TreeDoc]

They're black.

They're evil.

I resisted for years.

Then I broke down.

I went to the dark side.

I have somewhere in the neighborhood of let's just say "20 something" handguns with 80% of those being modern day semi's like a collection of S&W Tacticals, Beretta's, 1911', etcetera. I have learned that there is no other gun that has the ergonomic characteristics of a Glock that allow you to take it out of the box and shoot it very well with the first magazine load. Your result might vary but I doubt it. I started using it competitively right away and excelled from there.

The Springfield XD's come very close to that same scenario, I have a couple of those too. The out of box trigger is better, IMO but the learning curve is a bit bigger than the Glock.

I am seriously considering chiitcanning all the others and just sticking with a series of Glunks in different calibers.

[model 70]

how do they stack up against the SIGs?

[TreeDoc]

2 very different animals.

Sig Sauer makes a fine firearm, very high quality and reliabilty. I personally don't like they way they fit. Notice the line of the bore sits way above a shooters hand, it's a tall gun. This can tend to create more muzzle flip. The Glock has a lower bore line, the handle is canted at a different angle as well (30 degrees I believe) creating a more natural pointing gun that doesn't require conscious adjustment when aiming.

I believe the Glock has undergone more rigorous testing due to its target of being an international military sidearm as well as law enforcement. I remember some of the testing was the gun was fired in water while sand was being poured into the action at the same time the gun was cycling. It keeps on going!

[Adam Helmer]

model 70,

I tend to agree with VinVega, the Glocks are ugly and a more positive safety than what we had (none) on the previously issued DA S&W revolvers would have been nice. In 1989 we got Glock 17s and 19s at the agency and I took the M19. I was the Firearms Coordinator (Instructor) for all 100 of our agents in New England. I shot my Glock 19 a lot and it was accurate and three (3) times in 7 years it quit DEAD STOP! Luckily, I was on the range when my Glock 19 died! All three times I sent it back to Smyrna, GA for refit and overhaul and it now reposes in my vault. I got a brief letter from Glock after each refit for the reasons for the "stoppage" and now carry a Colt M1911 CCW.

Adam

[Gil Martin]

I have quite a few handguns and will never own a Glock. In my view, Glocks are ugly, of blocky construction, have inadequate safety features and one cannot see the hammer. My preferences are for any 1911s or older Smith revolvers. In fact, I have a fiend's .40 Glock Model 27 upstairs for a good cleaning. Cannot wait until he picks it up. All the best...
Gil

[TreeDoc]

Yep, I said "never" once too.

Glock's are evil alright! Don't turn your back on one, it'll go off when you least expect it!

[VinVega]

I wouldn't go so far as to say I'd never have one, but I wouldn't pick one out of a group of guns that were all fair prices. If I got a great deal, I might give one a shot. Otherwise, not a priority to me. Maybe if I had some experience with them past just a little exposure here and there, I might like them more. I'd be more likely to pick up the XD, though, because of the grip safety. Other than that, they're strikingly similar.

[TreeDoc]

This question is posed soley out of curiousity.

So many seem so highly conscious over the Glock's lack of exterior safety. What about it, or lack thereof, freaks you out?

As you know, it requires the deliberate operation of the trigger. Dropping it, throwing it, will not cause the gun to fire. Is it the lack of safety while handling it that is an issue?

I think of a 1911 for example. If you have the gun in your hand you are actuating the grip safety feature automatically and then only have that bitty little lever on the slide that prevents what is usually a fine, light trigger pull from firing the gun.

Again, just curious as to what concerns really are?

[kt]

being a major glock fan, i have not had a response to this thread, but this isnt the first time some one mentioned the safety to me. It seems people are freaked out by not have a little lever to push down that shows a red button that means the gun is off safe or something like that. Me I want a gun that when i need it up in a hurry is ready ASAP. The glock trigger is perectly safe, if you arent shooting then your finger shouldnt be inside the trigger guard any how. i cant see how the safety mechanism of a glock still gets a bad rap given the numbers of cops, soldiers and CCW's that carry them daily. Keep your finger out of the trigger gaurd and we can all be happy. springfield with their XD series had a great idea because they are getting a fair amount of business from people who like glocks but feel a lack of safety.
kt

[VinVega]

TD -
To me it's just peace at mind. Like I said initially, I know it should be safety enough to keep your finger off the trigger, but I just don't feel too comfortable myself with it. Glocks are good guns, don't get me wrong. There's a reason they're so popular, they're just not my personal favorites. I can see why people trust them so much, though.
The safety issue really isn't anything more real than the slide realease thing people seem to think a criminal can do to a Beretta, or grabbing the cylinder on a revolver, or releasing the mag on a Hi-Power. It's never REALLY going to pose a problem, but sometimes it just makes people uneasy.
I'm really getting off topic here I think...

[teal325]

I have shot Glocks and the various 1911 pistols. I am by no means a pistol shooter or a pistol nut but for me the 1911 fills my hand perfectly and was a ton easier to shoot accurately.

I can shoot a Glock to a very acceptable level of accuracy (scored 248 out of 250 on the TX CCW course of fire having never shot a 9mm or a Glock before in my life - was a loaner gun).

For me I like the 1911, it fits my hand, easy to shoot acurately, and they are neat, ie easily personalized.

I would own a Glock but prob not as my primary CCW.

My personal beef:

1. Doesn't fit my hand all that well.

2. Can not seem to shoot it as well as a 1911. (that may just take time)

3. Lack of the external safety - Sure I know how it works but what if my wife picks it up and isn't familiar? We all like to think that type of stuff never could or doesn't happen but it DOES and the person it happens to always says "... I can't believe I did that..."

[Adam Helmer]

TreeDoc,

I would like to see a thumb safety on the Glocks like on the Colt M1911; if you do not want to use it, ok, just fire the Glock by using the "trigger safety' as it already is. I have known agents to shoot a DA revolver in their holsters on the 7-yard timed fire PPC course. Yes, they did not keep their fingers off the trigger until they cleared leather. These were folks who qualified twice a year and were not listening to instructions before they went to the line.

With the Glock 17 and 19 we had two accidental discharges, one person holstered up with finger on the Glock trigger and just missed their right foot. Another person fired their Glock in the holster at the start of the 12 round, 30 second 7-yard stage and clipped their right butt cheek. A thumb safety would "cover" those less than well conditioned handgun shooters and cover savvy guys in gravest extreme. If a shooter chose not to use the thumb safety, then that is their call, but right now it is not an option. It is like seatbelts in your car, use them if you desire.

Adam

[kt]

thought i'd pass this along, more on subject since last time i posted it
http://www.glocktalk.com/showthread....hreadid=351832