Dealers prefer selling Glocks?
- Thread starter osallent
- Start date
Actually, way back when I was shopping for my first autoloading pistol, the guy behind the counter was really pushing the Springfield XD. I was all I - smart and believed the most important thing in a pistol was how it FIT or FELT. A Baby Eagle felt the best, I didn't mind the weight, so that's what I got.
HORRIBLE trigger - jammed incessantly. Got rid of it. Talked to my cousin who is a county sherriff - he recommended a Glock - 22. He said the department switched -(to Berretas I believe) and people were having trouble qualifying, some had to go back to Glock to make it.
More to the story but don't want the thread to go off topic. Regardless, I've never had gun counter guys push Glocks on me.
HORRIBLE trigger - jammed incessantly. Got rid of it. Talked to my cousin who is a county sherriff - he recommended a Glock - 22. He said the department switched -(to Berretas I believe) and people were having trouble qualifying, some had to go back to Glock to make it.
More to the story but don't want the thread to go off topic. Regardless, I've never had gun counter guys push Glocks on me.
BGutzman -
Here's a link to the 2009 IDPA championship equipment survey.
http://www.idpa.com/tj.asp?ID=252
Anything else to say?
Here's a link to the 2009 IDPA championship equipment survey.
http://www.idpa.com/tj.asp?ID=252
Anything else to say?
I don't think Glock sells so well because it is the most accurate. I wouldn't expect it to be used as a competition pistol. Although the 34 & 35 are tactical/practical models that might be acceptable. The G 24 is too long for most competition, I think, but it would be the most accurate. Anyway back on topic, Glock handguns sell well because they are the most reliable.
My retired brother-in-law was a LEO in a department in Alaska that still carried revolvers. They decided to transition to semi-auto guns. They ordered samples of the models that met their specifications. Then they put them through torture tests that were representative of what a gun could go though in Alaska. The Glock pistols were the only ones not to fail during their tests. That is the reason I tried a Glock pistol to begin with. After 3 years of heavy shooting I still haven't see my first failure to feed issue with either Glock (21sf or 27).
My retired brother-in-law was a LEO in a department in Alaska that still carried revolvers. They decided to transition to semi-auto guns. They ordered samples of the models that met their specifications. Then they put them through torture tests that were representative of what a gun could go though in Alaska. The Glock pistols were the only ones not to fail during their tests. That is the reason I tried a Glock pistol to begin with. After 3 years of heavy shooting I still haven't see my first failure to feed issue with either Glock (21sf or 27).
First IPDA is hardly the only game in town although it is well known and large. Let us not forget the NRA National matches etc. etc.
By my count there are 101, 1911's or modified 1911's. So the question remains who were the winners in the categories? I dont have the time or energy to look it up but you seem to have the reference information to do so, so please do and let the numbers stand for themselves.
If Glock takes it then so be it and if 1911 takes it then so be it. What you gave me is the number of guns by type used, which is interesting.
2 Caspian 1911’s
5 Colt 1911’s
19 Kimber 1911’s
2 Les Baer 1911’s
2 Nighthawk Custom 1911’s
1 Nowlin 1911
2 Para Ordinance 1911’s
1 Sig Sauer 1911
5 Smith & Wesson 1911’s
17 Springfield 1911’s
23 STI 1911’s
4 SVI 1911’s
12 Wilson Combat 1911’s
6 Tanfoglio 1911’s
101 1911,s
By my count there are 101, 1911's or modified 1911's. So the question remains who were the winners in the categories? I dont have the time or energy to look it up but you seem to have the reference information to do so, so please do and let the numbers stand for themselves.
If Glock takes it then so be it and if 1911 takes it then so be it. What you gave me is the number of guns by type used, which is interesting.
2 Caspian 1911’s
5 Colt 1911’s
19 Kimber 1911’s
2 Les Baer 1911’s
2 Nighthawk Custom 1911’s
1 Nowlin 1911
2 Para Ordinance 1911’s
1 Sig Sauer 1911
5 Smith & Wesson 1911’s
17 Springfield 1911’s
23 STI 1911’s
4 SVI 1911’s
12 Wilson Combat 1911’s
6 Tanfoglio 1911’s
101 1911,s
What is also interesting is the 2010 results had a fairly major increase of 1911 users (about 120) compared to 101 the prior year.
Yes Glock gained one new user, but is it not interesting to see the 1911 actually growing in use...
http://www.idpa.com/tj.asp?ID=290
And again I would like to know what type of pistol brought in the majority of victorys? I truly dont know the answer so i leave the question to all of you.
Yes Glock gained one new user, but is it not interesting to see the 1911 actually growing in use...
http://www.idpa.com/tj.asp?ID=290
And again I would like to know what type of pistol brought in the majority of victorys? I truly dont know the answer so i leave the question to all of you.
Back to the OPs orginal question. . . .
The most probably answer to this question IMHO is this:
I sell Marine electronics and GPS units at a retail level. 90% of the time when someone comes in, unless they are already fixated on what they want, I will direct them to certain name brands that I love to sell because, after they leave to store, I don't see them again! The customer is happier, and I don't have to deal with the headache of a defective sonar unit.
The most probably answer to this question IMHO is this:
I sell Marine electronics and GPS units at a retail level. 90% of the time when someone comes in, unless they are already fixated on what they want, I will direct them to certain name brands that I love to sell because, after they leave to store, I don't see them again! The customer is happier, and I don't have to deal with the headache of a defective sonar unit.
- and 136 Glocks. (USPSA numbers are similar, I'd wager)
look, I'm not a Glock fanboy by any stretch (although I do shoot Glocks in competition).
The truth is Glocks rule IDPA stock service pistol and USPSA production divisions.
You like 1911's - I respect that. A custom 1911 will shoot more accurately than a stock Glock, of that I have no doubt.
The only bone I was picking with you was your assertion that high level national competition shooters don't use them. They do.
The truth is that the very highest level shooters shoot whichever brand gives them the best sponsership deal.
To the O.P. - I'm very sorry for the thread drift - I realize Glock vs. 1911 has been beaten to death -
look, I'm not a Glock fanboy by any stretch (although I do shoot Glocks in competition).
The truth is Glocks rule IDPA stock service pistol and USPSA production divisions.
You like 1911's - I respect that. A custom 1911 will shoot more accurately than a stock Glock, of that I have no doubt.
The only bone I was picking with you was your assertion that high level national competition shooters don't use them. They do.
The truth is that the very highest level shooters shoot whichever brand gives them the best sponsership deal.
To the O.P. - I'm very sorry for the thread drift - I realize Glock vs. 1911 has been beaten to death -
FWIW, Glock didn't "lose" the DHS (ICE-CBP) contract. The contract was written in such as a way (requiring a LONG DAO trigger pull) as to preclude them from competing and they (unlike HK and SIG) refused to create a special trigger for the contract.
BTW DHS is out of that contract now and I won't be surprised to see the next contract specs avoid the DAK/LEM requirement.
Early 1990s era Glock 21 .45acp, LE contracts...
I rented a Glock 21 .45acp in the early 1990s that had a few problems & jams.
In fairness, the 21 was dirty & I was required to use low quality reloaded .45acp FMJ ammunition.
As for Glock losing big LE & military contracts, I'd say there are a # of factors that could be at play; price, support/service, parts-magazines, training, etc.
The major PD of my city(800+ sworn LE officers) went from the standard DA/SA(decocker) P226 9x19mm to the, SURPRISE; P-226 standard 9x19mm.
The police chief(who spent her entire sworn LE career in the department) picked the same brand, model & service caliber that they issued 16 years ago.
The chief did agree with the local FoP(police officers) to allow the .40S&W or .357sig P226/P229/P239 for on or off duty use by the PD members.
ClydeFrog
I rented a Glock 21 .45acp in the early 1990s that had a few problems & jams.
In fairness, the 21 was dirty & I was required to use low quality reloaded .45acp FMJ ammunition.
As for Glock losing big LE & military contracts, I'd say there are a # of factors that could be at play; price, support/service, parts-magazines, training, etc.
The major PD of my city(800+ sworn LE officers) went from the standard DA/SA(decocker) P226 9x19mm to the, SURPRISE; P-226 standard 9x19mm.
The police chief(who spent her entire sworn LE career in the department) picked the same brand, model & service caliber that they issued 16 years ago.
The chief did agree with the local FoP(police officers) to allow the .40S&W or .357sig P226/P229/P239 for on or off duty use by the PD members.
ClydeFrog
Here in lies a very important difference. In competition a malfunction causes you to loose the event. In life you die.
In competition fractions of inches in accuracy makes the difference in winning or not winning in life that fraction is less important.
A friend and fellow range officer here in Florida just returned from a 4 day handgun course at Front Site. All but one instructor he saw in 4 days carried a Glock even though they have a deal with Springfield for their XD pistols which FS gives away with lifetime memberships. Seems the 12 hour days had an effect on many of the 1911's you mentioned though LOL. Many students so armed had problems. This information is first hand witnessed from my friend during his 4 days there and he WAS a staunch 1911 man.
Seems the Glock is capable of doing what is taught at Front site good enough that it is chosen over all others. They teach fighting with a handgun not competing with one.
His assertion was loaded (pun intended). Glocks are fighting guns not competition guns. Games geared toward accuracy are better suited for the 1911 although Dave Sevigny won most accurate recently.
For fighting the glock is hard to beat as reflected by those using them who are professionals at fighting with a handgun.
Back to the OP's question, my friend owns a gun store in town and I spend alot of time in there 
. I've seen it time and again....Glock's fly out the door.
Glock is a recognized brand to those that don't have much experience with firearms. They are underwhelming with unnecessary buttons and gadgets. No decockers, no grip safeties, no manual safeties. They are priced right. While a newbie off the street has probably heard of Colt, show them the price tag and they feint.
Its always frustrating, I always tell him that he should be showing them an 870 or some other typ of pump 12/20ga for home defense requirements, which is usually , not always, why a weapon is wanted by a first time buyer. Like someone said before they are typically going to load it and set in the closet anyways. But I understand pushing a $500 glock vs. a $300 shotgun is definitely a revenue booster.
Another large selling point to complete newbies for Glock, CAPACITY. Most people that have only shot a pistol once or twice quickly realize that its much harder to hit what you are aiming at than they thought. "Give me the one that holds 15-20 rounds please". Also, many new people have a fear of dealing with a cocked hammer...just scary looking to them (in reality its probably safer than the safety system on a glock for a newb.) but its the perception of a "locked and cocked" pistol that could go off if you breathe on it.
Ease of dissasembly... Put a 1911 in a "virgin's hands" and tell them to take it apart and wipe it down with oil....good luck.
Also in today's "high tech" world, revlover's just don't have the cool factor, although that should be their second choice behind a shotgun for ease of use. Remember above statement of capacity, most of these people were at the range and know that 5-6 shots just isn't going to cut it when they only put 50% on paper. Remember we are talking about the newb to handguns. Everything is high tech so Polymer and Rust proof sleek/clean looks are in. Also why sell a $300-$400 revolver when he can get more revenue off the $500 Glock.
. I've seen it time and again....Glock's fly out the door.Glock is a recognized brand to those that don't have much experience with firearms. They are underwhelming with unnecessary buttons and gadgets. No decockers, no grip safeties, no manual safeties. They are priced right. While a newbie off the street has probably heard of Colt, show them the price tag and they feint.
Its always frustrating, I always tell him that he should be showing them an 870 or some other typ of pump 12/20ga for home defense requirements, which is usually , not always, why a weapon is wanted by a first time buyer. Like someone said before they are typically going to load it and set in the closet anyways. But I understand pushing a $500 glock vs. a $300 shotgun is definitely a revenue booster.
Another large selling point to complete newbies for Glock, CAPACITY. Most people that have only shot a pistol once or twice quickly realize that its much harder to hit what you are aiming at than they thought. "Give me the one that holds 15-20 rounds please". Also, many new people have a fear of dealing with a cocked hammer...just scary looking to them (in reality its probably safer than the safety system on a glock for a newb.) but its the perception of a "locked and cocked" pistol that could go off if you breathe on it.
Ease of dissasembly... Put a 1911 in a "virgin's hands" and tell them to take it apart and wipe it down with oil....good luck.
Also in today's "high tech" world, revlover's just don't have the cool factor, although that should be their second choice behind a shotgun for ease of use. Remember above statement of capacity, most of these people were at the range and know that 5-6 shots just isn't going to cut it when they only put 50% on paper. Remember we are talking about the newb to handguns. Everything is high tech so Polymer and Rust proof sleek/clean looks are in. Also why sell a $300-$400 revolver when he can get more revenue off the $500 Glock.
Last edited:
You have described the nearest gun store to me, to a tee!
You can go in to buy a bottle of gun oil and they will try to sell you a Glock. Not going to happen with me.
Glock is second only to Bill Gates in convincing the world that they need his product. Truely amazing accomplishment, actually.
Planting a seed in the human mind is actually easier than taking candy from a baby. We see it all the time right here in the forum.
You can go in to buy a bottle of gun oil and they will try to sell you a Glock. Not going to happen with me.
Glock is second only to Bill Gates in convincing the world that they need his product. Truely amazing accomplishment, actually.
Planting a seed in the human mind is actually easier than taking candy from a baby. We see it all the time right here in the forum.
Here we go again
Gaston Glock had zero effect in my decision to keep Glock as my fighting gun platform. Glock's marketing had zero effect on my initial decision to try one. What had an effect on me in the beginning was LE use. Then once I started using Glock I grew to realize, as I learned better tactics, that Glock was very well suited for it. So well in fact that I have yet to find a better substitute. Been looking and trying others since the early 90's.
In fact the more I learn about how the survive a gunfight the better Glock gets.