Is There a Downside to a Glock?

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DarkStar

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Greetings

After doing a great deal of research and comparison of all the models that fit my requirements, I've decided on a Glock 26.

This weapon will be for CCW purposes. I needed a compact piece that fired 9mm and could take the day in day out of on-body carry and do it all with absolute reliability. Easy right?

I was able to determine the Glock was the only serious contender early on but my problem was it would be my first Glock. Seduced, as it were. I'm OK with it now and am actually rather excited about it. I haven't broken the news to all my Beretta's yet.

You always see the 'I like Glock' and 'I hate Glock' posts. My question is for all the Glock fans. Is there a downside?

Your Glock is 'perfection' except for that little something?

I'm curious as to if the downsides were correctable with different accessories or techniques or you just grew to love them.

Thanks

Darryl

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"In an age of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act." -- George Orwell

You can't Trust Freedom when it's not in your hands...

[This message has been edited by DarkStar (edited September 26, 2000).]
 
The only thing that I don't like is the new finger grooves, especially on the smaller models as I have pretty big paws. I can still handle my G19 pretty well in spite of it, and the ones on my G21 are actually just right. If I had my choice (and I would have if I had made the move earlier), I would have the ones without the finger grooves.

But I love them anyway!
 
Downsides:

1. trigger safety lever (trigger safety lever on trigger hurts after a while of shooting).

2. Trigger pull is usually not great (mushy is the best way to describe it)

3. So So accuracy in most 9mm and .40 models (good enough for defensive work, but not tackdrivers)

4. Shaky ergonomics

5. Poor sights (they break a lot since plastic). I do like the sight picture, but I hate the polymer sights (mine have fallen off twice already on one Glock)

6. They are ugly

7. I am sure I could come up with more negatives if I had time...

I still LOVE Glocks. Despite their negative features, they are great guns. Though I admit Ruger P95 and P97's overtake Glocks now in my personal preference.

Glocks were once #1 on my preference list, but now are #3. I still love the design, I just found other designs I like better...
1. Sigs
2. P95 & P97 Ruger
3. Glocks
 
My primary carry gun is a G26 and I have no complaints about it whatever. I've made no modifications to it--IMHO the best Glock is a stock GLock.

I've had some problems with my other Glocks, but they've been easy to solve. Most of the problems were with mag springs: a few springs were too weak to fully engage the slide stop when the mags were empty, some were too strong to allow loading to capacity (the latter springs relax after a while). I sent the mags with weak springs to Glock's service department. Glock installed new replacement springs at no charge.

The only stoppage I've had in a Glock so far was a stovepipe in my G20. It turned out that it had an early ejector. I shipped the gun to Glock and was given a free upgrade.

Based on my individual experience, Glocks are as reliable as Berettas, SIGs, and other high quality guns, which is saying a lot. For concealed carry, Glock is, to me, ahead of the others in ease of maintenance, light weight, and compactness. YMMV.
 
Downsides are cost (to high IMO), the big square slide (if they rounded/beveled it would be nice) and that you MUST carry it either in a holster that covers the trigger at all times or with a trigger block.

I now veiw the trigger as a plus, as I like it better than a DA trigger.
 
Realistically, the only downside to a Glock is that it is so light and comfortable that you will probably forget you have it with you.
 
I bought my daughter a G26. I installed Meprolight sights, which are steel, and won't fall off. She loves her new Glock. Prior to the Glock, she'd only shot my Colt Woodsman.

I'm not particularly nuts about 9mm, but really enjoy shooting the G26. I don't think that you'll complain about its accuracy. Shooting one-hole groups at 15yds is a gimme. If you don't like the trigger, buy a 3.5# connector and install it yourself. After you've fired your first shot, release your trigger finger only far enough for the trigger to reset. You'll be surprised at how much better the trigger feels on subsequent shots. I'd practice that technique by dryfiring, first.
 
For me, the downside is that the gun doesn't point right for me and I dislike the trigger---not as much as I dislike DA trigger pulls on DA/SA autos, but I still dislike it. Still, if I couldn't carry a 1911, I would carry a Glock.
 
Older Glocks have mediocre triggers, new ones are really quite good. Older adjustable sights are fragile. Take-down tabs are hard to grasp for folks with very short fingerhails. Ejection port on a G17 is too small to allow ejection of some brands of 147gr unfired.

Plus sides: simple, reliable.
 
Oleg,
What do you consider an "older Glock". In your post you said that the trigger pill on older Glocks is mediocre. I purchased my G27 in Aug. '98. Would you consider mine one of the older models?

Thanks,
Will
 
The trigger pull takes a little while to master. Fastest way to learn is to cough some money for training with a person experienced with Glocks.

To me the positives far outwiegh the negatives. They're light, durable, simple mechanism, cheap magazines ($15 NIB from www.jarmory.com), lots of affordable leather (check out Lou Alessi's rigs), resist rust like nothing else (I live in a pit of rain and humidity and I've never had even an inkling of corrosion), and they're smooth without any sharp edges.

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"Get yourself a Lorcin and lose that nickel plated sissy pistol."

[This message has been edited by Tecolote (edited September 26, 2000).]
 
I absolutely love my G-26. It's accurate and small.

I read posts stating that Glocks are ugly, I think hey look mean. They are ALL black and have nice thick slides. I think all in all the features add a sense of personality.

Customizations include, Mepros, New York Trigger, GlockWorks tool w/receiver plug, Extended slide release.

If you scratch the slide, rub some gun oil on it and bingo.

Clearly the Glock for me.

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"Firearms make you feel as if the whole world is in a bubble of glass and you are rubbing up against it like a bad windshield wiper"
 
The only thing that is really unacceptable about Glocks, is their inability to digest lead ammo. If I had one, a Bar-Sto barrel would be the first accessory I'd buy!

Regards! DaMan

[This message has been edited by DaMan (edited September 27, 2000).]
 
The bad things about Glunks are:

1. No safety

2. Because of the unsupported chamber they tend to KB.

And the number 1 bad thing abou Glunks is:

Poor trigger pull!

Ben
 
Pros&Cons

Pros: reliability, finish

Cons: trigger, width, ergonomics, general size (width) makes them a pain in the ass to carry IWB, the stock sights suck, mags are way to expensive (pre bans) and they are ugly
 
The only complaint I have with them (besides the trigger, which is an easy fix) is the grip frame. Since it's molded plastic, and the US market is a good one, why can't they mold an "Americanized" grip frame with a straighter backstrap and real checkering (like STI) instead of the "grenade" crap. Half the Glock shooters I know wrap rubber around the grip for a better hold but then the grip is too fat. Others use skateboard tape but, to me, that just looks tacky!

Mikey
 
Folks have pretty much covered the ugliness aspect. It took me a while to get over hating the little reverberation "echo" after one pulls the trigger - feels like well, either a toy or a machine. It's a machine - designed to throw slugs in pretty much the same place, time after time. Works pretty well, but it lacks the artistic merit of, say, a Hi-Power.

But I think you'll have a hard time finding a better machine for the money. Hey, FWIW, the thickness of the slide (and frame) are pretty tough, particularly for a 9 mm like the 26. It's weird, they don't LOOK too thick on paper or on inspection, but they CARRY thick. I've got a 33 (essentially the same size as the 26 you're considering, but in .357) and I can deal with it, but it is a little bit of a hassle. For a 9 mm I probably would give serious consideration to the Kahr for this reason alone.

good luck
erich
 
Darkstar,

Here are a couple negatives.

1. Glocks are getting harder and harder to get in stock at local shops due to their popularity.

2. Glocks tend to make such a first impression on you after your first purchase you will eventually start searching under your sofa for change to put towards your next Glock purchase.

3. You have to put up daily with the so called Glock Haters that love to put down Glocks with the intention to calm their own nerves as to why they own a more expensive gun that couldnt begin to hold a flame to your stock out of the box Glock.

Seriously, I own a G27 and can honestly say I have never carried a better concealed carry gun in my life that has the power and reliability of the 27, I am sure you will have the same luck seeing how the 26 is identical to the 27 other than caliber.

You will be very impressed when you take your new baby to the range for the first time. The only mods that I would recomand for the 26 would be a set of night sites and possible the peirce grip extention that will add a spot for your pinky on the grip.

Shoot over to WWW.GLOCKTALK.COM and register, there are more members and more Glock info than you could ever imagine being in one place, go to the 9mm forum and I bet you wouldnt have the time today to read all the G26 threads on there, it seems to be one of the more popular 9mms on the Glock market lately.

Good luck,
~Jason
 
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