Is There a Downside to a Glock?

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The week link in the system are the mag springs. Plan on replacing yearly for a carry gun.

Other than that it kind of sucks that there are virtually no productive ways to trick-out or accessorize a glock.

It puts gunsmiths out of business.

They breed like bunnies in the gun safe; its real fun when you get more than a couple to line them up on the bench in order of size.

Every other gun you look at will seem to be too expensive, too low capacity, unnecessarily complex, unreliable and too expensive to fix, too heavy, too rust prone, too cold in the winter or too hot in the summer, or point to the wrong spot.
 
Like most guns, Glocks have advantages and disadvantages. They are very reliable. The trigger pull is consistent each time (i.e., not a DA/SA). The trigger pull is reasonably short, and you can modify the weight if you so desire. The 26 has a short grip frame, which makes it easier to conceal than the larger models, and it has decent capacity (10 rounds).

Downsides? The trigger pull sucks, IMNSHO. Yuck. I just really hate that "sproing" when the striker finally lets go. I find the trigger hard to master. I get a few good shots on target, and then pull one wide. It can be done -- I've seen shooters get excellent results with Glocks. I just have an easier time with a well-tuned M1911 trigger.

The double stack design makes Glock 26 relatively wide. A thinner gun, like the Kahr MK9, is easier to conceal. Of course, the MK9 also has its own disadvantages, particularly less capacity.

If you stick with the stock Glock trigger (~5.5 lbs), the gun is not very forgiving of mishandling. Consider it sort of like carrying an M1911 cocked but off safe. You MUST keep your finger off the trigger, particularly when reholstering. You may want to consider changing to one of the heavier trigger options.

All things considered, the Glock 26 is an excellent gun. Just not my favorite. YMMV.

M1911
 
The only downside to a glock, is that of all pistols - the square butt tends to print if carrying on your belt in concealed carry mode. Getting the right mix of clothes and holsters can solve the problem, if you do not want to me "made" carrying a weapon.
 
Downside, Having put about 65,000 rounds thru 5 Glocks, I am beginning to think the trigger is ok.

Upside,reliability! well, maybe 3 malfunctions due to uncrimped reloads...

Glocks do have safeties, they are just internal, and all auto barrels have some unsupported section, otherwise they wouldn't feed. KB's are not exclusive to Glocks, but if you KB a Glock, you can only expect stung fingers. And you can trick out Glocks,you just dont't usually need a gunsmith. check out CustomGlockRacing.com
 
Downside to a Glock? Very few! I don't think I'd recommend it for a first time shooter.

Thats about it.
Ben

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"Gun Control Is Being Able To Hit Your Target"
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m1911 - You obviously don't know what your talking about:

If you stick with the stock Glock trigger (~5.5 lbs), the gun is not very forgiving of mishandling. Consider it sort of like carrying an M1911 cocked but off safe. You MUST keep your finger off the trigger, particularly when reholstering. You may want to consider changing to one of the heavier trigger options.

the people who know glocks will agree. Get a manual of arms for a Glock and read it pal...

BTW Darkstar-the G26 is an excellent choice. I got the 19 because I didn't have the concealed carry prerequisite. My brother has a G27 that he loves.


[This message has been edited by SlackO (edited September 27, 2000).]
 
DarkStar; No "Mexican carry" with a Glock unless the chambers empty (then that defeats the purpose). No fanny packs unless the Glock is in a holster in the fanny pack. Once again, IMO defeating the purpose of a fanny pack. When I had my last Glock the chamber was empty more than it was stoked. A pistol that needs to be constantly holstered I'll pass on. Glock's are good guns but not great one's. Best Regards, J. Parker
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by J. Parker:
DarkStar; No "Mexican carry" with a Glock unless the chambers empty (then that defeats the purpose). No fanny packs unless the Glock is in a holster in the fanny pack. Once again, IMO defeating the purpose of a fanny pack. When I had my last Glock the chamber was empty more than it was stoked. A pistol that needs to be constantly holstered I'll pass on. Glock's are good guns but not great one's. Best Regards, J. Parker[/quote]

Wrong on both counts. Most fanny packs I know of ARE holsters. You can carry "mexican" using a simple trigger block like the Saf-T-Block.

[This message has been edited by BB (edited September 27, 2000).]
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by SlackO:
m1911 - You obviously don't know what your talking about:

....

the people who know glocks will agree. Get a manual of arms for a Glock and read it pal...
[This message has been edited by SlackO (edited September 27, 2000).][/quote]

So, what is it that I said that you are disagreeing with?

Here's what I meant when I said that Glocks are relatively unforgiving of mishandling.

Many negligent discharges occur during reholstering, when the shooter leaves his finger on the trigger while reholstering. Such incidents have happened at FrontSight and at LFI.

With an M1911, if you have put it on safe, then reholstering with your finger on the trigger will not cause an ND. In contrast, if you do fail to put it on safe, then you have a 4-5 lb trigger pull with a short trigger throw. Reholstering an M1911 with the safety off and your finger on the trigger will cause an ND.

Now consider a DA/SA gun. Many (like Sigs) don't have a manual safety. So reholstering with your finger on the trigger can cause an AD. If you correctly decocked the gun, then you have a 8-12 lb trigger with a long trigger pull. This gives you some chance that if you reholster it with your finger on the trigger, then you might realize it before you complete the holstering (particularly if you have your thumb on the back of the hammer, because you may feel the hammer start to cock). If you fail to decock it, then you are in the same situation as holstering an SA off-safe -- a light, short trigger pull. For an example of an ND that occurred with a DA/SA gun, FrontSight's web page describes an incident that occurred on their range:
http://www.frontsight.com/safety.htm

With a DAO, you have an 8-12 lb trigger and usually have a fairly long trigger pull. Again, this gives you a little more chance of realizing that you are reholstering with your finger on the trigger.

Now, to Glocks. The standard Glock trigger pull is about 5 1/2 lbs or so, and has a relatively short travel. So, if you reholster with your finger on the trigger, you're in a very similar situation as an M1911 cocked and off-safe -- both the M1911 and Glock have 4-6 lb triggers with short pulls. That is the point that I was trying to make. The Glock does not have a manual safety, or a long trigger pull to help save you from doing something stupid.

I'm not saying that that makes the Glock unsafe. Far from it. Just that a short, light trigger pull is unforgiving of mistakes. A short, light trigger pull also has advantages -- it's easy to make quick, accurate shots. What's right for you is a personal decision.

Like I said, Glocks are fine, reliable guns. Like all guns, they have advantages and disadvantages.

M1911
PS. There's no need for flames. You can disagree without insulting people. More people will probably listen to you if you are polite.

[This message has been edited by M1911 (edited September 27, 2000).]
 
BB; IMHO, Glocks make to many demands on me. Not anybody else, just me. I would never put a trigger block on any gun I carry. As far as fanny pack's go, mine just breaks open and I grab the pistol. Best, J. Parker
 
M1911; Well said. ALL guns have there advantages and disadvantages. To each his or her own, I say. Most Glock owners respect other peoples opinions. But for a few it's like talking to a brick wall. Best, J. Parker
 
Glocks are just as safe as any other pistol, if you as a shooter do not feel safe and confident with one then its obviously not the one for you.

Its funny how it seems perfectly safe to me, I dont use a safe-t-blok all the time and I am confident that the gun is not going to go off by itself. Why you ask? Because I have trained enough and know the gun enough that I know not to have my finger on the trigger until I am ready to shoot, its called a trained reflex, when you have practiced something enough that it is second nature.

You shouldnt have your finger on the trigger on any gun until you want to shoot, not just Glocks. Its idiot shooters that do stupid things, never practice, have no idea of what the basic safety rules are and most likely never practice drawing and reholstering their weapon before they start with live ammo.

So, if you need a damn external safety to make you feel safe, so be it, I am happy as hell for you. Personally, all I need is my confidence in shooting and whats between my ears and I bet with that I will feel allot more safe with my gun than you.

I would rather rely on my skills as a shooter than some safety device anyday.

How easy is this,,,KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO SHOOT?

If you cant do that you should not be carrying a gun, all the above about Glocks being unsafe is actually shooter negligence not the lack of safetys on the pistol,,,think about it.

~Jason
 
Dislikes: Staple gun trigger with a clit. El cheapo plastic sights. A lot of them shoot left. It may be operator error, but I do not think so.

Likes: Reliable. More durable than anything that I have ever owned especially the finish. Accessories galore. No hammer. In my opinion, the best gun available for carrying concealed. I have been drooling over a 19 ever since I got rid of my 30. Sling Shot
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Sling Shot:
A lot of them shoot left. It may be operator error, but I do not think so.[/quote]

Yep, thats the operator. Shooting low/left is caused by anticipating the shot. Dry firing will cure it.
 
One disadvantage of the Glock or the 1911 is that you'll be on one side or the other of the biggest shouting match you can imagine. :)
 
Am I the only one who actually likes the Glock trigger pull? I think it's great and I am always in control of when I want it to go off.

I also love the way my Glocks look and feel. Are they the best? Probably not, but I haven't found a better series of gun yet.

I also have a Kimber CDP which I love, but the Glock is still my favorite gun.

Also, there have been documented instances of HK usp KB's and they HAVE supported chambers in the 6 o'clock position.

I do dislike the grenade grip checkering though, and would prefer a different style, but I can live with it. :)
Peace.
 
trigger pull can be smoothed per WalterGAII. 3.4 connector does wonders.

My Glock 26 gets a lot of carry time!

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The Seattle SharpShooter - TFL/GT/UGW/PCT/KTOG
 
I don't like the Glock factory trigger pull, it is too mushy. What Ive done to help correct that on all 4 of my Glocks is put a hellish ammount of break free in the trigger assembly area, then rack the slide and dry fire it about 100 or 150 times. The trigger pull on three of my Glocks is now pretty darn good (kind of crisp and the like) and on one of them it is absolutely ammazing.

[This message has been edited by Mackeath (edited September 27, 2000).]
 
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