Rental Report: G19-5 vs. P320 9C FDE

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nanney1

New member
Went back to the indoor range with the plan to shoot my Shield 9 and 442 J Frame at closer ranges and work on improving accuracy. And to rent a G19 and something else to try out. Plan was to shoot the G19 and then a CZ75.

They had plenty of G4's but just one G5 that no one had rented, so I went with the G5. Much like last week when I shot the S&W 9C 2.0 and 2.0 45, I shot the Glock 19 much, much better than I do with my Shield. I believe I shot the S&W's last week a little better than the Glock, but not by much. But, that could be just from going from the Shield, it was an easier transition. I'm new to shooting and had never shot a Glock before. One issue with the Glock 19 G5... the indention/cutout right at the bottom of the grip consistently bit into my pinky on recoil. It forced me to adjust my grip higher. When I returned the G5 to the counter, I mentioned it to the RO. He pulled out a G4 with the finger grooves and it fit perfectly in my hands and felt right. Oh well, maybe next time, I'll try the G19 G4.

Planned to try the CZ75, but the RO encouraged me to try the P320 which he owns and loves. This was the compact size in flat dark earth with the 15 round mag. I normally go 3, 5, and then 7 yards. With the Sig, I went out to 10 yards and shot it as well or better than I shoot my Shield at 3 yards. I would say that I shot the Sig maybe as well at 10 yards as I did the Glock at 5 yards. If not that well, just to be fair, then definitely better at 10 yards than the Glock at 7. It was that good.

So, for now, the P320 is a big winner and number 1 on my next to buy list. I'll try some more rentals each visit as I need to keep working with my Shield and 442 before buying anything else.
 
I think I can relate on the Glock’s grip cutout. I’ve had a 19 Gen 4 for years, and I like the feel (including the finger grooves). Recently I bought a 17 Gen 5, so the cutout is below my fingers. But I’ve surmised that the same cutout on a shorter grip (19) must be uncomfortable.
 
I will admit that the because of the pinching and subsuquent adjustment, that could have been the reason that I didn't shoot the G19 G5 as well as I hoped. I didn't think the grip angle was a big deal, but it might have been. But anytime you have to think about your grip, it can hurt accuracy.

On the other hand, focusing on my grip with the Shield and 442 helped with accuracy. With the Sig, in retrospect, I didn't even think about my grip.
 
I have both and have a 1000+ rds through both. I think they're both good pistols. I shoot the Glock better at speed (tighter groups in the same amount of time). I shoot the P320 better slow fire. I have shot some excellent groups with my P320 but I find the higher bore axis does make a difference compared to my Glocks. Even still my answer is the difference in accuracy at even 10 yds shouldn't be dramatic. The thing is certain pistols are easier to adapt to for certain people. Nothing wrong with that, buy what works best for you. As to both being easier to shoot than a Shield, well yea. That's sort of the nature of the beast.
 
It's great you are trying out different pistols and having fun shooting. :cool:

Being new shooter have you had any one on one instruction with a qualified pistol instructor? If not you might look into that and they will go over safety, stance, grip, trigger control, and sight acquisition. My local range offers such for $95 for 3 hours. Possibly your grip technique could be why you are experiencing a problem with the grip with the Gen 5 Glock and seeing such a difference in accuracy between different pistols though a pistol that fits one's hand size and trigger reach can be a factor too.

http://www.gaksharpshooters.com/

I personally don't have a problem with the grip cut out on my Gen 2 Glock 19 or the Gen 5 Glock 19 I tried. For me my Walther PPS works out great for me and I can shoot it almost as well as some of my full size pistols. I have the original model and use the large back strap on it. Good news is there are so many fine pistols to choose from these day including all the ones you have already tried.
 
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I haven't had any private one on one instruction but I'm considering it. But I have taken advice from range officers who offered some tips on stance and grip which have helped.

Shooting at an indoor range as opposed to outdoor has also helped. I can adjust the target length as frequently as I like.
 
As a follow-up on the Sig, the RO was really a fan. He said he didn't shoot well with Glocks (high and to the right - lefty). But, he said that everyone who gets a Glock ends up changing out the trigger and the sights. And, that with the Sig, the stock sights and trigger don't need replacing. That was his opinion anyway.

As for me, I can't really tell much difference in sights or triggers - unless I'm comparing my Shield to my heavy, DA 442, then I definitely can tell the difference in the sights and triggers. I only know how well I shoot.
 
One-on-one instruction is great but don't dismiss group instruction too.

Lots of times in a group there's all levels of shooters and in a good group you can take advantage of folk asking questions you would never have thought of asking and get lots of different viewpoints and shooting stories.

It also gives you the chance to maybe find a shooting buddy.

I've been in classes where handguns have changed hands so buying and selling can happen too.

Good luck.

P.S. Also getting into a competition league can really help improve your shooting. You shoot regularly, you push yourself, you can get pointers from other shooters and see what gear works for them.
 
But, he said that everyone who gets a Glock ends up changing out the trigger and the sights. And, that with the Sig, the stock sights and trigger don't need replacing. That was his opinion anyway.
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I guess I'm no one then. The sights sure, but to be honest I change those on pistols with steel sights too as I have my own preferences (though it is asinine of Glock to not include steel sights standard). But the trigger? I've use stock Glock triggers to make hits on IPSC plates at 100 yds. It's not because I'm an amazing shot. It's because it can be done with some practice. Glocks are prolific at this point. Everyone and his cousin makes parts for Glocks and most people that own one eventually do try different triggers because frankly, why not? I mean if someone makes a replacement they must do so because it needs it right? Maybe. There are plenty of aftermarket manufacturers of car parts too. It's not because the OEM parts are junk. Some people just like to try something different. Sometimes the differences are tangible and meaningful. Other times it's more of a placebo effect.

I'm guessing you're newer to shooting. In my experience people in those situations often end up adopting the pistol recommended to them by the only source of authority they can find, either a RO, a friend, or an instructor. I did this too. Over time I have owned dozens of pistols. In my experience they're all serviceable and the differences are much more minute than people admit. Try as much out as you can and pick what works best for you. You might likely find that what you do or don't like will evolve the more you shoot. But just be careful of buying or not buying something based on the advice of one person, including me. Few sources are unbiased and what works for one might not work for another.
 
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My opinion is I would be far more concerned about how I shoot a pistol after 1000 rounds than how I shoot one the first time I pick it up. There are subtle differences that take some practice. That being said why not pick the one that you shoot best to start with? its not like you are mandated to a particular pistol.
 
Lohman446 said:
My opinion is I would be far more concerned about how I shoot a pistol after 1000 rounds than how I shoot one the first time I pick it up. There are subtle differences that take some practice. That being said why not pick the one that you shoot best to start with? its not like you are mandated to a particular pistol.
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I'll keep trying different ones out before making a new purchase. The next time I decide to rent, I'll probably give the Glock 19 Gen 4 a try, along with may be the CZ75 that I intended to shoot. And later, I'll may try out some .45 ACP pistols. They have some Springfield 1911's and Glocks, S&W and some other models in .45.
 
nanney1: said:
As a follow-up on the Sig, the RO was really a fan. He said he didn't shoot well with Glocks (high and to the right - lefty). But, he said that everyone who gets a Glock ends up changing out the trigger and the sights. And, that with the Sig, the stock sights and trigger don't need replacing. That was his opinion anyway.
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Can’t say I share that opinion although he’s certainly entitled to it. A lot of people shoot completely stock Glocks and do very well with them. I never make permanent changes to any of mine and I can do OK if I do my part.
 
I like the stock Glock trigger, but the RO is right about the 320’s very nice sights and trigger. Buddy of mine has a Ghost trigger on his 19 and said my 320’s trigger was better.
 
I will sit back and eagerly await your feelings about the CZ-75 after you shoot it. For me, it is the most natural feeling/pointing pistol I own.

Sent from my SM-G930R4 using Tapatalk
 
I think one on one instruction is really over-rated. Most local instructors I have met are poor teachers with little in the way of qualifications. Most are retired guys farting around.
I haven't seen all of Clint Smith's videos, but of the ones I have seen, he expresses his reasoning for his actions well, verbally describes his physical actions well, describes common errors to guard against in the drills, and his video people do a far above average job getting and editing the footage to show what you need to see.
Of course, if you can make it to Thunder Ranch that is probably best.

The best instruction I have received was from a trainer who used Clint Smith's material to a great extent then monitored students as they followed the instruction of the video, to a large extent.
 
I've gone lukewarm on the P320 after reading mixed reviews on the trigger from those who have sent it in on the voluntary recall. Some say it's the same after, some say it's better, and some say it's worse. Probably need to wait until the bugs are worked out. May shoot the CZ this weekend.
 
TunnelRat said:
Weird. The majority of reports I've read said it's better. Mine was better I guess, though it wasn't bad to start.
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The mixed reports I read were on the Sig forum. Some did think it was better. Others reported it was better before they sent it back and now want to dump it.
 
Did the P320 you tried have the fixes done? I have read mostly positive reports from those who sent their P320s in. If you want to buy a P320 most gun stores will let you dry fire it before buying.
 
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