Which Glock to Buy...for a guy who has none??

G17L.

Glock 22 and 40-9 conversion barrel along with G17 magazine (only if your G22 mags won't feed 9mm reliably).

I'm also a non-Glock guy, and have been thinking of making the same move. I'm convinced the Gen 4 guns are what I want, as the grip is a big improvement for me over the Gen 3 guns. I'm trying to decide between the G34 and the G17.

I'll bet the G19 will get the most recommendations, but as somebody that currently shoots a 1911, an S&W 4506, and a 6" S&W 686, every time I pick up a G19 all I can think of is "where's the rest of the gun?"

The G19 analogy I like to use is it seems like the small, quick, college defensive end who ends up being a "tweener" in the NFL, too small to play defensive end, and not fast or athletic enough to play linebacker. It's a little small for a duty/range/competition (though I'm sure there are man thousands that use the gun for those tasks), and a little big for a concealment gun. I suppose if you're only allowed to have one gun the G19 may be a good choice, but if you're not so limited, buy something that covers what you need.

The standard 17 is a solid range gun, and a sneaky easily carried one too.

17L and 34 are good for the range too, but don't balance as well for me.

Or go real fun with the G40, longslide 10mm and mount a red dot.

Just don't get a 19 if you don't want it to worm its way into your holster.

Stay the course. Don't get any of them. I have owned or shot Sigs, Walthers, Glocks, Rugers and a whole host of other brands. I still don't own a Glock. I owned a Glock 42 for all of 2 weeks before selling it.

Redcoat3340 said:

I have no earthly idea about Glock generations, models, or anything, except that they need a bunch of aftermarket parts to make 'em as good as stock Sigs or Walthers. I want a full-size gun, in 9mm.....that shoots as well as my Sig 320 or my Walther PPQ or p99AS.

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There in lies the reason not to get a Glock in my opinion. They just aren't as good as other stock firearms on the market. Walthers being one of the many.

I had a glock 22. It was a gen2. I loved it, aftur spending as much on parts as I did for the gun. Not sure I will have another. But if I do it will be a duplicate of my last one.

I'd vote for a 34 or 35 for a range gun. I have been shooting a 19 in uspsa and idpa a just picked up a 34, it is so much better for range games. I would like to play with a 17L and a 24 to see if the extra slide weight changes the feel much.

I only own one Glock, a G42 for EDC. I asked my brother who is a Glock expert, "If you could only buy one Glock what would be the best of the bunch?" His replied was immediate - the Glock 19.

Go to a gun store that has paper catalogs. For each caliber Glock as pictures and a column showing model by model comparisons of weight, length, height, capacity, price, and other features. What it doesn't show you is how each one fits and feels in YOUR hand. So, you can't really just buy based on pure data. The G43 is a looker and seems to be a compromise between a compact 9mm and, to some, excessive recoil.

So, check the corral but ride the horses!

Redcoat3340 said:

So it's a range toy....and that means, I guess, a new trigger, new sights, and a few more mags.

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Then why not buy a real range gun? Glocks are great for a lot of things, but punching bullseyes at the range isn't exactly one of em.
I own a 34 & 35 both need more work than that just to be a target only gun. unless mediocrity is the name of the game, then they will work.

I won a Glock 34 in a Glock run raffle. I put a better trigger on it and used it for IDPA.
It worked out very well for me. I agree with Tarosean about it not being a fine target gun.
It's not that, but there are very few guns that are outstanding target guns.

Zeke

Glock 17 gen 3 will give you the most flexibility. I have one I shortened the grip/frame on to make it a bit more compact, and now it takes G19 mags (15 rounders)

So you don't know anything about Glock and all you want is a range toy to modify?

Something in 9mm, G17

I bet in a few months you can find a good deal on a glock gen 3 or 4 due the the gen 5 coming out ,

Glock 40

10mm long slide

Honestly though, there's a lot of other guns I'd sooner buy just to have one.

I have two Glocks, both 19s because I wanted the versatility. If I had purchased strictly a shooter or a HD pistol, I'm sure I would have gotten Glock 17 Gen 4, or possibly a Glock 34. I like the Gen 4 grip better which fits my hand with its base grip without the add-on grips better than the Gen 3 . Pretty hard to beat the original Glock, the 17, IMO, especially if you just want to own a good example of a Glock.

Bone stock G17. Lower right target American Eagle 124gr FMJ. Distance 15 yards rested on knees. Not too bad for a creaky old grampaw like me. YMMV



M

I don't like the way Glocks feel. How about getting one of the poly 80% kits? They sound like they'd meet your need. You could build it as you like.

That said I just saw A review on the gen 5 and unless you're looking for a used one I'd go with one of them as the have better barrels and triggers.

I also have a 2-pin G17 with KKM and 3.5 connector that will do as well or a little better with Winchester Ranger 124+P.

If anyone is interested...I've handled the Gen 5 and was nicely impressed with the grip. But, I already have a Gen2 19 and changed my vote to a "no" when I found out the barrel and other parts were not interchangeable. Hmmm, 20 "new" changes?

My wife's seventeen year old G19 has a a nice crisp factory trigger and even she can shoot tight groups at 25 yards (rested) with it. She's a grandma x 6 of retirement age.

Who says Glocks can't make good range guns? piffle.

M

Redcoat3340 said:

I want a full-size gun, in 9mm...

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In that case, your are looking at a 17 (full size), 34 (XL), or 17L (rare XXL).

If you want to change the backstraps - get a G4. If you don't care, get whatever is in stock.

Getting a framed picture of a Glock would be a lot cheaper and no ffl required! But if you really want to corrupt your anti-Gaston streak I guess a police trade in 17 would be ok.

Another vote here for a G17L.
You will not regret the choice as you come off the line.
1st or 2nd. Gen. longslides are hard to find and expensive when you do.

Mine is a 3rd gen. that I really enjoy.
The factory trigger is not bad, but you might pick up a Ghost connector for the fun of it to try.
The longer sight radius makes it a pleasure to chase tin cans or golf balls and
the extended mag release and slide release are range friendly as well.

The day I picked it up (I had not handled a 3rd gen. before), I ground and sanded off
the finger grooves though. Still trying to figure what possessed Glock to put finger grooves on their line of pistols
when their own market research MUST have shown them that the FGs did not appeal to a large portion
of their customer base.
Looks like this has been corrected with the 5th gen.

JT

G17. Not on odd size. In 9mm, so plenty of cheap (but decent) ammo. Pick which Generation based on what fits your hand.

Later, if you like the format, look into smaller sizes and/or different calibers. The "19 sized" .40s&w is a rather pleasant fistful.

Like you said you don't need one , but since you want one I would get something I don't have , maybe a 10mm or MOS model .

I personally like the 36. It is the size of an Officers Model Colt 1911. Nice to shoot and pack