G19 replacement?

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Spats McGee

Spats McGee

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As some of you have undoubtedly realized, I like to start my overthinking early. I guess I like to beat the holiday rush. A little over five years ago, I bought a Glock 19, and I've considered replacing it a handful of times. For a variety of reasons, I believe the time has come to part ways with my G19, not without a little twinge of sadness.

As of this posting, I actually have listed my Glock for sale, and I hope she finds a good home. With that said, I still believe that the 9mm compact is quite possibly the best all-around pistol to be had. It is my hope that I will be able to replace her in fairly short order. I know I've done this dance before, but I'd still like your opinions on possible replacements. If I've missed one that you think I should consider, speak up now.

Before I get off into this, yes, I know I'll have to get to a range and shoot a few handguns. I'd be looking at this one mostly for the range, but also occasional carry, particularly in colder months.

Here's my current list:

1. Another G19. I have no complaints about my current G19. I'm ~2000 rounds in, and it's been a beast in terms of reliability. I had one spring break at ~400 rounds, and a handful (probably <10 other failures to feed). I would not feel bad about going this route again, but I will also admit that I've never been entirely satisfied with how well I shoot my G19. My current one is a Gen 4, and I'd also consider going with a different Gen to see if I shoot it any better.

2. S&W M&P 2.0 Compact -- This is the siren that has tempted me to cheat on my Glock since the day she came out. Going strictly by the numbers, it's almost identical to the G19, being slightly heavier and longer. Especially when you consider the 4.0" version. Would I shoot it any better than the G19? I don't know. I do know that I have a Shield that I really like. I also know that the grip texturing is really aggressive, but that sandpaper can solve that.

3. Springfield Armory XD(M) 3.8" Compact 9mm -- This one's been on my Contender List before. It gives up a round the #1 and #2, as well as a little barrel length. A little heavier, too. I like the idea of a grip safety, though. (Clearly, I don't like it well enough to make it a requirement . . . )

4. CZ P10C -- Again, almost identical to the G19, but I don't know that my local range will have any for me to shoot. How's this one doing out in the real world?

I looked at HK and Sig. I really like the idea of owning one of those, but I could not find anything that fits what I'm looking for. Too heavy, too expensive, has a thumb safety, blah, blah, blah. Maybe I'm just too Goldilocks about this.

What models am I missing in creating The Long List?
 
I like the Gen 5 Glocks a good bit better than the Gen 4's. The lack of finger grooves on the Gen 5's is nice.

The S&W M&P 2.0 is also a great pistol and you wont be making a mistake with it. Mine has a thumb safety, which I like very much. I wish my Glocks had thumb safeties.

HK's are good guns but I have never warmed up to them, and they seem to always be more expensive for what you get. I dont see a difference in accuracy or reliability compared to Glock and S&W, but they cost more.

I like Sigs fine, but have never shot a P320 which would be the one most similary to Glock or M&P. The 229 series are excellent, but DA/SA, which will be considerably different from what you are used to shooting with Glock.
 
You won't go wrong with any of the guns you listed. Of those I have a Gen 3 19, M&P 2.0 Compact and a P10. The 19 has been in my safe as I shoot other guns much better. The CZ for me is the most accurate. The M&P has been great as well, but if you want to carry IWB you'll want a holster than prevents the grip from rubbing against your skin due to the texture you mentioned. It is rough on shirts, as I have a few that now have holes in them from the M&P. I don't remember any of them having any type of malfunction. You may also want to take a look at the FNS 9C. It's a little smaller than the others but shoots well. It's a little lighter than the guns you mentioned and carries easier. It conceals very easily with the 12 round magazines, with the option or 17 rounders. It did require a break in of a couple of hundred rounds, but has been perfect since then.
 
Compact would also include the Sig P365, especially with the 12 round mag. The thinness of a single stack with twice the capacity.
I also recently bought the 2.0 from Brownell's for $350 OTD. I like the interchangeable backstraps as it seems to fit my hand better than my Glocks. Be aware that the texture is VERY aggressive.

Both have been flawless with various factory 115 and 124 and my 124 handloads.
 
I have a 2.0 Compact 4 inch. It’s been 100% with the ~400 rounds of 124 grain HST, 147 grain HST, and 115 grain Gold Dots I’ve shot (with a handful of assorted FMJ thrown in). It feels good in the hand and the rough texture grew on me over time.

I haven’t shot it much as I’m just a better shot with a DA revolver but I’ve no reason to doubt it would be much better in someone else’s hands. However, if the 3.6 inch version had been available I likely would’ve went with it. I doubt it’s much weight savings but I favor smaller carry guns in general. One bonus for the M&P is that I couldn’t induce a limp wrist malfunction despite trying hard to do so. I CAN cause such a failure with a Glock 19 if I try. That doesn’t matter to most folks but it is an important criterion to me.

I echo the thoughts of the p365 but that would certainly be more along the lines of your Shield.
 
Are you committed to a striker fired gun? The CZ P-07 is what the Glock 19 should have been IMO. But it has a hammer, so that's a preference thing. Personally I prefer a gun with a visible external hammer for carry, because I can put my thumb on it and not shoot myself in the leg while reholstering. I also prefer the deliberate longer first shot trigger pull.
 
Elkins45 said:
Are you committed to a striker fired gun? The CZ P-07 is what the Glock 19 should have been IMO. But it has a hammer, so that's a preference thing. Personally I prefer a gun with a visible external hammer for carry, because I can put my thumb on it and not shoot myself in the leg while reholstering. I also prefer the deliberate longer first shot trigger pull.
Click to expand...
No, I am not. There are some aspects of the "closed system" of striker-fired pistols that I like, but I like the idea of being able to cock the hammer for a second strike, if necessary, too. IOW, yes, I'm open to the idea of hammer-fired guns.
 
Spats,
Unless you “have” to sell your G19 to purchase something else I would recommend that you hold on to it. It sounds like you love the gun but just want to try something else. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.

Take it from me, selling a gun that you cherish for a flash of temporary satisfaction build regrets.

I sold a Gen 3 G34 a couple of years ago and I kick myself for it all the time. I sold it to buy a revolver that I like very much but I loved that Glock. Even though there are 2 more generations of 34’s now, I do believe I will buy another Gen 3 G34 just to have a copy of my baby back.
 
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Hey Spats, I'm on a similar journey. Because of a wrist condition, now fixed, I had to transition from my 1911 platform to a 9mm. I chose a G19, and was happy for more than a year.

I'm on a glide path to a Sig 229 now. I find the steel construction to minimize the recoil. The gun is in the same 'family' as the G19 on dimensions. I also find that the DA/SA trigger is no big deal. I bought this gun in a poor condition, and over a few months brought back to life and then some.

Best of luck, and if you wish I can advise on the exact rebuild on which I executed. This gun runs like a fat boy after an ice cream truck now.
 
I am in love with my Glock 26. You can keep your Glock 19 mags or use G17 or the 33 stick mags if you like.
Small package, very concealable, yet still has a 3.5 inch barell for great accuracy
 
HK prices have come down quite a bit and there are plenty of variants - P30 DA/SA with or without manual safety as well as LEM; the USP Compact has a safety/decocker but can be carried however you like; the P2000 is DA/SA or LEM. The P30 is my favorite of the bunch.

CZ also has compact models based on the CZ 75; I chose the P-01 over the PCR but not by much.
 
A local dealer here is offering Sig P320 Carry and Compact for $399.95 with night sights on Black Friday tomorrow. I don't even want one, but I am considering the compact for that price. I don't know if it is a local overstock or some national incentive thing.
 
Spats,
If you're open to a hammer fired gun, takd a look at the CZ 75 PCR. With the Cajun Gun Works Ultra Lite trigger, the trigger is fantastic. It's a $50 upgrade that's easy to do yourself. I read what you said about HK, but I'm picking up aVP9SK next week. I sold a couple of guns and saw this HK in a LGS, and bought it on the spot as the grip fit me that well. The LE edition come with night sights and three 10 round magazines. It was $660 out the door, not a bad price as I don't need to add night sights.
Tom
 
[QUOTE="
Before I get off into this, yes, I know I'll have to get to a range and shoot a few handguns. I'd be looking at this one mostly for the range, but also occasional carry, particularly in colder months.


What models am I missing in creating The Long List?[/QUOTE]
Having a GEN3 G26, and GEN4 G17 for some time. The GEN4 G17 is definitely my "goto" gun for carry and home defense. My other handguns, 1911's and Baby Eagle are good fun and nice range guns. Recently, purchased a G19X. Wow, a real step up in comfort and accuracy. Found several internal design changes that will certainly make the gun more reliable for high round count guns. A few small improvements that really add up. Suspect the G45 would also be a really good choice.
My "baby poop" colored Glock is fast becoming my #1.
 
If it were me I would give the CZ much consideration.

Having said that if it were me I would keep the G19 also. As others have mentioned you seem to like the gun. The G19 is a very solid platform, small enough to carry, big enough to compete with, the list of add-ons and modifications available is a mile long. One of the negatives of Glock firearms is they lose value when being sold used. I mainly shoot revolvers but if you were local to me and trying to sell a G19 (not even broken in at 2000 rounds fired), I would try to work out a deal. I have 3 G17s, a G26 and G34, so a G19 would round out my collection of double stack 9mm Glocks. Keep the gun.
 
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I carried a Gen2 G19 (yeah, I'm that old) for quite a few years and could never see moving on to a Gen3...not thrilled by the finger grooves or the "wall" before the trigger break. The G19 was, IMO, the Glock everyone should own...at least once. Shot several Gen3 and some Gen4 and didn't see any real upgrade...the Gen5 looks promising.

What I gave up the G19 for was the M&P9. Mine had a full load of Apex parts and shot great. Haven't had a chance to shoot a 2.0, but doubt it would be a huge improvement over an Apex'd one.

What convinced me to sell the G19 was the SIG 320 Compact. It handles better, doesn't suffer from BTF, and doesn't require a death grip for quick followup shots.

The Springfield XD (M) is a nice gun, but the feel in the hand doesn't quite work for me. The grip safety is one of the best on the market as it doesn't limit your grip.

None of the steel framed CZs work for me. There is just too little slide to grip to rack the slide in a hurry
 
Spats, I bought an S&W 2.0 Compact and shoot it better than any of the dozen or so Glocks that I've owned. As you stated the grip texture is very aggressive but I didn't want to sand it off until I was satisfied with all other aspects of the pistol. I put a sleeve of bicycle inner tube on it and that worked well. I may not sand the grip but still may. YMMV. tom.
 
Spats McGee said:
I looked at HK
Click to expand...
Well my VP9 with night sights is a great shooter and I really like it. I carry a P30SK in winter with the light LEM trigger. Wonderful gun, but a little fat.

After that, the M&P 2.0 or Sig 320 Compact would be my next choices.
 
Thank you all for your input. I had an ad out to sell my G19, which I have withdrawn. I sold a rifle that makes selling the G19 unnecessary, at least for the time being. With all of that said, I may yet replace her in a few months, with the current top contenders being a Gen 5 and a S&W M&P 2.0 Compact. I have to admit, though, that the HK is really tempting. Expensive, but tempting.
 
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