I'm a relatively new pistol shooter who is looking for a 9mm pistol that I can learn & have fun with and, later on, carry.
Initially, I narrowed it down to a Glock 19 or a Springfield XD-9. While I like both, the Glock is a bit smaller and seems to have less muzzle flip, not to mention a much shorter trigger reset. (As an aside, to a guy who's used to the trigger on a S&W Model 17, these things feel REALLY funny). Both guns point nicely, and appear to be well-made. While the XD seems to be a great gun, I do like the 19 a bit more.
This would be the happy ending to the story if I hadn't heard about slide rail failures and phase 3 malfunctions. To the best of my knowledge, the rail problems were limited to pistols with serial numbers mainly beginning with "E" and have since been resolved.
I haven't found much recent information about the nature and likelihood of a phase 3 jam. Are they ammo related? Has anyone outside the NYPD seen them? Given that most of those pistols were probably delivered in the mid-90s, are new 19s still subject to this kind of failure?
Do I really have anything to worry about with a new Glock 19? Or are such concerns mainly internet amplified no-never-minds?
In the few weeks I've been lurking on these boards, I get the impression that talking about potential problems with Glocks can get folks on both sides of the fence pretty excited. I sure don't mean to ruffle any feathers - I'm just hoping for some reassurance from those "who know" that my $479.99 will be well-spent on a dependable firearm.
Many thanks!
PS: Even with my relatively small hands, I can get the distal joint right on top of the 19's trigger "safety." However, I can't reach the mag release with my thumb without changing my grip. Is this a problem? On the XD, I can use my trigger finger on the lefty release w/o moving my grip.
Initially, I narrowed it down to a Glock 19 or a Springfield XD-9. While I like both, the Glock is a bit smaller and seems to have less muzzle flip, not to mention a much shorter trigger reset. (As an aside, to a guy who's used to the trigger on a S&W Model 17, these things feel REALLY funny). Both guns point nicely, and appear to be well-made. While the XD seems to be a great gun, I do like the 19 a bit more.
This would be the happy ending to the story if I hadn't heard about slide rail failures and phase 3 malfunctions. To the best of my knowledge, the rail problems were limited to pistols with serial numbers mainly beginning with "E" and have since been resolved.
I haven't found much recent information about the nature and likelihood of a phase 3 jam. Are they ammo related? Has anyone outside the NYPD seen them? Given that most of those pistols were probably delivered in the mid-90s, are new 19s still subject to this kind of failure?
Do I really have anything to worry about with a new Glock 19? Or are such concerns mainly internet amplified no-never-minds?
In the few weeks I've been lurking on these boards, I get the impression that talking about potential problems with Glocks can get folks on both sides of the fence pretty excited. I sure don't mean to ruffle any feathers - I'm just hoping for some reassurance from those "who know" that my $479.99 will be well-spent on a dependable firearm.
Many thanks!
PS: Even with my relatively small hands, I can get the distal joint right on top of the 19's trigger "safety." However, I can't reach the mag release with my thumb without changing my grip. Is this a problem? On the XD, I can use my trigger finger on the lefty release w/o moving my grip.