I'm choosing my first gun and in looking at my options, I keep reading reviews that compare other brands of semi-autos to Glocks. And I hear negative stuff about all the other guns. Does anyone have constructive critisism (or otherwise) of their Glock?
anyone have anything bad to say about Glocks?
- Thread starter Korbin
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Try to shoot as many different types of guns as possible to figure out what you like. While it's good to get opinions from the internet, don't make that main reason for buying a type of handgun.
To me the Glock has a weird grip angle compared to my other guns, but it would be something I could get used to, and eventually their may be a G34 in my future. As long as the gun feels good in your hand, and has a nice shooting feel, go for it.
Edited to add it may help this discussion to find out what caliber you may be looking at, and for what purpose (i.e range fun, CCW, home defense).
To me the Glock has a weird grip angle compared to my other guns, but it would be something I could get used to, and eventually their may be a G34 in my future. As long as the gun feels good in your hand, and has a nice shooting feel, go for it.
Edited to add it may help this discussion to find out what caliber you may be looking at, and for what purpose (i.e range fun, CCW, home defense).
jaysouth
Member
glocks are almost as ugly as my first wife.
fastattack
Member
I agree with jaysouth, they are ugly. Wouldn't be my first piece.
Having said that, they are reliable and popular.
Having said that, they are reliable and popular.
Jim_M
Member
they flat RUN
Jim M
Jim M
SouthpawShootr
Member
Aside from the fact that they are aesthetically bland, the dozen or so I have never gave me grief. They work, they work well, but there'll be no "Ohs" or "Ahs" when you show one off. You may even get a few weird looks if you look like you were expecting any response other than "Hmmm, another Glock, seen one you've seen 'em all."
I've got a real early Glock 17 pistol. Probably been fired about a billion times or so before I got it. Recoil spring was spent, I mean really spent when I got it. Slide wouldn't return to battery reliably and it fely mushy. Recoil spring guide rod was broken too.
Even with the broken recoil spring guide rod(plastic original Glock part) and the flat spring, gun automated just fine.
Now for the complaint; the Glock won't lock the slide back when empty. Wouldn't do it with the worn/broken recoil system, won't lock back with the new parts either.
I replaced the recoil spring and rod, mag catch, new mag too. Still fails to lock back when it hits empty?
I guess my next step is to replace the slide stop.
The pistol runs fine otherwise, accurate and reliable. Just won't lock back.
I guess thats something bad to say about my Glock!
Even with the broken recoil spring guide rod(plastic original Glock part) and the flat spring, gun automated just fine.
Now for the complaint; the Glock won't lock the slide back when empty. Wouldn't do it with the worn/broken recoil system, won't lock back with the new parts either.
I replaced the recoil spring and rod, mag catch, new mag too. Still fails to lock back when it hits empty?
I guess my next step is to replace the slide stop.
The pistol runs fine otherwise, accurate and reliable. Just won't lock back.
I guess thats something bad to say about my Glock!
Rat Finkenstein
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- 25
I had a glock, but I have put it up for sale since it felt crappy in my hand, did not point well, and had a very poor, long trigger.
rcellis
Member
Glocks are analogous to high-end Timexes. You can get them nearly anywhere, they work, and they keep working. Not generally precise, but good enough.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Only two things I don't like about mine is the strange grip angle, and the lack of a positive thumb safety.
I cured the safety problem with the COMINOLLI Safety kit.
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/store/productdetail.aspx?p=5532
But there is not much you can do about the grip angle.
BTW: Before the Glock Safety flames start, let me just say this.
I have carried 1911's for about 50 years now.
I often just stuff one, Cocked & Locked, down the back of my pants Mexican Carry style.
Loaded Glocks in my pants make me very nervous without a covered trigger holster.
rcmodel
I cured the safety problem with the COMINOLLI Safety kit.
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/store/productdetail.aspx?p=5532
But there is not much you can do about the grip angle.
BTW: Before the Glock Safety flames start, let me just say this.
I have carried 1911's for about 50 years now.
I often just stuff one, Cocked & Locked, down the back of my pants Mexican Carry style.
Loaded Glocks in my pants make me very nervous without a covered trigger holster.
rcmodel
I don't like the grip angle, and I hate the finger grooves on the new ones. I can shoot decently with them, and they are tough and reliable. There are plenty of other choices that are just as reliable though. Anything from Ruger, Sig, Smith & Wesson (excluding the sigma), and Springfield will be reliable. Choose what feels best.
Glocks are good, solid guns, and as reliable as any other semi-auto pistol out there. Don't get me wrong, but Korbin did ask for criticism of Glocks.
Glock's reputation for invincibility has a lot to do with Glock's habit of denying any and all problems while quietly doing "upgrades" (NEVER a "recall") on their guns when problems surface, and a horde of internet Glock fans who drink the cool-aid and think their Glocks are magical talismans that cannot break.
1. Glocks have a reputation for kabooms (blowing up). Some Glock fans say this is an internet myth, but it seems to be a genuine problem. Most likely due to the unsupported chamber and the polygonal rifling. It appears to happen more with .40s than 9mms.
2. Glock has had their share of malfunctions and defective guns, including:
3. They're ugly
4. Their blocky shape makes them harder to conceal, in my experience.
5. I have never found a Glock that fit my hand well. The grip angle and shape are totally wrong for a significant number of shooters.
As a final note, I would NOT recommend a Glock as someone's first handgun. Not that it's an expert's gun or anything, but some guns give a little more margin of error than others for times when our gun safety is less than perfect. All of the Glock's "safeties" are in the trigger, which has led to a significant number of negligent discharges. Between the safety issues and the sort of utilitarian, mushy and uninspiring nature of the Glock trigger, there are better choices. If you have your heart set on a semi-auto pistol, I'd recommend a good .22, like the Browning Buckmark or Ruger mark II or mark III. Shoot it A LOT. Get good with it, THEN buy the Glock or whatever pistol fits you best.
Glock's reputation for invincibility has a lot to do with Glock's habit of denying any and all problems while quietly doing "upgrades" (NEVER a "recall") on their guns when problems surface, and a horde of internet Glock fans who drink the cool-aid and think their Glocks are magical talismans that cannot break.
1. Glocks have a reputation for kabooms (blowing up). Some Glock fans say this is an internet myth, but it seems to be a genuine problem. Most likely due to the unsupported chamber and the polygonal rifling. It appears to happen more with .40s than 9mms.
2. Glock has had their share of malfunctions and defective guns, including:
- defective slide rails
- phase 3 malfunctions, where a fired case rim sticks under the extractor, and the case mouth simultaneously lodges at the mouth of the barrel hood. The standard, Tap-Rack-Bang drill will not dislodge it, and the slide cannot be manually moved in either direction.
- defective guide rods
- bad magazines which caused guns to fire out of battery
- The usual FTEs, FTFs, etc.
3. They're ugly
4. Their blocky shape makes them harder to conceal, in my experience.
5. I have never found a Glock that fit my hand well. The grip angle and shape are totally wrong for a significant number of shooters.
As a final note, I would NOT recommend a Glock as someone's first handgun. Not that it's an expert's gun or anything, but some guns give a little more margin of error than others for times when our gun safety is less than perfect. All of the Glock's "safeties" are in the trigger, which has led to a significant number of negligent discharges. Between the safety issues and the sort of utilitarian, mushy and uninspiring nature of the Glock trigger, there are better choices. If you have your heart set on a semi-auto pistol, I'd recommend a good .22, like the Browning Buckmark or Ruger mark II or mark III. Shoot it A LOT. Get good with it, THEN buy the Glock or whatever pistol fits you best.
Creature
Member
Ugly women generally treat you real good!
Princi
Member
Hate to love - well almost.
I used to work for my wife - I couldn't stand her. It wasn't hate, just contempt and general dislike. Fortunately, I only worked for her for 6 months or it might have turned to hate. Instead...
I hated the G34, my first Glock when I bought it. Then came a long string of modifications. It now has a very light trigger with no overtravel (Ghost Rocket Connector took care of that). After owning it for awhile, and listening to the ooh's and aah's when people dry-fire it, I've gotten so that I like it and keep it in my range bag.
The thing I like the most about it is the ease in detail stripping it. I can't think of any pistol that is easier to work on - certainly not anything made by CZ!!! (I have a completely disassembled CZ on my bench that I say a prayer over every night. I'm convinced that only prayer will result in me getting this thing all back together again).
I used to work for my wife - I couldn't stand her. It wasn't hate, just contempt and general dislike. Fortunately, I only worked for her for 6 months or it might have turned to hate. Instead...
I hated the G34, my first Glock when I bought it. Then came a long string of modifications. It now has a very light trigger with no overtravel (Ghost Rocket Connector took care of that). After owning it for awhile, and listening to the ooh's and aah's when people dry-fire it, I've gotten so that I like it and keep it in my range bag.
The thing I like the most about it is the ease in detail stripping it. I can't think of any pistol that is easier to work on - certainly not anything made by CZ!!! (I have a completely disassembled CZ on my bench that I say a prayer over every night. I'm convinced that only prayer will result in me getting this thing all back together again).
Wow, thanks everybody for the detailed responses. Just what I was looking for.
As for caliber and use - I want something for home defense. I was looking at 9mm and .40. Though that is subject to change.
I'm glad I'm not the only one that thinks Glocks look like a stapler with a handle. And when I held some yesterday I agree that they feel clunky in your hand. I think I'll take you guys' advice and try some different guns out at the range.
Above all else, I do want something reliable. I don't have my heart set on a semi-auto.
As for caliber and use - I want something for home defense. I was looking at 9mm and .40. Though that is subject to change.
I'm glad I'm not the only one that thinks Glocks look like a stapler with a handle.
And when I held some yesterday I agree that they feel clunky in your hand. I think I'll take you guys' advice and try some different guns out at the range. Above all else, I do want something reliable. I don't have my heart set on a semi-auto.
Floppy_D
Member In Memoriam
Complaining about a Glock is like complaining about a hammer. It might not be the sexiest thing in the world, but you can trust it to do the job every time, at a more than fair price.
I'm a Sig guy, but I'd carry a Glock any day.
I'm a Sig guy, but I'd carry a Glock any day.
Negatives.
They break like any other gun, I've broke a few. Average use may never see a broken part, when I had time and money I was getting 20,000+ a year through a Glock.
Fingergrooves suck, at least for me. Try an older Glock in hand before you buy. Those are the best deal anyway, if you can get a used G17 for $350 you just saved about $200 worth of ammo money.
The trigger is unforgiving to new shooters. A lot can be done to make a Glock trigger better, as it is a Glock trigger justs begs a new shooter to jerk it. Once you buy it, before you post here I'll save you the trouble and tell you, it's you, not the gun. Thousands of new shooters have come to the errornet posting "My Glock shoots low/low and left!" Dryfire, it's free and will pay dividends.
Oh, about the dryfire and the cleaning. As noted by Dave, a Glock trigger does not suffer fools lightly. Dryfiring and disassembly for cleaning is preferably accomplished with an empty gun. Until gun safety is a way of life for you be careful. Then again all guns go off when you pull the trigger, I just think more Glocks are in inexperienced hands so we hear about it a lot.
I own 2 Glocks, G17 and G34. My new gun advice is a used Gen II G17 for anyone shopping for the first Glock. I carry them daily, I am sure you will like yours once you learn the quirks of them.
They break like any other gun, I've broke a few. Average use may never see a broken part, when I had time and money I was getting 20,000+ a year through a Glock.
Fingergrooves suck, at least for me. Try an older Glock in hand before you buy. Those are the best deal anyway, if you can get a used G17 for $350 you just saved about $200 worth of ammo money.
The trigger is unforgiving to new shooters. A lot can be done to make a Glock trigger better, as it is a Glock trigger justs begs a new shooter to jerk it. Once you buy it, before you post here I'll save you the trouble and tell you, it's you, not the gun. Thousands of new shooters have come to the errornet posting "My Glock shoots low/low and left!" Dryfire, it's free and will pay dividends.
Oh, about the dryfire and the cleaning. As noted by Dave, a Glock trigger does not suffer fools lightly. Dryfiring and disassembly for cleaning is preferably accomplished with an empty gun. Until gun safety is a way of life for you be careful. Then again all guns go off when you pull the trigger, I just think more Glocks are in inexperienced hands so we hear about it a lot.
I own 2 Glocks, G17 and G34. My new gun advice is a used Gen II G17 for anyone shopping for the first Glock. I carry them daily, I am sure you will like yours once you learn the quirks of them.
Glad you're going to try out some others. Glocks are very reliable on a whole, but so is any other gun in its class made by any high-quality manufacturer.
I don't hear reliability complaints about Springfield XD's, S&W M&P's, the Steyr M9 or heck, even the Taurus 24/7.
There are metric craploads of very reliable 9mm/40cal large framed semi-autos out there. Try them before you get set on one particular brand.
If you are a noobie to this and you don't have your heart set on a semi-auto, I might also suggest looking into revolvers. I have a 4"barrel .357mag that sleeps in my dresser. So do many other people. They are very simple and easy to operate. Great HD guns.
I don't hear reliability complaints about Springfield XD's, S&W M&P's, the Steyr M9 or heck, even the Taurus 24/7.
There are metric craploads of very reliable 9mm/40cal large framed semi-autos out there. Try them before you get set on one particular brand.
If you are a noobie to this and you don't have your heart set on a semi-auto, I might also suggest looking into revolvers. I have a 4"barrel .357mag that sleeps in my dresser. So do many other people. They are very simple and easy to operate. Great HD guns.
JP from Phoenix
Member
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- Jul 30, 2007
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- 241
I think they are kind of ugly but i'm not above getting one, there has to be some truth to why there are so many glock fanboys out there. I actually almost got a Glock 17 a couple months ago but went with a beretta 92 instead.
All the models in either the 9MM or .40S&W should accommodate most sized hands. You should look at the full-sized models (17 or 22), but you would also be served quite well with the compact line (19 or 22).
One thing I also should mention as your trying guns out you may find that a Glock (or any other polymer model) seems 'weird'. They just don't have the 'soul' of an all metal gun, though that is a subjective thing and in reality should be about the last consideration when buying a tool (though we all know it does matter).
With that being said, you could do quite well looking at a .357 revolver like a S&W 686 or Ruger GP100. One of the benefits is that you can train with the cheaper (but still effective) .38 special, and use the .357 as protection loads. Though in general 9MM will be the cheapest rounds you can get in a centerfire gun.
I'm sure you'll find out the more you look around, the more things interest you and the more questions you'll have.
steak-knife
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- Nov 18, 2007
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- 153
Glock 23 & 27
Well, I've had the same G23 for the past 8 years and have never had an un-intentional jam (now and again, during requals, the instructors sneek in a dummy round into the mags to see if we follow proper/timely clearing procedures).
Can't do anything to modify my Government Issue, but I sure can do anything I want with my personally owned off-duty G27, and that's where the "bad" comes in.
Other than adding a grip sleeve, your choice of sights, or hard chroming the metal parts, there's not much you can do to customize it to make it your own. That's actually okay, since Glocks run fine right out of the box, and customizations, as someone else said here on THR, is like "putting lip stick on a pig."
Well, I've had the same G23 for the past 8 years and have never had an un-intentional jam (now and again, during requals, the instructors sneek in a dummy round into the mags to see if we follow proper/timely clearing procedures).
Can't do anything to modify my Government Issue, but I sure can do anything I want with my personally owned off-duty G27, and that's where the "bad" comes in.
Other than adding a grip sleeve, your choice of sights, or hard chroming the metal parts, there's not much you can do to customize it to make it your own. That's actually okay, since Glocks run fine right out of the box, and customizations, as someone else said here on THR, is like "putting lip stick on a pig."
76shuvlinoff
Member
The most accurate I ever shot with a gun that was just handed to me was with a Glock 23. To this day I still don't own one and don't really know why. The only excuse I can think of is the trigger safety thing. Illogical maybe but that's my story and I'm sticking to it. I decided if I was gonna tote an ugly gun I'd go with an XD... and I did and I do.
redneckrepairs
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- May 3, 2005
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- 1,117
My advise is visit a range and talk to folks , most folks will let ya run a mag or two thro their handguns if the range isnt a rental range . Try out everything you can before you select any pistol .
I dont care for glocks myself but have owned 15 or 20 over the years of guntrading i suppose , and lots of folks like them .
I dont care for glocks myself but have owned 15 or 20 over the years of guntrading i suppose , and lots of folks like them .
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