Are HK's just as reliable as Glocks?

[HorseSoldier]

I've seen A TON of Glock torture tests online and I know without a doubt that they're literally bulletproof.

Spritz some RemOil or other spray lubricant on the bolt face of your Glock and see how bullet proof it is -- learned that lesson the hard way

Anyway, my experience with Glocks (19 and 21) and HK pistols (USP9, USP45C, and P2000 in 9mm) has been that they all run pretty well, even dirty. Outside of the firing pin issue mentioned above, I don't recall ever having a malf with a Glock that was not obviously ammo related (and only a couple of those). Don't recall ever having a malfunction with an HK.

All in all, I'd say the two designs break even on reliability as an issue to pick one or the other, in my experience.

 

[badbadtz560]

how come nobody's mentioned the homeland security trials? I'm sure somebody knows somethin about it... All I know is that only sigs and HKs passed the tests, which I would assume are reliability tests.

Either the gvt changed, or even w/ their cheapass ways, the HK and sigs turned out to be worth the reliability

 

[ScareyH22A]

Actually DHLS only wanted Sigs and HKs because of DAK and LEM triggers for liability reasons. But as far as DAO type triggers, they're pretty much cream of the crop. Glocks were standard issue just up until last year I think. But too much of a liability.

 

[Autolycus]

Why not Glocks ScareyH22A? I do believe the Glock 17 was the USBP issue prior to the HK P2000.

 

[10-Ring]

Pd $500 for my USP 45 NIB -- PD $489 for Glock 19 -- USP has almost 40k rounds through it w/o a single hiccup -- G19 has almost 10K w/o an issue.
In my book both can be equally reliable

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

I think the Glock might be a "best buy", as it is less expensive than a comparable HK, and Glock's service is much better than HK's. HK has a bad rep for being slow and arrogant, sometimes blowing the civilian customers off. Glock tries to please. As far a guns toughing it out, I'd say they are both pretty close. Either one might fail or hang up over the other, put to abuse.

 

[wyocarp]

I don't put too much stock into internet torture tests.

They did some internet torture tests? I haven't seen them.

 

[sarduy]

I wouldn't judge a gun because it's owner has poor trigger disipline. I'd rather have less safeties (unneeded), and a speedy draw.

TRUE!

H&K = Mercedes
Glock = Volkswagen

They both get you down the road and maybe the Volkswagen will float, but which do you want to ride in?

MORE LIKE...

H&K = Mercedes
GLOCK= BMW

 

[ScareyH22A]

I tend to believe that...

Glock = Corvette Z06
HK = Porsche GT2

 

[benderx4]

Wouldn't know about Glocks since I've never owned one. That grip angle doesn't point naturally for me.

I can, however, speak for HKs and state that they are unequivocally the most reliable handgun I have EVER owned. Period. Dot.

As for cost, sure, Glocks are cheap. But you get what you pay for. If this gun is intended to protect yourself or your family, why would you possibly scrimp on quality?

 

[Pizzagunner]

As for cost, sure, Glocks are cheap. But you get what you pay for. If this gun is intended to protect yourself or your family, why would you possibly scrimp on quality?

Sure H&Ks are cheap. But you get what you pay for. If your gun is intended to protect yourself or your family, why would you possibly scrimp on quality?

$2495



$2395

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

Glocks are OK for those who want reliability without paying the $$$. I know HKs are more expensive and probably for not a very good reason. But every HK I've ever held has fit my hand like the designers molded it around me. Every Glock I've held has felt awkward and unshootable. HKs look better, offer more grip types, more tigger styles, and are engineered just as well. I guess Glocks are ok if you're buying them buy the hundreds and Glock cuts you in on a sweet bulk deal in return for you claiming they are God's gift to shooters, but if you want a pistol that is truly customizable to your grip and style, it's hard to beat HK.

 

[Frog48]

Why not Glocks ScareyH22A? I do believe the Glock 17 was the USBP issue prior to the HK P2000.

Nope, the Beretta 96 was standard issue prior to the HK P2000. Some of the old timers still carry the Berettas that they were issued years ago, but all new academy graduates are issued HK, and most agents have transitioned to the HK. As a side note, USBP does not authorize on-duty use of privately owned firearms.

 

[willbrink]

"I've seen A TON of Glock torture tests online and I know without a doubt that they're literally bulletproof."

False. For example, the 10 man group I worked last year from a regional tactical team, had a mix of weapons from their depts. During the 12 weeks, two guns went down, one total FUBAR. Those two were Glocks. No Sigs, no 1911s, went down. I know an entire mid sized PD that went from Glock to Sig due to all the troubles they were having with Glocks, etc. The Glock .40s seem to be the problem child in the line up. The "bullet proof" rep of Glock is great Glock marketing. Glocks are GREAT guns for their intended use, do what they are supposed to do most of the time, etc, but they break like any gun can break, and I have seen them break personally. Buy a Glock because it fits your needs, but be under no illusions it's "bullet proof" compared to other quality brands out there, and as a rule HK is a far superior product (not comparing one specific model to another) to anything Glock produces.

 

[Lou McGopher]

Not to say other guns aren't reliable, Sig, HK, Springfield, a well tuned 1911......but none of them will run with as much grit on the inside that a Glock can. And none are as corrosion resistant either.

The XD begs to differ....

 

[hessy]

I own 5 HKs and a few Glocks (19, 34) and HK wins as far as sheer reliability with any ammo. They just don't quit. I do not torture my guns and clean them. But, if you start shooting steel-cased ammo and use Korean mags, a Glock will choke quickly. HK will keep going. BTW, no crappy aftermarket mags for HK either.

 

[Autolycus]

Wrong Forum.

 

[Comedian]

I think the Glock might be a "best buy", as it is less expensive than a comparable HK, and Glock's service is much better than HK's. HK has a bad rep for being slow and arrogant, sometimes blowing the civilian customers off. Glock tries to please. As far a guns toughing it out, I'd say they are both pretty close. Either one might fail or hang up over the other, put to abuse.

I've heard of some stories of H&K's customer service, but my one experience with them (which came as a result of a broken firing pin) was very pleasant and had no hiccups whatsoever. I called them, sent them my slide, and they returned it in less then a week fixed. All I had to pay was the postage to ship it to them, and I'm not (nor have I ever been) covered by their warranty. So there's some props to H&K customer service for fixing my crap for free when they had no real obligation to do so.

 

[Zerodefect]

The XD can't handle as much grit as the Glock 19. Its very close though. I like the XD, especially the .45acp. I didn't like thier 9mm. And they have a Melonite finish right? So thats got to be pretty good for corrosion resistance. Still the Glock is smoother to draw, is smaller, and has a lower muzzle bore. The XD is one of the best guns I've seen in a while, but I haven't seen enough from them to want one over another Glock. It'll be interesting to see what else Springfield has for us in the future. I think the XD's have too many cuts and shapes to their slide. I prefere simple clean smooth lines.

Someone want to tell me exactly why Hk is superior and how Glock is cheap? This Stigma is totally untrue. Hk is a little overpriced. That deosn't make them better. The Glock is hardly cheap, last trip to the fun store had them priced at $525-560. The grip frame is solid enough and the finish is decent. I only have experience with the newer Hk's like the USP. Not the old school squeeze cock things.

Many call the larger Glocks "bricks" and I'm with you, but the compact models are spot on.

Glocks are:

simpler than HK.
lower muzzel bore, less muzzel flip, generally quicker shooting.
simple/better trigger
more durable finish

can handle more abuse and grit before failing (oil on the firing pin is a no no, but I clean that part regularly, it takes 5 whole minutes.)

Whats so special about HK? They're really reliable, thats all! No huge peformance gain. They look like plain old pistols to me. Nothing special, I file them with the M9, Ruger P95, XD, FN, Sig, etc. Allthough like someone above posted....a gun that fits your hand well is priceless. If HK fits then thats your gun.

They're no Glock, and they most certainly ain't no m1911a1.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I don't know, but for 50% more $$$ they had darn well better be.

 

[ScareyH22A]

So does a Glock have loose tolerances that make it shoot through just about any situation... much like AK vs M16?

 

[Zerodefect]

Not really. Glocks are actually fairly accurate if you have decent sights on them and you have a good one.

There isn't much of a slide rail on the frame of the gun. Looked flimsy the first time I saw it, but it works. I think that helps. Theres room inside the gun for accumulated dust/sand to fall/rub off the critical parts. What I mean is that it seems like if sand is on a critical part it isn't really trapped there, it can be pushed loose. Obviously this won't work in some areas.

Thats really just a guess. I don't know why for sure. Also 9mm and 357Sig Glocks seem to be the most reliable Glocks. Don't know why.

My Glock is by far my most reliable handgun. Others are catching up though.

 

[Hawaiian]

I am very comfortable with the reliability of both my G19 and HK45c as carry guns. The HK fits my hand better. HK's recoil management system also works very well. But then my revolver is also very very reliable.

 

[IMTHDUKE]

All I know is my experience: Owned one glock 17...didn't fit right, point right, fire right (jams and more jams after cleaning and smithing). Own 3 HKs...feels right, point right, fires dead center...zero problems. Think for me I will stay with HKs. The too expensive point is subjective....If you can't afford a Mercedes, drive a Ford.

 

[TimboKhan]

If you are not autistic or mentally handicapped in any other way your gun WILL NOT experience any of the things in the torture test. The torture tests in themselves say nothing at all.

Perhaps a bit insensitive, as I don't think autistic people routinely freeze their guns in blocks of ice or toss them out of a plane, but I agree with the gist of the statement. Torture tests can tell us some things, but in the end the proof is in the shooting.

One torture test I performed was not cleaning my Ruger P90 for around 1000 rounds (to include Wolf). Didn't clean it or lube it a bit, and it worked every time I pulled the trigger. That was good enough for me. I know that if my gun is reasonably maintained, it will work.

I could care less about the extreme-type tests, because I am not John McClain and will never be in a position where I need to use my pistols just after they have been run over by a road grader or something...