I have yet to experience Glock's "ironclad" reliability firsthand. I have normal tested Glock 17, 22, 23, 30, 36 and even got to play with an 18 once. And stress tested all the same models except the 18. All had feeding problems, extraction problems, magazine problems etc.
I get a kick out of this. You forgot to mention that you were using junk re loads, wolf ammo or some junk surplus ammo that doesn't even meet standards. When the manual says "use quality ammunition" they don't mean wolf, and they don't mean steel casing. I called and asked to clarify what was meant by that from H&k and Glock. But some people just develop a hate for Glocks because they want to be "outside the bubble", and think they are. The truth is, there are a lot of people who believe in buying a Ford, because they are reasonably priced, reliable,plentiful and have been around a long time. There is always somebody that makes sure they put themselves outside the bubble, buy a Mercedes SUV for 65,000 and then pay out the <edit> for repairs, up keep and insurance. At the end of the day a vehicle half that price will do the same job and better for cheaper.
Case in point, the glock. Now I have H&K's, S&W, a Dan Wesson Valor, but what, at the end of the day, do you think I put on my hip when I carry? Yes. That's right. A glock. And while I trust my life to my USP, as it is one of the BEST firearms I have owned and shot (even more so then my $1800 1911) my glock will not fail me, and if it does, it won't do it for a long time after that, and the chances it happening during a tense situation are pretty astronomical.
The glock concept got it right; simple, simple, simple. Now if your an operator, you need more.....but the Glock is meant for protection, not for playing an offensive role.
Just as the 1911 is not a good choice for carry. Period. It's great to have and shoot and leave on the nightstand, but that is about it.
If you do your part, run brass through your gun EVEN at the range, and don't limp wrist, the glock will run. And some of the mags I see that come with some of the pricier brands can't hold a candle to the glock design.....even usp 9mm mags are a little sad.....plastic all the way through. Glock mag is stainless wrapped with polymer, and if you look at the inside of the mag its slightly polished.....just to aid in feeding.
I'm not a glock fanboy by any stretch of the imagination, but it is a standard, and like any standard, it has its place.