Glock 19 "Compensated" Opinions on Using It for CCW?

[ljnowell]

I have to wonder what kind of axe some of you have to grind in here? Insulting a PD about thier training, calling people who own compd guns "tough guys", etc. This is about as LOW ROAD as I have seen a moderator allow on THR. Its pretty damned pathetic to be honest.

There are people here who have owned plenty of compd guns and shot them at night and never had an issue with it. Because some of you dont like them you feel the need to call people names?

Sure am glad that we are all taking the high road here and acting like mature adults.

 

[mnhntr]

I would never advise someone to carry a ported pistol or revolver of any knid for CCW. The reason is simple, you never know what position you will be in defending yourself and I would rather not suffer burns from my own gun in a fight. Think about it, you are in your car getting car jacked and fire the pistol with the muzzle inches from your face or body, no thanks, Or maybe you are on your back after being knocked down and know you are firing close to your body or arm pushing the bad guy off you and you get burned from the muzzle blast coming out the porting. I have seen quite a few of the "experts" opinions on this subject and they seem to all agree it is unecessary and dangerous. The only reason you need ported handguns is for competition or heavy recoiling hunting rigs. If you cannot handle the recoil of a pistol get a different caliber.

 

[kgpcr]

Buy it and throw in an aftermarket barrel. Done! The G19 is a great pistol

 

[Texan Scott]

2zulu1, thank you. Also, you beat to it. So far, the objections raised to ported pistols all apply to my snubby 357s... and it doesn't stop me from carrying them.

 

[David E]

Ported barrels aren't a great idea for CCW.

Many disagree with you.

First there's the muzzle flash issue.

Proper load selection eliminates this alleged concern.

I had a ported 1911 officer model, and it looked like a dragon in my hands (yet I noticed no difference in recoil).

Load selection failure and, perhaps, poor technique. Muzzle flip is minimized, when decent porting is used. Not talking about a bolt-on $39 "compensator."

if this is a defensive pistol for CCW, you may find yourself in close quarters or firing from a non traditional grip and stance, and those ports can be dangerous.

Multiple lapses of judgement in succession are required to get you into such a situation. Worst case, tilt the barrel low to direct the port blast into the badguy and close your eyes

This is why it's ported barrels are not permitted in IDPA.

Nope, they're not allowed because:

A) they are, in fact, an advantage

B) if allowed, that's all anyone would use.

And from a practical perspective, the added length and weight are going to make the gun less comfortable to carry, and may give you trouble coming in and out of a holster.

With all due respect, you don't know what you're talking about. The Glock 19-C is dimensionally identical to the non-ported Glock 19 while weighing slightly less.

 

[David E]

So you have named one.

I knew you'd say that, but you only asked for me to name one.

Maybe I did not articulate my position well, but is has always been about blast. Ports suck from a retention position because the blast is directed at your face.

Except that it's not. Unless you tilt the ports toward you for some unfathomable reason

To say there is not an increased blast with the ported gun is just not true.

There is added concussion/blast, but less muzzle flip.

The OP would be well advised to buy the G19-C that's available NOW, especially living in IL, and buy a non-ported barrel later if he wants one.

 

[okiewita40]

If the OP wants the comp model he can get it. I think he should test it with different ammo and pick the one he likes best.

From what I have seen over the last 13 years as an LEO. It is all about the ammo or powder used. My old SWAT commander still carries a G22C. The only problem he has had with it is that after several mags. He gets a dirty fron sight. Kind of hard to see night sights with brunt carbon covering them.

Now in the few shots one would shoot in a SD situation I don't think that there is a lot to worry about. But I have not seen everything there is to see either.

 

[clang]

Speaking specifically about a Glock 19C - to me it is a solution looking for a problem. There is no big difference in recoil or muzzle flip between the G19 and the G19C. I've fired both with the same ammo at the same range session and did not feel much of a difference. If a 9mm is borderline too powerful for you, the Comp barrel might make a difference, but you'd probably have problems racking the slide too of most guns too.

A Compensated barrel might make a difference on more powerful cartridges or lighter guns, but the G19 does not need it.

I live in IL too - there were plenty of Glocks at the Gun Show I went to yesterday. Might not be bargain prices, but they are available.

 

[David E]

I live in IL too - there were plenty of Glocks at the Gun Show I went to yesterday. Might not be bargain prices, but they are available.

And therein lies the rub.

If I lacked and wanted a high cap 9mm and could find a 19-C at a regular price avaikable NOW vs a G-19 that was $100-$200-$300+ more than the 19-C, I'd buy the 19-C. I wouldn't want to take the chance to wait a few months (or much longer) for a 19 to again be available at MSRP, especially if I lived in IL.

 

[clang]

Have you tried Megasports in Plainfield or GAT Guns in East Dundee?

Besides, comparing the price of a used 19C to the price of a new gun is not really fair.

 

[David E]

Besides, comparing the price of a used 19C to the price of a new gun is not really fair.

Agreed, but where did the OP say the 19-C was used?

How high, exactly, were the "not a bargain " G-19 prices at that gunshow?

 

[clang]

Agreed, but where did the OP say the 19-C was used?

You are correct, I thought the OP was buying from instructor - went back and re-read 1st post.

Still, a compensated barrel on a 9mm is about as useful as mammary glands on a bull. Better to KISS (Keep Is Simple S). As mentioned already, there are some legitimate situations where it can be detrimental, but none where it is helpful.

 

[David E]

there are some legitimate situations where it can be detrimental,

The "detrimental" aspects are speculative, stated by those that haven't fired one in the positions they cite as causing a problem. The ports are a non-issue 99.9% of the time, but some like to obsess over that .1%

but none where it is helpful.

Except when you shoot it and experience less muzzle flip. For most people, less muzzle flip makes it easier to keep on target during rapid fire. This results in more, better hits on target.

 

[clang]

Except when you shoot it and experience less muzzle flip. For most people, less muzzle flip makes it easier to keep on target during rapid fire. This results in more, better hits on target.

When I fired a G19C and G19 side by side there was no appreciable difference.

 

[David E]

When I fired a G19C and G19 side by side there was no appreciable difference.

There is in rapid fire, provided your technique is sound. Again, I'm not talking about felt recoil, just muzzle flip.

(rapid fire being one shot every 15-18 /100ths of a second)

 

[clang]

There is in rapid fire, provided your technique is sound. Again, I'm not talking about felt recoil, just muzzle flip.

If your technique is sound, the difference in muzzle flip is negligable between a G19 and a G19C.

 

[David E]

If your technique is sound, the difference in muzzle flip is negligable between a G19 and a G19C.

As I said in my first post on the matter, less muzzle flip, FOR MOST PEOPLE, results in better hits on target. The 19-C produces less flip. Is it a lot less? Maybe not, but it's enough less to matter for most people, especially for the female shooter who will be shooting this gun, per the OP.

Again, talking rapid fire.

 

[76shuvlinoff]

Ported pistols I've owned I didn't own long. It wasn't the flash, it was the sound when shooting without muffs. Sooner or later you WILL shoot without hearing protection even if it's just to know it. I had a ported 3.5 inch .45 that was totally miserable to shoot and miserable for anyone around it.

Make a deal on the gun but be prepared to buy a barrel for it.

 

[David E]

I'd be curious to measure the decibels of a .357 snub nose compared to a 19-C

 

[Zerodefect]

If I shoot a ported Glock from the retention position....Will I burn my nipple or blow it off? I practice from that position often, ported pistols aren't for me.

I never noticed the difference in semiautos. They ain't Magnums, a good grip and a ton of training go a long way here.

Lucky for the Glock. You can swap in a standard barrel anytime you want.

 

[CZguy]

I've found ported pistols to be a definite advantage in reacquiring the front sight faster.

I mean it's pretty simple you have physics on your side. This thread has a great deal of quoting what's popular on the Internet as opposed to what simply works.

To all the naysayers, the next time you have an opportunity to shoot a compensated pistol, try it with an open mind.

 

[clang]

If it's such a great idea, why aren't all G19s compensated???

 

[Sam1911]

'Cause some of us don't like it. Why make an M&P, xD, and a Glock? Different strokes for different folks.

 

[TAKtical]

To be honest, ive owned both glock 17 and 19 "c" models and in my experience, there was no benefit at all. I dont think 9mm is hot enough, recoil is so minimal that I noticed absolutely zero difference. Now if you had a 10mm or .357sig, there would be quite a noticeable difference but IMO its pointless for 9mm pistols. The best solution I found for faster follow up shots is a ss guide rod with a slightly heavier spring. Your mileage may vary. BTW, all my glocks are Gen3. Cant vouch for any Gen4 aftermarket parts.

 

[David E]

If it's such a great idea, why aren't all G19s compensated???

All the Glock 19-C models are compensated.....