Glock grip angle

[robinkevin]

Well there was the one guy in Season 1 complaining about the Beretta grip angle for why he stunk it up (because he was so used to Glocks). Although I think he was the exception rather than the rule!

I stand corrected... did he make it far? I would decide if he was an exception or rule though my money is on the exception.

Another way to look at it is those who shoot revolvers and autos. I dont know of many autos that point like a revolver yet people can still be accurate with both.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Well, I've "plinked" my way to top shooter on three different departments as a cop, shot local matches, and trained cops and civilians, so I feel qualified to challenge the mindsets of people who cry "can't". As I said, it's all in the head. It sure isn't in the grip angle!

 

[Bobson]

Not to get off topic, but to address the OP's question, I think the guns that have the most similar ergos to Glocks are Springfield's XD and XDm. Might be something to consider, if you like the look of the XD/m.

 

[holdencm9]

Brad From S1:E2 of Top Shot

I stand corrected... did he make it far? I would decide if he was an exception or rule though my money is on the exception.

Not sure, I think he made it about 2/3 through the first season. Probably wasn't truly the grip angle but he just was making excuses for not doing well in the challenge. Safe money is definitely the exception!

 

[Alberforth]

Glocks are very well designed objects actually, if you evaluate them objectively in terms of design integrity (the parts relating to each other and the whole) and proportion.

No, they don't have the classic style of the early 20th century, but those design principles aren't appearing anywhere these days anyway. As time goes by and we see more and more modern gun designs, the Glock, by comparison, is beginning to stand out as a classic in its own right.

About grip angle--there's a US army training film from the '40's on youtube in which the fact that the 1911A1 doesn't point naturally is mentioned as something which has to be overcome during training.

 

[Kendal Black]

I find the grip of the Glock too raked, such that I tend to point high. Good thing I am a "look at the sights" shooter. Same deal with the Ruger Mark I, II and III .22 pistols. You might like one of those.

 

[David E]

Well, I've "plinked" my way to top shooter on three different departments as a cop, shot local matches, and trained cops and civilians,

Nearly all the law enforcement qualification courses of fire have generous time limits (if any) so any gun deficiencies are minimized.

As for matches, it depends what they were. IPSC or Bullseye?

As I've already said, as did you, it depends what you're used to. If nothing, then shooting a Glock will be easy. If you've shot a 1911 for decades, the Glock will invariably point high. In slowfire, this is easily managed, but to get to a serious level of quick and accurate skill, time and effort needs to be put in to compensate for the grip angle.

As I said, it's all in the head. It sure isn't in the grip angle!

you also said it depends on what you're used to. Which is it?

If it wasn't the grip angle, then why have 1000's of people paid 10's of 1000's of dollars to change the Glock grip angle to be more like a 1911?

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

I can of Krylon can improve the looks of a glock.

I hear beer goggles work better.

 

[Kendal Black]

A handkerchief can improve the looks of a Glock. How? Unfold it and place it atop the pistol.

 

[NG VI]

Personally I think it's an issue originated by people who had mostly only used 1911s and Brownings, my first pistol was a USP, angle I believe near identical to the 1911, and Glocks came along much later for me. I shot the Glocks better and spent noticeably more time aligning the sights on my other pistols.

Maybe it's just me, but I really think grip angle is something that you either a. are bothered by because you have sunk tens or hundreds of thousands of rounds into getting excellent with a given platform, b. a particular gun just doesn't fit you well regardless of what angle it takes, or c. is not an issue at all.

 

[ku4hx]

Lots of was to make your Glock all purtty....
http://www.google.com/search?q=gree....,cf.osb&fp=5a1aeaf29ef99c9f&biw=1120&bih=632

 

[TG13]

the XD/XDm have the same grip angle as the 1911, not Glock..

 

[kozak6]

I don't think the angle has as much to do with it as people make of it.

The Ruger MKII or MKIII have a very sharp grip angle, and they feel and point naturally for me. Other pistols with steeper grip angles don't point as well, but don't necessarily point high.

The Glock? It points way high. I think it's due to the infamous Glock "hump" instead of the grip angle.

 

[Hastings]

I've shot a lot of the newer polymer guns like the XD, FNP, Ruger SR40, Sig, Taurus, and S&W. I thought all of them shot well. The SR40 with the rounded backstrap side out felt the most like a Glock to me.

I've been shooting for 30 years, and 29 of those were spent shooting 1911's, Browning Hi Powers, and S&W revolvers. I tried a Glock about a year ago and found it shot great. I actually find the grip angle comfortable and prefer it to the 1911 ergonomics. The only guns I think surpass the Glock for feel are the Browning Hi Power, and the CZ SP01.

The thing I like most about Glocks is the plain, minimalist appearance. I know it's not completely true, but the Glock looks like it has only what needs to be there to function, without extraneous milling or affectations aimed at following some modern trend (like forward cocking serrations). I think the other companies go to far by adding lots of bevels, serrations, curves, and "stuff" that are purely aimed at making the guns look cool. If that's what you like, great. I simply want a gun that shoots well. Granted, most of these guns do shoot well, but the added aesthetic flare looks garish to me, now.

I have to say the one that appeals to me the most after the Glock is the Ruger SR40. If they would make this in 357sig, I would buy one right away.

 

[NG VI]

Hastings that's something I like about them as well. That and the lack of sharp corners or odd protrusions on them. They look blockier than other guns, but it's nice to carry a pistol that doesn't have anything sticking out of it.

 

[HKGuns]

Last year I posed very nearly this exact question and did a bit of complaining about the grip angle and was informed that revolvers have a similar grip angle to the gLoCk. I cannot confirm this as I'm not a revolver person.

 

[David E]

The Glock? It points way high. I think it's due to the infamous Glock "hump" instead of the grip angle.

Ok, it's the hump. I have several glox where I took out the hump and NOW they point fine. I put a crimson trace laser on a stock G19. Since it filled in the top of the backstrap, thereby making it even with the hump, it also points "right."

The "SF" variation points "right."

Glock sure didn't pay attention to their customers when they came out with their Gen 4 version with replaceable back straps, as that infernal hump is on every one.

Glox have a LOT going for them and I include them in my recommendations.

 

[Averageman]

I was very hesitant to make the switch to Glocks. I have purhased a G17 and put 100 rds through it in the past 3 weeks.
At this point I can shoot it fine, but it is different and it is ugly, but it is a tool. Once I got used to it being different, realising this and working toward becomming more familiar and proficent with it; I now prefer it.

 

[amd6547]

I also spent a lot of years (decades) shooting 1911's, HiPowers, and revolver, with the HiPower being my favorite.
In the last two years, I have converted completely to Glock for my serious use pistols...mainly the G26 and the G30.
When I pick up either of these two and point them with my eyes closed, then open them, the sights are aligned perfectly.
I am to the point now that I am considering selling my last 1911 and HiPower.

 

[David E]

The 26 and 30 point differently than the full-size guns. My 26 fits my hand in such a way that the hump nestles into the hollow of my palm, so it points "right" as it comes. Even won a match with it once.

My comments are mainly directed at the full-size guns with some overlap to the 19/23 size.

If you really sell your last 1911 and BHP, then you were never really one of us......

 

[LiveLife]

I think this one of th first threads praising the ergos of the glock!

You spoke too soon!

Well, I started out with 1911/Sig 226 and found the grip angle of Glocks "odd" but found to shoot them well enough to run matches with (I just focused on the sights).

As to grip angle, M&P got them beat.

Now days, I just focus on the targets and "make" the holes appear on POA regardless of the platform.

Just go and shoot em!

 

[David E]

Perhaps some clarification is in order.

When I say the grip angle hinders fast and accurate shooting, I'm talking about the first shot from the holster, the first shot after a reload and shots fired in dim light.

For ME, it requires an extra 1/4 second to confirm the sights for the first shot from the holster and after the reload. In dim light, it may take the first shot to confirm my sights in the muzzle flash to adjust for the following shots, firing extra if the confirmation shows the first shot went high.

In slow fire, that extra 1/4 second isn't a factor.

 

[MrBorland]

Last year I posed very nearly this exact question and did a bit of complaining about the grip angle and was informed that revolvers have a similar grip angle to the gLoCk. I cannot confirm this as I'm not a revolver person.

Yes.

I am a revolver guy, and I when it was time to pony up for a semi-auto, I went with a Glock, partially for this reason.

As others pointed out, a foreign grip angle can easily be compensated for when time's not involved. When it is, though, it takes a lot of practice to re-train your index. The easier alternative is to get something with a grip angle akin to what you're used to. It makes alternating between the platforms easier, too.

 

[Hastings]

I agree that the Glock grip angle feels like a revolver. I think it feels the most like a single action revolver.

Part of the grip angle thing is the absence of a hammer. The bore axis sits lower in your hand without the hammer pivot point needing to be below the slide (pushing the web of the hand down and away from the bore axis). Since the trigger needs to be below the barrel locking mechanism, but the web of your thumb is tucked right up under the bore, the hand needs to be at a bit of a tilted angle.

I find this to be a good thing, since it forces a high-tight hold that helps make recoil more manageable even with 10mm full power loads.

With a 1911 or double action revolver the trigger finger is coming from behind while on the glock the trigger finger is coming from behind and slightly above. I think this is why Glock have the hump. It helps force the hand up into the right relationship to the trigger and the beavertail area (even though they don't have a beavertail. The trigger can't go up much more, so this downward tilt to the hand is necessary if you want the high-tight hold. I"ve tried Glocks with the grip reduction and in every case the heel of my hand naturally comes away from the back of the grip (right where the hump should be).

For me this whole Glock ergonomics make it much more manageable when firing rapidly. The muzzle flip is noticably less due to the grip angle and the high hand hold. The Ruger SR9 and SR40 are good examples of this design as well. They feel a bit more vertical in grip orientation, but with the rounded main-spring insert they encourage the same kind of grip.

 

[LiveLife]

When I say the grip angle hinders fast and accurate shooting, I'm talking about the first shot from the holster, the first shot after a reload and shots fired in dim light.

For ME, it requires an extra 1/4 second to confirm the sights for the first shot from the holster and after the reload. In dim light, it may take the first shot to confirm my sights in the muzzle flash to adjust for the following shots, firing extra if the confirmation shows the first shot went high.

David, this is where point shooting is applicable. When I started match shooting, emphasis was on the "front sight flash" so you can assure your sights were on target. Well, this is hard to do in low light or no light situation where you can't visualize the sights.

Point shooting allows fast draw and hits to POA to close targets/threats without the reliance on the sights. We even ran match stages with our Glock front sights removed to practice. Here are point shooting steps we used - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=7674144#post7674144

About grip angle--there's a US army training film from the '40's on youtube in which the fact that the 1911A1 doesn't point naturally is mentioned as something which has to be overcome during training.

Well, this video shows that even the Mil-Spec 1911 point shot quite well - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcUcE3xCw8I