Help with descision on buying a glock 19

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specialagent13

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Hey guys:
Here is the deal. Im going to buy my first handgun. I have fired some before like the colt 45 goldcup and some revolvers. I will use my gun for recreation, self defense at home and I will carry when i need it. I was thinking on the glock 19 but I have never used one. Is this a good choice? im also a little worried about maintanence. I have nobody to teach me. Will I be able to disassemble and assemble correctlyit just by reading instructions? Please help.
 
Get a 1911A1 or a revolver. In fact, there's this one guy I sometimes shoot with at the range- I'll run into him at a gunshop when I'm looking at a semi and he'll say "put that away and get a revolver". Kinda funny to hear him say that. But seriously, I've found the 1911A1 easy to strip and reassemble. I learned how by sitting down with the gun and manual and dissassembling and reassembling by the book two or three times. It worked for me. However, I'll also tell you there's a reason why they call autos a "thinking man's gun". If you're a newbie, get a revolver. Who cares what caliber as long as it's .357magnum (also shoots .38special) or bigger. .44magnums stoked with .44specials are fun too. Revolvers are a lot easier to get along with when you're alone against an as yet unseen enemy in the dark when you're half asleep and scared to death. While you're getting good at shooting that revolver, you can be contemplating your 1911A1.

Glock who?
 
The G19 is an utterly reliable semi auto handgun. It will serve you well. But, you need to be properly trained on any handgun before you venture out to the range.

When you decide to purchase the pistol be sure to have the gunshop you purchase it from show you how to properly clear the pistol, disassemble, reassemble and then load the firearm. Pay attention to everything they say.

Then take the gun and ammo to a range where there are range officials available. The Glock is a very common handgun. Ask for assistance and you will most likely get some good directions on proper loading and shooting safety information.

BTW, welcome aboard.

Shoot safe.
 
The G19 was my first centerfire pistol, and it was a great choice. I still shoot it a lot at the range, and it is my primary self defense weapon.

The salesman showed me how to break it down, and then he had me do it in front of him to make sure I caught on. It is VERY EASY. No tools required, and it takes only a few seconds. Really. You could quickly learn how by reading the manual, but the two minute tutorial at the gun shop made it especially simple.

The pistol is relatively cheap to buy and shoot, mags are plentiful, and it is easy to clean. Inexpensive 9mm ammo (MUCH cheaper than .45) will let you shoot a lot and learn technique w/o going broke. Then, you can do like me and spend mo' money on all sorts of other guns.

I have added an AGrip and a 3.5 connector, but neither is necessary to enjoy the pistol.

I highly recommed the G19.

I also recommend a good .22 pistol (like a Ruger Mark II or III) if you are new to shooting. Even cheaper to shoot and tons of fun (especially with a red dot).

My Mark II and G19 get many times more rounds through them than my other handguns and rifles combined.
 
I'd suggest going to a range with firearms for rent, and trying anything and everything that looks interesting.

I rented a Glock model 19 once. It had such a horrible trigger, I've never even thought about buying a Glock since then.
 
It's been a long time since I've bothered to look at a Glock. Some folks like 'em. Some folks hate 'em. I happen to be in the latter group. Lousy hand/grip fit. Lousy trigger. I got a sales rep to show me how to disassemble and I still couldn't get it to work. :banghead: :barf: :cuss:

:cool: I don't have to worry about it. I got a 1911A1 and never looked back. :cool:
 
I looked at the Glocks as well, just couldn't get into them. Weird/blocky grip, odd trigger, not much 'safety' to them.

I think you can do better.
 
The Glock 19 was my first Glock ... I already had (2) S & W 686's, 1 in 6" 1 in 4", and a Walther P-38 autoload (9mm). I find the Glock 19 a joy to shoot, and a breeze to disassemble for cleaning ... I learned from the user manual that came in the box .... any 9 year old child can do it. I find the first shot of the G-19 not a whole lot different than a double action revolver, and followup shots not a whole lot unlike firing that revolver in single action mode. Personally I find the G-19 a very sweet handgun to shoot and a good choice for a first gun.

Hook686
 
I don't have a G19, but

I do have a Glock 17, which is very similar to a Glock 19. I also have a Glock 23, which is the same as a Glock 19, but in .40S&W. The Glock 23 is my primary carry piece. It is completely reliable, accurate, and reasonably priced.

I would definitely recommend a Glock 19 for a first pistol.
 
i cant believe someone here thinks the 1911 is easier to disassemble than a Glock?

im not talking about reliability, shootability, or anything else. the original post is asking about recreation, home defense, personal carry and maintenance.

1. recreation - is that the same pretty much for any handgun?

2. home defense - any gun can be used for home defense, but in darkness, a novice shooter may not be able to, or forget, to disengage the manual safety on a 1911.

3. personal carry - some argue that cocked-and-locked is either uncomfortable (cocked hammer digging into side of body) or possibly unsafe, if the manual safety gets swept down while carrying, you are down to 2 or possibly only 1 safety if you don't have a Series 80 firing pin safety.

4. maintenance - id argue that a Glock, with less # of parts, is much easier to maintain than a 1911 by a novice shooter/owner.

granted this is just my opinion, but i'd think a Glock, at least for this buyer, is a better bet for his uses/concerns he has outlined. i like the 1911, but i recommend it for someone who is not a novice shooter.
 
. . . and I will carry when i need it.
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Unless you've got Miss Cleo on speed dial, I'd recommend carrying as often as legally possible since you might not find out you "need" it until it's too late. Of course, get trained first, and keep practicing!

I was thinking on the glock 19 but I have never used one. Is this a good choice?
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One of my first pistols. I ultimately sold it, but not because it was bad mechanically. There were just better things out there for me. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend one if they feel good in your hand.

Will I be able to disassemble and assemble correctlyit just by reading instructions?
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Shouldn't be a problem. Just remember to quadruple-check that the pistol is cleared before you pull the trigger (part of the takedown process on a Glock).
 
GLOCK 17 was my first handgun and I highly recommend it. It's the same as the G19 just a little bigger. I've also fired a G19 and liked it but it was a little too small for my hands. Like someone else said, a revolver is also a good choice. I have a S&W 642 myself.
 
go to a range where you can shoot various guns

Just last night I took two of my friends to an indoor gun range. Neither of these friends had much shooting experience; it was the second time at a range for one friend, and the first time for the other friend. I brought my Glock 17 (full-size 9mm); I rented two other guns: a Sig P239 (a less-than-full-size 9mm); and a Kahr P9 (a compact polymer-frame 9mm).

Both of my friends shot the Glock best and preferred its trigger. I had them fire the other two guns first before shooting the Glock. The first-timer shot the Glock much, much better than he did the other two guns, hitting roughly center target 9 out of 10 times at 7 yards. He loved the Glock and would not shut-up about it the entire drive home.

Some people complain about Glock triggers and just can't stand them. I have no problem with the Glock trigger: the initial slack is easily taken up, then simply squeeze until the trigger crisply breaks like a saltine cracker.

As for me, I shot the Glock best also (but I've been shooting it for over 10 years). I have to say that I was disappointed with the Sig P239; I really wanted to shoot that thing well. It felt so good in my hand and has great pointability--and it fires in single action. I thought that out of the three guns it would be the easiest to shoot accurately, but it wasn't for me--or for my two friends. Other people love Sigs, swear by them, and, I assume, shoot them very accurately.

Just because some people hate a particular gun, it doesn't mean it's a bad gun and that you won't love it; just because some people love a particular gun, it doesn't mean that you will or that it's the right/best gun for you. Go and shoot some guns. Get what feels good, shoots well, and looks appealing to you. I love my Glock. I hope you love whatever you buy. Happy shopping!

BTW, in caring for my Glock I have in the past been irresponsible and neglectful, forcing it to endure numerous shooting sessions without being cleaned or oiled. Not recommended, but it appears no worse for the wear. I cleaned it late last night immediately after shooting session.
 
another option might be the springfield xd series. it is just a little bigger than an g19 but the grip angle is more natural. it also has the same trigger safety but also has a grip safety too. along with a chamber loaded indicator and a cocked striker indicator. mag cap is equal with 15 9mm rounds and have seen big stick mags ~30 rounders for both but in that department glocks are easier to come by.

take a firearms safety and handling class right from the start. many classes will have choices of firearms to choose from. after the class find a range that has rentals and try out as many differnt guns as possible. is better to spend $50 on renting to find the right gun than it is to spend $600 on the wrong gun.
 
Very reliable, easy to clean (dishwasher-safe :)).

The only thing I don't like about my model 26 is the lack of a "real" safety. No lever like the 1911, no long trigger pull like the average DA revolver. You gotta be "more safe" than with the average gun.

Just kidding about the dishwasher. The other half would kill me if she found a glock in there.

Regards.
 
The Glock design is one of the easiest to field strip, and the easiest to detail strip. The design is so simple that once you've detail stripped and reassembled it the first time, you probably won't need instructions again.
 
Out of the four 9mm pistols I've owned I have found the G19 to be the most comfortable to shoot and easiest to clean. I was able to shoot it the most accurately. The other three are gone. Its also a "clean" shooting gun, i.e. it doesn't get very dirty. And lastly, 9mm ammo is very afforadable enabling one to be able to practice alot. A box of .45 is at least ten bucks, while you can find 9mm for half that just about anywhere.

I've had three 1911's, note the "had". Talk about a pain to field strip! Its especially fun trying to get the recoil spring plug either in or out and not wonder when its going to get away from you and fly across the room, or worse, hit you in the face. The slide stop was easy to push out with one and one you almost couldn't get it out at all. What a pile of parts: slide, recoil spring, plug, barrel, slide stop, and bushing. With a Glock you have a barrel, slide, and recoil spring.

Let's not get into how wonderful cocked and locked is. If I am under deadly attack I don't want to have to remember anything but point and pull the trigger. And how many times do you hear some 1911 guy say, "oh yeah I come home now and then and find the safety somehow has clicked off". Are you nuts!? No thank you.
 
A G26 (sub-compact 9mm) is my daily carry. I carry all the time, except in cases where I'm prohibited by law, like when I take my kids to school and can't carry there (which pisses me off, because that eliminates the possibility of someone who is prepared from stopping one of those 'school-shooting' nutcases before a bunch of kids are killed). Fun and easy to shoot, even better out-of-the-box accuracy than I expected, the factory trigger is fine, easy to conceal.

Operation of a 1911 is more complex than a Glock. I don't think a 1911 would be a good "first gun" for a beginner (especially if he intends to carry it), unless he plans to get professional training and spend lots and lots of time becoming very proficient at operating it under stressful conditions before he starts carrying it (of course, you should do that anyway, but especially with a gun with more complex operation like a 1911).

The only thing I don't like about my model 26 is the lack of a "real" safety. No lever like the 1911...
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Just curious... The elimination of an external safety is one of the Glock's strong points (for those that prefer this type of gun). If you prefer an external safety, why did you buy a Glock instead of a 1911?
 
If you're buying a new Glock 19, be sure it's a late 3rd generation version (they have an extra crosspin in the frame above the trigger pivot pin) and that it comes with current 15 round magazines . . . some unscrupulous dealers are still trying to get full price for Glocks with the emasculated Klinton-era 10 rounders.

Glock 9mms are among the most reliable, dependable, pistols on the market today. No, they're not perfect, but if you could take 100 Glock 19s, and 100 1911's costing up to 50% more, and then you shot 1000 rounds through each pistol, I'll wager there will be far more problems in the 1911 group than there are in the G19 group. (BTW, a good 1911 is a VERY fine pistol indeed. Sadly, all too many don't meet the definition of "good" these days, especially at the lower end of the price range.)

Since this is your first handgun, DO learn and abide by the Four Rules.
 
I carry a G23 with me more often than I do just about anything else.

Glocks are great for a couple of reasons, one of which is that it is so easy to get things like holsters for them. EVERYONE makes holsters for Glocks.

One special note, do not let any fool dissuade you because the gun itself doesn't have some manual safety. The only safety that ever matters is the one between your ears. If it breaks, no MECHANICAL OBJECT is going to pick up the slack. Machines break, and have no thought process, they simply do. I personally wish my Glock had fewer safeties on it, as mechincal objects can break, and are therefore less trustworthy than my own judgement, which I literally trust my life with.

Though I love Glocks, not everyone does. Test it out, check other possibilities. Buy/carry what you can carry/shoot comfortably and properly. If Glocks ain't for you (and some people are this way) find what is, and get-train-and carry it.

SK.
 
I am a 1911 enthusiast at the range, and I think they make an excellent service weapon, but I cant carry them concealed comfortably, I have tried it just doesnt work for me. My G-26 glock is a perfect carry weapon. Of all of the 9mm handguns I have owned, which includes Beretta, Smith and Wesson, and a Belgian browning hipower made in the 1960's. My G26, and my G34 (lonslide model) are the two most accurate and easy to shoot 9mms I have ever owned. They are 100% reliable with standard Glock magazines, and they are easy to maintain, very easy.

The triggers on all of the others, in single action ,are better, but for some reason that never translated to better scores on the target at the range. I no longer own the Smiths or the Beretta. The Glocks are keepers.

Try the g19, g17, and g26 see which one fits your hand and your usage best they are all excellent pistols.

JMHO YMMV
 
I own both a Colt Series 80 (M1991A1 Stainless) .45ACP and a pre-ban, second generation Glock 19. I love them both, BUT....

I've had the Colt jam up on me three times in a single box of Remington 230FMJ, seems it doesn't like that brand. Also, a former co-worker of mine - who incidentally purchased the exact same model, had the slide stick open once because of powder residue in the rails. You had to see it to believe it.

On the other hand...

I can't get the Glock 19 to jam and I've fed it almost every brand known to mankind, including cheap range reloads. Moreover, the rental model which first sold me on Glocks was dirty as heck - I mean that puppy was filthier than the floor of a New York taxi, and yet it functioned flawlessly. I'd venture to say that it hadn't been cleaned in months (and that's with repeated use, mind you) and yet had some crazed lunatic broken into the range and attacked me that afternoon I wouldn't have hesitated to trust it with my life. It breaks down quicker and easier than the Colt, isn't ammunition sensitive, and doesn't require any fine tuning to make it reliable.


Bottom line, I'd go with the Glock if I were you.
 
G19 all the way. Also, spend some bucks for a Brooks A-Grip, and a SafTBlok.

With the 5.5 lb trigger pull, I like the SafTBlok (fits behind the trigger, and knocks out in an instant) at night.

The A-Grip is just a nicety.. My fiance loves it.

I have 1911s and other guns, but my G19 is my nighttime friend.

About 2000 to 2500 rds through it. Never failed to do anything I asked. I stake my life on it.
 
My standard suggestion to someone buying their first home defense handgun, is a four inch .357 magnum revolver, from Smith, Ruger, or Taurus. .357 magnum for unpleasant situations, .38 special for cheap range time. (.357's can fire .38 specials.) I keep a 4 inch Ruger Police Service Six, made in 1977, loaded with .357 magnum hollow points next to my bed at night, and I sleep well.
But, if you really want a semiauto as your first gun, the Glock 19 is a great choice, I think. Reliable, easy to maintain, cheap, potent ammo.
 
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