Just fired my first Glock - very impressed

[newbie4help]

First off, I have very little experience w/ handguns, only rifles. I've only fired a revolver mostly, plus a .22 auto a few times. As a newcomer, I thought the Glock 17 was amazing - little recoil, ultra simple to operate (none of this half-cocking or manual safeties nonsense), safe, etc. I hit the target dead on at 15 yards.

I realize more "old school" guys don't like Glock because they "feel" or "look" weird - so I think my experience as a newcomer is especially interesting. Does anyone have any thoughts on the disadvantages/advantages of Glocks over more standard types like 1911?

Another thing I liked about the Glock 17 in particular was I bought 100 rounds for $20!!!! And it never jammed once.

 

[Jackal]

No offense, but run a search on this topic, it has been discussed a million times.

 

[newbie4help]

But has it been discussed from the standpoint of a newbie?

 

[Hoppy590]

oes anyone have any thoughts on the disadvantages/advantages of Glocks over more standard types like 1911?

lack of a manual safety is a con to me.
long, loose trigger is a con to me
grip angle sucks to me

but they do go bang every time

*hoppy is not a typical 1911 fan. he is 21 years old, and doesn own a traditional 1911. (para ord. p14)

 

[newbie4help]

Thanks Hoppy. Do you know if 1911s have less recoil given the extra weight (I was amazed at how light the polymer makes the Glock).

I guess my theory on the safety was - if you have a manual safety you psychologically start relying on it which could be dangerous. I like the idea that if you just follow the 3 basic rules, nothing bad will ever happen with a glock. I mean think about it - what is a manual safety really but a protection against pointing a gun at somebody and squeezing the trigger "accidentally" - you'd have to be pretty foolish to do that. Hell you could drop a glock etc. and no potential of going off like with other guns b/c of the 3 internal safeties.

could you recommend other models for me to try before I buy?

 

[tbreihan]

...you just follow the 3 basic rules, nothing bad will ever happen with a glock.

That applies to any gun.

I mean think about it - what is a manual safety really but a protection against pointing a gun at somebody and squeezing the trigger "accidentally" - you'd have to be pretty foolish to do that.

Ever see the video on YouTube where the DEA agent does exactly what you just said with his "Glock forty" in a classroom full of gradeschoolers? That is how 99.99999% of negligent discharges occur in the first place.

Hell you could drop a glock etc. and no potential of going off like with other guns b/c of the 3 internal safeties.

Again, this applies to the vast majority of handguns period and virtually all modern designs. Sig, Beretta, HK, S&W Sigma and M&P, Springfield XD, many 1911s, etc.

Not trying to knock you, but don't think that the Glock is special or ultra-safe compared to other handguns. I have no problems with Glocks--I don't find them uncomfortable and I shoot them quite well. However, the "safety" system on a Glock is pretty much "don't put your finger on the trigger until you're ready to shoot." The one trigger pull on the Glock is about as short and light as my Beretta PX4s single-action trigger. I wouldn't leave my PX4 loaded, cocked and lying around and consider it safe.

IMHO, a Glock can be a safe pistol if you and whoever else has access to the pistol are extremely vigilant of maintaining proper trigger discipline. Of course, that applies to all pistols, but the Glock has NO mechanical device in place to save your ass should you forget.

 

[newbie4help]

Thanks for informing me!

I heard some models actually have a "lock down" feature whereby they cannot fire until you unlock them. Is that worth getting?

 

[MT GUNNY]

It will grow on you, then one day you will get a 1911 and forget about the block..

 

[tblt]

Try a CZ 75 B next you will really be impresed

 

[Lonestar49]

...

That's a storage safety feature which, you use a tiny key to turn this little lock and it, makes the gun unusable until it is turned back, to off..

A few of my 1911's have this, but I have never use it, as I just lock them up in the safe, but they have never turned ON by themselves as some say can happen..

No biggie, one way or another..

Just keep in mind the old saying with your Glock, ~ out of sight, out of mind ~ and use the 4 rules of safety anytime, every-time, before you pull that trigger, as that is the reason I just don't like any striker-only guns, as I like to see where the hammer is, for starters..

But, I've known many a great shooter, both in competition and in LEO's that love the guns based on accuracy and always shoot.. But as I said, vigilance, looking, verifying, every-time is the KEY to avoiding the one AD or ND that could well slip your mind..

Enjoy that Glock,


Ls

 

[PhillyGlocker]

Since you've experienced the Glock, no other firearm will impress you as much.

 

[tblt]

Except a CZ

 

[rcmodel]

lack of a manual safety is a con to me.
long, loose HEAVY trigger is a con to me
grip angle sucks to me

That's it in a nutshell!

Fixed the safety by putting a thumb safety on it.
Fixed the trigger by doing a little gunsmithing on it.
But the grip-angle still don't fit me and never will.

As for lack of a safety, I'm prone to stick a loaded pistol in my pants or hip pocket due to 50 years of revolvers, 1911's, S&W's, SIGS, and other hammer guns.
A Glock trigger is just not safe unless it's in a holster.

I bought one Glock, but I'll never buy another one.

rcmodel

 

[M203Sniper]

or a better glock.

They tune better than a 1911 or a CZ. If you want a 3# trigger you can get one in a Glock, just drop it in. You want it at 2# change the spring, easy. Want to go to 9mm swap out a barrel, they just drop in.

I like my glocks for just those reasons. But they ugly.


You'll find a lot of things to like about different guns. That's why we have Collections and not just one or two. I like the 1911 'cause I find it more concealable. but a Glock will always be my SD gun at home and in the Car.

 

[plexreticle]

Lack of manual safety is a pro for me.

I didn't like glocks until I shot a few now I like em alot.

 

[Silvanus]

I'm glad you enjoyed shooting a Glock. I love them, especially the model 17. I like the fact that they are simple and have not manual safety. Keep your finger off the trigger and nothing can go wrong.

 

[bestseller92]

The Glock is the best 9mm in the world.

 

[rmarcustrucker]

Point is to become INTIMATE with your gun. Firing, clearing jams, changing mags. Shoot it often, find out what it likes to eat and feed it a healthy dose of those types of bullets. Advantage to a Glock is you have something easy to clean. Read up on it. PLENTY OF INFO. Comparing 1911 and Glock is like comparing a Ford to a Lincoln. Just make sure it's 99.9% reliable. And they don't like tons of lube.
Don't get drawn into the "Glock are the best/worst". You'll probably own more then one gun.

PS. XD45 rules, all others drool

 

[NGIB]

The Glock is the best 9mm in the world.

Kool-Aid flowing freely!

Thanks for the objective and detailed advice but I think I'll keep my Sig's (and Taurus, Kahr, Beretta)...

 

[Babalouie]

You need to wash your hands, I hope its not catchy

 

[PhillyGlocker]

The Glock is the best 9mm in the world.
__________________

Yes it is!

 

[CountGlockula]

could you recommend other models for me to try before I buy?

Well, Glocks has a wide variety of model sizes and caliber. But the 9mm series are the most popular. I settled with the .40S&W calibers because I love the recoil. I own a G35 and G23, for training and CCW, respectfully.

The best Glock safety is keeping your finger away from the trigger until you're ready to shoot. Just like that scene in Black Hawk Down.

Glad to hear your impressions on a G17. Now go get it!

 

[stevereno1]

uh-oh! someone actually picked up and fired a Glock!!! He now states that it worked well for him!!!! We must counteract at once, and show him that a highly modified 1911 will shoot as reliably as said Glock! Tell him that the grip angle is bad, and that IT WILL BLOW UP! Do not inform him that over 60% of U.S. police carry these weapons and that the reliability is better than any semi-automatic pistol in history. We must accuse him of drinking some kool-aid at once. Damnnnn you Gloooock! Daaamnnn you straight to hellllll!

 

[stevereno1]

Glocks have no external safety! You could accidently fire that thing if you pull the trigger!:banghead:

 

[WayaX]

No external safety? That's a plus for me, less things to fiddle with.
Polymer? It's a nice alternative to alloy frames, no better, no worse, just different applications.
Grip Angle? Learn to use it and you'll find non-glock guns have weird angles.

About the "lock-up" mechanism...it's a no go. If you want to lock up the gun, just use a cable lock through the action. The cable lock has 0 chance of failing and locking up the gun when you need it. Even though accounts of internal locking mechanisms failing and locking the gun up are extremely rare, I have seen it happen (not with a GLOCK though). Better safe than sorry.