Looking for that first gun, but.........

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It has been mentioned a couple of times here, so I thought I would relate my experience.

My name is Todd, and I am a Glock-o-holic. I have 6 or 7 of them.

Just as an experiment, I bought a Saf-t-Block. (I think this was what you were referring to in your post regarding equipment, Xenophon)

(a saf-t-blok is a plastic piece that tucks in behind the trigger on a Glock. It is very unnoticeable. It also prevents the trigger from moving rearward)

As a matter of fact, a Saf-T- Block is so unobtrusive that it is VERY EASY to forget it is there. I had an experience where I came home to an open door on my house, and cleared the house with a gun that would not have fired because of the Saf-t-block. If you train with it, it can be pretty good, and will pop out easily with your finger as you draw. You just have to practice with it. A LOT.

The main safety with a Glock is the one between your ears. A Glock will NOT fire unless the trigger is pulled.

Get a holster that completely covers the trigger guard. That will be sufficient. Keep it in the holster all the time. Use a holster that offers good weapon retention. For the winter, I use a Fobus paddle holster. Many people criticize the Fobus, but I am happy with mine. It may not be the best choice for you since you cannot carry legally.

Much other good advice has been given on this thread. As to the .22 suggestion, I am an experienced shooter of about 20 years experience, and I intend to get a .22 conversion for one of my Glocks. It will be an invaluable tool to master trigger control.

Another suggestion on trigger control. Dry fire practice. Unload and show clear. Check again. Move ammo to another room. (ALL the ammo) come back and check for empty chamber again. (get the point?)

Put a dime on the front sight. Squeeze the trigger. You should be able to squeeze the trigger without dropping the dime from the front sight.

Another idea (although expensive) is a laser sight. DO NOT rely on it for general purpose shooting. About the ONLY thing the average person needs a laser for is that it is VERY easy to see if you are jerking the trigger when you are using the laser. Shoot as if you do not have the laser on, and have a friend watch the dot right before the "bang."

Another suggestion that I would like to encourage you to consider. You have taken care of the "hardware" side with the purchase of your pistol. The next investment would be to get help on the "software" side. Get some training. Get training that has several good references. Learn about your trainer's experience. Also, be "trainable." Listen carefully to an heed the advice of your instructor. (not implying anything negative at you, it is just a point that is important to make)

There is a lot of knowledge here. There is also a lot of Glock specific knowledge on the "General Glocking" forum at www.glocktalk.com.

Congrats on your new hobby/ self-preservation/ constitutional right.

Todd
 
slh02: There's a 48 hour waiting period here in WI. I supposed that's better than 5 days, but I wish there weren't any waiting time as long as you pass an Instant background check.

gamegod86: yeah, I was referring to the Saf-T-Block (did I say lock before?) anyways, yeah, I was reading that it pops out with just the flick of a finger when drawing, so it doesn't take any time away from draw time. I definitely wasn't looking at this device because I was afraid of the glock trigger, just simply you can't hurt safety with something like that. If I ever do get one, I'll keep your experience in mind about clearing the house with the block in place! Funny you mentioned that .22 conversion kit. The guy at the shop mentioned that when I questioned him about another barrel for the glock 19, and Im seriously gonna consider that in the next month or two, since I've heard .22's can be so fun to fire also. Now onto my seeking training quest.........
 
xenophon, a Glock takes about 10 seconds to take apart, just take off the slide. Advantage Arms makes a .22 conversion kit for the Glock 19 which will go onto it in another 10 seconds. Total of 20 seconds to turn it into a .22 target pistol.

http://www.advantagearms.com/conversion_kit.html


I agree with the comments above regarding .22 and BB guns for early practice but with the Glock 19 one can have both a .22 and a home defence weapon.
 
You mentioned the Glock 23 ... thats nice, but I prefer my Steyr M40 (same size gun only beter ergonomics and cooler looking ;) ).

But I would recommend 9mm over .40S&W even though I shoot a .40.

9mm is cheaper then .40 and if you spend a little extra and get a good box of +p+ 9mm you will be at the same power as most .40, so if you still like the Glock go for the G19 instead of the 23 (same gun only 9mm).


As for the ".22 for a first gun" crowd ... I agree that if you want to become a competition shooter it would be best to start with a .22. But if self defense is your primary concern, then a 9mm will serve you well as both a self defense gun and a range gun. (if self defense wasn't one of your main concerns I'd agree with the .22 guys).



The most important thing however, is to wrap your mitts around a few different guns and burn up a few boxes of ammo ... only until you've held and fired a gun can you tell for sure if that gun is for you.


Take up bedlamite on his offer ... the best thing in the world for a new shooter is an experienced shooter to show them the ropes.


Most of all, have fun with this and don't focus too much on the SD stuff right now ... the more fun it is the more shooting you'll do and the better prepaired you will be for SD.

Oh ... and welcome to THR :)
 
innocent, wrinkled-nose smile. . . .

Beware of cute girls who shoot better than you do!

:what:

Admit your ignorance! Get a basic class, and above all, for Goddess' sake, be safe!

Remember, it's not about what you own (or can afford to buy), it's about you, and what's between your ears.

Trisha
 
Congragulations on your purchase!

A Glock wouldn't have been what I'd reccomend, but it is a good quality gun and should serve you well. I do like the feel of the 19's the best of the Glocks myself, in my limited experience.

Now take that basic pistol class and you'll be all set. Be sure to check back and let us know how you are doing and, of course, let us know if you have any more questions.

Good shooting!

Trebor
 
Excellant choice.

The G-19 was my first glock. I swear I don't know how I ended up with 5.

It is a perfect sized handgun for plinking and defense.

Buy some 15 rd magazines now, before the 94/04 expanded AWB comes back and makes everything over 10 illegal, get a Sidearmor Kydex holster IWB or OWB and a good belt.

By ammo.

Practice.

Those .22 kits look pretty nice.

Adios

check out www.glocktalk.com now that the dark side has you
 
Baba Louie: So 15 round mags are available? I had read something about that ban and thought the limit expired in 2004. What a very stupid law.

Anyone know the reasoning for the limit? Did something happen to cause that? IMHO, 5 rounds isn't going to make much of a difference and I'm sure most of you would agree.

x
 
xeno,

I was being somewhat tongue-in-cheek because right now you can still purchase hi-cap magazines unless you reside in CA.

I'd suggest a few of the 15 and a couple of the Glock 17 if your budget allows. Price them and see what I mean.

Only non LEO/military are forced to purchase the neutered magazines or older hi-caps due to the 94 Clinton/HCI act.

And remember, its for the children.

To my way of thinking the G-19 feels weird with a full 10 rd. magazine in it... not quite heavy enough. Balance is... off. It is easier to carry all day tho' so I guess if you're given lemons, find some way to make lemonade. Or buy a G-26. (I mean who really needs all that ammunition if you're a law-abiding citizen, right?)

As to the 04/94 AWB, I'll be a pessimist and predict that more (not less) intrusive actions will result... it being for the children of course.

Have fun shooting that new glock. Stay safe. Watch out for children... they take the fun out of everything.

Adios
 
For the children, of course!! You weren't kidding about those prices for the higher cap magazines. Must be the demand of them that drives the price up. Though I did see a promag metal lined 15-round mag for the G19 for $35 brand new, but I've heard those might be crap (good for practice maybe, but not as good for home SD or carry?)

Another one, $85 for a hi-cap mag, jeez, I'll stick with the 10rd's for a bit to make sure the criminals don't get the upper hand :rolleyes:
 
Xeno, for a Glock, save yourself some headache. Do NOT buy any aftermarket mags for Glocks.

ONLY use factory mags. 10 rd mags are about $16 or so. 15 or 17s are nice and useful if the SHTF, but for the $$$, I would stick with the 10s. (unless you just gotta have the extra rounds.)

Whatever you do, only use Glock factory mags.

If you use aftermarket, you will be doing this -->:banghead:

my opinion,

Todd
 
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Yeah I suppose I don't really need more than 10. And what's the difference between drop and non drop? I'll take the easiest logical answer and guess that drop mags really do drop to the ground when the release is pressed and the non-drop don't?

Another thing I've seen is that some of these mags have "counters" on the back of the mag to let you know how many rounds you have loaded in. Any advantages (besides the obvious of your count) or disadvanges to those? I'm guessing that the counters are just little holes.

x
 
The current consensus is FML (fully metal lined) and NFML (non fully...)

IIRC, the FMLs are "drop free" because the metal lining prevents the mag body from expanding against the magazine channel inside the grip. Also, IIRC, they are called "drop free" because they will drop out while full. (when the release is pressed)

The technical term for the "little holes" are "witness holes"

Ain't it fun learning a new language?:D

Don't really worry to much about the words. Concentrate on proficiency.
 
Voice of dissent

I'd strongly suggest NOT getting a Glock or any other semi auto pistol as a first firearm. They're tricky, and most negligent discharges happen with them. It's much more difficult to keep a little pistol pointed in a proper direction, and not easy to tell if it's loaded. It's also easy for a newbie to chamber a round by accident, then set the thing off in a panic.

I'd strongly suggest getting a nice used .22 LR double action revolver with a long 6" or better barrel or, better yet, skip the shortguns and get a nice starter rifle like a CZ 452 Lux in .22. Handguns are inaccurate backup weapons at best. I've seen plenty of newbie shooters walk away greatly disappointed because they can't hit squat with a shortgun. What they don't know is, almost nobody can hit squat with the shortguns. Even if you're ultimate goal is to have a CCW weapon, start with long guns to learn the discipline of safe shooting.
 
Cosmo: While I agree with some of the assertions in your previous post, would you mind backing up your assertion that most ADs occur with Glocks?

(edited in process...or did I misunderstand? Could you have been saying that most ADs/NDs occur with semiautomatics in general?)

I also do not see how one could "chamber a round by accident." In my experience, you pretty much have to intentionally chamber a round in all of the semiautos I have seen/ used.

Not flaming you, just asking you to clarify and point to some verification of your assertions.

Thanks
Todd

BTW: he already bought a G19
 
Cosmo, I appreciate your concern and opinion, but I think those that go into this with safety as #1 shouldn't have to worry about guns pointed in safe directions because it's a simple rule to follow. Even a newbie such as myself was keeping an eagle eye on the salesman in which direction the muzzle was pointed. I guess never having handled or seen one before, I think I was giving it more respect than anyone else in the store. Now I can't say the same for other newbies who don't prioritize safety, and your point does hold ground, but I think regardless if the gun is semi, revolver, rifle or what, the same safety rules apply. Just like when learning to drive a car, whether it's a stick shift or automatic, same safety rules of the road apply...and while one car might be harder to drive than the other, as long as you keep focused on the goal and get proper training, I think any car (or in my case, gun) will do as long as you treat it with great respect (And use your brain)

ReadyontheRight,
Ok, so now you guys got me interested in the rifles and such, so I'll see what I can do in that department :) And i'll let you know as soon as my gf agrees to go down to the range....i'm gonna bring a camera for that event if that ever happens!
 
I think a auto loading pistol is the best choice, because you shouldn't be so ignorant towards guns so you would have to have a revolver to be safe.
 
You asked about aftermarket magazines for the Glock and were told by Gamegod86 not to buy anything but factory magazines for the Glock. He is correct but let me expand on this.

Since nobody who comes here ever buys just one gun let's get the magazine issue out into the open.

Never buy any aftermarket magazines for most major firearms except for Mec-Gar or ACT-MAG. ACT-MAG is making 1911 and SIG P220 magazines. Mec-Gar is an aftermarket manufacturer that actually makes the factory magazines for most of the big companies.

The exception to this rule is 1911s. Here some of the best magazines are aftermarket such as Wilson Combat.

As a rule, stay away from promag, USA, etc. Same goes for rifles. If it is a military type rifle such as an AR-15 or M1A or AK-47. Buy only military contract magazines. Actually most AK mags will do you just fine.

Anyway just thought I would save you the headache of buying the cheaper magazine.

Chris
 
mmmM just picked up my pistol today after my 2 day waiting period....well, I would have had it yesterday if I didn't work evening shift. Time for the first cleaning (store said just clean the barrel and *lightly* oil a couple parts) Ah a thing of beauty, check her out, my first born :)
 

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Unless you just want to, I wouldn't bother cleaning it until you shoot a few hundred rounds.

I shot over 1k through my G34 before it got to where I just couldn't stand it anymore. No problems. (to be fair, I had 1 jam, but it was because I didn't seat the mag fully. my fault, not gun problem)

Enjoy...and practice a lot. It will be worth the effort.

Todd
 
Ah a thing of beauty
Click to expand...

I am happy for ya and all but let's not get out of control here. :D


Just kidding, I am sure you will have many, many years of service out of your new pistola. Remember the best accessory is ammo.

Although your Glock should pretty much feed rocks even dirty I would humbly suggest cleaning after every range session for two reasons.

1)A clean well maintained gun is a reliable gun. It's just a little extra piece of mind.

2)It gives you a chance to closely inspect all the parts to make sure they are wearing correctly and working as they should. Glocks are spectacular firearms but even a Mercedes gets a poorly built part from time to time.

Enjoy it and stay safe.

Chris
 
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