Newbie Needs Help

[liikeaboss]

Hi all. Long time gun enthusiast, brand new shooter! I just started shooting recently... as in last week. We shot four different guns. Beretta m92fs, Springfield XD ACP .45, Glock 19, and a S&W .38 special revolver. The gun that felt the best to my newbie hands was the Beretta. I was actually landing some decent groupings at 25yds. which was cool!

My question is this. Why did i HATE the Glock I shot so much!? lol. Everyone else seems to LOVE them! Are Glocks generally shunned by newbies to your knowledge? I mean I'm not saying I was much of a shot with any of the guns but at least all my shots were on the paper. I was hitting the paper AT LEAST 12/15 with the Beretta and the XD, but the second I switched to the glock i was ALL OVER like 5/10 and the ones that hit were wildly spaced. Could this be a gun size issue? As, the 19 is a compact pistol? Or can i simply chalk it up to inexperience.

As always thanks to all for the patience and kindness of helping this noob to understand your wonderful world of gun ownership!

 

[ichiban]

One of the things that I (and others) dislike about the glock is the grip angle. It just does not point naturally for me. They have a big fan base but I am not among them. If it works for you then good for you, it just doesn't work for me. I'm very partial to 1911s.

 

[glassman]

First, welcome to the forum. Lots of experienced folks here able to give you good information....oh, and welcome to the sport of shooting. There could be a number of reasons you didn't like the Glock. Didn't like the way it felt in the hand, the sights, the weight, recoil. That list could go on and on. The fact is, you didn't like it and that's okay. A lot of people love them and others not so much. I assume you'll be buying a gun of your own somewhere down the line. My advice is to go to a range that rents guns and shoot as many different models as you can to find the one that feels right in your hand, is reliable and one that you can shoot well. Do your homework before puting your money down. I'd also recommend taking as many courses as you can find starting with a safety course.

 

[liikeaboss]

for sure. I plan to do alot more training ... now that I'm hooked 'n all! Thinking right know about a Beretta m92fs or a CZ75 (preferably the sp-01).

 

[oldfool]

Welcome to the best gun forum in cyberspace !
gun people are like.. all people
(better here than elsewhere though)

as to your question...
Glocks are a bit like S&Ws, Rugers, XDs, HiPoints, etc.
all good, all bad... somebody here hates 'em, and somebody here loves 'em

 

[TH3180]

I think it boils down to if you liked the gun or not. I just bought a new G17 a few weeks ago and I love it. My brother-in-law hates it. We are both right.
One other piece of advice if you don't mind. Don't start out at 25yards that's a long way out. When I started shooting in March I was at 7 yards. Once I was able to keep my groups in the 1"-1.5" range I moved to 10 yards.(I was shooting a .22lr) With my Glock I started at 10 yards. Someday I will move farther out. It's a lot funner when you hit the target everytime and your groups keep getting smaller.

 

[Fremmer]

Sounds like the Glock doesn't fit you. The 92 fits, the Glock doesn't. That happens. Here's my advice: buy a Beretta, and don't buy a Glock.

 

[CDR_Glock]

for sure. I plan to do alot more training ... now that I'm hooked 'n all! Thinking right know about a Beretta m92fs or a CZ75 (preferably the sp-01).

The Glock has a different trigger (between double action an single action). There is less trigger travel in a single action like the Beretta. Try a Sig P226/229 or a 1911 9mm EMP.

If you try Kahr or XD, the trigger is a bit longer.

Of all guns, you WILL shoot 1911 better than the rest.

For defensive carry, I recommend 3, 5, 7, 15 and 10 yards. Realistically controlled pairs from 3-7 yards is where you should concentrate.

 

[David E]

Next time you go shoot that Beretta, practice the FIRST shot with the hammer down. Decock after each shot.

Then, once you can get some groups that way, do the first shot double action (DA) and follow it up with the hammer cocked. Not rapid fire, per se, but a second or two between shots.

Decock and do it until again, you get acceptable groups.

If you can acheive some groups and still like the gun, consider buying one. If, on the other hand, it's just too hard to get decent groups out of it that way, consider a different gun, like the XD or M&P. Both of these have consistent trigger pulls from first shot to last.

 

[liikeaboss]

lol. I'm sorry ... 25 FEET not yards... lol. my bad.

 

[hso]

liikeaboss,

The gun that fits the best with the better trigger will be the most comfortable and most accurate. Sounds like the Beretta was what had the best grip angle,width and reach to the trigger. A 1911 fits me, but a CZ fits a friend of mine, and a Glock fits others. No one gun fits everyone naturally.

 

[gun guy]

if one gun fits your hands better than another one, its better for you, glocks are for those with smaller hands. with some weapons you can change grips to adapt to your hands better, with a glock you are pretty much stuck with what you have. (there is a sleeve you can put over the grip, but i found it moves around too much). a 1911 is not a natural pointer like a luger, or model 10 smith & wesson is, and a 45 is a poor first choice weapon for a starter handgun. you are far less likely to develop flinch, and anticipation with a 9mm or a 38. test firing weapons before buying them, that's always a good start

 

[postalnut25]

^^^^^^
I think there is nothing wrong with starting with a 45 ACP. The recoil is a soft push instead of a sharper snap like the 9mm. I would venture you are more likely to develop a flinch with the 9mm.

 

[ms6852]

It's a matter of preference, I'm a lefty and have never found a Glock pistol in which the magazine release did not interfere with the trigger finger. I disliked the berettas we received in the military because they had fixed sights and found then very inaccurate. I have a Taurus 92F with adjustable rear sights which will out shoot the berretas we were given. Preference thats all it is Love my 1911's and 686 Smith and wesson.