Time to Try Something New?

[wanderinwalker]

I'm currently in the research stage of picking a new pistol. A couple weeks ago I ran the Higginbotham Controllability test as outlined here with my Gen 3 Glock 17. Starting from a low-ready and shooting at only 5 yards I expected it to go well. Instead I got an eye-opening surprise with lots of misses, which seemed to reinforce my growing suspicion that my "issues" trying to push the speed with the full-size Glock frame aren't entirely software related. (I say this because I had no issues running the same drill with a Gen 3 Glock 26, which I did BEFORE trying it with the 17.)

At this point I see I have 2 or 3 options:
1) Try a Gen 4 Glock 19. The reduced trigger reach and smaller grip may work to get me closer to the way the Glock 26 fits in my hand, while still having a full-size pistol I can utilize as range opens up. (I do not buy into the "anything past this far [spread arms out] is murder" excuse for only practicing handgun shooting at 7 yards and accepting groups big enough to apply for statehood. Plus, shooting at longer ranges with a pistol is very entertaining.) However this may leave me in the same Glock-rut I've been in for years.

2) Try a S&W M&P. This gets a bit more "complicated". Why? Because I've held the 9mm in store and liked the grip feel. I've tried an M&P45 on the range and liked the way it shot. Yet an M&P40 really captures my interest. I've read a lot about 9mm vs .40, contributed my thoughts to a lot of those discussions (I'm generally in the "nine is fine camp"), tried a USP Compact in .40, didn't like it, tried a Browning HiPower in .40, didn't like it, tried a Glock 27 in .40, really didn't like that, tried a Ruger SR40 and did like it, and for some reason I feel a tug to try this pistol. It would be a pain at first because I have to include some more magazines, new holsters, reloading equipment to a new caliber, and enough factory ammo to test a new pistol is going to be more expensive in .40 versus the same quantity in 9mm. But curiosity has me.

3) Save up some more money, sell a couple of things and get a Colt Commander. This may be a stretch, as I'm feeling impatient and I'm always split on 1911s. On one hand, they sing to my heart and I really enjoy the way they handle and shoot. On the other hand, I know they require more maintenance than one of the modern wonder-pistols and can be pickier about ammo and magazines.

Any reason to push one way or the other? I know in time "All of the above" will probably be what happens, but for now it has to be one.

And before anybody recommends "other" and says try a Ruger SR, let me just say that yes, I have gotten to try one in .40 and one in 9mm. They fit my handle well and shoot OK, but I honestly consider them to be consumer-grade pistols next to a Glock or a S&W. (Seriously Ruger, what were you thinking with that tacked-on thumb safety on the SRs?)

 

[Zerodefect]

The Hig. Still 5 shots, 5 yards, 5" target? 2 seconds.

Sounds like some tuning is in order.
-what sights are you running?
-the shorter 4" Glocks can acquire their sights quicker than longer sight radius pistols. (10 degree crooked grip is less sight distance to move to realign than longer radius) That's part of it.
-make sure you're into the hardcore combat grip. It helps a lot transitioning from pistol to pistol.
regular:


and a bit more aggressive, like how I run:

Eventually you should be able to run this drill from the holster in 2 sec. Not just from low ready.

Bottom line: Need to try to trouble shoot why you're slower with the G17 before buying another pistol.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

1) If you're bored with Glocks, don't get another Glock.

2) If you're reluctant to make the .40 investment, find an M&P40 that you can try out first and see if you really want to go that route or if it's just a passing fancy.

3) I'd go the Colt route but that may just be because I have the Colt bug at the moment myself. You didn't say if you load for .45 but if not, and it appears you don't want to add another caliber, Colt just announced a 9mm XSE Lightweight Commander. In .45 they have several variants already. I think the reliability thing is overblown; it seems most of problems stem from people trying to outsmart JMB. Stick with standard magazines and standard loads and avoid amateur gunsmithing and any new Colt should run just fine.

 

[Johnny_B_Goode]

One thing I have discovered about Glock pistols. If you have any faults in your grip or shooting form a Glock will exaggerate your fault/s. If you do an internet search for "why does my Glock shoot to the left" you will find an overwhelming number of threads. That is because most pistol shooters try to hold the gun with their right hand when they should be holding the gun with their left hand and pulling the trigger with their right hand. The same principal applies to any pistol just the light weight and low bore axis of the Glock are unforgiving.

Practice does not make perfect. Perfect practice does make perfect. If you go to a range and bang away at static targets at 15 yards you are going to get bored in a hurry. Try shooting some matches. You will get to shoot with better shooters. You can observe what they are doing. They will point out your faults. It will be frustrating in the beginning because it seems like everything you do is wrong.

I found this article helpful to getting me on the right path. Then I ended up taking lessons from a local competitive shooter with a lot of patience. When you start trying to improve your shooting do not try to take it all in at once, you will be overwhelmed and frustrated. Just try to take one aspect at time in until you get it right.
http://www.handgunsmag.com/tactics-training/tactics_training_combatg_100306/

One thing I have found out about instructors you have people who are in it for the money. You have people who get interested in helping someone who is working hard. You can find someone who is in it for the money in a New York minute. Let an instructor come to you. The way I found an instructor is we live close together so we started riding together to matches. He got to watch me shoot a lot. We both have a backyard range. We helped each other make improvements to our ranges. We just did what friends do. We enabled each other to participate in our hobbies.