What's wrong with Glocks?

[cnorman18]

I keep seeing vaguely disparaging comments and allusions to Glocks around here. Why is that? Is there something I don't know?

I don't presently own a Glock, but I have owned and fired both a 19 and 26. From what I know, they're light, they don't rust, break or wear out, they never jam, they hit where they look, and they're simple to operate with no bells or whistles.

Okay, they're ugly as sin. So what? I want to shoot it, not have my picture taken with it (and even a Glock would still be better-looking than me, anyway).

So what's the problem with Glocks?

 

[strat81]

What's wrong with Mustangs? They're stylish, reliable, fast with a V8, and you can get them as convertibles.

Personal preference. I love my G26. However, Glocks do break and jam from time to time. Some folks think pistol development should have ended with the 1911-A1. The 1911 is a fine pistol, but it wasn't my first choice based on MY needs/wants. An SA Mil-Spec is on the shopping list, though.

 

[ArmedBear]

There are lots of reasons to want something other than a Glock. None of them mean that there's anything wrong with a Glock.

 

[hacksaw]

Nothing is 'Wrong" with Glocks per se. They just dont fit my hands worth a tinkers dam* and have IMHO excessively heavy/long trigger pulls. A great design for policemen. I have found others that work much better for ME. I have a friend with a G 17, he shoots it very well and he has had some work done in the internals.

 

[CTPistol]

some just dont like plastic guns, its old school thinking..

I love my 1911s, they shoot great - but I also like my Glocks - they are 100% reliable - through more than 10,000 rounds - not a single malfunction. Their finish holds up far better than any HK or SIG I have owned also....and I find a G26 as accurate.

looks? kinda ugly IMHO - but its a carry gun, a tool...not a BBQ masterpiece.

Glock fans can be a bit obsessed, so they do draw critcism - but the pistols are undeniably one of the best designs in the history of handguns. You cant deny that.

 

[fletcher]

Glocks seem to have a love it or hate it grip angle, which is all personal preference. Also, the "kabooms" a while back were hyped up a bit, and I still think some hold that against Glock for whatever reason.

 

[Correia]

Moved to the correct forum.

There's nothing wrong with Glocks. But my personal opinion, formulated from years of modding a gun board, is that the strong opinions about Glock have sprung from the nearly cult like following that they had for many years. It is still there, but not nearly as strong as it once was.

For people that like other guns, having fifteen posts that were some variation of GET A GLOCK! in every thread, got a bit old.

In reality, they're decent. They're competive in price. They're relatively accurate. They're relatively reliable. And yes, they do still break and malfunction, just like everything else. If your particular gun hasn't screwed up yet, you haven't shot it enough. They have ergonomics that some people don't like. I don't like having finger grooves down the middle of my fingers either.

But to illustrate what I said above, somebody will be along shortly to yell at me for daring to insinuate that a Glock has ever malfunctioned, in the history of the world.

 

[igpoobah]

How dare you insinuate that a glock has ever malfunctioned in the history of the world!!



I love my Glocks because they go bang every time and I can hit what I aim at.

 

[Zoogster]

They are extremely cheap to make, made from cheap polymers, have few extras and are the epitomy of a mass produced modern arm made. They are very reliable, will digest most rounds and work just as well as arms people view as being more refined and possessing more character. That encourages a friendly disdain, because not only are they cheaply mass produced with no personal character, but because there is little to fault in thier performance.
So people love to hate them, but they may have one themselves.

It has been estimated that it costs around $100 to make a Glock. It is just priced competitively in the market with other mid range firearms. So the profit margin on them is much greater than arms made out of say solid steel(both from a material standpoint and in effort required to shape the material), and as we have seen many companies have quickly created cheap polymer models themselves to compete. Some such a close copy that they were sued for patent infringement as in the famous "SWock, or Smith & Wesson Sigma.
Most major manufacters though have followed the trend.

So the mainstreaming of the standard arm becoming a molded, plastic, mass produced, firearm with little character started with the Glock. Polymer is simply cheaper than wood and steel, yet it has functioned just as well.

 

[Black Majik]

They're ugly, they point high, they have mushy triggers, and they have plastic sights. But they also have a very short trigger reset, reliable, durable, low bore axis, and a very good tennifer treatment.

Glocks seems to be the favorite brand to bash, but in reality there are a LOT of Glock fans.

 

[Black Majik]

double tap

 

[2RCO]

Nothing specifically some of us just prefer a bit more metal. That said they aren't a bad deal.

 

[CountGlockula]

Alot of folks just have bad experiences with them, just like any other gun. But probably the two main issues are: the Polymer receiver (most are used to steel and live/die by it) and the lack of external safety (Glocks have internal safeties-solution is to KEEP your finger off the trigger until you're ready to shoot).

Personally, I've NEVER had anything wrong with mine...only problem is running out of ammo.

 

[Obiwan]

"There's nothing wrong with Glocks."

What he said

Everybody is always running down the popular handguns

 

[W.E.G.]

You had two of them, and apparently got rid of both of them.

I should think you could tell us!

 

[pogo2]

They are pretty good, but...

I've owned two Glocks for about 8 or 10 years, a G19 and a G23. But I own 25 other handguns that are not Glocks. I do shoot the Glocks on a regular basis, however.

Since the poster asked what is wrong with Glocks, I would mention these points:

1. The grip is rather "square" and uncomfortable compared to most other guns, which have more contoured grips to fit the human hand.

2. The trigger, with its little safety lever, can become uncomfortable after 50 to 100 rounds in one session.

3. The guns are ugly compared to many other brands.

But the strong points of the Glocks outweigh these problems, in my opinion. The Glock is reliable, lightweight, inexpensive, durable and reasonably accurate. I have no desire to sell mine. Here is my G23:

 

[JAB]

I used to really want a glock when I first started thinking of getting a handgun a few years ago, went and looked them over and wasnt as crazy about the fit in my hand as I thought I might be, got a p99 instead. Several others since then and no glock. Until yesterday, friend of mine selling his glock 20 with light/laser attachment for a price I couldnt refuse, so now Im a glock owner!! havent shot it yet, but great bedside gun with light/laser setup.

 

[Ben Russell]

Glock 21/30

I have a Glock 21 and G30 both of which i have carried on duty for 4 years.
My G21 got me through the academy and it has seen a lot of rounds. It has never failed me and it has never jammed or misfired.
My G30 has been as reliable as the G21 and has been in an ankle holster for as long as i owned it and it looks as good as the day i bought it.
I would never second guess that they would fire when needed.

 

[cnorman18]

I think I'm getting the drift.

I hear you. Time marches on, and the tools we have, though improved in efficiency and function, just don't have the class and charm they once did.

Compare any 2007 car (they all look alike) with any car from the 50s or 60s; better gas mileage, safer, etc.--but not nearly as much character or panache, not to mention headroom. Then compare THOSE to the great cars of the 30s--well, you see what I mean.

My favorite guns EVER are the Colt SAA and the P-08 Luger. Neither can hold a candle to a modern gun for practicality, reliability, safety, and so on.

But weren't they beautiful? Weren't they historic? Wouldn't you trade any stock NIB modern gun, straight-up, for a clean example of either, without a second's hesitation? As if you ever could...

In the future, everything will work perfectly and be as bland as unsalted mashed potatoes.

Whatever. I want a SAA and a P-08 to look at and admire, and a Glock 26 to carry.

I'd also like a cherry '57 Chevy and an XK-120 Jag in the garage...

 

[MaterDei]

The whole "perfection" thing bothers me. That and the things Black Majik mentioned. The XD is on my list but having borrowed a G21 from a friend for a few weeks I think I'll pass on the Glock.

 

[grasssnake]

dents

All steel holds steadier when you are shaking in your boots and messing yourself and it dents heads better.

 

[Ghost Tracker]

I was a determined, hard-nosed, openly-biased, make-fun-of, repeat-every-bad-rumor, GLOCK basher for almost 20 years. Tactical Tupperware was my favorite comment. If an autoloader wasn't a 1911 or a BHP it was worth ZERO consideration by ANY serious handgunner. If a revolver wasn't a S&W (or a few, select Ruger offerings) it also wasn't worth considering. I was a total Gun Snob.

Then I bought a G19 just to PROVE to myself & anyone else who would listen that all my opinions were RIGHT!

Well, I was, in truth, a foolish, braying ass. My opinions were wrong as was my mule-headedness. The pistol asks for nothing but ammo and the occasional cleaning & lube. It carrys like a compact, shoots like a Service Pistol, holds 3-4" at 25 yards with any ammo, and has for 12,000+ rounds without a wobble.

Perfection? I don't know ANYTHING about perfection. But I DO know that I won't bet my life on any handgun in the world any faster than I would bet it on a GLOCK. Take that for what ever you think it's worth.

 

[skinnyguy]

My PERSONAL opinion is that the Glock feels like a toy in my hand, the natural POA for me is such that if i were firing on a snake on the ground, any low flying aircraft would be in danger. The trigger is mushy and just feels horrible.

And since Glock Perfection is their creed, why is it that there are so many replacement and aftermarket parts made for them? (thanks Wes)

 

[Cougfan2]

No problem with Glocks here. I had a mini Glock .40 for a while and eventually sold it. Just didn't like the way it felt in my hand. Personal preference.

 

[cnorman18]

Hard Times

To answer a question above--

At one time I had an extensive pistol collection of which I was very proud. I liked .44s, especially. I had some long guns, too--an old-style AR with the triangular handguard, an HK-91, a nice little .22 Browning auto--but my primary interest was, and is, handguns. At its peak, my collection numbered 33 handguns, plus 7 or 8 long guns.

What happened? Life happened. An ugly divorce, a long period of unemployment, a near-bankruptcy, like that. Feces occurs, as they say. You pick up and move on.

Right now I have a Kel-Tec .380 for a carry gun (if I can ever get a day off to take the CHL class) and I'm saving up for a cheap AK. That'll be enough for the moment.

And oh, yeah, my Cold Steel battle-axe. I've found that hard to conceal, though. I can only carry it on Halloween....

Hope that answers your question.