would you buy a glock?

[cameramonkey]

I have a dilemma. I've fallen in love with 2 guns. One is the Sig 228 and the other the glock 19. The bigger part of the dilemma is that, you guessed it, I can only afford ONE right now! I have rented and shot both and they both were perfect shooters and liked them both equally (hence my quandary). Pros and cons were pretty even. I'd like to use the guns for IDPA and personal defense. I've done lots of searching here and elsewhere about them both.

I thought that I had decided on the glock 19 to save a few dollars. But after some searching, I'm not so sure it's the greatest choice. I've read all about the glock kabooms, the NYPD phase 3 malfunctions, glock's lack of recalls about frame issues, firing out of battery, etc. This really makes me wonder if glocks are even safe to use if they really do suffer from these issues.

Now I know the internet is full of bad information. That's why I wanted to get some input from people here to try and get the real scoop. Are these things for real and, if they are, do you think that it's a wise choice to buy a glock? It seems like they are frowned upon here somewhat, but I can't help but wonder why they are used so much in law enforcement agencies if they are really as unsafe as they would seem. Something about that just doesn't add up for me.

As you can tell, I kind of had my hopes on getting this glock 19 to add to my collection. But now, I'm almost leery of the glock in general. Are these fears irrational or, if you were the purchaser, what would you do/think?

 

[PBIR]

If it were me I'd save up a little longer and buy the Sig. But it's your choice. I don't really think of buying a glock, but I do think they are extremely reliable other than the crappy sights.

my $.02

 

[albanian]

If both the Glock and the SIG fit you about the same, get the SIG. SIGs are one of the best made guns you can buy. Glocks are good preformers but they shouldn't cost as much as they do. I just recently checked out 5 guns: Glock 19, 17, SIG 226, 228 and Kahr K-9. I bought the Kahr but the Glock 19 felt the best out of the others. It is the one I would buy if I could get it for about $350 in used cond. New prices of Glocks are crazy, close to $600 for a plastic gun? It even has plastic sights.

Plastic is cheap, period. Gun companies use plastic when they don't want to use a lightweight metal like aluminum or Titanium. At least the SIG is all metal. If the SIG fit me as well as the Glock, there would be no contest. The SIG feels like a brick in my hand because of the high bore axis. Glock has the grip angle right and the gun sits low in the hand. Even though I like SIG better, I can't buy any more SIGs because they don't really fit me. It is a shame because I think they are one of the best made guns out there, they are just not the best for me.

 

[outofbattery]

I have Glocks , I have Sigs . Both are good . Yes , some Glocks have problems but given the numbers sold and their frequency of use one should expect that there be some instances of QC problems , firing OOB , poor customer service and so on . HOWEVER , the great and vast majority of Glock owners , and there are many of them , have never had a problem with their weapons . The 9mm Glocks are among the most problem free pistols manufactured . They might not be aesthetically pleasing or have a grip that agrees with you , but they are solidly built pieces that regardless of what many Old Schoolers will say about "Tupperware" will provide years and tens of thousands of rounds of service .

I prefer Sigs to Glocks mainly on reasons sunjective reasons but as I say about all my guns , I wouldn't own a Glock if I didn't trust my life to it . If you're leery of the Glock and need firm convincing that it isn't dangerous to shoot you've probably made up your mind that it isn't the one for you though . For what it is worth , my favorite Sig is my Pro . At $399 NIB it was also one of the best buys I have made ; I'd suggest that you might try one out for size .

 

[browningguy]

I don't own either but would definately go for the SIG. It may not be the most attractive pistol but it is business like, finely made, good trigger and accurate. The Glock is just plain ugly and I can't get used to the triggers. I haven't shot them a lot so that may be the problem, I shoot Hi Powers more than anything and learned shooting with 1911's.

 

[treeprof]

I have 3 G19's. Two are set up identically, one of which sees most of the shooting as my training/IDPA/class gun - many thousands of rounds w/out a malf of any kind. Both those guns were affected by the "frame upgrade". Was I happy abt Glock's lack of forthrightness on this? No, but they did replace my frames while I waited in their lobby, and I'm fine w/that. My newer G19 has been fine in all respects.

I have numerous G19 mags, and a couple mags had issues feeding Gold Dot 124 gr rounds in one of my guns. Swapped in some 9mm3 followers and that took care of that. More than a dozen of my mags functioned fine.

kB's! are relatively uncommon in general given the # of Glock's out there, and esp. so in the 9 mm's. No, they're not unheard of in a G19, but they're fairly rare. Any moron can shoot lead bullets or overcharged rounds and blow up a Glock (and many morons have), but I don't worry shooting factory ammo thru my 19's.

For whatever reason, Phase 3's seem mostly confined to the NYPD. Ths odds of that in a new 19 are very low.

Glock's sights suck big, so add a new set to the price of one, tho.

If your Glock somehow sucks, they'll take care of you.

A new G19 w/the std sights should run <$500, $550-560 with Glock nite sights (which I don't like; mine wear Trijcons). If you pay $600 for a stock Glock, do not shoot lead bullets or cheap reloads to make up the price difference.

Polymer frames on Glocks and other quality brands are very durable; no worries there.

I also own and very much like SIGs, but I see no reason to be leery of buying a G19 if that's what you want. Personally, I'd go w/the 229 as a SIG b/c I prefer the added protection of the stainless slides that come on all 229 and 226's now, but the 228 has a lot of charm.

 

[seed]

I have a few Glocks, including the 19 as well as a Sig 229 (.40) and 239 (9mm). I have no complaints about either brand. I will say that I too have read much about all of the problems of Glock and even about Sigs. You can find them as easily as I can explain them, so I'll spare you the details. But since you are concerned about the G19, I will mention that I would not be worried about it at all. If it were one of the .40's or .357 sigs (Glock handgun, that is), then I would maybe have a tiny bit of concern. In the case of my G23, I just got a Bar-Sto fully supported chamber barrel and am not at all concerned. When I first shot my 23 with my Bar-Sto (which also had a Harrts recoil rod and spring), I had a couple of problems. But then after they broke themselves in, I have had no problems since with hundreds upon hundreds of different kinds of ammo (including many popular brands of hollows).

Anyway, the G19 I have is completely stock and is not a concern to me for a Kaboom. First of all, 9mm is a lower pressure round...the .40 is very high, by comparison. Second, Glocks were originally designed for 9mm and I have not heard of many Kabooms in 9mm varieties. Instead, I have heard of their incredible toughness and endurance. Although far from being perfect (what gun ever was?), they seem to withstand more abuse than most...and they are quite reliable. The only out and out design shortcoming of Glock 9mm's are that they cannot shoot lead or reloads (as I am sure you already know). On that latter point, you could probably shoot reloads, but I would not recommend using brass shot out of a Glock, because of the lack of case support at the 6 o'clock which can cause case-bulges.

As for the phase 3 malfunctions, I think I read somewhere that they could be caused by the New York trigger set-up. Don't quote me on this, but I seem to remember something about it. I can't remember how they would cause this to happen, nor why they would, but...anyways. I could be wrong...it wouldn't be the first time. But I can tell you that I never came across it (phase 3 malfunctions) personally, nor have I read about it from G19 owners on this or other forums. Maybe it has something to do with the lack of popularity of the New York triggers, outside of the NYPD. But check for yourself. I can tell you that I did try the 8 lb. New York leaf spring, with a 3.5 connector in my G22 and it was a disaster. It did not work at all and was immediately changed back.

As for the other problems you mentioned, I believe that they are the exception and not the norm. I certainly haven't been overwhelmed by stories concerning Glock malfunctions, other than the kabooms of non-9mm Glocks (and some other brands). Stuff happens with any mechanical device...you just hear about it a lot more with Glocks for many reasons, not the least of which is their huge share of the market. With that said, Sigs are not immune from problems, themselves (frame cracks, etc.). They are fantastic pistols however. I think you know what I mean. So in the end, choose whichever you like better. You probably won't be disappointed either way you go.

seed.

 

[jc2]

Having had both, I have to say the P228 is a real class act (and my favourite SIG). The G19 is, well, just a Glock. It will probably work, be reliable and not blow-up on you, but it just doesn't have the class of the P228. It's sort of Town Car or Escort choice.

 

[SAWBONES]

I've owned 3 Sigs, but I've owned 10 Glocks.

The Sig bore axis is too high. Period. The end.
The Sig DA/SA trigger pll is unnecessary, and detrimental (like ALL DA/SA triggers) to accurate and fast shooting, and besides that, Sigs rust too easily.
The new Sig DAO trigger is a big improvement, as is the Sig short trigger option, but why fuss when you get a short always-the same trigger action on a non-rusting gun with a low bore axis in every Glock?

I've shot combat courses using a Glock 30 against folks using standard Sig Sauer P220s and, and they ALWAYS miss their first shots. (Yeah, I know, you wouldn't, but c'mon, what's the point? Get a gun with an always-the-same trigger!)

Don't mistake me, I'm not a Glock fanatic, but I prefer a gun with the same action for each and every trigger pull. I simply HATE DA/SA guns, and won't willingly own one anymore.

 

[sgt127]

A Timex will tell time and it will do it well and reliably for a long time.

A Rolex will do the same thing. But, with a bit more class.

I've owned several Sig 220's and a 225. They are precision tools. I'm currently issued a Glock 35. a very good, reliable tool that, to me anyway, has no character or soul, but works. I would pass on a Sig, a Walther, a Colt or a S&W Revolver to my grand kids someday. I will have sold the Glock by then. You will be well served by either. A Glock will not fall apart or break. Its a very, very good and utilitarian tool.

 

[JohnKSa]

The 19 and the 17 are the best of the Glock bunch IMO.

 

[Sactown]

I've got a Sig 225, 220ST, CZ75B SA, XD9 Tac, HK USP, STI Trojan, Kimber Polymer, and a Glock G34 so far. The G34 is being sold tommorrow. I'd take the Sig over the Glock any day, but that's just me. People shoot differently. I preferred the Sig because it points more naturally for me than the Glock. For me, it felt like I had to fight to get the glock to shoot right, while the Sigs just felt natural...sorta weird to get across in words.

 

[middy]

Get a Springer XD and save even more money.

 

[Black Snowman]

My first pistol purchase was a Glock and I don't regret it one bit, but I've since become a CZ man

 

[Gary G23]

I've owned 16 Glocks.
I've owned 2 Sigs.
I've owned 4 Springfield XDs.

I now own 0 Glocks.
I now own 2 Sigs.
I now own 3 Springfield XDs.

I'd like to get more Sigs.

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

I own a G22 and G26 and a P225 and Sig Pro 2340. I guess I would buy a Glock or a Sig... I like them all.

 

[cameramonkey]

So does anyone here think I'd be making a bad choice w/ the glock 19? Would you trust it especially over the Sig?

 

[Tamara]

The Glock 19 is a fine platform, and certainly one of the best all-round 9mm pistols on the market, being small enough to tote, yet big enough to be an enjoyable range/competition gun and having that rail thingy to hang doodads and gizmos off of, if that's your bag.

I don't currently own any Glocks, but only because I have an obsession with 1911's and a limited budget. If someone handed me a Glock 19 and told me to defend myself with it, I'd be as comfortable as I would be with any name-brand pistol, and more so than most.

 

[treeprof]

I've owned semi autos in most major brands and calibers (except, notably any H&K), and among those that I'd most expect to run well anmd reliably out of the box are Glock 9mm's and any SIG. SIGs are stone reliable and IME among the most accurate factory guns, but I always find myself less bothered by my Glocks getting beat up, showing wear, etc. than I do my SIGs.

 

[Black Majik]

Would I buy a Glock?

Absolutely. In fact I almost bought a G23 .40.

...BUT.... I already have my SIG

 

[seed]

No. You would not be making a bad choice. But the Sig is quite sweet. I know it doesn't help, but you will be fine either way. And like someone else said, you might consider the 229 (which you can get in 9mm)...stainless slide. But the 228 is supposed to be unbelievably balanced, so... No worries, either way.

seed.

 

[goalie]

FWIW, the finish on the Glock is pretty damn durable. If you can, shoot them though, it may not fit your hand, and it is hard to modify the grips. Personally, I prefer the 2nd Generation Glock frames to the 3rd. YMMV.

Oh, as for reliablity, people who have been there, done that, and bought the T-shirt have used both Glocks and Sigs for a long, long time.

 

[R.H. Lee]

I've been thinking about it on and off, but .45 is the only caliber I would consider. IIRC, the longest barrel length is 4.25? I'd want a 5 incher minimum.

heh.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

I would and I have...

I own a Glock 23 and a 26. I've been carrying the 23 for a little over a year now and shooting it for almost three. Completely satisfied. Light, reliable, and is an ideal fit for my hand.

SIGs are good guns to and wouldn't be a bad option either. Bottom line, whichever you like more should probably be your choice. Neither one will let you down.

 

[caz223]

The only glock I'd buy right now is a used G20.
Glock wants too much money for their plastic.
The SIG 228 is worth what they're asking, I'll be the first to admit.
Mine is exceptional.
If you want to save a few pennies try out a CZ or a SIGpro.
I have the plastic sig 2340 with 2 SIG barrels (The factory 357SIG, and a .40), and an aftermarket 9mm bar-sto barrel, and it regularly outshoots most of my guns.
Way cheap to buy, too.
Just a suggestion.
As for any 9mm, kabooms really aren't a problem.