Posted: 12/24/2009 9:25:45 PM EDT
| I hear a lot of people talk about Glock reliability but what is it about their design that makes them more reliable than the average handgun? Would you say they are more reliable than the average handgun, in general? |
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I would say a big factor is its relatively low surface area of contact points between the slide and the frame. Those frame rails have less contact surface area than any other pistol I've field stripped. This combined with their relative lubrication insensitivity as compared to other brands, in my opinion, contributes to their overall reliability.
None of this is to say that there aren't many other brands that are very reliable (but don't necessarily have the traits described above). |
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I was thinking about this earlier. Glocks are great guns, but I wonder how many of the Glocks actually sold (Sold, issued, etc) actually see much hard use? I see lots of guns for sale that are a few years old that only have 100-500 rounds down the pipe. That's not even broken in!
I've decided that I'm starting a 10,000 round club. I've decided that I'm going to put 10,000 rounds through my XD(M)9 and see just how well it performs. Then another 10,000. Then another. Until that fucker dies. It might take me 20 years, but I'm going to find out what reliability is all about. I might buy a G21 to try it out with too. Maybe make it to 100,000! 
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I have a G19 with an auto sear that has been run for about 3 years now. We have put over 18,000 rounds through it.
The only part that has been replaced several times is the recoil rod assembly. We run it till it gets VERY hot then put it in cold water, then go back to shoot it. This G19 has only been cleaned once in this whole time. The carbon build up acts as lube. We beat the hell out of it and it keeps going. |
| Their reliability is due to the minimal amount of parts used, and chamber size. The Glock OEM barrel has an oversized chamber compared to other manufacturers. This allows for a greater variation in ammo OAL and bullet shape. This is also the reason why it is important to shoot quality ammo in a Glock. Reloads or remanufactured ammo with weakened cases can split easier in the Glocks chamber. Bigger chamber equals less chamber support. |
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Quoted:
imo: simplicity of design, QUALITY made parts, and properly designed componets made for rough wear Absolutely this. I wouldn't say they're any MORE reliable than any other good quality design that's been out there for a while (Beretta 92F, Sig P226, etc.) but they certainly are in the top in that area. Uniform manufacturing process, loose tolerances, engineering simplicity, all that. Just very well designed and well made in my experience. |
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To add to the above, Tenifer finish,
Meaning the steel parts are not going to rust, and only the bare amount of lube is used on the pistol (bearing area, and not used to prevent rusting). Bottom line is it's a very simple design without a lot of parts to go south/bad, light pistol for carry, and what makes the pistol so attractive. For me, it's grip angle is less than ideal, but when it comes to wet environments, it seconds to none in reliability and Resistances to rusting and why I have one for carry. |