Posted: 3/11/2011 8:35:54 PM EDT
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I've been impressed with the feel and shape of Glocks that I've seen in stores. I like the light weight the polymer frame offers. However recently I've been talking with some older cop friends and they seemed reluctant of Glocks due to the polymer.
I'm curious, overall, how well will a Glock handle abuse and wear/tear? How long is it's lifespan? Will my grandkids be passing this down to their kids in the same way my grandfather passed me his Colt 1911? I'm not questioning the quality of the pistol, especially considering I'm planning on buying one this week, but I'm just curious what people who have used Glocks for a while think. Is it just possible that my older cop friends are just not experienced with Glocks or had bad experiences with early models? It's kind of amusing listening to one refer to it as a plastic gun. I didn't have any rebuttal or anything to refute his claim of plastic wearing out. |
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The frame will essentially never wear out, unless you deliberately and harshly abuse it. Older cracking incidents were repaired at factory expense, and haven't been evident in guns produced in the last 15 years or so.
Internals may need to be checked/updated/replaced with heavy use like any other gun, including a 1911, that sees heavy use. The barrel's probably good to 100k rounds. I've only got maybe 10k down my oldest over 11 years, so can only vouch for it personally to that particular number. |
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The glock pistol has a very good track record for durabilty. However, like all pistols they have a useful service life. There have been several glocks with impressive rounds counts without breakage or failure.
As far as durability goes, the tennifer finnish on the steel parts is second only to a diamond in terms of hardness. You will not wear out a barrel. The polymer frame is stronger than steel (by weight), and provides for some subjective recoil reduction, due to its ability to flex. So as long as the Glock is maintained and consumable parts like springs are replaced when needed, it will last a life time. I must say, though I would purchase a full size or compact, opposed to purchasing a subcompact. I'm sure there is no difference in durability, but honestly I think the Glock 17 is their best product. I just finished the Glock Armorer's Course, and the gun's simplicity is it's other great asset. Parts drop in with no fitting, and very simiple to install. I am totally confident carrying a Glock pistol on duty every day. |
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After reading the torture test article, I'm reassured about the Glock and it's durability. I was shocked to see the USP not working after a little abuse.
With the service record of the Glock being pretty good so far, why still the skepticism, especially with the plastic name calling? Or is that a question in the same realm as politics and religion? |
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more religion than politics, but same-same.
If the steel bigots want to only spend their money on steel frames, let them spend it on steel frames. I like 1911s, too... but I don't like ONLY 1911s. Most rational words I can give you are to try it, and if you like it, stick with and see what it does for you. I didn't get a glock until I'd fired one, and realized I LOVED THE TRIGGER and the feel of it in my hand. I still have and shoot other pistols, but I've got more glocks than any other handgun brands, designs or models, and if I'm choosing to trust my life to something, for me, it's a glock. |
| glocks will usually outlast the owner - 100k plus with no major parts replacement is not at all uncommon. The one issue that I have personally inspected is some older glock 22's with mounted lights will have the front rails pop out of the plastic frame due to the weight and change in recoil dynamics in the gun. These were guns in my Brothers PD and they were replaced by glock no charge |
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Quoted: I've been impressed with the feel and shape of Glocks that I've seen in stores. I like the light weight the polymer frame offers. However recently I've been talking with some older cop friends and they seemed reluctant of Glocks due to the polymer. I'm curious, overall, how well will a Glock handle abuse and wear/tear? How long is it's lifespan? Will my grandkids be passing this down to their kids in the same way my grandfather passed me his Colt 1911? I'm not questioning the quality of the pistol, especially considering I'm planning on buying one this week, but I'm just curious what people who have used Glocks for a while think. Is it just possible that my older cop friends are just not experienced with Glocks or had bad experiences with early models? It's kind of amusing listening to one refer to it as a plastic gun. I didn't have any rebuttal or anything to refute his claim of plastic wearing out. It will be around a lot longer than your grandfather's 1911. I was a 1911 fan before buying my first Glock 17 in 1991. All my pistols are now Glocks.... Amos1909 |