[ARCHIVED THREAD] - downside of GLOCKs (Page 1 of 4)
Posted: 11/7/2005 10:12:32 AM EDT
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what are GLOCKS downside? I read all the good things about them, but wanted to get a feel for owners that may have some gripes about their G's and what can (or can not) be done about. I shoot better with a GLOCK than a 92FS or a Sig 229 at the rentals, it just seemed to me if you can shoot pretty good groups with a specific gun on the first try, you will be happier and shoot better with that gun, instead of buying "name" and try to learn how to shoot it. |
| I have a problem with people without training and a lot of experience having Glocks. No real external safety can be an issue. Just ask any of the "highly trained" cops that have shot themselves with them. There have been a lot of them. I love mine, for the simplicity. |
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There are a few "downsides" that people have with glocks. They think they are plain and ugly. They think that "Tupperware" guns are bad. There is no external safety. The grip angle is wrong for them and the trigger is way too mushy. The first three are usually just mouthed off by those "1911s are God's gift to the shooting world" people. If it isn't a 1911 then it is a sucky, non-accurate, cheapass piece of crap and they want nothing to do with it. They are also those same people who think that the only proper handgun cartridge is the .45ACP as that is the only one with "knockdown power" and if you don't carry that then you might as well not be carrying anything. They don't seem to realize that Glocks are the AKs of the pistol world. They are made to work well right out of the box. They are made to work well in conditions that would leave the very tight tolerances of a more expensive 1911 jammed. And, since they usually hold many more rounds of whatever calibre they are in, using the "tupperware" greatly reduces the overall weight of the gun. Which is usually a good thing as most people hate lugging a 5 pound gun around. The last ywo legitimate reasons to not like it. Some people have a different natural grip than others. I like the grip angle as it is the most natural for me. When I pick the gun up and point, I always point it right on arget. When I pick up another gun that has a different grip angle I have to remember to bring the muzzle up on target. Other people are just the opposite. When they point a Glock they have to remember to lower the muzzle as they prefer a different angle. As for the trigger, yes is it mushier than other guns. Some people prefer the SAO type while others like a SA/DA gun. Others like the DAO trigger on other guns over the Glock. I prefer the same trigger pull each and every time I pull the trigger. I have come to the point where I don't even notice the trigger pull when I am in competetion. I worry more about getting a good sight picture on the target. Personally, what each individual person likes is what they like. No two peole are the same and you can't expect their preferences is pistols to be the same. Ignore those people who put down other brands and weapons like those idiots in the thread in the General Handgun Discussion forum about a choice between a Glock 22 and an HK Tactical who are dissing Glocks as an inferior product. Find what works best for you and use that. You can have the best, most expensive, most inherently accurate set up imaginable, but if it doesn't fit you and you don't get proper training and practice, you are still going to suck with it Finally, diferent guns are made for different purposes. Find a selection of guns made for whatever purpose you are intending to use it for, shoot them all, and get what you like best. |
IMHO, once you get used to the idea that guns are for shooting and not works of art the Glock really doesn't have a downside... but that's just how I see it.  (IOW, lack of aesthetic appeal is the only downside I see...) FTR, I don't consider the absence of a manual safety a "downside." Criteria for selection (to be considered before choosing one), maybe... but not a lack or a design-flaw. Want a manual safety on your handgun? Then don't buy a Glock (or a revolver, for that matter) - plenty of pistols on the market with manual safeties. Again, JMHO. 
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+1,000 |
My grips are about the gripe.  Glocks are dependable - √√√ Glocks can remain functional in adverse conditions - √√√ Glocks are available in a variety of calibers - √ Glocks are available in a variety of sizes - √ Glocks are tools and are OK to be appearance challenged - √ Glocks have a simplied manual of arms to learn - √ Glocks can be purchased either new or used at a reasonable price - √ wganz recommends Glocks to new shooters - √ 1911's have more mystique than Glocks - √ Mystique doesn't do shit for you when SHTF - √ Glock's grip angle can be changed to accomodate wganz's hand? - X wganz has owned Glocks previously - √ wganz can shoot a Sig better than a comparable Glock - √ wganz is looking at getting a Glock 36 since it can be made to fit him - √ pretty well sums it up for me. Sorry, won't get an argument from me on this one.  wganz ¶ |
| As far as cops shooting themselves with Glocks; they shoot themselves with a lot of other firearms too so I would not blame it on the Glock; also another Glock advantage--because the gun is simple, it is easy to field strip and clean, always a plus in any gun. |
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I don't like the grip angle. Other than that they are fine weapons. When I have people who are not shooters, but want a pistol, I tell them to get the glock. They can learn correct safety procedures and they will have no preconceived nottions about grip angle. TXL |
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I am a fan of the 1911, but the Glocks are probably the most simple pistol on the market. Take the suggestion of fit first and then get a good education on how to use the pistol according to your needs. If I could find a way to get the Glock to fit (relation between the angle of the grip and bore) like a 1911 I would like it (and probably carry one). I put up a post with this topic to see what others have experienced with modifying the grip. Sigs are a "natural" pointing gun for me, but since I can carry a 1911 and the fit is better that is what I choose to do. If the Glock shoots best for you by all means stick with it. Mike |
| I have had many pistols I shoot well with, and I was warry of the glock because it did not have a manual safety. I own two and a SW99 now. I Have trained my mind to the idea that if the trigger is pulled the gun goes off. Period. Seek responsibility and take it for your actions. I dont fiddle with my glocks like I did with my first 1911. I practice every weekend with my glock 21, and I put a mag or two thru my g36, but dont find myself playing with switches and holster straps when I reholster. I just protect the trigger, and everything is beautiful. The guns are for non ego minded / driven shooters. They are the AK of the pistol world. |
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Downside for Glocks: They either fit you or they don't. Most other handguns have some way to alter thickness of the grips or even the back strap. I think Glock would do well to go with an adjustable backstrap insert like some others have been using. then again, they sell a truck load of guns already so they probably won't. The molded finger grooves are another complaint people have. After owning a second generation Glock after owning 3rd Gen's, I much prefer the second gen grip. The 3rd gen fits, just liked the 2nd better. The last I have, and it really isn't much, is appearance. You can't dress up a Glock like you can other pistols and have it look good. They are best left how they came out of the box. Of course, while I can truly appreciate the work of art a 1911 can become, reliability is really the only thing that is important and Glocks have that. I will also own a beautiful 1911 some day. |
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Want an ikon? Buy something else. Want a reliable tool? Buy a Glock. Your hand will adapt to the pistol, and the trigger is just fine for self defense or service use. Like HardShell, I have come to REALLY like and prefer the Glocks to all other handguns for use as tools. JMO 
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This is a reply I got from a friend off the board when i saw he was selling a G23, and had already sold it. It illustrated the need we all have to find a gun that fits our hands. > G26 is really a stubby gun Gary and unless you have > touched and shot one, or > unless you have really small hands, I would not > recommend it.......I have > had one. The GLOCK subcompacts are just toooooooo > small..........I do not > have anything else for sale other than the .357 sig > and I promise you this > is a sweetie too...............thanks! > Hey ya. Well as it turns out I found a guy intown from the ar15 site that thought the same thing about his G36, and I have huge hands, but like the way the handle fits under the joints of my middle and ring finger. Used to have a G26, but sold it before I thought I wanted it for a BUG. Missed it but wanted a 45 that way My G21 can share ammo. So any way I got a night site( small dots) G36 with the factory gold grease still on the slide, a pierce spring kit, the box, and a spare mag for 400$. I needed a BUG for work and as big as I am this will dissapear in an ankle holster or a IWB under the shirt. Nice meeting you. See you around the boards, Gary > |
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Seems like no one's mentioned this yet, but I consider the 'single strike' trigger mechanism to be a downside. If you ever have a fail-to-fire you'd have to rack the slide and load a fresh round, compared to other guns with double strike capabilities. Not really that big of an issue, but just thought I'd bring that up. Personally I love glocks, I wouldn't choose a glock over my HK compact, but they're tough, more accurate than you'll ever be, affordable, and Glock's customer service is wonderful. If you shoot it well and shoot it better then other guns, I'd say go glock! |
| I like the looks of them. Especially the 19 and 23. Trigger is pulled.... gun goes off is a simple concept to "master" as it should be by now if you are currently carrying a weapon in public. No downsides except people allways telling you it's a piece of shit all the time. Buy it. |
| So far, I have found only one downside to my G19. I'm a tinkerer by nature, and after installing a set of night sights on it, I'm left with a pistol that doesn't "need" anything else done to it to suit me perfectly. Damned fine gun, but it sort of gets on my nerves that it's already everything I need in a pistol, and I haven't done anything to it. |
I consider a second trigger pull to be a downside. What happens if you waste the only precious time you have pulling that trigger again, and only get another 'click'? I don't care if it's a Glock, Sig, HK, 1911, whatever, and I don't care whether it has a 'double strike' capability or not. If it doesn't go bang... I rack the slide. To each his own, and YMMV, but in my mind, that round has already proven itself faulty once. And if it's the fault of the firearm being broken, then no amount of trigger pulling or racking the slide will help. |
AMEN! |
| I have carried a Glock on duty and off for the last 9 years. I have carried a 22, 22C, 23, 17, 27 and 26. I have shot really average with them regardless of which model it was or how much I trained with it. I like the reputation of glock and they have been really reliable guns. I have never had a jam, stovepipe, double feed etc. I mean literally never had a malfunction. So, with all that said, it is not my favorite gun by any means. I picked up a Sig 228 DAK in .40 cal. straight from the box and shot tighter groups than I ever have in my life. I think a lot has to do with how the gun fits your hand and how recoil sensitive you are. For me, I like the Sig a lot. Bottom line, don't buy a pistol or any gun until you have had time to test one on the range and figured out if it is for you. |
+1 |
See^^ ha, get used to it, you will hear it alot. I LOVE my Glock and all of ^^this wont change that. |
To each his own. For me, that will never be a Glock. |
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The only real down side to the glock is that if you own one, you get youself lumped in with the Kool-Aid drinkers that think Glock is the only gun that doesn't suck. I swear, Glock owners suffer from a severe inferiority complex that causes them to puff out their chest and spew moronic things out of their mouths in the mistaken belief that yelling the loudest makes a person right. In reality, they are pretty damn good guns. The sights suck until you change them. The finger grooves are not something I like. The trigger is livable if you get a 3.5# connector. The grip angle takes some getting used to and if you're used to a 1911, you'll have to concentrate to keep from shooting high. To be honest, it seems like nit-picking to talk about what's "wrong" with them. They are rugged, reliable pistols that are easy to maintain and repair (yes, they do need repair from time to time). Parts and magazines are easy to find, as are people who can work on them. They have no soul and if they don't fit you, there really isn't much you can do about it. I'm a 1911 fan and that will always be my primary "go-to" gun, but I still own a Glock 17 (2nd gen, night sights and 3.5# connector). I respect them, but I don't hold them in such high esteem that I can't see the obvious. |
Nice of you to lump us all together like that. I own 80+ handguns (and have owned many more) - only 7 of them are Glocks. No Kool-Aid, no Gaston-colored glasses, no inferiority complex or yelling of any kind here... just a very informed and very experienced opinion that they work very, very well for me. As in all things, YMMV.
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Speaking in absolutes with a static entity like the Glock grip is kind of silly, wouldn't you agree? My second shot in hammer pairs is always higher with a Glock than similar pairs in the same caliber on a 1911. This is likely the ergonomics of my hand and Glock grip meeting in that split second between shot 1 and shot 2. |
And a very valid point you brought up. To each his own. Don't get me wrong, I'm not part of the glock bashing, I love shooting glocks and am waiting to pick one up myself this week. |
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I'm a new Glock owner--got rid of a bunch of other handguns to do so. My only complaint: I can't find a decent holster for G23... I know there are dozens, if not hundreds out there, I just can't find one I like. Never had that problem with other handguns. I don't think they're ugly. They look like guns. I tend to look at them as the AR of handguns. Simple, black and plastic. If you want pretty, buy a cowboy or Civil War revolver. And finally...
Buy a G37/G38, then. |
I disagree. If you have ever had a FTF with a double action pistol- how many times have you been able to get the dead round to go off the 2nd, 3rd or 4th time you pulled the trigger? Me: NEVER! The dbl action in this instance will kill you dead becasue you will be sitting there like a Dunce, pulling the trigger on a dead round instead of racking the slide to load the next round! |
Why bother posting in the Glock forum at all then? |
Why bother putting a glock thread in active topics? It's clearly going nowhere
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