I seen your poll here and I just had to chime in with a No i dont own and dont plan to own a Glock my personal thought on this make of gun is like the ruger P85 and P89 and P90 series it feels like you have a 2x4 in your hand I tried shooting a glock and I just cant get past the feel of the grip its wide from side to side and front to back. however I do own a Springfield XD 40 I like the way that feels. but sorry to dis a glock but I just have too. now with that said I hope you do really good in IDPA comp. good luck with the new purchase and hope you Shoot a long long time. besafe and have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
JBarL

Originally Posted by cclaxton

I now see why 35% of IDPA champion shooters use a Glock 34.

I often wonder if it's just a simple issue of the 34 having the longest production barrel length. I'm new to this sport, so definitely missing lots of information, but isn't longer simply more accurate, other things being equal? I mean, that's why a rifle is more accurate, right?

Also, I know the IDPA released the stats on how many of their members are using which gun, etc, but I can't find those numbers on the net. Do you have a link to them, or did you read them from the print version?

Originally Posted by speedrrracer

Also, I know the IDPA released the stats on how many of their members are using which gun, etc, but I can't find those numbers on the net. Do you have a link to them, or did you read them from the print version?

Here is the only electronic reference. I got the details in teh tactical journal, which is not published on the web yet.
IDPA World Championship Equipment | Gun Nuts Media

I think I was wrong about the percentage of 34's...it was all Glocks. Glocks accounted for 142 shooters, 113 were S&W, 123 shot all other brands.( 22 STI's, 20 Wilson Combats, 18 Springfields, 16 Kimbers, and then a lot of 3,2,1's. )
37% were Glocks, 17% were Glock 34's (Actually two Glock 34's were shooting 9x21mm...wierd).
S&W had the most .45cal at 26, with Wilson combat at 14 and Kimber following at 13.
There were 39 9mm M&P's, and 18 9mm M&P Pro's...pretty high numbers really.

118 shooters used Blade Tech holsters and 113 used Comp-Tac.

166 used Factory ammo, 190 used handloaded ammo.

Interesting stuff, huh?
CC

Thanks -- your link led me to eventually find this

International Defensive Pistol Association - Tactical Journal Article

last year's stats

might find this years, too -- which issue was it in?

Volume 15, Issue 4.
Not out on internet yet.

My thoughts:
Suprised I don't see more Cz's....larger percentage in IPSC.
Suprised at the large number of S&W, especially M&P.
There were only 3 Sigs.
There were only 2 Rugers.
There was only one Beretta.
There were more Tanfoglios than CZ's.
There were a lot more STI's than I would have expected.
There were more Kimber's than I expected.

Just me.

CC

I used to own G17 but traded it. It was a gen 1 and the grip and trigger were awful. Nothing against plastic, I really like SA's XD/XDm line.

The Gun Bias Song - YouTube

My wife carries a G27. It's the only pistol I have ever had to malfunction. It is a G3 and had the recoil spring cause a malfunction at the range. Had to have it repaired by a gunsmith. The gunsmith called it a fluke. Said he had seen that happen on a Glock once before. Still have the gun and have had no other issues. Oh by the way...my two Kimber 1911's have never failed. Had to throw that in. I still like Glock.

Originally Posted by Raymond

My wife carries a G27. It's the only pistol I have ever had to malfunction. It is a G3 and had the recoil spring cause a malfunction at the range. Had to have it repaired by a gunsmith. The gunsmith called it a fluke. Said he had seen that happen on a Glock once before. Still have the gun and have had no other issues. Oh by the way...my two Kimber 1911's have never failed. Had to throw that in. I still like Glock.

If you actually shoot the Kimbers they will malfunction. Get a Springfield.

I'm more of an XD fan, which probably took a lot of ideas from the Glock design, but has a more pleasing grip angle to me, a smoother trigger, and generally just feels better in my hand.

But I do own a G20, because there are no XD's made in 10mm, and I actually shoot it better at longer distances than anything I've tried. I have to admit that despite the fact that Glocks don't feel right in my hands, I have been able to shoot every one that I've ever tried surprisingly well. I'll likely own another or so, eventually, and I recommend them to anyone who wants a simple, accurate semi-auto.

It's hard for me not to like any machine that is simple and does exactly what it claims to do and will keep on doing it, whether you take proper care of it, or not. Besides, who really cares if it gets holster wear, or dinged up a little from hard use? It will never be pretty, anyway.

Originally Posted by rgrundy

If you actually shoot the Kimbers they will malfunction. Get a Springfield.

Had my kimbers for well over a year and well over 1000 rounds each. You may want to read some of the kimber threads. Very few seem to have issues. As for springfield, its a solid weapon I have no issues with them. Made good money when I sold my XD.

Originally Posted by Raymond

Had my kimbers for well over a year and well over 1000 rounds each. You may want to read some of the kimber threads. Very few seem to have issues. As for springfield, its a solid weapon I have no issues with them. Made good money when I sold my XD.

I shoot my pistols at least that much each in a month and play with them in the dirt. The Kimbers never were reliable. Please if you ever plan on coming to the Phoenix area PM me and I'll pay your entry fees, buy your ammo and we'll shoot the Tuesday Night Steel shoot and video it. Then put it on Youtube. If you win with your Kimber I'll buy you a steak.

Originally Posted by rgrundy

I shoot my pistols at least that much each in a month and play with them in the dirt. The Kimbers never were reliable. Please if you ever plan on coming to the Phoenix area PM me and I'll pay your entry fees, buy your ammo and we'll shoot the Tuesday Night Steel shoot and video it. Then put it on Youtube. If you win with your Kimber I'll buy you a steak.

You dont care for kimber I get it. I happen to like mine. As for a visit to AZ, got an xwife in Mesa. No thanks.

Originally Posted by Raymond

You dont care for kimber I get it. I happen to like mine. As for a visit to AZ, got an xwife in Mesa. No thanks.

I'm shooting a Kimber Ultra Carry in my avatar and feel the same way about having had a relationship with it and my Kimber 1911 that you feel about your X.

My G17 is the most accurate firearm Ive ever shot, I can only imagine how the G34 is

I own all glocks g27 g30 and g17 (bro with the g19)

Originally Posted by rgrundy

I'm shooting a Kimber Ultra Carry in my avatar and feel the same way about having had a relationship with it and my Kimber 1911 that you feel about your X.

I have to reassess everything I have had to say to you in Kimber's defense then if that is the case.

Originally Posted by Raymond

I have to reassess everything I have had to say to you in Kimber's defense then if that is the case.

Now that's funny! If you happen by come and shoot. We have a fun time. Here's this morning at Rio Salado in Mesa at the Hosemasters USPSA shoot. My camera girl (69 years young) failed to get stage one. I had a senior moment on stage 4 and failed to chamber a round. Did fairly well for an old . The pistol is my Glock 22 Gen 4 arry gun. I have a whole batch of terrible 40 S&W reloads from range brass I loaded for practice that won't go through any other gun I own. this thing eats them like they are candy. I shot Production.

Hosemasters USPSA Christamas Eve Shoot - YouTube

Oh I knew the value of Glocks years back I owned a Glock Gen2. Just recently sold it to a friend, after purchasing a Gen 4 17, he kept bugging me about selling it to him so when I purchased the Gen 4 I sold it to him. The Gen 2 was a reliable gun although I didn`t shoot it a lot, probably 5000 rounds through the years. I do like the Gen4 even better although I should of probably kept the Gen2 also.

<chuckles> Jake if a G17 is the most accurate firearm you've ever shot you have not shot very many firearms--and this is coming from a GLOCK guy. It's at best average. The USP45 and the G21 are far more accurate, IMHO.

OP, I see nothing wrong with your plan at all. The G34 is state of the art in SSP or in USPSA Production. It's competitiveright out of the box, but if you get a good connector (skip the spring "upgrades") you'll be impressed.

I have a Glock 30 as a CCW

Wow I saw no one mentioned the g34 has the lightest trigger pull of all the glocks.
It is their version for competition and used extensively in the GSSF local target range shoots

What I find amazing is that 67% of the respondents on this forum own a Glock.
Amazing.
CC

I have a Glock G27. I carry it daily. It always works and it is fairly easy to shoot. It is light and has a good round count (9 + 1). It has always been reliable and it is easy to carry. But it does not have the feel of a high-precision weapon. So I will need to get something else. It is a very logical choice.

Sort of like sensible shoes on an attractive woman. It makes sense, but stilletos are sexier.

I never owned a glock until recently. i had studied on a 10mm handgun. everything i had read and heard, pushed me toward glocks for reliability, strength, and value. i purchased a glock 20 10mm. i put a 22lb. recoil spring and replacement guide rod in it. i replaced the sights with meprolight night sight sights, only because i wanted adjustable sights, and thats all i could get at the time. dropped a aftermarket connector in it. i shoot some factory rounds through it, but expend more reloads than anything. i didnt like glocks at first, but i learned to love mine. didnt care for the grip, but it actually functions great in the 10mm heavy loads. i dropped a young doe with it in deer season this year. i was as tickled as a little kid, when i watched it drop in it's tracks. keep on blastin'