Boy, did you open a can of worms! I personally like Glocks. I've had several of different calibers and sizes, sold 'em but ended up buying others. They are NOT like other handguns from the past. They do not have a long history of winning the Indian wars, etc., but they are accurate, shoot when you pull the trigger, easy to clean, pretty much don't jam, inexpensive, and almost impervious to chemicals, stains, rust, etc. There are other guns like the Glock, some better, some not as good, depends on what you think and like. Once you decide to get a plastic gun, there are lots of choices. Go rent some and shoot them. I like the G26 and it is the perfect size for an accurate CCW. I had a G27 (.40 cal.)that I really liked. Traded it off only because I thought I needed something else more. I've got the big G20 10mm Glock now. Too big to carry most of the time, but it's a powerhouse and I love it. People love to bash the Glock, not sure why. Buy what feels good to you. Good luck. And your Coastal Bend salt air won't hurt it!

Originally Posted by Charlie

And your Coastal Bend salt air won't hurt it!

LOL

Thanks. The Glock 26 is one of the guns I have been able to rent and shoot, and that is why its on the short list.

WM

Well, it depends - some people like them, some hate them. Some hate polymer guns and want only metal guns. Some like polymer guns but don't like Glocks. YA find the entire gambit.

Ya needa rent some guns or find someone in your area that has 1 to try. Even in my somewhat small town, I have crossed paths with a few people on line that live in my town, and have met up w/ them at the range. That's not too hard.

I do have a Glock 34, and I like it. I prev had a Glock 17, 19 and 26 in years past. I no longer have them, and one issue I had between all of them consistently was that I shot low and to the left - only on Glocks. Apparently, this is a somewhat common problem. Sometimes practice beats it, sometimes it doesn't. I've been lead to believe that it is easier when you ONLY have Glocks - as opposed to having other brands of guns AND a Glock. Apparently, it's the trigger - it works for some and not others.

The finish is about the most stock scratch resistant U can get w/o hard chroming the gun later.

For whatever reason - I do not shoot low and to the left w/ my Glock 34, but it comes w/ a lighter trigger, stock from the factory. I suppose, if ya do suffer from the low-left thing, ya can get someone to switch out some trigger parts and lighten it yourself.

I carried a Glock 26 for 8 years - mainly because of the rust proof nature of the gun. But, I was never that happy with my accuracy with the gun at the range. Last year, I finally had enough, and I bought a compact P99 - it too has a tennifer finish, although the black outer coating isn't quite as scratch resistant as a Glock's (the black coating is not the tennifer on a Glock - tennifer is actually whitish/grey, and it is underneath the outer black coating). I ended up later hard chroming my slide, so it doesn't matter anymore.

I like the P99 much better, and I am more accurate w/ it.

But, a Glock is a good gun if U can adjust to it. The trigger is kinda mushy, especially compared to a finely tuned gun. But, it is a service weapon, and it will go bang every time. Also, there is no manual safety on the gun - which can be a good thing or a bad thing - make sure to keep that finger away from the trigger unless ya wanna fire it - many people have accidental discharges for poor gun handling. But, on the flip side - in a crisis situation, ya don't have to fumble with the gun, and remember if the safety is on or off. Ya just point and pull.

Ultimately, ya gotta decide for yourself. I only current;y like the Glock 34, and will never buy another Glock other than that 1. And, I've found a gun that works much better for me than a Glock. U need to try one out and see what ya think...

Originally Posted by Shipwreck

I no longer have them, and one issue I had between all of them consistently was that I shot low and to the left - only on Glocks. Apparently, this is a somewhat common problem. ...

Now Ship, that's not necessarily true. Hell, I can shoot ALL over the target with no preference to low left. He's right WM, try others and see how you like them. And I wasn't kiddin' bout the salt air. Those types of finishes are great for durability and resistance. One thing about it, I don't thing a Glock would be a Bad choice, but there might just be one you like a little better. Can't go wrong, in my opinion.

Next month is an XD, Sigma and Glock postal match. So, ya gotta get 1 of them

Postal Match?

What's that?

WM

Originally Posted by Wandering Man

Postal Match?

What's that?

WM

This month's match:

The compact semi-auto one: COMPACT SEMI-AUTO Contest/Match 7-1 to 7-31-06

And the revolver one: REVOLVER Target Contest/Match 7-1-06 to 7-31-06

And, here are the results threads so far (they end tomorrow) - U can see how well everyone shoots here:
RESULTS - Compact Semi-Auto Shooting Contest - (Ends 7-31-06)
RESULTS - Revolver Shooting Contest - (Ends 7-31-06)

We had one last month too - ya gotta read all the new threads

To quote that wise sage SW: Kewl



WM

How good is any gun?

The basic premise is that you be able to carry it to your satisfaction; be able to draw it and fire it with a certain degree of certainity; that you hit what you aim at; that your hit will produce the desired result; that you can do it again.

Everything else is presonal preference.

Bob Wright

A gun is a tool. What you use it for is up to you. Price of the gun is very important. Do you want a Wilson ($2000 +), factory hand fit special usually under ($2000), working mans gun ($1000 and under) or junk Bryco-Jennings. Do you like steel and wood or plastic? These are things you have to make your mind up about.
Start out by trying to rent, or borrow a friends gun and shoot it. That tells it all to me, after I have shot the make of gun I may want. There is so many to choose from, it'll drive you nuts.
One more thing, try and find out about company service. Can you get it fix if something goes wrong with it? Don't accept what some gun shop dealer says, check it out on your own. Watch out at the gun shows. Some of these guy's have less than sterling rep's.

My $.02 on the glock. Its ugly. It works every time you pull the trigger. The trigger takes some getting used to IF you've fired a lot of other type guns. The grip angle is jacked up.

If you want an ultra-realible, ultilitarian weapon for self defense they are hard to beat.

I've owned several, don't own any now because of the 'cons' mentioned above.

Where I work the Glock 17 is the issued weapon so I spend alot of time with one on my hip and am quite familar with them. That being said I'm not a fan of the glock it's not the wonder pistol that everyone seems to think it is I've seen them fail to extract every year when it comes time to qualify. Mostly because people buy into the hype and don't maintain their weapon properly. If your a beginner it's a simple weapon for defense but not the best the DA revolver has the edge. It requires almost no up keep.

XD or Glock can't go wrong.

Simply put, I think Glocks are over-rated. As you said, all the reviews compare pistols to Glocks. The main reason I think they are over-rated is because people who are new to pistols remember the old days when law enforcement used Glock pistols- and if it's good enough for the law enforcement is just has to be the best pistol made. . .

I think there are some good things about the glock, like it's simplicity, and reliability.

But there are reasons I dislike Glock, they are not great reasons, but they why I dislike Glock pistols.

1) Every glock pistol looks the same- and in my opinion, they are ugly.

2) Glock pistols lack any good external safety features. The piece on the trigger? I hardly consider that a safety.

3) I don't like polymer frames.

4) I dislike the fact that you have to pull the triger before dis-assembling the pistol, and I really prefer easier to dis-assemble pistols like Berettas.

I think Glock is pretty good for a stripped down, very basic pistol. They work good, but they are not necessairly the best.

L J

Shoot everything you can get your hands on before you decide. It could save you some money buying, selling, and trading until you find what you like. I didn't do it, and I don't have the first CCW that I bought to carry.

I think that some people could benefit from a manual afety. And, I will agree w/ U that the little part on the trigger is a far cry from a "safety."

But, I also was not a fan of polymer frames until very recently. I found some I like. I got tired of the heavy DA/SA pull most metal semi-autos have, unless ya go w/ a 1911.

For a safer gun go with the XD. Don't get me wrong I still love my Glocks but now would pick a XD over the Glock now.

I thought my local range pulled a dirty trick on me last week. I showed up, and they had the XD 9 subcompact. They said that my inquiries had promped them to re-stock.

Well, I had to shoot it. I really have narrowed things down to Walther P99c or Glock subcompact 9 (26?). I shot a box of 9 mm through it. Accuracy was good. The best, so far in my own quirky little screening test I've set up.

BUT ...

The trigger bit me every time on the recoil. It shot just like the XD 9 (full size) that I had tried a couple of weeks earlier.

As good as it shoots, as much as I like the safety set up, I don't think I want a gun that bites me when I shoot it.

I get to go try out a Walther in about two weeks. Then I will decide.

Thanks for all the input.

WM

....in all its configurations is an outstanding weapon/tool....used by many major law enforcement agencies, standard issue to many federal types...cannot say enough about them....they are great.....almost as good as a Springfield XD.

XD has better look than the Glock...and a grip saftey as well as USA trigger system..both have to be depressed for the striker to fire...so if you drop it it wont go off. plus if ya like the 45acp you can't go wrong with 14rds!

Glock doesn't go off if droped either.

I am not that big of a huge Glock fan anymore. Although, I do think that the G34 is one of the best longer barreled 9mms out there. But, I do favor the Glock to the XD. But, we all have our tastes

Originally Posted by Shipwreck

Glock doesn't go off if droped either.

I am not that big of a huge Glock fan anymore. Although, I do think that the G34 is one of the best longer barreled 9mms out there. But, I do favor the Glock to the XD. But, we all have our tastes

....to have to call you a dilitante too LMAO.....

People compare allot of guns to Glock because they are very common. Many civi and LEO's use them. I would recommend trying as many guns as you can before you buy. Glock is a good gun, but not for me. My main problem with them is grip angle, no external safety and the fact that I can't shoot them for sh*t. I can get very good groups with my other guns (especially my HK) but not with Glock for some reason. Try to shoot before you buy, read all you can and choose what feels best for you! Don't just follow the crowd because it is important to find that gun that fits you.

Yeah, I know I'm in the minority here, but....................I love my Glock G20 and have liked all my previous Glocks. Grip angle fits me fine, not sure what the problem is with having to pull the trigger before disassembly? Surely one can clear the gun, I don't put my finger inside the trigger guard unless I'm gonna' shoot something which means the gun is NOT going to go off, and mine have always shot EVERY time I have pulled the trigger. OK, flame suit on!