Why do you carry a Glock?

[Marswolf]

OK, a serious question and not intended to produce another flame-war topic. This isn't a thread asking should you carry a Glock, but one about why you do carry a Glock.

I keep asking myself why people choose Glocks as a personal handgun. I ask the same question about other guns too. Why a H&K. Why a S&W, or Beretta or Ruger.

I know why LE carries them. Cost, reliability, no manual safety to interfere with operation, etc.

I understand why recreational shooters like IDPA participants use them.

I understand why I tried them. I was doing more LE-type stuff at the time than military-type stuff and Glocks were recommended by some LE friends. Even when it became apparent to me that a G26 wasn't what I personally wanted in a concealed carry handgun, I was willing to try a G23 as a side carry weapon.

But why does average Joe packer or plinker buy a Glock?

[andersmg]

I decided to carry a glock for the same reasons as LE do, cost, reliability, simple quick dependable operation.

I look at it as the less I have to remember about how to operate my handgun if I should need to use it the better off I am. I also am not a clean freak about my guns and I like the fact that my glock will shoot under most any dirty condition I may let it get to.

I am sure there are other handguns that would match the criteria of my Glock for myself but I do not have the time and funds to try all of them and I have read enough good reviews and reports on the glock to put my trust in it. I have also shot it enough now and had no jams, ftf's or nd's with it so I completely trust it for safety and reliability.

I like trying out other handguns when I get the chance to and may one day carry another brand but for now I will just carry my glock and KISS...

[tnroadrunner]

I bought an XD for the same reason cost, reliability, simple quick dependable operation and has a grip saftey. I've heard of too many ND's with Glocks.

[Guest Steelharp]

What drew me to it eventually was the combination of reliability, comfort and capacity. Mine goes bang every time, it is not heavy after all day with it, and there's plenty on board. I'm not aesthetically drawn to it. If it gets rained on, snowed on, dropped, whatever, it doesn't bother me. I look at it as a true tool, not a "work of art" that can help defend me, but would bother me if something happened to it. MHO.

[Marswolf]

Keep it positive folks. We can do other topics about why we like XDs and stuff if we want.

[Guest JPH]

I have several makes and types of handguns and like the Glock and XD’s for carry – I carry a XD – 45C sometimes but carry a G-19 most of the time

I get good, fast groups with many type’s of pistols but choose the G-19 because it has shown more reliability and that is what I want –

XD’s and Glock’s have about the same type of safeties which is better than the 1911’s for me –

I will say I may stitch to a XD – 9mm if I like and hear of it’s great reliability but to this date the Glock is the winner so far and I have not gotten a 9mm as of yet – I will say I actually have a better “feel” with the second shot of the XD-45 over the G-21 and I must admit that is big – I have switched to the XD – 45 in the IDPA matches because of this reason from my G-21 so….

[Guest EasilyObsessed]

When I carry, it is generally a Glock 27. That being said, I am actively looking for a replacement for it. When I originally bought it, I wanted something that I wouldnt be concerned about getting scuffed up, rained on, or otherwise beat up and that was reasonably priced. At the time, the XD was brand new and the M&P wasnt on the market. I looked at a couple Kimbers, but at that time, I was worried that with a ~1k gun I would be too concerned about the value to carry it as often as I would like.

But, I really dislike carrying the glock. I get nervous every time I holster that thing, it is not pleasant to shoot at the range, I have come to prefer 45 to 40, it feels like a brick in my hand, and I can afford something nicer. If I were to buy another "cheap" carry gun, it would be a XD (I like grip safeties) or possibly the new sub-compact M&P 45 if it comes with a external safety. What I will probably buy will be a Commander sized 1911 from Smith or Springfield in 45 or a SA/DA gun in 9mm.

[Bigiron]

Have a Glock 23 but do not carry. It's my wife's bedside gun. I carry only DA/SA for safety reasons.

[TGO David]

I bought my Glock 23 for several reasons...

• Affordable
  
• Durable
  
• Easy to maintain
  
• Simplified controls
  
• Reputation

I sold my Glock 23 for only two reasons...

• Really didn't like the feel of the grip / grip angle
  
• Didn't like the unsupported chamber design

That said, I really have nothing in particular against Glocks at all. I think they are fine, simple, rugged weapons. The lack of external safeties other than the trigger safety does not bother me at all, but I think that the person handling the weapon needs to have some common sense and intelligence about him or her.

Would I own another? Maybe. It would just have to fit a niche need that some other gun couldn't in order for me to go back to one.

[graycrait]

I've tried carrying a bunch in the last few years. Out of the box the Glock is the only handgun that I truly trust. The Glock is not my favorite handgun ergonomics-wise, but it is a tool that I can depend on and easily adapt to. They are the easiest to work on handgun I have ever fiddled with including JMB's masterpiece. Summary: An efficient durable tool, designed well enough ergonomically, designed very well mechanically, easy to put into operation well, abundant parts - stock or aftermarket, easy to work on and maintain; all at a decent price.

[Guest slow ride]

I've tried alot of different handguns, but my Glock has always stood out. I'm not bashing any other manufacturer.

1911s, M&Ps, XDs, various revolvers, etc........ are all great, and have their place, but I prefer the trigger, and grip of my G22. Every Glock I've ever owned has been 100% reliable with factory and my reloads.

[saintsfanbrian]

I was torn between a Walther P99QA and the G19. Ultimately, I picked up the G19 and sighted it in. My eye naturally went to the sites and lined them up. When I did the same with the Walther I did not have the same feeling. That is what sold the Glock to me.

[TGO David]

I was torn between a Walther P99QA and the G19. Ultimately, I picked up the G19 and sighted it in. My eye naturally went to the sites and lined them up. When I did the same with the Walther I did not have the same feeling. That is what sold the Glock to me.

A perfect example of why there are so many different choices of handguns. To me, this reads that the Glock's grip angle was perfect for your body's natural mechanics. You might have been able to adjust to the Walther, but I think a gun should feel and point like a natural extension of your hand.

[creeky]

A perfect example of why there are so many different choices of handguns. To me, this reads that the Glock's grip angle was perfect for your body's natural mechanics. You might have been able to adjust to the Walther, but I think a gun should feel and point like a natural extension of your hand.

This is what troubles me so.

After picking a Glock 22 up for the first time, I was able to shoot pins just as quickly as with my H&K. Then I picked up the G33 (baby glock in .357 sig). I had read about how the recoil was very abrupt in them. To my surpirse not only was it very manageable, I was consistantly hiting pins with it. Granted... not as fast due to the muzzle flip. But it was very dishearting to hit that well with a pistol I had never fired before, versus my Hk which I have had for years, cost more, and have fired many, many rounds through.

In honesty... after shooting the glocks... the first thing I noticed when I went back to my USP compact... was the weight. I still like it, and I'm not selling it... but it has made me think more about a used Glock in 40 or 357sig. It just shot well for me.

I had always turned my nose up at glocks without trying them. They just never appealed to me. That was both ignorance and arrogance on my part. Sinc ethen I try not to hav epreconceived notions about any firearm until I can get some time behind the trigger.

[Joseg]

I carry a Glock 17, I just drank the kool-aid and stayed with it. No seriously, I had a 19 first, the problems I had with it was the rubbing of my middle finger with the frame (should have taken a sandpaper to it), the pinky being half way on the frame, and my big hand. I decided to go with the 17, yes it's a little bigger but, It's manageable and feels like a natural extension of my hand.

At the time, the options on the market were suitable for me. I shot the XDs and came out with a sore thumb after 50 rnds, the SW M&Ps weren't out on the market, and the HK/SIG/1911 were out of my price range.

I currently looking for a 23 or a holster for the SA Ultra Compact that I have to use as my everyday carry and use my 17 for training/whatever.

[TGO David]

In honesty... after shooting the glocks... the first thing I noticed when I went back to my USP compact... was the weight. I still like it, and I'm not selling it... but it has made me think more about a used Glock in 40 or 357sig. It just shot well for me.

Have you had the chance to shoot an XD yet? You might really like them. I was absolutely floored at how accurate and fun my XD 9mm Tactical was the first time I shot it.

[creeky]

Have you had the chance to shoot an XD yet?

A guy on the line had one in .45 but I was playing the SO at the time

and when I got around to be able to actually do some shooting he had to leave. I need to give him a call and run a few mags through. I like the idea of the grip saftey... but I would like to see how it "feels". That guy hit well

with it though. Heard good things about the M&P too.

[TGO David]

If we ever get the chance to shoot together, I'll bring the XD9 with me and you can give it a spin.

[saintsfanbrian]

I traded a 1911 for an XD. I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet, but it too felt good in the hand and sighting was similar to the glock.

[creeky]

If we ever get the chance to shoot together, I'll bring the XD9 with me and you can give it a spin.

I'm sure we will Tungsten. But it will be next year I'm afraid. Right

now the holidays have my chestnuts roasting over an open fire!

[Guest Scottech]

I bought an XD for the same reason cost, reliability, simple quick dependable operation and has a grip saftey. I've heard of too many ND's with Glocks.

+1

[molonlabetn]

I too went from a 1911 to XD (3 of them, so far)... at the time, a Glock was my only other consideration, and my only 2 reasons for deciding against was the 1: Ergonomics and 2: Lack of Safety... Not huge issues, but enough to dictate my personal preference at the time. There are some aspects in which I think the Glock is superior to the XD, namely the simpler exterior profile and the position of the slide-release.

[Marswolf]

My G26 became an XD-9 subcompact, but eventually I wanted something easily cockable and de-cockable for IWB, so I went to a P7M8. Still carry that one.

[Guest dotsun]

I was looking for a carry weapon while waiting for my permit to arrive. I wanted something small to carry that would conceal really well, was light, under $600, and had a track record of reliability. I did a lot of research and initially was planning on getting an XD 9mm in sub compact. I finally found one to fondle and immediately had a problem racking the slide and pushing the thumb safety at the same time. That was unacceptable to me as I figured if I had problems in a gun shop, how much more likely was I to have problems if I was jacked on adrenalin in a fight and had to rack the slide to clear a jam.

That left the Glock 26 as the obvious alternative. I wasn't crazy about Glocks, but I must admit it has grown on me. It fits all my criteria, is dead nuts accurate, and has been extremely reliable.

[deerslayer]

I was a SIG man until my dad was shot and crippled in an attempted robbery (he was the victim, not the perp). I decided to re-evaluate my defensive pistol philosophy, and started looking for a gun w/ one trigger pull. Cost was not an issue, but I didn't want to waste money. At the time, this pretty much narrowed it down to Glock, 1911, or XD. Hated the XD, gave up on trying to make smaller 1911s run, and reluctantly turned to a Glock. Needless to say, I was soon suprised.

Features I like:

-no safety to worry about when in a hurry

-suprisingly accurate

-tough as nails

-lightweight/easy to carry all day

-refuses to malfunction

-a monkey can detail strip it w/ only a pin punch

-dirt-dumb simple construction

-incredible array of inexpensive aftermarket options

-$15 mags

Areas Glock needs to improve:

-these sights are a joke

-trim the rear of the trigger guard (tough on the middle finger)

-optional backstraps would be nice (a la M&P)

The stock 5.5 lb. service rifle-type trigger is the perfect combination for me--light and short enough to be accurate, just long and stiff enough to be prevent an ND. The reset is great (although not as good as a 1911). With five minutes, a pin punch, and a couple inexpensive parts, you can make it a 2 lb. trigger target pistol or a 12 lb. trigger dummy-proof service piece. It's also more southpaw friendly than many other designs (a concern of mine).

Overall, it's not the sexiest,blinged-out supermodel, but it's the best gun I've ever tried, and I've shot almost all of them. That said, if the M&P had been out earlier, who knows? I still want to shoot one, but don't see switching this late in the game.