I took a sip of the Kool-Aid...

[BigK]

I have tried half a dozen times or more to like Glocks. I've rented them at the shooting range and borrowed them from buddies. Each time I come home very frustrated and with a sore strong hand middle finger to boot (from the too wide trigger guard).

I can shoot 'em just fine, despite they don't fit my natural point of aim. They just don't feel comfortable in my hand and constantly feel like they'll fly right out of my grip (too slippery). Still, I WANT to like them, b/c it's so easy to find parts, accessories, holsters, etc.

I finally decided to just get used to them, since I need a "spare" gun for my 17 yr old. We are planning to take a defensive pistol class during spring break. This will be my last chance for anything fun like this together, since he's shipping out to Paris Island this summer. So, I bought one at the gun show this weekend.

Since I have no plans to carry this one (just for the range), I picked a Glock 34. I'd also like to try my hand at some kind of shooting competition when it warms up and I hear good things about the 34. Here's some Tupperware Porn for ya (:rolleyes:like you've never seen a Glock, right?) BTW, that's cigarette ashes on the slide next to the milling, not scratches:

Glock 34 left profile by Big K

Glock 34 nameplate by Big K

Glock 34 controls by Big K

Glock 34 top by Big K

One thing bugging me...I thought this model came with adjustable target sights. This has the plain crappy polymer sights. First item of business is to get some real sights and get them adjusted. I'll show the range results later.

Edited January 10, 2011 by BigK

[graycrait]

The $0.25 Glock trigger job

The link is to the 25 cent trigger job which you might find usefull on the 34. I've tried a lot of aftermarket internals and now advocate stock, just polish friction points. Several adequate grip tapes out there. I've got a set of BoMar sights on my 17L. The Glock adjustable "target" sights work but likely you can find better. not I've had a couple of 34's but got talked out of them here and there. Great model and hope to get another one. With a Dremel and wood burning pen you can alter the grip and frame quite a bit. I got a fair pile of those Korean KCI mags for the range and they work well for me. You can see that my Glocks sport everything from nothing (1st Gen 17) to grip tape (17L) to the full monty (G26) with regards to stiplling and everything in between including cutting a 17 grip to 19 length, and pertty dramatic narrowing the grip of my 19. I'm always on the hunt for a good front sight.

[Steelharp]

This has the plain crappy polymer sights. First item of business is to get some real sights and get them adjusted. I'll show the range results later.

Try it first before you change them. You just might be stunned at how accurate those original "plain crappy" sights point it. I know I was.

[tnhawk]

Try it first before you change them. You just might be stunned at how accurate those original "plain crappy" sights point it. I know I was.

My G27 does a good job of hitting where I aim it. I don't see any need to change anything on it.

[walton6467]

Yup. Other than ugly, I think my Glock was perfect outta the box.

[Jonnin]

Glocks are great guns that are exactly the opposite of what I prefer in nearly every category. I shoot my wife's now and then just to have a little experience with it in case I grab it, but I dislike the thing a LOT.

It doesnt matter. You will have fun with your son, and the thing will shoot fine. You may even come to like it, and the experience of being able to use one is important as you never know what you may have to use one day. That long model you picked will give a nice sight radius for competition if you grow to like it and choose to use it.

[bigwakes]

The sore finger is likely from the Glock compact trigger. It is not smooth, but sort of steps down from the center. That was always the first changes I made to the trigger. It has something to do with being shipped in and the points system for foreign guns. Also, Glock is the only gun that I shoot from the crook of the top knuckle on my index finger. Just feels more comfortable to me and yes, I know it's not the proper method but works for me. Glock stopped putting the adjustable sights on their factory models, but the sights can be had for cheap. I prefer the standard sights, but have a 34 and 35 and have not changed sights on either.

[LagerHead]

No offense, but why would you spend hundreds of dollars on gun you don't like? Aren't there others out there you could have bought to fit the same bill? If not, I hope you come to love your Glock. Oh, and good luck to your son.

[Guest clownsdd]

No offense, but why would you spend hundreds of dollars on gun you don't like? Aren't there others out there you could have bought to fit the same bill? If not, I hope you come to love your Glock. Oh, and good luck to your son.

Yea, not to diminish the post, but why not another manufacturer's gun?

[Guest The Highlander]

Glocks are great. Honestly, the really are. You can hardly hurt one.

Actually, one huge plus for Glocks, is the GSSF program. It is very reasonable to join, has great benefits, including a free hat. If you go to a GSSF shoot, the Glock Armorer will go through your gun and replace anything that needs it. The shoots are quite fun, and certainly challenging enough for most people. You can also buy additional Glocks cheaper than through a gunstore, can attend Glock Armorer's school (which has some more benefits on its own), and generally just have a blast.

The Glock adjustable sights can be had for around $25 bucks really easily, and can be installed in about two minutes if you have a sight pusher. Spare fixed sights, front and rear are literally just a couple of bucks and can also be changed in seconds. I have Tru-Glo fiber optic front sights on several Glocks, and Glock factory's on others. I keep a front sight tool and spare light plugs in my range kit, but I've never needed anything.

Glocks are a good way to take a "plain" gun and express yourself even if you aren't a gunsmith. Check out suppliers like Lone Wolf for starters. All kinds of stuff.

[BigK]

No offense, but why would you spend hundreds of dollars on gun you don't like? Aren't there others out there you could have bought to fit the same bill? If not, I hope you come to love your Glock. Oh, and good luck to your son.

Yea, not to diminish the post, but why not another manufacturer's gun?

I figured this would be one of the 1st questions I was asked, so no offense taken. This is a VERY reasonable question and trust me, I asked myself this several times. Afterall, I wouldn't buy shoes that aren't comfortable or the wrong size pants.

So many people have Glocks that parts/accessories are easier to come by and more available than anything else in my price range. Beside, I just wanted to give them a fair shake to see if I'd like them as much as everyone else does given a little more time to get the feel.

If I still don't like it after a few months, no problem. I got a pretty good deal on it, so I'm pretty sure I can sell it for more than I paid or trade it for something I like better.

Does that sound reasonable or crazy?

[bigwakes]

I figured this would be one of the 1st questions I was asked, so no offense taken. This is a VERY reasonable question and trust me, I asked myself this several times. Afterall, I wouldn't buy shoes that aren't comfortable or the wrong size pants.

So many people have Glocks that parts/accessories are easier to come by and more available than anything else in my price range. Beside, I just wanted to give them a fair shake to see if I'd like them as much as everyone else does given a little more time to get the feel.

If I still don't like it after a few months, no problem. I got a pretty good deal on it, so I'm pretty sure I can sell it for more than I paid or trade it for something I like better.

Does that sound reasonable or crazy?

Sounds right to me. You started at the top. If any Glock is going to feel right it will be the 34.

[Links2k]

Try it first before you change them. You just might be stunned at how accurate those original "plain crappy" sights point it. I know I was.

+1 I only have night sights on my g26. My other glocks have stock sights with CTC lasergrips for night work.

[BigK]

About the sights...

I took it out to the range Sunday and put 4 mags (72 rounds) through it. The target below is from 15 yards with the first 3 mags. For the first 2 mags I set my sight picture like I do every handgun I own. For the 3rd mag (the hits inside the red rectangle and the flyer below it) I aimed a bit lower than what I'm used to aiming and got better results. I think the rear sight needs to be drifted a little to the right, though. What do you thinK?

45' with Glock 34 by BigK

To be sure it's not me, I set up a new target and moved the stand back 5 more feet to the 50' mark and fired the same number of rounds using my CZ P-01 and the same ammo. Aside from the effects of shivering (about 26 degrees out), I got fairly typical results for me:

50' with CZ P-01 by BigK

So, do you agree, I need to at least drift the sights over a bit? I had read that this model comes with adjustable sights, but mine didn't. It just had the plastic sights, so a sight pusher is in my near future, huh?

[Jonnin]

The glock target is consistent and off center. Its hard to say, but given your second target, you may want to adjust sights. Either the sights are off or you do something when shooting that gun. No one can say which from a target, and its hard to tell when you do something while shooting, so I would set it up in a rest, fire a few shots, then see if the group and the sights are aligned or not.

[BigK]

The sore finger is likely from the Glock compact trigger. It is not smooth, but sort of steps down from the center. That was always the first changes I made to the trigger. It has something to do with being shipped in and the points system for foreign guns. Also, Glock is the only gun that I shoot from the crook of the top knuckle on my index finger. Just feels more comfortable to me and yes, I know it's not the proper method but works for me. Glock stopped putting the adjustable sights on their factory models, but the sights can be had for cheap. I prefer the standard sights, but have a 34 and 35 and have not changed sights on either.

It feels more like the square edge of the side of the trigger guard is digging into my middle finger on my right hand. It was considerable less noticeable this time, b/c it was cold enough outside to wear some thin leather shooting gloves. They were unpadded, but it gave me a better grip. So, maybe it was at least partly due to me feeling like I needed to squeeze it hard to get a better grip, but I'm not sure yet.

I'm gonna drift the sights and apply some grip tape before my next trip out with it to see just how many issues those 2 changes correct.

[Guest CK1]

It feels more like the square edge of the side of the trigger guard is digging into my middle finger on my right hand. It was considerable less noticeable this time, b/c it was cold enough outside to wear some thin leather shooting gloves. They were unpadded, but it gave me a better grip. So, maybe it was at least partly due to me feeling like I needed to squeeze it hard to get a better grip, but I'm not sure yet.

I'm gonna drift the sights and apply some grip tape before my next trip out with it to see just how many issues those 2 changes correct.

It's called "Glock-knuckle".

The targets you posted show a trigger-control issue IMHO... learning the Glock's trigger can be a PIA, even more so if you're used to heavier hammer-fired guns, try slow-fire pulling the trigger almost as if towards over your right-shoulder (extreme-straight-back if you will), think you'll find your shots moving over to the right, the Glock's lightness and "trigger stacking" do you no favors when you are new to them.

Hang in there, it can be annoying as hell until it starts to click...

I'd add that 9 times out if 10 the cure can have more to do with your support-hand than your trigger-finger though, hold the thing like it's in a friggin' vise with your support-hand and you can pull it any way you want...

Edited January 10, 2011 by CK1

[eapking]

Try it first before you change them. You just might be stunned at how accurate those original "plain crappy" sights point it. I know I was.

My favorites sights are the stock ones on my G26. I really like that picture.

[ftncityfatboy]

It's called "Glock-knuckle".

guess thats better than "Glock-Butt"

[JR2ATN]

I swore off Glocks for years just because I never warmed up to my brother's G17....just didn't like the grip angle and there was probably a little old school bias against polymer as well. Anyway, after handling a G26, all the things that bothered me about the G17 don't on the shorter gripped G26....can't explain it, but I warmed up to it so much it eventually followed me home.

[BigK]

I didn't dislike the way this 34 shot, other than the POI, which may be me, the sights being out of alignment, or a combination of both.

It ran fine, but so do all my other guns (including a Hi-Point C9). I may get over the "Glock-knuckle" with time or I may take the Dremel to the trigger guard eventually, who knows now.

Anybody got an idea how much a G17 slide & barrel would cost in case I warm up to this gun and decide to try it as a CCW?

[graycrait]

Glock knuckle can be cured with a Dremel in about 10 seconds. Just radius up where the guard meets the grip. For those that look aghast at modified plastic, remember it is a Glock, a tool, not an heirloom. It is like a favorite hammer or cane, each can be made to fit your hand a little better, if you want and take the time, than what comes from the factory in many cases. Also, when shooting two handed you can guide the barrel with your support hand thumb by pressing against the frame. Once in a while I have Zen moments with my Glocks and they can feel like they are firing themselves, most times it is not quite like that.

Best thing to do is take a few mags and 250 rds or so to the range and shoot the thing until you find a rythm and feel for the gun - this applies to any pistol. You may need to do this a few times. That is why I like and recommend 9mm and .22s. You only get better by shooting more. It is like pounding nails, you need to pound a lot to become efficient with your hammer.

Then play games with yourself and the gun. I like to take a manilla folder and draw 8 or 9 gooseeggs on it and number them. Staple it up. Then at the low ready, look down, tell myself which ones I am going to shoot and then do it, over and over. Or have someone call out the numbers of the goose eggs and shoot them. That is one simple safe game at an RSO controlled range. I try to shoot 25% of my shots weak-hand, cause yo never know.

Sights are a crapshoot, try as many as you can afford. 10-8s, Ameriglo, XS, stock Glock, Warren, Sevigny, etc. I'm going to start not using a front or rear sight on one of my Glocks at 15 yards and in. At that distance with practical targets I'm not convinced that sights are necessary, just good fundamentals may suffice. Something new to me to try.

[Guest Bronker]

Craig, you've got some great ideas (minus the grip reduction on the G19 in your avatar. It's as if Hideousness and Ugly got together and gave birth to it. )

I have got to learn to treat these carry pieces as extensions and tools, rather than hobbies and collector items.

I'll admit, I'm a target puncher with some remote advance training. I rely on the hope that I'll rise to whatever occasion erupts, rather than having instinctive confidence that it will be automatic.

Gosh I need training:(

Sorry to hijack...I love Glocks. Matter of fact, I own one of Craig's former sweethearts!

[bigwakes]

I swore off Glocks for years just because I never warmed up to my brother's G17....just didn't like the grip angle and there was probably a little old school bias against polymer as well. Anyway, after handling a G26, all the things that bothered me about the G17 don't on the shorter gripped G26....can't explain it, but I warmed up to it so much it eventually followed me home.

The first time I shot the 26 I had to have it. Great gun. My guess is if you love the 26 give the 17 or better yet the 34 a try.

[HOGNUT]

The Glock 34 is not working for you, let me know. I am in the market again for another 34(sorry, bigwakes....never should have done the three way deal with you and Eric). Or is anyone has a 17L. I am looking at one this weekend and may satisfy the hunger until next weekend after.