Why Glock? Why 9mm?

[Sixgun]

Great read!! Thanks, now I have to go pick me up a g19.

Actual been wanting one for some time, now I have an accuse.

[tarantula]

I switched to glock based on this article some time ago and I have never regretted my decision.
I also have been paying more attention to physical conditioning and my ability to fight as opposed to whether 1mm of size difference in a cartridge makes it a widowmaker or not.
Thanks for your insights!

[Alpine]

I've owned a G19 since 1991, and have shot it so much it became an extension of my body, and I don't even think about aiming... just point and shoot, with all center-mass hits.

However, ever since I starting shooting USPSA a few years ago, I quickly found that the Glocks cannot keep up with the others in the longer shots. I ended up going to the SIG X5 platform, and use it excusively for USPSA. I have no problems hitting the A-zone at 50-yards while the guys with Glocks can't even make hits on cardboard at that distance under pressure.

Is the SIG X5 practicale for everyday use, maybe? I used it in a three-day three-gun comp last year, and the only issue I had was the weight of the pistol kept pulling my pants down using a drop-leg holster, and would start to wobble while I was on the move. This year I will be using a SIG P226ST, in a holster fastened to my MOLLE vest.

Not putting the Glock down, if I ever get around to actually getting my CCW permit, my first choice for carry will be my trusty G19.

For those who have difficulty shooting a Glock, part of your problem likely is the greater grip angle that the Glocks have, and the other problem is likey the trigger. Spend enough time with the Glock, and you'll get used to it, and you may even become proficent with it.

As far as 9mm. With todays modern ammo and bullets, anything between 9mm and 45 will do it's job as long as you do your part and hit the target.

[Jer]

I've owned a G19 since 1991, and have shot it so much it became an extension of my body, and I don't even think about aiming... just point and shoot, with all center-mass hits.

However, ever since I starting shooting USPSA a few years ago, I quickly found that the Glocks cannot keep up with the others in the longer shots. I ended up going to the SIG X5 platform, and use it excusively for USPSA. I have no problems hitting the A-zone at 50-yards while the guys with Glocks can't even make hits on cardboard at that distance under pressure.

Is the SIG X5 practicale for everyday use, maybe? I used it in a three-day three-gun comp last year, and the only issue I had was the weight of the pistol kept pulling my pants down using a drop-leg holster, and would start to wobble while I was on the move. This year I will be using a SIG P226ST, in a holster fastened to my MOLLE vest.

Not putting the Glock down, if I ever get around to actually getting my CCW permit, my first choice for carry will be my trusty G19.

For those who have difficulty shooting a Glock, part of your problem likely is the greater grip angle that the Glocks have, and the other problem is likey the trigger. Spend enough time with the Glock, and you'll get used to it, and you may even become proficent with it.

As far as 9mm. With todays modern ammo and bullets, anything between 9mm and 45 will do it's job as long as you do your part and hit the target.

The gun isn't the problem. In fact Camron just posted up a pretty nice 50yd head shot group. This isn't really the thread for this discussion anyway.

[Chrispy]

ill start by saying I am the furthest possible thing from an expert. I shoot relationally, not professionally, or competitively.

I owned or shot a lot of handguns growing up, and in the military, however, had not owned a handgun in 10+ years, mostly due to every dime i made going into octane powered hobbies..

anyway, i decided to get back into ownership this year, and began my search with a blank slate. i talked to people i know personally who shoot.. a lot. i researched forums. i talked to LEO's.

things i heard consistently were:

" I compete with a (1911 clone) but my EDC is a Glock"
" My open class gun is awesome, but id go to war with a Glock"
" Glocks just work. period. they are the Crown Victoria of handguns "

I ended up with a Glock 34 Gen 3, and put 1850 rounds down the pipe since Feb 23rd.. I believe that ANY gun you get, that sits on a shelf or shoots 100 rds/year or something is never going to feel like an extension of yourself...

but put enough rounds downrange in a variety of situations/targets, and you will learn your weapon. at 1850 rounds, i'm still a novice at best. ive moved on from 'slow firing at stationary targets' and putting 3-6 round groups into paper plates at 21-50 feet, sometimes from a draw, sometimes from a ready position..

anyway, enough said there. i believe the OP to be dead on accurate. is the Glock the best handgun out there? probably not. is anyone winning with an open class glock? not really. but the Glock just...works. pull the trigger and it goes bang.. every time.

on ammo:

unless your trying to shoot a bear.. theres not much difference in the killing power between a +p 9mm and the larger more powerful rounds, assuming you can hit your target. i like my 17 rounds also, vs less for the bigger bullets.

ultimately tho, with 9mm, i can put 100 rounds downrange for $20. sure, i keep some personal protection rounds, generally hydrashok, in my carry mags, but my range mags are all FMJ Russian ammo, or the federal value box... id be living in my truck if i had to by 10mm or .45 bullets.

i know this is a 4+ year old thread, but i am another 9mm Glock owner, adding to the this tread..

[SpikeMike]

Being a 23 year Army puke and an 18A, I spent a lot of quality time with a variety of weapons and calibers. I actually loathed the 1911 for many years as most of the Army's stock were mismatched parts from a variety of manufacturers. I actually had a broken firing pin eject and nick my face.

I currently own 3 9mm pistols and love them for their accuracy. Two of them are Taurus PT92 AFS models and a Ruger P95. I used to own the Beretta 92F, probably should have kept it too. But the Taurus pistol are A) very very accurate and B) built a heck of a lot better than the Beretta and lastly C) with well over 5000 rds. down the pipe, NEVER a misfeed, FTF or jam.

The Ruger I bought for my 11 year son. It fits his hand nicely and he's pretty much convinced me he can put a round wherever he wants out to about 20 yds. He can double-tap it, and do excellent rapid-fire drills. Which is not the story with my EAAA Witness in S&W .40.

I concur that it is all about shot placement, especially in a tactical situation. If you can put a .22 in the right place, you can do damage.

[Jer]

Being a 23 year Army puke and an 18A, I spent a lot of quality time with a variety of weapons and calibers. I actually loathed the 1911 for many years as most of the Army's stock were mismatched parts from a variety of manufacturers. I actually had a broken firing pin eject and nick my face.

I currently own 3 9mm pistols and love them for their accuracy. Two of them are Taurus PT92 AFS models and a Ruger P95. I used to own the Beretta 92F, probably should have kept it too. But the Taurus pistol are A) very very accurate and B) built a heck of a lot better than the Beretta and lastly C) with well over 5000 rds. down the pipe, NEVER a misfeed, FTF or jam.

The Ruger I bought for my 11 year son. It fits his hand nicely and he's pretty much convinced me he can put a round wherever he wants out to about 20 yds. He can double-tap it, and do excellent rapid-fire drills. Which is not the story with my EAAA Witness in S&W .40.

I concur that it is all about shot placement, especially in a tactical situation. If you can put a .22 in the right place, you can do damage.

My neighbor has a Taurus that shoots 4' low at 20' plus I've had bad luck with their firearms in the past with feeding issues. I think I'll stick with Glock which is what this thread is about. Let's keep it that way.

[SpikeMike]

no need to be a troll about it, Glocks are great - just not the end-all, be-all

[J]

Ok, so we have a Taurus fan and a Glock fan... Nothing new there.

Lets make sure to keep this a firearms discussion, not a personal character discussion or attack.

Also, lets try to stick to the topic of the thread. SpikeMike, I value your opinion on the Taurus and Rugers you own, and like both brands. Perhaps the best place for your opinion is in a review thread for each of the models you own, and not in a Glock review thread. If you start them, I will definitely read them. If you have direct input on the 9mm Glocks, this is a great place for those.

Jer, in the interest of keeping this thread alive and away from a locking, will you please keep the "stay on topic" reminders to just that.

Thanks

--J

[MCarp71]

Nice read Jeff!
I had a 17 explode on me, ended up selling all my glocks. In a big case of (dumbassisity)<made that one up! After alot of talking to other Glock buddies and a little research. The explosion was my fault with poly reloads. So, here I am broke, and I want another 19. I loved them, and still do. They just sceered me for awhile. I'm headed to be back in the saddle.