Which Glock?

[Avid Archer]

I'm in the market for a new handgun, and I'm leaning toward a Glock. Its primary purpose will be concealed carry and personal/home defense.

I would like to hear your opionions on which model and caliber would be a good fit. I do have fairly large hands so a tiny grip will not work for me.

-Dave

[graysquirrel]

Glocks are good guns, the models in 9mm are small and can be conceled easily. Also the mag capacity is good on even the smallest (10) very accurate and easy to shoot. Same in 45 cal. Anything other than those the bullets cost too much for good practice.

I've had several of them, HOWEVER, simply because I prefer an exposed hammer, plus the fact that the extractor on a glock does wear, i prefer a Sig. Have two in 45acp and 2 in 9mm. Plus there is a reason the Secret Service and Special Forces use the Sig instead.

[Short Draw]

I'm with Squirrel.
Owned a Glock 17 in 9mm.
Did not like it.

Have two Sig P226, one in 9 mm and my go to is a 40 cal.
Never let me down.

Erich

[Avid Archer]

What would be considered a good price on a new Sig?

[graysquirrel]

They have a model 2020 with nite sights around 500.00
Different models from there up to over a grand new. I have a compact 45acp that is a bit pricy I traded for

[EagleEye]

My dad has a ruger 380 and it's perfect for carrying in the pocket. My dad has big hands and I have sorta big hands and it is fun to shoot and the grip isn't to small for him or me! I would recommend it to you.


Liam

[graysquirrel]

Dave, finding a single handgun for multiple uses, is like buying one bow only. I just can't do it. I have several handguns, for several reasons. Primarily for home defence (if I can,t have the 12 guage shotgun) is my Taurus judge in 3 inch magnum. A very, very nasty thing. At 5 yds with a load of 4's it has a 1.5 foot spread. With 0000 buckshot it holds 4 35 caliber lead balls and is even more nasty. It also is darned accurate with the 45 colt longs. However it is a bit big for concealment. Cost on one of those is 4-500 new

Sig 220 in .45 acp subcompact is a great concealed carry gun. With nitesights it is extremely accurate. I have the full size model also and when I'm hunting where there's pigs one of those is with me. Cost will cause sticker shock, i traded a bow for mine.

Sig 229 in 9mm. Hard to beat in any department. Cost new is still pretty steep.

Sig 290, in 9mm, just came out this year. Same size as ruger's 380 only in 9mm. Generally that is now my concealed carry weapon.

Keep in mind whatever you get you need to practice with it, a lot. Cost of shells can be a consideration. 45acp, 9mm, and of course .22 are relative cheap and generally available. Others not always so. I,ve got a small walther p22 that is as good a pistol as any, and accurate. I practice a LOT with that thing. Action and sights, are just like my sigs.

Best of luck and have fun

[tgross144]

If you are still looking for a glock for more than one purpose, I would look at the 19 or the 30. They are the compact but not tiny models. Any glock will be a bit thick for concealed carry, but it comes down to preference.

I like the Sig pistols but you need to practice with any weapon you get.

Tim

[stevelong]

Dave, I really only like revolvers and 1911's, and most 1911's tend to be bulky
My concealed gun is a Smith & Wesson Model 60 with the 3 inch barrell.
It's .38Special +P rated, and shoots well, and conceals well.
I would not discount a snubby Ruger sp101 in either .38Special or .357mag.

[Avid Archer]

Thanks to all for your recemmondations. The main reasons I'm leaning toward the Glock is because I can buy a new one for $400 with my Firefighter ID and because Glocks U.S. headquarters is in Symrna GA, about an hour from my house. And because of a thread here where Sam Dunham related his experience with a Glock 45 acp.

Also, a friend's siser bought a used Glock for herself an took it to Symrna to have it checked out. She walked in with no appointment, and in less than 30 min. they had cleaned, replaced all springs includeing mags, and test fired her Glock. She walked out with thier thanks for purchasing a Glock, even though it was used, and a bill for zero dollars.

That kind of customer service is worth a lot in my book.

[graysquirrel]

Hard to argue with that.

[stevelong]

hard to argue with that.

yeas!!

[tgross144]

Well, just so you know, I have a glock full size. 45 for the house. I also have a ruger sp101 in. 357 with a laser grip for the house. I am currently looking at a glock 26 for concealed carry. It is short but thick like any glock.
I think of glocks as a high cap revolver. No safety, just pull the trigger. The only problem with them is the slide manipulation, if you have to.

Tim

[Sam Dunham]

If you live in Bear country??????? lol Do as the Warf does and carry a Glock 10 mm in the woods.
If you just want to defend yourself against Humans? The little Glock 9mm with plus p hollows are OK. If you want to STOP the biggest of hopped up big bad and tub gutted 350 pound Crims???? 45 auto Glock 21 SF!

In the hands of a well trained, proffessional Man? 1911 is the very best Combat pistol ever conceived by Man!!!! This means he knows his weapon and has tweaked it to make sure it is right in all respects. Unlike a Glock, a 1911 must be properly altered to insure function. When it is right, it works 99.9% of the time. A Glock (aside from weak wristing it) is 100% reliable!!!!

On caliber??? "You have a 25 automatic, all that is gonna do is make them mad!!!" Answer? 'Yes, 6 times I'll make them mad!" lol

I still contend from killing animals with pistols like Deer and other stuff, A 357 magnum 125 Federal HP in the 357 B load is about as good as it gets in the less than 41 and 44 magnums.

If you do NOT weak wrist a handgun? Buy the little Glock nine and get good with it by buying more ammo cheaper than the larger calibers.

As they say " One hit with a 22 is better than 6 misses with 44 mag!" lol

[Biblethumpncop]

IF you are leaning towards Glock only, I find the mid size .40 model 23 works well for MOST applications. I've carried it and a subcompact model 27 on my ankle (not at the same time). I carry the full size model 22 for duty. If I had the option of only 1 Glock, the model 23 would be my choice based on caliber, size and round capacity (13).

[stevelong]

HEY JOHN, I'm always willing to listen & learn.
IF he's not "leaning towards Glock only", do you have different advice?
Thanks in advance.

[koger]

I have a Glock 21, full size .45, love it and I dont have big hands, runs like a dream feeds anything and I have never touched the sights out of the box. I also have a .40 longslide glock,ported, competition, with a #3 trigger and adjustable sights from the factory, and man it is a bugholer at 20yds, whole mag in one big hole! A firearms dealer here locally is selling police trade ins, low rounds,most are detective trade ins, .40, for$375. I have taken apart and cleaned a few of these, and they are as close to new as a used gun can get. I would not hesistate to buy one of these and take extra cash and buy ammo.

[graysquirrel]

Kroger, gotta knife I might trade ya for one :)

[Sam Dunham]

Woke up today late, had my coffee and son inlaw who is a Rookie Cop just issued a gen 4 Glock 17. He ask me if I wanted to shoot it to see how it was sighted for me? Yep, stepped on the backporch and ask him if he could see the half sized white salt block a hundred yards down the hill? " I see it!!" then he laughed! Give me one round I said. Loaded it through the mag, took a rest off the porch rail and presssssssssed, Pop! Salt block explodes! " It's allright I said! lol:)

[jdemoya]

Good shooting Sam!

That shot is the equivalent of Howard shooting that hawk on top of the tree... :-)

God bless,

José

PS I still prefer the 1911. I am short and I have small hands. No better gun ever made. They not only shoot well, but they are the best looking guns. Who wants to have an ugly girl by his side?

[tgross144]

Ugly is such a crude word. I was thinking more like homely,or maybe plain. But, any "girl" is better than no "girl".

Tim

[graysquirrel]

Tim, it is quite apparent you have not seen some of the 300 plus lb females with 3 teeth from southeastern Oklahoma :)

[tgross144]

Well, I do live in Florida. But you cowboys out that way don't mind them do you? Lol. I get where you are coming from, but I don't think that my glock is in the same boat.

Have a great day,

Tim

[Biblethumpncop]

HEY JOHN, I'm always willing to listen & learn.
IF he's not "leaning towards Glock only", do you have different advice?
Thanks in advance.

Glock is a very good tool. Most $500+ pistols and revolvers are. However, if you don't have thousands of rounds at your disposal to test drive duty weapons, you should take in consideration what police departments are using. The Glock platform is popular with state, county and municipal departments throughout the nation. A few other duty weapons come to mind as well: Sig P220, P226, P229, various S&W autos, Ruger, Berreta, 1911, etc. I have been a firearms instructor for 7 years, but a handgun enthusiast since I was a kid. I personnaly feel well equipped with a Glock. The gen 1-3 modell 22's have been known to have cycle issues due to the frame flex, especially when equipped with a weapon light. We have changed out mag springs and recoil spring to try and elminate that issue. Glock redesigned the gen 4 to combat that as well. However, bang for the buck and simplicity gives a Glock the nod in my book... and so does a 4" stainless .357 revolver.

I currently carry my "pipsqueek" with me everywhere I go- a Ruger .380 LCP. Neat little gun I've carried off duty for 3 years. Works really well in my bqck pocket.

[stevelong]

JOHN, thanks - -
I am not a Glock aficionado, where do I look on a model 22 to discern that it is a 4th generation?

[graysquirrel]

John, I bet that hurts when that ruger "works" in your back pocket :) sorry couldn't resist. If a glock factory is in your backyard I can see the advantages. However, I still prefer the sigs. Extremely reliable and accurate.

[Biblethumpncop]

JOHN, thanks - -
I am not a Glock aficionado, where do I look on a model 22 to discern that it is a 4th generation?

The quickest way to tell is the Gen 4 has a replacable backstrap.

[CJ5]

I have several Glocks......a 19, 22, 27, and 34. The 27 is usually on me or in the truck. IMO, the compacts (19, 23, etc.) are the best all around size for feel but the babies do conceal a bit easier.

[jerbearyukon]

I would take any of these if I COULD

Jer