WHY I LIKE GLOCKS
One of the most common questions I get asked is
“Why do you like Glocks so much”? I decided to put all of my
reasons down on paper and to make some sense out of the whole
issue. First off I need to point out that just because a certain
handgun works for me, does not mean that it will also work for you.
Handguns are very personal and you will need to find the one that
best fits your hands and shooting style.
Glocks have been around for about 20 years now
and are manufactured in Austria. It was one of the first polymer
framed handguns to be mass produced and has quickly become the best
selling defensive handgun in both the law enforcement and civilian
market. Here are the reasons that I think the Glock is the best
fighting handgun available today:
1.) Reliability - This is the most
important characteristic of a defensive weapon. It must work every
time, all the time, even under the worst conditions. I have never
had a mechanical malfunction in any Glock that I have owned, and
have never seen one on any of the guns out on the range. I have a
Glock 19 that is 15 years old and it started its life as a NYPD
issue weapon. I have personally shot about 20,000 rounds through it
and it is now used in my training classes. I have intentionally
abused it by not cleaning it, burying it in mud, water and snow –
and it has never failed to function. If you don’t believe my
limited experience, talk to any range owner who rents handguns and
they will all tell you that the frequency of repair rate is superior
to any other handgun. Glocks have even been used by scuba divers
for shark protection because it is one of the only firearms that
will shoot underwater.
2.) Durability – Glocks have a Tenifer
coating that is almost as hard as diamonds and more corrosion
resistant than stainless steel. The frame on a Glock is made out of
a synthetic that is actually stronger than steel, yet 86% lighter.
It's virtually indestructible. A Glock pistol can withstand
temperatures ranging from -40°Fto +158°F and still come out firing.
3.) Simplicity - Glocks have about
50% fewer components than most comparable handguns. The Glock 17,
for example, has only 33 parts. Breaking the gun down for cleaning
takes only seconds, and complete disassembly can be done with only a
punch.
4.) User Friendly - The Glock is the
single easiest handgun system to teach a newcomer to handle and
shoot well. Insert magazine, rack slide, and it’s ready to fire.
Every pull of the trigger is consistent from start to finish, and
there is no external safety or decocking levers to worry about. The
angle of the grip to the barrel is extremely natural to facilitate
point shooting. The low bore axis and polymer frame provide less
felt recoil than comparable handguns.
5.) Accuracy - Although the Glock is
not considered a target pistol, any of the currently produced guns
should be able to hold a sub 4” group at 25 yards. Also, the
polygonal rifling used in the Glock barrels typically results in
about a 5% increase in velocity over a similar gun.
6.) Lightweight - Thanks to its
polymer frame and simple construction, the Glock tends to be
significantly lighter than other handguns of similar power and
capacity. This is a big factor for those who carry their handgun on
a regular basis.
7.) Weapon System - Most of the Glock
parts are interchangeable between models. For example, the
magazines from the full size models in a specific caliber will work
in the smaller versions. This is important if you are carrying a
backup gun. Also, many of the holsters and other accessories are
compatible between the models.
8.) Customization - the trigger on a
Glock can be customized from the standard 5.5#, down to 3.5# for
target models and up to 14# for law enforcement models. Various
triggers, connectors and springs can be used to fine tune just the
right trigger for your application.
There are some downsides to the Glock pistols.
Here are my main gripes:
1.) Poor factory sights - the standard
front sight as issued from the factory has a plastic press-fit post
that is very susceptible to breakage. Order the factory night
sights and this is not an issue.
2.) No external safety - the good news
is that the Glock is easy to shoot, and the bad news is that the
Glock is easy to shoot. The fairly short, light trigger pull is
somewhat more vulnerable to accidental discharge. Shooting a Glock
demands an experienced hand and a cool head. This is why I
recommend the NY1 trigger at 8#.
3.) Tendency to jam due to “limp wristing”
- Most of the Glock failures to fire that I have seen have been
due to shooter error. The most common of these is referred to as
“limp-wristing” or not holding the gun securely enough to allow the
slide to recoil properly. The combination of the polymer frame that
absorbs recoil and the light weight contribute to this problem. The
answer is a very firm grip on the gun.
In summation, the Glock has earned its huge
popularity. It is the standard issue handgun for the FBI, the NYPD,
the LAPD and numerous other local, state and federal agencies.
About 65% of all law enforcement in the country issue Glocks. It’s
upsides are undeniable and the downsides can all be compensated
for. The Glock is a medium priced handgun that often outperforms
the higher priced competitors. I believe it to be the single best
combat handgun that money can buy.
Ó Eagle Personal Protection 2002
