When a firearm becomes hugely popular, there are generally good reasons. I’ve carried a Glock 19 for much of this year. Here’s why, from GUNS magazine where I’ve been writing the Handguns column for many years now.
When a firearm becomes hugely popular, there are generally good reasons. I’ve carried a Glock 19 for much of this year. Here’s why, from GUNS magazine where I’ve been writing the Handguns column for many years now.
Bought my first Glock 19 the year they hit the US market & bought my brother one the next year. Currently have a Gen 3 & thinking of getting the new Gen 5/Aimpoint combo if I can find one. The Glock 19 should have been the new US military sidearm instead of the Sig.
Informative article. I read this earlier in the magazine. I always wished the G19 had a little larger grip, like say the G17. When the G45 came out I bought a pair. For me it’s the best of both worlds.
Yeah, I loved that until the Glock 48 came out. I’m very happy with the 48 and a conceals a little bit better.
I love, use and carry a GL0CK. In my case a GL0CK 48. I was deeply unhappy with the GL0CK standard magazine and was thrilled to find the SHIELD S15 (15) round magazine. I have fired at least 1000 rounds without a failure. As a BONUS the G43X I carry when at my gym. Can ALSO use the Shield S15.
I’ve carried a G19 for most of my 32 year career. It has never let me down. Just today, a coworker and I went to the range in the Arkansas July sun. I took a G47, G45, G34, and a Gen 5 G19. I shot the G19 as well as the bigger Glocks. The G19 did not disappoint. It was like a warm handshake with a lifelong friend, which it is. I still think it’s the best all-around defensive handgun out there.
I took the less expensive way and purchased the Ruger RXM. A clone to the 19 gen 3. Great shooter and is my go to CCW now
I’m afraid I can’t join the legions of fans of the G19. I’ve owned two of them over the years, and I think they are great pistols – for someone else. The grip simply remains too fat for my very square, thick hands. I can’t keep a good grip and reach the trigger blade safety at the same time. I carry a Springfield XDm 5.25 or a SIG 365X, both in custom IWB holsters.
Mark, I have to respectfully disagree with you on the choice of the SIG as the standard military pistol. Too many folks have short, fat fingers as I do, and the G19 just won’t work for us, no matter how well it works for you. One size does not fit all.
Great article on the G19. I personally carry a G32, which gives all the advantages of the G19 with the ballistics of a .357. Agreed, a little snappier recoil than 9mm and the ammo is a little pricier. But to each his own. I know you have sung the praises in past history of the Glock 357 Sig models, but times and wants and wishes can change. Like you say, the current +P models of the 9mm have erased a lot of old criticism.
The VW beetle was very popular too. I never had one.
I’m also one of those folks who isn’t a Glockoholic. My first experience with them was during our service pistol trials in 1991 and Glock sent up one of the early 19s rather than the 17 we requested.
I must say the trials were interesting. The Glock and the Sig made me realize just how preferable a slide with a roundish top surface was. It naturally draws the eye to the sights. In the cold weather portion, the non-metal Glock frame didn’t leach heat out of your hands and having the same trigger action all the time is a great benefit. The Sig made me realize where Jeff Cooper got the krunchnticker name for TDA pistols. Maybe over time I’d have been able to adjust to the stupendous difference in trigger action for fast pairs, but it really was an issue.
However, that Glock was also the most unreliable handgun I’ve ever experienced. I even smuggled in some other ammo to make sure it wasn’t the ammo. I believed then and now that the magazine springs were the issue. BUT: the Glock law enforcement sales manager refused us either different mags or a different gun. Quoting him: “There’s nothing wrong with the gun, you guys are just too stupid to operate it.” Somewhere along the line, they replaced him, but the damage was done. The “pull the trigger” thing to field strip the gun didn’t help either.
I’ve shot some Glocks much more recently. The grip no longer resembles a piece of lumber and they performed OK, but they’re really just not my cup of tea.
*We figured that if that’s how they treat customers before they got our money, we didn’t want to see what happens afterward. SFAIK, the company is still banned from bidding.
Have owned Glock 19 Gen 3 Gen 4 & Gen 5.My Gen 5 is my EDC.
I like revolvers because they are simple and reliable. I like Glocks because they are simple and reliable, compared to some semi-autos. Frankly, I’m not too picky when it comes to guns. If it shoots, and is reasonably accurate, I will like it. If it fits comfortably in my hand, that is a plus, but not necessary.