I bought a Glock 21 Gen4 several months back and have been shooting it quite a bit. With the Gen4 Platform I can reach the trigger better than the original non SF guns. It has been 100% with everthing I've put in it and there's no sharp edges, perfect for sweating on in Texas, etc. but, I just can't shoot this gun well. For distances to about 15 yards its a tack driver and very natural so it's a good gun for daily carry. But at 25 yards I have to really work to to shoot a measly 5" group. I used to shoot 2" groups at the same distance with my 1911's and I just bought a little Sig 220 Elite Carry with a 3.9" barrel and it tears a ragged hole at 25 yards. Maybe I'm just better suited to thin grip profiles and beavertail gripframes:)
Your experience parallels mine.
by FOG, Saturday, March 02, 2013, 11:39 (4287 days ago) @ rob
But on the other side of the coin, GLOCKs are not target pistols.
Inside they're 'operational envelope', they're pretty hard to beat. For example, I could shoot my G26 a lot faster than any J-frame, with perfectly acceptable 'combat' accuracy, and more than a few people have similar outcomes.
Ultimately, I went back to the revolver for CCW, but it wasn't because the G26 was inaccurate − for its intended purpose.
Then again, I have to admit I also played with the G34 during my brief fling with GLOCKs because, for a minute there, I kind of lost sight of what that purpose is.
No biggie: It happens all the time with this hobby...
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Your experience parallels mine.
by rob , Saturday, March 02, 2013, 12:52 (4287 days ago) @ FOG
I completely understand about about the G34:) I'm really trying to get back to basics. The only reason I don't carry my GP100 as my daily carry gun is its hard for me to keep even a stainless revolver from getting rust pits in the summer. It would be a daily chore of constantly pulling the grips. The Glock solves that problem so I'm at least grateful for that:). Maybe I'll just concentrate on having my fighting pistol and a target pistol in the same caliber to simplify both chores.
If you get a chance try a Smith M&P - much better trigger
by stonewalrus, Saturday, March 02, 2013, 13:40 (4287 days ago) @ rob
Than a Glock. I find my compact much easier to hit with than my son's baby Glock at least. It doesn't feel like you are holding a 2x4. Also has interchangeable grip backs.
I had a service size M&P 9mm...
by rob , Saturday, March 02, 2013, 14:18 (4287 days ago) @ stonewalrus
And I liked it but it had the crappiest trigger in the world. Everyone seems to like the triggers so I must have gotten an especially poor sample. I loved how it felt in hand, nice bright night sights and it was much better looking than a Glock but I couldn't even release the trigger cleanly with my wrists rested on sandbags. I'm not gonna swap guns anymore so it's a moot point but there are probably better samples out there. Mine also slammed the slide home from inertia every time I slammed a mag home, even gently, automatically clambering a round.
Another vote here for the M&P
by Warhawk, Hot Springs, Arkansas, Saturday, March 02, 2013, 15:57 (4287 days ago) @ rob
I've owned several Glocks over the years, I was determined to get to the point that I could shoot one well. After trying at least a half dozen Glocks of various models, I have come to the conclusion that I just don't shoot them well. MY theory is that the 2x4 grip profile doesn't agree with my thick stubby hands.
After reading lots of favorable reviews, I bought the first M&P 9 that I saw for sale. I took it to the range and immediately was "at home" with it, it was like plinking with my Ruger MKII. I put my last remaining Glock up for sale the next day and have never looked back.
I get along fine with a stock M&P trigger, but have also owned a couple M&P's that had trigger jobs. A mid size M&P 45 with a Burwell trigger job was a fantastic range gun, but the trigger was far too light for me to trust it as a carry gun. Last year I stumbled into a bargain on another M&P 45 with a trigger job, but this one has the thumb safety making it a great carry piece.
The triggers are fixable.
by cas, Saturday, March 02, 2013, 15:57 (4287 days ago) @ rob
I was going to ask what the trigger setup in the Glock was. 5 minutes and some simple cheap parts swapping makes the Glock much easier to shoot.
The M&P is a little more complicated and a little more expensive (after market parts wise) , but a simple polishing internals and re contouring the striker block plunger make for night and day changes. That's without changing anything. I did finally switch to an Apex sear in my 45 just to see with difference. I didn't waste any money on the other gizmos (I felt they're a waste anyway, the reset kits and replacement triggers and all that jazz.)
I installed a 3.5 lbs Glock disconnecter...
by rob , Saturday, March 02, 2013, 18:33 (4287 days ago) @ cas
And it's not too bad a trigger. I still don't shoot it too well.
Glock shootability...
by Sarge , Central Misery, Saturday, March 02, 2013, 16:23 (4287 days ago) @ rob
I had to shoot Glocks to the exclusion of everything else for six months... total immersion, if you will. As with any other handgun, lot of it is getting it perfectly zeroed for you. I get along OK with the stock 5.5 lb trigger, which is two-stage in the classic sense; free take-up and a firm spot that is a little added pressure away from the break. Been known to tweak the finger-grooves to suit me.
The rest is here: http://www.thesixgunjournal.net/the-glock-files/
I accept that I will never be able to shoot a plastic pistol as well as a 1911 I set up myself. I can usually take a good 1911 and shoot it about as well with one hand, as I can shoot a Glock with two. I also can't get a 14 shot Commander that refuses to choke, is impervious to rough treatment, etc. Different tools...
but I can get along with either.
Glock shootability...
by rob , Saturday, March 02, 2013, 18:40 (4287 days ago) @ Sarge
That's pretty much what I've contented myself with. It's a daily carry fighting tool and I may do what I've wanted to do for years...build a 1911 for a target pistol. I really want to go to one of the classes where you take a box of parts and hand fit them into a complete pistol.
Glock shootability...
by Cherokee , Medina, Ohio, Saturday, March 02, 2013, 16:27 (4287 days ago) @ rob
I tried a Glock 40 S&W and we did not go well together. The grip was really bad for me and accuracy for me was poor. The range also had an XDM for rent so I tried that - instant love, and I can shoot it better than my beloved 1911's. They did not have an M&P so I never tried one.
XD's...
by rob , Saturday, March 02, 2013, 18:44 (4287 days ago) @ Cherokee
I have had two and I shoot them well. I'd like an XDm...to me they are butt ugly but they sure feel good in the hand!
XD's… I had one ever so briefly.
by cas, Saturday, March 02, 2013, 23:06 (4286 days ago) @ rob
Bought it from a friend because the price was too good to pass up on and I wanted to try an XD for more than a few moments.
Seemed reliable and fairly accurate, I just could not bring myself to fall in love with it. Ugliness aside, it seemed very top heavy and snapped because of that. An M&P came along and the XD got gone. Just wasn't for me.
I made sure I got a picture of my three plastic 45's together before it sold though.
The Glock 36 I bought from another friend for the same reason, the price was too good to pass up. I figured I'd do like I always do, as a student of arms, buy it, play with it a while and send it on it's way. What I wasn't expecting is that I really really like it, so here it stayed.
XD's… I had one ever so briefly.
by rob , Sunday, March 03, 2013, 08:31 (4286 days ago) @ cas
I miss my Glock 36. I could wrap my hand around it and it felt good and shot good. I wish I'd kept it.
XD's… I had one ever so briefly.
by uncowboy, Sunday, March 03, 2013, 17:55 (4286 days ago) @ rob
Rob might not be shootability but thefactory sights stink past 15 yds. I put a fiber optic front and metal rear FO and it shoots a bit better. Dawson would bea good place to start. J.Michael
Sights...
by rob , Sunday, March 03, 2013, 19:07 (4286 days ago) @ uncowboy
I actually like the factory Glock sights. I like the bright white that's on them but the plastic is just unacceptable. I replaced them with Trijicon sights. Groups were about the same either way. I put XS Express Big Dot sights on it and really like them. I figured it was a fighting pistol so put fighting sights on it but I am shooting it better now than with either of the former sights I had on it.
XD I like em, expecially with a bit of trigger work
by Rob Leahy , Prescott, Arizona, Sunday, March 03, 2013, 20:11 (4286 days ago) @ rob
Current everyday carry is a XDS and a Compact 45. Second Compact 45 is on lay away.
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Of the Troops & For the Troops
I like that little XDs a lot!
by rob , Sunday, March 03, 2013, 21:54 (4286 days ago) @ Rob Leahy
Very tempted to buy an XD's, despite is not being,..
by cas, Sunday, March 03, 2013, 21:55 (4286 days ago) @ Rob Leahy
…THAT much smaller than the G36 (which I don't need either).
The XDS is much slimmer than any Glock.
by Rob Leahy , Prescott, Arizona, Monday, March 04, 2013, 10:12 (4285 days ago) @ cas
I would say it is the BEST compact 45 ever made.
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Of the Troops & For the Troops