I don’t like GLOCKs. Almost every handgun that I own is a GLOCK, but I don’t like them. The handgun that I carry daily is a GLOCK, but I don’t like them. I have thousands and thousands of rounds down range through GLOCKs, but I don’t like them. I don’t like having to capitalize every letter in “GLOCK” and I don’t like their “Perfection” tag line. I don’t like GLOCKs, but I acknowledge that they are best for me.
I used to shoot and carry 1911s. I had 4 of them and I had a tidy sum of cash tied up in those 4 1911s. All of my friends shot 1911s as well. Then one day when I was doing some maintenance on my 1911s (and all my friends’ 1911s) I realized that I liked 1911s, but I didn’t like maintaining them. 1911s can be a fine choice for someone who is willing to be their own gunsmith and put in the work to keep it running, but I reached the point where I was no longer willing. I got my first GLOCK shortly after.
Recently, a friend who is a 1911 shooter came to me asking about my transition to GLOCKs, so I put some thoughts on paper. This isn’t comprehensive and it probably isn’t anything new, but this is why, even though I don’t like GLOCKs, I shoot them almost exclusively… by choice.
Good Enough
Any handgun that will be considered for serious defensive use should be reliable enough and accurate enough. GLOCKs typically are.
Affordable
GLOCKS are affordable in the short and long term. They are relatively inexpensive to purchase but they also cost very little to own. Magazines are relatively inexpensive. Parts are plentiful and very inexpensive. They are easy to work on which saves you gunsmith fees. GLOCKs are fairly durable, especially the 9mm models. Even “trigger jobs” are cheap.
Easy to Maintain
I can take everything but the sights, magazine release spring, and striker channel liner out or off of a GLOCK with a 3/32″ punch. None of the parts require fitting.
Trigger Pull
Typically, you don’t hear people say that they like the trigger pull on GLOCKs, but I have come to appreciate it. It is the same every time (no DA to SA transition) and the fast, positive reset helps with followup shots.
Ergonomics
Again, you typically don’t hear people say that they like the ergonomics of a GLOCK. GLOCKs will never fit your hand, but eventually, with time and training, your hand will fit your GLOCK. I can reach the magazine release fairly easily (especially with a Vickers Mag Release installed) and the slide release (or slide stop lever for you purists) falls naturally under my support hand thumb on a reload. I can also easily modify the frame to fit me since it is made of plastic. The grip angle “issue” is over blown.
Far from Perfection
GLOCKs are far from perfect. Their reliability has been legitimately called into question since the release of the 4th Gen GLOCKs (and before with less public but still somewhat widespread issues). Some models are especially prone to limp wrist malfunctions which can be a very serious issue if you are injured. The trigger guard can rub the knuckle of my index finger. The finger grooves don’t fit anyone. They lack soul and personality and to top it off… GLOCKs have some of the most unbearable fanboys.
Easy to Live With
I guess that, for me, GLOCKs are just easy to live with. No other handgun line that I know of has quite the same combination of the benefits listed above, especially the cheap, readily available small parts and ease of maintenance. I don’t like them, but I’ll keep using them until something that is significantly better for me comes along.
