Glocks are a staple among police officers around the world. They’re compact enough to carry concealed, yet large enough to serve as a duty firearm. These pistols are easy to operate and reliable. While they have their issues (which are generally well-publicized), it’s hard to find a gun that beats them as a one-size-fits-all fighting pistol.
Safety
There are a lot of polarizing opinions about Glock pistols in the firearms community. Stanch supporters and opponents seem to find their way into the same stall at the range when sharing their opinions on grip angle, features, factory sights, and the striker-fire design.
Regardless of your opinion, it is important to remember that safe handling is the responsibility of the shooter. Always assume that the gun is loaded, never point it at anything you do not intend to shoot, keep your finger off of the trigger until ready to fire, and maintain a firm grip on the pistol.
All Glock pistols have 3 internal safeties: the trigger safety, firing pin safety, and drop safety. These are designed to prevent accidental discharge.
Caliber
Glock pistols are chambered for the popular 9mm cartridge. This makes them ideal for use by law enforcement and military personnel.
Glock 19 are also a good choice for civilian use. The pistol is small enough to carry in a concealed-carry holster and is durable enough to withstand everyday wear and tear.
Glock offers a variety of variants including “standard” and compact models that are designed as full-sized duty guns and have large magazine capacities, and “subcompact” models that are designed for easier carry. All models feature internal safeties, which consist of a trigger safety and drop safety that disengage when the trigger bar moves up the safety ramp.
Frame
Glock’s founder Gaston Glock was a curtain rod expert, not a handgun designer. But he put together an impressive team of firearms experts to respond to a request from the Austrian Armed Forces for a modern duty pistol. There are now multiple sizes and calibers of Glock handguns, including a subcompact and a compact with a longer slide. In addition to the standardized models, there are also the “large frame” guns that use larger slides and barrels for shooting heavier loads like 10mm auto and.45 ACP.
The newest Gen 5 of Glock handguns have some mild external changes and improved internals. One change is the removal of finger grooves from the grip frame.
Slide
Glock pistols are well-known for their boxy look that gives them a very distinct appearance. The Gen 5 version has a new front of the slide with rounded edges for better holstering and ergonomics. There are removable backstraps for small, medium, and large hands that add a beavertail to the grip. This helps the hand to naturally point the gun and is very comfortable for many shooters.
All internal safeties are in the form of trigger blade safety disengages that work by pushing up and out of the firing pin channel. This setup works very well and the trigger feels lighter than you would expect from a factory firearm.
Weight
Glock pistols are lightweight, making them a good choice for concealed carry. They are also easy to manage for shooters with smaller hands. The grip has a textured finish, which helps secure it in the hand. This texture also helps absorb and dissipate recoil. The Glock 19 is a great option for new shooters, with its simple design and relatively tame recoil. Its ambidextrous slide release and replaceable backstraps make it a versatile pistol for both right-handed and left-handed shooters.
The Glock 19 is available in multiple form factors, including a compact G19X version that offers reduced magazine capacity and a shortened slide. It is a popular choice for concealed carry and home defense.
Wrapping It Up
In a time when other pistols are growing more popular, Glock still inspires a cult-like following. That’s largely due to its creation of the polymer striker-fired handgun market and establishing itself as a standard before other options were ready. The Glock 19 also serves in law enforcement roles, including with the New York Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. It’s the pistol of choice among special operations units as well.
Gen 5 introduced a more durable nDLC finish and ambidextrous slide stop lever. This may result in holster-compatibility issues with some older models. Also, the nDLC is more slippery than the previous generation’s “grey” finish.