The Best Glock

A handgun representative of the modern age of polymer framed striker fired handguns is the Glock. Glock handguns were not the first polymer framed handgun but they are by far the most successful.  There are two main considerations in a defensive or service pistol. This is reliability and easy maintenance. Secondary considerations include affordability and the ability to adapt to different roles. Ease of training is a big advantage.  A simple system that promotes marksmanship and confidence is good to have. 

This big Glock .45 ACP has been subjected to many tests and always passed! 

 

A huge advantage of the Glock is commonality of action and controls in every Glock Model. The smallest Glock, the Model 42, and the larger guns including the Glock 34, feature the same controls. The slide lock, takedown, and magazine release are identical from one Glock to the other. The trigger action feels and operates the same in each model with little deviation. This means a shooter using one Glock for competition and another for concealed carry will find that familiarity easily translates to the other handgun. 

The Glock may be upgraded easily. This Glock wears a Vortex optic. (Courtesy Vortex).

 

Which Glock is best for each mission? There are compromises inherent in every choice but there is a just right Glock for every mission.  I consider the Glock a handgun baseline. The Glock is affordable and reliable. It is in fact among the most reliable if not the most reliable of handguns. If you pay less than the Glock then corners have been cut somewhere. If you pay more be certain you are getting something better for your money.

This is an original Glock 19X the author has used hard for years.

 

Deep concealment- Glock 43 X

The original Glock 43 is a slim line pistol with a six round magazine. While the 43 may serve as a pocket handgun the 43X is in my opinion a much better shooter. The 43X features a ten round magazine in its larger grip. The primary advantage of the 43X is it’s longer grip frame which offers a superior firing grip. This handle is not only more comfortable in firing sessions the pistol is faster on the draw and easier to maintain a superior offset from the holster.

The author’s Glock 43X wears a Shield Sights translucent roof type red dot.

 

The 43X is a just the right size 9mm that builds on Glock reliability and which shoots better than expected for the size. You may note my pistol wears a Shield Sights carry optic and the grip frame has been customized with the ideal balance of adhesion and abrasion.

The 43X features a slim line ten round magazine.

 

Glock 19 - The Best Glock

If I could own only one Glock this would be it. The Glock 19 is a wonderful blend of optimal size and balance. By shortening the slide and frame of the Glock 17 they came up with a pistol renowned for its performance and portability. While the Glock 17 is easier to shoot well- that is the laws of physics in action- The Glock 19 is a very good shooter. The Glock 19 maintains a magazine capacity of 15 cartridges. The Glock 19 is well suited for police and military use and gives up little to larger handguns.

My Glock 19 is among the longest serving Glock handguns I own. I am not sentimental concerning handguns. I upgrade when a better handgun becomes available. All of my Glock handguns are Generation 5. The Marksman barrel and improved trigger action are clear advantages. My personal Glock wears a Holosun red dot sight.

The author’s favorite carry gun is a Glock 19 with Holosun red dot and Streamlight combat light. 

 

Glock 17 - The Best Service Glock

In long term police and military service the Glock 17 is foremost in reputation for reliability. The Glock 17 is a great shooter. The pistol has been proven reliable with a wide range of ammunition from inexpensive steel cased loads to the most powerful +P+ ammunition. The Glock 17 is a good shooting pistol, well balanced,  suitable for many types of defense and service use. 

A few decades ago the FBI did a case study in which they determined that a handgun weighing over 35 ounces became a burden at the end of the day. The Glock 17 at less than 24 ounces is an answer to many problems. Fully loaded with 124 grain loads the Glock barely tops 32 ounces. My personal Glock wears a Shield Sights red dot sight. The Glock 17 is perhaps the best Glock to begin your journey into the handgun world with.

A Glock 17 with Shield Sights optic is service grade.

 

The Big Glock The Glock 34

When choosing a Glock the best model yet introduced are the MOS type Generation 5 pistols. With forward cocking serrations, the Marksman barrel, good fitting, and the best trigger yet on any Glock handgun the Gen 5 handguns are among the best service pistols ever offered.  

There is a well defined increase in accuracy with the Marksman barrel although it takes a trained shooter to demonstrate the advantage. Among  modern Glock handguns the M34 is a standout. This is a long slide Glock with a 5.31 inch barrel. The Model 34 is nicely balanced with a slight muzzle feel that limits muzzle flip. Despite its long slide the Glock 34 weighs just over 26 ounces, a nicely balanced weight for a handgun about as long as a Government Model 1911. This is the softest recoiling Glock 9mm handgun and one that is a joy to handle and fire.

A Glock 34 9mm with Steiner optics is a superbly accurate smooth shooter.

 

A big advantage is that the Glock 34 features a special trigger connector resulting in a crisp 3.5 pound trigger compared to the average 5.5 pound Glock trigger. (To get the most from your Glock trigger action clean packing grease away and lubricate the trigger connector.) When taken as a whole the Glock 34 is a great handgun with soft shooting characteristics and good practical accuracy. 

The pistol is often the most accurate of Glock handguns. I like the 34 a great deal and it illustrates just how accurate a Glock may be in trained hands. I practice hard with defensive handguns. The Glock 34 is a handgun I fire for the sheer joy of handling an accurate light recoil pistol. The Glock 34 is a great entry level competition gun. Many aftermarket upgrades are readily available.  

There are other models I have not touched upon such as the Glock 19X, a fast handling pistol with a Glock 17 frame and Glock 19 slide, and the big bore 10mm and .45 ACP models. All are service grade and there is a Glock for you.

The Glock 19, left, is shorter and lighter than the Glock 17, right. It give up little in performance to the larger handgun.

 

Glock disassembly is simple enough and the piece requires little maintenance.

 

Glock combat accuracy is often exceptional.

 

Carrying Glock Handguns

For serious duty I often carry a Glock in the Falco A911L Talon Light Bearing Holster. The combination of leather and Kydex material make for good utility. The Talon maintains a good hold on the pistol’s long bearing surfaces. The balance of speed and retention is excellent.

Falco’s Talon IWB is optics and light ready and a great means of carrying your Glock.

 

 

Note excellent fit and finish of the Glock holster. 

 

I am also drawn to quality leather holsters. The Timeless A634T inside the waistband holster is another good choice. Fit and finish are superb and the holster allows good concealment.

The author’s Timeless IWB from Falco is a treasured piece of gear.

Note excellent fit and finish of this Falco IWB leather holster. This is from the Timeless line.

 

Glock Gen 6

I am looking forward to handling and firing the recently introduced Glock Generation 6 pistol. The key points according to Glock are improved optics integration and ergonomic improvement. From what I am able to discern from images the handle now features a grip swell and there is an elongated tang commonly referred to as a beavertail. The grip texture is also modified for a raspier feel. 

Conclusion

There are three means of obtaining knowledge. The first is personal experience. The second is the advice of authorities in the field. The third is documented testing by institutional users. The Glock is proven on all three of these categories. There is no handgun that provides more confidence and more performance for the dollar than Gaston Glock’s invention.