Glock, good for a first pistol?

ranger_dave said:
some fools say the trigger can "go off" accidently.
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Masad Ayoob said it best about guns "going off accidentally"

"That happens when you pull the trigger"

It's not a design flaw that causes guns to "go off," it's poor handling. The glock actually is better in that respect, as the trigger bar, will prevent what would be a negligent discharge with a different gun. Go find the Glock torture tests, guy drops it out of a plane, and the trigger didn't go off. Being double action only, the striker isn't cocked unless the trigger is pulled, and another safety feature keeps the striker from protruding unless the trigger is pulled. Being as the trigger controls 3 separate safety features, it's probably the safest possible trigger ever, IMHO.
 
curtmg said:
Masad Ayoob said it best about guns "going off accidentally"

"That happens when you pull the trigger"

It's not a design flaw that causes guns to "go off," it's poor handling. The glock actually is better in that respect, as the trigger bar, will prevent what would be a negligent discharge with a different gun. Go find the Glock torture tests, guy drops it out of a plane, and the trigger didn't go off. Being double action only, the striker isn't cocked unless the trigger is pulled, and another safety feature keeps the striker from protruding unless the trigger is pulled. Being as the trigger controls 3 separate safety features, it's probably the safest possible trigger ever, IMHO.
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FYI, a Ruger SR9 (which I own) has very much the same safety features, with the exception of an added manual safety. I also got mine about $150 cheaper than an equivalent Glock 17. It's another pistol to consider for Ranger Dave.
 
ranger_dave said:
Hey everyone, I am wanting a Glock 17 for my first pistol, I have never owned a pistol yet and have only ever shot a .22 pistol. I know alot about them besides the fact that I havn't fired a glock, just wondering if a Glock 17 would be a little much for my first pistol, thanks.
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Although it wasn't my first pistol, it was my second. And truth be told, any time I go shooting, whetehr on course or on training or anything, its with the G17.

All the salient points have been touched on already. You can't get a better workhorse. Its not fussy. And its great, out of the box. People have mentioned that you should do this and that to the gun, and add this doo dad and switch out that for an extended something or other. After having done all of these, I realized - KISS. And now I run it bone stock as it came to me from Police Ordnance.

If you buy a G17, I recommend picking up a good kydex-type holster and mag pouches, and then lots of mags and ammo.

IMHO, any gun is a good starter pistol as long as its not a DE50 or an HK SOCOM. The more time you spend getting to know your gun's point of aim and point of impact, that more fun it will be for you.
 
It was my first pistol about 4 years ago. Loved it then and still do. 9mm is economical, nice light recoil and one of the quality low budget guns out there (there are others of course).

I would strongly suggest you consider getting something in 22lr first. While 9mm is more economical than most others, it still gets expensive, especially if, like me, you need lots of practice. 9mm is $15 box while 22lr is $2 a box (assuming you get good prices). 50 rounds can go pretty fast in a semi auto pistol.
 
You're in London, how about a Saturday drive a bit north of Toronto. Hit up Target Sports Centre if you want to fire some pistols. They work like The Shooting Edge. No membership or PAL required. Just ID and coin...
 
v65magnafan said:
I had a dislike for Glocks for years, and spend thousands on other brands of handguns. Finally, I shot a few. Then, I tallied up the plusses and minuses of Glocks vs the others.

The only negative I can think of is Glock for open-carry in a non-retention holster. But, why would I do that, except in competition?

The one canard quoted over and over by Glock haters is the so-called weird Glock grip angle. Would someone please explain that to me?

Assuming it means the angle formed by the frame and the grip, I don't understand the problem. I placed a Glock directly on top of a Sig P226. The grip frame angles were identical. Then, I placed a Glock directly on top of a 1911. Again, the grip angles were identical.

The actual differences are the distances from the front or rear of the grip to the trigger face.

When going from a 1911 to a Glock, the grip is thicker, and the distance from the rear of the grip to the trigger is greater, but that grip angle thing seems to be a fiction.

So what am I missing here?
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V65,
The primary concern with the Glock grip isn't so much the angle but the contoured butt. 1911's can have either the straight backstrap or a curved/countoured one. The Glock is obviously a more aggressive style. You're right in that the Glock grip profile is nearly identical to a SIG and close to several others.

ranger_dave said:
Well I don't have my heart set on a Glock, I think their cool and seem to always be a great work horse(which I am after) and most people only hate them for their looks, grip or some fools say the trigger can "go off" accidently. The second big deciding factor for me will be price as I am a student and would like to keep it under $1000 bucks.
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For a pistol under a grand, you have a lot of choices like IML pointed out.

TDC
 
Dave_F said:
It was my first pistol about 4 years ago. Loved it then and still do. 9mm is economical, nice light recoil and one of the quality low budget guns out there
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LOL. If you had said that 9+ years ago, I'd have called you crazy. Glocks were pricey at one time. You young whippersnappers are getting some good deals and don't know it (or the more likely fact Glock was forced to get competitive).

As for the OP, the only thing I'd caution you on is the Glock trigger. Compared to all-metal guns, it has a unique feel. It won't ruin you for other guns, but it won't be great for learning precise trigger control. But go bang it will. You may really like it after you get used to it. YMMV.

I've owned several before. Nothing at all wrong with them as a first pistol.

But as several have said, actually shooting & handling one first before you buy is the best way to decide.
 
7.62mm said:
Ranger Dave:
I will likely be out to my club, EESA this weekend sometime, not sure which day yet, but would be more than happy to let you shoot my G17. Can probably hook you up with a couple of other pistol types as well.
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That would be really great if you wouldn't mind setting up a time for me to do that, it would be i ncredibelyhelpful. Sorry I am saying this a few days after the post, I was up north at my cottage.
 
ranger_dave said:
So this Shooting Edge range you can go to and try out guns? Is it like a gun store/range that you pay to try out a gun your interested in? And if I liked it/bought it would I have to be in a gun club first to be allowed to get it or if I was planning too now that I had a pistol, would that work?

MUCH thanks
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Soooooo, did you check out Target Sports to handle a few guns? Did you get a Glock yet?

Whats the story here?
 
Glock as a first pistol?

Let's put it this way..... you could do worse.... ;)

2007-10-27_091302_1aCoffee.gif

NAA.
 
Great gun for first time buyer. Cheap aswell, parts and they "Work". I have had alot of Glocks and they have never let me down. And the re-sale is good for the glock pistols, Go for it!
 
guess_kto said:
Every newbie buys one... I have no clue why...
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Glocks are:

1. Cheap
2. Featured in every other movie and hip hop video

So there's no mystery as to why newbies buy them. From a practical standpoint, the "safe action" trigger and subpar ergonomics make Glock a rather poor beginner pistol. It's no wonder that most Glock-shooting newbies I see at the range can hardly put shots on paper at a 5 yard distance...
 
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