I have had the privilege to handle and shoot many firearms in my life. I appreciate the thought, science, and engineering that goes into nearly every one of them and wish I could own them all. However, if asked to return to a combat zone and given the ability to choose my own equipment, the sidearm would undoubtedly be a Glock. I wholeheartedly recommend them to everyone I meet who might be in the market for a viable self-defense or line of duty handgun.
Glock gets a lot of hate and usually for good reason. They are not terribly adept at listening to their consumer base. They haven’t really changed their design in the last 40 years. To many they are ugly and uncomfortable to hold. But what cannot be debated is their reliability and durability. I will not speak to accuracy because accuracy is based on each individual shooter’s skill level. Suffice it to say the Glock is engineered precise enough to facilitate the most accurate of shooters. While ugly, there is beauty in the Glock’s simple design and it’s sleek profile that makes it easy to conceal and comfortable for everyday wear.
Glock also has something for everyone and every need. Don’t like 9mm? Grab a 40 S&W, 357 Sig, 10mm, or 45 ACP. Gun too big? They come in various sizes and even what could be considered in between sizes now. Want to accessorize? Glock has one of the biggest after-markets in the gun industry. The biggest complaint is they don’t seem to fit peoples hands and are uncomfortable. Well, it’s an unnatural and unfamiliar thing to grab hold of so I would expect it might seem awkward. The bottom line is that comfort will come as you get out and train which you should be doing on the regular.
There are plenty of other guns on the market that have imitated Glock’s design. But what people need to be focused on is training and getting better and getting in the habit of carrying everyday and everywhere. If the mass shootings, traditional violent crimes, and increased tensions leading to riots in the streets have taught us anything it’s that we must be equipped at all times to defend ourselves. So keep it simple. Get a gun that will work reliably, train with it then get whatever you want later. Glock is my go-to.
I love my Glock 19 and 43! My next purchase is going to be the 43x for the extra magazine capacity and grip length. Glock makes a great, resilient, firearm, not to mention the simplistic design and ease of tear down. Great article, TJ!
Thanks for the feedback A.L. I also have the Glock 43x and have ben very impressed with it. I recommend checking out my previous article “The Era of the Pocket Pistol”. Just remember to get out and train.