assistance from Glock lovers

[thedigininja]

Okay so the time has officially come for me to do something that I was never sure I would. I'm getting my first firearm. Specifically I need a concealable edc.

Haters are gonna hate and obviously you're welcome to your opinion but know that I will simply be ignoring any negative commentary towards the brand


I have tested many options and I will be going Glock, problem is that I can't decide between the 17, 19 or 26

19 is in the lead at the moment because it seems like a good balance however the other two have rather strong arguments in my mind.
I have experienced a considerable increase in accuracy with the 17 (except with a carbine conversion where I saw an increase with the 19).
The size of the 26 and the fact that it's upward compatible with the larger clips makes it a great option for concealability and makes finding replacement clips a lot easier in case parts become scarce for whatever reason.

I am in a very client service orientated industry where I come into contact with many different people, some of whom wouldn't take too kindly to the fact that I'm carrying in their home so it needs to be concealable but I am a bit worried about potentially risking accuracy and velocity with the shorter barrel.

anyone have experience with all three or at least 2/3?

[JohnyMac]

Let me start off stating that I am NOT a Glock guy.

It has NOTHING to do with the reliability of the weapon it has to do with what I am use to shooting. The basic 1911 ergonomics is better for me in a stressful situation, e.g. shoot-out. Big Paw gun comes to mind.

Now my brother loves his Glock (G21) which is his EDC. With that written he has had A LOT of work done on it. Specifically a new trigger and sights. His desire not necessarily needed. 

I will not recommend which version YOU should go with however I am partial to "big paw" handguns. The G17 fills that requirement for me. The reason is I use my handguns for EDC and service. One and done kind of thing.

Good luck thedigininja. I am stoked that you are getting a firearm.

[special-k]

For what it's worth...I sold my 19 a long time ago and bought a 26.  Staying under the radar is high on my list of priorities.

[APX808]

Larger clips? Are you referring to item 3090? 



Trolling apart, I would go with the 19, it has the right size to be comfortable for EDC but it isn't too small to be used as a regular pistol, the 26 is too small, is nice for backup but not for a primary gun.

Specially considering this will be your first and only gun for the time being, get a 19. I own one and I fucking love it

[JohnyMac]

APX  Yeah I saw the same reference and I cringed.

thedigininja don't take offense as I catch my brother saying "clip" on occasion too. You say tomato and I say...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZ3fjQa5Hls

[CJS06]

The G19 will provide you with the best compromise between the full "service" sized G17 and the compact G26. If your full focus is on conceal-ability then you may want to consider the G42 even over the G26. I have numerous friends that carry the G19 as their EDC and with a good quality holster you would never have any idea that they were carrying. 

I believe in having the most manageable pistol that you can have.  That is generally a larger frame, but as soon as you start to require concealment you now need to compromise. The more concealable the more the compromise. In the summer/warm weather my EDC is a S&W Shield. As soon as the weather turns cooler and I start wearing more layers it gets easier to conceal a bigger gun.  At that point  I turn to a M&P9 or a STI 2011 depending on what I'm wearing. You need to consider how you plan on carrying as well. I appendix carry my Shield and my full size M&P.  I OWB carry either my FS M&P or my STI.  When appendix carrying my FS M&P I am perfectly comfortable. The M&P is sized dead in between the G17 & G19.  2 of my best friends regularly carry their G19s this way.

No matter which way you decide to go get some training and practice! It is scary how many times I see people that carry but have no.....none.....idea to employ their gun if they needed it to. Understand how your clothes effect your deployment of your gun.  Train, train, and train some more....it is important.  A G43 with 7rds that you are proficient with is better than 15 from a G19 that you cant get into the fight.  My personal preference would be for the G19 and then get good with it.

Either way, right off the start get some decent sights. Stock Glock sights are plastic and are very weak. They are almost nothing more than place holders. You can decide later if you want to do you trigger, have frame work done, etc. but none of those things should be considered until you have developed you proficiency to the point where you know what you prefer. In general spend your money on ammo and or training more than on mods....other than a decent set of sights.

I hope this has been a little helpful. Good luck with your selection.

Chris

[Nemo]

Quick note, read both taglines below my box here.  Might give you something to consider.  But where your are a glock will give you less to be concerned about regarding rust and corrosion.

Nemo

[thedigininja]

  apx, you jackass. Yeah, it's a habit I'm trying to kick but around here clip is much more commonly used than mag or magazine.

My first choice was the Vektor z88 or more commonly available Beretta m9, purely because I have the most experience with it due to the fact that it was standard issue for South African Police Service and that's where I learned to handle a firearm. It's incredibly reliable and built like a Panzer but unfortunately it's very large and heavy for a concealed edc and parts are less widely available.

I love the Glock range due to it's availability, intercompatibility of parts between ranges, the comfort of the grip, ease of modification and it's light enough for Mrsninja to be comfortable with if she needs to.

I looked at the G42 but I had a few concerns. I've never fired one because I have never met anyone who owns one, 9mm rounds are more common than .308, I had no idea how to grip it (It's like it was getting lost in my hand, even Mrsninja said is was too small for her and she can't get a full grip on the 17) and through all my searching over the last 3 years only 1 local trader stocks it.

I appreciate the feedback. I think that, for now, the 17 is out. if I do end up with the 26 then I'll likely get the 17 at a later stage too but I'm leaning even more towards the 19 now. I agree with what has been said about a larger weapon being more comfortable and manageable under pressure and that is incredibly important. with all the options available for holsters I'm sure I'll find a way to conceal it.

as for training, I'm obsessive about training. everything that I use or believe I MAY need to use at some point I practice frequently. even now without my own firearm I often go to the range, buy a few rounds for whatever is available and make sure that my eye is still in so once I have my own I will likely be at the range several times a week (It's about 4 minutes drive from home).

[thedigininja]

anyone have any experience with the cz p07? Just found one at the local trader. New for almost half the price of the g19. definitely an attractive handgun and it carries well but I'm not at all familiar with it.

http://cz-usa.com/product/cz-p-07-9mm-black-polymer-interchangeable-back-straps-15-rd-mags/

[thedigininja]

I did a little digging and it seems that although CZ has been available here for sometime and has been a well loved brand by the gun nuts it wasn't as widely accepted due to a lack of interest in the polymer frame with our market (i suppose our guys didn't think that plastic can survive in Africa). since more and more people have been switching over to Glock the desire for the polymer frame has increased and opened up the market for more options. that would explain why I haven't had a chance to use one of these yet. reviews look good though. I do like the inclusion of a Picatinny rail instead of just the light slide on the Glocks.

dammit all! now I have to consider striker vs da/sa 

[DMCakhunter]

I have a P-09, shoots fine, 19 round mags, good sights. Only problem noted so far is that mine does not like Corbon ammo-will not feed it at all. Handles various Hornady, Federal HST's & hydra shocks, Winchester Remington RWS & Magtech FMJ's fine. It has a longer barrel than the P-07.

[Kentactic]

I'd toss away the 17 as a concealable pistol unless it's always below 40F where you live or you are 7ft 350lbs.

How to decide between the 19 and the 26?

Legality aside, how well does this pistol need to be concealed? Is ever being spotted carrying a huge problem? Then go 26. If your AO allows the kinds of sloppy printingfest "concealed" carry that average joe practices, go 19.  If you decide later that the 19 is too big, you can just take a hacksaw to the grip and end up with a G26 length grip(the important dimension in concealing) but with a longer sight radius and barrel(not an important dimension for concealing).

[Currahee]

I carry a 19 year round, the 19 is the most concealable pistol that also shoots well IMO.  If your looking for more concealability to the point that you are gonna give up some shoot-ability I would try the 43 because I find that width is the hardest dimension to deal with.