Glock 19 question

Jan 2009
20
0
Seattle, WA
I'm looking at my tax return and thinking I want a new pistol. I've got a full sized HK USP .40 right now but it's way too big for concealed carry purposes and since I'm going to be finding myself in Seattle more and more often in the near future I'd like a carry gun that I can find an IPL holster for.

What I'm thinking is that I'd like a Glock 19. I've heard nothing but good things about them in general terms, but I'm looking more at concealability. Does anyone have a hard time carrying this weapon concealed?

Any reviews, suggestions, advice or leads on finding one outside of Wade's in Bellevue are appreciated.
 
Jan 2009
745
0
Dri-Shities
My only suggestion is check out the Springfield XD compact & sub-compact first. Glock compacts & subs never felt comfortable in my hands & the XD's feel perfect to me! For concealment I carry an XD sub-compact .40 & it is easy to conceal either in the small of the back or under loose clothing using a paddle holster. It holds a total of 10 shots with the sub-compact magazine or 13 rounds with the compact mag with mag extension.

DSCN0589-1.jpg
 
Jan 2009
20
0
Seattle, WA
My only problem with the XDs is the looks. i know i know, it's completely irrelevant to performance, and I know the XDs have a great track record, but I have to look at my guns frequently and I'd have a hard time dropping that kind of coin on a weapon that didn't suit the aesthetic requirement I have.

The Glock fits my hand like a glove, i held one a couple of weeks ago and I really liked it. I can't do the subcompact, but the compact just felt... right. I'm really just curious as to how difficult it is to conceal and also I'd like to hear reviews from people who carry one.
 
Jan 2009
223
0
Spokane
You mentioned you already have a 40 cal, so I would suggest a G23 to maintain ammo commonality. Granted, 9mm is cheaper, so you could save a few $$ that way, but why complicate your ammo purchases with another cal? My normal carry gun is a G23 or a 1911 in 45. For knock around use, its the G23, for dress-up it's a 1911.

A hint of my disdain for the 9mm may have slipped into this thread.
 
Jan 2009
845
0
Renton, WA
I have a Glock 19 and love it. I also have a Springfield XDm 9mm and it's quite a bit bigger than the Glock, though the XDm is a full sized gun. My buddy just got a regular XD .40 in 4" Service model. It's similar in size to the G19, though still a tad bigger (the grip is longer) and a bit heavier. For concealed carry, the G19 is a little more concealable.

IMO the biggest practical difference between Glocks & XDs is the grip angle. XD's have a 1911 style grip angle, where Glocks have a more aggressive grip angle, kinda Luger style. As much as I love my Glock, I've found I prefer the 1911 grip angle of the XDs. That said, I still have my Glock, and if I wanted to carry something larger than my .380 LCP, the Glock would my choice.

Oh my Glock is 15 years old... the new ones have some improvements mine doesn't like ambi-mag release, finger grooves on the front strap and a light rail.

Before you decide, you should go somewhere like Wade's that has tons of rental guns and fire the G19 and XD9 and any others you're considering back to back for a real comparison.
 
Jan 2009
151
0
Richland, WA
If you like the Glock 19 another pistol you could check out is the Smith & Wesson Sigma 9. That is what I carry. The two are almost identical, except that you can get the S & W for around $300 new.

But the idea of going somewhere that lets you test fire different guns is an excellent idea. Especially since a lot of this comes down to what fits your hands best.
 
Feb 2009
126
0
Lacey, Wa
If you like the Glock 19 another pistol you could check out is the Smith & Wesson Sigma 9. That is what I carry. The two are almost identical, except that you can get the S & W for around $300 new.

But the idea of going somewhere that lets you test fire different guns is an excellent idea. Especially since a lot of this comes down to what fits your hands best.

JayD... how is the trigger on that sigma? I heard the DA is pretty gritty. They do look pretty nice; saw a barely used one at a pawnshop for 250 bones.
 
Jan 2009
8
0
At the end of the Volcano Evacuation Route
IMO the biggest practical difference between Glocks & XDs is the grip angle. XD's have a 1911 style grip angle, where Glocks have a more aggressive grip angle, kinda Luger style. As much as I love my Glock, I've found I prefer the 1911 grip angle of the XDs....

.... Before you decide, you should go somewhere like Wade's that has tons of rental guns and fire the G19 and XD9 and any others you're considering back to back for a real comparison.

+1 I had been a 1911 guy for a long time and had been shooting action pistol before Production Division was created. I thought that a Glock would be an easy way to shoot Production; available, reasonably priced, plenty of accessories available, reliable. Tried a G17 and hated it. The grip angle was so far different than a 1911 that I had to think about lowering the muzzle on every draw.

I am not saying that Glocks are bad, just bad for me. If I present a 1911 with my eyes closed and then open my eyes the sights are pointed where my eyes are looking, on the Glock I am looking at the top of the slide. FWIW, I did later try Production with a Beretta 92 and really enjoyed it. The point is to get something that will work for you rather than the other way 'round. Go try them out!

Good shopping!
Steve
 
Jan 2009
845
0
Renton, WA
+1 I had been a 1911 guy for a long time and had been shooting action pistol before Production Division was created. I thought that a Glock would be an easy way to shoot Production; available, reasonably priced, plenty of accessories available, reliable. Tried a G17 and hated it. The grip angle was so far different than a 1911 that I had to think about lowering the muzzle on every draw.

I am not saying that Glocks are bad, just bad for me. If I present a 1911 with my eyes closed and then open my eyes the sights are pointed where my eyes are looking, on the Glock I am looking at the top of the slide. FWIW, I did later try Production with a Beretta 92 and really enjoyed it. The point is to get something that will work for you rather than the other way 'round. Go try them out!

Good shopping!
Steve

This is a common complaint for long-time 1911 guys trying Glocks. For me it was the opposite. I was very used to my Glock, but after getting my XD and XDm, it was like "oh hey, this *is* more natural pointing!". Once I got used to my XDm and went back to my Glock, I found I too was pointing the Glock a little high if I did an eyes-closed point.

You should take a look at the XDm 9mm or .40 for Production. With a 4.5" match-grade barrel and improved trigger, it's a pretty accurate gun.
 
Jan 2009
151
0
Richland, WA
JayD... how is the trigger on that sigma? I heard the DA is pretty gritty. They do look pretty nice; saw a barely used one at a pawnshop for 250 bones.

It does have a pretty tough triger pull compared to most others. I think I read it was around 8-9 pounds. But that was done due to the lack of an actual safety. The pull does lessen with usage. Also you can have a gun smith do a trigger job on it and easily take 3-5 pounds off the pull.

From my experience, the pull is fine once you break the gun in. A lot of it depends on your personal preference. If you pull the trigger straight back when you fire (my military training was useful I guess), then you will be fine. However those who were never trained to shoot properly will get a lot of left or right drift from the extra pull.
 
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