Many professionals who carry a handgun as part of their job and many private shooters that carry for self-defense believe the Glock 19 may be the best universal-use handgun every made. You cannot walk into a gun shop without seeing a Glock 19 for sale, and probably several other model Glocks too.
Just because many people like the Glock 19 is not a reason for you to buy one.
Here are four reasons, however, to consider that may make you a Glock fan too.
Glock Brand History
The Gaston Glock began his business by making knives with polymer sheaths for the Austrian Army.
In the late 1970s, when the Austrian Army began looking for a gun to replace the World War II-era weapons used by the security services, Gaston had an idea.
He designed a radically-different handgun that had a polymer instead of a metal frame.
The light polymer frame was not the only unusual design feature that Anton used to make the Glock unique. His particular safety system, high capacity magazine, and the use of 9 mm ammunition added to its desirability.
He bid on the Austrian government tender, and his Glock 17 won.
In 1988 a newer version, the Glock 19, began selling in the United States.
Reason #1: The Glock Safe Action System
The Glock 19 is arguably one of the safest handguns you can buy.
Glock developed three passive safety systems standard in all Glock handguns.
Each system operates autonomously. When the user pulls the trigger, the three systems disengage simultaneously allowing the gun to fire.
Once the trigger is released, all three safeties reengage.
The trigger safety is a simple lever that stops the trigger from moving. Unless the shooter presses the trigger and lever together, the gun can’t fire. This makes it impossible for the gun to discharge if dropped accidentally.
The firing pin safety stops the firing pin from moving forward unless you pull the trigger. Once you pull the trigger, the mechanism unblocks the firing pin and allows it to move.
The third safety, the trigger bar safety, sits in front of the firing pin. It will move out of the way when you depress the trigger.
Reason #2: Simplicity
The simplicity of the gun’s operation makes it not only simple for new shooters to comprehend but also means that under stress there are no levers, buttons or extra steps necessary: You simply draw and pull the trigger.
There are three controls: slide stop, trigger, and magazine release. No matter what level of training you may have, you can easily operate this pistol.
Glocks have 35 parts, significantly less than almost all other semi-automatic handguns.
Reason #3: Magazine Capacity and Interchangeability
Glock have magazines available that hold up to 33 rounds of 9mm ammunition.
The standard 10-round magazine provides ample firepower for most situations, but owners can opt for 12, 15, or several other capacity clips.
Glock magazines are interchangeable also. Not only will a 9mm Glock magazine work in any model Glock, but the use of the gun is also so widespread that several other manufacturers make handguns that will work with the Glock magazines.
Reason #4: Extremely Lightweight and Extremely Durable
Due to the polymer frame, a full-size Glock 19 weighs only 20.99 ounces unloaded, and 29.98 ounces loaded.
Despite the plastic frame, the handgun has a deserved reputation for durability and toughness.
Test after test, under some of the most rugged conditions evaluators could devise, the Glock 19 rarely fails.
After firing thousands of rounds, the Glock 19 continues to function as designed.
Final Thought
The Glock 19 began the movement away from six-shot revolvers and toward higher-capacity semi-automatics.
The, at the time, radical use of polymers, thought to be too soft to stand up to hard use, proved a significant innovation that put the Glock name on the world stage.
It is no surprise that professional law enforcement and security forces all over the world carry Glock 19s.
