I’d recommend a Gen 3 or Gen4 G19, or a Gen 3 or Gen4 G17. I believe that if you get a new production Gen4, the issues have been resloved-but you might still prefer a Gen 3.
A G17 is not difficult to conceal (but a G19 is easier). I’d make my decision based on how I index with the receiver-the G17 has a significantly enlarged trailing edge hump.
Best, Jon
+1. HKs are worth the cashola. Save up a bit more.
As for holsters, they will use any holster that fits a sigma. Sites, they use the same night sites as the M&P. I have not had to order parts but I am sure smith would sell anything you would want.
Point taken though, the glock will have a ton more accessories available, but that is true of almost any other handgun you could name other than the 1911 platform.
+2. P30 is sick accurate.
Only one? Then I would locate an Austrian proofed G19.
Everyone’s said it, but I agree with the early gen3 19s. The 2s are great but I like the light rail.
I got a bit of an odd ball, late 2010 Glock 19…gen3 frame, gen4 slide finish and gen4 extractor. Shot the piss out of it and the extractor issues pretty much went away. Still some brass to the face though. Working through a gen2 OEM extractor currently and haven’t caught any cases to the face yet.
No shortage of parts, holsters, and knowledge on the Glock lineup, especially the 17 and 19. The support group is there, both in terms of gear and advice. And they’re real easy to ‘work’ on.
I absolutely agree with this. The gen3 G19 is what I carry on duty, off duty and anytime in between. Damn good guns that are more accurate than most.
Glock products if I have to have only one handgun. I have 2 Gen 3s and they are wonderful.
At this point in time I would say Glock 19, that being said I am very near trying out an M&P. I have herd great things about them and with all of the Apex Tactical goodies for them they may pull me away from my Glocks. But that remains to be seen, right now if I could only have 1 Hand Gun it would be a Gen 3 Glock 19.
JP
I’ll stray from the norm here and suggest a Beretta.
I got my Beretta 96A1 for $529 brand new and I LOVE it. I LOVE the feel of a METAL gun, the polymer stuff isnt for me. I also love the Beretta because it comes with a thumb safety switch unlike most other models nowadays. I won’t argue that a Glock or M&P isnt safe for carry, thats silly…but personally when Im carrying a handgun I like knowing there is a safety switch, switched to safety.
Theres the 92A1 if you’d prefer 9mm, or 96A1 in .40…same gun, just different calibers.
If only one it would be a Glock 23. Enough capacity, still small enough to conceal, dead nuts reliable, and able to shoot three calibers with only barrel/magazine changes.
Glocks aren’t my favorite guns or what I shoot the best but if I can only have on pistol it’s the best all around choice for me.
For saving your life, either the 1911 or the Browning Hi-Power.
For me it would probably be a Sig 229…I have carried glocks and although I like them, if I only could have one it would be the sig…If it were a glock it would be the 22
I’ve learned the hard way by buying/selling/trading many handguns over the past several years including:
[ul]
[li]Glock 17
[/li][li]Glock 19
[/li][li]Glock 26
[/li][li]FNP 45
[/li][li]HK 45
[/li][li]HK 45C
[/li][li]HK P30
[/li][li]HK P7M8
[/li][li]Sig P226
[/li][li]Sig P229
[/li][li]Sig P239
[/li][li]Sig 2022
[/li][li]Sig P220
[/li][li]Walther PPS
[/li][li]Walther PPK
[/li][li]Walther PPQ
[/li][li]Ruger LCP
[/li][li]Ruger LCR
[/li][li]Ruger LC9
[/li][li]SW 642
[/li][/ul]
Probably others- heck I can’t remember. :eek:
Some were purchased out of curiousity (please do not do that) many of these were purchased for collecting and some for the spouse. I had no illusions of mastering them all, but would like to have some of that “trial time” added back to what I ended up using most of the time (see below).
I’ve carried and shot all of them in an effort to find the best one for me. As expected, the full size pistols are more difficult to conceal than others and usually less comfortable- even for a big guy. A few I felt were marginal for defensive purposes due to the round, capacity or reliability. My favorites among these are the HK45C, HK P30, HK P7M8, Glock 17, Glock 19, Sig P229, PPS, and the PPQ.
The only one I continually go back to is the Glock 19. The trigger isn’t my favorite, but it’s certainly good enough. It conceals very well, is light, reliable, has more than adequate capacity, is inexpensive to maintain, and it’s easy to find OEM and aftermarket parts.
I’d stronly recommend making your selection and getting a duplicate for the bulk of the range sessions/backup when possible.
WOW, thanks for the awesome replies!
Guess it really comes down to the Glock 19, M & P or maaaaaaybe the P30. My local dealer has a Glock “shooters” package right now; a new gen 3 19 with 3 mags for $527 and they even throw in a Glock range bag. That seems like a pretty good deal to me.
I guess a G19 and a few thousand rounds and I know if I made the right decision.
Thanks for all the great help!
Has Smith worked out all of the issues on the current issue M&P? I had an early M&P and had just about every issue that the early M&P had. I will say that Smith was great at fixing all of the issues though.
Another vote for Glock 19, I have 5 of them , one a problem free Gen4 (my fav) at 3800 rounds.
I too have bought and traded so many guns it is sad,
but with my current collection I am happy and might add one or two in the future.
Past buys and trades
Glock 17
Glock 19
Glock 26
Glock 21SF
HK 45C
HK P2000SK
HK P7M8
Sig P226
Sig P220
Colt XSE 1911
Springfield Mil Spec 1911
Colt series 70 1911
XD45
Ruger LCP
M&P45
my collection now is
G17, G19, G26,
Hk 45C, Colt 1911 Series 70 and S&W 642 No Lock.
I do want a HK P30 or A HK45 Fullsize but that is all…
But if it was only one again it would be
GLOCK 19 Gen 3.
Glock 19. Then save up for the Advantage Arms .22 kit.