Where its a great time to be buying a rifle it seems finding a problem free pistol is a bit of a challenge. I’m starting to think spending the money and buying a HK p2000 9mm lem is the way to buy once cry once and start training
Or you could pick up an HK P30…it’s not much more expensive than the 2000. It’s absolutely bombproof and being able to fit the grip to your hands liking is pretty sweet. I’ve beat mine up pretty good and haven’t had so much as a single problem with it. Just don’t get the S variant with the safety, the trigger on the S’s is pretty bad.
If it were me I would look for a older Gen 3 Glock or a Gen 2 GLock. You should be fine as long as the serial # does not start with M** or later. I have a consecutive set of Glock 22s with LPA serial #s that have been perfect. Even if you get a new Glock that has the extrator issue it can be fixed for just a few bucks. Still a lot cheaper than the HK,which is a great gun. I own a P30 in 9mm and while it has been accurate and reliable it does nothing the Glock can;t do for $400-$500 less. Also accessories are hard to cme by with the HK and are expensive while the Glock accessories are everywhere
I think the OP would be pretty safe with an M** 3rd Gen 9mm Glock, unless my experience is a fluke. I have 4 of them: an MFK G17(about 1800 rds), an MFG G34 (about 1800 rds), an MMZ G19(about 3000 rds), and an MNM G19 (about 3500 rds). Have put a total of about 10,100 rds through these four guns, and have had a total of two stoppages among the 4 guns, both extraction failures.
Chances are he would be fine with most Gen 3s
The reason I said that I would look for one with a serial numver earlier than M* * is because Glock started using the MIM extractor which from what I have read and seen is what is causing most the issues with erratic ejection. Glock began using the MIM extractor on serial numbers LZV. Not all Glocks w/ the MIM extractor have erratic ejection but some work flawless for thousands of rounds before problem begins. My father has a Glock 17 that was serial number NRR ( I think I kow it starts with NR) that was flawless for over 7,000 rds then all of a sudden it started spitting brass everywhere. It still functioned flawless but we changed the extractor out for one of the old investment cast ones and it has had consistent 4 o clock ejection for close to 7,000 more rounds.
With the glut of “next gen” pistols there a lot of used classics out there you can score for a lot cheaper then you think. For instance the H&K USP is no longer the flagship of the H&K pistol line, and for most people it has a large thick grip. Seen quiet a few good deals on them in the last year or so.
-Jenrick
Another option is the Walther PPQ pistol. In the hand it feels pretty close to a P-30. You could also wait about 4 months to see if H&K unveils a striker fired P-30 at the SHOT Show, and then wait another 6+ months for them to start shipping them.
You should be fine as long as the serial # does not start with M** or later.
I’d like to see some data to support this statement. I understand the issues and concerns with the 4th gen Glocks, and I understand some late production 3rd gen Glocks had some 4th gen “improvements”, but I’m skeptical of the pre-M series being the cutoff.
where did you read that LZV serials and on were MIM? I’ve got a LZV and it has the nondip extractor and has been a reliable ejector so far
I second the suggestion of looking at the Walther PPQ. Reliable, durable and accurate with the best feeling trigger of all the striker fired pistols
My four M** guns came with, and still have, OEM extractors which do not have the dip. Does that mean that they are pre-MIM, or were there OEM MIM extractors without a dip?
Thanks for the replies guys. I"m looking at a Lxx and a Hxx prefix models right now
I carry an H&K P2000 9mm with the LEM trigger instead of a P30 because the grip of a P2000 is much more comfortable against your side or back doing IWB without an undershirt. Otherwise it’s pretty much the same pistol as a P30.
I don’t advise people to enter the serial # and aftermarket parts game with Glocks; they are absolutely not worth the trouble.
Have you shot either or any of the pistols you’re considering? If not, I would start there. What works for some, doesn’t necessarily work for all. I own a Glock that has been fine, but I’ll also acknowledge that I think HK is probably the best built service pistol around right now. Which is not to say Hks don’t have flaws or EVERY one is going to be perfect. Just to say that, right now, they seem to have a higher success rate than Glock, Sig or Smith &Wesson.
I have saw it on 2 other forums which I know can not be most reliable info but after this and after my brother has an issue with his Glock he confirmed it with a Glock law enforcement rep that my brother spoke with when his dept, which he is the one of the head armorers, switched over to Gen 4s.
There is very long thread, in this very sub-forum, regarding this.
The newer production Gen3 and Gen4 9mm Glocks are having issues.
I owned three HK’s with the lem trigger and as much as I tried I just could not get use to that trigger system. Loved the guns but the trigger system is not my cup of tea, I much prefer the striker firing system. Went back to my glock felt at home again. If HK ever makes a striker firing gun I would consider it. Glock and the new PPQ Walther are much more to my liking. Sold off all three HK’s.
+1 on the PPQ, fantastic shooter. Mr. Vickers has had some nice things to say about it too.
Thanks for the great ideas guys. I ended up scoring a G17 with a LFZ prefix build date sept. 2007. Hopefully I went far enough back to get a trouble free Glock. My informal survey seems to put me in the sweet spot