Bout to lose my Glock V-card

[fanchisimo]

Or maybe G-card is more right.

I recently sold my Beretta 92 (not cause I wanted to, but have to sell something to buy something different) and have ordered a police trade-in Glock 22 Gen 3. It has night sights and the guy on the line I called said the slide on the one he was sending me was new (perhaps new night sights as well?!?!?). Is there anything specific I should know?

1. I have read that tac-lights can cause inadequate frame flex on Gen 3's and thus feeding issues. This is to be my nightstand gun once I'm proficient and will get a tac-light. If this happens, what is the best fix? I've read mag springs, recoil springs, and several other fixes, but is there a solid way to fix it beforehand?

2. Guns are my man-barbies and I like accessorizing which is one of the reasons I picked the Glock. Ammo, Ammo, Ammo, Mags, and more Ammo are my first ideas. Eventually I will get a 9mm conversion barrel and mags so I can practice with either caliber. I'll probably get a different connector at some point, probably a 4.5 Glock connector (sooner if my glock comes with a heavy connector). What are some practical upgrades, one kind I'm specifically interested is recoil dampening?

3. I've had an XDm, an M&P, and a Beretta 92 so I'm a little worried about the grip angle/bulge on the back of the grip. Is there a good method to practice in my home so that my POI isn't high like it is whenever I have handled Glocks in the past?

 

[peacemaker45]

As far as recoil damping, your best bet is adding weight. Simplest way I know of to do that is the Seattle Slug.

Regarding practicing at home: yes there is. It's called "dry fire." It's often been said that adding a technique to "muscle memory*," takes 300-500 repetitions. Changing a technique that's already been learnt is harder, and takes 3,000 to 5,000 reps. It can certainly be done, however.

I'll withhold comment on the lights issue, as I have no relevant experience or knowledge.

* Muscle memory is actually a misnomer, as muscles don't have memory. They're just meat. What you're actually doing is programming a technique into your subconscious mind.

 

[Old Guy]

When I changed my USPSA/IPSC match pistol from 1911 Colt (I missed the safety catch at a big match, gone!) to a Glock 17, on the draw, I saw half the slide!

Draw and click, over and over, cured.

At my local Club IDPA match on Sunday, most accurate shooter, me, out of 69 competitors, Glock 19 carry gun, 3.5 connector, TruGlo night sights, fiber optic, shine like head lights in the day light. I think the end result on that connector, is around 4.5lbs real weight. The big advantage, clean release, no creep.

Your move to the .40 caliber, easier to buy ammo over the 9mm. More recoil.

 

[fanchisimo]

Dang, I was hoping there was a quicker simpler way, like tying a ten pound weight to the front of my frame.

 

[hentown]

Inanimate objects aren't supposed to contol us; we're supposed to control them. Your concerns about the Glock grip angle are largely psychosomatic, in my humble opinion.

 

[SuedePflow]

In my experience, a light reduces a massive portion of muzzle flip. My experience comes from a TLR-1 on a G23 (also my bedside setup). It's much more enjoyable to shoot that gun with the light attached.

As mentioned, adding weight to the frame helps. Also, you can try a lighter recoil spring. I typically like to take ~2-3 lbs of spring out of them. YMMV. You'll just have to play with it and see what feels good to you.

 

[Tipro]

I recently sold my Beretta 92 (not cause I wanted to, but have to sell something to buy something different) and have ordered a police trade-in Glock 22 Gen 3.

Wow, I did the exact same thing but with a m9 for a 23, and for the exact same reason too. I loved that m9 with all my heart (it was my first quality firearm), but my Glock 23 is much more practical and useful to me.

All I put on was night sights, and I now shoot about 3" high at 10 yards. Other than that I didn't do anything - didn't feel a need.

 

[RBid]

The grip angle/hump thing is grossly overplayed. I used to think it was a big deal, but it took less than a week to get used to it.

One of the things I do during dry practice is spend a few minutes on my draw. This is in 3 stages. Work is from concealment in my usual set up. Closed front shirt, wife beater underneath, Glock 19 at 3:30-4:00 IWB in a Galco King Tuk. I use Snap Caps.

1. Slow reps of draw - find the front sight - break the shot. Very slowly increase speed, but stay deliberate and 'big' in the movement.

2. Use a par timer (I downloaded a free Surefire shot timer app for my iPhone), set a 1.5 second par time, and practice full speed draw - front sight - break.

3. Set the timer aside. Put a show on TV. Pick a character. When the camera angle changes, look for that 'enemy'. Draw and fire at that 'enemy'. If the camera angle changes before the shot, it's a "no shoot". Observe, Orient, Decide, Act. Good times.

This will kill the hump issue right away.

 

[PJSprog]

3. Set the timer aside. Put a show on TV. Pick a character. When the camera angle changes, look for that 'enemy'. Draw and fire at that 'enemy'. If the camera angle changes before the shot, it's a "no shoot". Observe, Orient, Decide, Act. Good times.

I used to do this all the time. Great advice.
I need to work that back into the regular workouts. Thanks, RBid.

 

[Fishbed77]

I have read that tac-lights can cause inadequate frame flex on Gen 3's and thus feeding issues.

I've heard this as well. I've considered picking up a police trade-in Gen3 Glock 22 to be used as an HD gun to be equipped with a light.

I'd like to hear more about this issue. How prevalent is this problem? Are there certain lights that cause this problem? Certain ammo types?

 

[RBid]

My understanding is that the WML/G22-G23 issue is very prominent. It is often suggested that the problem is what prompted the RSA change for Gen 4.

In all of the Gen 4 9mm bashing, people commonly overlook the improvement of the 22 and 23 with the new Gen. They're running great, and the RSA makes them more tame than previous versions. I have owned the 23 in 3rd and 4th Gen versions, and consider the Gen 4 to be a series of minor improvements adding up to a big total improvement.

 

[fanchisimo]

Thanks for all the help guys. I just want to give my range report.

I shot 150 rounds of Federal 180 gr FMJs through my LE trade-in Glock 22 Gen 3 these last two days and I have to say that I'm not feeling the Glock. At 15-18 yds, I could only get groupings of 12" from standing position. I am no marksman by any means but I was able to keep my groupings with my SR9c around 5-6" at the same range. This wasn't drawing from a holster, this was slow deliberate shots. I tried several different grip variations (finger on and off trigger guard, various heights on the grip) trying to get a feel for this pistol, but I ran out of ammo before I could find a sweet spot. I'm not giving up yet because I really want to give the Glock every chance I can before I decide it's just not for me. Besides trying different ammo types, is there anything else that I might be doing wrong that might be from being a new Glock user?

 

[Quentin]

I got a LE trade in G22 a couple years ago but it's a Gen 2 so I can't comment on the light since it doesn't have a rail. It was a bargain otherwise, great gun for the price and with bright night sights. I do have a light on my G23 with no issues however it's a Gen 4.

I find no problem going back and forth from a Glock or Luger grip angle to a 1911. Line up the sights and shoot.

 

[fanchisimo]

I've fired an XDm45, Beretta 92 and PX4, M&P9, and an SR9c, all with decent accuracy. It is bugging me that I can't get accuracy out of this pistol. I'm pretty sure it's not the pistol, it's the guy behind it, but I wish I could just find the problem.

 

[GLOOB]

3. I've had an XDm, an M&P, and a Beretta 92 so I'm a little worried about the grip angle/bulge on the back of the grip. Is there a good method to practice in my home so that my POI isn't high like it is whenever I have handled Glocks in the past?

Use the sights, and you'll be fine. The only issue I have with the steeper grip angle is that the recoil is kinda harsh on the Glock 40's, cuz it goes straight back into your arm. The 23 and 27 are the worst offenders. The 22 isn't quite as angled as the 23, and it's a fair bit heavier than the 27. So it's not that bad.

Having your front sight come up too high is actually not such a bad thing. That's easy to adjust for at close range or to correct for sighted fire. Having the front sight come up too low is where you'll lose some time finding a sight picture. Going back to your other guns might give you more grief.

 

[Old Guy]

Just load ten rounds, have some one insert two snap cops in the magazine, random.

Sounds like you have a flinch problem, maybe.

You get a click? And a big down jerk? You are the proud possessor of a flinch!