Glock owners...pistol modification

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460Shooter said:
This not criticism or me giving you a hard time. I'm just curious what activity is going on where you are dropping your guns on concreate.

Gun games or practicing fast defensive draws where a snag happens? Just wondering.

I own no Glocks but will likely pick up a G29 and G20 in the future. Both will get night sights at the minimum.
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340PD said:
No offense, but what is causing you to drop your gun? I have been shooting for 55 years and my last ten as an RSO and I have never seen a gun hit the ground.
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I didn't expect the idea of dropping guns to garner so much surprise. Obviously I don't often drop my guns on purpose but in the 10 years I've been shooting I've had a handful of slips, in addition to a couple intentional drops. For a gun like a glock in particular you need to know it won't break if you drop it in a struggle, or landing on your holster during a fight, etc. After the P320 debacle in particular you want to know you're solid, and in general I want the confidence to know that dropping my guns is embarrassing at worst. If a simple drop will break my glock, or worse create an unsafe accidental discharge situation, I don't even want it anymore.

Here are a few examples of the times I've dropped guns, and why I don't like steel sights for durability...

1. Ruger Super Blackhawk, I had it sitting on my bench and I thought it was perfectly fine sitting there. As I was working however the vibrations of my activity worked it off the side and it fell about 4 feet to the ground, breaking the patridge type rear sight (no other damage). It wasnt loaded and I was surprised I managed to vibrate it off the ledge... I put a no-slip mat on the bench covering the surface area, not as sleek as stainless but solves that problem.

2. After the p320 debacle I smugly thought "that could never happen to me", but then I thought it might be worth a little testing... I used my G17 for 10 drops and broke my ameriglo rear sight in the process. It was mild steel at best...

3. Ruger SP101, quickdraw from concealment (dry fire in my living room). I fumbled it and it landed grip down and cracked the hogue fancy hardwood rosewood grips I had. I didn't drop it on concrete even, just laminate planking. I buy laminates now instead of "real" wood.
 
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I picked up a CZ P-01 and the FIRST mag was better than any I had shot through the Glock. Sold it FAST!
 
340PD said:
No offense, but what is causing you to drop your gun? I have been shooting for 55 years and my last ten as an RSO and I have never seen a gun hit the ground.
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The ONLY time I saw a site break was in Boot camp. Had my M14 leaning against my rack and someone knocked it over snapping one of the ears off the front site.
 
sequins said:
I didn't expect the idea of dropping guns to garner so much surprise. Obviously I don't often drop my guns on purpose but in the 10 years I've been shooting I've had a handful of slips, in addition to a couple intentional drops. For a gun like a glock in particular you need to know it won't break if you drop it in a struggle, or landing on your holster during a fight, etc. After the P320 debacle in particular you want to know you're solid, and in general I want the confidence to know that dropping my guns is embarrassing at worst. If a simple drop will break my glock, or worse create an unsafe accidental discharge situation, I don't even want it anymore.

Here are a few examples of the times I've dropped guns, and why I don't like steel sights for durability...

1. Ruger Super Blackhawk, I had it sitting on my bench and I thought it was perfectly fine sitting there. As I was working however the vibrations of my activity worked it off the side and it fell about 4 feet to the ground, breaking the patridge type rear sight (no other damage). It wasnt loaded and I was surprised I managed to vibrate it off the ledge... I put a no-slip mat on the bench covering the surface area, not as sleek as stainless but solves that problem.

2. After the p320 debacle I smugly thought "that could never happen to me", but then I thought it might be worth a little testing... I used my G17 for 10 drops and broke my ameriglo rear sight in the process. It was mild steel at best...

3. Ruger SP101, quickdraw from concealment (dry fire in my living room). I fumbled it and it landed grip down and cracked the hogue fancy hardwood rosewood grips I had. I didn't drop it on concrete even, just laminate planking. I buy laminates now instead of "real" wood.
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Like I said, it was just curiosity. I do not drop test my guns, and the one falling gun incident I've had in a decade was when my cat knocked my bedside Ruger SP101 off the bedside table. We was actually draping his head and paw across it and using it as a pillow, because the sun happened to be shining there. Wish I'd gotten a picture.

It left a divot in the laminate floor, but the gun was fine. But no adjustable sights, so.......

Anyway, your Glock experience makes me question purchasing Ameriglo sights. If I need to use the rear sight to chamber a round due to a hand injury, I'd prefer to not have it break on a table edge or something. Slim chance though of that happening it would seem.
 
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sequins said:
I didn't expect the idea of dropping guns to garner so much surprise. Obviously I don't often drop my guns on purpose but in the 10 years I've been shooting I've had a handful of slips, in addition to a couple intentional drops. For a gun like a glock in particular you need to know it won't break if you drop it in a struggle, or landing on your holster during a fight, etc. After the P320 debacle in particular you want to know you're solid, and in general I want the confidence to know that dropping my guns is embarrassing at worst. If a simple drop will break my glock, or worse create an unsafe accidental discharge situation, I don't even want it anymore.

Here are a few examples of the times I've dropped guns, and why I don't like steel sights for durability...

1. Ruger Super Blackhawk, I had it sitting on my bench and I thought it was perfectly fine sitting there. As I was working however the vibrations of my activity worked it off the side and it fell about 4 feet to the ground, breaking the patridge type rear sight (no other damage). It wasnt loaded and I was surprised I managed to vibrate it off the ledge... I put a no-slip mat on the bench covering the surface area, not as sleek as stainless but solves that problem.

2. After the p320 debacle I smugly thought "that could never happen to me", but then I thought it might be worth a little testing... I used my G17 for 10 drops and broke my ameriglo rear sight in the process. It was mild steel at best...

3. Ruger SP101, quickdraw from concealment (dry fire in my living room). I fumbled it and it landed grip down and cracked the hogue fancy hardwood rosewood grips I had. I didn't drop it on concrete even, just laminate planking. I buy laminates now instead of "real" wood.
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I was hoping you were going to tell us you were part of a manufacturers quality control team.
Thanks for the explanation but you and I are on completely different paths here.
One gun dropped, shame on me.
Two guns dropped and I will sell my guns and carry around bear spray.
 
I polished my trigger on my Gen III Glock 20, then put a drop in KKM Precision barrel because I intended to reload for it and the aftermarket barrel helps with case life. I then added a stainless guide rod and a 20 lbs ISMI recoil spring, which helped keep the empties in the same zip code and smoothed out the recoil impulse. I then added TruGlo fiber optic/tritium sights, which are excellent, and found an aftermarket beavertail that clipped onto the back of the grip. It was economical and really increased shooter comfort by allowing one to get their hand high on the grip without the slide tearing chunks out of your hand. I didn't set out to do this much to the pistol initially. But the Glock is like the Ruger 10/22 or the Remington 870 or an AR-15; they are so easy to work on and the market gives you so many options that it can be hard to resist the temptation.
 
Night sights...and on my Gen 3 17L I put an Apex trigger in it. The factory Gen 3 trigger felt awful on the trigger finger.
 
I have a Glock 17 that I bought an aftermarket barrel for more suitable for shooting cast bullets. It has never been installed in the gun. I probably will at some point.

I've put Talon grips on the Glock 42 and Glock 43.

These are mostly safe queens. I like the way the shoot, but not comfortable with the trigger/safety.
 
340PD said:
I was hoping you were going to tell us you were part of a manufacturers quality control team.
Thanks for the explanation but you and I are on completely different paths here.
One gun dropped, shame on me.
Two guns dropped and I will sell my guns and carry around bear spray.
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I agree completely with regard to accidental drops during casual handling, which I consider a sign of carelessness.

However on a self defense firearm, rather than an antique, relic, or sentimental piece, I want to be able to drop it indefinitely- and I want to know I can before I drop it the first time on accident.

Self defense is about worst case scenarios. I want a gun that can be in my holster when I'm tackled from behind or run off the road that will survive. I want a gun I can slam into a window or door. I want a gun I can use for any purpose I like without fear of damage or accidental discharge.

If you've never dropped your gun once, twice, or more you might be surprised at its fragility. I was surprised my "steel" sights broke, I was surprised my grips broke, and I'm glad I was surprised in a laboratory setting instead of the field. Now I carry a gun I can drop over and over with confidence.

If you haven't dropped your gun you dont know what it will do when its dropped.What if it doesn't do what you want it to do? P320 owners thought their gun was fine.
Self defense is too great a need to leave anything to chance...
 
There's two types of gun owners; gun owners that shoot exclusively on the square range and never really get outside the box with their firearms, and gun owners that have dropped their firearms at some point. If you have done anything real with your guns, they've probably been dropped or banged into things. Take a slip while out hunting and come down hard on your rifle? Been there, done that. Running drills and slip, only to have your sidearm come clattering out of its holster? Yep. It happens. You find that as you test your comfort zone or are forced to live alongside a firearm that your guns end up as dinged up as you do. I remember as an 0311 we used to say "follow it" any time someone had their rifle hit the ground. The Marine was then to assume front leaning rest with their weapon across the back of their hands and bust out 25 push ups for the Corp. At least one Marine followed their rifle to the deck every day we were out in the field. You do your best to take care of your equipment, but the bottom line is that living under difficult and dangerous conditions means crap happens. Make sure there's no dirt in your muzzle and sights, and nothing is bent, do your push ups, and get on with life.
 
Opinion and personal preference: Add another for factory night sights. I refuse to have any aftermarket gadgets on my handguns. If's not right out of the gate it's useless. Glock's run very well without my helpful hints or constructive criticism.

I was told that the hole in the grip was to give better purchase on the magazine should there be a problem. No plugs on my guns.
 
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My gen 3 G23 had the polymer guide rod replaced and that's it. Bone stock. I do like tritium sites but never felt I needed them that bad. I did have to get a 13 round mag later if that counts. Bought it during the Clinton ban years on base in California of all places

For my 43 the mag extender in some form is a must to fit my hand. Other than that what's not to like? The pistol is accurate, small and snag free. I like the heavy trigger pull on a carry pistol. I might get it cerakoted but that is just playing around at that point.
 
Besides sights the other modification that seems to benefit the shooter the most IMO are 'grips'. This can accomplished a few different ways. One is to get it stippled professionally.

33477128423_40e430df81_o.jpg
My most customized Glock. A stippled G23.4 with NS and a NIB slide.

The second way is to put on Talon type sticker grips on.

IMG_7092.JPG
(Not mine)

The third way is to either cut out DIY skateboard tape 'grips' and/or do your own stipple job.
IMG_7040.JPG
A G26.3 that I own where a buddy started doing his own stipple job on the front and back, couldn't bring himself to do the sides and then sold it to me at a drastically reduced price. I cut out a side grip out of skateboard tape and it's my beater carry gun.

The grip on Gen 4 and 5 is a bit better, but to me they benefit from either stippling or sticker grips. It's a more sure grip.

If you decide on the stipple route and decide to do it yourself apparently it's best to go slow. It'll probably turn out something like this ... okay.

IMG_7094.JPG

If you don't have any attention to detail and you rush it then it might turn out something like this ...

IMG_7093.JPG

Which is why I'll probably pay to have someone professional do that G26.3
 
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Stippling is really very easy to do. You almost have to work at screwing it up. If youre the least bit handy, I doubt you'd have any problem.

Now if changing a light bulb is a challenge, maybe you'd better skip it. :)

Ive done most of my Glocks now. The only ones I dont do, are the RTF2 versions I have, which I think was Glocks best finish, and wish they would bring back. Then I wouldnt have to stipple.

These are a couple of the first stipple jobs I did. They all basically look like this. Feel is like a cats tongue, and about as aggressive as skateboard tape. Once you lock your grip, the gun doesnt move in your hand at all, even when wet.

All you need is a steady hand, and a soldering pen/wood burner. File the sharp tip to a "sharp" point with a file, for a finish like you see here. Takes about 3-4 hours.

The borders are the most important and need the most attention if you want a nice job. Once you have them outlined, its not as critical, but it does get a bit tedious. Just peck away, its well worth the effort. :)

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