(Editor’s note: Remember, this article is just one man’s opinion. It is not gospel. I know some of you get upset when your favorite gun, in this case Glock, doesn’t make the list. Relax. It’s just a discussion piece, meant to encourage discourse. As such, feel free to chime in with your Top 5 Glocks. Have fun with it. Don’t be offended. And don’t call people “idiots” or “losers” because they may disagree with you.)
Buy a GLOCK on GunsAmerica: https://www.gunsamerica.com/Search.aspx?T=glock
Get all of the details at GLOCK: https://us.glock.com/
Departmental pricing: $507. Sigh. (Photo: OMB)
Glock 18
The Glock model 17 was the company’s first handgun and to this day stands out as one of the company’s most successful handguns. It kickstarted the entire polymer service pistol industry, and even now sets the standard that all other polymer striker-fired handguns must live up to in order to be taken seriously as guns fit for defense, duty or sport.
It would be the first gun on this list but after Glock made the 17, well, there seemed to be nowhere else for Glock to go. They needed that extra push over the cliff, they put it up to 18. Exactly one better. Other companies would have just made different models of the Glock 17, but Glock—Glock took it up to 18.
Developed for Austrian counter-terrorism units, the Glock 18 is one of the coolest select-fire machine pistols ever made. Sure, real Glock 18s are made of unobtanium and the closest most people will ever get to one is seeing them on-screen. But with the invention of the Glock 18 came something else: Glock 18 magazines.
SEE ALSO: Glock’s G44: Tupperware Goes Rimfire
Hugely popular wherever they are sold, Glock 18 magazines have a standard capacity of 33 rounds of 9mm goodness and are compatible with all other double-stack 9mm Glock pistols. These magazines are more than welcome at any range and while maybe a bit clunky for self-defense, are just right for all sorts of Glock-pattern pistol-caliber carbines. And that is what makes the Glock 18 so very special.
Specs of the G43. (Photo: Glock)
Glock 43
While it’s true that in the absence of a single-stack 9mm Luger Glock pistol entire companies have established themselves as industry leaders in the concealed-carry handgun market for consumers and law enforcement, and yes, it’s also true that this was despite huge, vocal customer demand for a single-stack sub-compact 9mm from Glock users around the world since the Glock 17 went mainstream more than two decades ago, the Glock 43 remains one of the most remarkable Glock pistols ever made.
With the Glock 43, Glock proved that it doesn’t matter that they took their time working on the design; they’re such an influence on the market that they can sell polymer-framed, striker-fired single-stack 9mm pistols to people who already own polymer-framed, striker-fired single-stack 9mm pistols.
It’s an amazing accomplishment for any company to drop into an existing market—one that’s saturated with many proven, modern options—and instantly establish themselves in the span of weeks.
Almost overnight a complete aftermarket sprung up and today nearly every part and accessory a Glock 43 owner might want is available, and with multiple options to choose from. There are guns that have been available for decades with less market support, and that goes to show what a powerhouse Glock is.
https://www.gunsamerica.com/blog/top-5-reasons-not-to-purchase-the-new-single-stack-glock-43/
https://www.gunsamerica.com/blog/top-5-reasons-to-purchase-the-new-single-stack-glock-43/
https://www.gunsamerica.com/blog/new-glock-9mm-single-stack-glock-43-hands-on/
Game-changer. Then game un-changer. (Photo: Glock)
Glock 22
What, a .40? Glock sold America on the concept of the polymer-framed wondernine and the .40 S&W Glock 22 played a big part in that.
The rise of .40 S&W coincided—downright collided—with the passage of the Assault Weapons Ban of 1994. Police departments across the country had or were looking to upgrade to the newer, more powerful cartridge; when the FBI adopted .40 S&W as their standard round everything snapped into place.
Glock took advantage of their new position in the service pistol market to sell Glock 22 pistols to law enforcement agencies, police departments and security firms across the country, freeing up tens if not hundreds of thousands of precious “pre-ban” Glock magazines.
The dry spell is now over for most Americans and there are plenty of magazines to go around today, but in the ban years it was these trade-in magazines that kept a lot of shooters shooting.
And now that a lot of these agencies are switching back to 9mm, they’re surplussing their Glock 22s which can be found pretty easily for a lot less than a new Glock handgun, making easier to be a gun owner in America to this day. And some of these older Glocks have features that make them more desirable in some ways than newer pistols, which brings us to…
Law enforcement trade-in perfection can be found for under $400. (Photo: Slowik)
Glock 19 Gen II
If you can only own one Glock pistol it should probably be a Glock 19. It’s the quintessential Glock. It’s chambered in 9mm, it’s small enough to carry concealed and it’s still big enough for service and home defense. While the standard 15+1 round capacity is towards the low end compared to most full-size double-stacks, it’s a Glock, which means you can use it with any size magazines you want.
Stick with 15 in the magazine for concealment. Drop a 17-, 22- or even 33-round magazine in there for nightstand duty. At the range and have a drum magazine? Have fun, that’s what you do.
And if you can only own one generation of Glock…Gen II is where it’s at. It’s true, newer Glocks sport a few features that make them more appealing, especially on paper. It’s not about what the Gen II has that makes it special, it’s what’s missing. The Glock 19 Gen II has all of the core strengths of current-production 19s, minus the accessory rail and the fingergrooves.
If it were any other gun, the lack of an accessory rail could really be seen as a shortcoming, but when it comes to Glock, there’s no shortage of ways to stick a light or laser sight on one with it, if you think any of that is necessary.
It’s still compatible with a majority of the remaining aftermarket parts and is smoother on the draw with nothing to catch on your clothes. And while the fingergrooves may add a touch of control, they also promote “Glock knuckle” and for a lot of shooters, aren’t going to be missed.
So what could possibly be better than the Glock 19 Gen II?
Glock 7
Nothing stands out more about Glock than how they’ve shaped culture. Not just shooting culture—although the Glock pistol radically changed how people think about using alternative materials, making a completely different kind of gun today’s norm—Glock also digs deep into American culture.
This holiday season people everywhere will gather with friends and loved ones and celebrate by watching the greatest Christmas movie of all time, Die Hard.
And it’s in Die Hard where many people saw their first Glock pistol, the Glock 7. Sure, it’s not real—it’s not even realistic—but it cemented Glock’s image with pop culture for decades to follow.
“That punk pulled a Glock 7 on me. You know what that is? It’s a porcelain gun made in Germany. Doesn’t show up on your airport X-ray machines, here, and it cost more than you make in a month.” —John McClane
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I haved owned many pistols for carry and plinking.The Glock 34 and 26 have to be my 2 favorite of all.They have so many after market clothes for them and there is no better carry than the 26. And the 34 is the most accurate smooth shooting gun I have ever shot.However the Sig stainless elite 229 is my all time all around pistol made.
1 19 rtf
2 21 gen 4
3 30S
4 34 gen 4
5 17 gen 4
I will own every Glock model except for the Glock 18. I have two of some models. I only have a few more until I reach my goal! 🔫
why won’t you own a model 18 ?
Glock 21 gen 4 only the best
I’m a fan of the 30! Mine holds from 9-16 45acp rounds I shoot it well and am confident it will serve,but I hope to add a bigger 41 for range and home.but I’ll be keeping the 30.
It’s good business to make a glock to suit any desire and they pretty much do so
The Glocks are fine pistols but the other major manufactures have striker-fired designs that are the equal in reliability and superior in ergonomics. I would like to see Glock branch out into other designs instead of producing umteen variations of essentially the same gun. Why not some hammer-fired designs, rifles, shotguns, revolvers? Ruger and Smith & Wesson seem to have no problem with full product lines, why not Glock?
When the police department finally decided to allow semi automatics in the early 80’s, I bought a Glock model 22. The gun has performed flawlessly ever since and obviously I still have it. I take it as a back up weapon when I go hog hunting and have every confidence it its performance and dependability. Great weapon.
Any glock is a great glock! I traded my glock 23 for a keltec sub2k and almost cried that night, even though the sub2k is super fun…i’d never rely on it like a glock. My favorite is gen3 with the orange peel finish or whatever people call it.
As a 10 year Special Forces and Spec Ops guy as well as former LAPD, etc., where tactical weapons instruction was either a collateral or primary duty for much of the past fifty years, I have been privileged to trIn with and use a significant number of weapons, foreign and domestic. I have my favorites for aesthetics and preference but I have learned to make tactical changes to accommodate new weaponry that better reflects the current probabilities of engagement in a new type of battle space here in this once great Republic.
The Editor presented an advisory to readers to keep it civil. A reflection of the change in our culture on a par with the change in our weaponry. It is a sad commentary on the “gun crowd” that such an advisory was necessary and an even worse result in the failure of many participants to abide by it. I do not read these forums because, like the Internet, one must wade through the trash to get to intelligent and worthy comment even if one disagrees with it.
After reading the posts to this thread, it is small wonder the emasculated liberal males and the zealous, hairy legged female Progressives think gun folks are children and, worse yet, dangerous children. What the hell is the matter with some of you? If you are as reckless with your weaponry as you are with the vulgarity and coarseness of both your language and your thought processes, you are among the anti-gun communities greatest resources.
Exactly, I could not agree more you Storm. The frivolous infighting amongst ourselves allows misconceptions amoung those lacking adequate or proper knowledge or information, on a variety of proper firearm uses as well as the real satistics showing lower violent crime offenses in legal owned firearm areas of the US.. This imagined misconception of a disrespectful and irresponsible firearm owner sparked by trash talking fear mongers gives anti-gun individuals traction with other skittish logic deficient liberals on the fence concerning gun control, adding to the stereotype of a gun toting owner with a little respect for law.
I feel that this is often the reason there is very little reasonable intelligent conversation about the necessity of firearm ownership , the Second Amendment and the security it adds to us as Free Democratic Country. IMHO
Let’s talk about stereotypes shall we. I’m a liberal. Very liberal in fact. You have no problems grouping us together while decrying being grouped with the immature element of your own political spectrum view.
Well as I said I am liberal. I also have a conceal carry permit and own 2 “assault rifles” amongst my many guns. I support a persons right to bear arms and defend their homes, property, family and lives. So think about that the next time you complain about being grouped in with a stereotype while deriding the other side with equally ignorant stereotypes.
I judge every person as an individual. Try it sometime.
BTW my carry gun is a Glock 22. Reliable. Accurate. Easily maintainable and excellent stopping power.
Hey storm. What do you hope to achieve by cutting down people
It’s clear from all the comments that Glock has indeed made a firearm to suit everybody’s need! I’ll personally keep my G21 and it’s extended 30 round 45acp magazines, never hiccuped yet after many years of service! Happy New Year everyone!
Let’s see. Short or long barrel and what caliber. They are all shaped the same and have different barrel lengths and caliber. That’s the only difference. More for the shooter than the gun itself.
I own one Glock, a G22. Thanks to my 9/.40 conversion barrel I also own a 9mm. I’ve got 1500-2000 rounds of 9mm thru it without problems.
The 1911 is what you show your friends but the Glock 30 is your EDC.
H&K VP 70 do yo homework.
Never own a Glock in my life , but I shot one for the first time at a range . I purchased my first Glock 19 ,I am sure more will follow .
I did ok this Christmas , I got a Glock 19 for Christmas . Every time Obama calls for gun control , I purchase another gun and ammo . Obama is the world greatest gun salesman .
GLOCK is damn near the BEST, so all you queers step off and get with the program girls….
Glock 43 deep carry
Glock 26 nice balance
Glock 17 when you need the max in firepower.
Another vote for the 34
I have many Glocks. I chose to go all 9mm for carry and home. (Had a 27 for a bit but sold it.) Recently added a 20S for backpacking and hunting.
A friend, against my advise, recently picked up an M&P shield, his first gun, so we took it out. The trigger on that thing is total garbage. We both hated the grip and the low capacity of the mags.
He will be replacing it with a G19 soon. With modern defensive loads I believe it’s the perfect home defense/carry gun.
M&P’s, and especially shields are pure garbage. I love GLOCKs and have so for many years now. However, now that I’ve got a bit of experience under my belt, I actually prefer 1911s now. But that is more than likely because I started out shooting a 1911 .45ACP when I was a teenager. I think of GLOCKs as beginner up to intermediate pistols now. When you really think about it, if you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all. After so many years of carrying GLOCKs every day on and off duty, I still love them, but not nearly as much as America’s original, the 1911.
Glocks are reliable and available in all kinds of configurations. I choose not to own one because I do not like my “service” weapons to require fine motor skills for disassembly. Try to take one apart if your hands are frozen or injured.
What a goofy reason for not owning a gun. You should focus on aspects that actually matter. Reliability, capacity etc.
I do not comment often and I have heard many dumb reasons over the years, congratulations, welcome to the top 5. Look numb nuts try doing ANYTHING with injured or frozen hands. Odds are with a Glock, you will never have to disassemble it under attack.
I’m not a huge Glock fan and I don’t carry one. But, I have carried other firearms on and off duty for years (I’m now retired) With civilian (non-military and NON-SWAT types) training you are primarily concerned with clearing jams and not field stripping your firearm. The only time you MIGHT field strip a weapon you would want a squad with you who could keep the bad guys’ offensiveness minimized through suppressed fire. The chances of that scenario happening is so slim I don’t know of a law enforcement agency that practices it to any great degree.
Bottom line to me is I don’t carry a weapon with a primary consideration being on the degree of ease of field stripping. This is the first I have “heard” of anyone making it a consideration.
If it weren’t Christmas this list would be a mile long cause most everyone has a favorite .My 25th anniversary 17L is mine.
I have a couple Glocks 17, 19, 20, 21, 23, 27, 31, & 42. Looking for a Glock 29 to care that 10mm is a bad ass ammo.
It was Die Hard 2 where John McClane says “That punk pulled a Glock 7 on me. You know what that is? It’s a porcelain gun made in Germany. Doesn’t show up on your airport X-ray machines, here, and it cost more than you make in a month.”
I know because I’m watching right now.
G17 with guide rod laser and light is nightstand and shtf weapon , G27 is edc.
Boatload of mags for both.
You, pretty much, lost all credibility by not even bothering to post the right trailer for the lame quote.
Clocks were, at one time, cutting edge. Now, they are just common. The basic weapon and how it functions has not changed since the ’60’s. Just minor, meaningless changes that contribute nothing to the functioning of the weapon. Replaceable grips? Wow, now there’s a change I can get behind.
People think, “When it absolutely has to work, get Glock.” That’s BS-get Walther, Springfield Armory, S&W, etc. NO current semi-automatic, or even a semi-auto designed 104 years ago (M1911 A1) and made in the last 50 years, is unreliable. There is no advantage to Glock anymore, if there was ever.
The Walther P99 is much safer. SA/DA with a DE-COCKER, so I know the pistol is safe. I’ve read all the Glock literature, looked at the cut away, but can’t figure out why Glock’s “safe action” is considered a safety. Having the striker in a full forward, de-tensioned state is a safety. The beavertail safety on a 1911 is a safety (not to mention the actual “safety” on the 1911) “Safe action” is a safety for when you drop it butt down on a hard surface.
Glock is still in business because they build a firearm for every little niche. A 10mm concealable? Have they, actually, sold more than 1000 of these ridiculous monsters? I keep waiting for a really useful Glock-a 5.25mm derringer–but that would require innovation on Glock’s part. They just aren’t in the innovation business. However, I hear they are working on a model 19, with a pink polymer frame and a slide finished in pink with My Little Ponies engraved on it–although, I am not sure what demographic this would serve.
Why do people announce what kind of firearms they have on the Internet? Essentially, publish an invitation for thieves? Or, worse, the government? There are thousands of ways around the security at sites like these that don’t even involve directly engaging the site’s security measures. And there are thousands of people with nothing better to do than create and sell lists of the people who post about firearms to other people with nefarious intent.
Wow, either someone peed in your cornflakes this morning or I guess you must not have got what you wanted for Christmas. If you hate Glocks so much, why even bother reading a post about them? Just so you can flame them and tell people how stupid they are because they don’t agree with you?
You really need a new hobby.
+Mikial. After reading the post you were replying to, I was prepared to write pretty much the exact same reply that you did. I think someone actually did pi$$ in his cornflakes this morning.
I like to be able to draw my gun and fire. No levers, no buttons, no switches. I don’t want an SA/DA gun with a decocker. My primary safety are my gun handling skills. Finger off the trigger until my sights are on target.
BTW- Glock didn’t start designing the 17 until 1979.
@Matt
Agreed. If you don’t carry a Glock because you don’t like them, that’s just fine. If you don’t carry one because you are afraid you will have an AD, then that’s probably a good decision. Glocks require a higher level of training, practice and skill to carry safely than guns with decockers and external safeties, and every AD that I’ve ever heard of has been because of operator error.
For example, the guy who was carrying one in condition 0 in his pocket with his keys and no holster and had an AD while seated in a restaurant, the cop who jammed his back in his holster and got his jacket drawstring in the trigger guard, the guy who was using a worn out leather holster that got jammed in the trigger guard when he holstered, and the kid who had only had his CCW 3 months and was taking a selfie with his condition 0 gun, and shot himself in the femoral artery when he holstered in Appendix Carry and bled to death. All operator error. All a lack of training and awareness . . . yes, even the cop.
I own several brands of guns. Some are DA only, some have external safeties, some have decockers, some have grip safeties, and some are Glocks. I carry a Glock. I have carried one for years. I carried a G17 in Iraq under some very hot circumstances. The only time any of mine have ever gone off is when I pulled the trigger.
This guy said his p99 is da/sa he must own the only one in existence. P99 is striker fired. By the way, I owned one and it was a peice of shit. I’ll hang on to my Glocks.
Before you show off your ignorance you should get your facts straight. First generation P99s were DA/SA before they ruined the gun by putting in a striker fired action.
You would probably purchase a “My little pony” revolver or some bitch ass shit like that fruit cup, tinker girl….
My favorite Glock? I love my G21. Powerful, accurate and utterly reliable. With 13+1 it is my EDC. My wife got a G21SF with night sights for Christmas this year. Just a little bit shorter but still uses the same mags. Can’t wait to take it to the range and try it out.
G27 is my go to carry.
G30s is my absolute favorite.
I agree with you 100% on the Glock 30, carry one everyday of my life.
The Glock 19 is a great weapon but the Glock 23 is tops, IMHO. Pretty cool to have ONE gun that can shoot THREE calibers; 40SW, 9mm, and 357SIG. I bought storm lake drop in barrels in 9mm and 357sig and they function flawlessly. That 357sig is a super accurate round.
1- Glock 40- longslide 10mm (Gen 4) – The King
2- Glock 17L (gen 3) or G34 gen 4 (tie) – Queens
3- Glock 19 (gen 4) – all purpose workhorse
4- Glock 43 w/TLR-6 (so nice for a cargo pocket)
5- Glock 20/21 gen 4- own two guns in one, since they use the same frame/ejector, one frame and two slides does it all.
N
*Glock 18 doesn’t make the list because we can’t own it so it may as well be a lightsaber.
*Glock 26/27 don’t make the cut because they lack an accessory rail – stop it Glock and give us what we want without needing to buy gen 5.
Gen 4 “RTF 3” frame is the best so far for grip thag doesn’t eat clothing. Big fan.
No glock 20 and its 11 different caliber conversions?
Gen 1 g17…rules. f Gen 3&4
I have always been a revolver man. I never cared for Glocks until I started helping out in a friends gun store. I now own 3 and is all I carry. To me they are a square revolver and hold more rounds!! No safety to take off or put on. Just draw and go to work and when your done put it back!!
I have a number of Glocks , but if could have only one it would be the Glock 19
Agreed, sir.
My glock collection is as follows:
G19
G26
G34
G43
G42……
G35
And G22
Have 7.. All are great. Don’t have a .45ACP, only due to I fell in love with the XDs..
Looks like a lot of people (and cops) have drank the cool aid when it comes to Glocks.
It’s a real shame because there are so many quality guns to choose from rather than these junkers.
He’s darn right it was Die Hard II and I want to beg to differ with John McClain. A Washington D.C. airport Police Captain in 1990 made far more than the MSRP on a Glock. I bought my first one in 1991 for $399, $418 with tax.
It’s Kool-Aid genius and what do you carry Snob? A Sig? A Kimber? Both rusty boat anchors in my opinion. I’ve carried one for close to 30 years, never had a problem except when shooting some goober’s Uncle Jimbos reloads he did in his garage. I love you Glock haters that like to talk crap about the AK-47 of handguns. STFU and go away.
Actually,,, I own and carry a 2″ S&W 29. little boy.
But,,,, I also have several Sigs, a Kimber, as well as several Colts, Rugers, and several other Smiths.
Tell me little boy,,,,Does your mommy let you have any bullets for you plastic toy Glock?
PS: I have a AK
Another ignorant statement. They are the single most used handgun in the world because they are junk?! Moron.
Matt, if you don’t like them, why are you here Troll? Why are they junk? I’ve been shooting them for 30 years and as long as you keep them stock, there are no problems. It’s when people put on aftermarket crap that they turn into junk. You’re the ignorant one. I love you pussies who call them junk but then fail to tell us what you carry like Trainman. Why don’t you grow a set and put up or shut up. Douchebag Troll.
Matt, I apologize, I thought you were talking to me, not the real Troll.
I totally agree, just bought my first glock and went to glock store to trick it out and gunsmith that I bought it from told me, don’t put after market crap on it! It will lose its reliability.
In the early days of computing the saying used to be, “Nobody ever got fired for specifying IBM.”
In the current days of service carry, nobody gets fired for specifying Glock.
IBM has never made the best computing equipment, they sold their junk on the basis of FEAR–specifying anything else would get you fired.
Glock has never made the best pistols, they are sold on the basis of FEAR–if you specify some other brand and something even minuscule happens, the person who DIDN’T specify Glock is going to get crucified.
In fact, most computers made by parties other than IBM were the most innovative and better than IBM. Which is why IBM is no longer in the personal computing market.
In fact, there is no other polymer framed, striker fired handgun that isn’t as good a quality and as reliable as Glock. People specify Glock, because they realize they are going to become the sacrificial goat, if they specify something besides Glock and something happens.
That, and I’d bet, 90% of all Glocks sold as service weapons are sold because the people making the recommendation haven’t ever looked at anything besides Glocks. This means Glocks sells into the service pistol market because of marketing and the laziness of the people recommending them, not because they are some uber pistol.
Clocks is nearly 40 old technology. It hasn’t been cutting edge for 20 years.
haha jerkoff….go and get you a taurus
I have a Taurus 809, like it just fine.
Didn’t like Glocks until I owned one. I now have 4. A G21 for duty, a G30 and G36 for concealed carry and a G43 for when all else fails. I now love them.
I totally agree with you Bill. I have two 21s. 1994, 2007 and a G36 for concealed carry. What more does one need?
It was Die Hard 2 where the GLOCK 7 entered American pop culture, not Die Hard.
It was actually “Die Hard 2” that the seen is from.
“seen??”. try SCENE
My twin Glocks are the perfect for carry and home defense!
Glock 30, .45 has been my choice for 30 years.
Glock 29 10mm I don’t even have to get out of bed to shoot bad guys,
10mm makes walls invisible!
P.S. It,s Christmas, My Glock 29 now became a .40 and .357 sig! along with the usual 10mm!
Thanks to my wife and lone wolf!
Lone Wolf huh? Every student that has come through my class in the last 6 months with a Lone Wolf conversion, has ‘had hiccups to straight up catastrophic failures. Maybe it’s operator error, maybe it’s the Wolf, but like Gaston Glock once told my Senior Rangemaster… “If I vanted it on there, I vould have put it on there.”
I didn’t see the G34 on the list, therefore it is incomplete at best.
My top 3 Blocks ( which I own & use):
#1: Glock 17
Just A Great High Capacity 9mm to have around.
#2: Glock 27
Perfect Conceal Carry .40
#3: Glock 30
Super for Bedside Table with 9+1rds of .45acp
(Equiped with a Streamlight TLR-1)
Nuf Said!
Um I for real own o G30 and G30S and they both are 10+1 sorry
#3 I’d make that a TLR-4G (for bedside, groggy eyes could use a little laser help)