Glock pistol mods

American Handgunner, Nov-Dec, 2004 by Alex Hamilton

The Glock is used by more law enforcement personnel than any other handgun and has been widely accepted by hundreds of thousands of shooters, developing an almost cult-like following. For custom pistolsmiths, Glocks are not much of a challenge if the customer wants the thing tailored to his or her taste. There are a few additions you can install to make this strictly-utilitarian pistol something special, and I installed them all on Glock's latest--soon to be a dud, creation--the Model 37 in .45 GAP, to show you what we're talking about.

One flaw shooters have always found annoying with the Glock is the slide lock device you have to pull down to unlock the upper unit for removal. The highly-sprung little wings are too small for many shooters to get a good grip on, but can be extended out about .020" for a better grip with the thumb and middle finger. I'm not sure if anybody makes an extended slide catch, but .020" can be welded to the tips of the existing lock, serrated and refinished for around $45.

Another addition you can install yourself is the extended slide stop, standard on the new Model 37. The standard factory slide stop with heavy magazine tension on it is difficult to maneuver for shooters with small, weak or arthritic hands. Cost of this addition is around $35.

GLOCK SAFETY?

The Cominolli thumb safety is one addition you'll have to have installed by a gunsmith equipped to do the work. It's the only addition with significant safety value. You can only send your frame to Joe Cominolli ((315) 488-7536) or to one of his licensed installation shops. Not one Glock model has a positive safety device, only passive ones. But, the Cominolli thumb safety gives the Glock 1911-style security, almost eliminating the common accidental discharge by bone-headed shooters inadvertently pulling the trigger. I've installed scores of the safeties, and have never had a complaint. This addition will cost $115.

An extended magazine release is a nice feature giving the owner with small or arthritic hands a little more leverage to release the magazine. For speed shooting, the magazine release is a welcome addition, making it less likely you'll have to shift your grip to drop the magazine; cost is about $35.

The 3.5-pound trigger bar is a nice addition if you have trouble with the heavy pulls on most Glock factory triggers, but I advise you install this replacement part with great caution. The Glock action is unlike most other handguns where there is "take-up" slack prior to coming up against a hard stop before the sear releases the hammer. The Glock pull is a continuous mush covering only about 1/8" before disengagement. In a tense, situation you could inadvertently pull through the 3.5-pounds and buy yourself a monster lawsuit. I would leave the 3.5-pound pull for competitive use only.

Surefire's latest weapon light, the X-200, is a quickly-attached high tech, shock proof, waterproof, ultra bright LED light which snaps in place on any universal or Picatinny rail. It's a perfect, instant fit on all late model Glocks with standard light rails.

The Glock grip is very well designed, ergonomically, and needs little or no attention. For obscene amounts of money you can have the grip melted and reshaped, or add sticky rubber wraps, but most if this is just an attempt to personalize this utility gun and not worth much in the way of effectiveness, unless your hand is small and you need the grip formed to fit. A little skate board tape on the handle works well for most shooters.

There are plenty of sights available for the Glock if you need to make the change. I like the all-steel three-dot MMC set giving vertical adjustment if you shoot a wide variety of ammunition. The plastic factory sights are a turnoff.

Alex's Opinion

When an inexperienced shooter asks what gun to buy for home or personal defense I recommend two guns: a Glock or a revolver. I characterize the Glock as a basic, "go bang" pistol where all you have to do is pull it out of the box and start shooting. It requires little or no technical skill, rarely fails even under the most adverse conditions and is virtually indestructible.

For ladies I recommend a small revolver unless they are someone with solid shooting skills. A revolver with a good action job is much safer for an inexperienced shooter due to its long trigger pull before discharge.

What do I think of the new Glock 37 in .45 GAP? This pistol was Glock's attempt to scale down their big Model 30 in .45 ACP in order to make it smaller for concealed carry and tap into the 1911 market. I think they failed miserably. The top-heavy slide, which was 50 percent of the original problem, is the same size as the old model. With the smaller frame it's more top heavy than ever.

As you shoot and the magazine empties, the balance changes significantly. The .45 GAP will never sell to shooters who have been shooting the .45 ACP all their life and seems to be a solution to a problem only existing in their own engineering department; and does not deliver improved ballistics internally or externally. What on earth could the people at Glock have been thinking? For crying out loud, they should have dug up old George Luger and asked for help.