GLOCK no longer advertises their guns as exemplars of perfection. Which is just as well. They’re terrific guns, but calling a GLOCK — or any other handgun — perfect is like saying I have a six-pack. Just as there’s a lot I can do to reduce body fat, there’s plenty you can do to make a GLOCK better. Starting with . . .
1. The Trigger
IMHO the GLOCK trigger sucks. It’s gritty and breaks like oatmeal. If you’ve ever shot a Walther PPQ or FN 509, you know what a gun with a great stock trigger feels like. GLOCK ain’t it.
That said, I’ve found that running 10k rounds-plus through a GLOCK makes the trigger smoother and more predictable. Maybe it’s just acclimatization. No need for that, or a laborious five-pound trigger pull.
I installed a Rocket Ghost 3.5 lbs. trigger on my G30SF. It transformed the pistol (which was already my favorite compact .45). The gun became much more controllable and, thus, accurate. Not to coin a phrase, it increased my confidence.
Tyler Kee installed an Apex Tactical GLOCK Enhancement Trigger and Plunger. “It is absolutely an improvement in feel over stock, and the shape is quite pleasant. Gone were the hot spots on my finger which elevated my enjoyment of shooting this gun tenfold.” Click here to read his four-star review.
It must be said: Mr. Kee didn’t gain any accuracy with his install — which may have something to do with his familiarity with the stock trigger. But I reckon increasing shooting pleasure increases trigger time which increases accuracy. YMMV may vary, but that’s my story and I’m sticking with it.
2. Sights
There’s nothing wrong with the GLOCK’s U-shaped sights. It’s just that many shooters perform better with alternatives: three-dots, Heini Straight 8’s, XS Big Dot, a red dot or other sights.
The trick here: get some trigger time behind firearms with other sights and see which system works best for you. Remember that you want sights that allow rapid target acquisition and re-acquisition. Preferably while moving.
If nothing else, I consider night sights an everyday carry gun necessity. While you may not ever need to defend yourself in a low-light situation, the extra money required to fit night sights will give you extra peace of mind, knowing that you’re ready for that eventuality.
3. Grip
After reviewing the new Smith & Wesson M2.0, I’ve come to realize just how important a handgun’s grip is to comfort and accuracy. The GLOCK’s handle leaves much to be desired, especially for shooters with small hands or anyone opting for a small GLOCK (like the GLOCK 42 or 43).
If you’re not into soldering irons, TALON grips run under $20 (Dan’s a fan of the rubber TALONs he has on his G43.) and install in seconds. Same for Foxx’s peel-and-stick (plus hairdryer) grips. For another $10 you can spray your GLOCK handle with Grip Assist — using as much or as little as you like.
The are an enormous number of modifications that you can make to your GLOCK to personalize it and make it run better, from extended mag and slide stop releases to replacement frames. It’s a great gun. Why not make it even better?