My standard EDC is a Glock 20 Gen 3 SF. I carry the gun completely stock, though I do own a 3.5 lb connector and a 9X25 barrel.
I have carried a number of guns over the years. The Glock became my mainstay for a couple of reasons.
I shoot it defensively as well as I shoot any other gun defensively. I have guns that I can shoot more accurately from an absolute standpoint. They are usually large, heavy single action only guns of the Witness or 1911 persuasion. I don't find pinpoint accuracy isn't needed for defensive shooting. I feel single action target triggers are not ideal for my every day interactions because I do make mistakes and have accidents. And I transition a heavy gun slower than a light one.
The Glock has been stupid reliable for me. In fact, I can't ever recall a stoppage with the Glock. My memory is not as good as it once was, but as far as I can recall I have never the gun not go bang when I expected it to go bang.
The Glock 20 is a full size gun, with a full size payload of ammo. I have big hands and like a gun that fills them. And I like to have ammo on board.
The Glock 20 is relatively light for a full-size gun with 16 rounds of ammo. I do have other guns that carry the same or more ammo, but as all steel guns they weigh a good bit more, which adds up by the end of the day.
The 4.6" barrel is just right. I carry appendix in a Vedder holster at about 1:00. I like that carry position because it keeps the gun accessible when standing, sitting, driving, etc. Just about anything I do that position keeps the gun protected and available at the same time. Longer barrels dig into my leg and chaff by the end of the day. The Glock 4.6" barrel hovers just above my leg. As long as it can be comfortably, but no longer.
That just right length comes into play another way as well. I have several smaller, lighter, shorter barreled guns, one even in 10mm. I don't find them any more comfortable to carry than the Glock. The shorter slide/barrel makes them constantly feel like they are about to "pop" out of my pants, especially when I am sitting. I have tried several different holsters without solving that issue. And I finally asked why I cared, since I find the G20 comfortable.
I do recognize a couple of downsides to the Glock. The biggest one for me is emotional. The Glock has no soul, and there are days I struggle a bit with that. I really want to have the same personal confidence in other platforms that "speak" to me more, but the reality is I don't have that confidence. I can remember all the times they hiccuped half way through a magazine. Or how they dug into my leg so badly. Or how I am so ready to be done carrying that weight that I strip them off the moment I get home, and then leave again and forget my gun.
Overall, the Glock 20 just fits for me. If it works for you too, let me know why!
Gen4 20 here! Carry it in a iwb galco summer comfort holster. It's a pretty comforting feeling when carrying my 20!
Glock 20? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
She may not be the purtiest girl in the room, but she ain't bad looking either and she is always willing. ;)
x
Well said sqlbullet
You pretty much describe why I went with a gen 4 G20.
Personally I'll add I went 10mm in a Glock because
I had never owned a Glock.
the reputation for reliability and robustness is well deserved (as now I can attest),
The price is realistic for a weapon.(especially a field weapon)<#1 reason
I like a handful of firepower.
it's fun to shoot, (but I like shooting magnums)
It's reloadable with a wide range of load choices like the .41 mag.
I like a handful of firepower and can't afford a Wildey or ammo for a .50AE.
Parts are exchangeable with 93% of all Glocks ever made! But with a 10mm probably a bit less.
It weighs less than my 1911 and carries more rounds (and I loved to carry a .45 before the .41)
I want a handful of firepower because there are wolves in my part of the Rockies now and I'm older and slower.
I can put a 6" barrel in it for country/hunting use and the regular barrel for city use.
Did I mention I like a handful of firepower?
Why didn't I buy one before?, caliber and weapon ignorance.
Also,
I still fail to see any aesthetic attraction, the weapons are functional but without any pleasing lines or textures, "Glock ugly" <true dat!
It is a beautiful machine for pushing lead accurately so in some Zen way its perfect maybe that's it's attraction too.
The raving Glock heads give me a pain, I just tune them out now.
Well I carried the S&W 1006 for many years, but that changed as Smith & Wesson quit handling replacement parts and the fact that should I have to use the firearm in self defense and it being held for evidence... ??? Lod knows I like what the 10mm brings to the fight.
With that said I started carrying the G-29 giving up weight for smaller size more capacity. I carries very well in the waist band. Then with it also being a 10mm I wouldn't want to loose either... I opted for Wolff non captive rod and 21 lbs springs and have several aftermarket barrels for expersing other cartridages like 40, 357Sig & 9x25.
Intro to a deal I got with a G-30 and it carries in the same IWB as the 29. So because most of my travels are more close quarters, in stores, restaurants, etc., I elect to carry this 45ACP for several reasons mostly over penetration in such close quarters.
I will say that I also have the G-20SF and as such it has be very reliable and it sports the Wolff non captive rod and 22 lbs spring. It is tough to beat its performance, carry and capacity of this piece. I have a few aftermarket barrels for this pistol as well to add to its flexability...the 6" barrels bring a nice excitement in the velocity department.
If I carry any of these in the need for self defense, I carry them with the factory barrels...
Glocks are cheaper and easier to replace if lost/stolen or damaged!
Quote from: The_Shadow on May 25 2018 06:15:16 PM MDT
Glocks are cheaper and easier to replace if lost/stolen or damaged!
This is a great point. I would never advocate a cheaper, more replaceable gun if it compromised utility. But the Glock don't give up anything. Hard for me to feel good about carrying bling.
Like today. Going to be insulating garage rafters. THought about carrying my Ruger, but then re-thought and put on the Glock.
Carrying the G20 gives me the piece of mind that I prefer. For me a lot comes down to what I'm doing / where I am going. Today for example, I'm driving a few hundred miles to visit some family. I opted to go with my OWB / G30 with some 185gr + P Underwood. Other than one stop for gas, the only place I will be, other than at my family's property, will be the truck. Yea, the Glock lacks soul to be sure, but if an unfortunate situation were to occur, I'm confident the G20 or G30 would function as designed
I carry my G29 for its compact size. 10mm for the energy out of a compact.
G20 Gen 3 full size for most reasons you mentioned. Wolff steel guide rod and 22lb spring.
My Wolff springs came in yesterday. #23 to handle them Fenix ammo. Whew!
I carry a gen4 20 fall, winter and spring. My Gen4 29 during the summer. Underwood 165gr JHP in both everyday all day.
Nice, I carry Underwood's 155, or 180gr, bonded, or XTP, either bullet weight / style would would be more than functional, given the need.
Gen 4 20 is carried by me quite a bit in the winter months. That's a lot of horsepower in a reasonably sized package.
And plenty concealable in the warm months too, I find myself dressing around my favorite guns, which can be a pain, but ones you have the clothes, it makes deciding what to put on much less stressful : )
you guys have sold me on the G 20. I have been thinking of getting a Glock for a while and was torn between the G20 and the G 40. (my main use is for a hunting/woods carry pistol) looks like with the 6' aftermarket barrel I can have the advantage of the G 40 and switch back to the original bbl. when I want a more compact carry.
Quote from: blaster on June 05 2018 01:11:44 PM MDT
you guys have sold me on the G 20. I have been thinking of getting a Glock for a while and was torn between the G20 and the G 40. (my main use is for a hunting/woods carry pistol) looks like with the 6' aftermarket barrel I can have the advantage of the G 40 and switch back to the original bbl. when I want a more compact carry.
Blaster, this is the direction I went. The solution has worked great for me the last 5 years.
Hope it works for you as well.