Earlier this year, I was looking to get my first handgun as a new resident of the United States. I recently moved from Canada, and I wanted an all-around, dependable, and capable handgun.
FRIENDLY ADVICE
Mark Muller driving his patriotic jeep with his Colt 1911 in hand. (Photo: Ben Philippi/Guns.com)
I asked a number of gun friends for advice, and they suggested a few different options. But one friend in particular, Mark Muller, whom I trust and admire, said the following; “Dude, just get a Glock 19. You can’t go wrong. It’s affordable. It goes bang every time you pull the trigger. You can trick it out or keep it stock. It’s just a great gun. It’s probably the only handgun you ever need.”
"LEGENDARY RELIABILITY"
The Glock 19 hit the scene in 1988. It's now on its fifth generation. Each time, it has been improved. (Photo: Ben Philippi/Guns.com)
Of course, I was well familiar with the Glock 19. It’s been around since 1988 and is currently in its fifth generation. I was aware of its legendary reliability, and it was affordable. But it was also, perhaps, a little dated, and there was some fresh competition on the market.
NEW GUNS ON THE BLOCK
The Walther PDP hit the scene in early 2021 and received rave reviews. (Photo: Seth Rogers/Guns.com)
2021 saw some exciting new guns on the block. One in particular, the Walther PDP, piqued my interest. A workmate reviewed it and gave it a stellar rating. The trigger was supposed to be out of this world, and it was similarly priced to the Glock.
The reason I didn’t pull the trigger on a PDP was that it was still so new. I thought it might be wise to wait a year or two to make sure all the kinks were worked out. Think of the Sig Sauer 320 when it first came out. There were a few hiccups at first. They have since been worked out, and it is now an incredibly reliable and popular pistol used by consumers and the U.S. military alike.
With a 15+1 standard capacity, the G19 is very capable. (Photo: Ben Philippi/Guns.com)
But then fate also came into play. I was browsing the Guns.com website, and I came across a Certified Used Glock 19 Gen 5. It looked as though it was literally brand new. It was in a desert tan color, which I liked since I live in Arizona, and the price was right. So, I bought it.
One of the most noticeable features on fifth-generation Glocks is the front slide serrations. (Photo: Ben Philippi/Guns.com)
A few days later, it arrived. True to the photos and description, it appeared to have never been fired. It was like the factory oil on the slide was still fresh. I was very pleased with my purchase.
Another noticeable feature on fifth-generation Glocks is the lack of finger grooves on the grip. (Photo: Ben Philippi/Guns.com)
I was a bit apprehensive as to how a gun in such great shape found its way onto the used gun market. So, I took it to the range and put approximately 1000 rounds from various manufacturers through it. True to Glock’s reputation, I didn’t experience a single jam or issue.
Sights on the stock Glock 19 Gen 5 are white front and rear. I found them to be easy to acquire. As with all Glocks, there are tons of aftermarket accessories like sights. (Photo: Ben Philippi/Guns.com)
One of the things I like about the Gen 5 is the front slide serrations. Since it is my go-to gun, I check the status of my gun daily. I like that there are no finger grooves, the trigger is responsive, and the Glock Marksman barrel is supposed to be more accurate. A 15+1 capacity is plenty good for me.
The sights are clear, easy to acquire, and work well in low light. I added an Olight PL-Mini 2 Valkyrie on the rail under the barrel. It snapped right on. It's incredibly bright, and I can take it off and on in seconds. Super Vel 115-grain SCHP is my go-to defensive ammo. Overall, my Glock 19 is everything I could ask for. I'm very happy with it. It's an excellent all-around handgun.
PINNACLE
I added an Olight PL-Mini 2 Valkyrie to the rail under the barrel. It snapped right on. It's very bright, and I can take it off and on in seconds. I'm very happy with it so far. (Photo: Ben Philippi/Guns.com)
The Glock 19 is the pinnacle of modern semi-automatic polymer handguns. It is the benchmark by which all other handguns are measured. If you’re looking for your first handgun, or if you can only afford one handgun, I highly recommend the Glock 19.
I’d love to hear your thoughts. Do you agree or disagree with me? Please let us know in the comments below
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Super Vel makes excellent 9mm 115-grain SCHP defensive ammo. (Photo: Ben Philippi/Guns.com)
