“How the Glock became America’s weapon of choice” | Fresh Air (24 January 2012)
A bit to my surprise as I have never had much interest in handguns (I have owned a half dozen or so shotguns and rifles over the years but have had neither need for nor general curiosity about handguns at any point in my life) I much enjoyed today’s Fresh Air, an interview with the author of a recently published book about the history of the Glock in the United States.
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How the Glock became America’s weapon of choice
[…] The Glock was created in 1982 by curtain-rod manufacturer Gaston Glock. Glock didn’t like the handguns available on the market and decided to manufacture a new gun from scratch. Before starting, he asked gun experts in his native Austria what could be done to improve a handgun for the modern era. […]
Some Thoughts Based On Experience
1- The Glock is a good weapon but it is not a miracle weapon and it is certainly not the only good weapon out there.
2-Have spent a lot of time in Emergemcy Rooms collecting evidence and talking to ER Docs and they always ask two questions WHERE was the victim hit and how large was the calibre. Shot placement is the real question to ask.
3- I met a Deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff's department who shot a subject at almost point blank range through the heart!!!! with a .45 and the subject still managed to turn go back to his car and put it in gear and attempt to drive away before he became uncouncious.:eek:
4-The greatest advance IMO is the ability to buy handguns that have light mounts already built into the handgun. Laser sights and TAC lights on handguns are the real advances in Combat shooting.
5-The return of Point Shooting even to a limited degree is also good, which just goes to the old saying that good equipment is important but good training is everything.
For whatever it's worth...
There was a time when I adhered to the philosophy "why sting 'em with a BB when you can smack 'em with a brick!" To that end, like jmm99, I had a Ruger Super Blackhawk .44mag -- with the 10.5" barrel :D -- and it did a bang-up job of changing the minds of a crew of intruders who were breaking into my house one night -- fortunately before I had to cause any of them to lay on the ground saying "ow" a bunch.
But after a while the mule-kick got old. I acquired a S&W 9mm (model 915) and fell as much "in love" with a gun as a girl can be without raisin' eyebrows. I also learned what y'all already know: larger caliber doesn't guarantee stopping power but placement and type of projectile does. So, in the interest of economical range practice without compromising my ability to inflict maximum trauma damage on intruders, I have stayed with 9mm -- and am seriously happy with my new Springfield XD(m) -- and go through 400-500rds of FMJ a couple times a month at the range, but keep the mags loaded with Federal Hydra-Shoks when not at the range. :cool:
I do like the XD(m) for the twin safeties, easy field strip, the fit of the grip and balance, and those 19rd magazines!
I've shot the Glock .40, and also in 9mm, but just wasn't much of a fan.....
Definitely a work of art, but not exactly a handy one!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Stan
I was just checking out
your site. Whoa Nellie that is a work of art !
I've cringed at the thought of firing a .45-70/.410 Derringer, but your Intimidator Puzzle Pistol I would love to try (even if only once ;) )
Hey Stan,
The site isn't mine, but I'd love to have the Intimidator Puzzle Pistol too! Talk about a conversation piece for the coffee table... Not much utility there, but truly gorgeous nonetheless.
The Stuff Heros are made of
Hey Slap,
Where did you put that article on your shooting incident ?
That was some freaky Sierra :eek:
