Small frame Glock advice?

[Robert_in_NY]

The reason for the message is that I have been contemplating starting to carry my pistol more but the model 21 I have is kind of bulky to carry all the time. I thought about going to the model 30 which would let me use the same .45 caliber rounds as the 21 but I think that is a little bit bulky also so I am thinking about going to the model 33 as my father has a .357 but we don't have any reloading equipment for that yet as he doesn't shoot it much. Do you guys have any experience with the Model 30 or 33? The nearest gun dealer that has Glocks is up in Buffalo and that is an hour drive so I am trying to learn as much as possible before hand.

One last thing, are the laser grips any good? If I get a smaller frame Glock I would like to have a laser sight on it just for ease of use.

Also, I do not know why but I have always been fond of Glock and have no real bias against any of the other brands so if you know of another small frame pistol that is reliable and want to recommend by all means go ahead.

Currently, I only carry my 21 when I am patroling our property, in and around the fences or when we have trespassers. Luckily I have only ever had to fire once and that was into the ground to scare a buck away as it had attacked another buck and had injured it, we needed to move him out of there but the other buck was still wound up and did not fear us at that time.

 

[davemhughes]

Take a look @ Para Ord P-12
45acp 12 round clip, compact, fairly light weight, very good quality, reliable

 

[Robert_in_NY]

As far as I know, NY does not allow any magazine larger then 10 rounds unless you are in law enforcement. At least everytime I try to buy a 13 round mag for my 21 I am told that they can not sell them in New York. My Model 21 came with two 10 round mags. I will look into the Para though. Thanks

 

[johnk]

Robert In NY,

I have a Glock 29 compact 10mm that I carry and my son has a Glock 23 Compact 40 cal. The 10mm is about 1/4 inch wider than the 40. I also have a series 70 colt 45 but it is quite heavy if you want to carry it around. The 10mm has double the energy and half the weight of the 45 and I really like it. Johnsons Sporting goods on RTE 20 isn't too far from you. Another place to buy a gun online is Gunbrokers.com. They ship to who has a FFL and I have done business through them.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Hi John, I forgot about Johnson's. I have never been there before. Do they have a large pistol section?

I have been trying to keep with similar caliber guns that we already have but on that same token this is a gun that I doubt I will be firing a lot but you never know. I have all the equipment to reload the .45 so if I bought something else I would like it to be either in .45 or .357 since we have another .357 and then it would make more sense to buy reloading equipment if I use it to shoot a lot. Currently, I shoot the .45 and .35 more then any of the other pistols.

The weight isn't an issue as I carry a tool belt around all the time when I am working so I am use to carrying some weight to the point I don't notice it. My main issue was the physical size of the gun. This way it is easy to carry and my girl friend and eventually my daughter can shoot it easily. The Model 21 is kind of large for women to shoot so they play around with the .22 revolver.

 

[jk96]

I've got a glock 36, .45 cal. Great gun, compact & light. Only has a six round mag though. Specs below.

CALIBER
.45 AUTO
SYSTEM
Safe Action

WEIGHT
570 g / 20.11 oz.
LOADED (~)
765 g / 26.99 oz.

LENGTH
172 mm / 6.77 in.

HEIGHT
121 mm / 4.76 in.

MAG. CAPACITY
Standard: 6

WIDTH
28.5 mm / 1.13 in.
BARREL HEIGHT
32 mm / 1.26 in.

TRIGGER PULL
2.5 kg / 5.5 lbs.
TRIGGER TRAVEL
12.5 mm / 0.5 in.

LINE OF SIGHT
157 mm / 6.18 in.
BARREL LENGTH
96 mm / 3.78 in.

BARREL RIFLING
right hand, octagonal
LENGTH OF TWIST
400 mm / 15.75 in.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Isn't the 36 only an 1/8" or so narrower then the 30? I was on the glock site and I thought that was what I saw but I don't remember. It was just the "slimline" version of the 30. I guess if I saw it in person compared to the 30 I would have a better idea and be able to feel the difference so I will see what I can find when I go.

Does anyone know if the 30 uses the same mags as the 21?

 

[johnk]

Robert,

Johnsons really doesn't have a great selection in stock. Buffalo Gun Center has everything and then some. There are a lot of good prices on that Gunbrokers.com. Most gun dealears charge you 10 dollars to have it shipped to them and do the paperwork. I sold an Colt Anaconda on there and my son bought a winchester .338 rifle. No problems whatsoever with the transactions or quality of the merchandise...

 

[Boondox]

I'm a 9mm guy cuz the rounds are dirt cheap and the recoil is easily handled by my wife if she needs to use the firearm. For years I used a Taurus 92 because it was virtually identical to the Beretta I carried in the Corps but a lot cheaper. The familiarity thing, you know? But it was big enough to be in the way while chainsawing, etc. (We've had several cases of rabid animals nearby including a red fox that attacked a tourist less than 200 yards from our house -- it had to be beaten to death with a branch!) When in the woods with my dogs, one of which is a pup who thinks every living creature is his playmate, I carry.

Just picked up a Stoeger Cougar 8000 in 9mm (also available in .40 S&W) that I absolutely LOVE. It's small enough to stay holstered unobtrusively till needed, is one of the most accurate out of the box sidearms I've ever used, is very easy to field strip, has an ambidextrous safety and decocker, fits my hand like a comfy old glove and was well under $400.

Good luck! Pete

 

[RobertN]

I have a Glock-30. I am happy with it. I have never carried concealed, but do carry it while hunting. In fact, I took a ~100lb wild pig with it a few years back!
I did put the Scherer mag extension on it though. The grip is short, but I have big hands. That little extension made it more comfortable for me. I have run all 230gr through it.

I am still a big fan of the 1911; I find I shoot them more accurately. But, I have been very happy with this Glock, and would get another.