Posted on 06/26/2021 10:31:51 AM PDT by PROCON
These polymer, striker-fired handguns might not be Glocks, but they still go bang when you pull the trigger
The Glock 17 was introduced to the world in 1982. Though many questioned the pistol’s polymer frame and hammerless fire control system, it has become the most recognized and popular defensive handgun worldwide. It also spawned a plethora of copies. The Glock’s straightforward utilitarian style, combined with its reliability and ruggedness, has made it a favorite of law enforcement and armed civilians.
But with the prices of some Glocks now between $700 and $800, they are more expensive than they’ve ever been. Because of all this pandemic and political craziness, some can’t afford a Glock or even find one for sale at their local gun shop. If you find yourself in either of those situations, these are your other-than-Glock options. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and while the following pistols do emulate the Glock, some offer more at an even lesser price.
1. Smith & Wesson M&P
The Glock-like Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 has found favor with many law enforcement agencies and those who carry concealed. Smith & Wesson
The S&W M&P—now in its 2.0 configuration—is a common, and one of the first, Glock alternatives. Base price starts at about $569, and like the Glock, they’re available in 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP with either 3.6-, 4.0-, or 4.6-inch barrels, which are comparable to the sub-compact, compact, and duty-sized Glocks. Feature-wise they’re nearly identical, and both the M&P and Glock come in optics-ready configurations. Even the Performance Center M&P is a little less expensive than a stock Glock. Many law enforcement agencies opted for the M&P over the Glock, and over time, it has proven to be a reliable alternative to the Austrian legend. Check availability here.
2. Springfield-Armory XD
Just as with Glocks, Springfield-Armory XD pistols come in various chamberings and sizes. Springfield Armory
Springfield-Armory’s selection of XD pistols is broad, with small, medium, and large versions of 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP. Like the Glock and M&P, they’re polymer-framed, striker-fired handguns, and prices that range between $400 and $600. The Elite optics-ready version of the XD only pushes the price to just a shade over $700, which is less than some base model Glocks. XD pistols have a good reputation and in addition to their Glock-like passive trigger safety, they also have a grip safety. Capacities, sizes, and weights are comparable to both Glock and M&P handguns. Check availability here.
3. Walther PPQ
Walther’s PPQ is a very ergonomic, polymer-framed striker-fired pistol that directly competes against the Glock. Walther
Walther’s PPQ pistol, with its interchangeable backstrap, is a bit more ergonomic than a Glock, and the trigger feels very similar. It also features an ambidextrous slide lock and a reversible magazine release. Walther offers both four- and five-inch barreled models. The size and weight of each PPQ are similar to comparable model Glocks, XDs, or M&Ps. Suggested retail prices are not much less than Glocks but across the counter prices are. Walther also offers a more expensive steel-frame version they call the Q4. Check availability here.
4. CZ-USA P10
CZ-USA’s Glock alternative is the excellent and very ergonomic P-10. CZ-USA
One of the most overlooked Glock-like pistols is the CZ-USA P-10. Like all CZ-USA firearms, the P-10s are very reliable, good shooting handguns. They come in various sizes, with or without threaded barrels, suppressor-height sights, and optics-ready cutouts. With sub-compact, compact, and duty-size options, and with barrel lengths from 3 to 4.5 inches, there are quite a few models to choose from. A mild palm swell, deep beavertail, and three interchangeable backstraps make the P-10 adaptable to almost any hand. Check availability here.
5. Sig Sauer P320
Because of its modularity and adoption by the U.S. Military, the Sig Sauer P320 is currently Glock’s strongest competitor. Sig Sauer
When the U.S. Military’s adopted the Sig Sauer P320, it became an extremely popular polymer-framed, striker-fired handgun, offering direct competition to the Glock. P320s come in a wide array of configurations. The trigger is a bit better than the Glock’s, and the slide lock is ambidextrous. Optics-ready, standard sight, compact, and full-size guns are available. But what really sets the P320 apart is how the fire control unit can be switched between frames for easy slide-length and cartridge conversions. P320s retail for about $100 less than comparable Glocks. Check availability here.
6. Canik TP9
The Canik TP9 is a polymer-framed, striker-fired handgun very similar to the Glock but much less expensive. Richard Mann
If you’re looking for an affordable Glock alternative, you might want to consider the Turkish-made Canik TP9. Base striker-fired TP9s with a polymer frame and interchangeable back straps start at about 350 bucks. An optics-ready variant costs about the same as a base model Glock, but also comes with a Shield SMS2 reflex sight already installed. The TP9 is available in several configurations including a suppressor-ready version. It is a true sleeper in the poly-pistol category and ships with two magazines, a holster, interchangeable backstraps, and it has a limited lifetime warranty. Check availability here.
7. Sarsilmaz SAR9
The Sarsilmaz SAR9 is a fantastic polymer-framed, striker-fired pistol that’s made in Turkey. In addition to the Glock-like passive trigger safety it’s also available with a thumb safety. Richard Mann
This second Turkish-made affordable Glock alternative was the winner of an incredibly rigorous trial by the Turkish army where it competed against handguns submitted from Austria, Germany, Belgium, and the United States. It has a very low barrel axis, interchangeable backstraps, and grip side plates. It also comes with or without a thumb safety. The SAR9 is available in one size and is sort of a direct challenge to the Glock 17, which is slightly lighter. It has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of only $449, but actual retail prices and dip below $400.00. Check availability here.
So it goes rancid and melts in the heat to become useless? :P
Ah, no. That ended some time ago and after last summer is *especially* no longer true.
flr
Mobs are a different psychology. And best avoided. Kyle Rittenhouse was a target, so long as he ran.
Consider the possibility you may have to try to fire a weapon while injured in the hand or elsewhere...
might be beneficial if its easier to fire and rack the slide.
In case you hadn’t noticed, mobs are getting more common and even single or duo criminals aren’t being deterred by simple display of a firearm. Look at the people shooting at cops even when held at gunpoint.
Also a potential use - but I was pointing out that the pistols were not ‘just for women’.
I live in a relatively sane part of Oregon. Demographics here do not lend themselves to mob action or the ambushing of the police.
I was once on a federal jury on a trial involving firearms. I was the only one in that group that knew anything about firearms. When we started the deliberation several of the people were astounded that the defendant had over 400 rounds of ammunition in his house. I laughed as I them him that I had twice that much in my bedroom and several times that in a gun safe.
It was for my 22 target pistol. The defendants had a 22 pistol with a gigantic steel silencer and a catch bag for the ejected brass.
Just wait, that will change. BLM’s gone out of the cities into the countryside.
Also, the point is less ‘people ambushing police’ and more ‘criminals are now literally so bold that they will shoot at cops that are already holding them at gunpoint, so what do you think they’re going to do with you displaying a firearm.’
We had a probably lesbian BIPOC agitator in town a couple of years ago. They can rustle up a demonstration if they bring in outsiders from Eugene or Portland. Some dope did brandish a handgun when driving through one of their gatherings. Stupid.
I think some family near-disaster caused the agitator to re-evaluate her priorities, and I think she moved away. What we have now is a twenty something trans clown that makes noise and runs for city council. He and his comrades are laughable snowflakes, from what I’ve seen.
Your pic is broken.
I clicked your response by mistake, it was meant for response #10. Sorry.
Jesus' purpose was to die for sinners. If He had chose, He could have destroyed the universe with His words. I can only assume that carrying a weapon did not serve his purpose.
Throughout history, Christians have carried arms for a number of reasons. E.g., American revolution, civil war, world wars etc.
“All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” 1 Cor 6:12
"And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one." - Luke 22:35,36
"But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." 1 Tim 5:8
I bought my Glock under the Military/Blue first responders program... and bought a CAA-USA Micro Conversion Kit Gen 2 2.0 for Glock. Turns it into an assault pistol or 9mm rifle.
Excellent long term preparation.
On top of what everyone else has responded - Glocks do have an in-trigger safety, but they don’t have a separate external safety lever or grip safety except for a couple of low production specialty versions - there is actually a reason for it, and other modern pistols have adopted the same logic.
At the end of the 1970s, it began to be clear to police forces around the world that revolvers were no longer sufficient sidearms (if they hadn’t already realized this). Criminals were appearing with increasingly more powerful weapons with increased magazine capacity; officers were being found dead or severely injured with empty revolvers and speedloaders in their hands. Police departments began transitioning to 9mm semiauto pistols, which was known as the “Wondernine” transition. This resolved the slow reload and ammo capacity issues of the revolver, but introduced a new problem.
Officers began to be found shot or dead with a fully loaded 9mm pistol in their hands, safety on, and clear evidence that they’d tried to pull the trigger. Turns out that under stress, officers were not remembering to actuate the external safety levers of the pistols available at the time. Or they didn’t have enough time to actuate the levers as they drew (some of the safeties on older designs are not that easy or fast to flick off). This was originally thought to be a training failure where officers that had transitioned from revolvers hadn’t been trained enough to make actuating the safety of an autopistol second nature - but then rookie officers who’d had no revolver training or experience began turning up shot or dead, and they’d had the full optimal training (of the time). Glock took a look at this, performed industrial ergonomics studies on pistols and shooting and came to the conclusion that barring any other mechanical issues, swiping the safety off was a fine motor action that was likely to get muffed under stress or time pressure. A ‘transparent’ safety that required no additional action other than correctly placing your finger on the trigger made the most ergonomic sense - just like most revolvers don’t have any external safety levers either. Such a system would be no less safe than a revolver with similar trigger pull weight and travel. The Glock 17 appeared in 1982 with no discrete external safety levers and the rest is history.
Most post-Glock combat pistol designs no longer have external safety levers - which, by the way, is what John Browning himself said should have been the case - or if they do it’s an added tacked on option.
Good recounting.
I will say the trigger on my Sig is not as heavy as a DA pull on a model 19. I like the idea of a grip safety (it doesn’t have one). Jeff Cooper didn’t like them but I’ve never had one be an issue on any 1911.
With many modern combat autos, you can replace the trigger module with one that’s got a different pull, or you can adjust it. New York City actually currently issues Glocks with trigger setups having a heavier pull than the revolvers they replaced. The NY-1 trigger is 8 pounds, the NY-2 is 12 pounds.
There’s also the Miami trigger setup which basically turns the trigger into a two stage setup - 5.5lbs until just before the trigger releases, at which point it becomes 8lbs.
I actually like grip safeties myself, which is why I prefer the Springfield XD line.
Almost went with a DA/SA XD but chose the smaller Sig. I like it but I do like my DA/SA pistol.
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