[smc]

Are you a lefty (left handed type...not commie pinko type)?

I am, and the getting-hit-in-the face-with-spent-shell thing happens to me with some handguns, as they eject out the right (wrong) side of the gun.

As for the flinching on recoil, yes...you'll get used to it and anticipate the noise/reaction better with practice.

[holymoly]

"I had a tendency to flinch and blink when I fired. Should that go away with practice?"

I usually introduce new/first-time shooters to the sport using a .22 rimfire. This is just a thought, but you might consider investing in a Ruger Single Six; the ammo's cheap, and they're great fun to plink with. Later, when you're more comfortable with firing a handgun, move up to the 9mm.

[Drango]

Was I loading the magazine the right way

If you don't know...might I suggest a local NRA class...That's what I did.

[Bikers4Bush]

1.) Because your holding it sideways like you're in an action movie.

2.) Maybe yes, maybe no.

3.) And just how would the lever not hit anything as the magazine loaded into the gun thereby pushing the "deck" down and keping the clip from chambering another round? Yes you were loading it the right way.

4. No clue, never fired one.

[Cagey]

It holds 10 rounds

You can thank Bill Clinton for that.

[Loyal Buckeye]

The natural instinct is to anticipate the recoil. You will notice that you will often shoot high as a result. You will have to work on ignoring the recoil.

[Zathras]

I like my M19.
There should be a tool with the mag which assists loading.
I've got one of the older M19s with the 15rd clip. You can still find them around.

The 9mm is a much better round than the .380
In 9mm, the M19 is as light as a beginner should go (IMHO).

[jmaroneps37]

Feels good, doesn't it?

[The Magical Mischief Tour]

Don’t worry the Glockers will be along shortly and tell you that every problem known to man with the Glock is the result of user error and bizarre phenomena known as limp wristing.

I’ve shot several models of Glocks and I owned a 19 for all of 72 hours and they either tossed the brass into my face or in the case of a full size 45 straight up and then down my shirt.

Do yourself a favor and get a Sig or an HK

TMMT

[johniegrad]

There is a small plastic device that depresses the spring in the clip to assist in loading it. I found it very useful especially in cold weather (Minnesota) when hands begin to feel like claws after awhile. The device is only a couple of bucks and should be available at any good shooter's outlet.

[HurkinMcGurkin]

I'd suggest taking an inexpensive firearms safety class if you are not familiar with handguns. Surely the NRA offers a class in your area.

You did purchase a good gun. The Glock doesn't really compare with the Sig you mention.

[FateAmenableToChange]

Questions: Why is the spent shell hitting me in the face? I thought it's supposed to go off to the side.

Are you left handed? If you are left handed, and the empty case (shells are for shotguns) ejects rearward and rightward, you'll get hit in the face. Alternatively, your grip and stance need to be adjusted. You may be using an isoceles stance that fails to keep your arms nearly locked out in front. You may also be "limp wristing" the pistol, which will often cause a failure to eject the spent case, but may also eject the case back toward your face.

I had a tendency to flinch and blink when I fired. Should that go away with practice?

Don't do that. Keep your hands relatively relaxed around the grip, contract only the muscles of your trigger finger. Don't anticipate the recoil. Press the trigger rearward until the gun goes bang. Dry fire a lot.

I loading the magazine the right way, by inserting one round at a time and pushing down on the ones already in the magazine? Wouldn't it be easier to have some lever or slide on the outside of the magazine, that would depress the "floor" all the way, thereby making loading easier?

No.

How does this model compare (in terms of size, weight and recoil) to Sig P232 .380?

It's bigger. The ammunition for the G19 is 9x19, 9mm parabellum, or 9mm luger (different names for same round). It has substantially higher muzzle velocity, bullet weight (on average), "stopping power" and muzzle energy. A .380 is also known as the 9mm Kurz (9mm "short"). It's nice for a backup gun, but not as powerful as the 9mm luger.

[ko_kyi]

As far as flinching goes, maybe you need better ear protection.

With good earplugs and repetition the flinching will go away.

[eXe]

Questions:

Why is the spent shell hitting me in the face? I thought it's supposed to go off to the side.

With glocks this happens sometimes. With practice and correct grip it should not happen all that often

I had a tendency to flinch and blink when I fired. Should that go away with practice?

I have a glock 17 (slightly larger version than the 19 and yes, with practice you will no longer flinch. It's just a matter of time and you will see that it is not going to explode in your hand, you WILL get used to it.

Was I loading the magazine the right way, by inserting one round at a time and pushing down on the ones already in the magazine? Wouldn't it be easier to have some lever or slide on the outside of the magazine, that would depress the "floor" all the way, thereby making loading easier?

You were doing it the right way. Glock gives you a loading tool which makes it easier but after time, this gets easier also. Just takes practice. This is also why you have extra mags pre loaded, this way you don't have to load them up every 10 rounds.

How does this model compare (in terms of size, weight and recoil) to Sig P232 .380?

From most of the handguns I have shot the glock seems to me to have the lightest of recoil. A .380ACP , I have been told will have more recoil however my .380 (walther PPK type clone) seems about the same.

Thanks.

Have fun shooting and get lots of practice. As someone else said, you might want to take a basic handgun course from the NRA it helps a lot. Also make sure you know how to clean the weapon when you are done shooting.

[NYFriend]

The Glock is bigger and recoils about the same as the Sig.

The shells hit you in the face. They should eject to the side. You may be holding the weapon improperly. Glocks aren't bad for flinging brass back at you, compared to other pistols. Butm I'm sorry to say that it's a reality. In combat drills they will hit you, go down your shirt, etc. They shouldn't, they should fall harmlessly out of the way, but they won't. If you had a screen up to prevent expended brass from hitting the shooter in the next position, they may be bouncing off of it. If you are a lefty you'll be getting hit worse, but get used to it. They won't hurt you. Always wear eye protection.

The flinching could be why the brass is hitting you. If your accuracy was bad it could also be the flinching. Keep shooting. If you realize that the weapon won't hurt you, it may get better. One way to work around it is have a friend give you the weapon, either with a round chambered or not. His choice. Then aim at the target and pull the trigger. With revolvers, you can have someone load three or two or four rounds in the gun. You won't know which are live and which are empty, so you'll be able to get used to firing the weapon, and seeing your reaction when it doesn't go off.

[Rifleman]

For the flinch: Get really good ear protection, cheapie foam plugs and a fair to good set of muffs are what I use. And big safety glasses. And then get a coach or trusted and experience shooter run the flinch extingushing drill. He will load either one round or no rounds then hand you the gun. When you pull the trigger on an unloaded gun, a flinch is embarasingly obvious. A few dozen repeatitions will elminate most flinches.

[harpseal]

Welcome to the world of hangun shooting. You have gotten much good advice here on this thread. I will not be telling you you should not like the Glock I recognize they are well made firearms that are accurate and reliable. I do not carry a Glock or own one as I personally do not like the feel. As to your choice of 9mm I would say the following carry a good hollowpoint load. The hollow points are more likely to stop an assualt on your person quicker than non-hollow points.

One trick I would suggest is on the range try balancing a quarter on the top of the slide while you dry fire the pistol )empty chamber and magazine this may help with the flinch.

As to the brass hitting you in the face there can be several reasons for this including the flinch but if it does it on an experienced shooter you may wish to send the gun to glack for adjustment. another shooter mentioned the possibility of the brass bouncing off a wall between you and the shooter next to you this is another possibility.

One thing you should do is practice with your sidearm you will get more and more accurate. I heartily recommend an NRA course as you will learn much about your sidearm and safe shooting. Remember:

The gun is always loaded always.

Never point the muzzle at anything you do not want to shoot.

Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot(sights are on target).

[rockfish59]

Tend to flinch!
Line 'em up......Squeeze 'em off!

[lilylangtree]

My preference is a Lady's Smith and Wesson. Personally, I'd like to have an Uzi just as a conversation weapon.

[Feiny]

Once upon a time at the range, I was off target. Someone put a bullet on the top of my Glock and had me dry fire....sure enough...I was flinching. Try taking a deep beath and squeezing the trigger on the exhale. Of course, once you become more comfortable shooting, the anticipation and flinching will cease.