Glock Mods and Why Do I Need Them

[pete156]

I've got a Gen 3 Glock 21 that is a very nice shooter. I also keep reading about all these mods that are available for them. Could someone take a sec to let me know the various mods available and why people get them. Mines stock and I really don't know why I would need/want to change anything.

[Scott_In_OKC]

I don't really think you NEED any mods to a Glock. I have night sights on mine as well as the $0.25 trigger job (http://www.alpharubicon.com/mrpoyz/glock/) I highly recommend the trigger job. Any other mods would be for your own personal desires, but they not necessary IMHO.

[bulbboy]

I have a G23 and a G27 and I got the extended slide release ($15) (in my opinion a must have) Meprolight Night Sights ($95) - not necessary but work great even in the daytime - I got a Hogue Slide on Grip on the G23 ($9) I put a plug in - because I like the looks of that hole filled ($5) (don't start the plug arguement!) I have done the trigger - sorta like the stock until I try someone elses. Hope that helps a little. I have had two G17's before and didn't do anything to them and loved them. But I have to say life is better with the night sights and the extended slide release. I think "CowboyGlockGirl" got the same thing done - maybe she will comment as well.

[J.P.]

You really don't *need* any of them.
There are a lot of options if you want to customize for whatever reason.
Common mods are to the trigger for a lighter pull.
Ex: 3.5lb connector,overtravel stop,lighter springs,etc.

The only thing I've found that a Glock really *needs* is better sights,and a .25cent triggerjob.

[Scott_In_OKC]

The trigger job doesn't make it any lighter, just REALLY smoothes it out. In my case, it really wasn't $0.25 though, more like $60 after I bought the dremel and polish. Had to replace the dremel I lost....darn divorces :)

[J.P.]

LOL!
I've been there,brother.

They key to any customization is finding what fits *you*.
If you don't feel the need for anything,don't change it.
Otherwise it's not really 'customized',it's following the pack.

[bulbboy]

She didn't get any of the guns did she? :nolike:

[Scott_In_OKC]

Nope, I made that mistake with the first ex....yes, I was dumb enough to do it twice! I must have been :screwy:

[DrBaker]

I like the 3.5lb connector and the extended controls. However, I think stock Glocks are great too. It's all about personal preference. Parts are cheap. Try it and if you don't like them, just sale them.

[SoonerGlockGirl]

I think "CowboyGlockGirl" got the same thing done - maybe she will comment as well.

:madbox: Ugh, I'm a SOONER! :censored:

Yeah, I got the plug (don't want dust and grime making its way into my baby). The qwik grip (makes it more comfy), the extended slide release - definitely a must for my small hands. The Glock regular slide release is just too flush to easily push down. Lastly, since I have the 26, I got pierce mag extensions for both mags. It gives me a place to put my pinky. I think that's a must have for the G26/27.

The future- thinking about night sights and maybe a laser sight. <--- not too sure yet.

[TulsaGunGuy]

My modifications fall into 3 categories:

1. Sighting
2. Quicker Trigger
3. Better controls for my hand size

The majority of my “modifications” are for competition. I mostly shoot IDPA and occasionally ISPC (both with the same gun). My competition gun has many more modifications than any gun I carry.

The break down is this:

1. Sights
a. Competition – Dawson Fiber Optic sights: very bright sight picture in natural light. I use the smallest filament available and it definitely improves my accuracy (aim small, miss small).
b. Carry Gun – Trijicon low profile night sights. Not only are fiber optic sights completely unusable in the dark they sit high on the gun with sharp edges. They get too tangled on clothing on the draw.
2. Trigger
a. Competition – Glock 3.5 lb connector and Wolff reduced firing pin spring. For me this gives a great combination of light and quick.
b. Carry Gun – Stock trigger. Stress runs very high in a street shooting and it’s too easy to over-squeeze a light trigger. Some Glock owners increase the weight of the trigger pull using several methods available from Glock for this very reason.
3. Better Controls
a. Competition – Grip Tape: this low cost, do it yourself, mod really improves my hold on the gun for better control and quick follow-up shots.

Glock Extended Magazine Release: easier to get the magazine out very quickly with out having to reposition my hand for fast mag changes.

Sawed Off Slide Release: I have “freakishly” long thumbs and when holding a Glock correctly my right thumb rides the slide release. This prevents the slide from locking back when empty. Having to rack the slide on reload slows things down
b. Carry Gun – No Grip Tape: Just like the Dawson sites the tape gets tangled up in clothing. Also it will wear a hole in what ever it rides against (clothes or me!).
c. Stock Magazine Release – My carry gun rides tight against my body inside my paints or in a front pocket. I don’t want anything accidentally pushing the mag release during carry. It’s no fun drawing a gun and having the magazine fall out! Statistics show that most armed confrontations end in less than 5 rounds. In know may people who carry that file down the magazine release to prevent accidental release.

So to answer your question: it all depends on what you are using the gun for. If you make any modification make sure they match your intended purpose.

[pete156]

I think that all is probably good with my stock glock. It feels good and the mag realease seems perfect for my hand. It's not my carry gun, so I might consider getting some grip tape for it since it seems a bit slick overall. Oh, and I do have a rail laser that I got for it a while back, but just haven't gotten it to the range yet to sight it in.

Where do you get the grip tape used on them or would a premade sleeve be better? I've seen skateboard type grip tape at hardware stores, but sureley that doesn't contour well to the grip.

[Michael Brown]

All you need on a Glock is to change the sights from the factory plastic ones to metal ones (i.e. Trijicon or Meprolight). Anything else is really unnecessary and could be better spent on practice ammo.

If you want tape, I have always used skate tape from Lowe's. The pre-cut stuff is a rip-off and when it needs to be replaced (about once a year if its your carry or comp gun) then you get bent over again.

I have about a dozen Glocks and I am still using the same $5 roll of tape I bought four years ago and all my Glocks have tape on them.

I do not recommend the Hogue grip sleeve as it makes the gun too thick for all but the biggest hands. I'm about 6'00" and 265 with commensurate-sized hands and its too thick for me. On a Glock 21 its outrageous. A lot of folks like the sleeve but generally that means they are not gripping the gun correctly or shooting up to their potential. Or they have the hands of a gorilla.

The plug is really only good as an ad-hoc magwell. It doesn't really keep anything out of your gun.

The extended controls are really only useful for competition. If that's what you're wanting it for, go ahead. If not, stick with the factory ones. You should be actuating the slide by ripping the slide back not hitting the slide lever unless you are shooting competition in which case the extended lever has much to recommend it.

Hope this helps.

Michael Brown

[Glockender]

I have the plug, extended slide release, and qwick grip for my G23. I found it hard for me to release the slide with the factory release when I was first looking at the gun. I had issues with positioning my thumb on it to where I could easily release it...also noticed that it was causing me to move the gun around which to me is not very safe and with the extended release, I am able to reach up and push it with no problems.

I am considering either night sights or laser sites in the future...most likely the night sights as it is illegal to use laser sights for hunting.

Shauna....Laura told me that you also had the 3.5# trigger on yours which you forgot to mention (if it is true ;)).

[SoonerGlockGirl]

Shauna....Laura told me that you also had the 3.5# trigger on yours which you forgot to mention (if it is true ;)).

I do? I don't even know what that is. Maybe it came on my gun????

Hey, I have kid hands and the qwik grip doesn't bother me. Is it b/c I have a 26???

[J.P.]

I am considering either night sights or laser sites in the future...most likely the night sights as it is illegal to use laser sights for hunting.


Lasers are generally a bad idea.
WTH are you hunting with a G23?

[okla-lawman]

Nothing really. I have had a little clean up on the trigger. A plug to help keep the dirt out. Mine has night sights from the factory. I did just add a Simms vibration grip dampener. I just like the way it feels. It suppposedly really reduces recoil in the web of your hand. None of it is necessary. I shoot consistent 90 to 95s with several 100's since I stared carrying a Glock.
I have added a Streamlight M6 on my duty gun. The laser is a good idea in mine and several other peeps idea. Use it as a sight ..hell no. BUT it has desculated 3 situations in the last 18 months that were getting ready to go deadly. One was real close..about 5 pounds worth.

There was one necessary addition. I am getting old. I have had 20/15 vision most of my life. It is down to 20/20 now and I am having trouble seeing up close. I carefully took some neon lime green paint and painted around the night sight. makes it a LOT faster shooting. I learned that trick from some of my friends whowent to Gunsite and it works.

[Glockender]

I do? I don't even know what that is. Maybe it came on my gun????

Hey, I have kid hands and the qwik grip doesn't bother me. Is it b/c I have a 26???


Thats what she told me :)

[Glockender]

Lasers are generally a bad idea.
WTH are you hunting with a G23?

Nothing right now but if I feel the urge to, I will carry it when I go deer hunting now that 40cal semi-auto handguns are a legal means of taking deer :)

[Michael Brown]

"Hey, I have kid hands and the qwik grip doesn't bother me. Is it b/c I have a 26???"

Post a pic of your grip from your weak side with a close-up on the hands holding the gun in a two-handed grip. I can tell you better from that.

It probably doesn't "bother" you but you are probably not shooting as efficiently as you could. The actual "feel" of a grip really means nothing in terms of performance if you are intending to shoot fast and accurately.

If you only want to shoot accurately, no problem.

If you only want to shoot fast, no problem.

If you want to do both as required in a self-defense situation, your grip is very important for consistency and when you have a grip too large for your hands you do not get a consistent enough grip to allow for quality kinesthetic alignment of the pistol.

Michael Brown

[J.P.]

:laughup:
Normally I would say he's over analyizing it but hey....he's the state IDPA champ so who are we to argue?
;)

[Michael Brown]

Okay J.P., I'll try to simplify it for you. :smack:

Hands Small. Hogue Big. No hold gun good.

Better? :NO:

Michael Brown

[SoonerGlockGirl]

I'll have to get that pic taken in October when my hubby gets back. It's not that easy for me to take a pic of my own 2 handed grip, lol. Anyway, all guns are like that with me. My hands are always really small and I have to improvise; I'd rather have a little comfort.

[J.P.]

Okay J.P., I'll try to simplify it for you. :smack:

Hands Small. Hogue Big. No hold gun good.

Better? :NO:

Michael Brown

I understood just fine the first time but most of us just grab it by the handle and pull the bang switch.
I guess that's what seperates the Sharpshooters from the Masters.
;)

[Glockender]

I'll have to get that pic taken in October when my hubby gets back. It's not that easy for me to take a pic of my own 2 handed grip, lol. Anyway, all guns are like that with me. My hands are always really small and I have to improvise; I'd rather have a little comfort.

I can take it when we go shoot if it is before Brady gets home if you want me to.

As for the "my hands are always really small..." comment, I hope they don't randomly change sizes on you because that could make for a hard day of shooting :)