Preferred Glock mods by professionals & serious students

[Indirect Fire]

While I have failed to modify my own, and also do not own any Gen4 Glocks I sure agree that the larger surface area mag release really is a plus in the comfort and speed area over the stock release. I remember using a co-workers Gen4 17 and and really liking it. If I can overcome my hesitation for "change" this is another area I definitely see an advantage.

 

[Cobalt 60]

Thanks. Like I mentioned, that's an old cop trick that I picked up. Every now & then I run into Officers with that mod.still.

The key is to use a large mountain bike tube that is snug but not so tight that it squeezes the grip in to impair mag. release or so loose that it shifts during hard use. I will not have a grip shifting during use. In my experience many production versions do.
The tube seems to add the right amount of tackiness w/o adding hardly any bulk.
During install remember that it will shrink 5%-8%.
Also remember not to cover either side of the mag. release or the bottom of the magwell.

I will be posting an ad later for "Re-grips" the newest thing in recycling of innertubes and shooting!!! Introductory price of $15 if you get in now!!!

Such a simple idea that makes the store bought grips seem ridiculous. Except the ones I will be selling of course.

 

[protective measures]

In classes at our school & elsewhere too often we see people focusing too much on the "hardware" (trying to buy proficiency or adding extensive mods that impair reliability) & not enough on "software" (mastering basic handling, shooting, & tactical fundamentals).

The idea behind this thread is to offer some simple basic mods that work for people who shoot their guns a lot in all kinds of conditions.

If that description fits you, post what has worked for you.
Again, if stock works for you there is nothing wrong with leaving it that way.

 

[mpaschke7]

ODA or Bat?

Could be secruity contractor
I got a buddy who works for triple canopy as a designated marksmen and they carry 19's

 

[protective measures]

While I have failed to modify my own, and also do not own any Gen4 Glocks I sure agree that the larger surface area mag release really is a real plus in the comfort and speed area over the stock release. I remember using a co-workers Gen4 17 and and really liking it. If I can overcome my hesitation for "change" this is another area I definitely see an advantage.

It took me 2-3 years to warm up to them as the first class "loaner" guns we had had some annoying issues that took several trial & error fixes to correct. Only (& reluctantly) after these problems were corrected AND a gen. 4 ran the gauntlet of being shot by several different students & myself w/o any issues did I finally sell my cherished Gen. 3's.
Glock should never have rushed that Gen. (specifically the 19) knowing it had issues but they finally got them squared away a couple years ago.

Last Friday I picked up the G-19 I won at the last GSSF match I went to & put about 100 rds. through it in a class last weekend.
It ran perfect just like my old Gen 3's.
It took a lot to get me to retire my other ones but the Gen. 4's have been working great for thousands & thousands of rounds.... I have somewhere close to 10k through my main carry one.

I do understand the reluctance though.
The Gen. 3 left some big shoes to fill.

 

[Indirect Fire]

In classes at our school & elsewhere too often we see people focusing too much on the "hardware" (trying to buy proficiency or adding extensive mods that impair reliability) & not enough on "software" (mastering basic handling, shooting, & tactical fundamentals).

The number one mistake of the new and sometimes "experienced" handgun shooter. I have seen it from civvie shooters and from plenty of conventional and SOF veterans that generally concentrate on primary weapons while on active duty.

 

[protective measures]

Could be secruity contractor
I got a buddy who works for triple canopy as a designated marksmen and they carry 19's

In my experience training with military guys very few shoot a pistol very much while in theater.

Certain spec ops guys or Special Missions Units guys do some but obviously they count on their rifles & that's were their focus is.
If they have to pull out a pistol usually something has went real wrong.

 

[Cobalt 60]

In classes at our school & elsewhere too often we see people focusing too much on the "hardware" (trying to buy proficiency or adding extensive mods that impair reliability) & not enough on "software" (mastering basic handling, shooting, & tactical fundamentals).

The idea behind this thread is to offer some simple basic mods that work for people who shoot their guns a lot in all kinds of conditions.

If that description fits you, post what has worked for you.
Again, if stock works for you there is nothing wrong with leaving it that way.

I always laugh when I see the guys with the race guns trying to clear their jams!

 

[Bear44]

While stock is fine my personal "evolution" (mod. wise) after somewhere in excess of 200,000 rds. through mine since '90 or '91 are simple, inexpensive, do not adversely affect reliability, & are the same ones (or some of the same ones) done by most Intructors or Advanced students/ "serial trainers" that I've encountered over the years.

Many people after trying one of my modded guns compared to theirs decided to mod theirs out the same way or at least include part of the mods.
Not that what I do to mine is that special. I have said many times that I've found in life that if professionals in an industry or occupation are consistently doing something whether it be a technique or a piece of equipment... they are probably doing it for a good reason.
Most of these mods are ones I've learned from others over the years.

Highly recommended Mods:

1. Metal, quality combat sights. My personal favorites are the Ameriglo I-Dot Pro's with the orange front outline. They are rugged, precise, low snag, very fast to pickup, & have the Heinie "Straight 8" tritium dot over a dot system. Huge improvement over the factory "slot-fillers".
I've found them to be a good all around set of sights & have them on most of my guns. For dedicated target guns either the Warren/ Sevigny brand ( I have two sets of them on class "loaner" guns) or Dawson Precision are very popular.

2. Addition of a " - " connector. Slightly lightens the trigger & gives a smooth, clean, crisp break w/ minimal aftertravel. I have found the Lone Wolf Minus Connector to be my personal favorite & order them several at a time. The Ghost seems popular as well.
I insisted on staying with the stock one until attending Rogers Shooting School & shooting around 2000 rds. in 3 days.
Those one handed ( weak or strong side) shots at 20 yds. when the 8" plate is only exposed for 1/2 to 2 or 3 seconds made me a believer of the minus connector. For me & several other shooters I've spoken or trained with experience higher miss rates with the stock connector. During quick one handed shots even a slight twitch will produce a miss out at 15-20+ yards on small targets.
Plus saving that pound 2000 times helped reduce trigger finger exhaustion.

3. Addition of a section of bicycle innertube over the factory grip. The factory grip on the Gen. 4's specifically, are a bit aggressive & will chafe ones side if it is carried against bare skin. If ones hand/ fingers become wet...whether it be due to rain, sweat, or blood the shooter can lose their consistent grip. Most of the aftermarket grips add too much bulk & can be pricey. The bike innertube is usually free & adds almost zero bulk while adding just the right amount of non-skid feel/ texture. This is an old Cop trick that was used on revolvers.

4. Addition of a smooth faced trigger bar replacing the serrated one. The serrated trigger bar causes the trigger finger to go numb during high round count sessions & can be uncomfortable in even short sessions but to many shooters including myself has a much better "feel" or engagement than the serrated one.

Less Important Mods.:

5. Extended slide lock/ release. Helpful during one handed manipulations & faster and or more sure than the factory one for those who use it.
If you prefer to use the "over the top" or "slingshot" technique" as taught by most schools... go with it. I always have but most of the shooters that I've spent time with who have been in firefights "downrange" & had to use a pistol use the slide lock/ release where possible or the other techniques if need be such as when wearing gloves. Too many people obsess over this issue. In my school I demonstrate all 3, discuss the advantages/ disadvantages of each, tell them to practice, then pick what they prefer for their needs but to know practice/ know all of them.

6. Vickers/ Tango Down mag. release. If the factory one works well, run it. If you have issues with mags. sticking during fast or high stress reloads you might try this mod. out. Larry Vickers knows his way around a Glock & came up with this for a reason. Some of my guns run fine w/o it... others run better with it.

7. Scherer extended butt plug. This small unobtrusive addition acts like a mini- magwell helping drive slightly off center reloads home. It also helps reduce the awful pinch experienced on the palm when seating a standard length G-19/23 mag. home hard in that size gun. A better solution that always works is to just use the larger G-17/22 mag. for reloads. In addition to avoiding the palm pinch you have more surface area to grab to correct a double feed malfunction & pick up a couple more rounds w/o really losing any concealability mag-wise.
It does require that you clean the grip channel behind the magwell out frequently as debris can build up over time.

While each person may not feel the need for any, much less all of these mods., these are the most popular mods. that I use & have seen in use by professionals and serious students.
Of course as J. Cooper always put first, reliability is the most important consideration. For a defensive firearm it is critical to test any mod out to make sure it works for you on your gun.

If your stock gun runs fine for you... go with it.

It's very thoughtful of you to create a post like this. Excellent information of great value to the shooting community. Thanks!

 

[protective measures]

It's very thoughtful of you to create a post like this. Excellent information of great value to the shooting community. Thanks!

Like yourself people often ask me questions on this or similar topics so it seemed a good thing to post.
Thanks & have a good year!