American Handgunner Glock Article 1985

[HCM]

https://americanhandgunner.com/1985issues/HSO85.pdf

While the Glock Gen 5 has received mostly positive marks I think many of us forget (or never experienced) just how radical a departure the Glock 17 was from what came before it.

It is also worth noting the review was done by a writer in the U.K. first because U.K. citizens could still own and shoot regular handguns back then, which is a lesson in itself, and second because I don't have think the Glock was available in the U.S. yet.

The article starts on page 40.

[Gadfly]

Let's see... back then they still made shitty holsters

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170912/d42d6ef83521403351de01f8c0a044dc.jpg

A PACT Timer looked the size of a shoe box, and the weight of a brick. (6 D batteries not included)

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170912/57cb5580b39952c6a14425609f3b4192.jpg

Some folks had a twisted sense of "ladies self defense"

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170912/8cc092fd5bc306c11885f8040f67266d.jpg

The Ray Ban Aviator / Cop Stashe look was in. (But I loved two tone 1911s)

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170912/7e93866a248802accc7a6203c942321e.jpg

And HOLLY CUT OFFS....

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170912/a7453c3cace583e63d65ace93254849f.jpg


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[DAB]

Page 36- is IPSC sport or training?

Things don't change. Same debate today about IDPA.

[Inspector71]

I'm 57 and was raised in a generation that anything made of plastic was inferior to a product made of steel. I well remember when Glock came on the scene in the mid 80's. What a crazy idea, who would want a plastic pistol ? Senator Metzenbaum of Ohio called the Glock a "terrorist special" and called for Congressional hearings on how this new pistol could easily slip through airport metal detectors. I was a slow convert to the idea. Today, I've got just one semi auto pistol in my handgun collection. Yep, a Gen 3, G17. LOL.

[lwt16]

Good trip down memory lane.

I had that magazine in my stash. I was almost 16 when that came out.

Good read. Thanks for posting it.

[Robinson]

I was 23 when that was published. I think I owned one Ruger revolver and a few long guns. I had heard of the Glock though...

[tanner]

So for reference, I graduated high school in 88, and entered law enforcement in 92. Got my first Glock around 96 (work gave me a Sig 226). Didn't really get "into" guns until 2000 or so.

I am blown away by these ads. Thanks for posting this.

[blues]

Ah, the good old days. Got my first Glock in 1988 or 1989. Used to love going to the courthouse and running it through the magnetometer or wand and remark "Well don't that beat all...it set it off again. I'd better send it back."

Come to think of it, back then we were still allowed to wear our guns when testifying in court. (In South FL anyway. NYC had changed the policy before I departed.)

Cool ads. Who am I kidding? Nice shorts. ;)

[psalms144.1]

Used to love going to the courthouse and running it through the magnetometer or wand and remark "Well don't that beat all...it set it off again. I'd better send it back."That's because you had the wrong model. If you had the Glock SEVEN, it would be invisible to metal detectors...

[blues]

That's because you had the wrong model. If you had the Glock SEVEN, it would be invisible to metal detectors...

Damn! So near and yet so far.

I wonder if I can get retroactively compensated for an obvious case of dyslexia or attention deficit disorder. I gotta get paid! :p

[holmes168]

Interesting comment about a "gun grab" as they had one in the U.K. Probably not the kind the author meant!

[Glenn E. Meyer]

The Mauser Luger ad was neat.

[TiroFijo]

I was 23 in 1985, and gullibly buying all gun mags I could get my hands on... at about 3X the US price.

But a "plastic" DAO gun was not new to me because there were a few HK VP70s floating around here. Shoot one and every other trigger in the world seems decent.

[LittleLebowski]

I have that Freedom Arms "belt buckle, it's pretty cool.

[Jim Watson]

The author of that 1985 article covers the two real improvements to be made. Grip texture and sights. They have been getting rougher as generation succeeds generation, and while the factory sights have not improved, the aftermarket will sell you whatever your eyesight and application call for.

Otherwise, I see no improvement in a 9mm service pistol. The changes made serve the market for smaller guns and different calibers, but I can't see where they help the 17.

I would not swap my Gen 1 even up for a new Gen 5. The Gen 5 is said to have an improved trigger. Not over MY (un-tinkered, un-"updated") Gen 1, it doesn't.

[Totem Polar]

An interesting year. Two of P-F's most discussed pistols came to national attention:

[Guerrero]

The picture of Mas on page 36.

The 'staches on the guys.

[GardoneVT]

That's because you had the wrong model. If you had the Glock SEVEN, it would be invisible to metal detectors...

But they cost more then you make in a year,adjusted for 1985 dollars.

[ranger]

I was 25 in 1985 and was an avid reader of American Handgunner. Started to compete in USPSA in 1986. Bought a Glock Gen 1 G17 - was definitely the weird guy in a sea of 1911s, occasional BHP, and S&W 686s. Quickly sold the Gen 1 G17 and shot my 1911s. We have no idea how lucky we are to have a bunch of really great pistols to choose from now!

[Mike C]

I was 25 in 1985 and was an avid reader of American Handgunner. Started to compete in USPSA in 1986. Bought a Glock Gen 1 G17 - was definitely the weird guy in a sea of 1911s, occasional BHP, and S&W 686s. Quickly sold the Gen 1 G17 and shot my 1911s. We have no idea how lucky we are to have a bunch of really great pistols to choose from now!

I was a pup in '85 but I have to agree with you completely. We really do live in marvelous times in regards to firearms. The number of solid choices are astounding, not to mention all the after market support that we get, holsters, sights, parts. Heck now optics are starting to look truly viable for pistols. Exciting times for certain!

[Balisong]

Awesome article and awesome thread, thanks for sharing, and to everyone contributing.

I don't have a cool early glock story. I just know the first time I saw one was in the movie Freejack. I always liked guns, but had to ask a buddy more knowledgeable at the time what it was. I thought it was so cool looking. First one I shot was a year or two later at a rental range. Either a 17 or 19, don't remember. It malfunctioned frequently, probably due to accumulated filth and my wimpy 12 year old wrists. Wasn't so enamored after that lol. Eventually got there though

[Doc_Glock]

Nevermind. I found the Wilson ad interesting.

[Joe in PNG]

I remember reading that at the newsstand as a yoot. A couple of years later, I got to shoot one- first semi-auto pistol I ever shot.

[Tamara]

Page 36- is IPSC sport or training?

Things don't change. Same debate today about IDPA.

I think "Gamerfag or Tactical Timmy?" is funnier than "Gamesman or Martial Artist?" though, so at least we've advanced on that axis.

[DAB]

"Gamerfag"

Learned a new word today!!

[Trooper224]

That's because you had the wrong model. If you had the Glock SEVEN, it would be invisible to metal detectors...

Yeah, that ceramic pistol.

[KevH]

We have a Gen1 17 sitting in our training safe at the PD still in its Tupperware box, basically new. Ergonomically it feels fantastic in the hand although it is way slick in the grip compared to any of the more modern versions. It's interesting to see how little the Gen1 changed all the way through the Gen4. I just held a Gen5 today and plan to buy one in the next couple weeks. The Gen5 feels closer to the Gen1 to me in the hand than any of the later versions.