VP9 torture test

[EMC]

I like glocks, always have and always will. With that said, they have as many issues as any other gun. They malfunction, suck at certain tests, and have a horrid history for BTF and other ejection issues. Problem is, everyone ignores it or address it and say its not a huge deal. If that same thing happened with a gun "cough cough px4 cough cough", everyone is quick to dismiss it as shit.

Confirmation bias is a powerful human tendency and is more prevalent regarding weapon choice than any other life decision except maybe religion. I find it fascinating. Gun forums could be used to study all sorts of cognitive behavior.

[GardoneVT]

I like glocks, always have and always will. With that said, they have as many issues as any other gun. They malfunction, suck at certain tests, and have a horrid history for BTF and other ejection issues. Problem is, everyone ignores it or address it and say its not a huge deal. If that same thing happened with a gun "cough cough px4 cough cough", everyone is quick to dismiss it as shit.

Behold the power of marketing.

I'll recount the G19 incident as an example. That time I was shooting at a different range then the one I work at. So I checked in, at which point the counter dude noticed I brought a Beretta . The patron next in line behind me fired off a throwaway comment about being careful because of "slides breaking in Iraq. "I guess he felt like serving a combo platter of BS.

I ignore it and hit the line. After ten minutes I burn through my ammo, and resolve to buy some at the counter to finish my reserved 30 minutes.

I wind up behind Slide Man in line. Theres a family of four being checked in at the desk and every shooter has to fill out two page waiver forms, so to kill time I ask him about the leaf spring he's holding in his hand.
" Oh,I was shooting my G19 and the slide just fell off the gun. I tried to put it back and this spring came out ".

I couldn't help myself .

"Glock Perfection,Eh?"



Cue butthurt look on his face .


"Well, you know actually this is the first time it broke in over 500 rounds! Besides a lot of cops and special forces use these, so its a good gun. Anything can break."

Oddly enough not ten minutes prior, he called my Beretta a safety risk. Consumer perception is a funny thing sometimes.

[breakingtime91]

Behold the power of marketing.

I'll recount the G19 incident as an example. That time I was shooting at a different range then the one I work at. So I checked in, at which point the counter dude noticed I brought a Beretta . The patron next in line behind me fired off a throwaway comment about being careful because of "slides breaking in Iraq. "I guess he felt like serving a combo platter of BS.

I ignore it and hit the line. After ten minutes I burn through my ammo, and resolve to buy some at the counter to finish my reserved 30 minutes.

I wind up behind Slide Man in line. Theres a family of four being checked in at the desk and every shooter has to fill out two page waiver forms, so to kill time I ask him about the leaf spring he's holding in his hand.
" Oh,I was shooting my G19 and the slide just fell off the gun. I tried to put it back and this spring came out ".

I couldn't help myself .

"Glock Perfection,Eh?"



Cue butthurt look on his face .


"Well, you know actually this is the first time it broke in over 500 rounds! Besides a lot of cops and special forces use these, so its a good gun. Anything can break."

Oddly enough not ten minutes prior, he called my Beretta a safety risk. Consumer perception is a funny thing sometimes.

I am guilty of calling the beretta m9 shit while I was in the Marine Corps. All of the stories of jamming this, slide breaking, 9mm bull shit got to me. Then I shot one, and kept shooting it. Nothing broke, the gun was accurate as hell, and it was durable. It is like anything in life, I only believe things when it comes from valuable sources, I can account for what they are claiming, or I see it with my own eyes. Hell, I almost got killed because someone told me lubing my rifle in the desert would make it malfunction, imagine my surprise when the opposite was true. I love guns, I love studying them, I love shooting them, but I don't love shifting through all the bull shit.

[LSP972]

...according to the Internet my P30 won't run with aluminum cased ammo.

Right.

My two must be Special Snowflakes. They run fine with both Blazer aluminum and the Federal aluminum. We even tried some in one of the wife's .40 S&W P30s… yup, boringly reliable.

These "torture tests" give me gas…

.

[Drang]

... I almost got killed because someone told me lubing my rifle in the desert would make it malfunction, imagine my surprise when the opposite was true.

Acquaintence once observed that the three things that will get you in trouble in the Army are Thinkin', Figurin', and Somebody.

• I thought...
• We figured...
• Somebody said...

I figure (heh) it's the same in the Corps, only with Lance Corporals instead of Specialists.

[breakingtime91]

Acquaintence once observed that the three things that will get you in trouble in the Army are Thinkin', Figurin', and Somebody.

• I thought...
• We figured...
• Somebody said...

I figure (heh) it's the same in the Corps, only with Lance Corporals instead of Specialists.

I figure () your right

[JSGlock34]

Since we're citing the Larry Vickers sand test, I think it is important to relate his subsequent comments. Note that Vickers has long been an advocate for using a grip plug on the Glock because of his test findings, and the recent 'Vickers' Glocks come equipped with one.

My take on Glocks

Gents

I see the old sand test I was part of years ago has stirred up a hornet's nest over on another forum - I tried to post this thread there but found out I was banned - not sure why that would be so I decided to post this here - in addition it answers several questions I get in nearly every class about Glocks- here goes;

1) IMO the Glock 19 and 17 are the best Glock's made - both are excellent pistols - I own, use, and recommend both

2) I do not recommend the G22, G23, or G21 - based on my experience these pistols have problems (breakage, won't function with rail mounted lights, etc.) and I feel there are better choices in 40 and 45

3) Glocks as a rule are not as accurate as many other service pistols - partly due to the enlarged chamber - this can be fixed with aftermarket barrels

4) I recommend 3 things for a Glock 19 or 17; good sights (Heinie, Novak, 10-8and Warren are my current favorites) , a buttplug to keep debris out of the trigger mech (cheap insurance), and my mag catch made by Tangodown. Optional but highly recommended is frame texturing by Dave Bowie (I like the finger grooves removed also)

5) They are incredibly forgiving in maintenance and lubrication - amazing

6) Incredibly simple to operate - 2 levers/buttons and 1 is optional

7) Always remember the golden rule with a Glock; keep your finger OFF the trigger until you are ready to shoot - if you don't adhere to this expect a loud noise at some point

Bottom line Glocks in 9mm are excellent pistols - they are not my first choice in other calibers however - the S&W M&P has been called a product improved Glock ; this may be true but the verdict is still out as the M&P is a relatively new handgun vs millions of Glock's in service (mostly in 9mm I might add) and S&W has a spotty record in terms of autoloading pistols - time will tell

hope this helps

Larry Vickers

www.vickerstactical.com

On another note...

...according to the Internet my P30 won't run with aluminum cased ammo.

Right.

My two must be Special Snowflakes. They run fine with both Blazer aluminum and the Federal aluminum. We even tried some in one of the wife's .40 S&W P30s… yup, boringly reliable.

Can't blame the masses on the internet for this one. The HK P30 and VP9 manuals explicitly state not to use aluminum cased ammunition. You'll have to ask HK why.

CAUTiON: HK Firearms are designed to function with quality, manufactured brass-cased ammunition. Use of steel or aluminum-cased cartridges is not recommended and could adversely affect safe and reliable functioning. Use of cast-lead bullets is also not recommended.

[Vinh]

This reminds me of an incident in the home audio industry. A single reviewer single-handedly killed the Bowers & Wilkins HTM61 (S1), even though the speaker was not a bad product. I suspect MAC's video will end up severely impacting VP9 sales.

[LSP972]

I suspect MAC's video will end up severely impacting VP9 sales.

Unlikely. I'm sure those who pay rapt attention to YouTube might pass, but most of those folks would probably be better off with a Glock or Serbo Croat Special, anyway.

.

[dookie1481]

Unlikely. I'm sure those who pay rapt attention to YouTube might pass, but most of those folks would probably be better off with a Glock or Serbo Croat Special, anyway.

.

Agreed, people that dwell internet forums VASTLY overestimate the impact of forums and Youtube reviews. The average gun shopper is pretty low-information.