Why do I love GLOCK

Why do I love Glock? Let me count the ways…

Reliability, consistency, affordability and many ways to customize it to what I need for a start.

These guns are reliable and just keep going.

I love how they are different across generations, sizes and calibers but they all handle the same way. This allows me to train consistently with a full-size gun and apply those same fundamentals to my EDC gun, and have many options as well.

I am a firearms instructor in Las Vegas, in addition to being a facilitator for AG & AG and enjoy competing when time allows. Within our training team we believe that self-development as instructors is essential and as much as I love to teach, I also love to be the student and train with some of the great instructors locally and across the country.  I see in a class what works and what does not work, either because of what I see my students bring in, or when I am taking a class and seeing the guns my peers bring, I see what breaks, what runs, what is frustrating to shoot. Glocks have proven themselves to run reliably and are typically the majority of what I see in a higher-level training class.

 My Gen 4 G17 gets rained on, covered in dirt/mud in tactical classes, and run hard shooting thousands of rounds and it just keeps going, and I love that. End of the day I wipe it down, clean and lubricate it and we are ready to do it again.

 I do not have a big budget to buy guns just to collect them, and really take the time to consider my next purchase when it comes to my gear, every gun I buy must be able to do the job intended, not break down, or require special care, at a reasonable price point.

Glock fits my needs without breaking the bank.

How Long? I have been shooting Glocks about 13 years.

 My first was a Gen 3 G22, I carried that for work in security but after breaking my shooting hand in martial arts training incident I went to a G19 as I was still recovering my hand strength and it was much easier to quickly get shots on target and control the recoil.  All my other Glocks are chambered in 9mm, which is now my preferred caliber.

I began competing IDPA with the G19 for about a year, until at a GSSF match I was lucky enough to win a gun!  I chose the Gen 4 G17 and above all that is my favorite.  One year at AG & AG conference I was lucky enough to win a Cerakote package from Viktor’s Legacy custom Gunsmithing, and there was no doubt which gun would get the love, I picked out a beautiful distressed American flag pattern and they not only have incredible customer service but did a fantastic job, I get so many compliments on it and really pleased with the result!

I requested and was approved to be one of the RSOs for the Glock booth at Shot Show media day a few years ago, and even though it was one of the busiest booths, and it was a long day, I loved being there and seeing all the latest releases and interacting with the staff, and Gunny, of which I have many fond memories.

I love to compete at GSSF matches and am a member, and I like to bring as many friends as possible along, because it is a wonderful introduction to competition for new shooters especially and just an all-around fun time.

Recently Eileen Kerlin and I had about 11-12 AGAG ladies from our Las Vegas and Henderson chapters go to a GSSF match and it was a wonderful time. It was their first match, and some won guns, money, or used their membership coupons towards a new Glock, all of them had a blast, and quite a few of us have added one or two Glocks to the family since then, me included.  Many of those ladies are now stretching their wings in local steel and IDPA matches after that first positive experience.

Through AG & AG I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the Glock operator course, and the Glock Armorer course, which was an incredible experience, the instructors were amazing and informative, and really made us feel welcome, it was really one of my favorite classes and I cannot wait to go back.

We are extremely fortunate to have Glock as our sponsor at conference this year, and the instructors and staff that came out were very professional, hardworking and gave so much great advice.

I watched Willie Parent sharing his knowledge during conference and with one of the ladies on the very last day when most of the other instructors had already gone home.  I knew he must be exhausted from all the days he had already been there working hard but he was still smiling, and he had incredible patience showing her some ways to improve her shooting.  He then took the time to also give me some excellent advice and even email me some tips on red dots that are most compatible with Glocks for the use I had intended. You can tell how passionate he is about teaching and its inspiring to me as an instructor.

How was I introduced? My partner and I each bought a G22, so we could have the same type of firearm while on the job working security and be able to share magazines if needed. I trained with that gun for years and really enjoyed it, it was my first great experience with a firearm after a few frustrating experiences with other brands and sizes that were purchased on some bad advice from gun store shop owners and my own inexperience. That bad (and expensive) experience really inspires me to give good counsel when someone comes to me asking what type of gun should I buy? We start with, what are you planning to use it for? Home defense, conceal carry, competition? Then go to hand size, reputable brand, choice of caliber, and of course, if possible, see if you can rent it at a local range and shoot it first, or maybe you have a friend/AG & AG sister that has one that you can try. At our AG & AG events the rule is, if someone says do you want to try this gun, the answer is always YES!! Try as many different types as possible to see what works for you and makes you happy. We do have quite a few Glocks in our group, imagine that!

What I use it for?  When I am teaching or taking a training class my go to is one of three G17s, they are all workhorses and I just love them and know they will not let me down! For competition it is a G34 or G17. My G22 is now my home defense. My every day carry is a G43X, previously I carried a G43, I transitioned to the 43X because the grip has more real estate making it much more comfortable to shoot, and it allows me to carry a higher round count, both myself and my Fiancé’ carry the same gun for consistency.

My friends will say, “oh yeah Alex she’s a Glock girl” and I have to say, well actually I am a fan of what works, and they consistently perform well, at a great price point, and that makes me a huge fan!

It has been a great journey, and I am looking forward to adding more to my collection.

Thanks Glock, for many great years so far, and many ahead.