My New Glock 23 and a One in a Million Foul-up

[bernardrizzo]

Well, in anticipation of the CCW that I did not get, I purchased a Glock 23. I have been using 1911 platforms for 22 years and wanted to try a "wonder gun". I decided yesterday was the day to go to Bullseye in San Rafael with a buddy and run a few hundred rounds through it.

Well, two things happened.

1) It was the BEST day I have ever had in 22 years of shooting! I hit the sweet spot each and every time. No misses, all in the 10 ring from various distances. Even my buddy was amazed. I don't know if it was the firearm or me or the hand of God but I shot my best ever. 225 rounds and all on target. I was sending them down range into one inch groups, sometimes through (or around) the same hole. Unbelievable. I felt great. On top of the world.

Until...

2) I had a one in a million accident. Well, it seems that Glocks like to throw brass ALL OVER THE GODDAMN PLACE!!!!! Mostly back at me. Also with a hell of a lot of velocity. Well, one, very HOT, spent case flew back, hit the booth wall and bounced through the TOP of my shooting glasses and got stuck between the lens and the corner of my eye!!! Now, talk about training under stress. I managed to keep my firearm pointed down range, removed my finger from the trigger and yank my glasses off... all while screaming like a little girl (apologizes extended to my shooting sisters for the reference). I now am the proud owner of a blister 1/2 inch from my eye ball. It could have cost me an eye.

From now on, I'll wear goggles.

[Al Dubltap]

And there you have it...another unsolicited testimonial as to the superiority of Glocks! A friend had the same bad experience with hot brass shooting a Mini 14. Baseball caps are a good idea for the range.

[bernardrizzo]

Originally Posted by Al Dubltap

And there you have it...another unsolicited testimonial as to the superiority of Glocks! A friend had the same bad experience with hot brass shooting a Mini 14. Baseball caps are a good idea for the range.

I usually wear one but I was coming from work and in a suit.

I have to take a moment and defend the Glock. For all the negative opinions Glock's get, the 23 did everything I could have asked of it (with the exception of the brass).

It was utterly reliable, digested four different kinds of ammo. Had a great trigger and good sites. It shot fine out of the box.

My Springfield, 22 year old, many thousands of rounds though it, GI model seems to produce at least one jam/miss-feed etc... per shooting session. The Springfield V-10 compact that I own is VERY cranky when it comes to different brands of ammo.

Please understand, I am a 1911 fan, have been all my life and will always be. However, I really, really did like the Glock for a variety of reasons. However...

My biggest complaints are:

- The brass flying everywhere (though that might change with a suitable break in period).

- The dis-assembly relying on depressing the trigger. I sure fire recipe for a ND if you are not SUPER careful.

- No additional, external safety.

- No particularly pretty.

Still, utterly reliable, accurate and gets the job done.

[Poogsdad]

Originally Posted by Al Dubltap

And there you have it...another unsolicited testimonial as to the superiority of Glocks! A friend had the same bad experience with hot brass shooting a Mini 14. Baseball caps are a good idea for the range.

Cowboy hats are better!!!

If you have short hair and wear loose collared shirts, you also have an alternative "Brass Catcher" in back of you, not to be confused with the infinately preferable primary "Brass Catcher" some shooters have in front of them.

Please don't ask me how I know this. I hate talking about the "less macho" moments in my life.

Thanks,

[bernardrizzo]

Originally Posted by Poogsdad

Cowboy hats are better!!!

If you have short hair and wear loose collared shirts, you also have an alternative "Brass Catcher" in back of you, not to be confused with the infinately preferable primary "Brass Catcher" some shooters have in front of them.

Please don't ask me how I know this. I hate talking about the "less macho" moments in my life.

Thanks,

I've experienced both, much to my dismay. Though I have to say that it has amused my wife to no end when I try and explain why I have burns where there ought not to be. She laughs and resorts to calling me a dumb*ss (our little term of endearment).

[Mtn. Medic]

"From now on, I'll wear goggles."

Glock Goggles. Catchy name. With national marketing there might be a fortune to be made.

[El Gato]

I don't shoot at indoor ranges very much but while reading your post, I had a perfect picture of a perfect burn...
I keep a baseball cap in the truck usually for just such an occasion... although on outdoor ranges it is usually the brass of others that is the problem, not my brass. Many shooting schools require billed caps and glasses for just such an eventuality.
Wear you burn with distinction

[SierraNevadaCCW]

Yup...my Glock 23 primary carry gun, rules.

[CCWInstructor]

Notice to ALL: A Springfield GI model is not a fair comparison to a Sig Saur / HK design gun.

[bernardrizzo]

Originally Posted by CCWInstructor

Notice to ALL: A Springfield GI model is not a fair comparison to a Sig Saur / HK design gun.

You are absolutely right. I was making a comparison of my own experiences (with my 1911-A1 over the last 22 years) not a blanket statement.

I prefer 1911 platforms for several reasons:

- I am used to them, so much so that I can work with them in my sleep.

- What can I say? I was a kid in the late 60's and grew up on WW II films. A 1911-A1 was always my dream firearm.

- It was my first... and who ever forgets their first?

- It fits IWB better than almost anything out there.

- Anything that works as well as a 1911 for the last 100 years deserves another 100 years.

I may like my new Glock 23 (brown effing blister by my eye none withstanding) but I LOVE MY 1911's!!!

I just had a brainstorm... after so many years of looking down those little bitty GI sites, perhaps the Glock's just gave me a huge advantage.

In any case, my next plan is to send my 1911-A1 GI back to Springfield for the $1,750.00 make-over (when I can afford it). She's earned the make-over. Hell, this was many main carry arm for years...

But I still like that damn Glock.

[bernardrizzo]

Originally Posted by El Gato

I don't shoot at indoor ranges very much but while reading your post, I had a perfect picture of a perfect burn...
I keep a baseball cap in the truck usually for just such an occasion... although on outdoor ranges it is usually the brass of others that is the problem, not my brass. Many shooting schools require billed caps and glasses for just such an eventuality.
Wear you burn with distinction

My burn will be worn like a GI Joe's cheek scar!!!! With honor.

I usually spend my time at the Richmond Rod and Gun Club (I love that membership). When I am there I always wear a cap.

After this fiasco, I don't care if I am in a tuxedo and coming from a wedding... I'm putting on that damn hat!!!!

[Bombard]

Originally Posted by bernardrizzo

After this fiasco, I don't care if I am in a tuxedo and coming from a wedding... I'm putting on that damn hat!!!!

The first thing I do with a baseball cap is use a pair of pliers to remove the little button on top, so I can wear it underneath headphones. Started off as a shooting habit, became a flying habit, now it's back to a shooting habit.

[THE Gimper]

I had a very similar thing happen to me once (but I don't remember if it was with a Glock or not). A spent casing lodged itself between the arm of my shooting glasses and my temple. I too was able to set the gun down safely before I removed the casing. It burned and left a nice mark for quite a long time. I learned my lesson that day about not wearing a hat while shooting.

[libertarian]

Yep, I've got a brass-burn scar next to my eye too. I think mine is from a Glock, but since that's mostly what I shoot, it's not too surprising. It bounced off the wall of the shooting stall, then back into the arm of the glasses.

Yeah. Hats. FTW.

[bernardrizzo]

Originally Posted by libertarian

Yep, I've got a brass-burn scar next to my eye too. I think mine is from a Glock, but since that's mostly what I shoot, it's not too surprising. It bounced off the wall of the shooting stall, then back into the arm of the glasses.

Yeah. Hats. FTW.

I feel better knowing I am not alone in this.

Long live the Glock Eye Scar Brigade!!!!