glock 19

Can you teach an old Glock new tricks with Talon Grips?

I may have amassed a decent collection of pistols over the years, but without exception, I keep coming back to my good old Gen 3 Glock 19 for everyday-carry. Like just about every firearm I own, I’ve done a bit of work to it to make it unique, but aside from a few internal doodads, a set of TRUGLO TFX night sights, and some aesthetic touches, this pistol still looks and feels a lot like it did when it came from the factory.

My love for this pistol aside, that’s sort of the problem.

While later model Glocks have a more abrasive grip (though still not quite to my liking), these old Generation 3 pistols come with grips that feel fine… until your hands are slick. Add a bit of sweat, water, or (if you’re in a fight for your life) blood, and you can’t help but start to worry about how effectively you can grab at your piece. This isn’t too big an issue for slow and steady target shooting at the range, but a rapid draw from an IWB concealed carry holster can get tricky when your hands are slipping around on the pistol.

The obvious (and cheapest) solution to this dilemma is to stipple the grips of your Glock using either a dremel tool, a soldering iron, or both. I’ve seen this done very effectively, and in some cases, in beautiful ways — but I lack the artistic talent and coordination required to make mine look good, and as embarrassing as it is to admit, I love this old gun too much to feel comfortable hacking away at it like that. So what does one do when you need to add grip to your Glock, but you’re too much of a coward to pull the trigger on stippling?

You use a stick on solution.

Talon Grips offers a variety of stick-on solutions for a number of different weapons, but despite the variety, the application process is pretty much the same for all of them. Start by giving your pistol grip a good cleaning with the included alcohol swab, then simply wrap the grip around the handle of your pistol like a sticker. The grip has a fair amount of stick to it, but it’s forgiving — you can peel off portions and reapply them if you didn’t get your alignment quite right on the first pass.

Once it’s stuck on, you’ll need a hair dryer or heat gun to melt the grips into place. Heat the grips until they’re hot, but not too hot to touch with your bare hands. Then, press down firmly on the Talon Grips using your fingers to help the slightly-melted material seep in and adhere to all the nooks and crannies of the pistol. I repeated that process four times before calling it quits.

What you’re left with is a pretty damn good looking (and grippy) result that I’m certain will make me feel more confident on the draw. My only pressing concern is how long these grips will last through frequent use and the formidable humidity of these Georgia summers. After I’ve had a chance to beat the living hell out of these grips for a while, I’ll bring this pistol back into the office for round two of this review, focused on the durability and longevity of Talon’s grips.

Upgrading the Glock 19 | Shadow Systems Optics Ready Slide

The Glock 19 is one of the most popular modern pistols on the market. And for good reason. It’s simple design, cost to own, reliability, ease of maintenance and accuracy make it a no-brainer for thousands of owners and agencies alike. Although the pros outweigh the cons, the one thing a Glock isn’t is sexy. But who really cares, it was designed to do a job and do it well. For me, I like a little individuality. I add personal touches to my vehicles, so why not my firearms? There’s no reason the Glock 19 can’t be both functional AND sexy, right? This Texas based company can take your Glock from mundane to whatever your heart desires in no time with the Shadow Systems Optics Ready Slide.

The Gen 4 Glock 19 is also one of my two daily carry pistols. No, I don’t carry two pistols at the same time. In the cooler months, I’ll wear my G19 in a Bravo Concealment holster outside the waist belt and under a coat. In the summer months, I typically carry the slimmer fitting Sig P365. One of my only dislikes about the Glock pistols are the lack of front slide serrations. Shadow Systems offers several custom slides for the Glock 19 and 17 variations, from mild to wild. And all have front serrations which checked one of my boxes. So I decided to go with the Optics Ready Slide with RMR Cut. Shadow Systems Slides are 100% Made in the USA from U.S. sourced materials which checks another box.

This beauty is DLC coated for durability and offers several desirable features. Most noticeable are the two window cuts on the sides and pocket cuts atop the slide. Drastically reducing the weight of this 17-4 stainless steel sculpture by more than 2 ounces over the factory slide. Also of note are the aggressive serrations on the sides of the Optic Ready Slide. Precisely milled at a slight angle to help reduce draw friction from a holster, these serrations retain a cheese grater type profile. Offering the shooter exceptional traction on both the front and rear of the pistol during high-speed operation. Atop the Shadow Systems Optics Ready Slide is a cut out for the Trijicon RMR. While I use an RMR on my competition Glock 34, I may try it out on the Glock 19. But when not in use, Shadow Systems offers a matching slide plate to fill the cutout.

Shadow Systems Optics Ready Slide Includes:

Choose Gen3 or Gen4 compatible slide
Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) finish
Optic cut for Trijicon RMR
17-4 Stainless Steel Slide
Screws included
The slide is completely stripped and does not include Channel Liner
Compatible Gun Models: Gen 3 Glock 19, Gen 4 Glock 19
MSRP: ~~$469~~ $418

Shadow Systems offers a full line up of Glock related parts. From complete guns to the smallest of internal parts. As I work my way through modifying my Glock 19, Shadow Systems components will be a large part of the equation. I’ve already tested and reviewed their Match Barrel. The TiN coated barrel really looks sharp through the window cuts on the Optics Ready Slide. I also plan to try their Elite Trigger on this build. One thing to keep in mind that all the custom slides from Shadow Systems are stripped. So make sure to pick up a Slide Completion Kit. Up next will be an article on Glock frame modification so stay tuned.

*Images courtesy of the author

Grey Ghost Precision Offers Dual Optic Compatibility

The Slide, Improved by GGP

I like Glock pistols and I like red dot sights. Optic sights on your combat gun allow for faster target transition, a wider field of view with both eyes open, quicker sight acquisition of your target, improved accuracy at close and long distances, and allow you to stay target focused. With that being said, I’m not in love with the Glock MOS (Modular Optic System) as the solution to mounting red dot sights on the Glock platform (see my general complaints later).

Grey Ghost Precision (GGP) recognized the existing market gap and a need to improve the way things were being done and introduced aftermarket milled slides. GGP slides offered were great quality, but they had the same problem that sending your Glock slide in to have custom milled had; until they offered the V4 and their genius shim system for dual optic compatibility.

The Problem with Custom Milled Slides

Custom milled slides offer a superior mounting solution to red dot optics. They are a much more robust mount when properly done. The fitment of the optic to the slide is a press-fit where you essentially don’t even need the mounting screws for it to stay in place. Add a little thread lock to the screws and mount it up for a locked-in tight fit that lets you use a quality optic as a handle just as much as a red dot. The red dot sight sits nice and low and allows a lower profile fit.

The problem with that milled sight is that you’re now locked-in to the optic you chose when you got it milled!

A custom milled slide is a great option but you will be locked into the footprint that you choose. No going back!

Some law enforcement agencies may not permit officers to have the pistols milled, as they “alter” the firearm.

The Problem with the MOS

The MOS is a great option for the weekend shooter that doesn’t need to rely on the optic for rough and tough treatment.

You can mount multiple brands of optics with the Glock provided plates. Installation is easy and it retains a stock condition that some police departments want.

Too high on the slide and only two screws holding the optic in-place

All that retains the optic onto the pistol with the MOS configuration is two tiny screws! They do not do a great job of holding the optic onto the gun. The time I’ve spent on the MOS mounting configuration resulted in a loose optic after firing a lot of rounds and doing a few brisk manipulations using the optic as a lever.

The other problem with the MOS configuration is the optic sits up high on the gun and sometimes even suppressor height sights are worthless (such as with the taller footprint Leopold Delta Point Pro.)

The Grey Ghost Precision Solution

Take the stock slide off your Glock, swipe the components from it or just purchase new ones for a minimal price, and install it on your new Version 4 Grey Ghost Precision slide. If you’re mounting the Trijicon RMR or optic with compatible footprint, leave the additional shim on top of the slide in place and use the provided screws with a little threadlocker. Press fit the optic on the slide and install the screws. It’s that easy and it fits precisely as it should.

With the shim in place, the Trijicon is a press-fit installation. Use the GGP provided screws with thread locker.

If you’re using the popular Leupold Delta Point Pro (or other optic that uses Leupold’s footprint), remove the provided shim and press fit the optic to a precision fit. Use your Grey Ghost Precision provided screws with a little thread lock installed and you’re in business.

Remove the shim and install the Leupold DPP with the provided screws and some thread locker

Grey Ghost Precision gives you options for mounting red dot sights and it’s much more robust than what you’d normally find.

This Grey Ghost Precision V4 Mount should be the GLOCK MOS standard!

Tighter Tolerances Equals Tighter Groups

The Grey Ghost Precision V4 slide is much more than just a good optics slide. The slide is machined in-house out of 17-4 billet stainless steel and has tighter critical tolerances.

The GGP slide is Black Nitride Coated inside and out and comes with a custom G10 cover plate and proper screws for use without any optics installed.

The GGP V4 Slide looks great without an optic as well. It comes with a cover plate installed.

Add the GGP match grade barrel and you’ll really see things tighten up if you can avoid slapping the trigger. I hope to be telling you more about the GGP, Glock 19 compatible, Match Grade Barrel later.

Microscale Texture

The GGP V4 slides feature a new slide design with a new texture – the Microscale Texture. The Microscale Texture creates the ultimate strong frictional grip. The design is functional, easy to manipulate from any angle, and is a wonderful example of end-user-focused engineering.

Microscale Texturing makes the slide a cinch to manipulate from any angle.

Grey Ghost Precision slides development was directly influenced by special forces, law enforcement officers, competitive shooters and you – the end user in mind.

Grey Ghost Precision slides easily swap onto OEM & 80% frames. I think one of the best built combinations is the GGP V4 slide placed onto the Nomad Defense, Nomad 9 frame, or one of the GGP Combat Pistol Frames! Take having a custom pistol to a new level and start with the components you want from the get-go and build it your way.

I’ve been running the GGP V4 slide for a couple of months now and I love it. I’ve got the XS Sights, DXT Night Sights on it for back-up sights and they work wonderfully. (More about these sights later.) I ran the Trijicon on the slide first and loved how it sat low and tight in the slide.

I’ve just recently got my hands on the Leupold DPP and have to say, I was impressed with how after removing the shim and changing the screws, the DPP was just as good of a press fit as the Trijicon had been. I’m also starting to enjoy the DPP optic which I hadn’t had any time in on before.

If you’ve been on the fence about building your own custom pistol with components – quit waiting and try out Grey Ghost Precision. You can buy all the components directly from GGP to build your own custom pistol.

Anti-Glock: The Dark Side of Plastic Perfection

Upon hearing about my fellow TAG team member Brian‘s article titled “Do All Roads Lead to Glock?,” I knew with absolute certainty I had to present the other half of the argument and be that guy—the Glock hater. I’m tired of shootists perpetually singing the praises of this platform—it’s the ultimate in reliability, they’re inexpensive, all the pros use them—and I intend to call attention to a few of the downsides. If you read this article and say, “well half of that is just personal preference,” you’re absolutely correct. Take it with a grain of salt. And if you’re a devout Glock lover, a couple ibuprofen, too.

1. Spongy trigger:

Stock triggers on Glocks are like bad employees: They’re creepy, gritty, and inconsistent. Don’t feed me a line about aftermarket modifications to improve the trigger, either. Yes, I know that Glock, being so popular, has widely available aftermarket parts, many of them inexpensive and easy to install. But if I buy a new car, I don’t want to have to immediately take it to a body shop to have the steering improved, even if it’s cheap to do it.

2. No external safety:

Not a problem for pros. Some would even argue that not having an external safety makes the Glock that much simpler or more streamlined. But pros aren’t the only ones buying Glocks. In fact, newbie shooters seem to gravitate toward the platform based in large part on pop culture (Hollywood action movies and rap songs come to mind), and since they fall well within a new shooter’s modest price range, many end up taking a Glock home as their first handgun. The problem is, a new shooter may lack the trigger discipline necessary to safely operate it. Having those extra manual safeties in place provides a cognitive layer of protection: It forces the shooter to consciously take that external safety off prior to pulling the trigger, and reinforces the notion that the gun is now fully prepared to fire.

3. Unnatural grip angle:

Not the same for everyone, I know. Some people find that the Glock points very naturally for them. For me, when comparing the grip angle and overall “feel” of a Glock to that of, say, a Sig Sauer P225, it’s on par with comparing a wide, lopsided brick to a handful of pizza dough.

4. Poorly manufactured sights:

The Glock’s plastic sights are probably the only parts of the gun that don’t align with Glock’s M.O. of durability and longevity. With regular holstering and unholstering, they may wear out, chip, crack, break, fall out, or otherwise leave you shooting like Paul Hogan in the film Lightning Jack. Yeah, yeah, you’re going to say “well mine haven’t,” or “you can just replace them if they break.” Well, let’s just say I’d prefer to not have to. See #1 for more on that.

The Anti-Glock Talk: A Rebuttal — Photo composite courtesy of thehistoryblog.com (1911) and gunblast.com (Glock 19), respectively.

5. Void of aesthetic appeal:

Most Glock owners grudgingly admit that these guns are dog-ugly (okay, maybe not as bad as the one shown top, which was apparently made by a Russian amateur gunmaker using sawdust and epoxy, and chambered to 9×18 Makarov—yeah, it’s a real gun), but what really makes them unappealing to me is their lack of character. Unlike a blued, steel handgun with walnut grips that just takes on more and more character and patina with time and use (right, above), a used Glock looks about like a new one (right, below). Bland.

Conclusion:

Because I don’t want any death threats over this, I’m going to do a couple things. First, I will reluctantly admit that, in a pinch, I would gladly take a Glock over a rock of similar weight and dimensions. They are reliable, they are plenty accurate for most defensive applications, and they hold an impressive amount of ammunition given their weight. Second, I openly invite you to explain to me (please be civil, I have a fragile ego) why I’m horribly wrong and an embarrassment to the shooting sports in the comments below.

Primary image courtesy of improguns.blogspot.ca

Article written by Nate Granzow

Nomad Defense: Subtle changes, big improvements

The Glock line of pistols are popular amongst most. The Glock pistol is also hated by some. Nomad Defense holds the solution for the rest of us that have to have the Glock or like the Glock but wants some improvements; The Nomad 9.

Same General Complaints

Everyone seems to complain about a few of the same things when they have honest critical conversations about the Glock. Usually, those complaints are centered around the frame and the way it fits or doesn’t fit the hand. It’s hard to argue with Glock reliability.

My biggest complaint is the slide bite that I get if I don’t install an aftermarket (or now on the newer Glocks OEM) extended backstrap. The scar on my hand reminds me that my hands are too big to shoot the Glock without it.

Stock – Good or Great but Could be Better

Stock offers a “meh” grip angle that could be a little better. The grip angle is good for most but not great for all.

Another common complaint is the ability of the shooter to get their hand deep into the gun and the gripping surface itself. Sure there are lots of solutions to these problems from custom stippling and cutting of the frame. You can also get great products like those from Talon Grips but wouldn’t it be great if the pistol just came that way?

Another common gripe is the lack of indexing points, lack of a funneled magazine well, and on the models with finger grooves that they only fit some shooters.

The aftermarket is flooded with options for people to send their frames in for working over or slipping onto or how-to videos to risk it all with a hot iron and sandpaper. Do a quick google search for “custom Glock frame work” and you’ll see that you get “about 3,170,000 results in less than a second of searching!

Those solutions are all fine and dandy but what about those of us that aren’t allowed to modify the pistol – like most working in law enforcement etc.?

A Reasonable Accommodation

I believe the Nomad Defense, Nomad 9, is a viable option for agencies wanting to stick with the Glock platform but also wanting to have a better pistol or wanting to accommodate smaller handed officers.

Think of it as an ADA compliant frame for the “petite” hands and more.

For the LE agency, The Nomad 9 can be a smart option. They could stick to stock Glock internal components by just switching over the guts from the OEM frame. Take those internals and place them into the Nomad 9 and putting the slide on.

Put the OEM frame in the safe and save it for when you get rid of the pistol or issue it to someone that doesn’t need the Nomad.

For the individual purchaser, I see the Nomad 9 as an exciting opportunity to build the pistol the way they want it the first time. It’s like buying a stripped AR15 lower and building it your way the 1^st time instead of wasting time and money on a complete rifle that you tear apart and add onto as you go.

With the Nomad 9 you could truly build a one of a kind awesome pistol, starting with the intelligently designed and beautiful Nomad 9.

For the Custom Build

Start by going to Rainier Arms and purchasing the Nomad 9. Ship the Nomad 9 to your local gun store/FFL dealer fulfilling your usual firearms purchasing requirements.

Next, fill your cart with your favorite aftermarket components to finish the build, just like your AR15 build. It’s really that easy!

Stand out features of this Nomad 9 are hard to put into words. While I’m telling you this pistol is great for “petite” hands, I have very large hands and I love how this pistol feels and shoots with the Nomad 9 frame.

Great Gun Before, Even Better Now

I like the Glock 19 just as it is and think it’s a great gun. I like the Glock 19 so much more with the Nomad 9 frame on it.

The flared out thumb and index points forward of the trigger guard give my fingertips a feeling of being on home base and they just belong.

Recessed trigger guard for middle finger placement intelligently drives the pistol deep into your hand while the extended backstrap or beavertail protects hands like mine from getting a painful bite.

The lackluster frame texturing that you get with a stock frame is immensely improved with the Nomad 9 texture that grabs a hold of your hand without tearing up your hand or clothing while carrying concealed.

The stippling feels like you paid an extra $200 just for someone to work their magic with a hot iron.

On the Nomad 9, a new shooter is driven towards a successful forward thumbs style grip with the hand and finger recesses and shelves that direct the senses to where they belong.

At the magazine well, you find a subtle flare that both improves reloads and keeps your hand secured to the grip.

One Handed Shooting Surprise

My biggest surprise while running the Nomad 9 was the improvement I saw with my one handed shooting. I saw less muzzle rise and felt like my hand was glued to the frame. The improved ergonomics on the handle remind me of some other manufacturers that have had the grip right for a while now.

Using the Nomad 9 pistol frame feels like going from the original square Nintendo controller to an ergonomically correct Xbox one controller. Or like switching from a pair of cheap poor fitting tennis shoes to a pair of custom made expensive boots.

Holsters, Will it Fit?

While I obviously couldn’t try every holster out their for fitment, I did get a chance to try several duty holsters and concealed carry kydex holsters. My 1st observation was that if you have a light bearing holster, it seems to work flawlessly. If you don’t have a light bearing holster, it’s a snug but workable fit.

The holsters I tried without a light had a little bit of drag from where the built up finger rests fall on the front of the frame, just ahead of the trigger guard.

The Safariland duty holster that I carry daily was a perfect fit with perfect retention as the system of retention is based off of the ejection port of the slide, not the trigger guard.

Fits well in the Safariland ALS light bearing holster

The Tactical Design Labs holster worked flawlessly with the Nomad 9 as well.

I tried the Nomad 9 in several holsters from Bravo Concealment and TRex Arms and found no concerns.

Will it fit your holster… That I can’t tell you.

Watch for more

We hope to be bringing you more about the Nomad 9 as we look to partner with companies that you would go to for a custom, 1-off build. What would you like to see done for a custom build on this frame? Let us know by chiming in below.

A Reasonable Accommodation

A reasonable accommodation is assistance or changes to a position or workplace that will enable an employee to do his or her job despite having a disability. Under the ADA, employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified employees with disabilities, unless doing so would pose an undue hardship.

Bravo Concealment Torsion 3.0 holster

Bravo Concealment hits the nail on the head when it comes to Kydex holsters. Simple, innovative, and priced well. Their new Torsion is upgraded with an even stronger polymer and an adjustable retention screw. I can’t recommend them enough. Check out the video for my thoughts on the new Bravo Concealment Torsion.

Author – Tim M.