best handguns - Gunivore https://gunivore.com Bringing You Honest, Reliable, and Engaging Firearm News and Reviews Tue, 03 Sep 2019 14:21:48 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.6.10 https://gunivore.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/cropped-Bullet-Icon-32x32.jpg best handguns - Gunivore https://gunivore.com 32 32 Glock 37 Gen 4 Review: .45 Auto, Glock-Style https://gunivore.com/pistol/glock-37-gen-4-review/ https://gunivore.com/pistol/glock-37-gen-4-review/#comments Fri, 02 Sep 2016 10:11:08 +0000 https://gunivore.com/?p=2931 Glock has introduced a number of guns which are .45 Auto caliber, but they have their own .45 caliber - the .45 GAP - as well! Glock presents the 4th generation of their .45 GAP-using Glock 37 - read about it in our "Glock 37 Gen 4 Review: .45 Auto, Glock-Style" feature!

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Table of Contents

Although Glock’s lineup of handguns features mostly impressive firepower – enough to get the job done in so many instances – some law enforcement officials in the late 1990’s-early 2000’s found that Glock’s standard issue 9×19 pistols, such as the Glock 17, 19, 26, or 43, were not adequately taking down criminals. This led to a bit of a conundrum on the part of Glock, in that the company was faced with the decision to either concede that its existing handgun line wasn’t up to par for some officers and develop/adopt a new caliber, or ignore the pleas for a more powerful Glock. Glock settled on the former, and the result we ended up with is the Glock 37, a .45 G.A.P. (Glock Automatic Pistol) using cartridge developed to match the power of the .45 Auto guns while maintaining a compact form factor and high ease of use.

The .45 GAP, while offering the same power as the .45 ACP, is made shorter in order to fit a compact handgun. This is because Glock had no intention of drawing a contrast between the G37 and their other, more compact handguns, or invite comparisons to the .45 Auto Glock models – the 21, 30, and 36. The Glock 37 was a monumental achievement in that Glock continued to combine impressive stopping power and compact form, this time on an even greater level – it’s not tough to see why the New York State Police Department adopted the gun shortly after its introduction to the market. You’ll understand the greatness of the Glock 37 as well after reading this, our Glock 37 Gen 4 Review!

Glock 37 Specs

Caliber / System

  • .45 G.A.P.

Dimensions

  • Length: 204 mm / 8.03 in.
  • Height: 140 mm / 5.51 in.
  • Width: 30.00 mm / 1.18 in.
  • Barrel Height: 32 mm / 5.51 in.
  • Length Between Sights: 165 mm / 6.49 in.
  • Barrel Length: 114 mm / 4.48 in.

Weights

  • Unloaded: 820 g / 28.95 oz.
  • Loaded: 1005 g / 35.48 oz.

Trigger Pull / Travel

  • Trigger Pull: ~2.5 kg / ~5.5 lbs.
  • Trigger Travel: ~12.5 mm / ~0.49 in.

Barrel Rifling / Length of Twist

  • Barrel Rifling: right hand, octagonal
  • Length of Twist: 400 mm / 15.75 in.

Magazine Capacity

  • Standard: 10

Glock 37 Build

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Glock 37 Backstraps

As previously stated, the thought behind the Glock 37 was to develop a firearm which could accommodate .45 ACP-like cartridges without compromising in form factor. In order to achieve this, Glock’s special .45 GAP cartridge is shorter than the traditional .45 ACP, but slightly shorter, and uses a small pistol primer. The G37 uses the same frame as the 9 x 19 Glock pistols, but uses a wider sight to accommodate the larger diameter of the .45 GAP, and the magazines are the same dimensions as those used in the 9 x 19 Glock’s. In typical Glock fashion, the G37 is composed mostly of the patented Glock polymer-blend, which makes for a tough, durable, resilient, and long-lasting gun. As we are reviewing the Gen 4 version of the Glock 37, we should note that all of the typical Gen 4 bells and whistles are included – the modular back straps, the enlarged and reversible magazine catch, dual recoil spring assembly, and the new and improved textured grip. Already known for their build quality, the dual recoil spring assembly in particular ensures an even longer-lasting Glock – for me personally, the G37 has held up over the course of two years nearly perfectly.

Glock 37 Shooting

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Glock 37 In Action

The selling point of the Glock 37 is in the caliber and stopping power of the firearm, which means that this section of our review is the most pivotal. I can confidently state that after extensive G37 use, I can conclude that it is one of the most well-balanced handguns I’ve ever had the pleasure of using. Although the 37 is somewhat more difficult to handle than its siblings in the Glock family (as is to be expected, given the larger caliber), it is still plenty accessible for novices as well as experienced gun owners. Accuracy when shooting is as good as can be expected – I performed similarly with the .45 as I did with guns of different brands and lesser calibers, leaving two-inch groups at roughly 25 yards. The gun is comfortable to hold (and highly customizable for those who do not find the factory grips agreeable), and immediately launches itself to the head of the pack of the .45 Auto ‘family’ – this is most unsurprising, given that Glock seems to accomplish this feat in every gun market niche it enters.

Glock 37 Magazine

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Glock 37 Magazine

The standard capacity of the Glock 37 magazine is 10, with the option for a +1 magazine extension which protrudes from the mag well just a little, compromising on form factor slightly. Again, the Gen 4 version of the Glock 37 has a handy, enlarged magazine release and well which is also reversible. This makes for a hell of an easy experience in terms of loading and ejecting magazines, allowing users to switch the catch to the left or right side of the handgun. Not unlike other handguns, the 10-rounds of GAP will either be enough to satisfy your gun needs, or they won’t: I know some folks who couldn’t live without the capacity of 17 in the Glock 17’s, while I personally am just fine with 10. Figure out what it is that you need out of your handgun, and adjust accordingly. Just recognize that the laws of nature dictate that a higher caliber handgun either be larger in size or feature a (relatively) smaller magazine to accommodate the rounds.

Glock 37 Sights

Oh yes, it’s that time of the review again. Time to lament the shortcomings in the Glock factory sights before cheerfully reminding you that, being a Glock gun, the G37 sights can be swapped for a variety of different new and improved sights! Until Glock does something about their underwhelming sights, we will continue to accurately label them as one of the few shortcomings in an otherwise extremely pleasing gun formula. In the meantime, you can either buy a new set of sights, or make do with the front dot and rear “u” marked sights on the Glock 37 – they’re not great, but they’re not terrible either.

Glock 37 Conversion

I’ve seen a number of people in various places ask about conversion options shortly after purchasing the Glock 37. The problem that some people encounter here is that they purchase the Glock 37 thinking that it will accept .45 ACP ammunition without realizing that, as described, the .45 GAP is a specially-made cartridge and that the Glock 37 is not compatible with .45 ACP rounds. I’m just going to state this now to make it perfectly clear: The Glock 37 cannot be converted in any safe or official capacity, and the Glock 37 only accepts the ammunition that was made for the Glock 37. This is a sad reality to accept given the wealth of options that are available in ammunition in other Glock pistols, but it is a reality that people need to accept nonetheless. This is a result of Glock manufacturing a firearm that accepts its own unique cartridge. Therefore, if you’re perhaps interested in purchasing a Glock 37, I cannot recommend giving the gun a try before purchasing highly enough. Appreciating and enjoying the .45 GAP cartridge is imperative for would-be 37 owners – it is essentially a pre-requisite. Try the gun before purchasing it and you won’t have to worry about trying to convert the gun at some later point – you’ll know it’s not the gun for you.

Glock 37 Safety and Assembly

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Glock Safe-Action System

Given the fact that the Glock 37 was developed thanks in large part to safety concerns of law enforcement officials, it’s only fitting that the G37 itself have good safety features – which it does, in spades. Like the other Gen 4 Glock guns, the G37 takes advantage of Glock’s three-point “Safe Action System” – a three-part safety system designed to negate the most common risks associated with handguns. This includes, for starters, the Glock trigger safety – a level built into the trigger of the gun that needs to be engaged simultaneously with the trigger in order for the trigger to fire. The spring-loaded firing pin safety ensures that the firing pin is blocked from moving forward unless the trigger is being pulled. Finally, the drop safety of the gun ensures that no unwanted firing takes place in the event of an accidental drop. In addition to these features, the superior build of the G37 is an insurance policy in itself against any unsafe results from general handgun degeneration, wear, tear, and aging. You won’t find a safer.45 handgun than the G37.

Glock 37 Accessories

Unlike the unfortunate ammunition limitations which were described earlier, the Glock 37 has an overwhelming number of accessory and customization options for their owners. From grips, to slide back platers, to recoil springs, to holsters, to sights, there are a number of ways to improve and alter your Glock 37 in order to help make your G37 experience a more accessible one. Here are our Top-5 Glock 37 Accessories:

1. Talon Grips

37 aA single-piece wrap around adhesive grip, these Talon grips create a more easily grip-able surface of the gun which make a safe, comfortable firing experience even safer and more comfortable. Available in both rubber and granulated texture and just 0.5 mm thick, these grips manage to maintain the slip and easy to hold build of the gun while only enhancing grip-ability (all of the good, none of the bad). I used these grips for the Glock 17 and 19, as well as for the Glock 37, and I have to say that the increase in comfort when shooting made a tremendous amount of difference – the Glock 37 factory grips are quality, but the Talon’s are over-the-top great.

2. Trijicon HD Night Sights

37 bAfter covering the less-than-stellar sights included on the Glock 37, you didn’t think we’d let you finish the review without recommending an excellent replacement pair, did you? Trijicon knows sights as well as anyone, and night sights in particular – night sights like the Trijicon HD Night Sight Set for Glock Pistols. Featuring a highly visible colored front sight post with glow-in-the-dark paint, these Trijicon sights are excellent for target acquisition in home defense situation in particular. Easy to install, the subdued, u-notch rear sight and front post can totally enhance the Glock 37 experience – make these your go-to Glock sights!

3. Black Rear Cover Slade Back Plate

37 cFor those who find Glock guns to be a little stale or stiff in terms of their look or aesthetic, there are always swappable back plates. An easy and simple way to personalize your Glock 37, back plates are easily installed, affordable, and varied enough to find the perfect fit for you (you could even design your own with an online tutorial). NDZ Performance in particular makes a good set.

4. Stainless Steel Competition Recoil Spring

37 9Looking for different weights in your gun than a Glock 37 provides? You’re in luck. You can actually tune the spring to your specific shooting level, skill, and needs by using drop-in, stainless steel guide rods made by Glock. Available in 5 different weights, these are a great option for gun owners who are not feeling that the G37 is optimal for their shooting profile.

5. BlueFire 2-in-1 Flashlight and Laser Sight

37 eThe Glock 37 is a great option for home defense and self-defense purposes, but that doesn’t mean that the G37 defense experience can’t be made even better. Night sights will help with target acquisition at night and in low-light situations, but when targets and areas need to be better illuminated, lights and laser sights are a great option. BlueFire makes an excellent 2-in-1 combo that gets the job done for anyone who wants to be extra cautious with the defense firearm.

Glock 37 Holsters

37 7Glock guns are some of the most popular guns for open and concealed carrying in the world, and it’s no surprise as to why – the compact form of Glock guns make them easy and downright comfortable to carry. For the sake of safety, and increased comfort, though, carrying your Glock in a holster is the way to go. There are a number of great holster options for the Glock 37, and I personally recommend the Fobus Roto Holster or the Blackhawk 410513CT-R, which are two proven crowd pleasers. It’s always best, however, to find the Glock 37 holster that you find most comfortable and safe.

Conclusion

The Glock 37 is a revolutionary weapon that took the stopping power of the .45 ACP, put it in a compact handgun, and managed to keep the firing and controllability to a reasonable level. Is the Glock 37 a perfect handgun, without limitations? Definitely not. For those of you who want .45 ACP-level shooting in a compact handgun, however, and in the world-class build of a Glock, the G37 is as good of a choice as you’re going to get. Try the Glock 37 out at your local range today to see if it works for you!

Thanks for reading our Glock 37 review – check back for more on Glock guns here at Gunivore!

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]]> https://gunivore.com/pistol/glock-37-gen-4-review/feed/ 4 Glock 30 Gen 4 Review https://gunivore.com/pistol/glock-30-gen-4-review-2016/ https://gunivore.com/pistol/glock-30-gen-4-review-2016/#comments Wed, 24 Aug 2016 12:44:10 +0000 https://gunivore.com/?p=2846 These days, gun owners can have their cake and eat it, too! The Glock 30 is a .45 auto handgun which brings the heat in a small package - Check out our Glock 30 Gen 4 Review 2018 feature to learn about the Glock 30 here at Gunivore!

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Table of Contents

Glock is arguably the most beloved handgun manufacturer in the world, and for good reason. In addition to introducing the world to their high-quality polymer build, Glock has gradually built an ever-increasing catalog of diverse handguns, all of which are designed to fit the needs of specific gun owners. Glock doesn’t just manufacture handguns of different calibers – they produce handguns of different sizes within certain calibers, offering greater specialization and more options than any other handgun manufacturing company. One of the best examples of this is Glock’s development of subcompact guns – accompanying guns to standard Glock lines which serve as subcompact, smaller versions of the standardized Glock entry.

The Glock 21, as we have covered in the past, is a highly successful .45 auto handgun, and its accompanying subcompact brother is the Glock 30. Combining big-bore caliber with precision and a more compact size, the Glock 30 has become a favorite of many in the gun-loving community – the .45 auto cartridge combines power with accuracy, which, paired with the smaller form that doesn’t compromise on handling ability, makes for a damn good handgun. Again, this isn’t the first time Glock has found success introducing a subcompact version of an already successful gun, as it did with the Glock 17 and 19 (also covered here), which feature even more compact models in the Glock 26 and 43.

Glock 30 Gen 4 Specs

g30 1
The Glock 30

Caliber: .45 ACP
Capacity: 10+1
Barrel Length: 3.8″
Overall Length: 6.9″
Height: 4.8″
Width: 1.27″
Weight: 26 oz. (unloaded
MSRP: $545

Glock 30 Gen 4 Build

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The Glock 30 Features a Premium Build

The Glock 30 features the classic and revolutionary polymer design and build that has become the trademark of Glock guns – it’s pretty funny to think that no one took Gaston Glock and his design seriously back in the day. The nylon-based, plastic-like substance provides increased durability and resiliency in the G30. The ergonomics and aesthetics of the G30 are unsurprisingly excellent, at least in my opinion. Ultimately, preference comes down to the opinion of the individual. Like all Gen 4 Glock guns, the G30 comes with interchangeable backstraps, which means that everyone is going to be able to find something that they like in terms of grip.

A reversible magazine well and a new dual recoil spring assembly system represent two other Gen 4 features, which make for a gun that holds up and suffers from less wear and tear than its less-advanced Glock predecessors. Again, the Glock 30 is the subcompact version of the G21, which was Glock’s entry into the .45 auto category. With superior stopping power and force, .45 auto handguns tend to come in on the larger side, which makes the G30 and its relatively slim build (6.88 x 4.80 x 1.27 as compared to the 8.03 x 5.47 x 1.27 dimensions of the Glock 21) an excellent option for concealed carriers who do not wish to compromise on firepower by settling for a 9×19 or .40 gun. The small form of the G30 does not necessarily leave the gun vulnerable to excessive recoil or difficult handling while shooting, however, which we will cover shortly.

Glock 30 Gen 4 Shooting

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Glock 30 in Action

One word which I would use to describe the Glock 30 in terms of its shooting is ‘surprising’. As my hands come in on the larger side, I did have a slight problem with handling the gun, although it is an undeniably excellent and easily concealable self-defense weapon. With that being said, despite its size and caliber combination – one that would seemingly make for a ‘bumpy ride’ when firing – the Glock 30 features minimal kick, or recoil, and fires as accurately as the most popular models in the Glock lineup. It had about the same accuracy for me when firing from 30 yards as my trusty Glock 21, which is an achievement in and of itself.

The gun is easily controllable, and although the compact form may prove problematic for some, I had no issues with the gun after installing some basic finger extensions for the mags of my G30. A plug for the rear of the gun would serve a similar purpose, although I have found that the extensions were sufficient, the point is that there do exist options for tailoring the G30 to the individual. If you’re going to start accessorizing your gun in order to achieve a more comfortable grip, to begin with, it may make sense to purchase a bigger gun altogether, but it doesn’t take much to find the perfect fit with your Glock 30.

Glock 30 Gen 4 Magazine

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Glock 30 Magazines

The Glock 30 magazine is of a standard 10-round capacity, but there are options to upgrade the magazine to a capacity of as many as 13. The magazine of the gun makes up part of the ‘give’ in the ‘give and take’ associated with a small-form handgun – it’s nice to have a stealthy, easily concealed weapon, but this dictates that the magazine only reaches a certain size and capacity. As previously mentioned, in the Gen 4 model of the G30 the magazine well is reversible, which makes for some idiot-proof usage, and a new magazine release button is easy to use as well.

Extended mag options are always available for Glock guns, and the G30 is no exception. Keep in mind that extended mags basically ruin the appeal of the subcompact design. Look for a gun that can accommodate it with factory mags if capacity is a priority.

Glock 30 Gen 4 Sights

One aspect of Glock guns that even I have a hard time getting behind are their factory sights. I find this is a weak choice in subcompacts which are intended for self-defense. Many folks buying the G30 have nighttime use in mind, so night sights would be a smart move. Luckily, there are tons of different replaceable sights to choose from when accessorizing your Glock 30. I just look forward to the day when replacing Glock sights will be just an option as opposed to a prerequisite to using.

Glock 30 Gen 4 Safety and Assembly

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Glock Safe-Action System

The Glock brand has become synonymous with a number of terms in the gun industry – quality, polymer, and yes, safety. One of the reasons I like Glocks is that they’re surprisingly safe. Many argue that they’re the safest handguns that civilians and law enforcement officials could be using. The G30 utilizes Glock’s ‘3-part safe-action system’, designed to provide comprehensive safety measures. The trigger safety, firing pin safety, and drop safety were designed to cover the firearm’s three integral components. I’ve encountered trigger, firing pin, and drop problems with many guns but never with a Gen 4.

Glock 30 Gen 4 Accessories and Customization

The advantages to owning a Glock don’t stop in the design and build of Glock guns themselves. The popularity and prevalence of Glock guns has prompted an excellent expanding aftermarket community. Some of the more popular Glock 30 accessories include, unsurprisingly, Pearce Grip Extensions, TALON grips, Trijicon Night Sights, lasers, attachable lights, and, of course, holsters for easy concealed carrying.

Glock 30S and Glock 30SF

Glock offers two alternate Glock 30 models – the Glock 30 SF and the Glock 30S. The 30SF (Short Frame) only differs in that the front-to-rear grip profile is diminished. The circumference of the receiver, or the back strap, offers increased comfort and control. This is especially useful for shooters with small hands. The Glock 30S, the S denoting “slide”, is built on the 30 SF frame but features a slimmer slide. Both of these models are just a taste of the wealth of specification options offered by Glock.

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Glock 30 SF (left) and Glock 30 S (right)

Conclusion

The reach of the Glock empire is furthering, and it has a choke hold to the .45 cal market. The Glock 30 is not a perfect handgun. The sights are a bit underwhelming, and the subcompact build might not work best for everyone. It will, however, serve as the perfect handgun for some folks, and therein lies the beauty of Glock. It’s impossible to produce one gun that will satisfy everyone. Yet if Glock keeps pumping out gems like the G30, they’ll eventually have a gun for every kind of shooter.

Thanks for reading our Glock 30 feature here at Gunivore – check out our Glock 31 feature to read about another great handgun!

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