Glock no longer equals perfection!?!

 

 Since 1982, a single name has dominated the striker fired, polymer framed pistol market, and has largely dominated the conceal carry market because of it. That name of course, is Glock.

Now, there have been others, and relatively recently, we've even seen some very successful competitors in that space. Things like the Smith & Wesson M&P pistols and Springfield Armory's XD series have acquitted themselves quite well. My daily carry gun is a Springfield Armory XD-S .45 in fact, so the Everyday Gunner has no bone to pick with the current generation of polymer pistols. However, there has really been little to no true advancement...

...since Glock first entered the G17 into military trials. Sure, some changes here or there, a different safety, different texturing, but it's been modifications of a single design in my judgement.

Well, things are starting to change in my opinion. I have made reference to this several times on the EDG Facebook page, but thought it was worthy of a more detailed look. We have several pistols coming out now that have true innovation and real change for the better in one way or another. Look, no one is going to completely take down Glock, they are entrenched, but I think there are 3 new guns that are truly "better" than the G19 in one way or another while filling much the same market space for a buyer.

In order of my personal level of interest:

Arsenal Strike One

This gun has yet to be released in the US, and that may be contributing to my level of anticipation, but I also see it as the pistol with the highest level of mechanical innovation. While there are no US shooting tests, here is the information page on Arsenal's site (http://www.arsenalfirearms.com/products/strike-pistol-system/) and an interesting video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOirbcsCQ1o) highlighting the affects of bore height and the free moving barrels in most guns on recoil angle and duration of slide cycle. Now, I know, both of these info sources are from the company making the gun.... but I think it could be a real leap forward in handgun design.

Walther PPQ M2

I've had the opportunity to handle and dry-fire one of the PPQ M2s and the ergonomics are great! The trigger is also very very light and crisp. Here is a review of the PPQ (not M2) which has a paddle style mag release on the trigger guard as opposed to the push button we are accustomed to in the US (http://www.handgunsmag.com/2012/04/27/review-walther-ppq/). However, the review applies as mechanically the function is the same other than that 1 feature. Military Arms Channel also has a good review of the PPQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzvALwhUbjQ). The biggest difference in the trigger press is that rather than finishing ~30% of the striker "cocking" motion and then releasing, the PPQ fully preps the striker during slide recoil.

Sig Sauer P320 (Carry model shown)

While I'm personally not as interested in the P320, I think it fits in this post about the next generation. There are two major selling points for the P320. First, it's a Sig Sauer built, quality, striker pistol. Second, the slide, barrel, and frame can be exchanged for different calibers, slide and grip lengths at any times, without running into serial number issues. You can see a review from The Truth About Guns (http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2014/05/foghorn/gun-review-sig-sauer-p320/) and while there are not currently any video reviews, there are a few shooting test videos (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DFOmKQxliU).

Feel free to comment if have a different (or similar) point of view, and while you're over on Youtube, check out the videos we have posted on Our Channel! Thanks for checking us out, we'll see you next time.