Monday, March 1, 2010

Ugly Duckling

I buy at least 2 guns every year. I try for 3 but 2 is the minimum. It used to be one for my birthday and another on July 4th, the nation’s birthday. Immediately after the Heller ruling in 2008, I wanted to get something symbolic, so I bought the Taurus Judge 3” magnum for my July 4th gun.

This year I’m changing it up a bit and will buy my next gun tomorrow while oral arguments are being made in McDonald, rather than wait for the final decision. I think we’re in a pretty safe position with the outcome and so I’m celebrating a bit early.

Here’s the kicker. It’s a Glock.

I have to admit that I have succumbed to irrationality when it comes to Glock models. I value functionality over aesthetics, but I really want both. I really really want both.

I’m the first to admit that AK’s aren’t the prettiest girl at the dance but I don’t consider AK’s ugly guns.

I DO think Glocks are ugly, but I can’t deny their reputation for taking severe abuse and still going bang every single time. So I’m getting a Glock 19 while the Men in Black hear oral arguments 3000 miles away.

1. It’s symbolic.
2. A friend of mine needs the money to pay for child care since her soon to be ex-husband hasn’t paid a dime in support in over a year of divorce proceedings.
3. No paperwork.
4. The price is right.
5. I don’t have a Glock yet.

There’s a gun show next weekend which I plan on attending, but I just feel like the stars are aligning for me to get over my disdain for ugly pistols at the same time McDonald is being heard by the High Court about a ban on handguns.

I get an ugly duckling and the SCOTUS revisits an ugly time in our Nation’s history.

Sounds poetic to me.

In all honesty, the few Glocks I’ve hefted before never fit my hand quite right so I stopped hefting them. But this one actually feels natural.

I realize that much hilarity ensues every time someone throws up a post about Glocks vs. 1911’s and I’m not trying to start a debate. I already have a damn fine 1911 made by Kimber, but how can anyone have a serious collection without having a Glock?

Now I just need to decide what I’m going to buy AFTER the McDonald ruling.

Considering that the 14th Amendment was adopted on July 9th, 1868 I might be inclined to start shopping for a gun manufactured in that year.

Symbolism holds a very special place in my head and my heart.

I welcome any suggestions.

Unorganized Militia Gear

12 comments:

Stephen said...

Nice tradition. Maybe someday I'll be able to do the same.

Anonymous said...

Must be nice to live in a state where you can buy a handgun without paperwork. I'll probably get a phone call from the police just for posting here.

Anonymously.

Anonymous said...

1868 . . 1868 . . .
Post civil war. But just before the metallic cartridge (1872, according to Wiki).
So it wiould have to be a blackpowder cap-&-ball Colt revolver. And unless you have the Big Bucks, it would be a reproduction. I just looked on the Cabelas site & they have original Colts for sale, but too rich for my checkbook.

Have fun. I wish I could afford what you're doing.

B Woodman

lee n. field said...

"So I’m getting a Glock 19 while the Men in Black hear oral arguments 3000 miles away."

BONZAI!

A G19 was my last purchased gun. It'll grow on you.

When Heller came down, I picked up a Taurus snub that same day. Time to start thinking about it, accumulating shekels.

Weer'd Beard said...

M&P9 is more-or-less the Glock, but with better looks, ergonomics, trigger, and sights.

Less options tho, as they only come in 2 sizes, but they do have options of additional worthless "safety features" that might get you killed.

Stupid. But the model without the mag disconnect safety, internal lock, and thumb safety, is a pretty slick shooting iron.

I'm getting one as soon as somebody realizes the AWB here in Mass is unconstitutional.

Anonymous said...

I've been hearing that the newest model Glocks (Gen 3? Gen 4?) have the same reliability, but feel much better in the hand. Try them. Just be sure to ask for the latest-&-greatest.

And no, I do not have any connection with Glock, paid or unpaid.

B Woodman
III-per

Chris said...

I had a Glock 17 that I got last year for Buy A Gun Day. I had trouble hitting things reliably with it and traded it to a friend for a Camry. Replaced it with a Sig P226.

Now that I don't own it, I can shoot it. Go figure.

John said...

Some guys next to me at the range last weekend had a brand new Judge. Crikey, it was loud!

Anonymous said...

I dunno. I've got some other tactical tupperware, but I feel like I should have a Glock. As an engineer, I appreciate the design, especially coming from a company starting from scratch with no firearm experience.

As a person though, they are dog-butt ugly. I will admit that they are prettier than Hi-Points.

Anonymous said...

You want "SEXY" with reliability? Go CZ! Great ergs, excellent hand-feel.

Reliabiltiy up the Kazoo?

Go for the P0-1---it passed the NATO testing from which Glock withdrew! It was too tough to pass an actual OBJECTIVE set of tests, than rely on a bunch of abusers' anecdotes about how they "dropped their weapons in the mud and they still fired", I guess!

Ryan said...

You will be very happy with the Glock 19. I imagine in a couple months you may be talking about how it is boring and ugly but it will be the gun in your belt when you leave the house.

I have averaged 2-3 guns a year since I was old enough to buy them. As of late I am focusing on getting more squared away when it comes to ammo, mags and other ancillary stuff.

Mose Jefferson said...

Uberti has a sweet collection of replicas commemorating the 1868 conversion of the old military percussion Remington revolvers into cartridge-capable guns. Their still the old open-top style, but they use the (then) new cartridges.

Don't feel bad about the Glock. One of my best friends (also here in Oregon!) carries a Glock 30 (grudgingly), and my younger brother carries the 27. I'd make fun of my bro for taking the short & weak route, but all's I pack around (in town) is a wimpy little S&W 442.

To celebrate, I'm just putting a custom trigger pinning in the AR. Times are tough, you know.