[Seawolf]

I was just curious if anyone knew how and why Glock chose the grip angle they did. Was it just a personal preference by the designer or does it serve a specific purpose?
Glocks have never pointed naturally for me and it's something I always have to adjust for. I would love it if Glock would change it, but not sure I am in the majority or minority. I think a lot of people just adjust to it like me because the good about Glock pistols far outweighs the bad.

It won't stop me from being a Glock guy, but if I could start a movement to get them to change it,,,,,,,wel. lol

 

[DaneA]

If they changed it I would not buy any new Glocks. It points perfect for me. I would say that maybe they could expand their backstrap selection to change some of the angle.

 

[FarAim]

It seems that I read that he had a group of military cadets point and then Mr. Glock measured their grip angles. Try this: grip a Glock, or a 1911 with an arched mainspring housing, close your eyes and point at a target with your thumb, or thumbs. Open your eyes and see if the sights aren't lined up on the target. It works for me. If I point with my trigger finger the Glock sights end up pointing high. However, if I am using a 1911 with a flat mainspring housing the trigger finger point lines the sights up fine. I have changed all my 1911 mainspring housings to the arched version, and it helps with my revolver grip also. Hope this helps.

 

[AustinTx]

I have laid my G31 next to a 1911 and I can't tell that there is any difference in the grip angle.

The US army used the 1911 during WWI. From 1911 until 1924 and then they changed the mainspring housing(MSH) from flat to arched. The people could shoot better with it. It served throughout WWII, with no more changes. In 1985, after 61 years of use, they adopted the Beretta M9. There must be about 100 different brands of the 1911 currently and most of them have the original flat mainspring housing(MSH). The US army had proved that the arched MSH permitted more accurate shooting, so why does everyone think the flat MSH is so much better. People don't seem to be able to learn from history. I can't think of any manufacturers that make a true 1911A1, but Springfield and Colt. I'm pretty sure there may be some that I don't know about, but the greatest majority use a flat MSH.
:snoopy:

 

[Bowtie]

Why choose an arched mainspring housing on your 1911 if it works for you? Why change the grip on your Glock if it works for you? Just because a group of cadets with very minimal handgun training shot better with an arched MSH?

If it works for you then leave it alone. If it doesnt, change it. I will NEVER base my decisions on what history, Stats or someone elses opinion says it should be.

 

[TexasPOff]

The grip angle is the main complaint of the Glocks. It isn't the angle as much as it is the mechanics of where the humps is located on the grip. The hump hits different sized hands in different places. Other manufactures have humps yes, but they are not as prounounced as the Glocks. Example I am 5'6" tall 175 pounds and have smallish hands. The hump on the full sized Glocks hits the bottom of my palm, causing the pistol to point high. My hand contacts the top and bottom of the grip but not the center equally. The humps on the compacts fits pretty well I can shoot fine with them. The subcompacts humps hits right in the middle of my hand and I have no issues with thier grip at all. The reductions I do elliminates the hump. This allows the grip to be more neutral. This also give the backstrap the same angle as the frontstrap. The flat backstrap allows the shooters hand to lay flat along the grip from top to bottom. It is amazing how different a Glocks grip feels with a flat backstrap.
There are alot of Glock owners that have no issues with the hump and grip, there are alot that do. The arched MSH on a 1911 is not near as large as the hump on the Glock grip either. I can shoot a 1911 with either, but prefer flat MSH. I think If Glock would offer thier current frame design, and then one with everything the same but wth a flat backstrap, they would have everyone covered. Until then I'm happy with my Glocks with their flat backstraps. TXPO

 

[brisk21]

The Glock 17 fits my hand perfectly. It points perfectly. Everything else feels a little "off". It really doesn't matter though, I can shoot other weapons just fine as well.

 

[AustinTx]

It's a good thing to blame poor shooting ability on.

 

[Grey Goblin]

Anticipating recoil, a lot of people flinch their hands down at the wrist. If one's wrists are locked down at more of an angle, this is harder mistake to make. I wonder if that has something to do with the grip angle on Glock.

 

[Seawolf]

Well I think a couple of you may have hit on something Glock could do to help accommodate different shooters.
Expand the back straps to include flat back straps and I would even welcome flat front straps as well for those wanting to get rid of the finger grooves.

I believe the H&K P30 has all kinds of different panels you can customize for your own use so I don't see a reason why Glock couldn't either. They just have to do it in a way that doesn't look like they are copying someone else. That's kind of tuff today as companies are always coming out with new stuff in their grips.

Thanks for all the input fellas

 

[heekma]

A few weeks ago I purchased my first Glock. After nearly a decade of shooting Colt 1911s almost exclusively--some other semi's thrown in out out variety and curiousity and various single action revolvers, it's been a revelation. It's hands down the most naturally pointing semi-automatic I've ever shot or owned.

Everything is subjective, what's great for me may be horrible for someone else, but for me the Glock absolutely fits my hand and shooting style as if it were designed to fit my mitt specifically.

Should've gotten one years ago. Won't be waiting nearly as long to get the next one.

Best,

Heekma

 

[Apprentice]

The Glock 17 fits my hand perfectly. It points perfectly. Everything else feels a little "off". It really doesn't matter though, I can shoot other weapons just fine as well.

+1 x 1000

 

[cowboy1964]

Glocks point high for me too. I hate it. Almost any other brand points much better. SIGs are the best in that regard.

I really question how much actual research Glock did on grip angle. If it's so great why does everyone else not use such an extreme angle?

And that stupid backstrap hump (esp. on the subcompacts) just compounds the problem. hickok45 is as big a Glock fan as they come and even he has complained about the backstrap hump.

 

[Bowtie]

Glocks point high for me too. I hate it. Almost any other brand points much better. SIGs are the best in that regard.

I really question how much actual research Glock did on grip angle. If it's so great why does everyone else not use such an extreme angle?

And that stupid backstrap hump (esp. on the subcompacts) just compounds the problem. hickok45 is as big a Glock fan as they come and even he has complained about the backstrap hump.

Ahhh The beauty of grip reductions..gotta love em.:supergrin:

 

[Captains1911]

It's not uncommon, the grip angle of a glock causes many people to point high. I know a few people who have found the Gen4s without a backstrap (smallest configuration) point well whereas with the Gen3s they point high.

 

[MrVvrroomm]

It's a good thing to blame poor shooting ability on.

^^^this

 

[samuse]

I think they would have done best with the same hump as the mid size guns on all of 'em. That seems to be the most accepted grip.

I don't particularly like the hump when I'm just playing with the gun, but I don't notice it when I'm shooting.

I guess it works out because I shoot Glocks better than anything else.

 

[MO Fugga]

Ahhh The beauty of grip reductions..gotta love em.:supergrin:

I can't imagine not having one done. I don't know how, but it shoots waaaaayyy better now.

 

[rv4driver]

Look at the Luger, P38, etc. Extreme grip angle abounds. It's a Teutonic Tragedy.
Personally, I love the Bobtail on my 1911, I couldn't have cared less about 1911's before I hefted my DW.
I don't notice the difference in my new Glocks, because I come from a Bullseye background, and it's all about the sights. If I was into practical pistol stuff, I'm sure I'd notice the grip angle.

Jeff

 

[cowboy1964]

I held a Robared 23 awhile back, it sure felt nice. Didn't pay attention to the pointability. Will have to try that.