Unfortunately, Jerry M. lost everything in a house fire. This included dozens of firearms in his collection.
However, one gun survived. It was in its case, and the case was melted shut.
After breaking open the case, Jerry found his Glock 19 unscathed.
There are plenty of stories about how durable Glock pistols are, but this is pretty impressive.
Of course, the case helped protect the gun, but if the case was melted you would think the gun would be somewhat damaged.
Glock doesn’t give a specific melting point for their polymer frame.
But a typical house fire can reach 1200 F degrees with a ground temperature of around 400 F degrees.
But, based on the proprietary blend of the polymer, it’s been estimated that Glock’s will melt around 420 F degrees.
This makes sense in the case of Jerry’s house fire.
In addition, it’s also a good reminder that when you are not using your gun it should be stored in a fire retardant safe or case.
It’s estimated that over one million Glock pistols are sold in the U.S. each year.
One of the biggest reasons for their popularity is that they have a reputation for being durable.
But over the years there have been more than 50 different Glock models manufactured, so it can be hard to figure out which one is the best.
So, here are a few Glock models to consider for certain situations.
Concealed carry:
The best Glock for concealed carry is hands down the Glock 19.
It’s a 9mm that is easy to conceal with a 15-round capacity.
The 19 is a double stack so some people dislike how thick the pistol is. But, with a good holster and clothing it can be concealed with no problem.
Another option is the G43X.
It’s similar to the 19 but is about a ½ inch slimmer. It’s compact and works with a variety of hand sizes.
Plus, the G43X still has plenty of stopping power since it’s a 9mm.
The big drawback to the G43X is that it has a ten-round capacity.
So, you will trade a slimmer design for less ammo capacity.
Home defense:
Some people use the same gun for concealed carry and home defense, and there is nothing wrong with that.
But if you wanted a Glock strictly for home defense, I would go with the Glock 17.
It’s a full-size frame, 9mm, with a 17-round capacity.
It has a longer barrel compared to the Glock 19 which means it has an extra-long sight radius.
The Glock 17 was first designed for use by the Austrian military and is commonly used by military and law enforcement around the world.
Since it’s a full size 9mm the pistol it is relatively simple to shoot.
The reason that I prefer a 9mm for home defense is because a .45 or 10mm is more prone to over-penetration.
So, you can’t go wrong with the Glock 17.
Hunting/backpacking:
I know hunting with a pistol sounds crazy, and it definitely wouldn’t be my first choice.
But, during a survival situation, you might not have another option.
If you want a pistol for hunting, consider the Glock 20. It’s a 10mm pistol with a 15-round capacity.
This pistol is ideal for backpacking because it’s big enough for large game and can still be useful for self-defense.
The only drawback is that 10mm ammo isn’t cheap or the easiest to find at the sporting goods store.
You won’t be able to take down a large animal hundreds of yards away with a 10mm, but it is realistic for short-range hunting.
So, if you are interested in a do-it-all-all pistol, a Glock is a good choice.
And, if you could only have one Glock, I would pick the 19.
Because each of these pistols can work for both concealed carry and home defense.
