What am I missing: glock 24 limited gun?

[Penguin]

Hi there fellow readers...

How's this for a first post to stir the pot? Git your flame throwers ready

As I browse the pictures of the fabulous limited guns I cannot help but think that the glock model 24 with it's 6 inches, longer sight radius, light weight etc would tick most (if not all) of the boxes for the serious limited shooter. Here is a comparison to the de facto STI / SVI lightened long slide that seems to be all the rage:

1) 6 inch barrel? check

2) longer sight radius? Check

3) lightened slide? yes sir - big cutout on top of slide

4) polymer grip for light weight? Check

5) low bore axis? Yip

Only downside is maybe the trigger which is not quite 1911 but can be improved for $100 or so...

So for approx $700 I have 90% of the gun that the pros spend $4000 on?

Of course it would help if I had the skills they do

[Aircooled6racer]

Hello: I have Glocks and love them for what I use them for-Production. I have shot some G17L's and 24's. They are pretty good and accurate. I also shoot STI 2011's and can tell you they are more accurate. I made a STI 6" limited pistol in 40 with a Schuemann barrel and it was far more accurate than the Glocks are--scary accurate in fact. I sold it to a friend and he loves it. Now your question about the cost, that is a factor to consider for sure. For under $1000 you can have a wonderful Limited pistol if you can shoot a Glock with it's grip angle and trigger. One thing to consider is that most of the big time Glock shooters are using the G34 and G35 instead of the G17L or G24 plateform. This is my thoughts on it and I am sure others will give there views on it as well. Let see I have the slide and barrel and just need the STI frame to build another 6" pistol Oh, welcome to the forum Thanks, Eric

[mlmiller1]

So for approx $700 I have 90% of the gun that the pros spend $4000 on?

Of course it would help if I had the skills they do

I also shoot glocks. You are right, 90% of the high dollar gun, maybe even 95% but for truly serious competition, do you want to start out 5% behind? If that is ok with you, as it is with me, then go ahead but if you want to start with the guns that win the most in the limited division, spend the big bucks. Of course, that is hard for me to say since I love my glocks but I will concede it is a little bit of handicap.

Does that make sense? Sure, you can get to the same point but there are not many glocks as accurate as a lot of the big $$$$ guns. They will never have the trigger of a 1911/2011. The best glock triggers I've ever felt were scary light but still, not a firm, solid trigger like a good Single action gun. The balance may never be quite right, either. I do know that the high dollar guns will cycle unbelievably fast, way faster than a human can pull the trigger but I don't think the glock will go quite as fast. Of course, they both cycle faster than you can pull that trigger but the quicker the gun is ready to fire again, the better off you, the shooter, are. The trigger prep for a glock is gonna be more than for a $$$$ limited gun. You can get them close but that is way more than $100 or lots more time than a simple trigger polish/replace parts. There is even question about the flex of the polymer frame slowing things down from the more rigid big money guns.

Sure, 90-95% of the big $$$$ guns but there are some disadvantages or handicaps shooting glocks. That isn't going to stop me or make me change to a high dollar gun but it is something to think about. Oh yeah, there is always the barrel to think about as well. Better add in another $100 or more for a more accurate, different rifled barrel. The price is going up some from your estimate. You need a good magwell, too. Most folks also want to texture or regrip the gun so there is more money.

This is all my opinion, pretty much, so take it as you will.

MLM

[Joe4d]

what about magazines? Can you get 21 or 22 rounds in a 140mm Glock mag ?

[Jesse Tischauser]

I use a G34 for production and a G35 for limited for the same reason, cost. There is no doubt in my mind that a good double stack 1911 gun with a 2 lb trigger is going to be better than my Glocks but I was not ready to throw down $1500-2500 to get started in the sport. I plan to start with a good quality 1911 and dabble in single stack for a year or so and shoot as many of my buddies 2011 guns so that when I'm ready to take on the 2nd mortgage I can buy the gun I want and have it forever.

As far as magazines holding 1-3 rounds more there can be an advantage there on a stage where there is zero movement and exactly 21 or 22 rounds. I think you woudl be hard pressed to find a stage with 19+ rounds and zero movement. If there is movement and I need a reload it doesn't cost me any time to reload on the go IMO. If the stage requires 30 rounds then both guns need a reload.

[Sarge]

Welcome Penguin! You won't find too many flamethrowers around here. This is a pretty good place to hang out and ask questions.

I am still not 100% certain which way I will go when I move to limited. But for me I just know I want a 2011 platform. I also know I don't want a basic setup either. I want a custom or custom tuned gun. Some of it might be vanity for me because I think they are good looking guns as well as good shooting guns. And in a mental game you have to be happy with your equipment to get the most out of it.

But there has to be something more to it. At the matches I shoot at you might see the occasional 35 running in limited and even more rare is one that is set up with magwell etc. But practically EVERYBODY shoots a 2011 so your numbers are probably pretty accurate.

I am currently switching over to a G34 in production. If I am awestruck with the platform then I might consider a decked out 35 for limited but I still think I will go the other route. I guess time will tell.

[Joe4d]

So the answer is no, you cant get 22 rounds in a glock .40 mag ?

There's your advantage and it is a huge one, If it wasnt why does the .40 dominate?

Also a great STI limited gun can be had for just under 2k not 4 k.

[twodownzero]

Also a great STI limited gun can be had for just under 2k not 4 k.

A good limited gun can be had for a little bit less than $2k.

A great limited gun is much closer to $4k.

[Chris Keen]

$2500 - $2800

[mlmiller1]

So the answer is no, you cant get 22 rounds in a glock .40 mag ?

There's your advantage and it is a huge one, If it wasnt why does the .40 dominate?

Also a great STI limited gun can be had for just under 2k not 4 k.

No, I can't get 22 but I can get 20 reloadable plus one in the chamber all day long, though. I have 7 match mags that will all hold 20 reloadably. Again, there is that 5% difference. Cost difference? That is where the glock shines. If you want to trick one out pretty nice, then you can get there for about $1k. If you go full, whole hog, top of the line glock from SJC, I think they run in the $1700 range but if you go top of the line in an STI & get the full custom, best of the best, you are at $4k so take it from there.

Reliability the glock does pretty well, also, as long as whoever does your work is really good at it or you don't customize too much. Once you get too far into customization, the glocks are no more reliable than almost any STI.

I would like to see a place where you can get a great STI limited for under $2k, though. I bet they are selling all they can get their hands on, for sure. Of course, you will need a few of those $100 magazines as well. My mags cost me $13 to buy, plus @$22 for bases & $2 for followers. $37. Sure, I give up a round or two but like others have said, where do you have a 22or 23 rd stage with no movement? It is against uspsa rules to require more than 8 shots from a particular position so you are gonna have to move. It is very rare that the extra two rounds will hurt but it can happen!

I agree that the STI is the better of the two in quality but if you talk value, perhaps it is a little more balanced. If a person wants the best, buy one of the STI, cost who cares. If you are here for fun or have a limited budget, or just prefer the glock platform, buy the glock. That is why there are choices!

MLM

[splashdown]

I've been shooting Limited with SV/STI for about four years. I've got two custom 6" STI limited guns now and like them better than the 5" guns. Now, recently I've been shooting my G35 in Production and I forgot how much I like shooting it. That G24 that was in the classifieds recently really got me thinking. If my financial situation ever got so bad that I needed the cash, I think I could sell the STI's and be content shooting the Glock in Limited.

For me, I really like the light weight of the Glock. I've got a hodge-podge of STI mags that work all day long but only get 20 max capacity, so there's no capacity difference for me. The key difference is the trigger. My G35 trigger is not the lightest at just under 3 lbs, but the pull is so smooth and breaks so clean, I don't see it as a huge disadvantage. The only thing I really wish Glock would do is to add just a little bit of a beavertail to prevent slide bite.

So, I think you guys are right. The Glock is 90 to 95% of the gun for 30 to 50% of the cost. Not a bad deal at all and there are more than a few GM's that earned their title with a Glock.

[nphd2000]

I put together a CCF SS frame with a 24 slide because I thought the same thing, 6" limited = Glock 24. I figured the weight of the frame and slide would realy soak up the recoil. I have shot a lightened 35 top end on a CCF frame and liked the feel. I think the 24 slide could use some lightening but we'll see.

[MarkCO]

A G35 set up for limited, accurized with a great trigger is closer to $1000 if you have the work done, maybe $600 if you get a used one and know how to set up triggers. I have 2 tuned mags that I can start with 22 in the gun, but that took some work. I ran an EAA for a while and I guess I was just too used to Glocks and went back. I have fingers a tad on the short side and the 2011s are not a comfortable grip for me. The G24 is a tad long and the G35 really does track better for me. Some guys even prefer the G22.

I have gotten a Glock trigger to about 1.5 pounds with about .13" total movement. Seach here on Glock triggers and you will find some great info. My G35 with a tightened slide and fit Bar-Sto barrel will shoot right along with the S_Is all day long in terms of accuracy.

[LPatterson]

Welcome Penguin and I'm glad to have you stirring the pot because 1 on the 24's in the classifieds is mine once the pony express and dog sleds make their rounds. Granted there are lots more 2011 limited guns than Glocks in Limited but after getting close up looks at the Nationals there were a lot more Glocks in 2009 than in 2003. I saw several (3 is several right) GM shooters squeezing 21 round mags in their top loaded 2011 only to have it not feed a 22 round on a 22 round COF. I made the change because I can only get 18 rounds in the Para & G21 and I won't sell off guns again. I have reached the Todd Jarett - Rob Leatham mind set, it doesn't matter which room I am in there is a gun I can pick up and fondle. My problem with Glock's is they are nose light and when I use the same type recoil control as with a 1911, they recover high. Actually the 24C with a Carver mounted C More is a little nose heavy but by spring time I should have a better feel for it. The 140mm mags are 20 round reloadable which are a boatload since I normally shoot Limited 10/SS. So adding things up I got a 6" gun, Adj rear FO front, ICE magwell, 2 standard & 3 20 round mags and a holster for about 3/4 what a Dawson gun only is going for. Leaves room for a few 1000 bullets, trying to buy my way out of C.

[B_Seehawer]

I just wish I had bought a brass magwell instead of the aluminum ICE for my G24. Mine seems a little heavy in the nose and the weight on the tail would be nice.

What weight recoil spring do you guys run in your G24's?

Brad

[nphd2000]

The heavy Ice magwell realy balances out the 24 for me with the Glock frame. I put the 24 slide on a CCF frame with a light magwell and it is a little nose heavy thats why I wanted a lightened slide. With a heavy magwell and the CCF it will realy feel like a brick. I use a stock recoil spring with the CCF. I run a spacer or 2 on the stock rod and spring with a buff for good measure. 15 lbs on metal rod with stock frame .

[Graham Smith]

A G34 can shoot Production

A G17L can shoot Limited minor (I think)

A G24 can shoot Limited

A 2011 can shoot Limited

A G35 can shoot Production and Limited

This is why I think that a G35 (or even a G22 for that matter) is good overall choice for as a relatively low cost USPSA gun. When you get to the point where it is the gun that is actually holding you back, then you can move up the equipment ladder.

Offer of advice not available in all states. Your mileage may vary.

Edited December 31, 2009 by Graham Smith

[DaveM]

I go back and forth on this. I have a older Benny Hill 6" 2011 and a G-24 (Bought the Glock to start with then upgraded). I've really tried to evaluate both in practice and matches by breaking down the timer data. I see two advantages to the 2011.

1. Reset is shorter so I can shoot about .03 faster splits on those up close and dirty targets, but a lot of times this is fools gold. .03 ain't much and if it costs you a A or two have you really gained anything?

2. The 2011 reloads soo much easier. That tapered magazine is great for fumble fingers. No matter how you flub it it goes in. It saves me about .15 sec per reload.

All that said I shot the Glocks (17 in production and 24 in limited) this years after solely shooting the 2011 for the last two years because I wanted to shoot some GSSF matches and maybe pick up some prizes and the new production class for NRA AP interests me. I could never see a difference in my match results whether I shot the 2011 or the glock 24. I finished about the same and I actually shot about an 89% classifier with the 24 which is high for me so far typically I can get in the low 80% range if I shoo to my potential so 89% is very good. I don't think it matters much. A 24 and $2K worth of ammo will make you better than a $3000 2011 limited gun I think.

This thread interests me when I first got the 2011 I thought it was a great advantage but now I'm not sure. Has anyone else shot both a lot?

You guys are right about a G-35 it's so darned versatile you can shoot so many games with it and be competitive. If I was just starting I would buy a G-35 and 100k rounds of ammo. When I got that shot up I'd move on to something else MAYBE.

[Jman]

Welcome to the forums!!!

Funny thing about what we shoot.

When I see a great runs shot and I have seen a few,

it's always how it was shot. Not what it was shot with.

If you're good it don't mean much.

Jim

[splashdown]

Heck, if you throw IDPA in the mix, a G35 is good for:

Produciton, Limited, L10, SSP, and ESP. You can even go to Open without making any permanent changes that would render it illegal for Production or IDPA.

I've really enjoyed shooting my G35 lately, as mentioned above. I'm looking forward to checking out a friend's G24 soon.

[kitestir]

I owned a G24 way back when they came out. It was accurate, but I liked my G22 much better(NO 35 at the time). The gun was just to nose heavy for me! Since then I have owned a couple of 22's and 35' and really like the 35 the best!

[Flexmoney]

I don't think a Glock gives up 5%.

- Not at the top. Does anybody really believe that Dave or Bob would score 5% higher than they already do if they switched guns? No way.

- Nor for the new shooter. The Glock (unless dicked with too much) will just work. It's one less thing for the new shooter to have to manage.

- The middle classed shooters....yeah, maybe. I see lots of shooters that just aren't really sure where to go next to get improvement. It's easy enough to feel a well tuned 1911 style trigger and think that has to be a better mouse trap. A shooter needs some confidence. Buying gear gives that to many. If that is the case, then it probably is a good move for that shooter.

[Duane Thomas]

I used to have definite preferences in guns and cartridges. Then I noticed a strange thing in practice: it didn't matter if I was shooting a Glock 9mm, 1911 9mm or 1911 .45, my times and hits were the same. How 'bout that?

[usmc1974]

I really enjoy my Glock 35 it is about all I shoot anymore. Putting a little beavertail on it is easy did my 34 and 35. with my CR speed holster it is light and easy to carry in june and July when it is very hot and a match can last all day.

[G-ManBart]

Also a great STI limited gun can be had for just under 2k not 4 k.

A good limited gun can be had for a little bit less than $2k.

A great limited gun is much closer to $4k.

There are plenty of great Limited guns for around $2500-2800. Going up to $4K buys you a bigger name and some cosmetics, that's it.

And there's zero difference in performance between any of them.