If all you wanna talk about is handguns, particularly poly framed, semi-autos, you can really give yourself the look of a knowledgeable individual by learning a lot about any one Glock model, because their ENTIRE commercial product line is a consistent variation from one to the next, size after size, chambering after chambering, caliber after caliber, barrel length after barrel length. This describes their business model perfectly, the core of their success. And why customers come back for consistency and reliability. Wanna make knowing semiauto hand guns easy? Step 1: be a Glock guy.
There are few, very few, makers of firearms throughout the world that can claim to offer a full line of quality firearm products. Actually, there aren't any. Only two that come close. One in Belgium, the other in the Czech republic. FN and CZ. I am not aware of either of these two makers currently offering a line of commercial revolver products. Otherwise, these are world leaders. In fact, it would hurt the feelings of devoted users of other European brands if they were to learn the vast quantity of sub-contracting performed by CZ in their foundry for polymer casting services.
CZ bolt action rifles are uniquely excellent. And the price offering for the quality is hard to believe. The set trigger system has to be experienced to be understood as a standard item. Their over and unders leave a bit to be desired for appearance but certainly not performance. They now own the Dan Wesson 1911 production. And insanely high quality product line. Their 5.56 Bren offering is a spectacular alternative to the vastly more expensive FN Scar. The 9mm scorpion? Nice. It probably won't outplace H&K's MP5 but what ever will?
CZ makes ONE product to compete against ONE Glock. The P10 for the G19. That is precisely how much of a bother Glock is to CZ. NOT the other way round. Glock is very concerned about the P10. Rightly so.
AS for the CZ-75. Quite simply one of the most important semi-auto handguns ever produced. Today, CZ offers numerous variations of this one model. More looks, designs, materials, custom options... numerous ways to make a customer happy. It can be functional, beautiful and both. Like FN, CZ knows there are too many owners and collecters and shooters in the free world who cannot be satisfied simply by "being a Glock guy."
I don't know what to say about this. Are you saying that Glock is the greatest and no other manufacturer comes close....except CZ and FN with just a couple models?
If so, that's bunk.
There are Glock fan boys out there that are so stubborn and obstinate that they can't see reason. Just drives you nuts. And this is coming from a Glock owner.
Here's the truth about Glock.
When it came out in the '80's there was nothing like it. Gaston's creation revolutionized the industry. The simplicity and reliability took the world by storm......and all other manufacturers struggled to keep up. So, what did the rest of the world do? They copied Glock. Now, almost all manufacturers offer a Glock clone. Does that mean that they're all as reliable as Glock? No......not all. But it does mean that many have caught up to the point where it's more about personal preference.
For instance, let's take several manufacturers and compare them:
-Glock - Supreme reliability, but compared to others there's a lot they're lacking. There are many manufacturers that are better after the ergonomics. Glock sights are terrible. They work, but when other manufacturers offer much better sights.....it makes what Glock offers a disappointment. Every Glock I own, I've switched out the sights immediately. What about grip ergonomics, grip or slide texture, mag release, etc? Same thing.
-H&K and Walther - Known for having the best from the factory ergonomics. Guys like Hickok45 who is a Glock enthusiast, praise both manufacturers for the way they feel and shoot. Many, including Hickok45, state that Walther can boast the best trigger. If you stick with the proven products that H&K and Walther have, is there a drop in reliability from the Glock? Not really......at least not enough that 99.99% of the population would ever notice. Does this mean they are better products than Glock? No. Once again, it's personal preference.
-Sig and S&W - Ever look at their product line? Whoah.....huge. Colors, modifications, sizes, prices, options galore. A person can find something from the factory to suit their personal preference.
-Reliability - Remember that the average person is not in law enforcement nor are they soldiers. The average person is going to leave their pistol on a night stand, handle it gently at the range, or have it tucked in their waistband. The average person is not going to submerge their pistol in water, mud, sand......bump into things with it, etc. For the average person, the difference between a Glock, S&W, H&K, FN, CZ, Springfield, Walther, etc will never see the difference in reliability (provided that they stick with the more proven products that each manufacturer provides.)
-Accuracy - I have known many, many firearm enthusiasts whose accuracy varies greatly from one make/model to the next. I have a friend who was world ranked in 3-gun (preferred Sig) that couldn't hit the side of a barn with my Glock 17......but could shoot quarter sized groups with my Sig. If there is any difference in reliability between the Glock and Sig, does it offset the difference in accuracy? In this case, the answer is easily no. Could he buy a Glock, practice, practice, practice with it until he got as accurate with it as his Sig? Maybe....can't be 100% sure. But why would he?
-Modifications - One excuse I've heard from Glock fan boys is the amount of parts available that can change ergonomics, etc. Sure, you can spend $500 on a Glock then pump another $300 into it to make it more ergonomically friendly. But is spending $800 on a Glock better than spending $650 for a Walther from the factory? Maybe, not sure. Once again this is all about personal preference.
So, bottom line, Glocks are fantastic. If you can shoot them well....and you don't mind the lesser ergonomics or are willing to change them.....then you're going to be very pleased......very. I'm a Glock owner....and I will own more. But I'm not naive to think that there are other very fine options out there that can serve the average man's purpose equally well, if not better in some cases.