This was a long time coming, but I finally got around to putting the whole thing together, but not enough time to actually do the important thing first.

This is my review of Goldwater Brewing Machine Gun Teddy:

I wasn’t prompted by Don Escaped to build this, but perhaps his article on why he bought a Glock is why I dug through my pictures and posted them here.  The problem I had was this was meant to be a gift for a novice to intermediate level shooter.  He asked me what it was I liked and why before deciding on what to purchase, except he never bought anything because he decided to get married and spend his disposable income towards that front so this turned into a gift.  The nice part, the shooter in question happens to be my younger brother, so from the standpoint of ergonomics we are more or less identical.

Why Glock?  I prefer the 1911 platform in general, but going that route was going to be cost prohibitive.  Not to mention the variables with customization are nearly limitless.  Its also not a platform for a younger shooter (my opinion only).  He does have some experience with Glocks as well.  Plus aftermarket support for things like magazines, holsters, etc is just as good as the 1911.

But which Glock?  I went with the Gen 5 frame because I hate the goddamn finger grooves blah blah blah they are the new hotness.  Specifically I went with the Glock 19x, because as I mentioned this is not an experienced shooter and I wasn’t about to give him a concealed carry piece.  The combination of compact slide and the full size grip had a nicer balance when I handled it.  I find the 17 to be front heavy; the standard 19 I don’t find as awkward as the 17 but a full size magazine seems a good idea for a nightstand/range runner.

Why go custom though?  To make it special.  Obviously.

First thing first:  I ordered a stripped 19x frame from Gunbroker and had them send it to a local FFL.  It shipped immediately and arrived within a few days.  For the record, I did play around with Zev and Polymer 80 frames available at local shops.  The P80 seemed cheap in comparison and I was warned Zev had a few issues by Evil Sheldon (IIRC).  There is also the pride in ownership aspect:  “I shoot a Glock” vs. “I shoot [something]…it’s like a Glock.”

Next, I picked up a lower parts kit from Glockmeister, a local custom shop.  The locking block, trigger block, trigger bar, slide stop, and disassembly lever I kept stock.  One thing to note there is a bit of a difference with the trigger block design between the Gen 3/4 and Gen 5, but that update makes it slightly easier to assemble.  There is also a difference in the trigger pin:  the Gen 5 has a single pin while Gen3/4 uses a two pin design.  I went with the Vickers magazine release since its not as flush as the stock release, making it a bit easier to index it with the left trigger finger without turning the frame over (future SIL is a lefty). Finally, I upgraded to the 3.5# Ghost disconnect and later realized the only real advantage that offered was that it was polished.  Live and learn.  So I polished the trigger bar, particularly the surfaces that interact with other parts while I had it all in pieces.

I then put in an order with Zafirri Precision for the slide assembly.  Its a custom outfit based out of FL that made a name for themselves machining for the aircraft industry.  They’re pretty affordable, had good reviews, and give you the optic cut standard.  I sent my brother a link and let him pick the cutouts he liked best.  I opted to save $30 and assemble it myself, otherwise what was the point in taking the time to assemble the lower?  I polished the drop safety while I had that in pieces as well.  One thing I thought was odd, was their recoil spring used a three spring system.  I kept their springs just in case but I ordered an 18# stainless steel recoil spring assembly from NDZ Performance, since that is the stock Glock spring weight for the 19x.  I ordered steel pins from them as well because why not?

At this point you’re probably wondering what trigger I went with.  As I mentioned most of it is stock except for the disconnect, I just polished the parts.  The aftermarket is saturated with Glock triggers but I went with the Glockmeister/SSVI Tyr trigger.  It is an upgrade only to the trigger shoe. Operating on the idea of allowing more leverage on the trigger mechanism to reduce how the weight of the trigger feels rather than reducing the trigger weight altogether.  Machined entirely from aluminum, it has a noticeably wider face and the trigger safety sits flush when depressed.  The result is actually really good—for a striker fire pistol, but its not so light I have to worry about it going off if I were to sneeze, like for example the HK VP9.

The result?

The only thing I threw on after this were Talon grips and a Streamlight TLR-1 that I no longer use.  How does  it shoot?  Beats me.  I gave him enough ammunition to break it in and have a few full magazines ready with 124gr Speer Gold Dots, but sadly it has never been fired.  We’ll need to address this oversight.

 

Right…this is a beer review.  The logo caught my eye as it happens to be the old logo to a gun shop/indoor range that was once located in Old Town Scottsdale.  They have since moved to another location in the part of Scottsdale where everyone drives a Gelandewagen.  There are fewer art galleries, hipster bars, and homeless people where they are located now, so it works out.  Machine Gun Teddy is serviceable; a perfectly cromulent beer.  Not particularly remarkable on its own as a Scottish Brown Ale, it does have great balance but most importantly serves as the perfect base to make something truly special…Like a Rye Whiskey Barrel aged beer that I am now searching for. Goldwater Brewing Machine Gun Teddy: 3/5 6.7% abv