Glock 22 Gen 3 Problems? Top 6 Best Answers

When the Glock pistol was introduced, like many others, I was skeptical about the polymer-framed pistol. I have had positive experiences with the HK P9S 9mm and did not find polymer cheap – far from it. The HK was an exceptional pistol. Rigorous testing and experience eliminated skepticism. The Glock was a reliable, affordable, and durable service pistol chambered for the popular 9mm Luger cartridge.

Many officers requested a self-loading pistol, but chiefs and administrators were reluctant to issue or authorize anything other than the .38 caliber revolver. One chief famously told the troops, “If they make a double-action autoloader only, I’ll approve it.” SIG and Beretta entered the police market with excellent first-shot double-action pistols. The training and transition period was demanding when done properly.

Requests for a DAO autoloader were made to America-based manufacturers, but they did not respond. As such, they have abolished the American police market for Europeans. No American competitor of the day compared to the SIG in quality, accuracy and reliability. But the SIG required officers to learn to load, decock, fire the first shot in double action, and then progress to single action fire. The Beretta added the complication of a slide-mounted safety. When Glock introduced the DAO pistol, the handbook of guns was: Load, Holster, Draw, Fire!

I evaluated the first Glock 9mm at the urging of my boss and found the piece to be good. It was interesting and useful. Combat accuracy as opposed to precision shooting was good. I would have preferred a manual safety, but the Glock was a superior service pistol to any American autoloader or revolver – provided it was loaded with the 9mm +P+ charge. I continued to wear my 1911 .45.

Meanwhile, largely due to the introduction of the autoloader, many agencies had eliminated 50-yard qualifiers. It may surprise many readers, but at the time 6 to 12 qualifying rounds in a 60 round course involved shooting from a supported position at 50 yards. These officers would not be helpless when fired on from a great distance.

Smith and Wesson aiming revolvers were capable of firing 6 shots in a 4 inch group at this range. In comparison, a friend took a Smith and Wesson Model 59 9mm to a regional instructor qualifier. He felt the reload time would be much faster compared to his Model 19 .357 Magnum. Bill nearly failed the course at 25 yards.

We fired the M59 from the bench pad at 25 yards and found it good at 8 inches. Such was the condition of the police service handguns. Bill later specified the SIG P226 for agency use in a medium sized department. Issued Federal Hydra Shock, this pistol would group 5 shots in 1.5-2.2 inches at 25 yards.

Glock’s .40

When the Glock M22 .40 was introduced, I was interested. The first pistols had accuracy issues, but not all, and the issues were mitigated. My personal M22 was fitted with Novak steel sights and a Bar Sto barrel. The blocky Glock sights were great for close range but limited a shooter to 25 yards. With the Bar Sto barrel and good sight, I now had a 50 yard gun.

The .40 began to get good results in gunfights across the country. The 9mm cartridge gave mixed results in police service, being the worst. Every few years, someone with less actual experience than opinion tells us that the 9mm’s problems have been solved. The larger caliber always works better.

Over time, I encountered a significant number of students who came to class with Glock pistols. It was imperative that I be able to operate and demonstrate the pistol well. So I kept a Glock 19 or Glock 23 ready for training. I prefer the Glock 22 for all round use for many reasons.

25-yard group

Glock has evolved from the first Glock to Generation 4. The main improvements concern the rear sight, the recoil bar and the grip frame. The action is the same. Most Glock triggers are set at 5.5 pounds – great for personal defense. Aftermarket circuit breakers and trigger parts are for competition use only. Anyone using an aftermarket trigger pistol is asking for legal complications. If you can sprint 100 meters at full speed and then control the slight trigger, you’re a good man. If not, keep the factory trigger.

Over the years there have been ill-advised, even ridiculous, attempts to control recoil by porting the barrel or adding compensators. Among the few that actually work well are the Glock M22c or compensated versions. The modest ports offer some degree of reduced recoil. The hotter the load, the better the compensator works and robs the load of a modest 15-30 fps. The 22C is no longer in production. The 22c just got into my hands because it was on sale. I’d be fine with an M22 too, but I really like my pistol.

One addition that I think is mandatory for any Glock is night vision goggles. This pistol is equipped with factory steel night sights. Daylight viewing is better and the 24-hour usability of the piece is improved. I also had the grip frame modified to better fit my average sized hand. Among the top rated gunsmiths in the world are those at Robar, Inc and they will modify your Glock if you wish.

The pistol is useful for concealed carry, IDPA, IPSC and home defense, even repelling wildlife. I’ve killed deer with the .40 S&W and at 25 yards it was four hooves in the air with the Federal 180-grain Hydra Shock.

The Glock M22 has proven accurate over a wide range of loads. If I were shooting an IPSC match I would load the Fiocchi 170 Grain MAJOR. As the name suggests, this load gives a BIG rating with no overpressure and has proven to be very accurate. Fiocchi’s 165-grain JHP has proven accurate and is one of the better choices for home defense.

Among the loads that have proven accurate in the Glock M22 is the Winchester PDX 180-grain JHP at 980 fps. This load shows little muzzle flash, usually a warm glow even in low light conditions. The Hornady 155-grain XTP breaks 1100 fps from the Glock M22c. The balance between penetration and expansion is good and this load shoots flat to 50 yards. There are more expensive handguns out there, but none are more reliable than the Glock M22. The .40 caliber cartridge hits hard. The M22 is a winner in every respect.

What’s your favorite Glock? Share your Glock story in the comments section.

A multi-county-issued law enforcement service pistol, the Glock 22 offers proven durability and reliability. .40 caliber ammunition is more powerful than the traditional 9mm cartridge and therefore more difficult to shoot accurately. Combined with diligent practice, the accuracy methods used by professional and amateur shooters around the world can help you achieve an advanced level of marksmanship.

Hold the pistol as firmly as possible, with the webbing pressed between your thumb and forefinger as high as possible on the back of the grip. A consistently tight grip ensures consistent shots.

Get into a fighting stance. One foot forward, one foot back and about shoulder-width apart. They should be stable when pushed from the front or side. When shooting with two hands, the back foot is on the same side as your dominant hand. Your dominant foot leads when shooting with one hand. As you point to your target, your shoulders should be forward and pointing in the same direction, not backward.

Keep your eyes on the front sight as you aim and shoot. Your eyes are unable to focus on both front and rear sights, or your sight and target at the same time. Aim your visor as usual, but focus on the front.

How to choose the best 40 caliber pistol? When choosing the best .40 caliber pistol, there are a few things to consider.

The first is your experience level. If you are a beginner, consider a pistol that is easier to use. If you are more experienced, consider a pistol with more features.

Next you need to think about what you are going to use the gun for. If you’re using it for self-defense, consider a higher caliber pistol. If you’re going to use it for target shooting, consider a smaller caliber pistol.

Finally, you have to consider your budget. The best .40 caliber pistol for you might not be the most expensive. Finding one that suits your needs and budget is important. Let’s take a look at our picks for the best pistol options in the .40 caliber category.

The Glock phenomenon emerged in the early 1980’s. In a short time, the Glock name spread across the ocean to America. Unnoticed at first, the Glock platform created an entirely new class of handgun that many have come to love. While the Glock wasn’t the first polymer-framed pistol, it was the first to be marketed in large numbers and adopted not only by shooters but also by military and law enforcement agencies.

All gun manufacturers offer different models of their products. To find out when your particular weapon was made, you had to look up its serial number. While Glock makes many different models. Their products have evolved through modifications that have made their handguns recognizable from generation to generation. Knowing what generation Glock you have can help you narrow down when it was made, or at least when Glock started making it. Third and fourth generation Glocks are currently available for purchase new in the United States.

Gaston Glock, who had no gunmaking experience, was an innovator indeed. He didn’t fix what wasn’t broken. However, the evolution from a Gen 1 Glock 17 to a Glock 17 Gen 4 did not come from a marketing whim. While the first Gen Glocks weren’t broken per se, improvements needed to be made. Over the decades, the Glock pistol has evolved, with some changes being subtle while others are immediately recognizable. On the surface, the striker-fired Glock design has remained visually the same. However, changes are easy to spot if you know what you’re looking for.

Glock 19 Gen 3 and Gen 4 Dimensions:

Overall length:

Gen 3: 7.36 inches

: 7.36 inches Gen 4 : 7.28 inches

Slide length: 6.85 inches

Overall width: 1.26 inches

Foil width: 1 inch

Height (including magazine): 5.04 inches

Line of sight (polymer): 6.02 in

trigger distance:

Gen 3: 2.80 inches

: 2.80 inches Gen 4 : 2.76 inches

Glock Gen 3 Vs Gen 4: Similarities

trigger weight

security

Grip: finger grooves

reliability

Aftermarket part availability

trigger weight

As with all Glock 19 generations, the Glock 19 Gen 3 and Glock 19 Gen 4 retain their industry-changing percussion design. This is one of the features that has propelled Glock to the top of the pack. You’ll feel the same 5.5-pound semi-double-action trigger on both the Glock 19 Gen 3 and Glock 19 Gen 4. If you’ve ever worked with any of the Glock 19 generations, you’ll quickly feel at home with either Gen 3 or 4 picking you up.

security

The traditional three-layer Glock security system is still present. This gives you the luxury of getting your Glock Gen 3 or 4 into action quickly. Without fear of accidentally discharging the gun by dropping it. The Glock Safety Fire System physically renders the Glock unable to fire in such a situation.

Grip: finger grooves

When looking at the front edge of the handle, the same finger recesses are noticeable on both models. There is no difference between Glock 19 Gen 3 and Gen 4 in this profile. Why is that a selling point you might ask? Well, if you already own a Glock Gen 3 and have a favorite holster for it, you’re in luck. The same holster works for the Glock 19 4th generation pistol. This is a price difference that also saves costs.

reliability

The legendary Glock reliability cannot be overlooked either. With proper care and maintenance, both Glock generations will serve you well. While there were some issues when the Gen 4 first showed up, they were quickly fixed. There is absolutely no difference in reliability between Glock 19 Gen 3 and Gen 4 handguns.

Availability of aftermarket parts

And who doesn’t like to tweak their weapons a bit to suit their own style? Glock 19 Gen 4 upgrades are plentiful, as are those for the Glock 19 Gen 3. Whether it’s a lighter trigger, better sights, or something more radical, you’ll find plenty of aftermarket upgrades. However, if you have no experience with such upgrades, keep this in mind. If you’ve been dependent on your Glock Gen 3 or Gen 4 for life, consult a professional for tricky upgrades.

What has been updated in Gen4?

back straps

grip texture

Magazine release button

magazine

Slide

recoil spring

Back straps and handle structure

The Glock 19 Gen 4’s upgrades are subtle but at the same time jump out. The first difference between Glock 19 Gen 3 and Gen 4 that many see is the grips. The 4th generation Glock 19 pistol adds texture and dimension. A major gripe that shooters had with the Glock 19 Generation 3 was that the grips were too large for smaller hands. The Glock 19 4th Gen comes with interchangeable back straps for its support. This allows shooters with a variety of hand sizes to comfortably hold and fire their Glock 19 Gen 4. By changing the overall size of the grip, you change the pull length of the trigger. This changes the weapon ergonomically.

The next of the Glock 19 Gen 4 grip upgrades was its texture. The newer grip has a rougher texture than the Glock 19 Gen 3 model. Knowing that many shooters have textured the grips of their Glock Gen 3 for a better feel, Glock made them a feature and a noticeable difference between the Glock 19 Gen 3 and Gen 4 made. Now don’t interpret this as reaching for sandpaper. The new texture is more aggressive, but not overly so. It provides a secure grip and control of the weapon in less than perfect conditions. This without the price of making you uncomfortable during long sessions at the range. It’s just another level of debate between Glock 19 Gen 3 and Gen 4.

Magazine release button

Moving forward from the grips you will surely see the larger mag release knob, now made ambidextrous. This is a welcome upgrade from the Glock 19 Gen 3 for the southpaws out there. The new mag release knob is not only larger, but extends further back for a much faster and easier mag change.

magazine

When debating the Glock Gen 3 vs Gen 4, this is an important point to consider even if you’re not left-handed. See, the Glock 19 Gen 4 magazines are notched on both sides to allow for ambidextrous magazine release. While the Glock 19 Gen 3 magazines are not. So if you have a few Gen 3 magazines handy, they will work in the Glock 19 Gen 4 pistol if the magazine release is set up for right-handed use.

Sliding and return spring

The next visible difference between Glock 19 Gen 3 and Gen 4 is the foil. Aside from the words stamped on the side, take a peek at the business end of the muzzle. The Gen 4 is the first of the Glock 19 generations to use a larger double recoil spring guide rod. You can see that if you look straight at the snout, there’s a bigger hole you can’t miss. Oh, by the way, make sure the weapon is cleared before doing this, you don’t want to become a stat.

This larger dual recoil spring guide rod was used to accommodate the heavier recoil of the larger cartridges now available. If you spend a lot of time at the shooting range or compete, you can easily see the value of this upgrade. It is possible to fit a Glock 19 Generation 3 recoil spring shaft into a Glock 19 4th Generation pistol. This change can be easily accomplished with a return spring adapter. However, the opposite is not the case. There is no way a larger recoil spring shaft will fit in the smaller Glock 19 Gen 3 slide.

Parts that are different between Gen 3 and Gen 4 Glock and are not interchangeable

Slide

recoil spring

frame

trigger housing

Magazine release button

Sliding and return spring

When looking at the Glock 19 Gen 3 vs Gen 4, some parts that have been changed stand on their own and cannot be interchanged. The first of the Glock 19 Gen 4 upgrades that we won’t be looking at is the foil. If you can obviously see the larger hole under the barrel, that’s not a huge leap. Even if you somehow get the Gen 3 slide onto the frame of the newer Gen 4 pistol, there’s no way the recoil spring guide rod will fit through. Although, as mentioned earlier, adapters are available if you want to go the other way. The adapter only allows you to use a Gen 3 recoil spring on a Gen 4 slide. The Gen 4 sled still doesn’t fit in the Gen 3 frame. A better option than trying to swap rails between Gen 4 and Gen 3 is to upgrade the two gens with aftermarket Glock rails for improved performance, grip and looks.

frame

The next point to discuss in the Glock Gen 3 vs Gen 4 ordeal is the frame. The frame designed for the Glock 19 Gen 4 handgun is smaller than that of the Glock 19 Gen 3. While smaller longitudinally, the addition of the interchangeable backstraps for the grips creates a weapon that ergonomically fits a wider range of shooter’s hand sizes. Also, the Gen 4 frame features a larger channel in its floor to accommodate the new, larger recoil spring assembly. There is no leeway here when it comes to the frame in the Glock Gen 3 vs Gen 4, they are exclusive to their own version.

trigger housing

The trigger housing of the Glock 19 Gen 4 has been designed slightly smaller than that of the Glock 19 Generation 3. The smaller trigger housing fits into the smaller frame of the Glock 19 4th generation. Again, this is an exclusive but necessary item in the list of Glock 19 Gen 4 upgrades.

Magazine release button

The next non-interchangeable upgrade is the Glock 19 Gen 4 magazine release button. As with all of these exclusive Glock 19 Gen 4 upgrades, size matters. The new mag release button is larger than that of the previous Glock 19 Gen 3.

Parts that are different but interchangeable

trip bar

Interconnects

ejector

magazine

There are quite a few bits when it comes to Glock 19 Gen 4 upgrades that are compatible with the Glock 19 Gen 3. Most are in the fire control mechanism. And quite frankly, many shooters would never think of changing them.

trip bar

The trigger bar deactivates the firing pin safety as soon as the trigger is pulled. The Glock 19 Gen 4 trigger bar has a small dent. This is to center the trigger bar on the firing pin safety, which is one of the three parts of the Glock safe-fire action. You can change the trigger bar from Gen 3 to Gen 4 or vice versa. Some shooters report a slightly harsher trigger pull associated with the extra bump on the new trigger bar. Some just shoot what they brought with them. However, if you’re noticing a slightly harsher or stronger trigger pull on your new Gen 4 Glock, this is one place to look for an upgrade.

Interconnects

Next comes the connector. The dimensions of the entire trigger housing had to be changed to fit the smaller frame of the Glock 19 Gen 4. The connector on the Gen 4 is located inside the trigger housing and has a modified angle to match the Gen 3 trigger weight. It is possible to install the port for a Glock 19 Gen 4 into a Gen 3. This will significantly change the trigger pull for the gun. So this is one of those things, just because you can do it, why would you do it?

ejector

The ejector is another difference between Glock 19 Gen 3 and Gen 4. Glock changed the design of the ejector in the Glock 19 4th Gen handgun. This part is compatible with the ejector used in the Glock 19 Gen 3 pistol and could be modified. However, the ejector is only available when purchased with the entire trigger housing. Additionally, a Glock’s ejector isn’t usually a point of failure unless you’re one of those lucky people who can pull off a large number of rounds. So, due to the cost of an entire trigger housing, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

magazine

The only upgrade in the Glock 19 Gen 3 vs Gen 4 whirlwind is the low but important magazine. Due to the Glock Gen 4’s ambidextrous mag release, its magazines are notched on both sides. If your Gen 4 mag release is still configured for a right hand shooter, meaning the mag release knob is on the left, then both mags will work.

The final result

The line of Glock handguns appeared on the market nearly four decades ago. Since then, they’ve steadily grown in strength, cementing their reputation as a durable, dependable weapon. People generally tend to either love or hate when it comes to a Glock. At its core, the Glock is a spartan all-business pistol that’s comfortable to carry and shoot. The Gen 4 works the same as the Gen 3, even when it comes to assembly and disassembly. So, why should you choose one? Well, there are a variety of factors to consider for the Glock Gen 3 vs Gen 4 debate.

The first is the general grip size and texture. The adjustable grip size would be an advantage if you have smaller hands or maybe average hands with short, fat fingers. This is not a blow to anyone in particular. They make clothes and shoes of different sizes for different people and there’s no shame in that. Why shouldn’t our handguns be offered that way too? Perhaps you occasionally operate with tactical gloves. That would be another reason for the versatility of changing the size of the hand grips.

The Gen 4 has a new texture on its grip that many find just right for either bare hands or gloves. You can get a solid grip on the gun without hurting bare skin. At the same time, the texture does not stick to gloves. There are many Glocks of all generations available, so handle as many as you can to find the right one for you. You may love or hate the new texture. However, you will never know until you try.

If you happen to be a southpaw or like to shoot offhand, then the two-handed magazine release is definitely a factor. The size of the mag release button is nice too. Yes, you could add an oversized mag release knob to an older Glock, but if you’re buying a Gen 4, they’ve already done it for you.

The Gen 4’s dual recoil spring also weighs. This system is nothing new to Glock, having used it in their sub-compact pistols for years. With the Glock 19 Gen 4, an upgrade comes into play when you choose to chamber it in .40 caliber. The heavier spring is specifically designed not only to handle recoil but also to minimize abuse of the gun frame. This means that not only does the Gen 4 shoot easier, it also lasts longer.

Then there’s the elephant in the room, Price. Of course, the Gen 3 will be cheaper than the Gen 4, but when you consider the benefits that may apply to your situation, how big is that price difference really? I know some people just have to save every dollar they can, and that’s okay. On the other hand, some people just need the latest on the market, and that’s okay too. That’s why they make chocolate and vanilla, everyone is different.

The Glock 19 is arguably the perfect combination of a concealed carry handle and a standard duty weapon. Its size is small enough to be easily concealed, but it’s still a handful of weapons. Magazine capacity coupled with available calibers commands a bark as big as its bite.

Wing Tactical offers a wide range of Glock parts and accessories for gun enthusiasts around the world. Browse our selection of Glock parts today and give yourself an edge!

Glock 42 The Glock 42 is Glock’s smallest carrygun.

Glock introduced the Glock 42 in early 2014, a slim-line .380 ACP pistol. The G42 is made in the USA and is the smallest pistol Glock has ever introduced. Glock says, “Years of requests from all market groups for a super concealable, reliable, single-stack .380 Glock pistol led to extensive research and development to bring the Glock customer the G42.” Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to test this pistol extensively .

purpose

The Glock Model 42 joins the ranks of many pocket-sized .380s that have rolled off gunsmith production lines in recent years. The appeal of these pint-sized pistols is that they’re easy to carry concealed, easy to shoot, and function as either a backup weapon or a primary firearm when carrying something larger isn’t feasible.

The biggest problem with any personal protection weapon is reliable operation, and as a general rule, the smaller the caliber, the choosier a firearm is. Given that the .380 is on the bright end of the ballistic spectrum, this is a relevant concern.

Manufacturer Specifications Glock 42 .380 Caliber ACP LENGTH 5.94″ WIDTH 0.94″ LENGTH BETWEEN SAFETS 4.92″ HEIGHT 4.13″ BARREL LENGTH 3.25″ WEIGHT UNLOADED 13.76 oz. Weight loaded 17.29 oz. TRIGGER 5.5 lbs. TRIGGER PATHS .49″ magazine capacity 6

Functionality With that in mind, I took my sample Glock 42 and tried my best to beat the snot out of it. During the evaluation I fired 320 rounds through the pistol using four different types of ammunition. His performance was almost flawless.

The “almost” might seem like a red flag, but it really isn’t. The gun didn’t work once, but for an understandable reason. At one point during testing, the gun did not fully battery after a shot. But that was because I’d taken the pistol—empty and open-action—and rubbed my boot into the gravel and sand at the shooting range to get enough sand in there to bond the works. After I removed the slider and wiped the interior, it ran again with no problems. In truth, the M42 impressed me to no end.

How the M42 shoots, however, is where it really shines. I did a lot of exercises with the pistol. Most of the shooting was at close range on single and multiple targets. It handled everything with ease. The weapon’s profile is smooth, so pulling it out of cover was never a problem. Dealing with the recoil wasn’t a problem, and the large dot on the sight was easy to acquire (and reacquire), allowing me to empty the gun as quickly as I wanted.

The pistol handled well during movement exercises and one-handed shooting, with both the dominant and weak hand.

During reloading, the empty magazine most often fell out of the frame, although at other times it was necessary to strip it off. The two supplied magazines each hold six cartridges.

The magazines don’t have any extension, so my grip consisted of middle and ring fingers around the stock, with the pinky wrapped under the magazine. This in no way affected the performance of the pistol.

innovation

The shaft is smooth, without finger grooves and only minimally ribbed. Likewise, the tensioning grooves on the closure are not very deep. All of this corresponds to the desire to make the gun as attractive as possible for concealed carry. The lack of “grippy” elements means it can be easily pulled from a holster, pocket, purse, and other off-body carrying configurations. Empty, it weighs just 13.8 ounces. I would forget I had it on me while wearing it.

The trigger on the pistol is moderately stiff. I found the trigger a bit heavy during dry shooting, but during actual shooting I never felt it affect my marksmanship or speed.

Speaking of marksmanship, the M42 is surprisingly accurate. Just for fun, I set a man-high target at 100 yards and had no problem getting hits on paper. So the innovation in this little Glock is that they have successfully retained the attributes of Glock while miniaturizing the design.

hype

So does it stand up to all the hustle and bustle? I think the ultimate measure of a firearm’s usefulness for personal protection is whether you would actually use it. In the case of the M42, I would wear it without hesitation. It’s reliable and portable, points easily, and like other Glocks doesn’t have any type of external safety to tamper with. Just pull the gun and you’re good to go. Whether as a backup weapon or as a primary weapon when deep stealth is required, the M42 is a pistol you can count on.

SIDEBAR: Four Pocket Pistol Skills

When training, avoid the habit of taking well-aimed shots one at a time. These tips will keep your practice realistic:

The Glock 20 handgun is the most powerful semi-automatic pistol in the Glock portfolio.

Designed around the 10mm auto cartridge, the Glock 20 is an impressive combination of a powerful pistol cartridge and high-capacity autoloader. The result is a handgun that is more powerful than the legendary 1911 pistol with more than twice the magazine capacity.

The Glock pistol was originally designed by Gaston Glock, a manufacturer of bayonets for the Austrian Armed Forces. After extensive testing of existing guns and his own research and development, the amateur gun designer produced the Glock 17, a nine-millimeter pistol with a seventeen-round magazine capacity. Glock combined a polymer frame with a steel slide, resulting in a lightweight firearm, while the use of an offset magazine column effectively doubled the pistol’s capacity. Reliable, light and with an amazing magazine, the Glock 17 captured the order of the Austrian army in 1981. It was commercially distributed in the United States in the mid-1980s, where it quickly became a bestseller.

One criticism of the Glock 17 was its caliber. Introduced in 1902, the nine millimeter cartridge was a common European military and police cartridge known for its modest recoil. As such, it was an effective caliber for conscripts and police officers who rarely used their guns. The nine millimeter cartridge partially compensated for its lack of power by being relatively narrow, allowing semi-automatic pistols chambered for the caliber to carry more rounds than comparable calibers. That being said, the larger capacity magazine was not an acceptable solution for everyone, and many shooters still craved a harder round.

Glock’s takeover of the US gun market was somewhat complicated by the 1986 Miami shooting, in which FBI agents armed with .38 Special, 9mm and .357 Magnum handguns inflicted a total of eighteen hits on two criminals, before eventually knocking them both out. The FBI, which killed two agents and injured five in the firefight, immediately attempted to replace the three rounds with a new round that could finish off criminals faster, saving law enforcement lives.

The FBI initially switched to the 10mm Auto cartridge, stating that the latter offered the most penetration into soft tissue between nine millimetres, .45 ACP (11.43×23) and 10mm Auto, resulting in incapacitation of the target. In addition, the 10mm Auto produced 400 to 750 pounds of energy and traveled at supersonic speeds, in contrast to the .45 ACP cartridge, which stuck between 400 and 500 foot pounds of energy and traveled at subsonic speeds.

The Bureau’s use of the 10mm Auto was short-lived because, while the cartridge offered superior ballistics, it had undesirable recoil. The FBI quickly transitioned to the smaller .40 S&W caliber while the 10mm Auto continued to undergo experimentation in the firearms community. .40 S&W is now losing ground for improvement in the nine millimeter round. Ironically, the 10mm Auto cartridge is more popular than ever, while the .40 S&W caliber is losing popularity.

Glock, an astute observer of firearm trends, introduced the 10mm Auto Glock 20 in 1991. Glock introduced its 10mm pistol at the height of the caliber’s popularity with the FBI, continued to manufacture it through the caliber’s decline, and is now poised to capitalize on the 10mm’s resurgence. The Glock 20 pistol has an overall length of 8.07 inches, compared to 8.04 inches for the original Glock 17. The Glock 20 has a height of 5.51 inches, again just a bit more than the Glock 17, and a Barrel length of 4.61 inches.

A major benefit of the Glock 20 is that it combines the 10mm Auto caliber, with its wide range of ammo loads, with a high-capacity magazine. The Glock 20 can fit 15 rounds in a standard magazine, compared to 17 rounds for the Glock 17 and 13 rounds for the Glock 21 chambered in .45 ACP. Conventional 10mm automatic ammo ranges from 424 ft-lbs (about the same as .45 ACP) to 774 ft-lbs, meaning the Glock 20’s can mimic the performance of a 1911 handgun with more than twice the ammo capacity, or even harder could record laps.

The Glock 20 may not be Glock’s most popular handgun, but it’s certainly their most powerful. The weapon’s combination of power and magazine capacity makes it an intimidating weapon, and the ability to adjust the weapon to manage power and recoil through different ammunition is a major advantage over other large-barreled handguns, particularly those in . 45 ACP. Nearly three decades old, the Glock 20 is a proven design for a powerful round.

Kyle Mizokami is a San Francisco-based author who has appeared on The Diplomat, Foreign Policy, War is Boring, and The Daily Beast. In 2009 he co-founded the defense and security blog Japan Security Watch. You can follow him on Twitter: @KyleMizokami.

Image: Wikimedia

It seems likely that the Glock’s “light trigger” is more likely due to a combination of factors, including operator error and the design of the gun itself.

Pistol manufacturer Glock advertises its pistols as the epitome of perfection, and indeed the Austrian-designed pistols have attracted a fanatical following. One complaint about Glocks, however, is that their trigger is too light to be sure, leading to accidental discharges. Is there any basis for this rumor?

The Glock 17 handgun was released in the United States in the early 1980s to almost universal acclaim. The new pistol, which made significant use of polymers to achieve a lighter carry weight, incorporated a number of new or previously obscure features, including a firing pin-triggered operating system. While not new, the firing pin system competed against the more traditional hammer fire system then typical of many handguns in the American market.

On firing pin fired pistols, retracting the pistol slide half-cocks the weapon, a process completed when the trigger is pulled. Squeezing the trigger releases three different safety devices, each designed to stop an accidental discharge that does not require a finger on the trigger. One of the final actions activated by pulling the trigger is the release of the firing pin lug, which is then hit by the firing pin. This impact force eventually hits the primer, setting off a chain reaction that ends with a bullet exiting the gun’s barrel.

Glock calls the striker-fired system its “Safe Action” operating system, and there’s a lot of truth to that. A Glock can only be fired when the trigger is pulled, meaning that accidental falls from holsters and other objects onto the ground, for example, cannot result in a hammer flying forward and hitting the primer. Without human intervention, the three safeties, including the trigger safety, prevent the pistol from firing.

A major advantage of the firing pin system is the relatively light trigger pull compared to other handgun operating systems. All large and compact Glocks have a trigger pull of approximately twenty-four newtons or 5.39 pounds compared to twenty-eight newtons or 6.29 pounds of force for smaller concealed carry Glock handguns. This level of force is not uncommon, however, as a 1911A1 pistol has a factory trigger pull of between 4.5 and 6.1 pounds.

Other handguns, especially double-action handguns, have much stronger trigger pulls. The Beretta 92, the U.S. military’s official handgun for decades, has an initial trigger pull of thirteen pounds as the trigger goes through the various steps to drop the hammer, and then a lighter trigger pull of five pounds for subsequent shots.

While many handguns have much stronger trigger pulls, it’s clear that others have pulled exactly the same trigger pull as a Glock, and have done so for decades. It seems likely that the Glock’s “light trigger” is more likely due to a combination of factors, including operator error and the design of the gun itself.

Under normal circumstances where a “light trigger” can be a problem, a pistol would only fire when the trigger was pulled. New Glock owners, accustomed to the heavier triggers of double-action handguns, may find that they put more pressure on the handgun than necessary, causing the gun to fire prematurely. However, this is a training error and not a design error.

One issue that might add to the controversy is the Glock’s lack of an external safety that prevents the trigger from being pulled. The lack of an external safety means there is no fail-safe mechanism should the pistol operator violate the third rule of gun safety: always keep your fingers off the trigger until you are ready to fire. A shooter used to being a bit more reckless with an external safety pistol can be penalized with a Glock, with serious consequences. While a Glock could certainly benefit from an external safety, the responsibility rests with the person pulling the trigger.

Glock handguns may have “light” trigger mechanisms, but historically they are no lighter than other common handguns. Ultimately, the pistol operator is the only one who can get his or her pistol to fire, and it is the responsibility of the Glock owner to operate his weapon in a safe manner and to learn the ins and outs of his or her firearm. Handguns are about freedom, but also about responsibility.

Kyle Mizokami is a San Francisco-based defense and national security writer who has appeared in Diplomat, Foreign Policy, War is Boring, and The Daily Beast. In 2009 he co-founded the defense and security blog Japan Security Watch. You can follow him on Twitter: @KyleMizokami.

Image: Creative Commons.

The Glock 23 gets the nod for more practical reasons, with its slightly shorter barrel and grip making it easier to conceal. It can also use 15-round and even 22-round magazines, which completely negates the only real advantage the Glock 22 has to offer.

The Glock 22 and Glock 23 are two of the most popular “plastic” handguns on the market. Both are very reliable handguns as both are manufactured by Glock, a company known for the legendary reliability of its products. Both are also chambered for the .40 S&W, a handgun caliber specifically designed for law enforcement and self-defense.

(This first appeared a few months ago.)

THE .40 S&W

As a handgun caliber, the .40 S&W is an excellent option that offers the best of both the 9mm and .45 acp, and here’s why:

The 9mm is known for its penetrating power and small footprint, allowing even the smallest pistol’s magazines to carry 10+ rounds, but the bullet, which is only 35/100ths of an inch, means it will poke small holes, and there are this debate among “weapon experts” about its tendency to overpenetrate (a big topic in itself not discussed here).

The .45 acp, on the other hand, is a caliber known for its reliability and proven track record as a powerful manstopper since 1911, but the pistol platform it was primarily housed in, the aptly labeled 1911, can only hold 8 rounds.

The .40 S&W cartridge has a SAAMI pressure limit of 35,000 psi (240 MPa), which is the same SAAMI pressure limit for the 9mm, but its relatively larger diameter allows for heavier bullet designs of up to 200 grains, just 30 grains less than typical .45 acp bullets weighing 230 grains resulting in a wider permanent wound cavity even with only full metal jacket (FMJ) aka ball ammunition.

The .40 S&W proved that just 27 years after its development, there are now a multitude of companies making compact, large-bodied handguns that allow for double-stack magazines that hold 15 rounds or more – as is literally the case in these guns is EVERYWHERE, EVERYWHERE, EVERYWHERE. As a result, .40 S&W ammunition is in high demand and availability will likely never be an issue.

BUT THOSE ARE BOTH GLOCKS…

So if both the Glock 22 and Glock 23 were designed by the same company, and both are chambered for the exact same handgun caliber, they are effectively the same. You’re probably wondering, what’s the point of comparing them anyway?

Well, at the end of this showdown, we hope to enlighten you on a few important points.

The only real differences are the length and height of the handguns, the standard magazine capacity (the Glock 22 comes with two 15-round magazines, and the Glock 23 has aftermarket 15-round magazines available, but it will only supplied with two 13-round magazines ), the weight, the barrel length and the length of the sight radius.

So again, why are they comparing?

Depending on several factors, either of these polymer burners could be a perfect match or cause a very bad case of buyer remorse.

BIGGER IS BETTER…RIGHT?

The way you hold a weapon greatly affects your accuracy and how quickly you can follow up shots.

If you’re a tall person or have huge hands like The Hulk’s and can barely fit two fingers around the grip of a typical compact pistol, then the Glock 22 should be a better choice. It’s larger than the Glock 23, meaning it has a longer grip. There should be more room for those fat fingers to hold onto tightly.

CONCEALED CARRY

However, keep in mind that larger handguns are much more difficult to conceal. This shouldn’t be a problem in states that allow open carry, but even in those states, concealed carry can be practical, even essential – sometimes the element of surprise just wins a gunfight.

If you want to conceal wearing, the Glock 23 is easier to conceal because of its relatively shorter grip, which doesn’t print as badly as the Glock 22 – unless you want to wear sweaters or jackets and big baggy pants year-round .

If you need information on some of the best concealed carry weapon (CCW) holsters on the market for these two Glocks or for any other pistol, check out this comprehensive list of holsters we’ve created.

Sight Radius and Accuracy

If you’re the type who puts a lot of time into range, accuracy shouldn’t be an issue with either the Glock 22 or Glock 23 since they both share the same barrel and twist length.

But in case you didn’t know, a gun with a longer sighting radius is always better able to get more accurate shots compared to a gun with a shorter sighting radius (assuming both are tested by the same person and they know how to shoot well). ). .

WEIGHT

Both pistols would be suitable for everyday use (EDC) as there isn’t much of a discrepancy between their weights – and both have polymer frames. Note, however, that a weapon’s weight can also affect its accuracy due to recoil.

A recoil sensitive person (i.e. someone who dislikes recoil) tends to be more accurate when shooting a heavier pistol because they tend to pierce the recoil.

Also, a front-heavy pistol has less muzzle blast, allowing for quicker follow-up shots when aiming down the sights, although this may not be an issue if you have a reflex sight installed (for general information on reflex sights, you might want to check out the introductory part of the article I wrote wrote for Trijicon MRO).

AMMO CAPACITY

There is not much to say about the different magazine capacity of the two handguns. The Glock 22 comes with 15-round magazines, while the Glock 23 comes with 13-round magazines.

If you don’t want to buy any of the optional 10-round, 15-round or 22-round magazines that Glock offers and you’re confident in your shooting prowess, 13 JHPs of the stunning .40 S&W will squeeze out the business end of a Glock 23 should be more than enough to protect yourself with.

However, if you’re not spending enough time in the range and feel like those two extra rounds can be a lifesaver (again, assuming you don’t want to spend the extra on the aftermarket 15-round magazine for the Glock 23), then go for it with the Glock 22.

GLOCK 22 AND GLOCK 23 BARREL CONVERSION

If you’re the type of person who likes to fix things that aren’t broke, or just want options, or you bought either pistol and found the .40 S&W’s recoil was too snappy for your hands, you will If you like doing this, you know that both the Glock 22 and Glock 23 can be converted from .40 S&W to .357 Sig.

The .357 SIG alternative is a great caliber for self-defense and in some respects even better than the .40 S&W. If you’ve ever shot a .357 Magnum revolver, you’ll understand why SIG Sauer developed the .357 SIG.

TO CONVERT OR NOT TO CONVERT – THE .357 SIG QUESTION

A typical 125-grain .357 Magnum bullet fired from a 4-inch revolving barrel has unmatched penetration and stopping power.

Since almost every semi-automatic handgun cannot be chambered for the .357 Magnum due to the overall length (OAL) of this cartridge, and because semi-automatic handguns come with their double-stack magazines (compared to the 6-round speedloader for most revolvers), SIG Sauer probably figured why not rimming a .40 caliber cartridge (i.e. the 10mm cartridge which is the magnumized mother of the .40 S&W) to accept a .35 caliber bullet?

I WILL STAY WITH MY 1911 IN 9×23 WINCHESTER

But a word of caution. While the .357 Sig conversion for either Glock pistol might sound like a great idea, factory ammo for the .357 Sig can be either very expensive or hard to come by in certain states.

If you don’t reload your own ammo, it may be virtually worthless, and even if you are, the .357 Sig’s constricted cartridge may be a little more difficult to work with unless you have specialty dies that cost more $. Take the .357 sig idea lightly.

AVAILABILITY OF SPARE PARTS

These are both Glocks. Availability for upgrades is not a problem. Oh, and both have the same accessory rail in front of the frame so you can attach a laser or flashlight if you need to.

PRICING

Not much can be said about the pricing. Both handguns are priced exactly the same, info is from Glock’s website. The Gen4 variant is priced at $549 each, while the Gen3 is significantly cheaper with a base price of $475. If you want to know why the Gen3s are cheaper than the Gen4s, you can find them here. If not, then don’t hesitate to jump to the conclusion.

CONCLUSION

The Glock 23 gets the nod for more practical reasons, with its slightly shorter barrel and grip making it easier to conceal. It can also use 15-round and even 22-round magazines, which completely negates the only real advantage the Glock 22 has to offer.

OK, let me get that out of the way right now. I carry a Glock pistol for about 95% of my waking hours. My service weapon with the police was either a Glock 21 or a Glock 17. A Glock 26 or a Glock 19 in 9 mm are constant companions in my free time. I like Glock pistols. But are they perfect? No chance.

I’ve broken almost every Glock I’ve ever owned. No manufacturer is immune to this reality: if you shoot the gun enough, it will break. A weapon is a mechanical device and can fail at any time. I compare it to a car. Even if you buy the best car in the world, it will eventually break.

I’ve been a factory-tested Glock gunsmith since 1997. In my tenure as a law enforcement instructor, I have inspected and serviced more than 75 Glock pistols carried by my officers. I also taught at one of the largest shooting schools in the country and saw hundreds more Glock pistols in the hands of my students every year. I’ve seen Glock pistols break in every possible way. Don’t tell me “Mine has never broken!” That’s because you’re not shooting enough. Put 10,000 or more rounds a year through a single pistol and see what happens.

yes they will break But one of the reasons I like the Glock so much is that they’re easy to fix. Many of the common parts breakages can actually be prevented with some routine maintenance. In this article, I will explain which parts I see breaking most often and what you can do to either prevent or fix the breaks and get your gun working again.

#1 Most Common Breakage of Parts – Trigger Spring

If you look at the picture you can see the coil springs on the top row. One of these springs resides in your trigger mechanism. It returns the trigger to the front position after the shot. They break all the time (right at the bend at the top or bottom) but not in a predictable way. I have run some guns over 50,000 rounds with the original spring. I also saw a spring break within the first 1000 laps. You are unpredictable.

If they break, the gun will usually still work, especially if you hold the trigger backwards and “catch the limb” after breaking the shot. If you don’t do that, you can still manually move the trigger forward after each shot. It’s not a fight stopper, but it’s a pain in the ass.

If you never want to worry about spring breakage, use one of the NY trigger springs (lower level in the picture). They compress rather than stretch and I’ve never seen a break. Unfortunately, they increase your trigger weight from the factory 5.5 pounds to 8 or 12 pounds. That’s why I don’t use them.

If you want to keep a conventional coil spring in the gun I would replace it every 10,000 rounds or so. When you do this, make sure it fits like an “S” shape (as the photo shows) and not backwards into the gun. If you install it backwards, the gun will work, but the spring is more likely to break.

#2 Most Common Breakage of Parts – Fuse Block Pin

The locking block pin is the top of the two pins above your trigger. It breaks fairly regularly, especially on the .40 and .357 Sig guns. You’ll know it’s broken because your gun’s slide will randomly snap backwards when you have rounds left in the magazine.

The best way to keep it from breaking is to replace your recoil springs every 3000-5000 rounds. Not many Glock owners do this, but I’ve found it to be crucial to avoid breaking parts. As the recoil spring weakens, the bolt moves faster and puts more stress on many parts of the gun (frame rails, locking block, pins). The constant hitting at high speed is a sure recipe for a locking block pin breakage. Replace your recoil spring!

If your fuse block pin breaks, don’t just push a new one into the hole. The slide stop lever (slide release) clamps on the locking block bolt. If you drive the pin through the hole with the slide catch still in place, you could damage the spring at the top of the catch. Remove the trigger pin and slide stop lever. Reattach the locking block pin. Cock the slide catch under the bolt block pin, then drive in your trigger pin.

#3 Most Common Parts to Break – Slide Stop Lever

This is not usually a break. Actually nothing breaks. The spring will simply be completely bent and the part will no longer function properly. See the wire spring on the left side of the slide release (also called the slide release)? This is what I was talking about above when I said it cocks under (not around) the locking block pin.

These springs take a beating from poor assembly techniques and occasionally only bend through normal use. You will find that something is wrong as the breech will open randomly when shooting or won’t open again after firing the last round. In this case, simply replace the shutter stop lever. It costs about $5. I’ve never had the good fortune to bend the spring back into position.

#4 Most Common Parts to Break – Slide Lock Spring

The bolt spring is the L-shaped spring that cocks the bolt, the part you push down to disassemble your gun.

If these break, it’s a fight stopping a malfunction. The slide just falls out of the frame after you fire a shot. Essentially, the gun disassembles during firing the same way it does when you take it apart for cleaning. I had some bad luck with this one.

I once carried a .45acp Glock 30. I loved the gun but the slide bolt spring broke SEVEN TIMES! I had to get rid of it. It just wasn’t reliable enough to wear. I’ve also seen other Glock 30s with broken slide lock springs.

The other pistols I see with broken recoil springs are the older pistols (Generation 1 and 2) model 23 and 19. There are 2 different recoil springs for the Glock 23 (and 19). The newer one is thicker and less likely to break. The older one is narrow and in my experience breaks after about 8,000 rounds. If you have the narrow one, you should probably upgrade to the new one. The spring costs about $2 and can be replaced in less than 5 minutes.

Regardless of which Glock you carry, you can wear out the recoil spring from improper installation of your recoil spring. When inserting the recoil spring into the grooves in the barrel, be sure to place it in the LOWEST groove. Not the one closer to the surface. When you insert it into the top groove, the edge of the recoil spring will rub against the bolt locking spring with every back and forth movement of the bolt. That will eventually cause it to break.

I’ve seen many other parts broken, but the ones listed above are by far the most common. Most of them won’t even really take you out of the fight once you realize what’s going on.

Prevention is actually quite simple…

If you own a Glock, periodically replace the recoil spring assembly (every 3000-5000 rounds), check your pins, and take a look at the springs when you take the gun apart for cleaning. That’s not too difficult. If you’re worried about parts breaking during a gunfight, carry a second gun. It’s the best insurance you can buy.

Parts replacement is pretty easy. The best Glock gunsmith reference I’ve found is The Complete Glock Reference Guide. If you’re not mechanically inclined, this book provides excellent disassembly and repair instructions.

Are Glocks perfect? nope But most other weapons are even less so. I will wear my Glock “Perfection” until another gun manufacturer comes up with something better. I’m not holding my breath.

There are only two types of components in a Glock pistol: those that are broken and those that will break. Despite its well-deserved reputation for being rock solid, every component of your Glock pistol will eventually fail. If you shoot it enough. It’s best to learn how to maintain your Glock and when and how to replace parts before one of them fails at the worst possible time.

By Andy Rutledge

* * *

In the last 2 years alone I have fired over 70,000 rounds with my Glock pistols in training and competition. I mention this fact because while I diligently maintain my Glocks, those 70,000 shots (55,000 of them on just one G19) have uncovered some interesting and instructive maintenance issues.

Given that experience, here are some recommendations for maintaining a Glock pistol for long life and a high level of reliability. Of course, nothing is safe with mechanical devices, but these steps I’m sharing here will ensure you meet your responsibilities and do your part to mitigate any destructive or life-threatening risks. However, be aware of one certainty: your mileage may vary.

Step One: Do accurate round counts for each component

Owning a firearm comes with certain responsibilities. That includes the responsibility of keeping an accurate round count for every firearm you own — AND — for all of its components. If you don’t keep an accurate round count for every component in every weapon and respond to it when necessary, you will suffer an awkward or possibly life-threatening failure while training or defending your life. Not allowed, but will.

Each time you replace a component (well before it fails), log the date and number of laps, and then record the target lap number for the next replacement. Reference and record your round count each time you fire your pistol. If the count exceeds the appropriate life threshold for a particular component, replace it and continue. We’ll look at component lifespans in a moment.

Step 2: Perform regular cleaning after complete disassembly

First, clean your Glock every time you shoot with it. Keep this thing as clean as new and it will last a long time. Additionally, I recommend a full disassembly detail clean every 2000 laps as I find it takes so many laps to get the internals dirty enough to be a cause for concern. As with anything in pistol maintenance, I play it safe rather than trying my luck.

After fully disassembling the slide and frame, thoroughly clean all components and clean all cavities in the slide and frame. I recommend that you only remove the magazine catch and spring or recoil spring for replacement as this can damage and weaken these springs.

I recommend that you only use dry cotton swabs or other dry materials to clean the inside of the firing pin and extractor sliding cavities. You don’t want even a slightly wet surface in your striker channel. Regardless of how you clean the rest of the components, be sure to dry them completely with a dry cloth before reassembling.

Some of the really dirty components that require special attention include the extractor (specifically the blade edge/groove), the firing pin safety piston, and the firing pin business end. I use Rem Oil wipes or a band-aid dampened with Rem Oil to really dig into these parts with my fingernails to completely remove the gunpowder residue.

Step Three: Replace components before they wear out

There is no way of knowing when a component of a firearm will fail. As such, accountability requires that we replace components at recommended round-count intervals. It’s best to replace parts before you think it’s necessary!

Most small Glock parts are fairly inexpensive and I recommend that you keep a few on hand for each Glock you own. That way, if you have a failure – and if you do experience a failure at all – you can simply throw in the new replacement without having to order and wait for it to arrive.

There are a handful of Glock pistol components that wear out faster than the others and need to be replaced regularly. These include the recoil spring assembly, trigger spring, bolt spring, and magazine catch spring.

recoil spring

The recoil spring is the backbone of your pistol. There are many ideas and preferences as to when the recoil spring should be replaced to a) avoid cycling problems and b) to prevent lock block pin breakage. I recommend you replace the recoil spring for (heavily over-inflated) .40 cal and .357 Sig every 3000 to 5000 rounds. For .380, 9mm, .45 and 10mm I recommend swapping out every 5000 to 10,000 rounds.

I also recommend only using Glock factory return springs. I’ve tried a few others and not once has a non-Glock OEM recoil spring lasted 1000+ rounds before either breaking or causing cycling issues. Many other non-OEM parts can work just fine in a Glock, but I find there is no substitute for a Glock recoil spring if you care about reliability at all. Again, your mileage may vary. Recoil spring assemblies typically cost between $7 and $20. You may also consider replacing your locking block pin regularly every 30,000-40,000 rounds for about $3.

release spring

A broken trigger spring is less of a pistol and more of a paperweight. I have never experienced a broken trigger spring on any of my Glocks. I read that you should replace the trigger spring every 10,000 rounds, so I did that. Trigger spring failure is one I don’t want to be tempted to have since they only cost about $2. That is cheap; especially compared to a potentially life-threatening failure.

slide lock spring

If the bolt spring breaks, your bolt will slide right out of the frame. The slide lock is the mechanism by which you detach your Glock. The two tabs sticking out on either side of the frame are the edges of the sliding clasp. The all-important spring sits sunk in the frame and occasionally just snaps in half. The one on my Glock 19 Gen 4 broke after 31,000 rounds (I should have replaced it sooner!). I recommend replacing the recoil spring every 10,000 rounds or so. These feathers cost about $3.

Magazine catch spring

A broken magazine catch means your pistol cannot hold a magazine, which will fall out immediately. The magazine catch spring on my Glock 19 Gen 4 broke after 51,000 rounds. It’s a spring set deep inside the grip that you never need to remove unless you’re replacing it or removing or replacing your magazine release. I’ve never seen data on how often these break, but you can’t run your Glock without one. They cost about $3. I recommend replacing every 20,000 rounds or so.

Award

slide stop lever spring

I only mention this one because it’s not uncommon for it to need replacing, but not necessarily because of wear and tear. I only bent a slide catch spring once, I think it was when I first cleaned my first Glock pistol. But I’ve read that it’s a general story.

The spring of the slide release (not “slide trigger”) is not really susceptible to failure from shooting or use, but it is a delicate spring and can easily be bent. When disassembling your pistol it is not uncommon for the end of the spring to catch on something and become bent. It is also prone to being accidentally bent when you clean the slide stop lever with a band-aid. While it’s possible for you to bend the spring back into shape, it’s unlikely. Don’t try to put in a new spring, just replace the lever and spring assembly for about $7.

Strikers, Striker Spring and Spring Cups

I would recommend replacing the striker spring and spring retainers about every 20,000 rounds, but I haven’t seen any official recommendation. It’s a vital spring and the spring seats are quite delicate. These components are part of a violent mechanical process on every trigger pull, so wear is a factor. The quill and cup set cost about $3 each.

The striker is probably a lifetime component in a Glock, but I’d recommend replacing every 40,000 rounds or so. Especially if you practice dry fire regularly (you do, right?).

Yes, other parts can break, but these above components are the most likely to fail and require responsible attention to their condition, function, and regular replacement.

Conclusion

The strong and simple construction of a Glock pistol gives it a natural disposition to just keep going in all sorts of adverse conditions, but to keep it going for years and thousands upon thousands of rounds, the best way to keep it running is to keep it like new. Especially if it’s something you wear every day to save your life.

In addition to the components listed here, make a quick check of ALL the components of your gun every time you clean it. Locking surfaces can crack, slide rails can break out of the frame, frames can become damaged, sides can break, etc. These failures are not common, but they do occur. When you take care of your Glock, you can rest assured that it will take care of you, too.

Posted by Ghost Inc. on September 6, 2019

Before answering the question of how many shots a Glock can fire, it is necessary to look at the Glock’s capacity. The Glock is popular with cops and casual enthusiasts for many reasons; One of those reasons is that it’s easy to use, durable, and easy to maintain. In fact, it is relatively light and more convenient to use than many other similar weapons.

There are different models with different functions and capacities. The original Glock 17 can hold 17 rounds and has various modifications such as slots in the barrel and slides in the 17C that help compensate for recoil. Organizations such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation use the 17M as standard equipment. Modifications include a harder finish on the metal components and a flared magazine.

Other models include the Glock 18, which is actually a submachine gun class and can be used with an extended 33-round magazine. Civilians do not have access to this version. The Glock 26 is sub-compact and works well in concealed carry locations; It has a standard capacity of 10 rounds and the +2 extension brings it to 12, but it can be used with Glock 17, Glock 18 or Glock 19 factory magazines that hold 15, 17, 19, 31 or 33 rounds. There are numerous other models, but most people will not encounter the others.

Changing your Glock

There are always things you can do to personalize your firearm and make it more comfortable to use. For example, you can add grippy texturing for better comfort and grip. Another practical reason to modify a weapon is to make it easier to reload to keep firing.

Glock slide release

The addition of an extended breech makes it easier to keep ammo available when needed. If the original factory version is too small, adding the modification seems convenient. An extended slide release has the same purpose. Once all bullets have been fired, reloading is required, which can take some time. An extended slide release eliminates the need for the user to manually move the slide if it is ever necessary to continue firing. Multiple shots can be fired in the time saved.

Glock barrel conversion

It is also possible to modify the barrel so that the gun can handle better cartridges. In order to ensure the weapon’s stability when firing, it is important that the equipment is robust enough for the job. There are conversion kits that can modify some Glocks, and once the conversion is complete it’s easy to swap back and forth between the cheaper practice ammo and the heavier rounds. A caliber conversion can save a lot of money in the long run, since the price of the cartridges is very different and you don’t have to practice with normal ammunition. The conversion kits are not very expensive, they are easy to use and switching between different magazines is also easy.

Replacing your Glock moving parts

Another important thing to keep in mind is that the spring, barrel, slide and body of all devices can wear out. The spring should be replaced at least every 10,000 shots, with many recommending replacing the spring assembly and guide rod every 3,000 to 5,000 shots. The other parts listed should last for about 150,000 rounds. As always, take care of your Glock and clean and service it regularly to keep it in top condition.

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In the mid-1980s, an Austrian organization called Glock, named after its founder, began importing into the US an odd polymer-framed 9mm, the Glock 17, so-called because it was the company’s 17th patent, although the 17 also an indication of this was the round count of the weapon. The new pistol worked and, despite its unconventional looks, captured LE market share. And what cops like, civilians like too, and the Glock pistol went off like wildfire.

The cartridge the G17 is chambered for, 9mm, was also a popular cartridge, adopted by many military and law enforcement agencies. But after the infamous “Miami Massacre” the search for a caliber that ranked between the 9mm and the .45 ACP in terms of performance began. The solution was the .40 S&W cartridge, which fielded a 180-grain jacketed hollow point (JHP) bullet and a shorter cartridge case that allowed it to be used in more compact handguns. Glock modified its Model 17 to accommodate the new cartridge and named the resulting gun the Glock 22. It was an instant hit.

I was slow to use the .40 caliber cartridge, although I briefly carried a Smith & Wesson Model 411. With about 65 percent of police officers carrying a Glock, the G22 has become a contemporary version of the venerable “Police Special” in autopistol form. As a law enforcement officer and self-defense conscious citizen, I wanted to test and evaluate the G22 and my interest was further sparked by the introduction of a Gen4 variant. After getting in touch with Glock, a snazzy new Glock 22 Gen4 pistol was kindly delivered to my door a few weeks later.

weapon details

My sample Glock 22 Gen4 came in a plastic carrying case. The case is lined with foam rubber and contains two magazines, a magazine loader, a wiper rod and brush, a cable lock, a safety booklet and an instruction manual. The G22 is based on the same mid-size frame as the G17 9mm and consists of just 34 individual parts, demonstrating the rugged simplicity of the design. The pistol also features Glock’s legendary firing pin Safe Action system, which some incorrectly refer to as just Double Action. The service quality trigger pull is factory set at 5.5 pounds, and other pull weights are available.

The pistol grip frame is slim; It does, however, contain a high-capacity, two-column magazine that will accept 15 .40 caliber cartridges on the G22 (Glock also offers a 22-round magazine). The Gen4 grip frame is modular in design and features interchangeable backstraps that can be swapped out to better fit each user’s hand size. A new rough wraparound texture on the front, back and sides of the grip offers more control in fast fire and in foul weather. Internally there is a new double (concentric) recoil spring system that increases the lifespan of the weapon, and another improvement is the enlarged, ambidextrous magazine catch that can be swapped out in seconds for left-handers. Add to that an accessory rail, tucked under the dust cover, and you have a versatile sidearm for many different roles.

The Glock 22 Gen4 with its 4.48 inch polygonal barrel is just 7.95 inches long overall, 5.43 inches high and 1.18 inches wide. This makes it a good uniform pistol, but it is also not out of place for everyday civilian use. Empty weight is 25.59 ounces, and even fully loaded it weighs just 34.42 ounces – about the same weight as a number of older, larger designs that carry fewer cartridges.

The durable polymer frame not only weighs less, it’s stronger than most metals, requires little maintenance and reduces perceived recoil. Another factor in reducing recoil and muzzle blast is the pistol’s low-bore axis. The barrel is positioned much closer to the top of the hand, pushing the recoil momentum straight back rather than down and up. The polymer frame combined with the surface-hardened steel slide makes it virtually impervious to rust and corrosion.

This gun just works, and it works right out of the box with no fine tuning or aftermarket parts required. The gun comes with polymer sights but, like all Glocks, is available with steel tritium night sights.

Another advantage is the easy disassembly of the weapon. The one area where you need to be extremely careful is to double-check that the gun is unloaded before beginning the takedown process. This is largely because the first step in this process is to pull the trigger and unfortunately some careless and/or poorly trained individuals have been blamed for some negligent discharges when a round was left chambered. Once the chamber is clear and the magazine removed, the trigger can be safely pulled, and then all that is required is to tamper with the takedown latch, retract the bolt the correct amount, and pull it forward out of the frame. With the slide removed, the captive recoil spring can be removed and then the barrel. For routine cleaning, that’s all that needs to be done.

For this test, I chose an IMI Defense model IMI-Z1010 holster and a double magazine pouch. This is a polymer outfit with an easy on and off paddle back on both units that is contoured for comfort. The holster is an open, high-ride design with a snap-button retention system that allows for a quick, natural draw. A tilt adjuster is built into the holster so you can adjust the angle of the holster to your liking with an included Allen key. The same wrench can be used to adjust the tension holding screw on the magazine pouch. This combination of durable black holster and magazine pouch should provide many years of service.

A final accessory for my G22 review was a LaserMax Green Guide Rod laser sight. The high tech modules for this system were originally developed by LaserMax over 25 years ago and I tested one of the early red laser sights on a Glock 19 in the mid 1990’s. It worked well and was easy to lock on aim, making daylight use a challenge at anything but short range. LaserMax’s newest guide rod laser has an output power of 5 milliwatts, has a battery life of one hour of continuous use, weighs only 1 ounce and is factory-calibrated for a distance of 20 yards.

reach time

Recently, I became aware of some ammo manufacturers I was previously unfamiliar with and decided to ask some of them for .40 caliber test ammunition. The first manufacturer, Nosler, is certainly not an unknown name for the cartridge reloading fraternity, but they are still relatively new to the production of complete handgun ammunition. I was interested in firing his 200-grain JHP Bonded Defense load – this bullet weight was once felt to be optimal for the 10mm/.40 cartridge. To go to the other extreme, I contacted Liberty Ammunition about some of their civil defense cartridges. In .40 caliber, this load features a 60-grain copper, monolithic, fragmenting HP bullet that exits the barrel at approximately 2,000 feet per second (fps) with 500 foot-pounds of muzzle energy. For a more conventional, medium-duty .40 load, I selected Winchester Ranger LE cartridges with 165-grain JHP T-Series bullets.

“The G22 Gen4 is truly an ‘everyman’ pistol, combining reliability, controllability and excellent firepower with an effective cartridge…”

My day at the range began with the G22 Gen4 chronographing the three .40 test loads. The biggest surprise was the speed of the Liberty ammunition loading; While the box rated it at 2,000 fps, my Oehler Model 35P Chronograph showed an average speed of 2,130 fps from the Glock pistol. I set up bullseye targets at the 25 yard line and continued to fire three 5 shot groups with each test cartridge from a bench rest position. My best group, recorded on the Liberty HP, consisted of three in the X ring and three in the 10 ring at 9 o’clock.

For a hands-on shooting test, I donned the IMI Defense holster and double mag pouch, then placed a B-27 competition silhouette at the 15-yard line. I loaded my magazines with six cartridges each of a mix of the test cartridges. I backed away 3 yards, pulled and attacked the target for 6 shots from 3 yards in a point shoulder with only my strong hand, changed the combat magazine, then fired 6 more shots with only the support hand and reloaded. I then moved to 7 yards where, in an isosceles stance, I fired two post-draw shots, then two more from high ready, and then two more before reloading. Next, I did a body armor drill at 7 yards where I drew and fired two rounds into center mass and one to the head; This was repeated from High Ready and then loaded again. Last, at 15 yards, I used a barricade. I ducked for cover and fired two shots from the left side while standing, two from the right side while standing, and then two from the right side while kneeling. Using the scoring rings and counting the two headshots as 10 points each, I scored 290/300 with 10 Xs. Not too bad, but what I didn’t mention was that I shot much faster than the allotted time; Before firing each string, I activated the LaserMax green guide rod laser sight and used it for my shots in place of the handgun sights.

During testing, the Glock 22 Gen4 performed flawlessly, and the test ammo, IMI Defense holster, and LaserMax stylet laser all performed brilliantly. I don’t think I would be better equipped for civilian or self-defense duty if I had used anything else. It’s easy to see why the Glock 22 Gen4 has become so popular with both law enforcement and civilians. The G22 Gen4 is truly an “everyone’s” pistol, combining reliability, controllability and excellent firepower with an effective cartridge. In my opinion it deserves the Police Special title and I would have no qualms about using it as my everyday weapon.

For more informations

Bell jar

http://us.glock.com; 770-432-1202

IMI defense

http://www.imidefense.com

Since 1990, throngs of law enforcement and civilians have carried the GLOCK 22 for duty and personal protection. It remains one of the top-selling pistols and shares many similarities with its smaller 9mm brethren, the GLOCKs 17 and 19. What makes the GLOCK 22 such a long-term winner? What qualities made this handgun the perfect law enforcement sidearm? What advantages does the .40 S&W caliber have over 9mm or .45 ACP?

Long-term winner

Reliability. Law enforcement firearms need to work every time. Personal protection weapons must always work. I personally own two 1911s, a variety of Berettas, Tauruses, Kel-Tecs and a few other brands I’d rather not admit, but my GLOCK sits within reach most of the time. I don’t currently have any kids in the house, so I tend to keep a gun nearby in rooms where I spend most of my time. My kitchen pistol is a GLOCK. I shot the thing about 4,000 times and the only malfunctions I remember were caused by an abusive magazine I borrowed from my brother. The ammo I used was shoddy to boot. With a proper magazine and decent ammo, this gun pops every time I pull the trigger. GLOCK’s famed reliability, which has helped build their reputation as a trustworthy firearm, has undoubtedly contributed to their sales numbers.

features

There are a lot fancier looking guns out there. GLOCKs are like power tools. They’re not exactly pretty works of art, and their design calls for sturdiness, reliability, and utility. Police departments use them not just because they work, but because they can train anyone to use them. Their safe action trigger works well as a deterrent against accidental discharges. The way the trigger system works is that you essentially have two triggers in one. If you don’t press the first trigger, the main mechanism won’t move. This makes it easier to use in an emergency since you don’t have to fiddle with a thumb safety. The trigger is light enough to produce accurate shots, but heavy enough that you almost cannot accidentally pull the gun. The designers also wanted to ensure that the weapon would not fire if dropped. An internal drop safety prevents the gun from discharging if it falls out of your holster. There is also a firing pin safety that disengages when the operator pulls the trigger back.

The payment

GLOCK doesn’t have the easiest model number system to remember. A GLOCK 17 is a 9mm, so is a GLOCK 19. A GLOCK 20 is a 10mm, while the 21 is a .45 ACP. The 22, 23 and 24, 27 and 35 are all .40 caliber handguns. Sorry for all the crazy numbers, but these model numbers aren’t that intuitive. With the GLOCK 22 you get a standard magazine with 15 shots. The less powerful GLOCK 17 in 9mm holds 17 shots. This means you’re only sacrificing two turns while still getting a significant increase in kinetic energy. The exact differences vary widely depending on the ammunition used, but typically a standard 9mm projectile without +P will hit with around 380-420 foot-pounds of kinetic energy. The .40 caliber delivers anywhere between 420-500 foot-lbs. For comparison, the giant .45 ACP weighs between 415 and 620 foot-pounds. This makes the .40 caliber a good middle ground between magazine capacity and performance. Some argue that it’s the best all-round cartridge for the service – I’m starting to believe that.