Glock 19 or 23? Comp or not???

[What Just Happened?]

for maximum reliability, the extractor, barrel and magazines should be swapped out.

Yeah, the extractor was what I was wondering about. I don't own a glock, so how difficult is it to swap out extractors?

[C_1]

The G19 is perfectly fine but the G23 does give caliber options..

I was thinking a G23c, even though the frame is compensated, the barrel can be replaced with a non-ported one. Then theres the option of 9mm or 357sig conversion barrels..

And the extractor would have to be swapped out for each different barrel/caliber?

[LAK Supply]

If we're talking versatility now and not just your original requirements..... 10MM ALL THE WAY! It doesn't get more versatile than the 10; none of the rounds being discussed here will touch it, and with a barrel swap you can shoot .40, 357 SIG, and 9x25.

Considered a G29?

[C_1]

10mm is probably more than I need/want. The subcompact Glocks seems a lil big/blocky, for a subcompact, but the compacts are perfect. Glock grips a lil akward for me but I like the balance and feel. Subcompacts dont shoot as well as compacts, and compacts dont shoot as well as full size Glocks. The compact is a perfect compromise. Probably the G26 is more fitted but I really like the G19 and G23.

[Termagant]

Personally, I'd go with a Glock 19 since for self defense the best thing you can do is practice and 9mm is a little bit cheaper then .40

That precise issue- affordability of practice- was the primary factor that decided me on the Glock 19, and it seems like a good choice so far--I haven't stopped grinning in the two weeks since I brought it home!
It makes me ver', ver' happy! (thanks again, Nemo!)

[C_1]

Can't go wrong with a 9mm Glock. I have heard Glock have plans to make a short frame version of the G19 sometime in 2009. A G19SF would fit my hand better..

[LAK Supply]

10mm is probably more than I need/want. The subcompact Glocks seems a lil big/blocky, for a subcompact, but the compacts are perfect. Glock grips a lil akward for me but I like the balance and feel. Subcompacts dont shoot as well as compacts, and compacts dont shoot as well as full size Glocks. The compact is a perfect compromise. Probably the G26 is more fitted but I really like the G19 and G23.

The 29 shoots very well with a pinky extension. There's actually a little more to hold on to than the other subs.

[Gryff]

Get a regular 23. If you possess testicles, then you can EASILY control the recoil on the gun. My G23 isn't necessarily fun for putting a full box of 180gr. Federal HST rounds downrange, but it isn't brutal either.

As for compensators, I think the only place they belong is on hunting handguns and IPSC raceguns. The last thing you need in a night-time fight is a crapload of gas and flash passing directly up through your line of sight.

[daemonite]

Glocks are ridiculously easy to work with, you can change any part in the Glock with just an armorers manual and less then 15 minutes of time.

As for recoil, my 105lb girlfriend has shot everything from 9mm to .44 magnum. If she can handle it without having testicles...so can you.

[NVR SRNDR]

If it is mainly for home defense have you considered the full size 17?

[Mr. Meeseeks]

If it is mainly for home defense have you considered the full size 17?

+1 on full size. Less recoil, no need for comp, more fun to shoot for longer periods. You could even consider the G22.

(rhetorical) Why do new gun owners almost always want to start with a compact or sub compact pistol?

Don't over think the matter, pistols multiply like rabbits. If you're really into Glocks, one day soon you'll find your self owning at least 3.

Best advice I could give you is be patient and buy used, deals will come around sooner than you'll be able to afford.

[savs2k]

For a first gun get a 19. I was in the same situation when I bought my first gun. I was debating on the 19 23 or the 21. So heres what I came up with that made me get a g19. Why get a 19... its overall a damn great gun bang for buck, Its reliable and i shoot it decently. 9mm rounds are almost half the price fo the .40. The easy answer to why get get a 23 is that it's a g19 with options to have a 9mm or 357. But its your first gun not your last! If you got the 23 you would get the 9mm conversion swap from .40 to 9mm which is cool and all but you wont be use to the caliber your shooting with. If you were to get the 19 and shoot it until you shoot your best with it, at this point JUST BUY ANOTHER GUN. Why start your collection at 1 gun then 2 barrels when you can start it off 1 gun then another. I started with a g19 which if I ever need a gun I will grab for. built an ar just bought a 1911 and shotty. next I will be going with a g21 then a g23. So pretty much save your money on the conversions. If you like the caliber your gonna end up with the gun eventually.

[ar15barrels]

Shoot it under low light conditions and see what happens?
Some have reported flash loosing the target and a dirty front sight

Absolutely true, but what percentage of people here do you think have actually shot enough at night to know all the nuances involved?

I shoot a few night matches a year and still learn a new thing here or there.
Comps bad.
Smokey cast bullet loads bad.
Gun-mounted flashlight good.
Gun-mounted flashlight with laser better.

[uscbigdawg]

I carry a G19C about every other day (G22 or G34 are my "normal" carry guns). A lot of people freak out over flash. First, if you try different ammo and learn that not all ammo is the same and as such different powders don't flash near as much you don't have to worry about that. Too, in that EXTREMELY RARE situation when you need to shoot someone, the last thing you're thinking about is how loud the gun is and even in a closed space you aren't hearing a thing.

So what about the "rock draw" close in shots? Well, I defer to the above again that you won't feel a thing in that moment. After 2 deployments and I don't know how many raids in small builds with M-4's, SAW's, shotguns, shape charges, et. al. going off I can tell you my hearing is perfect and in those moments your adrenaline is CRANKIN'. Hunters know what I'm talking about. How many wear plugs while hunting? Duck hunters maybe. Four legged hunters, generally no.

Rich

[Matt P]

Interesting discussion here.
My attitude about porting is that the real benefit of it is enjoyed in faster recovery, less muzzle flip in a rapid fire situation. You dont normally feel a difference in slow fire with Glocks in the C model range.
Front Sight Magazine Vol 25, No 3 May/June 08 issue had an excellent article about a writer trying a number of differnt add on comps, and his testing.. Good read. The Lone Wolf comps which stick out the muzzle were also tested for accuracy and recoil.... Anyways,
I completely agree with the attitude that in a gun fight where lives are in the balance, it may be more point shooting then anything else at the beginning. In what may appear to be the most common situation, what do I want? A handgun that affords me the easiest means to recover from muzzle flip, and light enough recoil to insure the highest standard of accuracy I am capable of. After all, I am sure we can all agree its accuracy along with proper shot placement which stops a threat.
Why wouldnt you buy a firearm that allows you to do that with the greatest of ease?
Im with at least USCbigdawg that I believe that firearm in the Glock series with concealment in mind is the 19C and would be best suited.
When your life or someone elses is on the line, you wont be seeing the flash from the ports, hopefully you will be concentrating on proper sight alignment, sight picture with a smooth press of the trigger... The flash happens after you do all that is required to be accurate.

All the above just my opinion..... Have a great weekend guys, good thread....Matt