Glock 19 or 23

[HPBrowningMK3]

G19 is a fine choice. What I like about 40 sw is that I can basically have 3 calibers:40, 357 sig and 9mm and swap as I please.

[cineski]

The frame is the same on the 3 pin frame across 9-357-40 cals. If you want mulit-cal, get a 19 and add a 22 slide assembly and 32 barrel.

[psango]

I bought the 23 and a Wolf 9mm conversion barrel. Works great for me.

[Lead Waster]

Go to Walmart. You'll find boxes of .40 on the shelf, but no 9mm unless you get lucky. So consider that with approximately equally priced ammo, one is less popular and therefore has more ammo.

I'd suggest the 23 and tack on $100 for a conversion barrel so you have something to shoot rather than nothing.

[Bullitt01]

Not much reason to shoot .40 these days. More expensive, more recoil, with little to show for it. Show me a single firearms instructor who endorses .40 and i'll show you 10 who endorse 9mm.

Here's a career law enforcement officer and firearms trainer talking about ammo. Not two guys in their backyard shooting water jugs or drywall.





Here's 3 former SF guys/firearms trainers endorsing 9mm over .40.

Thanks...was a great watch!

[caburian]

i'll be the blacksheep of the bunch.


get the glock 23... and stick with the .40! no conversions! but the option is always there.

Don't shoot 165 grain, as recoil is much stronger, its very manageable in 180grain. I shoot both 19/23 and the 23 does have a little more recoil, but if recoil is really the issue then get a .22!!!!!

[trigger945]

G23. I was in the same boat and picked the G23 for the following reasons:

1) Can get a 9mm conversion barrel (in fact, for plinking and shooting paper targets, all I needed was that - I used the stock G23 mag and it worked)

2) Can get a 357 sig conversion barrel - gives you versatility and a different experience (uses the same G23 mag and nothing else is needed)

3) Can get a .22LR conversion kit - very good for beginners (and dates with a sweet lady for the OP!)

4) For me, diversity in ammo; as the OP mentioned, larger caliber for a 10-rd limit as well

Good luck!

[WETP]

Personally, I own both. Is a great package. The G19 was cheaper to shot, now online you can get the same price for .40.
In regards to having almost the same performace with good ammo. Kinetic Energy is Kinetic Energy, and .40 anf 45 is higher.
What is definitely true is that you will need to practice more with the G23.

[caburian]

Also, I just wanted to add to what I just posted.


people seem to make the statement on new bullet technology all the time, they say that new technology makes the ballistics of the 9mm close to the .40.

but that's not actually true anymore because such bullet technology also applies on the .40 which will also make a bigger hole.

[ElDub1950]

G23. I was in the same boat and picked the G23 for the following reasons:

1) Can get a 9mm conversion barrel (in fact, for plinking and shooting paper targets, all I needed was that - I used the stock G23 mag and it worked)

2) Can get a 357 sig conversion barrel - gives you versatility and a different experience (uses the same G23 mag and nothing else is needed)

3) Can get a .22LR conversion kit - very good for beginners (and dates with a sweet lady for the OP!)

4) For me, diversity in ammo; as the OP mentioned, larger caliber for a 10-rd limit as well

Good luck!

I have heard that some people can successfully use G23 mags for 9mm but it was a miserable failure for me. 4 out of 4 mags wouldn't feed more to 2 rnds before FTFs. But works perfectly with 9mm mags.

[trigger945]

^^^ Yes, YMMV on the G23 mags when loading 9mm. I meant to caveat that. Worst case scenario, might need to get G19 mags.

[CK_32]

I have heard that some people can successfully use G23 mags for 9mm but it was a miserable failure for me. 4 out of 4 mags wouldn't feed more to 2 rnds before FTFs. But works perfectly with 9mm mags.

YMMV indeed. I was expecting what you posted when I took my Glock 23 out with the 9mm conversion.. Surprisingly ran flawless. I think I'm at about 400 9mm rounds, all 40 mags.. Only issue I did have was on the 2nd to last round on one mag it would lock open with one left in the mag. Trying to figure out why cause I have his issue with one of my old Glock 17 pre ban high caps from time to time. Now that part/repair kits are a no go it really blows.

Other than that not a single issue. Was pleasantly surprised and glad I could now save $120 on the Glock 19 mags I wanted to buy to run the 9mm and spend it else where.

[Grumpyoldretiredcop]

I ditched my 23 in favor of a 19. 'Nuff said.

[Lead Waster]

I think more than one company makes conversion barrels.

I believe one company makes them with a slightly offset chamber so that the ejector hits the brass properly.

Maybe the different conversion barrel experiences are caused by different barrel makers?

[ElDub1950]

YMMV indeed. I was expecting what you posted when I took my Glock 23 out with the 9mm conversion.. Surprisingly ran flawless. I think I'm at about 400 9mm rounds, all 40 mags.. Only issue I did have was on the 2nd to last round on one mag it would lock open with one left in the mag. Trying to figure out why cause I have his issue with one of my old Glock 17 pre ban high caps from time to time. Now that part/repair kits are a no go it really blows.

Other than that not a single issue. Was pleasantly surprised and glad I could now save $120 on the Glock 19 mags I wanted to buy to run the 9mm and spend it else where.

Curious if the gen makes a difference. Mine's a Gen 3 with all Gen 3 mags and a Lonewolf conversion barrel. Gun, mags & barrel are all 3 years old.

Maybe older or newer makes a difference?