Glock 23 or 19

[jhoutdoors]

I need a little help from my fellow GBO members. I'm buying a new glock for a plain clothes duty gun. I'm set on a 23 or 19 based on the overall feel and size, help me decide which one.  When I worked in patrol I carried an HK USP 40 which is just too large for plain clothes use. I wouldn't consider myself recoil shy although 40 definately has more than the 9mm. Thoughts???

 
                      Thanks in advance

 
                   Jason

[Graybeard]

I believe the .40 S&W has become the defacto standard police service round these days. That really seems to me to tell you all ya need to know to make up your mind. I no longer have a 9MM mine are .40s.

[jhoutdoors]

I was leaning that way anyway, I do agree with you .40 seems to be the most common. Have you noticed any real difficulty in follow up shots with muzzle jump from the 40? A friend has the 19 which points great and I know how that guns shoots, just dont know anyone with the 23.

Thanks for your help GB and thanks for the great site!

                 

[flintlock]

I've carried a 23 for about 5 years, don't have any problems with size or flip...

A .40 double stacked still isn't too thick, the .45s double stacked are thicker so they are a little harder to conceal...

[Savage]

For a duty gun, I'll take the .40 over the 9mm. Especially if your department issues the 22 for uniform wear. The 23/19 are the perfect size Glock IMO. Now for IDPA, I'd have to go with the 19. Hey, they're both good!!!
Savage

[Old Griz]

The bigger the hole, the better the hole. Practice, practice, practice.

[2slow]

May I also suggest looking at the G36.  I have a 23 and the 36.  I prefer shooting the 36.  The recoil of the .45acp is easier to manage for me.  The single stack of the 36 is pretty slim and the over all size of the weapons are very similar.  Here is pic of the two side by side.  The 36 has the +1 grip extension.

[Savage]

I bought a used mdl 36 years ago. The previous owner had installed the +1 extensions on it. I found the gun to be unreliable with the mag extensions. When I took them off the gun hasn't missed a beat since. I have never understood why someone would buy a compact pistol and then try to make it into a fullsize with grip or magazine extensions! I'd buy the 23 with a 9mm conversion barrel and magazines. Cheap practice with the 9mm and the .40 for serious social work.
Savage

[Arier Blut]

When I first went to work at my current job I couldn't believe the 23 was the duty weapon. This is for open carry. We had to score an 80 or above to be hired. I scored an 82. I hated the pistol until I learned how to shoot it properly. I now score 100 every time. Grip is critical with the smaller frame. Personally I would still like a 22 just for the longer sight radius for the duty weapon. The 23 is fine though. Double taps are very easy. We use +P 180 gr hydrashocks. The duty weapon is left at work in a locker with the gun belt. My personal carry weapon is a http://www.springfield-armory.com/xd.php?model=23 so I have no doubt the 23 will conceal well for you. If the 40 recoiled 3x more than a 9mm I still would not have a second thought of carrying one over a 9. I am a 45 fan though. As far as 40 recoil in the 23 it is sharper than a 19 but very quick, so you can recover pretty easily. There is more flip. The 45 is much harder but not as sharp. I like to call it a slow roll on double taps. All are with +P. If I had a choice it would be 45 acp. Since I don't I like the 40 as a compromise.
Blessings

[glockman55]

I also carry the 23, I like the .40 over the 9mm, just my preference.

[2slow]

I have never understood why someone would buy a compact pistol and then try to make it into a fullsize with grip or magazine extensions!
Savage

It's actually taking a sub compact and making it a compact.  Reason I did it was because it's the only single stack .45 Glock makes.  Mine has been just as reliable with the +1 extension as my 23 which is 100%