will buy a glock in a week or two, don't know which model yet????

[Squib]

I am thinking a 17rtf or 22rtf, don't know if I want 9mm or .40 for sure.  If the 33rd 9mm mags are actually reliable then that might convince me to favor the 9mm.  I'm a 9mm fan and load for it already but a .40 wouldn't hurt for variety sake.  any design changes or insidious "UPGRADES" as they're called at glock on these or JUST a new grip texture?

[Savage]

The mdl 22 would be my choice. For a "C" note you can buy a conversion barrel to 9mm and shoot both 9 & .40. The 32 and 29 rd (?) have been reliable in both the 9 & .40. I have handled the RTF, but have not yet shot one. If the price  were the same for the gen 3 and the RTF, I'd likely try the RTF. If the gen 3, were $50 less, I'd buy it. IMO, the RTF is no big deal. I have also handled the gen 4 with the changeable back straps. I may have to try one of those to see if it it fits better than the gen 2/gen 3.
Savage

[Squib]

thanks savage, I've only been able to handle gen three standard 17, 17L and 17RTF but not any gen 4.  I have smooth skinned hands that sweat a lot so the rtf makes a HUGE difference to me (I just don't build up grippy caluses, and have sweaty hands like a drug addict).  here the rtf is 530 (west central mo) how about there/where you are?  anyone else?


I thought the 33rd mags were only 9mm compatible?  different mags or a follower switch?

[Dee]

I'd buy the 23 if I were going to buy a Glock. Good caliber, and good size.

[Bigeasy]

Not a lot of difference in stopping power between the 9mm and the .40 with the right loads.  I have the 19 and 26, mostly because I used to have an almost unlimited supply of free 9mm ammo.  If it's just for messing around with (Good luck concealing the guns with the extended magazines) I would go for a 9mm.  Ammo is cheaper then 40 cal.  If its going to be a serious self defence gun, then I guess the .40.  Several companies make slip on rubber grip sleeves that really seem to help with weapon control and retention.

Larry

[Squib]

fyi- I'm not stupid enough to try to conceal it with the high cap IN THE GUN! 

two high caps would be in a coat, or in a belly band riding high under my arm pits.

[Savage]

The 29 rd is the Glock "Happy Stick" for the .40. The 9mm "Happy Stick" (Also Glock) has witness holes for 31 rds. I've never actually counted the number of rounds I've stuffed in them. These same capacity mags are also available from aftermarket manufacturers. The LW conversion barrels are also available for the mdl 23, which I would choose over the mdl 22. I didn't check the price on the RTFs, as I wasn't in the market for another Glock at this time. If I were buying a new Glock for carry, the 17 or 23 would be my pick.
Savage
I should add: the Korean mags that I have, work as well as the factory ones.

[krod47nw]

To make it even more confusing for you.  they now have RTF2 available.


Kevin

[Ak.Hiker]

I have owned two Glock 23's, two 17's, one 22, one 36, and one 29. I like them all for different reasons. The Glock 36 is great when I want something thin and light for winter walks. It also is easy to conceal. I like the power and handy size of the Glock 29 in 10mm. The Glock 22 and 23 to me are about as all round and handy as it gets. Both would be good choices. However if I was limited to only one Glock I would go with the Glock 17. They got it right the first time. The Glock 17 is super reliable and 18 rounds of 115 grain +P or 124 grain +P make it a very good choice for SD. Check out the ballistics of the Double Tap 115 grain +P. It is running at 1300 plus. The NYPD is one of the largest police departments in America and they carry the 9mm 124 grain Speer Gold Dot +P. I have never read a negitive report on their ammo choice. Another thing I like about the 9mm Glock besides reliability is the variety of performance availible. Standard, Nato, +P and +P+ and the Glock can handle them all. If you need penetration DT also has a 147 grain FMJ flat point running at +P velocity. Some of the 115 and 124 grain FMJ loads are pretty hot as well. The Glock 2010 Autopistols magazine has several write ups on the RTF2. It looks like the new finish would be a good choice for a field gun. One more thing and it is just my opinion but I am not big on after market magazines. The Glock 17 holds plenty of ammo for about any task I can think of. I like the reliability of the original Glock parts. Good luck on your new gun.   

[Squib]

thanks so far guys. 


is all that crap about .40's blowing out just boogeyman bs or is it just due to stupid people pumping negligent/sloppy reloads through them?
I do plan on loading up all my own ammo and no I do NOT +P my ammo, just enough to cycle the slide and a tad more for reliability.  It seems to get my .45 230gr lead halfway through bowling pins just fine so I think it'd do the job on a man- don't know about forty though.  My 9mm loads are usually soft lead that will deform and not penetrate so well plus lead up a glock so I'd not be using lead in my glock loads (in a cz they're all good though).  I think the caliber is more of an issue than the size or the grip frame- I usually work in a t-shirt so hiding a glock sized lump will be hard and my work jeans are wearing out so I gotta go buy more really soon so I can bump my waist size up to accomodate a full size if I must (point is that I'm gonna get the whole set-up taken care of to hide the thick lump either way, right now I just snub around but I'm wanting more capacity and don't want to rust out my 1911).  Around here only the 17 and 22 are available with the rtf and for me and my little girl hands that texture seems like a night and day improvement.  I think all the dealers here go through Jerry's?  That might be why only 17 and 22 are rtf available?

[Squib]

alright, I did more research on the different "gens" and know the feed ramp/support issues a bit better now and feel like .40 is the way to go (I gotta buy DIES though-sob!).  I think I'll go with RTF2 if the price won't change much, probably compact/23.  What's the cheapest retailer online for the "happy sticks"?  cdnn-cheaper than dirt-brownells....


of course this is if I don't to snag a Kahr CW45, it's that or a glock (I weeded out the rest for a ccw polymer pistol)

[Savage]

The CW45 is pretty sweet. I've handled one, liked it a lot. I have a few carry pistols in that size class in .45 & 9mm, so don't really have a burning desire for one. The 22/23 would be much more useful as it has a few advantages over the Kahr. Concealability is close between the two. For me capacity, multi caliber conversion capability, ( .40/9mm/.357/.22lr) & proven reliability in an adequate caliber. Tons of inexpensive aftermarket and factory replacement parts available that are easily owner installed. Ah shucks, buy both!
Last I checked, the "Happy Sticks", were about $40. Haven't looked for any for a while. I think I saw some in the Blue Press for about that price. Just check around, I see them advertised in a lot of different places.
Good Luck,
Savage

[Squib]

I think I will get both eventually... but I can only afford ONE right now 

the difference isn't can I conceal it, but can I do so while working in just a t-shirt and jeans.  the kahr is just small enough to do that.  for an all around pistol I believe the glock to be superior.  I have all around pistols though.  so the question is really about how big a reliability, service life/durability edge the glock has.  I'm looking them both over lots and just can't decide for sure.  glock will be 23rtf if I get the glock.  in the mean time my gun fund is screaming spend me everytime I try to sleep, it wants out of my bank account, it wants out bad.

[Savage]

If concealability is the primary concern, then you have to go with the smaller Kahr!  But, remember that concealibility is as much about dress, body type, and carry system as it is the gun. Compare the two side by side if possible, and make your decision. Good luck, and good shooting!
Savage

[Squib]

it should go down this weekend savage... though if I get the glock then I gotta set up my loading operation first, so I probably won't shoot this weekend.  I got .45 just laying around (don't know how fun the cw will be to shoot but then again neither will be a range gun).

I gotta work 11-5 most likely on saturday so that means I gotta get up early (8ish) to go shopping  

[Squib]

I got out of saturday work, might be able to shoot this weekend (weather permitting), and got a g22 standard- not gen four or rtf.  I haven't fired it yet, but it's been disassembled and wiped down, the bore has been scrubed out... I just need to put a bit of copper lube/paste on the slide rails to replace what I took off during cleaning, and I'm all set.

now for holsters!!!  that fat thing won't fit into anything I've already got.

[Savage]

that fat thing won't fit into anything I've already got.

Yeah, that thick slide presents it's own problems! Even the 26/27 share that problem.  I've got a mdl 36 that I'd like to carry more often, but usually end up with an Officer's size 1911 because of the gun thickness. That is, when I carry a .45. Most time it's a PF9. Good shooting, you made a good choice for a shooter. The 22 will serve you well.
Savage