.40 s&w glock 23 - gen 3

[il.bill]

"Be ready to pull the trigger." "Strike while the iron is hot." Truisms often seem trite, but clearly there is an accumulation of wisdom somewhere behind them. Today I think that I "was in the right place at the right time".

I bought a used Gen 3 .40 S&W caliber Glock 23. It is in the original box with all the factory goodies, and includes one 15-round and two 13-round magazines. It has less than 50 rounds fired through it, and I paid the owner's asking price of $400 without trying to bargain. It came with 200 rounds of Winchester White Box .40 S&W target ammo.

I know nothing first hand about Glocks, although a Glock 19 has been on my long term wish list for quite a while - I think this Glock 23 is close enough for me. Not only is it my first Glock, but it is also my first .40 S&W pistol, so this purchase kind of "kills two birds with one stone".

No picture(s) to post yet, since the mandatory 72 hour waiting period for a handgun in Illinois does not let me have it until Monday. This Glock 23 was not even in my dreams when I woke up this morning, but I suppose "a blind squirrel can find a nut sometimes", even if he is not looking.

Other than my Keltec P11 and P32, every handgun I own is basically steel and wood, not polymer. Have I been "seduced over to the dark side", or what?

 

[breacher]

You scored. You actually got the pistol for $300. since the ammo and 3rd mag are worth about $100. 3rd gen Glocks usually only come with 2 mags and no ammo. I have all the 40 cal Glocks but the G23 is my favorite pistol for EDC. Enjoy!!

 

[jmr40]

Yea, you did good. The G-19 and G-23 are just about the perfect guns in my opinion. Both the 9mm and 40 are as good as any handgun round is going to get. I'd feel equally protected with either round, but still feel the 40 offers some versatility not possible with the 9mm. I'd generally recommend the 9mm version if someone asked my opinion though, but in this case, and for the money you did the right thing.

 

[il.bill]

Thanks for the replies - that is what I wanted to hear.

During the recent bare shelf days, the ONLY ammunition available at WalMart was very often .40 S&W, but I never bothered to look at the price. I know nothing first hand about Glocks (hopefully that is the last time I can type that) but I figured 200 rounds of FMJ target ammo and a factory 15 round magazine together had to be worth around $100, so the pistol looked like a good deal.

 

[SDGlock23]

I think you did well, the G23 was my first Glock (and my first centerfire semi auto) and to this day it remains my all around favorite Glock.

 

[JO JO]

once a got my first glock 23 I could not be happier fantastic gun I am now a believer of the dark side

 

[area51]

The beauty about the G23 is that you can shoot 9mm with a conversion barrel

 

[ku4hx]

I've had my 23 since 1993. Started out as a Gen2 and it had it's problems. Glock completely replaced it a year or so after I purchased it and replaced the damaged Gen2 receiver with a Gen3 about ten years ago. Shortly after that I added a CTC grip laser and to this day it's my go-to pistol/constant companion. Pleasant to shoot, reliable (don't remember the last failure of any kind) and as accurate as any combat pistol I've ever shot. More so that some.

It still has the original 1993 barrel with "generous" chamber but that's never been a problem. With thousands of rounds down range I've never seen a case "smiley" face.

I've bought many other guns since 1993, but the 23 is to this day the one I grab the overwhelming majority of the time for any reason.

 

[Scarpia]

I have not had much luck in 40 S&W in terms of accuracy with three guns in this caliber so I'll be very interested in knowing how your gun performs. Please keep us updated. What I thought would be an ideal carry gun (polymer, 10+1 in 40 S&W) has turned into a bust with it's Heine sights. I just can't hit the freakin' target consistently, so the search continues.

 

[il.bill]

I have not had much luck in 40 S&W in terms of accuracy with three guns in this caliber so I'll be very interested in knowing how your gun performs. Please keep us updated. ...

I hope to have an initial report by the end of the week, although the accuracy of this G23 in my hands will certainly be relative. Even if it shoots as well as my S&W Model 10 and 65, my 1911, my CZ82, and my Hi Power, there may not be an impressive number of holes near the center of the paper target once I move out past ten yards.

 

[LiveLife]

there may not be an impressive number of holes near the center of the paper target once I move out past ten yards.

How about sub 1.5" at 10 yards?

I recently range tested my Gen3 G23 with Berry's plated and MBC lead 180 gr loads on this thread - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=9362819#post9362819

 

[il.bill]

bds -

That is some good shooting and a nice thread - thanks for the link.

 

[1KPerDay]

Great deal... I paid $400 for mine in 1996

 

[il.bill]

Glock 23 is Now in Hand

The amount of time available for thinking during the 72 hour waiting period for a handgun in Illinois can have interesting effects.

For one thing, I realized there is really no need to post pictures, since if you have seen one Glock, you have basically seen them all. Because this one is my first, I have gratuitously added two photos below, especially since I have always considered the G19 / G23 to be the most aesthetically pleasing of the iconic design.

Secondly, this unexpected purchase has wiped out my gun budget for the moment, so something else will have to leave the collection to pay for all the 'extras' this Glock seems to 'need' following my weekend of internet research. Clearly a 9mm conversion barrel (preferably threaded, with a neat looking thread protector) and some G19 magazines will be first on the list. The .357 Sig. barrel will just have to wait a while.

After looking my purchase over, my local FFL dealer appraised it as somewhere between a 'very good deal' and a 'great deal'. He said that his dealer cost for a Gen3 from his wholesaler is $369 so that would be $455 OTD with his 15% profit and local sales tax, without the ammo and extra magazine.

Thanks again, for the replies. I have small hands and this Glock 23 actually feels just right. If the weather co-operates, I will find out how it shoots for me on my Thursday range day.

 

[il.bill]

My 'new' Glock 23 runs just like 'they' say it will. I loaded up the three magazines with 10 rounds each for the shakedown run. The .40 S&W - WWB 165 grain target loads have some 'pop', but they feel fine in this polymer pistol.

I used the initial mag to get used to my first Glock and my first time shooting .40 S&W. That pistol is nice. For the second magazine I concentrated and took a bit more time, and attached is the very first shot from that second mag.

 

[LiveLife]

Clearly a 9mm conversion barrel ... and some G19 magazines will be first on the list.

Before you buy G19 magazines, I would first try your G23 mags with 9mm rounds. It seems latest generation Glock 40S&W magazines work with 9mm rounds to reliably feed and chamber.

For one thing, I realized there is really no need to post pictures, since if you have seen one Glock, you have basically seen them all.

None sense!

Just like every tire is endearing to the Michelin tireman, so do each Glock endearing, unique and different to Glock owners.

I used two identical brand new Glock 22s for match shooting and they certainly were "different" in their own "Glock" way.

Here's my G27 with Lone Wolf conversion barrel and +1 Pearce mag base. There are many like it but this one is mine.

 

[jjones45]

Welcome to the glock 23 club. One of the worlds most versatile weapons. Shoot .22, 9mm, .357 sig, or 40s&w from that one pistol with conversion barrels or kits. Small enough to conceal carry or put in a glock factory 22 round mag and light and be well armed for home defense. Of all my guns my g23 is the only one to never rust anywhere. You wot be disappointed

 

[double bogey]

What is the difference between generations? I bought mine in 2006.

 

[Tinker]

Enjoy. That exact gun but two years ago for me. Runs like a sewing machine in .40 or with the LW conversion barrel and mags in 9mm.

After seeing him hitting a gong at over 200 yards with his, I blame that Hickok45 guy for dragging me down this darkside of pistol shooting.

 

[jjones45]

What is the difference between generations? I bought mine in 2006.

The gen 4 frame has a more aggressive texturing, less intrusive finger grooves, a larger reversible mag release button, and additional backstraps. The gen4 also sports a dual spring guide rod and comes standard with 3 mags. I think that's about it

 

[il.bill]

...
After seeing him hitting a gong at over 200 yards with his, I blame that Hickok45 guy for dragging me down this darkside of pistol shooting.

I hear you !

When I was first approached with this deal, I knew it was a good one, but I took about an hour to really think it over, since I had already told myself that only a Glock 19 could possibly seduce me down that dark road from which return may be tenuous. While doing some Google 'research' on the Interwebs, I came across a hickok45 video where he declared his Glock 23 "my bedside gun", "my go-to gun", and "possibly my favorite pistol". That was enough ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyX6KCBLbsY&list=PL9DA6B25DE70C373B&index=75

 

[il.bill]

Before you buy G19 magazines, I would first try your G23 mags with 9mm rounds. It seems latest generation Glock 40S&W magazines work with 9mm rounds to reliably feed and chamber. ...

I dropped my new Lone Wolf conversion barrel in the G23 and went shooting. The .40 S&W magazines worked great, loaded with 9x19mm Luger reloads. I still want to get a pair of 9mm Glock 19 magazines, but was quite pleasantly surprised buy how reliably the .40 S&W mags fed the smaller cartridges in this pistol. Thanks for the tip.


AMMUNITION QUESTION -
I need to buy some .40 S&W target/practice ammunition and will likely be getting Winchester White Box. I realize every firearm can have its own preference, but do G23 shooters tend to like FMJ Flat Point in 165 grain or 180 grain? The hollow point self defense rounds I have seen were almost always 180 grain, so I am leaning that way for the FMJ weight. I appreciate any suggestions.


Did I mention I really like this pistol? I shot it today with both barrels and it is really growing on me (though I must admit the hot 9mm cases going down the front of the shirt and bouncing off the forehead can be annoying - no such distractions with the .40 brass). It had some good company with several of my favorite shooters: 1911, Hi Power, CZ82, and S&W Model 15. The Glock 23 was not the day's most accurate handgun for me, but on only the second time out it more than held its own.

 

[kmbrman]

Glock 23

Having owned several Glocks, I find I like the 23 better than even my 26. It matches the accuracy of the 26 and is easy to conceal.

 

[RustyShackelford]

Glock & roll....

Welcome to the Glock club.
I just purchased my first Glock in May. It's a LE trade in 21 .45acp gen 04 with Glock night sights(3 dot green).
I've taken it apart a few times, cleaned it & shot approx 260 rounds thru it so far. No issues or fails even with gun range "reloaded" 230gr FMJs.
I like the Glock but there are a few minor tweeks Id pass on.
The big - with my Glock, and a few other Glock owners I spoke to, is the small factory take-down part.
It's too small & hard to field strip the pistol quickly(like a M9 or a M&P). It you are wearing gloves or have chunky digits, it's a big problem. I plan to get the after market Glockworx.com part. The regular type too not the extended.
From what I heard & read, the extended versions may have problems with Glock holsters. Glockworx states the take-down part is wider but not so big it causes issues.
My pistol has a strange habit of having the guide rod push out too. I'm not sure of the root cause but I plan to buy a gen 04 tungsten guide rod/spring. This part may help keep the rod where it should be. The metal spring scuffed the barrel the first time.
It's not a major issue because I plan to get the entire Glock 21 upper treated with Metalife later this fall. Metalife is outstanding & the charge is about $90.00 USD total. I like Cerkote too but I may have that process done later to a Glock 27 gen 04 or 23 .40 when I get it. If you want Cerakote, Id advise they add the new Armor-Clear too for added protection.
I put Glock factory safety orange pads on my 13rd magazines. I use one for home defense .45acp rounds then I have a black pad magazine for carry/duty rounds. When I get a Glock 27 or 23 later, I'll use the royal blue pads to mark the duty-carry .40 or .357sig rounds.
I might buy a after market .45acp barrel too. I like the EFK Dragonfire line. They are impressive & not super expensive. Other good Glock barrels are KKM, Storm Lake & Jarvis.
I'd add that I will order the Larry Vickers designed Glock slide release & Tango Down gen 04 mag release. Both of the Glock parts are well engineered IMO & enhance the Glock for CCW/duty/protection.
For pistol sights, Id look at Trijicon HDs. I like the green-orange but many say green is best. Trijicons are a top gun sight & in use with 100s of police/military agencies. HDs are not cheap but hold up well.

Finally, Id advise buying FrogLube. It's a great CLP & gun-care product. I was leery of it for about 2 years, but the huge + response and the good reviews made me try it. It's not cheap but it's non toxic & safe to use. FL was invented by a US Navy specwar veteran & it's used by many LE & military units.

Rusty
www.customizeyourglock.com www.brownells.com www.froglube.com www.midwayusa.com www.tangodown.com www.glockworx.com www.glockstore.com www.glockmeister.com www.natchezss.com www.nra.org

 

[JR24]

Grats on your Glock!

I have to tell my Glock 23 story.

I had just decided that I was done with .40 S&W and had sold off my last .40 and was happy with just 9mm and .45 ACP (and .357 mag, and .44 mag, and .22 and... and..).

Then I go to a NRA banquet and toss a few tickets in a raffle bucket (hoping for a nice Damascus bowie knife) and low and behold I win a Gen 3 Glock 23.

Figure I'm gonna sell it, but heck I better run a few rounds through it before hand, right? Man, I finally found a .40 S&W platform I LOVED. Couldn't stop shooting it! Great gun, great accuracy, a hoot to shoot. Now it gets to stay in the collection.

I'd recommend at least trying the rubber Talon Grips on it, those make the Gen 3 Glock go from Good to GREAT in my hands, YMMV of course.

Ammo question: Be wary of Fiocchi Blue box 170 grain. Those choke my G23 probably about 1 round every mag or two. I've had no issues with Winchester White box, Freedom Munitions or Remington UMC for the last 1000 or so rounds. My Glock loves 180 grains just fine. I tend to prefer the heavier rounds in all calibers, myself.