Decisions, Decisions...

[Big Bad Bob]

So this is stemming from my last thread about deeper summer carry, I took one of the responses advice to sell my 26 and get a 19 and a shield, and so I sold my G26 and bought a Shield 9mm, WHICH IS AWESOME. I have a magguts order in the mail to increase the capacity by one in the mag without an extension.

So I went to the dealer the other day, all ready to get a 19 and then I held the 30s....and now I can't make up my mind. So then I started reading on the 30s and read its similar in recoil to the G23 which I then thought well then get a G23 and have 3 more rounds in the mag than the 30s and If I don't like the recoil of 40, get the 9mm conversion barrel and now I have the option of both 40 and 9....

they are all about the same size, this is a defensive gun, not a home gun, but an EDC fall/winter/early spring carry gun. I think I just like guns too much...

So as scattered brained as this post is, whats your thoughts?

 

[Telekinesis]

I'd go with the glock 19. Similar to your 26, and the same ammo as your shield. I love my glock 19, as its just about the perfect cross between small size and useability. Only area it falls short in is deep concealment for NPEs as it is slightly too large (which is what the shield is for, but in a pinch, a Glok 19 in a belly band worn appendix is practically invisible). Also, I'm a little biased, but I dont like stocking multiple calipers.

I wouldn't get the 23 with a 9mm conversion. I would suspect that the 9mm conversion would be less reliable than the dedicated 9mm G19 (or else a glock would be using .40 cal slides/extractors on all 9mm guns to simplify production). If it was a range gun I'd say go for it, but for defense I'd want the most reliability I could get.

 

[Big Bad Bob]

Sorry didn't clarify, with the 23 I would carry 40 but range fun with the 9.

 

[Spats McGee]

Big Bad Bob,
Let me start out by admitting that I don't have much experience with most of the Glocks you mention. With that out of the way, here's my opinion, which is worth exactly what you've paid for it:

1. G30 -- I've held a G30 of some flavor. A couple of times, even. I don't like the way the extended magazine is supposed to be part of the grip. Not just on the G30, either. I just can't seem to get used to it on any pistol. I've also read that the G30 is bad about pinching your finger where the mag meets the grip. On the other side of the equation, I suspect it's a pretty nice shooter (if the pinching thing doesn't bother you). I've got friends with G21s that I've been allowed to shoot and the G21 is a surprisingly soft shooter.

2. G23 -- I shot one magazine one time. The trigger felt like it had grit in it. Now, to be fair, I don't know that the G23's owner had ever cleaned the gun, so it may well have had grit down in there somewhere. The recoil might have been a little snappier than the G19, but it was certainly manageable. I didn't like that one at all, but in truth, I was predisposed not to like Glocks at the time.

3. G19 -- I've had a Gen 4 G19 for about 2.5 years and ~1400 rounds. In some measure, I hate to admit this, but I love it. She hasn't been perfect (broken slide lock spring at about 400 rds), but she's been very good. I've had 2 failure to feeds, and zero other malfunctions in about the last 1000 rounds. Never have had a problem with Brass-To-Face Syndrome. I carry her about 95% of the time. I've considered selling her off for a G23, but I just can't seem to bring myself to do that. My G19 is reliable, I shoot her well, and I'm totally stocked on holsters, mags, a few extra springs, etc.

 

[VoteforCookies]

I have a G19 and love it. It is a very nice gun and has always been reliable for me.

 

[guyfromohio]

I've owned four G19s and currently own zero for several reasons, not the least of which was my own boredom. I will be getting my 5th this year at some point. The Gen 4 G19 holds point on target more easily than any other 9mm I've shot (and that list isn't short).

 

[sequins]

Conversion barrels aren't as good as a native model IMO and the 19 is just flawless. For carry it's ideal of the three.

 

[psyopspec]

Glock 19 and done. In order to trust a converted firearm for social work, I would have to change out not just the barrel, but the extractor and ejector as well. And that's more work than I'm interested in doing for each range trip.

Glock 23 will give you less ammo in a caliber with a negligible difference (negligible in the sense that all service caliber weapons suck).

30s will give you still less ammo, in a still negligibly different caliber.

You don't say if you reload, but with those reductions in capacity will come greater ammo expense too. And slower follow up shots.

 

[ritepath]

CZ p-07 in 40.

 

[Teachu2]

I have a G19 Gen3 and two G23 Gen3s, a G30 and a G30SF. My G19 sees the least time, as the G23 pair do the same job and more.

The Lone Wolf 9mm CONVERSION barrel deals with the extractor by canting the chamber very slightly. This places the 9mm rim securely under the .40 extractor. I have shot hundreds of 9mm rounds through this barrel in both G23s without a single issue. Accuracy is superb as well - and the .40 mags work in both guns in 9mm mode, with increased capacity. I also have a .357Sig barrel, which requires no offset.

One gun, three calibers. Handy when ammo was scarce. Listed on my permit as a .357/9/40 caliber.

 

[rskent]

I don't understand selling off a G26 and then buying a G19.

 

[guyfromohio]

Rskent.... I do. When discretion is the goal, a slim gun like the Shield is significantly easier to carry IWB and far more comfortable. Once you have a slim gun, the other gun won't matter. Whether a G19, G26, HK VP9, Sig, whatever, it will still be carried as the other, bigger gun. I struggle with that same concept. My PPS is so easy to carry, and shoots well, but has limited capacity. When I think I want capacity, I find it hard to find that comfy IWB alternative. So I basically have my IWB carry and a different gun for OWB carry. For OWB, it makes no difference if it's a any of the above or other options. Point being, I see why he traded the G26 for Shield. Had he traded the 26 for a 19, I'd agree that he gained no comfort advantage. Just five more rounds (important rounds, albeit).

 

[bannockburn]

Of the 3 Glocks I would go with the 19 as it fits my smaller size hand better than the 30S and I'm just not a big fan of the Glock 23.

As for "Other": after trying a Glock 19, S&W M&P Compact 9, CZ P07, and a Ruger SR9c. I went with the Ruger. Had a better feel to it than all of the others and I liked the trigger, sights, and the overall design features of it.

 

[wrdwrght]

I don't understand selling off a G26 and then buying a G19.

Neither do I. I started with the G19, then got the G26 (I won't part with either). If the OP gets a G19, I would't be surprised if gets another G26.