Glock 20 vs Glock 40

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wiiawiwb

wiiawiwb

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Looking for a 10mm for general woods/hiking carry. It needs to be 32 oz or less as I already have a heavy revolver for times when I want such firepower (.454 Casull).

I've narrowed my search to a Glock and will choose between the 20 and 40. Both fit in my chest pack (HPG OKG) so size isn't an issue. Both are about the same weight with the 40 being a hair lighter.

I will likely get a aftermarket barrel (Lone Wolf, 6.02") for either model so I can shoot lead so both will end up with a 6" barrel. The 40 is set up to easily mount a red dot although I will likely not do so.

The 40 is ~ $100 more expensive but has a longer sight radius. I will reload the 10mm ammo.

Any suggestions how to pick which one from here?
 
I think you're better off with the G20. Yes, the sight rad is less than the G40, but I don't think you'll need that extra length. Since it's your intention to buy a standard land and groove barrel, I'd go with the G20. More barrels are available for it and you can get the 6" long barrels that stick out just a bit, the threaded barrels that are 6 1/2" and you can put a muzzle break on it if you want, or get the 9" barrel and go moose hunting.
 
I had the same dilemma till I tried to FIND a 40. Hence I got a 20, and stuck a 6" lone wolf on it (for reloads). I FOUND a holster for the 20, too.
 
If you are looking the a 10mm, the 40 ain't it. You mean the 29?

Or did you just mean the diameter of the slug?

Big difference between .40 and 10mm.
 
The weight part is a little concerning because I've noted people mentioned the "big old slide" that tamps down recoil better than the G20. Hickok45 mentions in his review of the G40 (5:30 of the video) that he weighed his G20 and the G40 and the G40 was 5 ounces heavier. The specs on Glock's website clearly show the 40 to be less weight than the 20.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwGrpePCYeI

I'd hate to buy the G40 only to find out it really is more like 35oz.

There are two dealers in my area carrying 3 G40s which prompted my interest.
 
I've narrowed my search to a Glock and will choose between the 20 and 40. Both fit in my chest pack (HPG OKG) so size isn't an issue. * * *
Click to expand...

Well, here are my comments ...

I have both Glocks, and both are excellent choices for a backwoods sidearm.

The 40, however, has now replaced the 20 as my dedicated carry piece for hiking/camping/backup-gun-while-rifle-hunting, etc. I don't handgun hunt, but I can see trying out the G40 on a feral hog hunt someday.

Same mag capacities with both, but the 40's longer sight radius (better accuracy) and longer barrel (maximizing velocity) give it a discernable edge. Haven't mounted an MRD yet, but there's obviously that factory-supplied option with the 40 that the 20 lacks ....

All that said, I'm unclear about your stated carry-mode. Will the gun be carried concealed inside this chest pack? If so, how quickly can you access it? Is open carry in the backwoods permitted in your state, or in whatever outdoor locale you'll be going to?

I'm likely getting an Alaskan Guide Holster for open center-chest carry for my 40. In my view, any backcountry pistol or revolver is rendered useless for immediate self-preservation if it can't be accessed quickly when confronted by a 4- or 2-legged predator.

Link for the AGH (scroll down a bit for comments on the AGH & the 10mm G40 MOS):

http://www.diamonddcustomleather.com/Chest_Holsters.php
 
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I live in a Kommunist state with restrictions galore. There is no open carry while hunting or woods carry. The G40 or G20 would be immediately available for access in the HillPeopleGear OKB chest pack. I've carried my 5" Ruger SRH Toklat in it at 47oz. The G40 or G20 will position itself in the chest pack much more nicely.

http://www.hillpeoplegear.com/Products/tabid/762/CategoryID/1/ProductID/1/Default.aspx

Hickok45 did a review of the Toklat using a DD rig and I'd love to have one but concealed-carry laws mean it would not work in my situation.

Can you resolve the issue of which of the two guns is heavier?
 
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Glock's website has the G40 listed as weighing 40.14 oz. loaded. The G20 comes in at 39.71 oz. while the G20 Gen.4 and G20 SF both weigh 39.54 oz. Now if you look at the unloaded weights there is a discrepancy. The G20, G20 Gen.4, and G20 SF show 8.82/8.83 oz. weight increases with a loaded magazine. The G40, which supposedly weighs less at 28.15 oz. unloaded, now goes up 11.99 oz. with the same loaded magazine as the other models use. The G40 with it's longer barrel and slide has to weigh more than the other three G20 variants. Take the weight of the loaded magazine from the listed 40.14 oz. weight of the loaded G40 and now it's 31.32 oz. Something just isn't adding up here at least as far as the unloaded G40 weight is concerned.
 
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I've called Glock several times and they couldn't explain that discrepancy. They told me the magazine was the same as the G20. Therefore, same mag and same capacity the loaded weight of the G40 shouldn't be higher if the unloaded weight is lower. They couldn't explain that which, at least to me, is troubling.

That's why it would be awesome if AGTMAN could weigh both his G20 and G40 unloaded (with magazine) to see what his weigh so we'd have some answer to the mystery of something which is so basic...how much does the darn thing weigh. Can you imagine no one knowing how long a Ford model truck really is that was released for sale one year ago? Of course not. This is that equivalent.
 
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The G40 with it's longer barrel and slide has to weigh more than the other three G20 variants
Click to expand...

One thing to keep in mind is the 40, 35, 34, 24, 17L, etc. have slide cutouts that keep the weight close to their smaller counterparts.
 
Can you resolve the issue of which of the two guns is heavier?
Click to expand...

Sorry, unable to help on that question. Don't have a scale to do it, but keep in mind that for a truly accurate, apples-to-apples comparison, you'd need to weigh a stock Gen4 20 against a stock G4 40 (sans optic).

My G4 40 is bone stock, but my G20 is a 2d Gen that's had a custom grip reduction and runs an HD Wolf recoil spring assembly, so I'm not sure my two would give you a fair apples-to-apples measuring.

That said, isn't the slight weight difference in ounces between both G4 models a non-issue, given what the G40 brings to the table for a "woods gun" over the G20 (other than the G20's better concealability - 4.6" v. 6.02")?
 
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Thats a good suggestion but not interested in a compensated model.
I am
 
Well, I decided to take a leap of faith and bought the Glock 40 MOS. It still troubles me a tad that the weight is unknown but I'll live with it.

The deciding factor was two-fold. First, it is not a readily available model so I could always trade it or sell it if it doesn't work out. The other thing is that it has a lighter trigger, 4.5 lb trigger rather than a 5.5 lb, and that's key for me. I will be carrying it in the woods and I don't monkey around with the trigger on a carry gun for legal purposes. Range gun, fine, but not a carry gun.

So, once I take possession of it I will weigh it and provide some clarity to the murky waters surrounding....what does it weigh.

Thanks for everyone's thoughtful help and good advice.
 
Update: The Glock 40 isn't working out like I hoped. I suspect my hands are just not big enough. I don't feel as though I'm getting enough finger on the trigger. It is a very boxy gun which I knew up front when I handled it.

I can not get any consistent shots on a target. I went today and shot from 25' and a rest. I would hit it dead center then off left, then low. No consistency whatsoever even from that short distance and on a rest.

I think I'm going to Plan B and trade it in toward something else. Kind of bummed about the whole thing but I'd rather cut bait now rather than be continually frustrated by the poor shooting.
 
Do you have other Glocks that shoot well for you? Have you tried different ammo brands and weights? I am assuming you aren't using any of the backstraps, correct?
 
I have a Glock 17 that fits my hand just fine and shoots accurately. I reload and have been shooting some soft 18gr. MBC 10mm rounds. I have not been using a backstrap as they would only exacerbate the problem.

Is the grip size on the G31, G21 and G22 about the same as the G40?
 
Is the grip size on the G31, G21 and G22 about the same as the G40?
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The 10MM and .45ACP are longer rounds than 9MM, .357SIG, & .40S&W meaning the guns designed to shoot 10MM and .45ACP will have larger grips than their 9MM, .357SIG, and .40S&W counterparts.

The G21/G20/G40/G41 all have the same grip.

The G17/G22/G31/G34/G35 all have the same grip.
 
Is the G40 a short frame "SF" gun or is the grip more like the earlier G20 variants? I have both versions of the G20 and I find the SF model easier to wrap my small hands around.

I still hate the finger grooves regardless.
 
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