Glock 44 reliability "update"

[DustyGmt]

Sort of an "update" I guess, I think the last time I mentioned the glock 44 in terms of reliability I had over 1K rds of .22lr through it, a mix of bulk and mid grade stuff ranging from 36-40gr and it went bang every single time (except a few duds).

I've since worked my way through about 4-325rd bricks of Federal 40gr so that puts this "unreliable" G44 well over 2k rounds, closer to and possibly beyond the 2500rd mark without a jam.

I don't document every round fired but can give a very close approximation and I stopped cleaning it in early spring 2021 IIRC but full disclosure I ran a brush and some solvent through the pipe at about 1500rds but essentially no maintenance after 2K+ rds. I wish I hadn't run the brush through the barrel because I really wanted to see how many rounds I could really run through this gun before failure but I got bored on a lunch break and hosed the barrel out and scrubbed a lil fouling out of the pipe, aside from that, no maintenance except for Slip 2K lube on the rails.

I have tried to make this gun jam, limp wrists, turning it sideways, loading 5 mags at a time and laying them on the table and firing them as rapidly as humanly possible.............bang every time. I bought this gun in early 2020 iirc and was a lil leery of it from all the negative press but bought it anyway because I like Glocks and wanted to have the .22lr version despite the fact it might have been prone to malf's. It's not anybody's idea of an ideal defensive pistol but at this point, I really trust this gun. I would like somebody to suggest a good set of sights for it.

The sights are the only thing lacking in this gun IMO, at least mine. Has anybody else experienced nothing but good reliability from their G44. I have run probably at least 8 different types of .22lr through this gun with no hiccups at all.

 

[12Bravo20]

Sort of an "update" I guess, I think the last time I mentioned the glock 44 in terms of reliability I had over 1K rds of .22lr through it, a mix of bulk and mid grade stuff ranging from 36-40gr and it went bang every single time (except a few duds).

I've since worked my way through about 4-325rd bricks of Federal 40gr so that puts this "unreliable" G44 well over 2k rounds, closer to and possibly beyond the 2500rd mark without a jam.

You have some catching up to do. I bought my G44 in February of 2020 and over 20,000 rounds through it.

I mostly shoot CCI Standard, CCI Mini Mags, and Aquila Super Extra in mine. I will occasionally shoot some Federal Champion ammo too. All of functioned well and no accuracy complaints considering the G44 is not a target pistol. The ProMag 18 round magazines I have all function 100% reliably too.

 

[trackskippy]

I have two 44's I bought when they first came out. Im almost through my third case of Blazers with them, and pretty evenly spaced as far as round counts.

Ive also shot a couple of bricks of other stuff, Aguila, Winchester Super X, and a mix of one or two others. The only ammo they havent liked, was some old Federal Target I had. It wouldnt cycle the slides. It never worked in most of my other 22 autos either, and thats why I still had some of it.

Other than that Federal, reliability has been near 100%. Ive only had three stoppages, and they were early on with new mags.

Overall, they've been good, accurate shooters. I replaced the factory sights with 9mm Meprolight three dot night sights. They are what I have on most of my other Glocks and they shoot very close to POA.

 

[Riomouse911]

I have had a few duds with all of my .22 LR rimfires, G-44 included. Other than that it has been very reliable, I cant recall a FTE or other type of jam since I bought it.

Stay safe.

 

[crestoncowboy]

I'm over 10k and still no issues with the factory mags (I have 5). Mostly Aguila super extra but 1k of federal.

With the promags (5 of them) I still get a jam occasionally in the first 3 or 4 rounds.


The sights do suck.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

Mine has been reliable. It needs a spin soon. Been awhile. To much rifle shooting lately.

 

[Pat Riot]

This must be an omen…I was just looking at one of these and was wondering about their reliability.

I am just wondering, as a collective, does Enablers Unanimous have telepathic powers?

 

[DustyGmt]

The .22 Plinkster complaint that the gun will only run reliably with 40gr ammo doesn't hold, for me anyway. I've run a couple 555rd 36gr, cheapest .22lr you can find through it and again, not a hiccup. Only a couple duds.

 

[DustyGmt]

You have some catching up to do. I bought my G44 in February of 2020 and over 20,000rds through mine

I believe I do have some catching up to do, but I misspoke, the 2500+ rds I was referring to was only during the period I was specifically not cleaning the gun and just running it. I had quite a bit of bulk trash ammo through it at that point and was impressed enough to try to see how far it would go without proper maintenance, but like I said, at about 1500rds I scrubbed the bore and ramp.

Pretty damn good for a .22lr, especially using bottom of the barrel ammo and it's reputation for unreliability....

 

[trackskippy]

I think its rep for unreliability was initially based on a couple of videos pushed by a couple of people who seemed to have an issue with Glock. Most of what you heard at the time was just regurgitation of what they were saying, and usually from people who didnt own one, or had even shot one.

I went round and round with the boy from the MAC channel about it over on the Glock board. He was also the one who had the videos about Glocks "limp writing" and we went around about that too. There seemed to be a bit of an agenda there.

I shot the snot out of both of mine when I first got them, and never had any of the problems they kept saying were the norm. I haven't been shooting them as much of late, but every time I do, they are a lot of fun, and its all been trouble free.

 

[12Bravo20]

think its rep for unreliability was initially based on a couple of videos pushed by a couple of people who seemed to have an issue with Glock. Most of what you heard at the time was just regurgitation of what they were saying, and usually from people who didnt own one, or had even shot one.

That was one of the reasons for the negative reviews when the G44 first came out.

The other issue was user induced malfunctions. People were NOT loading the magazines correctly. The G44 uses a semi double stack configuration where only the rims are offset. And if you don't load the magazines correctly, you will have feeding issues.

 

[Buzznrose]

I can echo the prior posts. I lost count but would say I have at least 3K and likely closer to 5K rounds through mine.
I start and end almost every range session shooting the G44. I also use it when I bring new shooters. It gets fed and exercised more than any other gun I own. I clean it every few months when I start feeling guilty about how dirty it is.

Back in 2020, I bought 10K rounds of assorted .22 ammo from a guy who’d had it for years. Remington, Federal, Winchester, etc. It was all at least 10 years old. But I got a good deal on it and it saves me from burning through my “good stuff”, so I’m still running it. And the G44 (and Henry, and Rugers) are eating it up. It has some duds, but that’s okay. My G44 runs it better than my Mk3 does.

I concur that the sights suck and the gun is no target pistol. But for what I use it for, it’s fine.

I did put a Timney trigger in it. I’d bought it for my carry G19-5 but decided against it due to the bad press on it as a carry trigger. But in the G44…..WoooHooo!

I wish it was an MOS model. If/when Glock makes a G44 MOS, I’m buying one.

YMMV

 

[crestoncowboy]

The .22 Plinkster complaint that the gun will only run reliably with 40gr ammo doesn't hold, for me anyway. I've run a couple 555rd 36gr, cheapest .22lr you can find through it and again, not a hiccup. Only a couple duds.

I don't know that mine has ever seen a 40 gr load, although I probably shot a little cci standard through it at some point. either way at least 99% at this point has been 36 or 38 gr.

Granted I have incredible luck with 22s. Ive had several 10-22 and never found one to be worth a darn. I have a supermatic that never would run, and ive sent back not one but two smith K frames that have broken. I have several old lever guns and the only one I've ever had break down was a Marlin 39.... so with higher end 22 guns ive not done well.

BUT I have a Beretta 21A that eats anything and I have a mosquito that was completely reliable.

As far as the trigger, I do use a minus connector in all mine, but other than that I leave all my glock triggers alone. Except for one 10mm I hunt with and a 9mm that I competed with. The triggers aren't great, or maybe even good. BUT they are one of the most consistent of all guns other than maybe 1911s. I have sigs/Beretta/CZ that had great triggers and some that were pretty sorry. Same for most brands (except HK and every one I own is pretty bad in the trigger arena). Every Glock i own, and I have Glocks from a 2nd gen 17, several retired duty 40s gen 3 and 4, to the newer 44, and the trigger is remarkably similar.

 

[12Bravo20]

I wish it was an MOS model. If/when Glock makes a G44 MOS, I’m buying one.

The big problem with trying to run an optic on a G44 (or any reciprocating rimfire pistol slide) is the extra weight of the optic. Nelson Precision is the only aftermarket company to even attempt an optic ready G44 slide. They are on revision 3 or 4 and still have NOT gotten their slides to run 100% reliably.

And with the G44 slide being polymer, there really is not a good way to cut it for an optic either. I know of one company in Europe that has successfully done so. But they are very tight lipped on how they did it. The only answers I could get was for me to either pay royalties for the patents or send my slide to them in Europe to have the modifications done.

Rimfire pistols that use a reciprocating slide are on the edge of reliability as it is. Adding weight to the slide causes issues. With rimfire pistols every tenth of an ounce matters when it comes to slide weight.

 

[12Bravo20]

As far as the trigger, I do use a minus connector in all mine, but other than that I leave all my glock triggers alone. Except for one 10mm I hunt with and a 9mm that I competed with. The triggers aren't great, or maybe even good. BUT they are one of the most consistent of all guns other than maybe 1911s. I have sigs/Beretta/CZ that had great triggers and some that were pretty sorry. Same for most brands (except HK and every one I own is pretty bad in the trigger arena).

I have tried many different triggers in my G44 and ended up sticking with the OEM trigger bar and an OEM minus connector. None of the aftermarket triggers made enough of a difference (except to my wallet).

 

[Buzznrose]

The big problem with trying to run an optic on a G44 (or any reciprocating rimfire pistol slide) is the extra weight of the optic. Nelson Precision is the only aftermarket company to even attempt an optic ready G44 slide. They are on revision 3 or 4 and still have NOT gotten their slides to run 100% reliably.

And with the G44 slide being polymer, there really is not a good way to cut it for an optic either. I know of one company in Europe that has successfully done so. But they are very tight lipped on how they did it. The only answers I could get was for me to either pay royalties for the patents or send my slide to them in Europe to have the modifications done.

Rimfire pistols that use a reciprocating slide are on the edge of reliability as it is. Adding weight to the slide causes issues. With rimfire pistols every tenth of an ounce matters when it comes to slide weight.

I understand. I’ve looked into them all. Thought hard about the new Sig P322 but holding out for better reviews.

 

[Pat Riot]

And with the G44 slide being polymer, there really is not a good way to cut it for an optic either.

This is the first I have read that the slide is polymer. Thanks. Makes sense for weight, I guess.


@trackskippy mentioned reports of unreliability. Those must be some of the ones I encountered. I wanted to buy a G44, but I bought a Kel Tec CP33 instead. Which, by the way had been really great as long as you follow the manual and run 40 grain ammo. But had I seen a thread like this I would have gotten the G44. I guess I will have to put it back on the list.

I am usually pretty good about picking up on “Glock Bias”. I guess not so much this time.

 

[12Bravo20]

My G44 is one of the first released in 2020 with the old stye extractor and has been very reliable. Again teh complaints were either due to not loading the magazine correctly or the reviewers were biased against Glock.

I wanted to buy a G44, but I bought a Kel Tec CP33 instead.

I own both and my G44 is as reliable as my CP33. Both are very reliable.

 

[DustyGmt]

My G44 is one of the first released in 2020 with the old stye extractor and has been very reliable. Again teh complaints were either due to not loading the magazine correctly or the reviewers were biased against Glock.



I own both and my G44 is as reliable as my CP33. Both are very reliable.

I bought a few extra magazines the day I picked it up, I was anticipating a lil bit of a break in and expected that I would have a malfunction or two due to stiff mag springs, just run of the mill .22lr break in, gotta expect a few hiccups, especially since every notable YTuber that got their hands on one early on did nothing but kind of trash on it, but decided to give it it's day in court and from day one never had a problem with this gun.

When loading the 10rd mags I was even grabbing the tenth round and pulling the nose of it up at first so that it would be at more of an angle to align with the feedramp as some YT jackwagon suggested was the only way to run it with any expectation of reliability, that was hogwash. After about 10 mags I stopped doing that and just load them like I would load any mag and have had NO problem.

I don't know if this gun still has a lousy rep or what, but in my experience the G44 got slammed and was dismissed by alot of people, like people said, by early reviews of prominent YT influences but if you have been wanting one of these but got cold feet from the negative reviews on YT, give it a chance.

The sights suck, but that's really it. If you have other Glocks especially, because it will fit alot of holsters you already have and mag pouches, etc.... I know it has accuracy potential because I've printed some pretty good groups with good ammo, I just don't like burying my post sight until it's almost invisible just to shoot POA at 25ft, etc.... so upgraded sights are a must.

 

[trackskippy]

Sights are an easy fix. The 9mm sights seem to work fine with mine, at least out to 15 yards or so.

 

[DustyGmt]

Sights are an easy fix. The 9mm sights seem to work fine with mine, at least out to 15 yards or so.

My favorite are triji 3 dots. I bought some I.C.E claw with Ameriglo post and it has a pretty wide rear notch and as much as I thought I'd like em, I don't. I'll eventually switch all glocks to triji 3 dots....

 

[.308 Norma]

I bought some I.C.E claw with Ameriglo post and it has a pretty wife rear notch and as much as I thought I'd like em, I don't.

I have a pretty "wife" too, Dusty. I'm not sure what that has to do with the sights on my G44 though.
Just kidding around. I'm not real fond of the factory sights on my G44 either, but I did alright with them when my wife and I were shooting ground squirrels by the dozens last spring. If the little varmints were out there better than 15 or 20 yards, we'd use our scoped 22LR rifles, but if they we're close, we'd use our pistols - her with her Ruger Bearcat, and me with my Glock G44.


To get back to the subject though, in my experience my G44 is as reliable as my wife's Ruger Bearcat - which is simply reliable.

 

[DustyGmt]

I have a pretty "wife" too, Dusty. I'm not sure what that has to do with the sights on my G44 though.
Just kidding around. I'm not real fond of the factory sights on my G44 either, but I done alright with them when my wife and I were shooting ground squirrels by the dozens last spring. If the little varmints were out there better than 15 or 20 yards, we'd use our scoped 22LR rifles, but if they we're close, we'd use our pistols - her with her Ruger Bearcat, and me with my Glock G44.
View attachment 1112434 View attachment 1112435

To get back to the subject though, in my experience my G44 is as reliable as my wife's Ruger Bearcat - which is simply reliable.

Heh, I caught that some time after posting, but my .22lr's are a favorite for my girls, wife and daughter. Only time they are really any sort of jazzed to shoot if it's gonna be a. 22lr day, it's alot more fun for them when they can actually hit what they are aiming at, .22lr tends to help facilitate that if you can't get your folks to the range all that often.

My "pretty wife" on a .22lr day, she loved the weight and feel of the G44 and I was able to maintain a couple hours of interest that day and she and my daughter shoot very well with .22's. gonna have to make room in the safe for a couple more .22lr's, got another daughter on the way!!! Due this month, perfect excuse to start scoping out more .22lr rifles and pistols

 

[jstert]

i wish that glock would offer a g44k (“kurz” or short), single-stack, 10-round, 22lr pistol, copying the centerfire g42 and g43 platform:
1. small enough to pocket ccw. 2. single-stack 22lr mags less likely to malfunction. 3. stock 10 round mags for unfree states. 4. except for phoenix arms and ruger, nobody is now making a small 22lr pocket pistol.

i like my ruger sr22 alot, but it’s too big to pocket carry. i briefly owned a ruger lcp22, i don’t like the lcp platform in 380acp and realized the same in 22lr.

 

[Riomouse911]

i wish that glock would offer a g44k (“kurz” or short), single-stack, 10-round, 22lr pistol, copying the centerfire g42 and g43 platform:
1. small enough to pocket ccw. 2. single-stack 22lr mags less likely to malfunction. 3. stock 10 round mags for unfree states. 4. except for phoenix arms and ruger, nobody is now making a small 22lr pocket pistol.

i like my ruger sr22 alot, but it’s too big to pocket carry. i briefly owned a ruger lcp22, i don’t like the lcp platform in 380acp and realized the same in 22lr.

I’d like a G-48-ish sized .22, myself with the same single stack mags you are describing.

The 42-43 sized gun would be like the LCP 22, a good pocket gun for some folks.

Stay safe.