Glock calibers
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mb419
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I've put 6000 rounds through a used Glock 22 with no malfunctions of any kind and the last 2500 have been without cleaning it at all.
Gun Slinger
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The ones chambered in 9mm seem to have fewer problems than others. Some of my friends own them in .40 and .45 and have never had a problem with any of them, and they shoot quite often, so I'd be more inclined to get the caliber that I like the most and not worry about it. I think that most of us would go broke trying to shoot a Glock of any caliber until it wears out anyway.
Of course, all I own are 17's and 19's so I sleep pretty well either way.
Of course, all I own are 17's and 19's so I sleep pretty well either way.
W.E.G.
Member
They are all unreliable (kaboomish) if you insist on shooting non-jacketed bullets in the factory barrels.
The are all infinitely reliable if you will just follow that one simple rule.
The 9mm is the cheapest to feed at the range.
The are all infinitely reliable if you will just follow that one simple rule.
The 9mm is the cheapest to feed at the range.
R.W.Dale
Member
If this is the case the G25 in .380 sould last FOREVER then.
true, I have yet to see a report on a KBOOM that didn't involve a progressive reloading press
true, I have yet to see a report on a KBOOM that didn't involve a progressive reloading press
ATW525
Member
As for being the most durable... it makes sense. The 9mm is probably the mildest chambering, save the possible exception of the .380 Glocks (I say possible, because the .380's don't have a locking breech). I have to agree with Gun Slinger, though, that most of us would likely go broke before we wore a Glock of any chambering.
Reliability wise is a tougher call. I'd have to say that all chamberings are reliable enough for me to feel comfortable carrying them. It does seem that I hear about more problems with the .40's and .45's, however, but it's hard to say if they're actually more problematic or not based purely on anecdotal presented on the Internet.
wes
Member
I have 3300 rnds through my G-30 with Zero ffe or ftf's.
boomstik45
Member
Don't worry about the caliber...although the 9s will be the most durable if you're shooting 100,000 rounds out of one gun. Otherwise, you should only pay attention to which kind of bullets you're shooting out of the gun. 
: no reloads, lead types, etc.
: no reloads, lead types, etc.Jim Watson
Member
I see a lot of Glocks shot in IDPA matches. The G17 is the most trouble free, followed by the G34. The others are pretty good, but not up to the original. I have seen only two kaBooms in person, the same day on the same match stage; a G21 .45 followed by a G22 .40.
There is a school of thought that in a handgun platform, the "best" version is always the original version, or else the versions which are close to the original that provide ease of use but still resemble the original before it was mutated too much.
Not sure if that's right or wrong, just FWIW.
I prefer the Glock in 9mm just because I wanted a Glock for the ease of parts, replacement, etc. and the 9mm is ubiquitous.
Not sure if that's right or wrong, just FWIW.
I prefer the Glock in 9mm just because I wanted a Glock for the ease of parts, replacement, etc. and the 9mm is ubiquitous.
Zen21Tao
Member
First of all it is the .40 cals that are rumored to "Kaboom." And then, that is usually due to defective/week reloaded ammo and the use of lead ammo. In regards to the reloads, these "kabooms" usually occur when weakened brass from repeated reloads, having weak spots at the partially unsupported part of the barrel, is used and when custom hand loads are made way too "hot." Their is an upper max to powder loads for reason. However, some people just insist of surpassing these upper limits. As for the lead issue, Glock barrels simply aren't made to shoot lead in, it tends to build up in the barrel causing obstructions.
At any rate, I have a Glock 29 10mm (that I reload for) and a Glock 27 40S&W. Neither has given me so much as a hiccup.
On durability, 9mm compact and full sized Glocks are supposed to last for over 150,000 rounds before needing a slide replacement. .40 cal ones are more like 20,000 to 50,000. Getting a slightly heavier, 20 pound aftermarket recoil spring would probably solve the problem, though.
CountGlockula
Member
There's a difference to what you've "heard" and what you've actually tried out for yourself. The best opinion is yours.
9mm, .40S&W, 357SIG, .45ACP, 10mm are all good calibers.
Personally, I like the .40. I've had no issues at all after shooting 5K out of my G35.
The KaBoom issue is attributed to various causes, but most often due to overcharged/damaged rounds coming apart and venting the blast down into the mag well due to the unsupported portion of the chamber (six-o'clock) on the Glock. Some suggest the use of lead bullets fouls the chamber/rifling/whatever creating overpressure situations. A .40 round with 180 grain bullet can end up overpressure from the bullet getting bumped back in the case a tiny bit too much, as there is little room for error there. People rotating their ammo and putting the same beat-up round back in that has been chambered numerous times are at risk as well. Of course a double charge of powder when reloading will do bad things...
Most people never have a problem, but it is big news when a person's pistol comes apart in their hand.
I would recommend being careful of the above situations and buying whatever caliber you like best. Try a couple first, as the grip angle (all Glocks) and recoil impulse (in .40, mostly) are not favored by some. I like my 21SF, although I'll admit my first .40 (a G23) and I did not get along. It was snappy and I could not maintain a good grip on it. It also pointed low for me. As time has gone on I find I like the gun better, but it belongs to my father now. Definitely shoot, not just handle, before you buy.
The 9mm probably is the most reliable/durable given its lower pressures and it being the original design profile, but there is a great torture test of a .45ACP model 21 on the net where the guy does a lot of terrible things to the gun and it still fires. Plenty of different Glocks have high round counts and still run. There is even a video of a guy shooting his underwater in a trashcan. If you like 9mm you could certainly do a lot worse.
gp911
Most people never have a problem, but it is big news when a person's pistol comes apart in their hand.
I would recommend being careful of the above situations and buying whatever caliber you like best. Try a couple first, as the grip angle (all Glocks) and recoil impulse (in .40, mostly) are not favored by some. I like my 21SF, although I'll admit my first .40 (a G23) and I did not get along. It was snappy and I could not maintain a good grip on it. It also pointed low for me. As time has gone on I find I like the gun better, but it belongs to my father now. Definitely shoot, not just handle, before you buy.
The 9mm probably is the most reliable/durable given its lower pressures and it being the original design profile, but there is a great torture test of a .45ACP model 21 on the net where the guy does a lot of terrible things to the gun and it still fires. Plenty of different Glocks have high round counts and still run. There is even a video of a guy shooting his underwater in a trashcan. If you like 9mm you could certainly do a lot worse.
gp911
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SAAMI pressure ratings for the 9mm and .40S&W are the same - 35,000 PSI. There's no question that the .40 is harder on the gun, though. For example, the old 2-pin Glocks ran forever, whereas the .40 required the addition of the 3rd frame pin (now std on the 9mm as well for the sake of mfg simplicity).
camslam
Member
I've got the Glock 30 and Glock 21, both chambered in the .45 ACP and they both run flawlessly.
I've shot most weekends this summer, mostly with the Glock 30 and other than some bad Wolf ammo which didn't fire, no problems.
I've never had any feeding problems with either of them.
Also my dad, brother, and brother in law all have Glocks in .45 and no problems. 2 other of my brother-in-laws have Glock 22's in the .40 and no problems. In fact we constantly fight over which Glock and caliber is better.
I might add, another friend has the Glock 20 chambered in the 10 mm and he loves it. We take it with us to shoot hogs in Texas and it has never had any problems either.
Great guns all the way around, regardless of the caliber.
I've shot most weekends this summer, mostly with the Glock 30 and other than some bad Wolf ammo which didn't fire, no problems.
I've never had any feeding problems with either of them.
Also my dad, brother, and brother in law all have Glocks in .45 and no problems. 2 other of my brother-in-laws have Glock 22's in the .40 and no problems. In fact we constantly fight over which Glock and caliber is better.
I might add, another friend has the Glock 20 chambered in the 10 mm and he loves it. We take it with us to shoot hogs in Texas and it has never had any problems either.Great guns all the way around, regardless of the caliber.
Rokman
Member
My G17, 26 and 23 have all been stellar performers. The 9mm and .40 are the only Glocks that I have owned and would recommend them to anyone that wants a reliable, durable pistol.
Omaney
Member
I have never owned a GLOCK. I used a GLOCK when in my CHL class. I would feel totally comfortable with any GLOCK. The GLOCK is a workhorse in any caliber. 800,000,000 police, security, civilians cannot be wrong.
I might be a little off with that number.
I might be a little off with that number.
Glockman30
Member
I have around 3000 rounds through my G30 and 500 through my G27 and I have never had any problem.
10-Ring
Member
I prefer their 9mm's & their 45's w/ the G19 the king of the hill!
Treeprof,
Thanks for the clarification. I actually was thinking of the 9mm+P pressure as being the spec for the .40, so actually not only are 9mm and .40 the same pressure, but the 9mm can exceed the pressure of the .40 with +P ammunition. Doh! :banghead:
Gotta double check these things more often...
gp911
Thanks for the clarification. I actually was thinking of the 9mm+P pressure as being the spec for the .40, so actually not only are 9mm and .40 the same pressure, but the 9mm can exceed the pressure of the .40 with +P ammunition. Doh! :banghead:
Gotta double check these things more often...
gp911
aguyindallas
Member
I have a lot of rounds through a lot of my Glocks in all different calibers...they all have run great for me. The ONLY malfunctions have been user error.
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