Help me pick - Glock 19 vs 23

[X-Rap]

My favorite is a G2 19 but I have a couple 17's, 32, 22, 21 and have given my boys a 23 and 22 with the recomendation to get 9mm barrels and mags.
I find that I like the G2's better for carry and the 9 just shoots great for me, I reload so to me it would be almost a toss up.

 

[MK11]

Nothing wrong with being "stuck" with 9mm for carry. The 19 and 23 are the same size--if you're going to bring another caliber into the equation, I'd suggest something that fills a completely different role (such as a j frame or LCR).

 

[WinThePennant]

Nothing wrong with being "stuck" with 9mm for carry. The 19 and 23 are the same size--if you're going to bring another caliber into the equation, I'd suggest something that fills a completely different role (such as a j frame or LCR).

Good advice.

I also carry a .380, but that's a S&W BG380 that is used ONLY when I'm wearing extremely light clothing. Literally, shorts, T-shirt, and sandals.

 

[newglockguy]

I've shot both and personally I like the 23. You can buy mags from the G22 which are 15 rounds and have the same amount as the 19. They fit just fine but the downside is since the G22 is a full size the magazine will be sticking out of the bottom.

 

[breacher]

don't buy either.

put the 4 or 5 benjamins towards a ton of ammo to feed the pistols you already own

 

[edwardcii]

Got the 23 today. Need to sell my 20 now for the cash lol. Oh well - the 20 became a safe queen because its hard to carry in a Texas summer. Would keep them all if I could afford to.

I came to my decision because I already have a 26. With the extensions on it, the grip is similar to a 19. With the 23, i get the power of a 40 in a concealable package. I believe the 9 is a great round and have carried that most of the time and will continue to. Now I have a choice of that or the 40.

If I didn't have 2 9mms already, would have probably gone with the 19. Keeping the 17 as a hd gun. Alternate bw 26 and 23 for carry once I put some rounds through the new gun.

Thanks for all the comments. I am happy with my choice for now.

 

[LiveLife]

FWIW, I have G22/G23/G27 and use 40-9 conversion barrels to shoot cheaper 9mm rounds for range practice but carry 40S&W.

G23 barrel will work in G27, but G22 barrel won't work in G23/G27.

If I have feeding issues with 40 caliber Glock mags, I use 9mm mags.

 

[The Man With No Name]

I am an leo and carry a 23C off duty. Most of the ones I know that carry one on duty use a 19 because that is the standard detective gun in my agency. Personally I could have either a 23 or 19 and be happy. I gravitate to towards the 23 because I prefer the more powerful round and with a C model recoil is very controllable even in extreme rapid fire for me. With the right ammo (CorBon 135 grain JHP) it generates 500 ft pounds at the muzzle if power is a concern.

 

[edwardcii]

took it to the range. The glock 19 and 23 are both great guns, and I am very happy that i got the 23. I'd be pretty happy with the 19 too, but the 23 was the right choice for me.

I shot the 17 and 26 with some speer gold dot 124 +p. Shot some speer gold dot 180 in the 23. I dont normally shoot this ammo, but since I haven't run it yet through my glocks, thought it was a great opportunity to do so.

To be honest, I didn't notice the difference in recoil between the +p 9mm ammo and the 40 ammo. However, my fiancee definitely noticed it and didnt want to shoot more than one mag of the 40. So, there is likely a difference, but I didn't feel the difference. But, I am also much larger than my fiancee.

I didn't get to test rapid fire drills, but I dont feel that I would much slower (if at all) with the 40 than with the 9mm +p.

While the 9mm is definitely cheaper for target practice, since I am using +p in my carry, I think shooting the 40 might be even better practice for my 23 and my 17 and 26 (the recoil feels much closer than my target 9mm rounds). There is a stark contrast in the recoil of my target 9mm rounds vs my 9mm +p carry ammo.

IMHO, I echo other people and believe that everyone should carry the caliber they are most comfortable with. There is not one caliber that works for everyone, some will prefer 9mm, some 40, some 45, and some 357. Heck, some 223 or 12ga lol.

I got the 23, and after the range test, it was the right one for me. I like the 40 and will not feel underpowered with the 9mm +p rounds. I do think the 40 is more versatile, but recoil could be an issue for most.

 

[Dreamliner787]

G23 with 9mm conversion barrel.

 

[nathan]

My glock 23 gen 3 shoots fantastic.

 

[TMann]

Given the lack of hard data to "prove" that 9mm is just as good as a .40, OR that .40 is better than 9mm...

And given that you seem to want to get a .40 S&W...

And given that you have other 9mm Glocks to practice with...

And given that you can always get a 9mm conversion barrel and a .357 Sig barrel for a G23...

I think that you should get the 23. Some people like to consolidate all of their handguns to one caliber, while others like to have a variety of calibers in their stable. You seem like you're in the second category, so I think that you should go with the 23.

There. That was easy.

TMann

(BTW, I have both a G19 and a G23, so I guess that I'm also one of those that likes the variety.)

EDIT: Oops. I just read your most recent post where you told us that you got the G23. Good choice!

 

[Knockdownpower]

Flip a coin, you can't go wrong.

 

[CPshooter]

It's amazing how many people will post without reading through the thread. OP already made his decision people.

I think it was a good call. You already have a 26, so I can see why you would skip the slightly larger 19 in the same caliber. I know if I had both sitting in front of me and had to choose one for IWB concealed carry, I'd go with the smaller 26 every time. I don't feel that it sacrifices anything to the 19 other than the few extra rounds I'll never need to get to in a defensive situation. At least the 23 gives you some incentive to carry something different . Nothing wrong with that IMO. Besides, you can always get a 19 later.

 

[briang2ad]

Get to a range.

Put 200 rounds through BOTH - find a buddy, rent, etc. Just do it.

Use a proper technique. Shoot a few 10 round groups. Do some follow up work. Push a little.

You will likely shoot the 9mm better.

All pistol calibers a weak. The difference between the 9mm and 40 is a blip. But everyone will shoot the 9mm better.

 

[wow6599]

The G19 is a 9mm
The G23 is a .40 S&W

Do you want a 9 or 40?

 

[TreeDoc]

Get the 23, try it out, keep it or add it to your rotation. I have tried several different carry guns and like the 26 the best, but still have a S&W 638, and a Ruger sp101 357.

 

[mdThanatos]

I believe he already purchased the 23.....

 

[Wildbillz]

Several months ago I went through the same drill. I ended up with both. But I did like this vid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzmkGgQLCMA&feature=plcp

On the other hand I have no use for the 26 or 27. There just to fat for there size. I think Glock missed the mark for the CCW market with them but for the police that might need to use a duty mag in a back up I guess its a win.

Now if they could have gotten 10 rounds (maybe just 9 or even 8) of 45acp into a Glock 19 profile pistole I think that would have been great.

Just my .02
WB

 

[jskibs]

I think the 27 is the most useful pistol Glock makes. It will take conversion barrels for 9mm or 357 Sig. Keep the stock mags for concealment or get extended mag plates for a full hand grip. Buy a 22 round in 40 or 33 round in 9mm for range fun. Not a pocket pistol but it does everything else fairly well.

 

[Wildbillz]

jskibs
They sure sell enough of them. I am just saying for me it is not the best bet. If it were slimer I would think that it would work better. But like I said its just preferance.

WB

 

[edwardcii]

Thanks for all the responses.

Love the 23, was exactly what I wanted. As much as I like the 19, I already have a 26 and 17 (both of which I intend to keep). With the grip extension, the 26 has plenty of handle for me and allows for 12 rounds of 124 +p. So, the 9mm was already covered.

The 23 has given me a great alternative if I feel like carrying something a little bigger with a little more power. Very happy with it, and at least as of now, if I could only have one glock, it would be the 23. The 26 is very close behind.

 

[edwardcii]

WB - agree with your statement about more rounds of 45 in the 19/23 frame. The 30 is a tad too thick for my tastes.

 

[edwardcii]

CP Shooter - exactly what I was thinking. In 9mm, I think I actually prefer the 26 over the 19. In 40, I prefer the 23 over the 27.

The grip extensions on the 26 make the difference for me.

 

[TMann]

I mainly shoot 9 mm's and have a G19, a Walther PPS and a Kel-Tec P380 as my main carry/SD guns.

My local gunshop recently had a great deal on a G32 (compact .357 Sig) with an extra .40 barrel and extra mags. The G32/.40 barrel combo instantly gave me the option of two new calibers. I'm all ready for the next ammo shortage.

TMann