School me on the Glock 22

[bernie]

There are quite a few police trade Glock 22 pistols on the market. I know I am uncool, and will prove it now. I do not mind the .40 Smith & Wesson cartridge. I would not mind having a Glock 22 for a few different reasons.

However, I understand that there were some problems with the Glock 22 when it was fielded. Can someone give me the story. Did they run well naked, but falter with lights on them? Did the problem get figured out? If so, what generation should be okay? Thanks for the input.

 

[Dan-O]

Stick with a gen 2 and problem solved….

 

[Hartkopf]

I’ve got two gen4s that run anything all day long. They have stock sights and no lights. I reload the brass shot out of them and there is no famous “Glock bulge.”

 

[jmr40]

There were very few problems at all, but to the best of my knowledge I'd be OK with any of them. Early guns used a "loose" chamber for enhanced reliability. But some really hot loads were blowing up because the case wasn't fully supported in the chamber. That was the "Glock Bulge". But with in-spec ammo even those were fine.

The G22 came out in the early 90's, our PD adopted them in 1994. I'm thinking the 1st G22's were 2nd generation pistols and those were the ones with unsupported chambers. Never heard anything bad about 3rd gen pistols either and don't know much about later versions one way or another.

I've heard that weapons mounted lights could affect reliability with Glock, or any other plastic framed gun. But I've never had an issue. But to be fair, I've not shot them a lot with a mounted light. FWIW, I'd trust one with a mounted light.

 

[jmohme]

I have had my G22 gen 2 for quite some time and it has been flawless.

 

[12Bravo20]

The early Gen 3 G23s and G22s had issues with the chamber also. IIRC, Glock changed the barrels to fix the issues around 2006.

I definitely would not recommend shooting 40 S&W +p or +P+ in an early Gen 3 or older G22/23 unless it has a newer barrel in it.

 

[JTQ]

Generally on forums, the members will comment on very few problems with G22's, and they served a lot of users in LE successfully for many years. However, Glock "kabooms" were almost all .40 S&W models, G22/G23. These were early issues, and Glock addressed that problem.

Actually, Glock has been addressing issues with their .40 S&W guns, with every Generation of Glock pistols. From introduction through the Gen 4 guns, the G22 was essentially a G17 with a different barrel. It was a gun designed around the 9mm and modified to shoot .40 S&W. Conversely, the competition was building their guns around the .40 S&W and modifying them to shoot 9mm.

The 3 - pin in the Gen 3 was to improve the strength to handle the .40 S&W. The updated recoil spring assembly in the Gen 4 was also to help with the .40 S&W. Now, the Gen 5 .40 S&W guns come with a thicker/heavier slide.

Almost everybody will tell you they've had great service from their G22, but Glock made all those changes to their line-up, not for their 9mm guns, but to make their .40 S&W guns work better.

 

[Anchorite]

The G22 has been around for what…25 years or more,now? It’s a time-proven design that should give you many years of trouble free operation. Just plan on replacing your recoil spring every 5k rounds and you should be just fine.

I bought a police trade-in 22G.3 blue label gun for less than $300 right before the great planned-demic shutdown and it’s been flawless.
I didn’t know it at the time, but my particular 22G.3 has the fish-scale slide serrations and a different texture on the grip - from what I understand my particular model is a bit of a rarity.

I don’t know of any issues with the Gen 3. As long as California has that model on the approved list, it will continue to be made and supported by Glock….probably for years to come.

 

[rperyam]

I have a Gen 2 Glock 22 Police trade-in that I’ve had for 20+ years. Never had a problem. For about $100 I bought a 9MM barrel for it. Did not change extractor or any springs, plus I use the 40 mags with the 9MM barrel and have never had a problem in either caliber. I say ‘go for it’ and enjoy the heck out of it.

 

[Dan-O]

Obviously, depending on your need for a fully supported chamber….

…..those can be had for $100 or less.

 

[Bazoo]

I have owned a couple 3rd generation G22's, one was a police trade in. I never had an issue out of them through several thousand rounds.

 

[Phaedrus/69]

I had one of the original/first-gen 22s shortly after they came out in the USA. I can't comment on how it worked with a light as I'd never seen a pistol WML back then. Mine was so-so, a few reliability issues with certain kinds of ammo. Back then I loathed the gun but it was almost certainly an issue with me being a single-action auto guy at the time, and I eventually sold it. A buddy has one of the newer (probably 4th) gen versions and I can shoot it very well. The odd issue is that if feels like it has has subjectively worse recoil if I shoot it side by side with my HK P30 in .40 cal. I have no idea why that would be except maybe ergonomics. I'd say it's the Glock 22 has grown into a reliable and serviceable sidearm, albeit one I can't muster very much enthusiasm for personally.

 

[9mmepiphany]

However, I understand that there were some problems with the Glock 22 when it was fielded. Can someone give me the story. Did they run well naked, but falter with lights on them? Did the problem get figured out? If so, what generation should be okay?

The issues you're referring to were with the Gen 3 Glock 22 that was issued by a LE agency in CA. The issue was related to weapon mounted lights (WML) restricting the designed in flex of the frame, which in turn, affected the recoil characteristics and caused the pistols to not feed reliably. Since LE adopters wanted to use WMLs on their pistols, Glock's "fix" was to equip their pistols with extra power magazine springs to raise the cartridge column quicker to be fed into the barrel.

The Gen 4 G22 used a recoil spring assembly (RSA) to address the issue. Not surprisingly the new RSA caused issues in feeding with 9mm Glocks. The Gen 5 finally addressed the issue by using a heavier slide on the G22.

The Gen 2 G22, which was the generation when the G22 was introduced, never had this issue because a WML could not be mounted on the frame as it lacked a rail. The Gen 2 G22 is infamous for kabooms and Glock Bulge due to it's generously sized chambers which it had for reliability with it's light slide. This was addressed with the Gen 3's (and later Gen 2's) tighter chambers

 

[Tallball]

I have a LE trade-in Model 22 that I got maybe five years ago. I'm kinda "meh" on Glocks, but it hasn't malfunctioned or given me any trouble.

Like the other poster, I bought a 9mm conversion barrel for it. (I also splurged and bought a 9mm mag.)

It runs fine in either caliber.

 

[CDW4ME]

I have a gen 3 & 5 Glock 22.
I've got a 357 Sig barrel for the gen 3 so its versatile.
Gen 5 has a thicker / heavier slide and subjectively less felt recoil.

 

[Jakemedic]

My police trade in Glock 22 serves as my “front door” gun. Got it many years ago for less than 300.00. Shoots very well although the night sights are getting a bit dim. While many migrated from the .40 to the 9mm, personally I stayed with .40. Solid choice, but a personal one as well.

 

[kwb377]

I've carried various Gen. 2, 3 and 4 G22's at different points in my 29 year LE career...as much as I hated them (Glocks in general...not the G22 in particular), I've never had any issues with any of them. I retired from full-time work in 2018...my last agency "gifts" your duty gun to you at retirement and I had fully planned to sell my Gen4 upon leaving...but, three months out from my retirement date I was involved in a fatal OIS, so now I feel like I have to keep it for "sentimental" reasons.

Nothing wrong at all with the .40S&W or the G22...having said that, now that I have a choice I carry a 9mm VP9 in my SRO gig.

 

[drobs]

I never cared for the G17 and had no interest in buying a G22.

I've had a couple Glock 23's and didn't care for the snappy recoil of the 40SW. However, in the past couple of years, I bought a pair of Glock 27's and shoot just fine with them. Maybe it's the shorter grip? I don't know but 40 seems less snappy out of the smaller 27.

I prefer 9mm out of the G19, G26, and G43X.

 

[LiveLife]

police trade Glock 22 pistols on the market ... I do not mind the .40 Smith & Wesson cartridge. I would not mind having a Glock 22 for a few different reasons.

I understand that there were some problems with the Glock 22 when it was fielded.

Issues with Gen1 Glock 22 were addressed by the time of Gen3 Glock 22 with transition from open spring to captured spring recoil spring assembly (RSA), reshaping of ejector face/angle and tightening of barrel chamber/case base support at case mouth. Since Gen3, all the overly bulged/guppy belly cases I find no longer show typical rectangle Glock primer striker/breech wall opening indent on spent primers as they all show round firing pin/strikers of non-Glock brand pistols.

Gen3 Glock 22 is likely the most fielded polymer pistol as commonly used by law enforcement with reliability proven by many THR members reporting no issues with police trade in Glocks. I would not hesitate to buy a police trade in Glock if the price was attractive.

I transitioned from 1911/Sig P226 for USPSA to Gen2/Gen3 Glock 22s to better meet both major and minor power factors with same caliber/pistol simply by using different powder and charge. Thicker chamber/barrel wall of using 40-9mm conversion barrels also afforded me the option to shoot 9mm and 9mm Major.

In recent years, I added Advantage Arms 22LR slide kit to run my defensive point shooting drills and training other shooters using cheaper 22LR.

I've had a couple Glock 23's and didn't care for the snappy recoil of the 40SW. However, in the past couple of years, I bought a pair of Glock 27's and shoot just fine with them. Maybe it's the shorter grip? I don't know but 40 seems less snappy out of the smaller 27

Likely worn out recoil spring assembly (RSA).

RSA is a consumable item that needs to be replaced after several thousand rounds. I am amazed at shooters who never replace recoil springs and often when people complain about muzzle flip of 1911, I swap out their worn out springs with Wilson Combat/Wolff springs and they are amazed muzzle flip is magically reduced. Same for Glocks.

Snappy 40S&W recoil?

I ran Springco dual spring over solid guide rod in my Glocks to tame the recoil but as long as I replaced RSA, even the "snappy" recoil of Glock 22/23/27 is manageable.

 

[JTQ]

Tom Givens on his move from the 1911 to the Glock https://rangemaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2017-01_RFTS-Newsletter.pdf

"I initially bought a G23 and had a grip reduction and good sights put on it. I hated it. Sold it in a few days. Tried a G22, it was better, but not optimal. Then tried a G35 and loved it."

 

[Jimfern]

Tom Givens on his move from the 1911 to the Glock https://rangemaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2017-01_RFTS-Newsletter.pdf

"I initially bought a G23 and had a grip reduction and good sights put on it. I hated it. Sold it in a few days. Tried a G22, it was better, but not optimal. Then tried a G35 and loved it."

My G35 is my favorite Glock!

 

[DesertFox]

G22C here shoots great. Have G17C barrel for it as well. Recommended.

 

[tomrkba]

There are quite a few police trade Glock 22 pistols on the market. I know I am uncool, and will prove it now. I do not mind the .40 Smith & Wesson cartridge. I would not mind having a Glock 22 for a few different reasons.

However, I understand that there were some problems with the Glock 22 when it was fielded. Can someone give me the story. Did they run well naked, but falter with lights on them? Did the problem get figured out? If so, what generation should be okay? Thanks for the input.

Just buy one. It'll be great. If you're so concerned, get a Gen 4.

 

[bernie]

Not concerned. Just curious what the story was.

 

[Riomouse911]

If you get a good deal on a trade-in Glock 22 you will not be disappointed. You can also go .357 Sig or 9mm if you choose with little more than a barrel, recoil spring (maybe), 9mm extractor and magazines (not necessary but I did with zero malfunctions to date).

All of my Glocks, except Gen 5 versions, get American Flag rear cover plates and flat-faced trigger shoes, (I hate the feel of the earlier OEM triggers on my trigger finger.)

I have two trade in Glocks. I was allowed to buy an issued Gen 3,Glock 19 when we moved to Gen 4 guns. I didn’t buy my old one because I shot the snot out of it at monthly SRT/annual quals/training courses. This gun was well cared for and has almost zero usage or holster wear.



The second I have posted before, it’s a .40 Glock 22 that was a Policia’ de Puerto Rico trade in. To this gun I replaced recoil and striker springs, added the 9mm barrel/extractor and use any one of my 9mm Glock 17 sized mags.



I would not hesitate to buy another trade in; most aren’t shot all that much and will be in good shape because agencies (should!) fox broken ones right away. Best thing is you can get most trade ins for much less than a brand new gun of the same type.

Stay safe.