Glock 23 options?

Question

I'm about to invest in a Glock 23, but I don't know which features to go with. I've never owned a gun before and I'm mainly purchasing the Glock as a carry/defense weapon, but I'd also like to do some recreational shooting, possibly competitive if I get into it. Fixed or adjustable sight? Night sight? Glock 23 or 23C (what's the difference? I know it's compensated, but for what?) Also, what are some thoughts on reloads - I've been reading about kB problems with Glocks using reloads - anybody had this happen?

Answer 1

You've picked a decent carry gun. The night sights are a good option.

The compensator on the "C" model helps reduce barrel flip during recoil. I don't recommend this on a carry gun. The compensator increases noise and muzzle flash.

As far as competition goes, you are at a very slight disadvantage with the shorter barrel of the 23. However, a little practice can turn this into an advantage. The smaller gun is quite handy if moving through obstacles, such as you might find in IPSC competition.

Fixed sights are best on a carry gun, one less thing to snag your shirt as you draw. Adjustable sights are great if you fire a lot of different bullet weights and velocities thru the gun. If you are going to stick with, say, a 165 gr. hollow point or full metal jacket round, you won't really need the adjustable sight. If you were going to be plinking with a 155 gr. round, carry the 165 gr round, and use 180 gr round in competition, then you want an adjustable sight.

Reloads are fine in the gun. Like all semi auto pistols, the load needs enough power to function the slide efficiently. Stick to loads no less than about 900 fps and you should be fine. I believe Glock still recommends no lead rounds thru the gun. Stick to jacketed rounds.

Answer 2

With Glock you pretty much get the same package. In a defensive package the night sights are a good option and I don't care for compensated pistol (except maybe in the very large calibers like the Taurus Raging Bull in .454 Casull). A forty doesn't recoil so violently that one needs a compensator. If you can't handle the recoil of a forty then just get a nine! Compensators cut down on muzzle flip but add flash and bang and slightly reduce your bullet velocity. The only other thing you might consider is a high cap mag (say from the Model 22 which will work in your 23) or get the grip extenders which give you a place to rest your little finger and add one more round to your magazine capacity.

Best.

H

Answer 3

Glock 23 = Good choice.

Adjustable sights = No. They don't stand up to the abuse a concealed carry gun may go through. Plus they add a functionality you do not need.

Night sights = Good choice. At dim and dark times the glowing tritium allows you to precisely align the sights.

Compensated = No. Along with increased blast, the porting spews hot gas and grit up and above the gun. When shooting from retention positions (gun held close to the body) that stuff can get into your eyes and face. It's hard to shoot when you can't see.

Reloads = No. Not with the stock barrel. One of the reasons why the Glock is so reliably is the slightly more open chamber mouth. Cases reloaded three or more times eventually fail in this unsupported area. An aftermarket barrel from KKM, Storm Lake, Bar Sto, will allow you to shoot reloads and lead bullets if you desire. Lead bullets create excessive fouling in stock Glock barrels and lead to over pressures. Most of the KB's you hear about have come from ammo with double charged powder loads. Most guns KB when improperly loaded ammo is used.

Answer 4

The 23C is a compensated model with cuts on the front of the barrel and slide to allow expanded gases to be released, thus reducing recoil. It cost about $75 more than the regular model 23. I personally would NOT want a compensate gun with cut outs, because muzzle flash is heightened and it can be distracting. I would go with the full size Model 22, it is not all that much bigger, or harder to conceal.

Answer 5

I own several glocks and primarily carry a g23. I added to a factory over sized slide release, factory over sized mag release, meprolite night sights, trugrip grip tape, a carry trigger (3.5 connector with ny1 trigger spring) and carry it in a c-t.a.c. holster. The whole idea about the "C' model is to bring down the recoil for faster follow up shots but the ported barrel and slide cuts will direct the muzzle flash up ontop of your slide and into your sight picture and distract you when firing at night. Here's what I mean http://atlantisarms.com/product%20specif... It's pointless, and if you ever wanted to shoot in the uspsa you would have to shoot in open class because it has a comp. I wouldn't go with the factory adjustable sights because they are junk. If you are looking for a really nice pair of adjustables alot of after market companies make them. My favorite for ipsc and idpa are dawson precision's, they're just really nice. I have never had a kaboom problem yet but I hav herd stories and caught one on youtube. Glocks have an unsupported chamber (especially on the .40s) and it causes the cases to buldge when shooting high pressure rounds. I carry and train with 165gr speer gold dots in my g23 and haven't had a problem so far. Alot of the kabooms on record were also due to shooting lead bullets through the polygonal rifling in glock barrels. It is basically gets crudded up with so much lead and can't tolerate the high pressures. If you want to shoot lead just buy an aftermarket barrel. Glocks are great, there's so many things you can do to them, and so many aftermarket parts available. I have 3 and compete with all of them, a g22 ( my first) that I later turned into a race gun, a g35 limited/production gun, and my g23 carry/ production gun best bet is to buy the gun bone stock and then see what you feel like it needs after shooting it a few times.

Answer 6

I am the owner of several hand guns. none of them are Glocks. The model 23 is a good weapon, but it does not fit my hand well. Go to a few gun shops and feel the weapon of your choice. If you want to compete i would invest in a Kimber or Para-Ordnance. I currently carry a S&W 40 and a Taurus 45. Both are compact used in the field. The main thing is buy something that is comfortable for you.

good luck shooting

Answer 7

Night sights are great for self dense, the compensator reduces recoil but increases blast, Glock's polygon barrel doesn't work with lead solids.(KB)

Answer 8

i would purchase pt night sights there great not to bright or dim i have theme on my glock 30 sub compact