Can't decide: Glock G19 Gen 5 or G23 Gen 4??

[Trey Veston]

Going to be my new primary EDC. Bought a S&W M&P40c to fill that role but not happy with the trigger or accuracy.

New gun will also see some time in GSSF matches. Initially thought the G19 was the answer, then I fondled the G23 and the G19. G23 felt slightly better, but the G19 had a better trigger.

Looking at the G19 Gen 5 MOS for $489:

Pros:
- 15 round vs 13 round capacity.
- Slightly better trigger.
- Marksman barrel equals better accuracy(?)
- Plinking ammo easier and cheaper
- Better NDLC finish.
- Looks nicer due to beveled front slide and front serrations.
- Already have extra G19 mags.
- Set up for 9mm reloading and have lots of bullets and powder.
- Can easily use RMR sights if desired.

Cons:
- 9mm is weaker than .40 S&W
- Not set up for cast 9mm bullets and am for .40 S&W
- No idea if it is actually more accurate
- $80 more than the G23.
- All my loads and other pistols are .40 S&W
- Can't change calibers.

Glock G23 Gen 4 for $410:

Pros:
- Fits my hand like a glove.
- I have lots of parts for the Gen 4 Glocks.
- I love .40 S&W.
- Can easily convert to 9mm or .357 Sig if desired.
- Same size as G19 for carry.
- Most of my bullet molds and recipes are for .40 S&W.
- More power; can be used for woods carry if needed.
- $80 less than the G19.

Cons:
- Trigger not as good as Gen 5
- Not as aesthetically pleasing.
- Weaker finish.
- Lower resale value
- Higher recoil
- Possibly not as accurate as G19.
- 2 less rounds.
- Will have to buy more magazines for GSSF.

I really, really have no idea which way to go. I believe the 9mm is fine for self-defense for humans, and I have a 10mm for woods carry. I would consider a hot .40 S&W as the absolute minimum for woods carry around here.

But I love to bench test pistols for accuracy, and my G19 Gen 4 was disappointing, which is the main reason I sold it. That and the trigger wasn't very good.

I'm also ditching the M&P because it's trigger is annoying and accuracy is also disappointing. Overall size and weight for carry is just fine, but it doesn't feel as good as the G23 or G19 for me.

But the accuracy and trigger are the main things. With all of the Gen 4 Glocks I've had the past few years, it has been a crap shoot as far as trigger and accuracy. My G29 is a unicorn with excellent trigger and amazing accuracy. All of the Gen 5 triggers I've tried have been great. But I've heard mixed reviews of the supposed increased accuracy and there have been some reports of reduced velocity.

Would appreciate some objective input...

 

[Zerodefect]

Glock 23.4 all the way.

Carry g22 reloads. Add Warren Tactical sights, and a g35 trigger. You need to put at least 3000 rounds down range before Glock triggers get nice. Some polish helps.

I flush cut the trigger shoe, and round the trigger frame by my middle finger on all Glocks.

 

[Winkman822]

I myself am not a Glock guy nor am I a .40 S&W guy, but it seems that you have more practical pros for the Glock 23 vice 19. Magazines are relatively inexpensive for Glocks, so I'd call that a wash. You're better equipped for reloading .40, and you've already got a number of other .40 S&W platforms. Sounds like a simple choice to me.

 

[Zerodefect]

I find the G4's better looking.

And the 5's have that stupid moon cut out on the front strap. The most critical part of the grip. No other pistol has that, and I just can't stand it. I think that moon cutout is the only thing I don't like about the 5's, as long as they aren't the early ones with "hog tooth".

None of the new finishes are anything special cosmetically. They're all extremely corrosion resistant still though. "3rd Gen frying pan", was my favorite finish, although, the new finishes look better, when new.

 

[1KPerDay]

Buy both, shoot for groups, sell the least accurate. If that's your primary criterion.

 

[tarosean]

it has been a crap shoot as far as trigger and accuracy.

Are you allergic to used?? My vote is for gen2 or early gen3 40SW (since your setup for it). Far superior triggers and can be made infinitely better. late gen3-gen4 glock took huge steps backward. Gen 5 guns utilize Gen2 19's lockup.Even they realize how bad things got.. lol

 

[<*(((><]

I find the G4's better looking.

And the 5's have that stupid moon cut out on the front strap. The most critical part of the grip. No other pistol has that, and I just can't stand it. I think that moon cutout is the only thing I don't like about the 5's, as long as they aren't the early ones with "hog tooth".

None of the new finishes are anything special cosmetically. They're all extremely corrosion resistant still though. "3rd Gen frying pan", was my favorite finish, although, the new finishes look better, when new.

Just FYI the "Glock 19 Gen 5 MOS" does not have the moon cut. I was happy to find this out as I don't like it either and was wanting to try out a Gen 5 19, so I'll wait until I find a good deal on the MOS version to not have the moon cut.

 

[thomas15]

As far as the pro/cons are concerned I would just go with the caliber you shoot the most and leave it at that. They are basically the same gun, a few minor differences mainly just in the different calibers. The Gen 5 has the advantage of not having finger groves on the grip. FYI when the Gen 4s first came out there was lots of kabittizing in the interwebs about that version. Either one if you get it and put in the time you will receive proficiency with it. I you don't like the trigger for a very small amount of money and time you can upgrade it. Glocks have so many aftermarket/upgrades available it's ridiculous.

 

[Garandimal]

For EDC/HD?

G23.4/.40.

LEO's/Military - shoot their way Into Trouble.

Civilians - shoot their way Out of Trouble.

As long as you can shoot it well? Fewer, more powerful rounds, that make bigger holes, and will stop the fight sooner, is the choice to make.




GR

 

[earlthegoat2]

Right this second in time, the 40 is falling way out of favor. It won't die in our lifetime even if it continues to lose popularity as fast as it is right now. However, now is the time to jump on the .40. Many LE agencies are getting rid of them so they are cheap. If you wanted a Gen 3 it could be had for a great price and ammo is still available at a good price.

 

[Zerodefect]

It'll be back as soon as 9mm fails again.

 

[Trey Veston]

Was at the gun shop again today. A used gen 3 G23 was $420.

New blue label G23 Gen 4 is $410.

Drugs are bad.

 

[glc24]

Was at the gun shop again today. A used gen 3 G23 was $420.

New blue label G23 Gen 4 is $410.

Drugs are bad.

Only because I'm partial to the Gen 4 G23, I'd say go for it. I think you will really enjoy that firearm! IMO, that is a good price too.
When the Gen 4 was released in 2013, is when I got mine. March specifically, and I paid 550.00 for it.

 

[OARNGESI]

If for some reason you want to ever sell it a 19 will bring more than a 23. I also generally enjoy the 9 over the 40, but I cut 40 out completely and only have 9 and 45. i have seen gen4 23s used in the low 300 range I actually turned one down for 299 but it was just the lgs trying to right a mistake on there end.

 

[Trey Veston]

I keep hearing about how .40 S&W pistols are dirt cheap and plentiful, but I have yet to see it. The police trade-in G23s on Gunbroker are $360 and are pretty beat up. I can't see saving $50 to get one over a brand new one.

My brother just had to turn in his Sig P229 in .357 Sig since his department "upgraded" him to a Gen 5 G17. He was pretty upset about it. The dealer let him buy back his Sig for $250.

Fondled both pistols today, again... Called the blue label dealer and he said he'd have to order the G19 in and their price is $499, rather than the $489 I got from the GSSF price sheet. Cheapest I've found retail has been $599, so it's still a good deal. If I hate it in the future, I can sell it. I sold my last one, a G19 Gen 4 FS Summer Special, for $50 more than I paid for it.

If/when Glock releases the Gen 5 G23, I will likely get one of those. The Gen 5 trigger is just so much better than most of my Gen 4 triggers, even after polishing internals.

 

[Garandimal]

Glock G23 Gen 4 for $410:

Pros:
- Can easily convert to 9mm or .357 Sig if desired.

Have a 5.3" LWD 357Sig Bbl. for my G23.4.

Shoots Hornady Custom 147 gr. XTP and S&B 140 gr. FMJ/FP at 1300+ fps, and produces 9mm point-blank energy at over 100 yards.

Great for the woods.


GR

 

[Trey Veston]

My woods gun is a G29 with a KKM 4.5" 10mm barrel. I shoot 190gr hard cast bullets that I cast myself and 7.1gr of WSF.

 

[Deanimator]

I'd get the Glock 23:

• more powerful
• easy to convert to 9×19mm

I'm shopping for a deal on a used Glock 23 so that I can try the 22lb. recoil spring trick that worked so well on my Glock 22.

 

[Trey Veston]

Officially ordered the G19. Drove 100 miles round trip and the dealer said they are very hard to find in the Blue Label program. He said I should have it by next week. Already ordered a new Dawson front fiber optic sight for it and loaded up 100 rounds of various match and defense loads to see what it likes.
I also fondled a G45 since it was $50 cheaper and had everything I wanted, but the G19 grip just felt better.

 

[Elkins45]

I would have chosen differently. Used 40's are stupid cheap right now as the pendulum is swinging back to 9mm. I would have bought a used G23 and spent the difference on mags and ammo.

 

[Trey Veston]

I would have chosen differently. Used 40's are stupid cheap right now as the pendulum is swinging back to 9mm. I would have bought a used G23 and spent the difference on mags and ammo.

Not true out here where the .40 S&W is the bare minimum for carrying in the woods. The only used G23 within 50 miles of me is $420. I spent $70 more for the latest and greatest Glock ever made, according to some.

People keep saying that .40 S&W Glock are now super cheap. I've never seen one online or locally that weren't within $100 of new Blue Label/GSSF prices. I'll choose new every time. And Glock charges the same for .40 S&W as they do for 9mm handguns.

 

[Elkins45]

Not true out here where the .40 S&W is the bare minimum for carrying in the woods. The only used G23 within 50 miles of me is $420. I spent $70 more for the latest and greatest Glock ever made, according to some.

People keep saying that .40 S&W Glock are now super cheap. I've never seen one online or locally that weren't within $100 of new Blue Label/GSSF prices. I'll choose new every time. And Glock charges the same for .40 S&W as they do for 9mm handguns.

Hmm....here in Kentucky the 40 version of a used gun is selling for about $100 less than the 9mm one. And I recently bought a Kahr P40 new from Buds for less than $300. The P9 is over $500.

 

[JTQ]

I think you made a good choice.

I keep hearing about how .40 S&W pistols are dirt cheap and plentiful, but I have yet to see it. The police trade-in G23s on Gunbroker are $360 and are pretty beat up.

I often like to remind people the reason there was a Gen4 Glock at all is because of previous generations of G22/G23 guns. If they didn't have to fix problems with those guns there wouldn't have been a need for a Gen4. The Gen5's were created not to fix a problem, but fill a different requirement.