I bought a Gen4 G23 in Dec. I really like the pistol. I love the new grip dimensions (I don't run a backstrap) and the new texture. I also own a Gen2/3 G19 and a Gen2 G17. My buddy has a Gen2 G23 and my cousin has a Gen3 G23. The Gen4 handles the recoil better than the previous Gen's. Also, the whole gun feels tighter, more precision, more HK'ish. The only downside I've found is the trigger. Mine was considerably heavier/draggy'er than the Gen3 G19 in picked up in 2009. My Gen4 G23 came w/ the new trigger bar which has the dimple in the tab that pushes the firing pin, and the redesigned area where the trigger spring hooks to. I understand the dimple rides along the inside of the slide, and the redesigned tab where the trigger spring attaches is supposed to give greater life to the spring. I've since replaced that part w/ Glock part # SP00357. This is the trigger bar that has the smooth trigger face, like that found on the G17 and the redesigned trigger spring interface, but does not have the dimple. This brings the trigger to what I remember the Gen3 G19 having when new. I've also since done the $.25 trigger job and the trigger is now smooth. Aside from that, the pistol has been flawless in 500 rounds now. Just picked up a TLR-1s and anxiously await to put some rounds through w/ the light attached.
Having said that, just so the readers don't think I'm a pure Glock fan boy, I also have an M&P40 w/ Apex sear and polished internals. I really like this pistol as well. Pointability & 2nd shot recovery and very good. After the mods I've done to the trigger, I really like the trigger. I rank both the M&P40 and Gen4 G23 evenly. The only advantage I give the Glock is the texture. It is outstanding. Hopefully, S&W addresses the grip slip factor on future redesigns.
I've been considering getting an M&P9c. I just read a post where somewhere mentioned that they had both the M&P40 & M&P40c and thought the C handled the recoil better. I'd be very curious to hear your take on this when you get your pistol.
