Glock Question

[Jman]

I want to buy a Glock. Possibly a Model 21 or 22. I'm undecided as to what caliber I want. Got it narrowed down to three. I've shot a Mod. 22 in the .40 cal. Looked at a Mod. 21(?) in a .45 cal., and I hear the 10mm is the way to go.

Can anyone advise as to the speed of these three (10 mm/.40 cal/ .45 cal) or direct me to a site that will show ballistics on each? Also, can anyone rank the recoil on these three from lowest to highest? Is there that much difference in them at all? The .40 I shot was very nice!

Any advice/comments welcome :)

[WhiteRubi]

It really depends on your intentions. plinking? concealed carry? home defense?

you need to find on that fits your hands. the 21 is a handful if you have smaller hands. the 10mm will have lots of recoil. the .40, well, I personally don't like them but it seems to be a love/hate thing.

I've got 2 Glock 19's (9mm) I wouldn't trade either of them for any of the above mentioned Glocks. The ability to carry more than 15 rounds and being able to get back on target quickly is better than having 10 rounds of something you can't shoot. Ammo prices are better for 9mm than any of the above mentioned as well. I had a Glock 30. It was a smaller frame .45 with 6+1 capacity. It was nice, but not nearly as comfortable or cheap to shoot as a G19.

just my .02

[aceoky]

I've shot all three, the .45 is the slowest (but shoots a heavier bullet) then the .40 is next, the 10 mm is the fastest of the bunch (IF loaded to it's potential, many are not, even some FBI had trouble handling the recoil of the 10mm, so many are not loaded to full potential, almost like a .40 actually)

In terms of recoil, *I* would say the .40 , .45 and the 10mm in that order, not too much difference imho from the .40 and .45 you CAN tell the difference in the 10mm

Loads most often used for defense purposes in each....

From my Hornady Fifth Edition (MAX LOADS for comparison purposes only)

.40 S&W- 180 Grain bullet MAX - 1050 FPS (Feet Per Second)
10 mm - 180 Grain bullet - 1250 FPS
.45 ACP - 230 Grain bullets- 900 FPS

[Jman]

This is exactly the kind of response I was hoping for. Someone who had shot different calibers. I like accuracy so the 10 mm recoil issue may be a concern. If the .40 and the .45 are similar, the .45 may be the ticket. I own several rifles but this will be my first centerfire handgun. I do a lot of research prior to purchasing. I'm just getting started. I hope to find a 21/.45 and try it. Thanks to both of you (WhiteRubi and Aceoky) for your advice/opinions.

WhiteRubi, I've shot some 9's and like them. To answer your three questions, "all the above". I agree with you on the smoothness/lack of recoil on the 9. I just kind of wanted to try something a little larger. If the right deal came along on a 9, I wouldn't turn it down. The size of the 21 and 22 is fine. I'm not fond of the smaller Glocks (don't know model no.'s) where your little finger has no room on the grip. I've shot some of them and didn't particularly care for the feel of those. The 21 and 22 feel fine.

Thanks again fellas.

[mmayes]

I am curious are you planning on plinking, hunting, or personnal defense.

The 10mm is capable of being used as a hunting round and is basically a longer hotter version of the .40cal. Recoil can be excessive.

The .40 cal in glocks are not a fully supported chamber and if you plan on reloading I suggest you load lighter than factory. I have heard of waaaaaaaay to many disasters w/.40cal's blowing up w/hot reloads. There is basically 160 and 180gr loads available which limits choices. I think the recoil is a little excessive in the glocks. One positive is if you get a .40cal you can also buy a drop in .357 sig barrel and have 2 different caliber options and still use the same mags.

The .45 an old old round. there are many loadings for it from 100gr Powr Ballr's to I belive 250gr & you can get +P rounds. Many load choices. the recoil is very managable depending on load choice. I honestly believe the .40 recoil is worse than the .45. People w/smaller hands tend to have trouble w/the grip size.

Mayes

[aceoky]

Anytime, always happy to help (or try to at least) :)

[30WCF]

I've owned all the ones you mention, I currently have the 40, like it the best. I love the model 21 but if I'm going to shoot something of that size I'd prefer a big revolver like I would hunt with.
The 40 just seems to fit the style of gun better IMO.

[Jman]

MMayes/30WCF,
To answer your question, possibly all three. I've been advised that if planning to hunt, only use a revolver. I'm not sure I fully understand why that would have to be the case other than the action absorbing some of the energy of the round? Anyway, I can't imagine that the Glock .40 or .45 wouldn't suffice.

For hunting, what's a reasonable range to expect accuracy and killing effect? Is 50 yards out of the question? I'm a bow hunter so 30 yards or less seems more in the line of reality.

I don't ever expect to reload so that's not a big conern to me. I was advised yesterday that the Glock 21 now has a "slim grip" for easier handling? The large grip is not a problem for me so I don't know if the slim size is that big of an advantage or not. I can get the 21 for $535 out the door N.I.B. The 22 for $495 N.I.B. I don't know of anyone that can beat that price. However, I will continue to shop around.

I also understand the Springfield XD seems to be popular. The jury is still out on that one. I don't personally know anyone shooting it. It's about $50 less on the price tag. I'm still focusing on the Glock.

I really appreciate your advice/comments. I probably analyze matters too much but I always end up happy with my decisions :)

[jeffd34006]

I think Bud sells G22's for 460+ tax.

[Tha' Hat]

The theory is revolvers are usually more accurate, but that's not always the case. I do think they make a better hunting gun, however. Revolvers are available in heavier calibers (provided you rule out novelties like the Desert Eagle, etc.) Glock wise, if you're wanting one to hunt, the 10 mm is the only way to go. A .45 will work, but almost all factory loads for it are designed for self defense, not hunting, and don't provide the energy you really need for reliable penetration. There are several 10 mm hunting loads.

If you're wanting a double-duty hunting/defense gun, I would get a double-action .44 magnum revolver with about a 5 1/2 inch barrel. Shoot .44 special silvertips out of it for defense, and dial in a good .44 magnum hollowpoint or soft point for hunting, but that's just me.

Get a Glock in a suitable caliber and learn to shoot it well. The 10mm should provide plenty of punch out to 50 yards or a little more. Ballistics wise (if memory serves), it's a little more potent than a .357 mag, generally considered the minimum in a revolver, and I've killed deer out to 57 yards with that.

[aceoky]

FWIW, our own JD Miller killed a nice deer with a .40 S&W auto this past season....with great results I might add...

I agree with The Hat, hard to find any factory ammo that I'd trust for game animals in the .45 ACP.....since you don't plan to reload that only leaves the .40 or the 10 mm and in Factory loadings I'll agree the 10 mm has the better choices of hunting rounds in factory ammo.

Also (again) you can buy factory rounds "downloaded" to about .40 S&W speeds for the 10 mm so that makes it somewhat better IMO for practicing with it, and not "beating yourself up" too much...

Any of them are great for defense purposes, for hunting and for factory, the only real choices that I'd trust would be the .40 or the 10mm fwiw

[30WCF]

I can shoot the Glocks accurate enough for close range hunting but I never considered using one. I'm just want a revolver when it comes to handgun hunting. In my experience the revolvers are much more accurate, have better triggers and come in larger calibers.
I prefer a semi for personal protection because they are thinner.
As far as target shooting goes, ones as much fun as the other, just a different kind of shooting.
Theres no such thing as an all around handgun for me.

[Jman]

I bumped into a guy this weekend that had Glock 22C. He said that it would shoot smoother (less recoil) than the Glock 22. Any advice on the pros/cons of the 22C over the 22? Is it my imangination or would the 22C be deafening?

[WhiteRubi]

I bumped into a guy this weekend that had Glock 22C. He said that it would shoot smoother (less recoil) than the Glock 22. Any advice on the pros/cons of the 22C over the 22? Is it my imangination or would the 22C be deafening?
Although the G22c probably has a little less felt recoil, the negatives outweigh the positives for me.

The compensated model has a higher price tag
The compensated model will probably be louder
The compensated model will have a significant muzzle flash (Think shooting at night. If you don't think you'll shoot at night, I hope you never get broken into. This will make a second shot harder)
The compensated model will probably blow hot powder all over you. In a self defense situation, you likely won't have safety glasses on.

just a few negatives.
personal opinion, I'd rather have a round I can handle (9mm) than a compensated .45 acp