Glock 23 vs 19?

Joe_Pike · May 4, 2014, 07:39 PM

I know they are essentially the same gun other than caliber, but I have a question for those that own/have owned both - if you did get rid of one or had to for some reason which one would you keep and why.

I bought a 19 last summer because I found a smokin' deal on an unfired gen 3. I recently picked up a gen 3 23 with three mags for $370 OTD with the thought of using it for trading fodder. It's a cop trade-in that has been shot very little and has nightsights. It is in very good shape. I don't own any other .40 S&W guns, and never really wanted to. I just picked this one up because it seemed like a good deal and I had a gift card to use. Now I'm wondering if I should just keep it and sell the19. And, yes , I know that I can get aftermarket barrels for 9mm and .357 Sig, I just don't know if I want to spend the extra money to do so.

subhuman · May 4, 2014, 08:33 PM

I own both, I carry the 23 always... yeah if you push the 9mm hard enough it can almost match the decent .40 ammo but if you are going to push it that hard you are buying very expensive ammo and the recoil is up there with the .40 anyway. I like my G19 but i would trade it off before my G23.
plus if you want to buy the "Good" .40 ammo you can match anything the .357 sig can do and get pretty deep into the 10mm power range

colbad · May 4, 2014, 08:34 PM

I have both. I carried the 19 for work for many years and enjoyed it. We now transitioned to all .40. I am a believer in the .40 for stopping power and find the G23 a nice compromise between the G22 and G27 both which I now carry for work. My G19 is now more of a range plinker for the wife and kids to play with. The G19 is a good reliable gun that would do fine for general self defense if needed. However, carrying as a professional who is expected to engage when things go bad, I prefer the stopping power of .40 and that would be the G23. Although this may become more of a caliber discussion, it is only the caliber that would make me choose the G23 over the G19.

redrick · May 4, 2014, 08:43 PM

I have a G23 and I am accurate enough with it . I really don't like the snappy recoil of it . I would not sell it because it has been very reliable , but I sometimes think that I would like the 19 better .

You have both , so only you can make the best decision for yourself .

Captains1911 · May 4, 2014, 09:51 PM

I own a Gen3 G19 and G23, and a Gen4 G19. I love the G23, but if I had to chose only one, the G19 is just hard to beat. Owning both is nice since they share the same holsters, mag pouches, etc. and when ammo was scarce .40 seemed a little easier to find.

hank327 · May 4, 2014, 10:04 PM

I have a Gen 2 G23 and a Gen3 G19. I would keep the G19 if I had to get rid of one of them with no hesitation or second thoughts. For me the G19 is so much easier to shoot well and fast than the G23 that it's like night and day. The G23 has a much snappier recoil and muzzle blast than the 19. I'm not sure why I still have that G23 as it is by far my least favorite handgun.

silverstang23 · May 4, 2014, 10:38 PM

I own only the 23. I have the kkm conversion barrel so I can shoot 9mm. That makes it exactly the same gun. IMO no reason to have both unless you have a project planned for one. I switch the barrel at the range all the time. Takes half a second and is never to hot to touch.

Pico · May 4, 2014, 11:01 PM

Hmmm great deal on the 23. Congrats! My suggestions FWIW:

1) Keep both and you can always sell off one if you need $400 bucks or so in a pinch. You can use the same holsters for both pistols.

2) If you feel now like you only want one, buy 100 rounds for both and see which one you shoot best. You have a great opportunity to evaluate the same gun in both calibers. If you do this, please post your findings.

3) Sell the 19, get a Lone Wolf conversion barrel for the 23 with the money and have lots of cash left over for ammo.

4) Sell both. Buy a Sig. Oops I mean give the money to your wife for Mother's Day.

Pico

SHE3PDOG · May 4, 2014, 11:29 PM

Quote:

If you feel now like you only want one, buy 100 rounds for both and see which one you shoot best. You have a great opportunity to evaluate the same gun in both calibers. If you do this, please post your findings.

This is probably the best suggestion.

That being said, I own both a black G23 gen 3 and an FDE G19 gen 3. If I had to give one up, it would be the G23. I wouldn't even hesitate about it. I shoot the G19 better, and the FDE is pretty cool. The only reason the G23 is still around is because it was my first gun, during a crisis 40 is easier to find than 9, and I have modified it quite a bit for fun range use.

tangolima · May 4, 2014, 11:29 PM

I would definitely keep the g23.

I can easily convert a 23 to shoot 9mm or .357 sig by simply dropping in conversion barrels. I don't think you can do the same with a g19 without having a different slide. The barrel hole in a g19 slide is smaller.

-TL

guruatbol · May 5, 2014, 01:05 AM

I had a 19. It was stolen and I replaced it with a 23. I like them both and shoot them both the same. I like the 40 better than the 9 and I reload 40, so I would keep the 23 if it were me.

However I like the suggestion of you shooting them both and make a decision. If you don't need the money, you can always keep them both.

So, bottom line is that you have a very unique opportunity and we all can benefit from your evaluation.

I would only consider a 9 in my safe again if it were a 19 or a sig. To me there is not much difference in recoil and my wife shoots 38 so no need for her.

Mel

Model12Win · May 5, 2014, 01:18 AM

I would keep the G23 forty cal for its much greater stopping power.

wojtekimbier · May 5, 2014, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Model12Win

I would keep the G23 forty cal for its much greater stopping power.

There is no significant "stopping power" difference between popular carry semi-auto calibers (.380acp, 9mm, .40s&w, .45acp). If you want to notice a "much greater stopping power" you have to carry a .44 magnum or a centerfire rifle. Most semi-auto cartridges are basically equal.
See this post

Sharkbite · May 5, 2014, 01:53 PM

I have a cpl 23's and a 35. I just put a 40-9 conversion barrel into one of my 23's. Basically turned it into a 19. And got one for my 35. Turned it into a 34

I would recommend you keep the 23 and get a conv barrel. Just like having both guns without the $ sunk into mtpl platforms

Sabrewolfe · May 5, 2014, 04:27 PM

Ditto on buying a G23 and getting a conversion barrel. The .40S&W mags will work just fine for range work with the 9mm rounds, so no need to buy a bunch of extra mags. Gets you the best of both calibers without having to buy two separate guns.

Fishbed77 · May 5, 2014, 04:45 PM

Quote:

There is no significant "stopping power" difference between popular carry semi-auto calibers (.380acp, 9mm, .40s&w, .45acp). If you want to notice a "much greater stopping power" you have to carry a .44 magnum or a centerfire rifle. Most semi-auto cartridges are basically equal.

Indeed.

RUT · May 5, 2014, 05:10 PM

I too own both, but if it came down to "if you could only have one Glock" it would be the G23.

Dirty_Harry · May 5, 2014, 06:50 PM

I hate 40's.

I had a glock 23 and I shot well with it. I just hate the snap of the 40 when it offers no real world difference over the 9.

I plan to get a glock 19 soon.

Pico · May 5, 2014, 07:26 PM

Here it goes again for the .40 and 9mm endless debate.

Pico

2ndchance · May 5, 2014, 07:56 PM

Bottom line is this: carry the biggest caliber you can effectively shoot with speed and accuracy. Both 9mm and 40SW will do the job with a well placed shot.

Theohazard · May 6, 2014, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Model12Win

I would keep the G23 forty cal for its much greater stopping power.

I've seen enough of Model12Win's other posts to know this is just a sarcastic/joke/troll post, but it will probably fan the flames of yet another caliber war nonetheless...

As for the OP: It doesn't really make much difference which one you pick, so just pick the one you shoot best.

dos0711 · May 6, 2014, 04:21 PM

It really doesn't matter as long as you practice and become proficient with either one.

May 4, 2014, 07:39 PM	#1
Joe_Pike Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2010 Posts: 1,583	Glock 23 vs 19? I know they are essentially the same gun other than caliber, but I have a question for those that own/have owned both - if you did get rid of one or had to for some reason which one would you keep and why. I bought a 19 last summer because I found a smokin' deal on an unfired gen 3. I recently picked up a gen 3 23 with three mags for $370 OTD with the thought of using it for trading fodder. It's a cop trade-in that has been shot very little and has nightsights. It is in very good shape. I don't own any other .40 S&W guns, and never really wanted to. I just picked this one up because it seemed like a good deal and I had a gift card to use. Now I'm wondering if I should just keep it and sell the19. And, yes , I know that I can get aftermarket barrels for 9mm and .357 Sig, I just don't know if I want to spend the extra money to do so. __________________ Stay Groovy

May 4, 2014, 11:01 PM	#8
Pico Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2002 Location: Ga Posts: 515	19+23 = ? Hmmm great deal on the 23. Congrats! My suggestions FWIW: 1) Keep both and you can always sell off one if you need $400 bucks or so in a pinch. You can use the same holsters for both pistols. 2) If you feel now like you only want one, buy 100 rounds for both and see which one you shoot best. You have a great opportunity to evaluate the same gun in both calibers. If you do this, please post your findings. 3) Sell the 19, get a Lone Wolf conversion barrel for the 23 with the money and have lots of cash left over for ammo. 4) Sell both. Buy a Sig. Oops I mean give the money to your wife for Mother's Day. Pico

May 5, 2014, 01:05 AM	#11
guruatbol Senior Member Join Date: March 9, 2009 Location: Utah Posts: 285	I had a 19. It was stolen and I replaced it with a 23. I like them both and shoot them both the same. I like the 40 better than the 9 and I reload 40, so I would keep the 23 if it were me. However I like the suggestion of you shooting them both and make a decision. If you don't need the money, you can always keep them both. So, bottom line is that you have a very unique opportunity and we all can benefit from your evaluation. I would only consider a 9 in my safe again if it were a 19 or a sig. To me there is not much difference in recoil and my wife shoots 38 so no need for her. Mel __________________ They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. - Thomas Jefferson It matters not what color the cat is, but that the cat gets the mouse. - Some Asian

May 5, 2014, 05:10 PM	#17
RUT Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2004 Posts: 823	I too own both, but if it came down to "if you could only have one Glock" it would be the G23. __________________ Liberals don't care what you do... as long as it's mandated.

May 5, 2014, 07:26 PM	#19
Pico Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2002 Location: Ga Posts: 515	Runs for the fire extinguisher Here it goes again for the .40 and 9mm endless debate. Pico

May 4, 2014, 08:33 PM	#2
subhuman Senior Member Join Date: April 21, 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 383	I own both, I carry the 23 always... yeah if you push the 9mm hard enough it can almost match the decent .40 ammo but if you are going to push it that hard you are buying very expensive ammo and the recoil is up there with the .40 anyway. I like my G19 but i would trade it off before my G23. plus if you want to buy the "Good" .40 ammo you can match anything the .357 sig can do and get pretty deep into the 10mm power range

May 4, 2014, 08:34 PM	#3
colbad Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2012 Posts: 506	I have both. I carried the 19 for work for many years and enjoyed it. We now transitioned to all .40. I am a believer in the .40 for stopping power and find the G23 a nice compromise between the G22 and G27 both which I now carry for work. My G19 is now more of a range plinker for the wife and kids to play with. The G19 is a good reliable gun that would do fine for general self defense if needed. However, carrying as a professional who is expected to engage when things go bad, I prefer the stopping power of .40 and that would be the G23. Although this may become more of a caliber discussion, it is only the caliber that would make me choose the G23 over the G19.

May 4, 2014, 08:43 PM	#4
redrick Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,043	I have a G23 and I am accurate enough with it . I really don't like the snappy recoil of it . I would not sell it because it has been very reliable , but I sometimes think that I would like the 19 better . You have both , so only you can make the best decision for yourself .

May 4, 2014, 09:51 PM	#5
Captains1911 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2009 Location: West of the Blue Ridge, VA Posts: 697	I own a Gen3 G19 and G23, and a Gen4 G19. I love the G23, but if I had to chose only one, the G19 is just hard to beat. Owning both is nice since they share the same holsters, mag pouches, etc. and when ammo was scarce .40 seemed a little easier to find.

May 4, 2014, 10:04 PM	#6
hank327 Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 106	I have a Gen 2 G23 and a Gen3 G19. I would keep the G19 if I had to get rid of one of them with no hesitation or second thoughts. For me the G19 is so much easier to shoot well and fast than the G23 that it's like night and day. The G23 has a much snappier recoil and muzzle blast than the 19. I'm not sure why I still have that G23 as it is by far my least favorite handgun.

May 4, 2014, 10:38 PM	#7
silverstang23 Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2013 Posts: 180	I own only the 23. I have the kkm conversion barrel so I can shoot 9mm. That makes it exactly the same gun. IMO no reason to have both unless you have a project planned for one. I switch the barrel at the range all the time. Takes half a second and is never to hot to touch.

May 4, 2014, 11:29 PM	#10
tangolima Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2013 Posts: 5,124	I would definitely keep the g23. I can easily convert a 23 to shoot 9mm or .357 sig by simply dropping in conversion barrels. I don't think you can do the same with a g19 without having a different slide. The barrel hole in a g19 slide is smaller. -TL

May 5, 2014, 01:18 AM	#12
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	I would keep the G23 forty cal for its much greater stopping power.

May 5, 2014, 01:53 PM	#14
Sharkbite Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2013 Location: Western slope of Colorado Posts: 3,822	I have a cpl 23's and a 35. I just put a 40-9 conversion barrel into one of my 23's. Basically turned it into a 19. And got one for my 35. Turned it into a 34 I would recommend you keep the 23 and get a conv barrel. Just like having both guns without the $ sunk into mtpl platforms

May 5, 2014, 04:27 PM	#15
Sabrewolfe Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2014 Location: Little Rock, Arkansas Posts: 140	Ditto on buying a G23 and getting a conversion barrel. The .40S&W mags will work just fine for range work with the 9mm rounds, so no need to buy a bunch of extra mags. Gets you the best of both calibers without having to buy two separate guns.

May 5, 2014, 06:50 PM	#18
Dirty_Harry Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2006 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Posts: 1,484	I hate 40's. I had a glock 23 and I shot well with it. I just hate the snap of the 40 when it offers no real world difference over the 9. I plan to get a glock 19 soon.

May 5, 2014, 07:56 PM	#20
2ndchance Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2008 Location: Glendale, AZ Posts: 180	Bottom line is this: carry the biggest caliber you can effectively shoot with speed and accuracy. Both 9mm and 40SW will do the job with a well placed shot.

May 6, 2014, 04:21 PM	#22
dos0711 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2012 Location: Northeast, Fl Posts: 254	It really doesn't matter as long as you practice and become proficient with either one.