Caliber - .40SW
Capacity - 13+1
Action - Glock's proprietary "Safe Action" system
Barrel - 4.02 inches
Weight - 23.62 oz. with empty magazine
Introduced in the early 1990s, the Glock 23 was the first compact pistol to chamber the .40SW cartridge. Identical in all respects except caliber to the 9mm G19, the 23 was in instant hit with law enforcement and armed citizens alike, and it continues to be one of Glock's hottest selling models nationwide. Original capacity was 13+1, but this was reduced to 10+1 by the 1994 magazine ban. Current production versions of the G23 feature the 3rd Generation "FG&R" frame with molded finger grooves and accessory rails.
Not being a particular fan of the .40SW round, I held off buying a G23 for a LONG time. After getting my Kahr K40 and spending some trigger time on a borrowed subcompact Glock 27, I warmed up to the .40 and began to consider adding a G23 to my inventory. I eventually did, and after I bought my first G23, a second one quickly followed! Why two of the same model? A number of reasons. Whenever I find a weapon system I like, I tend to accumulate multiple examples in different configurations (for instance, my 4 AR-15s, 2 AKs, 2 Saigas, multiple Glocks and Kahrs). Also, since I planned to make the G23 one of my main carry guns, I wanted to have a similar gun in reserve in case my primary went in for custom work or repairs, or was taken as evidence in the (hopefully unlikely) event of a self-defense shooting. One of my G23s has been customized by Robar Industries with a nickel-teflon finish. It is my "show gun," while the other 23 retains the stock matte black finish, and is my "carry gun". Sights, trigger and other controls are identical between the two pistols, to keep training requirements as streamlined as possible.
This G23 was bought used from the gunshop where I work part-time. Actually, this is the third G23 I've owned; I had a black 2nd-Generation model for a short while, but I traded it in on this gun because I had decided to standardize on the 3rd-Gen "FG&R" frame for all my Glocks. This gun was in near-excellent condition with Meprolight night sights, and still had with it all the trappings that come with a new gun (box, manual, cleaning kit, 2 mags).
Range Testing
I've found that the finger grooves and thumb depressions of the 3rd-gen. frame alter the grip angle just
enough to drastically reduce the "Glock bite" (corner of frame abrades base of thumb) I'd experienced during high-volume range sessions with
full-power .40 ammo in my older G23s. Additionally, this pistol seems to shoot more accurately than either 2nd-generation model I've owned. I believe this to be a function of the natural pointing characteristics of the FG&R frame, combined
with greater comfort allowing me to shoot the gun better. Reliability has been typical Glock - flawless, aside from malfunctions caused by bad ammo (usually my reloads).
Upgrades and Enhancements
My black 3rd-Gen. G23 sports the same carry enhancements as the rest of my Glocks - night sights, carry trigger setup, extended slide stop and magazine catch, and frame plug. For details on these and other Glock accessories, see the
Gear Page.
The Bottom Line
With a higher velocity, flatter trajectory and as much or more
energy than the .45ACP, yet able to be fired from a 9mm-sized pistol with a reasonable
magazine capacity, the .40 is perhaps THE ideal pistol round for personal defense. And the
Glock 23, large enough to have a good capacity and sight radius, yet small enough for the
average person to conceal, is the perhaps the ideal launch platform. This combination is the
"unofficial official" sidearm for instructors and alumni of Firearms Research & Instruction,
Inc. Nuff said.
