Glock 23, gen3

[jeffrefrig]

There's an add at a LGS for a model 23, .40 cal. 3rd gen, with 5 13 round mags for around $420. If it's in decent shape, does this sound like a gun worth taking a chance on? Anything I should look for that may be a problem?
Yes, I know it's a Glock, and this is S&W people I'm talking to, but I just would like a .40 cal., and with the 5 extra mags, under $500, I'd like to take a ride over there to look at it. Any suggestions or help would be appreciated. (Except for "Don't buy it because it's a Glock!")
Thanks, Jeff

 

[Fishinfool]

You wont hear me talking you out of it. If the gun passes the usual inspection you would give any firearm prior to purchase, then $400 for a clean model 23 with 5 mags is a fair price. I do believe the days of clean police trade in Glocks for $300 are over.

The gun is a proven performer, and the .40, while not the current "In" cartridge, will still be around long after we are gone.

The only issue to consider is the chamber support issue Glocks chambered in .40 are known for. More prevalent in generation 1 & 2 guns, it is not an issue unless you want to run handloads using brass that has the familiar "Glock Bulge" at the ragged edge pressure wise, risking a case failure at the base. These Glock "Kabooms" invariably involve hot reloads and earlier generation guns with poor chamber support at the cartridge base.

Still have my early 2nd. gen model 19 that has been a test mule for years, with over 30k rounds thru it, virtually trouble free. My 1st. year 26 is still a carry favorite, simply because of its reliability and accuracy.

If the gun is in good shape, fits your hand and points well for you, and it fills a need, then buy it.

Larry

 

[jimmyj]

BUY IT,NOW !

 

[AppStFan]

As was mentioned previously if it passes the usual examination for function, safety, and it only has honest wear then I would say $420 is a decent deal in today's market.

A Glock 23 will serve you well. If you are worried about chamber support you can always get an aftermarket barrel from someone such as KKM Precision. Another advantage of the G23 is that you can get conversion barrels in 9mm and .357 Sig and basically have three guns in one. I am a fan of the .40 and carried one both on and off duty for many years.

 

[ColbyBruce]

I agree with the previous replies. I will add that the Glock Sport/Combat holster is around $15.00 and money well spent. This holster is strong, durable, adjustable, inexpensive. It is not so great at concealing though. The standard polymer sights can shear off so I do recommend swapping those out for steel sights.

 

[CH4]

Good deal
Buy it!

 

[petepeterson]

Before prices got crazy my motto was "sub $400 Glocks and sub-$500 ARs." If I saw them, I grabbed them. I'm not overly fond of either gun, but they are the "standard" to me, when it comes to teaching, and make a great barter piece.
Adjusted for inflation, that pistol fits. I won't snake it of you (I don't own .40 yet, but that would be my pick), but where did you see it?

 

[Glashaus]

I have an ex police issue Gen 3 G23 that is one of my favorite Glocks. Only thing that I had to do with it was replace the night sights as the ones that were on it had lost their glow. I have 5 Glocks, great pistols. I didn't really like them until I bought a G17 and started shooting it

 

[Faulkner]

My gen 3 Glock 23 has been my everyday uniform carry for 21 years. After zillions of rounds through it by way of quarterly qualifications and shooting it in quite a few competitions I have never had a problem with it. About 2/3rds of the ammo through it are my own reloads and I have seen no reason to get hung up on that whole ".40 unsupported throat" thing, just stay away from hot loads it wasn't designed for.

I replaced the original Trijicon night sights with a new set a couple of years ago. They reportedly last about 10 years but the originals on mine lasted closer to 19 years before they got dim. The only other thing I've done to mine is replace the factory Glock guide rod with a spring encapsulated titanium guide rod.

I have been very impressed with how well the original Tenifer coating has held up on my G23. Mine is often in and out of the holster several times a day for over 20 years and the gun only shows some minor buffing around the muzzle end. Unless you use one for a hammer, Glocks have a tendency to hold up well over time.

As a LE instructor I have shot a lot of different guns carried by LEO's. I am a big fan of S&W revolvers, especially the 686 and 3 inch 65, and I'm quite fond of 1911s, but in my opinion the best and most reliable duty and concealed carry handgun is the Glock 23.

 

[LVSteve]

If you buy it, change the recoil spring. My buddy had a 23C that would throw empties into the next zip code and I found the recoil somewhat harsh.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Had-have one.
I passed it down to my Son.

 

[jeffrefrig]

Petepeterson, I saw it in Verona Gun Safe online inventory ad. If I don't grab it, or if it's gone, I'll let yinz know.
jimmyj, Okay, you twisted my arm!
I did own a Glock once, but I didn't care for it all that much. A G42. But, snappy as it was, paper plates were dead from the 25 yard line. For ME, a gun that small, I was lucky to hit this hemisphere!
Thank you all for the info. I believe if I saw it online, a thousand other guys did, too! We'll see...

 

[Loyaljeeper]

My agency was one of the first in the country to get Glock 23s in the early 90's. They had all variations until we recently traded for 19MOS. Very few minor problems over the years that may have been user error or flat out neglect. I could have bought an unissued one for $335 when we traded; I kick myself for not doing it now. I probably have more rounds through a Glock 23 than any other Glock model. The Glock 23 is tried and proven.

I was at GT Distributors in Rossville the last two days. They sell about as many police trade ins as anyone in the country, and they were doing $315 OTD deals on nice 40 trade ins a year or two ago. Yesterday, the cheapest used Glock 23 was rough and would have been about $375 OTD. There was a decent deal on a Gen 3 22 at about $325 OTD. Other than that, the cheap 40s aren't out there at the moment. In fact, I'm seeing a few good deals on Gen 4 17 and 19 as agencies want the Gen 5 or specifically a Gen 5 model 45.

 

[Abflyboy]

3rd gen G23's are probably the best of all the Glock pistols in my opinion.
I would not hesitate to pay that dollar amount for the gun and 5 mags.

Also, you can use the larger G22 mags if you don't mind it sticking out a bit. I carry mine with a G23 mag in the mag well and my reloads are G22 mags.

 

[woodsltc]

Any suggestions or help would be appreciated. Thanks, Jeff

Seems to be a good deal to me (if it passes your inspection).

I have two Gen3, G-23's that I've had for many years and shot countless rounds through without a hiccup.

Don

 

[jeffrefrig]

Okay, the shop was closed yesterday (Mondays) so I got up early and got over there around 11:30 today. They open at 11. I found the gun and couldn't believe the condition this gun was in! It looked brand new, and I saw no scratches, holster wear, nothing that my eyes would say it's used. You'd think with the 3 extra mags, 5 total, that it was probably a LEO or someone's with a need for a service weapon, but I can't find didly squat of any marks on it. It also came with the cleaning brush and a Glock mag loading assist thing. I don't know what it's worth, so as far as I'm concerned, it's worth the $419.99 + 5 dollar criminal check + 29.75 tax. There's an extra recoil spring in the box so I suppose that was the original one. I'll take it out soon to see how it shoots. Appreciate all your help. Thank yinz all!

 

[Old cop]

The third gen G23 was my issued weapon before retirement. Excellent weapon @ a great price.

 

[sw44spl]

Here is some police glocks I have The G22gen4 and the G23gen4 were $310 officer price Boone NC and Warrenton NC police. The G27 was $345 it was Huntersville NC police gun. I like the G23 size it is just right for CCW.

 

[DesertFox]

G23 - arguably the best Glock to have. Simple conversion barrel for 9mm and .357 Sig if it floats yer boat. 3 caliber setup at minimal investment.

Strong buy!

 

[pawncop]

Carried a model 23 as a backup gun for several years.

Now have the 32 (357 Sig) and a 40 caliber barrel so in essence have the 23 also.

 

[woodsltc]

I don't know what it's worth, so as far as I'm concerned, it's worth the $419.99 + 5 dollar criminal check + 29.75 tax. There's an extra recoil spring in the box so I suppose that was the original one.

I think you did well............let us know how it shoots when you get a chance to check it out.

Don

 

[Racer X]

As was mentioned previously if it passes the usual examination for function, safety, and it only has honest wear then I would say $420 is a decent deal in today's market.

A Glock 23 will serve you well. If you are worried about chamber support you can always get an aftermarket barrel from someone such as KKM Precision. Another advantage of the G23 is that you can get conversion barrels in 9mm and .357 Sig and basically have three guns in one. I am a fan of the .40 and carried one both on and off duty for many years.

I recently bought a gen 5 23 MOS, and plan on the 357 SIG and 9mm barrels. Glock 17 or 19 magazines fit perfectly for the 9mm conversion barrel.

 

[uncleted327]

Nobody has made the conversion barrels for the Gen 5 40s yet except Bar-Sto and they are only for the G22 and are half the price of the whole gun and still require fitting to work. Dumbest move yet for Glock not making the previous Gen barrels compatible...

 

[Ruger Nut]

Okay, the shop was closed yesterday (Mondays) so I got up early and got over there around 11:30 today. They open at 11. I found the gun and couldn't believe the condition this gun was in! It looked brand new, and I saw no scratches, holster wear, nothing that my eyes would say it's used. You'd think with the 3 extra mags, 5 total, that it was probably a LEO or someone's with a need for a service weapon, but I can't find didly squat of any marks on it. It also came with the cleaning brush and a Glock mag loading assist thing. I don't know what it's worth, so as far as I'm concerned, it's worth the $419.99 + 5 dollar criminal check + 29.75 tax. There's an extra recoil spring in the box so I suppose that was the original one. I'll take it out soon to see how it shoots. Appreciate all your help. Thank yinz all!

Pics or it never happened.
Great buy! Enjoy it.

 

[mscampbell2734]

The only issues I've seen in 40 call Glocks had to do with breech face erosion caused by shooting early non toxic lead free ammo.

The loads normally used zinc cored bullets, which resulted in very light bullets. In order to generate enough recoil to cycle the loads used a large powder charge that frequently leaked around the prime, causing erosion.

 

[Rudi]

I'm not a fan of Glocks. But if you want it, get it. Freedom, get it while it lasts.

 

[Kinman]

A friend of mine offered me a Glock .40 compensated model that was a L.E. exchange piece and showed no wear for $300. I bought it from him never having any interest in Glocks whatsoever but have a ton of .40 ammo for other model semi autos. I gotta say it is a sweet shooter, very accurate and comfortable to shoot. It is still ugly, but has changed my opinion about Glocks in general. It is not the pistol my HK USP .40 is but pretty darn close, especially the compensated part...I like it.

 

[bummer]

Well, how does it shoot?

 

[jeffrefrig]

Well, how does it shoot?

I actually just had it out last week, just before the rain fell. Gameland's range rules no more than 6 rounds loaded max. I pre-loaded the 5 mags the day before and it ran with no issues whatsoever. I was on the short handgun range (15 yds.) and hit paper, but it was one of those days when my hand was shaking, I couldn't get any tight group but I hit the silhouette guy's center mass good enough to satisfy myself, but I know I can do better next time up there (Wexford).
Just yesterday I tried to load the mags to full capacity, but using that mag loader assist thing I couldn't get any but one mag topped off. The rest maybe 9-11. I hope they loosen up a little. I don't know if that is normal? They looked unused except for one of them had a little marking on the follower. The cases landed about 6' away. First time shooting .40 caliber pistol; it had some recoil but no time did it ever feel uncomfortable.
I'm gonna try to get back up there this week some time.
For some reason I can't post pics with this Apple computer, only on my older one. And that one won't let me load pics from my newer I Phone on it.
I don't know if the extra recoil spring is the original or replacement. I have a friend that is a Glock fan; I'll see if he knows.
I'm gonna look into that $15 holster that was shown up above. Not for CCW but maybe with a jacket or flannel in colder weather it will work OK.

 

[bummer]

I actually just had it out last week, just before the rain fell. Gameland's range rules no more than 6 rounds loaded max. I pre-loaded the 5 mags the day before and it ran with no issues whatsoever. I was on the short handgun range (15 yds.) and hit paper, but it was one of those days when my hand was shaking, I couldn't get any tight group but I hit the silhouette guy's center mass good enough to satisfy myself, but I know I can do better next time up there (Wexford).
Just yesterday I tried to load the mags to full capacity, but using that mag loader assist thing I couldn't get any but one mag topped off. The rest maybe 9-11. I hope they loosen up a little. I don't know if that is normal? They looked unused except for one of them had a little marking on the follower. The cases landed about 6' away. First time shooting .40 caliber pistol; it had some recoil but no time did it ever feel uncomfortable.
I'm gonna try to get back up there this week some time.
For some reason I can't post pics with this Apple computer, only on my older one. And that one won't let me load pics from my newer I Phone on it.
I don't know if the extra recoil spring is the original or replacement. I have a friend that is a Glock fan; I'll see if he knows.
I'm gonna look into that $15 holster that was shown up above. Not for CCW but maybe with a jacket or flannel in colder weather it will work OK.

Glad you were able to get it to the range. I put the Beretta APX that the shop had on lay-a-way and was going to pick it up on Saturday but I was called into work. Did you happen to see the Model 27 he had ? 6" and I believe original grips