Glock 19 vs Glock 23: It’s a Caliber Battle…

First introduced three decades ago, the Glock 19 and Glock 23 remain a standard of measure for those looking for a personal defense or duty handgun. Although there are more streamlined pistols out there that hold nearly as many rounds, the G19 and G23 continue to strike the right balance between size, capacity, and easy of operation that make them popular on the street and in the hands of civilian law enforcement. But if you look at them side by side, you will notice that they are identical pistols. Their slide width, barrel length, grip dimensions, and overall cosmetics look the same.

The only difference that gives them away up close is that the Glock 19 is marked 9mm Luger and the Glock 23 is marked for .40 S&W. They are the same pistol but in different calibers. Between the two, one has to ask which is better? Much of that will revolve around caliber and how caliber affects all manner of things, from shooting economics to performance on target. Follow along as we look into the diverging characteristics of two identical pistols, the Glock 19 and Glock 23. 

Spec Comparison

The Glock 19

The Glock 19 was first introduced in 1988 as a more compact version of the Glock 17 9mm duty pistol. It has an overall length 0.7 inches shorter and a height 0.5 inches shorter. The shorter grip gave up come capacity, as the Glock 19 holds fifteen rounds of ammunition, whereas the Glock 17 holds seventeen.

Despite the waning popularity of the 9mm Luger cartridge, the Glock 19 gained some law enforcement popularity, especially after the introduction of 9mm +P ammunition in the mid-1990s. The 19 was also competitive in the military market. The Glock 19 was adopted as an option for the US SOCOM and Navy Seals. Other nations from Argentina to Australia to Britain adopted the Glock 17 and Glock 19 pistols to replace their aging Browning Hi Powers in the 2010s. Concurrently, advancements in 9mm defensive ammunition led to the FBI adopting the Glock 19. That adoption has led to a tidal wave of police departments across the United States turning the .40 caliber pistols for the 9mm, the Glock 19 being the most popular. But the undercurrent of domestic and international recognition has made it a recurring favorite in the commercial market. 

Models and Variations of the Glock 19

Over the last thirty-five years, there have been four generations of Glock 19 and a few independent variants, including:

Glock 19X: Glock’s entry into the XM17 Modular System Pistol trials. Features include a coyote tan finish, lanyard loop, and an elongated grip to accommodate a seventeen round magazine.

Glock 19MOS: Glock’s optics-ready version of the standard Glock 19.

The Glock 23

In the aftermath of the FBI’s Miami-Dade shootout in 1986, the agency found fault with their sidearms. The .357 Magnum Smith & Wesson revolvers used in the fight were now deemed too low capacity and too hard to reload. More consequential for this story is that three SWAT trained agents were armed with Smith & Wesson 459 9mm pistols. Although these pistols had a good capacity, the 9mm Luger round was found lacking in its inability to sufficiently penetrate and stop their opponents. 

The FBI briefly adopted the new 10mm Auto round in response, but many smaller-statured agents complained that the new round was onerous to shoot. The FBI began loading its ammunition lighter and the engineers at Smith & Wesson figured out that the longer 10mm case was just not necessary if the powder charge grew less and less. They also realized that a shorter 10mm case could function in existing 9mm design pistols with minimal retrofitting. But before Smith & Wesson could deliver their new pistol in the new .40 S&W to the FBI in 1990, Glock introduced the Glock 22 and Glock 23 pistols.

The Glock 23 is simply a shorter version of the Glock 22 in the same way the 19 is to the 17. Indeed, the Glock 23 was, and is, an identical pistol to the Glock 17 dimensionally. Both pistols proved particularly popular in the domestic law enforcement market that dropped their remaining revolvers and 9mm semi-autos for handguns chambered in .40. The Glock 23 was also popular in the commercial market that was eager to follow the latest police developments. But over the past decade the 9mm has seen a rehabilitation, culminating in the FBI’s 2015 decision to drop their .40 caliber Glock pistols for the Glock 19 in 9mm.

Models and Variations of the Glock 23

The Glock 23, like the Glock 19, has seen four generations (2-5), but only one variant:

Glock 23MOS: The optics-ready version of the standard Glock 23.

Glock 19 vs. Glock 23 Comparison

If you are considering the Glock 19 or the Glock 23, chances are the last word will come to caliber. Do you like 9mm or .40 S&W? Questions of power, or lack thereof, inevitably come about. However, power is only one aspect of the equation. Caliber differences do matter in terms of performance on target, but also on the user’s ability to shoot, carry, and accessorize their pistol. These matters are scaled against how much you want to pay and whether the tradeoffs are worth it. 

Carryability

The Glock 19 and Glock 23 are identical guns in dimensions. Most holsters made for the Glock 19 are going to fit the 23 and vice versa. Both are large in the era of the 9mm micro-compact, but I can manageably carry either inside or outside the waistband. The grips on both pistols are large enough to get a sure hold on the draw, but not so large to obviously print or bump into things. Weight will be identical, but the Glock 23 holds thirteen rounds. The Glock 19 holds fifteen. Is that enough to talk about? 

Shootability

Several years ago, when the Glock 23 was a bit more in vogue, it was not uncommon to see one on the firing line alongside Glock 19s. I have yet to see an instructor hand a student a Glock 23 to learn on a pistol. Most will use a 22 pistol, but some will use the Glock 19. Why? Because the Glock 19 in 9mm has lower recoil and lower muzzle flip over the .40 caliber Glock 23. In my own experience, the Glock 23 is not an unmanageable gun, but I could shoot the Glock 19 more quickly and with the same amount of accuracy. The more powerful .40 caliber round will react with an identical platform more, no matter how much you try to fight it with a death grip. The FBI adopted the Glock 19 because the 9mm Luger is easier to shoot than the .40. Certainly a clean hit with the 9mm is better than a clean miss with the .40.

Power

In any comparison that can be deemed fair, the .40 S&W round is more powerful than the 9mm Luger. Its .40 caliber bullet is wider than the .35 caliber round of the 9mm and it is heavier. 165-180 grain .40 caliber rounds are common, while most 9mm loads range between 115-147. Although the Glock 23 would not be a first choice as a hunting implement, the .40 has an edge over the 9mm on medium-sized game among those who pursue handgun hunting. Likewise, law enforcement officers in rural and wilderness areas have used the .40 to effectively bring down animals as large as moose. But does that make the 9mm weak? Absolutely not. 9mm +P and +P+ loads that have come online since the 1990s narrow the power gap. On the other hand, going for higher pressure 9mm loads will result in more recoil. 

Customization

Both the Glock 19 and Glock 23 are customizable to fit your needs. Glock parts as a whole are plentiful and it is easy to repair either model if one goes down. Night sights, custom barrels and higher capacity magazines are also plentiful. But the options for magazines and barrels are a bit wider with the 9mm Glock 19. For instance, in my local area, I easily found the extended 33 round 9mm Glock magazine in big box and boutique shops. The 31 round .40 caliber magazine is also out there, but it takes some searching. On the other hand, the Glock 23 can take a .357 Sig barrel and shoot the .357 Sig round with no additional modification. For those who like diversification, that is not a bad feature. 

Economics

Although most of us do not have bean counters to determine our gear selection, how economical a firearm is to own and shoot matters. The 9mm Luger is the clear winner if economics is your only concern. It is still the NATO standard pistol cartridge and is produced in great quantities. The 9mm Luger round is cheaper to shoot in practice as a result and the economies of scale also make 9mm Luger pistols more prevalent and less expensive. 

Despite its previous popularity, the .40 S&W round was always more expensive and pistol prices were generally higher. The differences in prices between the rounds can narrow when it comes to comparing self-defense hollow-point ammunition that is not produced on a large scale like 9mm NATO ball ammunition is. 

Another aspect of economics is the longevity of the pistols themselves. The Glock 23 is essentially a Glock 19 chambered for the more powerful .40 caliber cartridge. The Glock 23 works and it works well, but prolonged shooting over thousands of rounds will result in a gun with greater wear. This is one reason the FBI decided to drop the .40. Interestingly, the FBI is returning to the 9mm in +P configuration that will produce more wear than standard pressure loads. The Glock 19 with standard loads will probably outlast a Glock 23, but the difference would come after thousands of rounds downrange. Unfixable wear is unlikely for the average shooter who goes through a box of ammunition over the weekend or a peace officer doing his yearly qualification shoot.

Shared Glock 19 and 23 Features

1 Backstraps

Interchangeable backstrap system allows you to customize the grip to your hand size.

2 Optics Ready

Glock uses their MOS system of plates to mount red dot optics.

3 Finger Grooves

The finger grooves have been removed for the 5th generation of Glocks 19 and 23.

4 Front Slide Serrations

The Gen 5 Glock 19 and 23 have front slide serrations for extra texture for slide manipulation.

5 Accessory Mounting

Glocks have a propriety accessory mounting rail system to mount lights and lasers or other accessories.

6 Polymer Sights

Polymer sights are still standard on generation 5 Glocks.

Glock 19 vs Glock 23 – Our Grades

And the Winner Is?

There are a few compelling reasons to choose the Glock 23. If you are an experienced shooter or concerned about four-legged predators, there are compelling reasons to opt for the heavier .40 caliber round. But on a holistic level, the Glock 19 is far and away the better choice. It is an easier pistol to master and customize. The ammunition availability of 9mm makes it easy on the pocketbook, and flexible enough to put into different roles. Standard 115 grain loads are easy on the palm but can still do the job. While not ideal for wilderness defense, there are plenty of solid loads that can work. While I will never be the one to pronounce the .40 as a dead round, the Glock 19 is going to be the better pistol for most of us. That is why is made our list for best concealed carry gun.

Upgrades and Accessories for your Glock 19 vs Glock 23

We encourage all Glock owners to swap out their sights. The polymer sights are functional, but leave somethin to be desired. For handguns you will also want some spare magazines and a good holster. You should also think about adding a weapon light to this size of a handgun.

Upgrades and Accessories for Glock

Magazine – Glock 19 Glock 19 Factory Magazine		15 round capacity 9mm Polymer covered steel	Check Price
Magazine – Glock 23 Glock 23 Factory Magazine		13 round capacity 40 S&W Polymer covered steel	Check Price
Replacement sights Trijicon Night Sights for Glock		Fits Glock 17,19,22,23,24,25 and more Front site is orange outline with green tritium Rear is blacked out U notch with two green tritium dots	Buy on Amazon
Holster Safariland 6390RDS Level One Retention Duty Holster		Fits Glock 19 and 23 with Surfire X300U light Level 1 retention Cordura wrapped plastic	Buy on Amazon
Light SureFire X300		1,000 Lumens Waterproof	Buy on Amazon

Important Links and Videos

Here are some links to the Glock website for each model discussed today and the owners manuals.

• G19 by Glock
• G23 by Glock
• Glock Owners Manuals

Here is a video how to care for you Glock pistol.