I'm in the market for a Glock and would like the opinion of experienced Glock owners.  If you were to own one gun for shooting and personal/home defense, would you go with the Glock 17 in 9mm or the Glock 22 in 40 S&W?  Also, second generation or current production?  

I'm new to this board so I apologize if this topic has been discussed before.

hmmm I have a G19C and I like it alot ... I shot a G17 and G22 before and they both were kick azz... hmmm get both

I have seen a bank security camera video
in where the bank was held up by one robber,
and there was an off duty detective armed with
a 9mm. They struggled and the Det. shot the
robber in the chest from 2 feet away.
The robber ran out and died about a minute later.
I wouldn't feel too secure with a 9mm, but people
have died from .22s.

I have a Glock 22, Glock 23 in .40 and a Glock 21 in .45.
9mms are fun to shoot though.

I carry a G-22 on duty and I must say I will never part with it.  It has eaten everything it was fed with no problems.  Go G-22 or go home

From personal experience; G17- less recoil, better accuracy, wonderful capacity, cheap ammo, reasonable power. G22-alot of snap for what you get, decent accuracy, good capacity, kinda expensive ammo, decent power.  Sometimes I feel that there's not much that a 165gr.  .40 can do, that a 124gr. +P 9mm can't. YMMV.

Quoted: I have seen a bank security camera video in where the bank was held up by one robber, and there was an off duty detective armed with a 9mm. They struggled and the Det. shot the robber in the chest from 2 feet away. The robber ran out and died about a minute later. I wouldn't feel too secure with a 9mm, but people have died from .22s. I have a Glock 22, Glock 23 in .40 and a Glock 21 in .45. 9mms are fun to shoot though.

This bank story doesn't mean squat. I saw an Armadillo run off after being shot from 20 feet away with a 45ACP 185 gr. hollowpoint.  Found it later. It was hit right thru the mid section. I've also seen deer run another 50 yards after their heart was blown away from a .270 Win.

I like the idea of the glock 22 over the 17. Yes ammo for the 22 will cost you a little more but it would make a better defense gun. Bigger is not always better, the shots have to be well placed.
You can shot someone in the finger with a 50bmg and it wont take them out of the fight. On the other hand buy the 17 and shoot the hell out of it, to the point of being able to put your rounds where they count.

IMO, if you want the .40 step up to the G35. It's a little larger, but having shot the 22 and the 35, the 35 was better in almost every way.

Get the 22 so you can get the .357 sig conversion (just the barrel). Or vica versa. Use the .40 for practice and use the .357 sig for carry. I shot my first 31 during the week and it gave me a happygasm. But not as bad as my Desert Eagle .44.

PS- I see more and more people competing with .40s&w STIs. I think that says alot about .40 accuracy.

I guess I will vote for the 17 since I have a 19 and love it. I have .40cal pistols and like them but I like my 9mms and .45s better. I would consider a 37 or 38 if the 21 is to big if you want something larger than a 9mm but that is only my opinion.

I had both and ended up selling the 22. The recoil was managable, but unplesant. I prefer a 45 when I want more bore. The recoil is more pleasant too.  9mm lets me practice more than the 40 and get follow up shots off more quickly.

Another option is a G22 and buy a 100$ 9mm conversion barrel.  That allows plinking with 9mm lead reloads from yer G22.  

17 is for women, and 22 is for men.

Quoted: I have seen a bank security camera video in where the bank was held up by one robber, and there was an off duty detective armed with a 9mm. They struggled and the Det. shot the robber in the chest from 2 feet away. The robber ran out and died about a minute later.

2ft away?  I think I would have gone to slide lock which would have either been 9 rounds of .45 (my 1911) or 17 or 18 rounds of 9mm (my CZ85 or Glock 17).
I didn't see it but it sounds like more of a bad tactics problem to me.  Det.  should have fired long before the robber was within contact distance.  This is why you shoot to stop, two to the chest and one to the head, if that doesn't work keep shooting until he does stop which may mean a reload.   But I'll bet one to the head would have stopped him.

I shot a small probably 110lb spike buck last year that was walking right towards me at about 50yds away.  I used a Hornady light magnum 150gr in my .30-06 Rem 700, I hit him dead in the chest which blew out his heart and left lung yet he still went 35yds.  So does this mean I should use something bigger?  No.  This is the real world and things don't blow up or get knocked off their feet when shot.

Quoted: 17 is for women, and 22 is for men.

Both should be banned from civilian use.

Quoted: Quoted: 17 is for women, and 22 is for men. Both should be banned from civilian use.

+1

17

GLOCK 21--.45acp all the way



of your choices, the 9mm G17 for range time (ammo is cheaper) and glcok 22 for HD--bigger holes

ALL of em!

oh, 3rd gen are cooler casue of the rail i dont use

I have a G22, have used it a lot and like it.  Have a lot in .40S&W ammunition, mags, cleaning tools, etc.  That said, if I could do it all over again, knowing what I know now, I'd have gone with the G17.

One day I'll make the switch but for the forseeable future I'm sticking with the G22 and there is certainly nothing wrong with it.  It's a fine pistol.  IMO the choice is highly individual and what is best for you and is going to be different from everyone else.  It would be best if you could get some trigger time with each before you make your choice.

    If you are planning to use it at all for personal protection, I would recommend the G22 or G35.  Either would give you 15 rounds of 40 S&W ammo.  The "40" packs more punch than the 9mm - larger diameter hole, heavier bullet.

    Many people try to get away with the smallest caliber cartridge that might get the job done.  Others, however, recommend carrying the largest gun (largest caliber) that they can effectively handle.

    If you remember the reasons why the 45 ACP was developed, it was because the 38's that were issued to the military prior to the 45 were ineffective against the Phillipine insurgents, who would get high on some "jungle juice concoction" and wrap themselves in protective layers, and still kill our officers.  The 45 ACP did what the 38's couldn't do - it stopped the attackers and has continued to do so ever since it was first issued.  You have probably noticed that numerous of our military Special Forces units have re-adopted or have continued to select pistols in 45 ACP to carry with them on their assignments.  There must be a reason for that.

    Of course, some folks will propose that a smaller bullet traveling at a higher velocity is more effective than a larger one traveling at a slower velocity.  Both philosophies  have their supporters.  I guess you should ask yourself how "small" you want to go.  However, the 9mm is not a particularly fast round.

    After all that................I own all four models, G17, G22, G35, and G21, so I have all the calibers covered.  Which would (do) I carry?  If it is my butt on the line, I will have either the 22 (40) or 21 (45) with me.  I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE shooting the 17 (and my M92, too), but prefer something bigger when I have the choice.

    Just my two cents.

S4F
NRA Benefactor Member
NRA Certified Firearms Instructor
NRA Range Safety Officer

if this matters, if you reload, you know the higher pressures with the .40 and the kB factor.

I would go with the 17 and the new frame, you have the option of attaching a light if you decide to for home defense.
I have found the recoiil from the 22 to be too sharp, the 20 is more comfortable to shoot due to it's heavier slide.

Quoted: if this matters, if you reload, you know the higher pressures with the .40 and the kB factor.

Could you tell me what the pressure difference is between the .40 and 9mm?  I am curious as to what you think they are.

I would go with the 9mm.  40, 357 sig, 45.  There's really no advantage in either because they're all marginal.  If you buy a 9mm you will practice more and with the right ammo will have the same effectiveness as any other service caliber handgun: mediocre.

Personally i'd go with a glock 19 incase you ever carry it.

Quoted: 17 is for women, and 22 is for men.

The Glock 17 is just a fun, inexpensive gun to shoot.

BTW,
P22 is for Women
The Mk23 is for Men