Anyone who’s read a few of my concealed carry themed articles knows I am a big fan of Glock, carrying a G19 myself. While the 9mm polymer pistols are some of my favorite Glocks, a whole bevy of models exist that sometimes take a back seat to their 9mm siblings; but today we’re showing some love to those underrated Glocks bringing attention to some Glock models that fly under the radar.
Glock 23
The Glock 23 brings a .40 S&W design to the Glock house. (Photo: Jacki Billings/Guns.com)
The Glock 23 sports a .40 S&W chambering though it is nearly identical in size to its 9mm Glock brethren. Measuring a 7.36-inches in length and equipped with a 4.-01-inch barrel, the G23 weighs in at 23.65-ounces. Its larger rounds are nestled inside a magazine with a capacity of 13-rounds. The particular model I tried out from the Guns.com vault happened to be a Third Generation model featuring those familiar Gen 3 finger grooves and texturing in addition to an accessory rail and recessed thumb rest on the frame.
The G23’s greatest achievements are largely relegated to the law enforcement arena with the cartridge proving attractive in the post-Miami shootout LE era. It’s been a staple of many agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; but is quickly falling out of favor due to its sandwiched position between 9mm and .45 ACP — two of the most popular self-defense cartridges. Many departments are swiftly moving from the G23 to its Glock 19 and 26 siblings.
That’s bad news for the G23 itself but great for consumer committed to the .40 S&W round and on the prowl for a good deal. There’s plenty of LE trade-in G23 models on the market with prices well below the MSRP of $499.
The G23, like most Glocks, features a reliable and easy to maintain design, even benefiting from the ability to convert to a 9mm option with a few swapped parts — a strength for those not willing to step fully outside the 9mm bubble.
The G23 is perfect for Glock fans looking for a .40 S&W chambered pistol with some versatility.
Glock 30 SF
The Glock 30 SF is perfect for petite shooters who love that .45 ACP round. (Photo: Jacki Billings/Guns.com)
Striker-fired fans looking for a bit more oomph will find it in the .45 ACP chambered Glock 30 SF. Offering 10+1 rounds in a 6.88-inch frame with a 3.77-inch barrel, the G30 SF tips scales at 26.30-ounces. The Gen 4 model I tested out for Guns.com, is what you’ve come to expect from the Gen 4 series — dual recoil springs, interchangeable grips, and an enlarged magazine catch.
The G30’s SF moniker, short for Short Frame, hints at its purpose. With its slimmed-down grip dimensions, the G30 SF became a popular addition to security personnel, plainclothes officers and even smaller-framed .45 ACP fans’ Glock inventory. Unfortunately for the G30 SF, some shooters found it a little too small for their liking, preferring the full-frame aesthetics of the G21.
For petite shooters with smaller hands, though, the G30 SF fits just right allowing shooters to get a solid grip on the gun and better control that .45 ACP recoil. The mechanics of the G30 SF are the same as every other Glock, making it a perfect option for those that prefer to have a smaller framed concealed carry pistol and a larger framed bedside gun of the same brand.
The greatest advantage of the G30 SF? It’s the perfect model for petite gun owners looking for a slim and trim carry gun in the old and faithful .45 ACP round. The G30 SF retails for $687 but circulates in used markets for below that MSRP.
PEEP THE GLOCK 30 S AND SF AT GUNS.COM
Glock 31
The Glock 31 features a longer and heavier build to handle that .357 Sig round. (Photo: Jacki Billings/Guns.com)
Rounding out our list of under-loved Glocks is the unique and full-framed Glock 31. Chambered in the powerful .357 Sig cartridge, the G31 brings an eccentric cartridge to the Glock brand. Packing 15+1 rounds, the G31 offers a 4.49-inch barrel length on a 7.95-inch frame with a weight of 25.59-ounces.
The G31 gained popularity among, you guessed it, law enforcement departments favoring the high velocity and flat trajectory the .357 Sig round brings to the table. Though some LE agencies have employed the G31 as their sidearm of choice, many are migrating away from the G31 and to 9mm platform Glocks.
The G31’s intrigue doesn’t just end with its .357 Sig chambering; though. Like the G23, the G31 benefits from converting to a different caliber, able to swap to a .40 S&W with an interchange of parts. The G31 is an excellent shooter, a fun round to take to the range and nail targets with; however, it is not without its faults — namely, the price of ammo. A less common round, the .357 Sig is more expensive which may impact some shooters ability to train with the G31.
Ammo pricing aside, the G31 upholds the Glock name with a reliable and predictable design that is easy to train with and maintain. The G31 features an MSRP of $500 with used models coming in slightly lower.
TAKE A LOOK AT THE GLOCK 31 AT GUNS.COM
Final Thoughts
Not all Glocks feel the love, so we’ve rounded up some we think deserve some attention. (Photo: Jacki Billings/Guns.com)
Though Glock itself is a powerhouse brand, some of its models receive less love and attention than others. Here at Guns.com, we don’t think any gun should go unloved. If one of these models piqued your interest, head over to Guns.com’s metaphorical puppy pound of new and used guns and find yourself the perfect model to snuggle up with.
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