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View Full Version : Glock G23 Gen5 Arrives And Is Equipped



JonInWA
11-14-2023, 03:25 PM
My GSSF-winnings arrived-I chose a basic G23 Gen5 non-MOS. I'm still back-and-forth on the RDS thing, and I figure that if I do decide to go the MOS route on this gun, I'd likely go with the Leupold DeltaPoint Micro anyhow, which simply requires drifting out the rear sight and replacing with the DPM, but in the meantime I'll stick with irons.

https://i.imgur.com/s39I6Cch.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/g4sTFxoh.jpg

Out of the box, the gun exhibited a very nice rolling triggerpull break. Interestingly, the OEM rear polymer sight was a 6.1 height; I had previously thought that for the Gen5 G23 Glock had standardized on the higher 6.5 rear. A discussion with Glock Technical Support revealed that each individual Glock is evaluated for the best sight height for each specific gun during the manufacturing/assembly process, and apparently mine achieved the best POA/POI with the lower 6.1 height. The OEM polymer one was immediately replaced with a 6.1 Glock tritium, which by its markings and appearance I believe to be Meprolights, which is fine by me for both day and low-level light use; I've been pleased with them on my HKs.

https://i.imgur.com/k1ZlrZ9h.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/MC0ucQkh.jpg

I like the Glock Medium beavertail grip strap, and I concurrently ordered the LTT/Booth Grip Anchor for use with it, and immediately installed both. Both components provide a tangible improvement in feel, index and recoil absorption, as well as mitigating against muzzle flip.

https://i.imgur.com/6dRoWM8h.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/KAOQwroh.jpg

I've always liked the Glock Extended Slide Release, and I'm glad that there is one available for Gen5 Glocks. I also added the Glock Extended Magazine Catch, which is slightly more protrusive that the very nice OEM one. The extension is less that the difference between the Gen 1-3 extended part, but the additional amount is appreciated, and it doesn't appear to adversely impinge against the side of holsters.

https://i.imgur.com/Vd0keEnh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/7DQn2YQh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/V5j6Zylh.jpg


The gun was cleaned and lubricated. For lubrication of components with metal-on-metal reciprocation, I used Mil-Comm's TW25B, and for general lubing I use Lucas Extreme Gun Oil. For the critical connector/triggerbar interface surfaces, I applied Lucas Red "N" Tacky #2 grease.

I've noticed that the very first removal of the Trigger Pin on Gen5 Glocks seems to be exceptionally difficult when attempting to drift out from left to right, even when pressing down on the slide release lever as specified in the Armorers Manual. The first removal of the trigger pin is much simpler if you drift the pin from right to left, and from then on remove from the left to right, and reassemble from right to left.

I needed to drift my rear sight to the right, as when zeroing it was evident that it was shooting some 2" to the left. I also noted that shots grouped at the 6 o'clock region of the 2"x3" zeroing gridded tombstone target that I was using when zeroing at 5-10 yards; before replacing with a higher 6.5 rear sight, I'm going to run it as it currently is in an IDPA match and see how things go, reconfirming POA/POI (or discerning disparities in POI from POA...)

The increased slide thickness precludes use with any of my existing Gen1-Gen4 holsters, but I have two Tagua 1836 leather holsters which work nicely and accommodate the increased slide thickness. Tagua is Paraguayan produced, and I've been impressed with them in the ones that I'm testing and evaluation so far. I've also found that holsters for a G21 will work, but the Tagua 1836 holsters seem to be the best fit so far. The IWB one has removable steel spring clips which work fairly well, but you need to ensure that the belt used is thick enough to enable the spring clips to have enough retentive bite. If the spring clips are removed, the holster has belt slots, so it becomes an OWB holster.

https://i.imgur.com/lmPElfQh.jpg

My natural index with the gun as equipped seems excellent; we'll see how it (or probably more correctly, I) do with it in use this weekend. Interestingly, mine is a "Made in Georgia" example, with Georgia state outline proofs on the barrel, slide and receiver, and a "USA" rollmarking on the left side slide banner. The nDLC semi-matte finish quality seems excellent; appearing durable and very evenly applied. Since I'm in Washington, I'm only allowed to be provided 10 round magazines, but the OEM orange-followered Gen5 magazines seem excellent, and can be easily fully loaded without having to resort to my Uplula, but I'm probably use the Uplula for my normal stoking of the magazines.

As I mentioned in my previous thread on my decision process, GJM's and others endorsement of the Gen5 G23 was an important factor in my decision process. I think it'll be an excellent platform, and I'll update with further use.

Best, Jon

Dave Williams
11-14-2023, 08:28 PM
I have one of these also and really like it. One thing, my first range session I put several hundred rounds through it…..it got unbelievably HOT. I showed it to the range employee and he was also shocked at how hot it was. I haven’t experienced this with any other Glocks I’ve had experience with.

GJM
11-14-2023, 10:17 PM
I have one of these also and really like it. One thing, my first range session I put several hundred rounds through it…..it got unbelievably HOT. I showed it to the range employee and he was also shocked at how hot it was. I haven’t experienced this with any other Glocks I’ve had experience with.

Been a thing with the Gen 5 pistols, and their different finish, as reported on PF for a number of years.

fatdog
11-15-2023, 07:52 AM
Great choice Jon. I used my GSSF coupon for one in early 2021 and have been more than pleased with mine. Thankfully JMCK is making holsters for them. Recently found a PD trade lightly used version for under $400 and snapped it up like a fat kid going for a cookie. I still reload 40 and have a mountain of factory ammo. I am amazed at how a few more ounces in the slide and whatever they did to the recoil spring has changed the shooting experience for G23 and G22 gen 5.

GJM
11-15-2023, 08:14 AM
I am not certain that the G20 offers appreciably more as a field pistol than a G5 23, considering the ergos and shootability of the 23.

jh9
11-15-2023, 08:17 AM
A discussion with Glock Technical Support revealed that each individual Glock is evaluated for the best sight height for each specific gun during the manufacturing/assembly process, and apparently mine achieved the best POA/POI with the lower 6.1 height.

...seriously?

JonInWA
11-15-2023, 09:03 AM
...seriously?

Yep. I confirmed it yesterday from another source; Glock apparently began doing it subsequent to the introduction of the G42/G43 series, and it spread to the other platforms. Apparently it's done during the testfire/proofing stage of manufacture.

Now with my sample size of one I'll get to see how good the process actually is....

Best, Jon

SCCY Marshal
11-15-2023, 09:11 AM
Nice, a 40 caliber with irons. Someone still knows how to have fun.

LockedBreech
11-15-2023, 11:48 AM
I have one of these on my list since I have ended up really enjoying my G22 Gen 5. Interested to hear how you like it over time.

Lost River
11-15-2023, 02:36 PM
I am not certain that the G20 offers appreciably more as a field pistol than a G5 23, considering the ergos and shootability of the 23.

That is a very interesting statement based on all the field trials, shooting you have done.

steve
11-15-2023, 05:59 PM
I am not certain that the G20 offers appreciably more as a field pistol than a G5 23, considering the ergos and shootability of the 23.

How about your 23X?

GJM
11-15-2023, 06:29 PM
How about your 23X?

Falling within the embarrassing category my two GEN 523 pistols are stored somewhere with holsters magazines and ammo. The problem is, I seem to have forgot exactly where I put them.

revchuck38
11-15-2023, 06:59 PM
GJM - None of us here have ever done that. Nuh-uh, not us, nope. :rolleyes:

BJJ
11-16-2023, 12:01 AM
I am not certain that the G20 offers appreciably more as a field pistol than a G5 23, considering the ergos and shootability of the 23.

Please expand on this statement. I have wondered to myself if a .40 loaded with Buffalo Bore might be a near substitute for 10mm? Can you comment on this?

medmo
11-16-2023, 02:18 AM
I am not certain that the G20 offers appreciably more as a field pistol than a G5 23, considering the ergos and shootability of the 23.

We love certainty. Nudge. Please?

GJM
11-16-2023, 07:12 AM
In evaluating the G5 23 vs G5 20, I look at three main areas -- shootability, bullet performance and accessory support.

I can shoot the 23 better than the 20. The grip of the 20 is quite large, where the 23 grip feels like a 19. I ended up having to install the medium beaver tail on the 20, to keep my strong thumb from sometimes contacting the bottom of the slide stop with heavy loads, and locking open the pistol with rounds left in the magazine. With the extra weight in the slide the G5 23 feels like a 19 with Gold Dot 124+ P.

The bullet diameter is the same between 10 and 40, so it gets down to load availability. The .40 165 and 180 Gold Dot was incredibly accurate in the 23, shooting sub two inches at 25. The Underwood Lehigh 140 penetrator load was reliable and accurate. In a quest to make 10mm loads "powerful," I think a number of these loads are so heavy they make the Glock 20 less reliable. For a field pistol, once a bullet will penetrate the skull of an animal, more is not necessarily better since "more" makes a pistol harder to place aimed shots quickly.

The 23 has better accessory support than the 20. For example, the LTT Booth grip anchor, Apex trigger and OEM extended mag releases all work on the 23 but are not available on the 20. Unfortunately the 23 will not work in most 19 holsters due to the thicker slide.

Dave Williams
11-16-2023, 10:25 AM
Unfortunately the 23 will not work in most 19 holsters due to the thicker slide.

And JM has quick ship G23 Gen 5 holsters.

Virtuosity Student
11-19-2023, 03:51 PM
With the extra weight in the slide the G5 23 feels like a 19 with Gold Dot 124+ P.



Makes a man wonder how soft +P would be out of the G23.5 with a 9mm conversion barrel.

JonInWA
11-21-2023, 05:27 PM
Ok, as suspected and subsequently verified by dynamic use (an IDPA match) and static zero confirmation, the OEM 6.1 sight height was providing a POI some 2" -2.5" lower than the center-hold POA. Discussions with Glock Tech established that while the gun was boresighted and hence had the "proper" rear sight height chosen, it's not necessarily a perfect system, as mine clearly evidenced.

While I could have made the 6.1 sights (in my case, the OEM 6.1 polymer was immediately replaced with a Glock/Meprolight tritium set, with a 6.1 rear) work, "working" would have entailed application of ad hoc sight offsetting. The simple solution was to go to replace the 6.1 rear with a 6.5 rear, which immediately did the trick; a center-hold POA now equals a center of target POI. Life is good.

On the 6.1 rear, I also had to move the rear to the right off center in the dovetail; on the 6.5, I had to drift it a bit to the right for center hits, but not nearly as much as with the previous 6.1. It probably goes to show that there are some variations from sight to sight-another reason to trust but verify...

Oddly, the charts in the current Glock Armorers manual go into some detail in establishing for the Gen5 guns, the ideal set-up is with a 4.1 front and a....wait for it...6.5 rear, or a 4.9 front and a 7.3 rear. How Glock came to the conclusion that the OEM set-up for mine came to be a 4.1 front with a 6.1 rear is beyond me....

I am much more comfortable with my empirically derived sight height setup. Trust, but verify is not a bad motto/mantra....

Best, Jon

revchuck38
11-21-2023, 08:11 PM
How Glock came to the conclusion that the OEM set-up for mine came to be a 4.1 front with a 6.1 rear is beyond me....

"Hey, Hans, I'm out of the 6.5 sights, you got any on your bench?"

"Nah, I'm out too. Just use the 6.1s, they're close enough."

JonInWA
11-21-2023, 08:45 PM
"Hey, Hans, I'm out of the 6.5 sights, you got any on your bench?"

"Nah, I'm out too. Just use the 6.1s, they're close enough."

:-)

I wouldn't necessarily be surprised...

Best, Jon