Running Header: The Glock 23 is a Superior Firearm 1

The Glock 23 is a Superior Firearm

Dean A. Coffman

ENC1101 WC 1,359

Keiser University
The Glock 23, a Superior Firearm 2

I have owned and fired many different types of firearms in my life and I stake my life and

money on the Glock 23 3rd generation handgun. I’ve spent a long time searching for the Swiss

army knife of the gun world and my search is finally over. I backpack and hike on a regular

basis, I carry a pistol for protection in my day to day private life, and I carry a pistol for work in

my security detail. It’s hard to believe, but each situation almost requires a different gun for each

purpose. Size, weight, durability, caliber, and magazine capacity all play a huge roll in choosing

a gun for a particular situation. It is important to choose a gun that fits these categories in ways

that suite your particular activity.

Size and weight go hand and hand. Even law enforcement officers get tired of carrying a

full size duty pistol fully loaded in their daily work details. The point is, when it’s heavy it’s just

plain heavy and no one likes to lug that around all the time. Size can play a large roll in not only

weight but accuracy as well. Finding something that isn’t too small but isn’t too big is key. The

Glock 23 seems to hit the middle of the road perfectly. It is big enough to hit a target at 50 yards,

and is still a pleasure to shoot and carry. One of the great things about the Glock 23 is the

versatility of function in daily tasks. I literally pull my Glock from my duty holster and place it

in my concealed holster with little adjustment or problems. This versatility is not only convenient

but saves money as well. Not having to purchase two pistols for two different purposes is great.

Everyone wants something that is durable and going to last; People searching for a pistol

look for nothing less. Durability is one of the most important features in a pistol. Everyone that

carries a gun for what ever reason fears a failure in the firearm at the moment they need it the

most. They maintain and care for the pistol to help prevent the firearm from failing. However, a

junk gun is a junk gun and is very unreliable for its lack of durability. The Glock 23 is chosen by

military and law enforcement officers for this reason above most others. The idea that this pistol
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will fire after being dropped in the mud, kicked in the sand, or even dropped in the water is a

comforting fact for those that rely on their firearm to protect their lives. The Glock 23 excels in

this category above all others. It delivers a feeling of safety reminiscent of a toddler with his

clingy blanket. Without a doubt, I know this pistol will work when I need it.

Next to durability, caliber is the next most important piece of criteria when searching for

a good all around firearm. There has been study upon study done about this particular factor, and

bigger may not always be better but smaller is never good. There are calibers of firearm that I

flat out refuse to carry. The .25 caliber, for instance, is pointless and dangerous to the person

carrying it. “With a higher velocity, flatter trajectory and as much or more energy than the .

45ACP, yet able to be fired from a 9mm-sized pistol with a reasonable magazine capacity, the .

40 is perhaps THE ideal pistol round for personal defense,” Says shooter2 of Gunsngear.com

(shooter2). I have sat around many a camp fire with friends listening to them tell story after story

from what ever line of work they are in about the ineffectiveness of even a commonly used

caliber like 9mm. When it comes down to it, you need stopping power and the .40 is one of the

most effective rounds for doing just that. This is yet another reason why local law enforcement,

federal law enforcement, and the military use the Glock 23.

Glock is one of the most recognized manufactures of firearms in the world. It first

released their poly-framed pistols in the early 80’s and took off right away. Over the last two

decades Glock has become the Honda or Toyota of the gun world. Hundreds of aftermarket

manufactures have developed their own modifications for these guns. This makes customization

not only easy but much less expensive that your comparable hand guns. Everything from color to

crucial internal parts are available from Glock or other aftermarket manufactures. As discussed

earlier having versatility is very important. Being able to customize your firearm to fit your
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unique requirements is priceless. The Glock 23 is probably one of the most customizable

handguns in the Glock line up. After a huge request from customers to produce a heavier hitting

round, Glock chose the popular Glock 19 9mm to improve on. They came up with an identical

hand gun with nothing more than a caliber change. This created a unique pistol that could

interchange parts between the two different pistols. In more recent years the development of

“drop in” conversions from 9mm to .40 S&W have become popular and add to the value yet

again. One of the only downsides of the .40 caliber is the cost. Having the ability to shoot a 9mm

round recreationally to save money and then switch to the .40 caliber for self defense is a

wonderful feature that saves on cost and develops good training habits.

Being an owner of a Glock 23 I have the pleasure of shooting and carrying this pistol. At

the range, the Glock 23 is a delight to send led down range with. Each round fires seamlessly,

easily, and without fail. Reacquisition of the front site and rear site is natural and almost

automatic. The .40 caliber breathes fire in a satisfying belch reminiscent of a dragon. Shooting

this pistol at the range gives you a feeling of confidence unlike most other pistols that I own.

Walking up to that firing lane with a tried and true pistol that hundreds of thousands of others

trust and respect can be a large boost to your morale. Not having the typical 9mm magazine

capacity of 18 to 20 rounds is no worry to me. I have 13 to 15 rounds of .40 caliber stopping

power. What some may need 5 or 10 to do I can probably accomplish in 3 to 5.

Glock is one of the top firearm manufactures in the world and does not go unchallenged.

Sig Sauer, Berretta, and Smith and Wesson are in a constant competition with Glock. They

attempt to produce a gun that performs above the rest. New technology breed new abilities and

the first to come up with these earn the rite to say they are the best. Even though these other

manufactures claim to be the best or even the first they still follow suit to Glock. Glock was the
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first to come up with a durable poly-framed pistol and have maintained the lead consistently. The

simple double action design works all of the time and is second to none. Many of the other

manufactures clog their designs with fancy curves and functions. These are all great if you plan

on hanging your gun on the wall and never using it for anything but target practice. People who

are looking for a firearm to be rough and tough, dependable, and accurate choose Glock.
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Reference

Shooter2 Indy (4/17/2003). Guns and Gear, Glock 23.

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