The Lesser of 2 Evils...G30 SF vs G23 Gen4

[Father of 3]

Due to 9mm being non existent, I'm looking at adding a 40 or 45 to the mix. Opimally 9mm would be best and I know this. However, I cannot find it at all. I 've searched at least 6 counties now and none of the LGS there have 9mm.

I'm not really concerned about the extra cost of ammo as I am about not being able to find any ammo at all and 40 and 45 are in abundance, thus my selection. So, which is the lesser of the two evils? G23 Gen4 in the snappier 40 S&W or the slightly larger G30 SF (possibly the newer S model or Gen4 G30) whihc should have less recoil.

I've read DocGKR's recommendation about getting a M&P if its a caliber that begins with 4. However I would be taking advantage of a Blue Label program where the Glocks are about $100 - $150 less than the M&P's.

[gunnut284]

If you are Glock blue label eligible (except GSSF) then you can get M&Ps for right at the same price as Glocks if you find the right dealer. Of the choices you presented I would go with the Gen 4 23. As far as I've seen/heard the Gen 4 .40s are solid, my 35 has been excellent. The G30 SF I had was just too fat for IWB carry and I found my bottom finger would get pinched between the bottom of the grip and the baseplate. The new 30S might be ok but I would still go 23. .40 is generally the most available round in these parts anyways.

[jck397]

If you already have the support gear for the 9mm platform, then the .40 would make sense since you could still use the same holsters/mag pouches

[JHC]

I've shot both and would choose a Gen 4 G23 hands down. The Gen 4 RSA comes into its own IMO in the .40.

[mattg1024]

If you already have a 17 or 19 I would get a 22 or 23. Keep it all similar.

[kantstudien]

G30SF is an awesome pistol. This is why they are always out of stock at the local gun shop. Good luck trying to find spare mags though.

Nothing wrong with a Gen 4 G23 though, and Wal Mart always has .40 in stock when 9mm and .45ACP are long gone.

Just a matter of what you want, it's a coin toss to me.

[PA PATRIOT]

Saved the money for 9mm when it finally shows up in your neck of the woods. Personally I would dust off a few .22LR's to fill the gap during your wait.

[Magic_Salad0892]

I'd rather roll a .45 over a .40.

[RBid]

G23 (Gen 4).

The RSA mitigates the extra felt recoil over 9mm, and you can use holsters and such that you already have. Increased cost of rounds is minor. Capacity drop is minor-- 13+1 or 15+1 is a healthy amount of .40.

[Airhasz]

Saved the money for 9mm when it finally shows up in your neck of the woods. Personally I would dust off a few .22LR's to fill the gap during your wait.

I agree with Patriot. Wait it out, stock ammo cans full of nine millimeter bullets and let this be your lesson not to get caught low on ammo again!

[Psalms144.1]

If you're Blue Label eligible, S&W offers the same EXACT pricing (to the penny) on LE M&Ps, with three magazines in each box. Just sayin... But, for my money, the M&P 40 FS is too big for daily concealed carry, and the M&Pc 40 gives up a lot of shootability.

However, if you're convinced you want a "large bore" Glock, my preference is for the 30 - just because I'd rather shoot a .45 Glock any day over a .40. And, yes, I have a Gen4 G23, and STILL don't care for the recoil characteristics; and have had several G30s, which, to my mind, were much "easier" shooters, and more accurate to boot.

But, if .45 ACP were an option for my agency (we're 9mm or 40 only), I have little doubt there'd be a S&W M&P 45 Midsize in my holster on a daily basis.

Regards,

Kevin

[S. Kelly]

I can't vote, because I want both.

[Warp]

The ammunition market will normalize. 9x19 will be easy enough to find. Take the long view.

Between the two...I don't like .40, and I had a G30SF that sucked so bad, even after going back to Glock, I had them exchange it for a G21SF.

So I'm not voting for either.

[CaptainN8]

FWIW, I originally bought my 23 because the first time the ammo crisis came around that's all I could find was .40. I think this time everybody caught on.
Honestly, with 180 duty ammo I don't find the recoil much worse than the hot 9 rounds, and I can't get away from the fact my 23 runs smooth as silk compared to my 19. Anybody notice how the 23 feeds right into the chamber without the bullet touching the feed ramp? You can ease the slide closed on mine it's so smooth.

[VIP3R 237]

23 gen 4. It is the same frame is a 19 and can always drop in 9mn conversion barrel for practice or possibly even find a 19 slide. Also the gen 4 is very smooth with recoil impulse.

[Brianb23]

The glock 30. I'd take .45 over .40 any day of the week.

[_Stormin_]

I've been a 45ACP guy for a long time. So that's why the G30 is my choice. Never been much of a .40 guy, unless you're talking 10mm... :D

[WhiskyNiner]

I've been a .45 guy since the early 90's and have shot the G30. I own a G23.

I don't dislike the G30, but I prefer the capacity boost of the .40. I like that I can get a 9mm conversion barrel in the G23.

I prefer the G23 overall, though I still enjoy shooting my 1911 when I feel a need to shoot a .45.

[seb5]

We bought almost 60 new Glock 23/22 last year in Gen 4 and so far I haven't had any issues with them. Our Gen 3 guns would give us issues on occasion with tac lights attached, which we started issuing for all in 2012.

[Symmetry]

While I think that the Glock runs best in 9mm, I think your next best choice will be the .40S&W. It retains the same overall pistol dimensions as your 9mm to minimize training cross-over, and ammo is a little more affordable than .45acp. .40 is also quite a bit cheaper to reload than .45acp. I've been reloading both for a few years now.

[ST911]

Availability is regional, fluctuates, and shortages are temporary. If you can't find ANY 9mm, you're not looking hard enough.

I vote "none of the above."

If forced, I would lean toward the...

[aceofspades991]

I'm no where near as experiened as most of the members here and only have casual shooting experience due to financial constraints but fwiw I have a Glock 30 and a 22 and I love the 30. It fits my hand and disappears when I carry iwb. I only have a couple hundred rounds through it but haven't had a failure of any sort as of yet. The 22 is snappier despite being a bigger gun so I'd take the 30 over any offering in. 40 s&w. My only gripe is it's a heavy gun and it tends to pull my pants down if I run while carrying it.

[filthy phil]

Theres 9 avail
http://www.gunbot.net/ammo/9mm/

Were seeing winchester and federal ball down here at walmart
Paid $24/100 yesterday :)