Ever since I bought my G4 G23 I’ve struggled to shoot it accurately. And it’s not me, it’s the gun. I know how well I can shoot a handgun, and this one just isn’t measuring up*. It shoots about 3” high at seven yards, and is much more exacerbated at 25 yards. I’ve done some beta testing recently, shooting slow as can be off-hand as well as from a rest and even had a buddy shoot it as well. I currently have ~ 1300 rounds through the gun. Otherwise the gun runs like a champ, zero issues.
I don’t want to dump the gun. I am pretty invested into it: ~10 mags, Heinie sights, RC holster(s), etc. I am also not wanting to jump ship and go to another platform because of all the other Glocks I already have (including a G27). I also have a P30 V1 40 that I like a lot and carry, but still want the G23. I typically carry one of three guns, depending on the weather: G27/G23/P30. Unfortunately, I have all but lost confidence in the G23.
At the same time, I am not wanting to dump a bunch of money into it to try and remedy the issue. I am considering going to a local range and seeing if they have a G23 to rent, then taking out that barrel and trying it in mine. If it’s a barrel issue, I’ll buy a new one and be done with it. I don’t have an issue carrying with an aftermarket barrel (SL, KKM, etc) so long as I make sure it runs 110%. If it’s more than just the barrel, I’ll put the OE sights back on and it might go with me to the next gun show.
Any ideas/suggestions?
*Because people claim this all the time and 99% of the time it’s the shooter, I will say I have three G17s, have a G27, and had a G19 and a G30 and never had the issue with any of those that I am with this one. I am no pistol superstar, but I know what I am capable of and this Glock just isn’t coming through.
I have been having the same problem with my G26. I know it’s me not the gun because I have had tight groups with it when I took my time shooting it. I’m planning on ditching my sight set up because it doesn’t work for me(Pro I dots) for a 3 dot set up, and dry fire practice.
I’m no expert, and I am sure you will hear from some who are, but…
Are you sure your new sights are set properly?
Have you tried different ammo and get the same results?
Have you let someone else shoot it to see how they do, someone with experience shooting the G23?
As I am sure you already know, the .40 is a snappy round. When I had a G23 and a G27, I found I was typically more accurate with my G27 than I was with my G23.
I think trying a different barrel is a good idea and a great place to start. If you’re shooting it from a rest and others are shooting it with the same result I would say its prob the barrel.
Just get a taller front sight or a shorter rear sight. If the only problem is elevation.
Especially if you replaced the sights. You might have accidently got the wrong sight height from your supplier.
I had Trijicon send me the wrong rear sight on a G21 one time. Even though it was labled correctly, the height was wrong. (Compared to another G21 that I had) Very similar shooting results to what you are having. I called them and they said to ship them the slide and they replaced the rear sight and I was dead on from there.
Taller front sight post, or file down the top of the rear sight, or a set of adjustable sights.
On one of my Glocks, I have the Meprolight adjustable night sight set (get the whole front and rear set as a tall front sight is required). Downside to this: the front sight is very tall and the rear sight is bulky; not the optimal sight package for carry. Upside: you can dial in your zero at the desired range.
Pretty normal for a Glock to shoot high. It gets exacerbated when the slide to barrel hood fit is loose. If you can, get a feeler gauge and measure the space between the slide and barrel hood will tell us a lot. My guess is that you have a .003 or .004 fit (which is pretty loose).
A drop in barrel from SL or KKM would probably fix your issue (to a certain degree).
I took it apart tonight and noticed this marking on the bottom of the barrel. Is this normal? Again, gun has 1300 rounds through it but I looked at my Gen3 G17 with ~4000 through it and there are no marks at all. Maybe the duel recoil spring lug is rubbing it and causing the barrel to not seat properly? Maybe I’m grasping at straws…
Unfortunately, I do not have a feeler gauge. But a piece of paper is .003-.005". If I fold it to check a gap, it’s basically the same as my G17 which I know shoots good.
Just called the local range and they do not have a rental G23, so there goes trying my gun with that barrel and trying mine with its barrel.
I suppose I could get a taller front sight, but the ones I have are the same height relative to each other. I am also concerned that if I say grab a suppressor height front it won’t fit in my Raven anymore.
I also think it’s a sight issue. Did you shoot it with factory sights before the Heinies were installed, and if so, how’d it shoot then? If it was closer to POA then, it’s just s matter of correcting the sights.
Mine also looks just like that. I’d also get a taller front sight. While yours might be the same height relative to each other, it sounds like its consistently hitting high. Go with the cheaper fix first, if that doesn’t work out, move on to the next. You could also contact Glock and see if they’ll take care of it.
Shooter: The G23 can be more challenging to shoot than many realize. Your POI is 3" at 7. What is it at 25? What is your 10rd group size at each distance with the G23, and with another shooting gun you’re more satisfied with?
Well, I have a Steyr M40, a USP 40 and a 229 40 that I’ve never had issues with. Also had a USPc 40 that was really accurate for me.
I am going to do what you suggested, today actually. Go to the range with my G23, G27, & USP and compare groups. I’m also going to put the G23 barrel into the G27 and see what happens.
If I can group better with the G27 barrel than the G23 barrel, I know something’s up with the barrel. I am going to use the USP has the control, as I know I can shoot that thing pretty well.
