You all know the adrenaline that comes after purchasing a new piece!
I remember the first time I took my Glock 22 to the range.
The initial excitement of firing my new pistol was quickly overshadowed by a few recurring problems.
This is not to say that the Glock did not have its share of benefits too.
The Glock 22 is a full-sized, semi-automatic pistol chambered in .40 S&W (Smith & Wesson).
It has a magazine capacity of 15 rounds, making it a popular choice among law enforcement agencies and civilians for its stopping power and capacity.
The pistol features a 4.49-inch barrel, and its overall length is 7.95 inches.
With its polymer frame and striker-fired mechanism, the Glock 22 is known for its durability and simplicity.
Despite these attributes, my personal experience with the Glock 22 has been mixed due to several issues I’ve encountered.
I have laid out the problems and solutions I have encountered so far with my Glock 22 and ways you can quickly resolve them.
Failure to Feed
The most frustrating issue I encountered was the occasional failure to feed.
I’d be in the middle of a session, and suddenly the slide would lock back with the next round stuck at an odd angle, halfway into the chamber.
You have to stop, drop the magazine, clear the jam, and reload.
This was especially concerning because I bought the Glock 22 for home defence.
This means that any malfunction could be catastrophic!!!
To address this, I started using higher-quality ammunition and kept the pistol meticulously clean and lubricated.
I also replaced the recoil spring assembly, which seemed to mitigate the feeding issues significantly.
Slide Lock Failure
Another problem that cropped up was with the magazines themselves.
After a while, they started to fail to lock the slide back on the last round.
At first, I thought it might be a fluke, but after it happened several times with different magazines, I realized it was a pattern.
I had to manually check if the magazine was empty, which interrupted the flow of shooting and could be dangerous in a defensive scenario.
I found that replacing the magazine springs and followers with aftermarket options helped improve the reliability of the slide locking back on the last round.
Factory Sights
There was also an issue with the factory sights.
They were fine for basic use, but I noticed they didn’t hold zero as well as I’d hoped.
After a couple of range trips, I found myself constantly readjusting them.
This was annoying, especially since I wanted the gun to be as accurate as possible right out of the holster.
To solve this, I switched to aftermarket night sights that not only held zero better but also provided better visibility in low-light conditions.
Grip Discomfort
One of the more subtle issues was the grip. The Glock 22’s grip angle felt a bit awkward in my hand compared to other pistols I’ve used.
It wasn’t something I noticed right away, but after extended shooting sessions, I could feel the strain.
I tried different grip techniques, but nothing seemed to alleviate the discomfort completely.
I eventually invested in a grip sleeve and later installed a backstrap that changed the grip angle to a more comfortable position, which greatly improved my shooting experience.
Recoil Management Issues
Another aspect worth mentioning is the recoil management.
The .40 S&W Caliber is known for its faulty recoil, which can be more challenging to control compared to 9mm pistols.
The Glock 22, with its relatively lightweight polymer frame, does not absorb recoil as effectively as heavier metal-framed pistols.
This results in more pronounced muzzle rise and can make rapid follow-up shots more difficult.
Over time, I found myself preferring pistols with better recoil management for more accurate and controlled shooting.
Installing a heavier aftermarket guide rod and using a compensator helped reduce the recoil, making it more manageable.
Final Review
In conclusion, while the Glock 22 has many positive attributes, my personal experience has been marred by several issues.
The failure to feed, magazine malfunctions, sight inconsistencies, and grip discomfort have all contributed to my decision to seek an alternative.
For a firearm intended for home defence and potentially high-stress situations, these problems are unacceptable.
My search for a more reliable and ergonomically friendly pistol continues, and I hope to find one that meets all my needs without the frustrations I’ve experienced with the Glock 22.
FAQS
1.What should I do if my Glock 22 is experiencing failure to feed issues?
Ensure your Glock 22 is clean, properly lubricated, and use higher-quality ammunition to reduce failure to feed issues.
If problems persist, replace the recoil spring assembly and consider consulting a gunsmith.
2. How can I fix the slide not locking back on the last round with my Glock 22?
Replacing the magazine springs and followers with aftermarket options can improve the slide lock reliability.
Ensure you are not inadvertently holding down the slide stop lever while shooting.
3. What are the best upgrades to improve the accuracy of my Glock 22?
Upgrade the factory sights to aftermarket night sights for better zero retention and visibility.
Consider adding a match-grade barrel and customizing the grip with a sleeve or backstrap for enhanced control.