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Glock 33 
6K views 83 replies 33 participants last post by  Hyperbolic 
#1 ·
A couple of weeks ago, I got a used G33 in a trade. Took it the the range today for my first time with it, and I was impressed with it. Very much so.

Recoil is stout. But not uncomfortable at all. Similar to that with a G30S or G36. I found it interesting regarding my accuracy. Years ago, I had a G27, and since I didn't practice with it frequently, I could not shoot it reliably well. I thought it was something about the way it fit my hand. The G33 is the same gun, externally, but I shot it extremely well. Recoil was just as stout to me, but different. Much more of a straight back thump than the muzzle jumping all over the place, as my G23 and G27 did. Only think I can figure is it must be the bullet weight, since both .40S&W and .357Sig are stout cartridges.

At 5 yds, I was as accurate with the G33 as I am with my G19, G20 and G43, which really puzzled me, considering my past negative experience owning a G27.

It will not replace my G19 for casual EDC, my G43 for discrete carry (when that is needed), or my G20 for a dedicated woods gun for when I am on my feet. But when I am on my mountain bike or stand up paddleboard, or in my kayak, the G33 will be on my hip. For me, it's an excellent compromise outdoor activity carry gun (which happens to be small and fairly light) for defense against critters with any number of legs.

I shot WWB 125gr FMJ, Hornady Critical Duty 135gr FlexLock, and Sig Elite 125gr V-Crown JHP. All without a hiccup.

This G33 is a keeper.

edited: I also learned that Talon rubberized grip tape is a must-have for me. Tried it on my G33, liked it, and will add it to all of my other Glocks. When I tried the others today, with sweaty hands, I was missing the Talons I had on my G33.
 
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#2 ·
I do like my G33 a lot too. It has it's place in the lineup. My experience with the recoil relative to the .40 is similar as well. If you like your 19 and .357SIG, get yourself a G32. It's been my main carry most of the time lately. Like you I go with a G43 for discrete carry. Also, when I really need something small, a Kahr P380.

I'll keep dreaming for a 43/single stack size .357SIG from Glock. :supergrin:
 
#71 · (Edited)
I been Yackin on here about gettin a G32 for a while now so I finally 'pulled the trigger' and found this at Palmetto State Armory ($539.00), had it shipped and picked this puppy up the other day! Had Glock Night sights(not TOO bright) put on it for $60.00 before I even brought it home. Gotta buncha American Eagle 125 Gr FMJs, lotsa Gold Dot 125 gr. JHPs, lotsa HST 125 gr JHPs and last but not least, lotsa Glaser Corbon 100 Gr Pow'R Ball JHPs.(rocket fuel)1,600 fps @ 568 ft/lbs. :supergrin:

Firearm Gun Trigger Starting pistol Gun accessory

Firearm Gun Trigger Gun accessory Starting pistol
 
#3 · (Edited)
The G33 has the highest muzzle energy to size ratio in the entire Glock catalog. Except for width, it's not much larger than your G43 while bringing along three more rounds. Properly fed, it will outperform by great margin all 9x19mm Glocks.

Underwood 125gr JHP from my 3.4-inch G33 barrel yields these results ten feet in front of muzzle:
MV = 1410 fps
ME = 552 ft-lbf
PF = 196.

An OEM .357SIG barrel has Glock's tightest chamber with 100-percent cartridge case support even above the feed ramp...all possible only because of the bottleneck cartridge case design.

Unless you live in the Middle East or Chicago, the high performance of the G33 and .357SIG will serve much better than the six extra 9x19mm rounds in a G19.

Some claim the blast is excessive. The blast from two-, three-, and four-inch .357MAG revolvers is at least as great, but that did not stop those from being law enforcement's most commonly-issued weapons in the pre-auto pistol era more than 30 years ago.

The G33 and .357SIG are winners!
 
#5 ·
Yep - always buzzkill negative nancies on every internet forum. I have found out that ammo is somewhat higher in cost, and definitely more difficult to find (on retail store shelves). But that doesn't matter to me. I am accustomed to that, after owning and carrying 10mm Glocks for a long time. And this is a carry gun, not a plinking gun. There is always a cost to do business.

Oh, and I didn't even notice muzzle blast, but it was during daylight hours. Just a good bit more noise.
 
#10 ·
Yep - and the shockwave alone will knock him and all of his homies flat on their arses. But not me, because I am behind it. :supergrin:

A long, long time ago, I very stupidly fired one round out of a Ruger Service Six (.357 Mag) without wearing any hearing protection. I was instantly completely deaf, which lasted a couple of hours. Now I wear ear plugs when mowing the grass, running a leaf blower or string trimmer. People think they're being "tough guys" when they run small engines without hearing protection. And they are the ones that often say "huh"? when they get older.
 
#9 ·
Legitimate question about the G33 (or any of the .357sig lineup): How are they holding up now that they've been out for many years? Are there any issues that creep up? Is the wear and tear more excessive than the other calibers? Do any of the parts need to be changed out more than other calibers (guide rod/spring etc)?
 
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#19 ·
I just asked my brother, he bought a 33 when it first came out and I know he shoots it at least monthly at work, he's only changed the RSA once and not because he noticed issues, he just figured it was time (years). He shoots his 32 more now than his 33. He said his gen4 31 from 2012 is well past 10k rounds and he hasn't replaced anything yet. He's getting a new gen4 31 next year when they switch over from their mostly gen3 31s (they got four gen4s in to test and he was one of the testers). He said he knows he should replace the RSA more often since his life depends on the gun working correctly. Most of his guys shoot maybe 100 rounds a year, he and a few others try to shoot 500 rounds a month minimum.

I have a frankenGlock 32 and an HK USP compact in 357 and love it and won't part with them, but I mostly shoot 9mm now since I reload for it.
 
#12 ·
Also, during my 75 or so test firing rounds this morning, one empty case really gonged my forehead. Real hard. If the open end of the case had hit me, it would have drawn blood. Fortunately, that was the only one that hit me, so I think it was just a fluke.
 
#25 ·
You'll find that most of the people that talk crap about 357 SIG, have never shot or owned one.

Congrats on your G33.:cool:
Yep - on many different types of things. Negative nancy buzzkills with egos that need self-inflation.

Side note on that topic: One thing that comes to mind is Remora holsters, when they first came out. When I am carrying concealed, my Glock is usually in one of those, and has been since they came on the market. Never had the first negative experience with one, and love them for so many different ways. Especially cost. They can be had right now for about $20, shipped.

Back on track: I really love this G33. I didn't plan it this way, but I think it will become my EDC. That is, until I trade my G19 for a G32, which will then take that role. I posted a FT ad for just that, on another site, just this morning.

Just got back from buying more Hornady Critical Duty for my carry rounds. About a buck per round at Cabela's right now. I'm not complaining about that for carry ammo.
 
#30 ·
I like ten mm and 357 sig a lot. In a large frame gun the 45 acp is awesome, but in a smaller carry gun the ten and 357 sig make me happy.

Reloading 357 sig is pretty hard. I have looked a long time to get dies that correctly crimp 357 sig with the funnel shaped top of the brass.
quantico, do you have a Glock 29? Do you like it better then the .357sig?
 
#29 ·
Why not just get an OEM one. They are cheaper ($125) and have Glock's blessing. I keep hoping to order one for my 27. It seems that over the last few months, other priorities (my wife) have better uses for my money. ;)
These are for
Why not just get an OEM one. They are cheaper ($125) and have Glock's blessing. I keep hoping to order one for my 27. It seems that over the last few months, other priorities (my wife) have better uses for my money. ;)
These are for a shield.
 
#31 ·
I live in NY...which sucks but I carry a G33 as well. we are limited to 10 rounds so I added a pearce +1 and I have 10 rounds of an excellent defensive round for a pistol
 
#32 ·
My new, longer springs will arrive today, so I can add my Glock +2 extensions to two of my magazines. I tried those with the original springs, and it would not feed reliably. Hopefully, the longer and stronger Wolff springs will fix that issue. When I need to be discrete, I will use the 9 round magazine, but when discretion doesn't matter (in GA, that rarely matters), especially when I am out in the woods or on the water, I will enjoy having the extra grip surface and +2 rounds.
 
#33 ·
I use the wolf 10% springs with the +1 and it has been flawless
 
#34 ·
I am quite confident in regular 9mm being an adequate defensive round, but .357 Sig is way better, and will double as a woods defensive round for me, instead of 10mm, when size and weight matters for me. But when size and weight isn't a factor, my G20 will be on my hip in the woods.

I am really, really liking this G33. I don't think I will ever get rid of it. Welllllll, I did once say that about the G30S I traded for it, but the G33 fills the role of a do-it-all compromise carry gun for me, better.
 
#37 ·
I've carried a 31C for the last 10+ years, with no appreciable wear. I do run a heavier # Wolff RSA, which I think helps longevity.

My LNIB 33.3 is a recent find. Running Underwood 125 GD, I found it moves around a bit! Ordered some Talon grips, and looking forward to EDC once those are on.
 
#38 ·
Agrip works wonders as well.
 
#39 ·
I use the wolf 10% springs with the +1 and it has been flawless
To follow up on this, mine just arrived, I installed them, and they work like a charm. I have the Glock +2 extensions. It's nice to be able to get a full purchase on the gun with my hand now, and 11+1 rounds of .357 will feel very comforting to carry. And if I need to be a little more discrete in carry, I just pop a 9 round mag back in.
 
#42 ·
I'm running Underwood 125gr Gold Dot at work, and soon for EDC, too.

FWIW, even with a 24# Wolff RSA, these rounds are slinging brass about 7 or 8 feet. By comparison, Speer's own Gold Dot loading ejects brass about 12 inches w/ the 24# Wolff. That should be some indication of how hot the Underwood stuff is.
 
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