Don't be afraid of the C models. I seem to recall a fellow GTer doing a chrono test and found the velocity loos to be very minimal. I personally have experience with the G23C, 22C, 20C and the 24C.(all Gen 3s) I have enjoyed shooting all of them.

 

I've heard that the velocity loss is pretty minimal. HOWEVER, there are serious drawbacks to the compensated models. One, there is significant flash at night that can blind you in a dark SD scenario. Second, because the muzzle blast is not going straight out the front, but rather coming up, they are much louder (to the shooter), and you can feel the concussion from the round a LOT more. This is especially true of the big-boomers (.357Sig & 10mm). I don't think these cons would be worth the slight reduction in muzzle rise. I would only consider one as a target pistol.

Try to shoot one back-to-back with a regular model before buying. All of that being said, the twin spouts of fire shooting up in a V are nothing short of badass. Especially with one of the hotter calibers.

 

The alleged night blindness does not happen. I had a 23C and never had any such problem. After about 70 rounds the front sight got a bit of soot on it and needed a quick wipe, then it was good to go for more. Getting back on target with it was quick. As far as velocity loss, just get a regular factory barrel from Lone Wolf and don't worry about it. There is only about a 5 gram difference in slide weight between the 23C slide and the 32 slide that I still have.

 

The alleged night blindness does not happen. I had a 23C and never had any such problem.

I agree with G26S239. I use a G20C and never had any problems of that kind. I think that what counts the most is the kind of powder you use.

I always use VV powder (N340 and N105) and I never see a V-flash on the top-just a quick gas burst. but that's all.

But sure thing. The G20C is MUCH LOUDER than a G20 and any other semi-automatic guns at the range. That may be cool at the range, but not in a SD situation...

For sure, if you need a gun for SD (especially HOME SD), I'd DISCOURAGE you from buying a "C" model.

 

I own:

G19C, 20C, 21C, 22C, 23C, 24C, 31C, 32C

I have carried: 19C, 31C, 22C, 32C.

I have shot extensively, in all kinds of rigorous training scenarios: G19C, 20C, 21C, 22C, 23C, 24C, 31C, 32C

I have experienced temporary loss of vision from shooting a C gun in low light conditions: NEVER.



There was only one time I EVER had really nasty splash back shooting frangible ammo at 1 yard at a cardboard target. This was using a G31C. I immediately switched to the G31 (non ported). The splashback was the same, or worse. In fact, the trainer told me to NOT touch the target with the muzzle of the gun (the target and holder was simply getting SHREDDED).

For the folks talking about this that or the other about C guns...most have not shot them extensively. The crap you get hit with from the cylinder gap of a 2" or 3" 38 or 357mag is far worse than what hits you from a ported gun. To repeat, I've shot a NON PORTED G31 (357SIG) and got more small cuts in my face and on my hands than I cared for, when shooting frangible at a target 3ft or less away. That round out of a 4"+ Glock barrel is just nasty.


'Drew

 

This comes up every once in a while.

I have a G17C. It has been a fantastic firearm and I have never experienced any of the negatives you will read about such as blindness or burns.

 

thanks for the info so far. Not too worried about night blindness as I've heard many people say all modern SD rds use low flash powder. I've shot thousands of 40 rds at night thru my issued G22 and never noticed any disturbing flash so I doubt the ports would add to that.

my main concern is how much velocity is sucked outta the 357 sig by the C model ports? 50 fps, 100 fps? speed is the best thing that rd has going for it and it doesn't make sense to cut that back too much.

 

I've found velocity loss to be minimal - I'd estimate 25 fps. Cheap range ammo does produce flash and flame. Good quality self defense ammo has flash suppressant and doesn't flash or flame. The c models are louder and the concussion is definitely greater.

My only problem with the c models for defense is if you had to shoot with the pistol closer to your body. The noise and concussion could stun you a bit. I tried it.

I bought an extra non ported Glock factory barrel from a fellow forum member to use for carry.

I like the look and idea of the c models but don't see much of an advantage for most shooters. I don't think I would buy another one for my purposes.

 

PM sent.

 

I've heard that the velocity loss is pretty minimal. Correct.

HOWEVER, there are serious drawbacks to the compensated models. One, there is significant flash at night that can blind you in a dark SD scenario. Second, because the muzzle blast is not going straight out the front, but rather coming up, they are much louder (to the shooter), Incorrect.

 

I came up with 25 fps estimate based on actual chronograph results from my own recent testing. The difference between my non-ported G22 and ported G23 was 75fps. I would expect the barrel length itself to account for about 50fps in my experience and the rest of the difference to porting. I was surprised myself to see that porting caused such minimal velocity loss.

 

Here are some figures for the 40's:

GLOCK 22

FED Classic 155 JHP 1163 FPS 465 FPE

GLOCK 22C

FED Classic 155 JHP 1139 FPS 446 FPE


As Drew said above don't believe all the internet crapola about the "c" models. I have shot and owned both in every model except 45acp. They work and they won't blind you, cause your nostrils to flare or cause horrible acne.

 

Concerning the velocity loss I'd say that IN THEORY, this should be true (IMO):

• The ports on the barrel let some hot gas go away before the bullet exits the barrel. Thus, some "push energy" is lost.
• On a "C" glock, the ports are on the center/front of the barrel, and not at the end... the nearer the ports are to the chamber, the bigger the velocity loss should be.

But:

• The higher the ACCELERATION of the bullet is (generally given my its pressure), the lower is the time and space in the barrell it needs to reach full speed. This means that:
  • A low-pressure and low-speed bullet (like the .45 ACP) will need ALL the available barrel lenght in order to get to the right velocity. So, if you put a port in the barrel, the risk is that you lose some "pushing gas" while the bullet still needs to be accelerated
  • On a high-pressure, high-speed bullet (like the .40 S&W, 10mm Auto, .357Sig), the bullet should reach its peak velocity quite soon, so the gas coming out of the compensator should be already "cool" and not so of a loss in terms of velocity and "bullet push"...

don't know if I explained correctly or not, and if this sounds reasonable. But IMO:

• a G21C looses (in %) more speed if compared to a G21 rather than a G20C or a G31C if compared to the non-C model.

cheers!

 

I've heard that the velocity loss is pretty minimal. HOWEVER, there are serious drawbacks to the compensated models. One, there is significant flash at night that can blind you in a dark SD scenario. Second, because the muzzle blast is not going straight out the front, but rather coming up, they are much louder (to the shooter), and you can feel the concussion from the round a LOT more. This is especially true of the big-boomers (.357Sig & 10mm). I don't think these cons would be worth the slight reduction in muzzle rise. I would only consider one as a target pistol.

Try to shoot one back-to-back with a regular model before buying. All of that being said, the twin spouts of fire shooting up in a V are nothing short of badass. Especially with one of the hotter calibers.

BS:wavey:

 

I had a 23c but got rid of it, nothing to do with flash ect...
Anyway, average for 5 shots;
G23, Ranger T 165 @ 1,125 fps = 464# KE
G23c, Ranger T 165 @ 1,069 fps = 419# KE
Not done on the same day, but same chrono, same location, same operator

 

I had a 23C, pretty dark in the indoor range I shoot at, no blinding flash, and I think sometimes people confuse ports with muzzle brakes concerning muzzle blast.

 

My experience agrees with Drew.

Bonus is that with a C model, you can just buy a regular barrel and be done.
The reverse will NOT work.


And the gas and flash stuff is Internet and Big name trainers BS.
Shoot a snubnose.
:tongueout:

 

love my G23c and G22c. never shot in low-light, but, they are loud.

 

Love my 19C.

I've shot matches in low/no light and had no issues with flash blindness. This is a myth.

Many people dismiss getting a C model on the 9MMs because 9x19 is generally easy to shoot and handle anyway but I can tell a difference even with standard pressure target loads, just that much faster on target. I have a standard barrel as well and have done some side by side comparisons with it. C barrel has less rise and is faster back on target, even with 9x19.

They are louder though and you will get people wondering just what the hell you're shooting. Especially shooting indoors. Can't wait to get a 20C and really start turning heads!

 

Similar experiences to Dave27, with my 17C. Very fast recovery, very easy to shoot.

Also very valuable is Drew's extensive experience. Learned some things from his post.

 

Geez, I'm sorry I used the word BLIND. I agree that I was out of place using it, as I have shot MANY Blue Dot 10mm loads out of my G29 at night that produce massive flash, and they don't BLIND me. However, they DO cause you to lose a little bit of "night vision". If THAT is BS, then why does almost all SD ammo use flash-suppressing powder? It's very distracting and takes a second for you to reacquire your target well.

I'm sorry I offended some C model owners, but if a round is going to flash, the flash WILL be worse with a C model, and it will be right in your line of vision. A quick search on YouTube will show you this. Note: I am not speaking from YouTube experience, but PERSONAL experience.

Second, THEY ARE MUCH LOUDER TO SHOOT! I'm not saying they aren't great guns. They are. They are cool as hell, and they do help muzzle rise. But like someone else said, I can just imagine having to shoot one while holding it close to my body and getting blasted with muzzle blast. That's not good to me. Even shooting my non-compensated G29 from a close-to-the-body position gives you a hell of a shake from the muzzle blast. It really wakes you up, and could potentially stun you. The C models have this effect at arm's length, so I'd hate to hear/feel it near my body, especially without ear protection.

I might buy one in the future, but you can believe I will have a non-ported Glock barrel if I ever carry it. I just think the benefits are only benefits when target shooting. In a carry/SD/HD situation, those "benefits" start looking like liabilities to me.

 

Good postings everyone about how the C models don't blind you and have minimal velocity loss. I guess I don't need to drop my usual/over kill barrage of defense for the C models :supergrin:






:50cal:

 

Geez, I'm sorry I used the word BLIND. I agree that I was out of place using it, as I have shot MANY Blue Dot 10mm loads out of my G29 at night that produce massive flash, and they don't BLIND me. However, they DO cause you to lose a little bit of "night vision". If THAT is BS, then why does almost all SD ammo use flash-suppressing powder? It's very distracting and takes a second for you to reacquire your target well.

Buddy, in a situation where you were offensively or defensively shooting any handgun at night in low light conditions, the little thingamabobs in your eyes that deal with color, and depth perception, and all that jazz...those things really don't work so hot under stress. (Those thingamabobs would be called photoreceptor cells, specifically, CONES and to some extent RODS).

So all this about loss of night vision from muzzle flash doesn't really apply. Your body just does not work that way under stress.

No, they are not louder to shoot. Really. We PERCEIVE them to be louder because less of the sonic energy is directional along the bore of the muzzle, and more of that sound energy radiates in a plane where our ears can pick it up. If you don't believe me try this: (use ammo from same batch)

Non C gun.
Take a C or A weighed SPL meter (it must be capable of reading up to 160dB). Place the meter 8" below the bore of the gun, 12" out. Fire the gun. Have someone record the reading for later review.

C gun.
Take TWO SPL meters, put one as outlined as above, the other 8" above the bore of the gun, at any distance from the muzzle in the horizontal plane.


You will find that the overall SPL of the ported gun is no louder than the non ported gun...it's just where that sound is directed.


(Yes, I am tweaking your nose a bit on the "louder thing. :tongueout:, we DO perceive it to be louder ).


Please don't take my word for any of this stuff. Test what you can, or/and ask any FBI trained firearms instructor, or any decent SWAT firearms instructor, or any (other) .fed LE firearms instructor if any of that rings true.


'Drew

 

I just really wanted to know about possible velocity loss, but thanks for all the extraneous info.

as long as a C model won't make me sterile........

 

I just really wanted to know about possible velocity loss, but thanks for all the extraneous info.

as long as a C model won't make me sterile........

:rofl: