Owners of the Glock 23 Gen 3 in .40 S&W tend to have clear opinions, both for and against.
On the positive side, reliability comes up constantly. Owners report the gun runs in varied conditions, through training and actual use. The compact size gets real praise for concealed carry: small enough to hide well, but still enough grip to control it. Night sights are a common highlight, especially for anyone who wants a dedicated defensive gun. The Glock platform is simple to operate, which works for newer shooters, and the aftermarket for holsters, magazines, and accessories is hard to beat.
The criticisms are predictable but worth knowing. The .40 S&W recoil is snappier than 9mm, and smaller-framed shooters notice it. Grip texture is fairly smooth by modern standards and some people want more purchase, especially under stress or sweaty hands. The trigger gets mixed reviews. It works fine, but shooters coming from other platforms often find it takes adjustment. The caliber debate is real: .40 S&W sits between 9mm and .45 ACP, and plenty of owners have strong feelings about whether that trade-off is worth it.
Overall the G23 Gen 3 has earned its reputation as a practical compact pistol. Whether the .40 caliber and ergonomics suit you comes down to personal preference.
AI-generated insights derived from customer reviews and discussions on popular gun-enthusiast forums.