Selected Handgun Detail

Manufacturer
	Glock Ges.m.b.H. More Info

About the Gun

The Glock 23 is a compact, polymer-framed pistol chambered in .40 S&W, configured as the smaller counterpart to the full-size Glock 22 to balance capacity, concealability, and service reliability. It uses a locked-breech, short-recoil operating system with a polygonal rifled barrel and double-stack magazines holding 13 rounds standard. Pre-Gen4 versions consist of Gen2 and Gen3 configurations.

Production

Production of this variant began around 1998 and continued into the early 2010s.

Market value

MSRP at production was around $500–$525. Used market values range around $400–$450 for good to excellent specimens.

Cartridge Specifications
Cartridge:	.40 Smith & Wesson
Alias:	N/A
More Info

Analysis

These pre-Gen4 Glock 23 variants share identical core mechanics and have demonstrated consistent durability in law enforcement, military contracts, and civilian applications worldwide. Major components remain highly compatible between Gen2 and Gen3 versions, supporting broad parts interchangeability with only minor differences in grip feel and frame features. The polygonal rifling enables reliable function with various ammunition types and contributes to consistent practical accuracy at typical distances. Gen2 models feature checkered front and back straps on the grip with pebble-texture side panels, no accessory rail on the dust cover, and no finger grooves or thumb rests; these appear less frequently due to age and production volumes, often appealing to users who prefer the simpler grip design without added contours or rail provisions. Gen3 models incorporate an accessory rail forward of the trigger guard, finger grooves along the front strap, thumb rests on the frame sides, and a revised grip texture pattern; they constitute the majority of circulating examples, particularly from former law enforcement sources, with the rail supporting device mounting and the grip modifications offering ergonomic adjustments for a range of hand sizes. The platform maintains extensive compatibility with corresponding Gen3 Glock 22 components and other .40 S&W models from the era, facilitating access to magazines, holsters, recoil springs, and related parts, while the .40 S&W chambering provides manageable recoil in the compact frame. Secondary market preferences depend primarily on condition, originality, and individual grip fit rather than any inherent differences in mechanical performance or durability across the generations.