Has anybody shot a Glock 44?
Posted by magicfitzpatrick@reddit | Firearms | View on Reddit | 43 comments
I’m looking to start off with the smallest handgun possible that’s made by Glock. Has anybody ever tried using this gun? What was your experience like?
the_voivode@reddit
I own and have shot a Glock 44. It shoots well and would be a good purchase.
magicfitzpatrick@reddit (OP)
Next time I go to the range, I’ll see if I can rent a Glock 44
the_voivode@reddit
That sounds like a great idea. Folks here are very right. Sampling options is a wonderful plan.
brianr243@reddit
The glock 42 is much smaller
magicfitzpatrick@reddit (OP)
Physically smaller?
No_Mathematician764@reddit
takes about 1000 rounds to break in, until then they will jam ect. they're fine after that. 10 round mags. pro mag makes a larger mag, but haven't tried them out yet, it's light weight so carrying it, you will not notice it on you. accurate, fun to shoot.
magicfitzpatrick@reddit (OP)
Like I told some other people, I’m definitely gonna ask if I can rent one when I go to the range. Hopefully they’ll have it for me to try out.
mcgunner1966@reddit
I have one. I use it for shooting around and snakes (you can get shot shells for it). It's a good pistol. There are better and there are worse.
Play_GoodMusic@reddit
G44 is basically a g19. Almost identical except the slide is half polymer. If you are going to get a g19 one day, then it's a great training tool.
A couple of things. 1 the stock mags hold 10 rounds, they are reliable. Promags hold more rounds but are HIGHLY prone to failures. Promags WILL need a speed loader, they are too hard to load without one.
Having said that, if you want to train shooting stick to the stock mags. If you want to train for clearing failures have 1 or 2 promags. If it's going to be the bedside self-defense gun, stock mags 100%.
It's not too fussy with ammo, but stick to grains higher than 36. For plinking any ammo type will do, but if it's self defense, you actually don't want hollow points - they won't have enough energy to expand from a pistol barrel. Use CCI 40grain Mini Mag ROUND NOSE for defense. There's a video on YouTube backing this claim (sorry don't have a link).
This is my wife's bedside gun, stock mags, never had a failure with them.
magicfitzpatrick@reddit (OP)
Thank you for the detailed post. I’m taking notes.
Ridge_Hunter@reddit
The used G44 I bought came with the two factory mags and 3 promags. The guy I bought it from said the promags had issues. The gun was cheap enough that I really didn't care if the promags worked or not...I tried them and they're flawless. To be fair I only load 15 rounds into them...I believe they hold 17. But it's supposed to be a G19 clone which would also only have 15 in the mag.
The promag finger tabs are terrible...I can load them fine without a speed loader but I do find the factory mags more enjoyable to use. Someone needs to 3D print replacement finger tabs for the promags
Play_GoodMusic@reddit
If i load 15 into a promag, the 2nd round always fails to feed. Kinda nice in a way, getting really good at clearing that - don't like that it smashes the ammo though; ammo is thrown away.
I try to stick with the 10 round stock mags, they never fail.
To be fair, the Shield Plus i had, came with 5 mags and everyone of them sucked. Feel bad for the soul who bought that from my gun store. Shitty & Worthless.
KirbsMcGirk@reddit
I shot it at a range years ago when they first came out. I thought it was a great little handgun although there are definitely other 22 pistols around the same price point with a better trigger.
magicfitzpatrick@reddit (OP)
It looks like the Taurus is the most highly recommended gun on this post. I think I’ll ask for that one when I go to the gun range.
Wyno222@reddit
If you’re set on a 22LR, the Taurus TX22s are very well regarded and hold more ammo while some models are also optic ready. I love my Sig P322 with an optic cut and 20 or 25 round mags. I sold my G44 when I got a P323 because 20+ rounds of 22LR suppressed and with a red dot is fun only surpassed by shooting full auto. I’ve considered adding a Taurus TX22 Toro to my collection based upon all of the community praise it receives. I don’t miss my G44 at all, and due to the drastic weight difference with the G19, I don’t consider it an appropriate training aid for a G19.
magicfitzpatrick@reddit (OP)
It looks like the Taurus fun is highly recommended. When I go to the shooting range, I will call ahead of time and see if they have this for me to try out.
monsterofwar1977@reddit
Having read you want 22lr as your definition of smallest, I recommend you try a few brands. The best feeling 22 compact size for me is the walther p22. The one that gets the most use is the s&w m&p 22 compact. I barely clean it and it runs great. Usually going about 2k rounds or so between cleaning. Personally I'm not a Glock fan. But look at the models in 22 that are the same size as the 9mm compacts they sell. Get a feel of them by renting if possible. My typical edc is a S&W M&P 2.0 9C with the 3.6 inch barrel and a manual safety. Almost exactly the same size as the 22 compact just heavier. Though in the summer I'll go to my Sig p365 optics ready with manual safety. It has amazingly little recoil for it's small size. No clue why I'd put optics on it but that's how it was sold.
magicfitzpatrick@reddit (OP)
Thank you for all this info. I’m writing this all down and when I go back to the shooting range, I’ll ask them if they have any of these guns available for me to try
monsterofwar1977@reddit
NP. It's all things you should consider. For a range gun size isn't as important. If you eventually plan to conceal carry, size is a pretty big concern. And 22lr isn't the best for that due to possible voids in the rim. I rarely have a round with an issue, less than 1 in 500, but it's still something that must be considered. For conceal, typically, 380 is the smallest recommended. But they tend to be smaller so they do have decent recoil. The key is to find what fits for you. And 22lr is fun to shoot and cheap. So that means more shooting per dollar. If you do go up in caliber, 9mm is the best supported round by far. Just go to a store and you'll see how much 9mm they have compared to others. Just don't get into a mindset where someone tells you a specific brand is what you must get. You might find Glock fits you best, but you might prefer another brand. Hell, you might find you prefer revolvers. Just be safe and have fun.
magicfitzpatrick@reddit (OP)
Thank you for all the advice. I’m not running out to get a gun yet. I plan on going to the local fire range where they have lots of different guns to rent. I think I would like to start off with something a little less dramatic, and a lot less recoil. Overtime once I learn how to handle the gun I’ll step it up. I don’t mind renting multiple guns to find out what would be a good fit for me. I think starting off with a smaller caliber might be the right way to go for a beginner like my self. The first thing I really wanna master is safety.
Sliced_Orange1@reddit
Yes, and it’s pretty good for a .22 handgun IMO. Great for learning how to grip a handgun and how to use sights.
magicfitzpatrick@reddit (OP)
That’s what I was thinking. Thanks for saying that.
youkilledkenny3211@reddit
The Taurus tx22 or the Keltec p17 are much better imo
magicfitzpatrick@reddit (OP)
I will ask the gun range if they have this for me to rent and try out.
JandR1994@reddit
https://battlehawkarmory.com/product/taurus-tx22-t.o.r.o.-.22lr-4.6-barrel-2-magazines-optics-ready-pistol?avad=190366_f3ef533e5
Boom, i got emailed this
magicfitzpatrick@reddit (OP)
Before I go to the gun range, I’ll see if they have this to rent. Thank you.
JandR1994@reddit
The physically smallest glock is the 42 being 389 auto. Being a "pocket pistol" Caliber wise, it is the 44 being 22lr. The 44 is the same size as a glock 19 thus being "compact" size.
The glock 44 is nothing special. If you want a 22 pistol to plink with then go for a taurus tx22. It's like half the price. Psa puts them on sale every so often.
_long_tall_texan_@reddit
100% agree. TX-22 is so much more reliable than the G44.
Ridge_Hunter@reddit
I bought a G44 used for a good deal...been flawless and it has not been cleaned very much. I know people had issues with them and maybe they're hit or miss but this sample size of one has been excellent
_long_tall_texan_@reddit
I have heard that they just take a long time to break in. Once broken in they become much more reliable. I have several friends with them, and they have to run CCI mini mags for them to run reliably. No running the run of the ml cheap 22LR rounds like golden bullets or thunderbolts. I have a DIY G44 that I built from a Combat Armory frame and the Advantage Arms 22LR slide. Mine eats anything I feed it. But, on the same note, I've heard of some people having reliability issues with the Advantage Arms kits too.
magicfitzpatrick@reddit (OP)
My man👍 thank you.
Willing_Reserve6374@reddit
The M&P 22 magnum is something I've been dying to try out for a while
JandR1994@reddit
You're welcome. You can sometimes find a g44 for a good deal on the secondary market.
pewcity@reddit
I personally love the Glock 44 for teaching and introducing firearms to new shooters. It's overwhelming sometimes and the 44 makes a good entry into firearms for teaching basic fundamentals and then the gradual upgrade to a 19/17/45 isn't so bad.
magicfitzpatrick@reddit (OP)
That’s exactly what I need. I wanna learn the absolute fundamentals and I think a light caliber with less kick will be perfect for me.
WIlf_Brim@reddit
Since nobody has answered your original question:
The Glock 44 has the exact ergonomics and manual of arms as the Glock 19, save caliber and weight. The stock trigger is typical Glock, but given the low weight of the weapon, it makes it more noticable, so a replacement is recommended.
As a self defense firearm, it's a terrible choice. Only 10 round magazine, poor penetration and damage, and because it's a .22LR automatic pistol, it's not very reliable.
Threather19@reddit
Are you even trying? Go to Glock’s website and look up model specs
magicfitzpatrick@reddit (OP)
I’m so new I get super confused with all the numbers. The one thing I do remember is a 22 bullet has less recoil. I think that’s where I should start my gun journey. Looking for something with a lot less kick.
Threather19@reddit
If your PHP is actually you, go big, börther. Get a Glock G40.
fmtek81@reddit
Do you want smallest size or smallest caliber?
Smallest caliber, G44, .22lr Smallest size, G42 or G43, .380 and 9mm
magicfitzpatrick@reddit (OP)
Smallest caliber G44- 22lr
Haunting-Broccoli-95@reddit
Glock 42 is perfect
Wyno222@reddit
The G44 is the same size as the G19. The G43 would be smaller.