This range visit consisted of shooting three handguns – the Grand Power P11, the Glock 22 Gen 3, and the Canik TP9SA.
Why this combination?
The Glock 22 is a full sized service pistol that is striker-fired and is polymer. The only other handgun that I have that is similar (in size, in MoA, and in material make-up) is the Canik TP9SA. The only other guns that I have that are of similar size are fully metal (the Sig Sauer P220 Equinox and the Metro Arms American Classic Commander, both shooting .45 ACP). I felt that it was unfair to compare those two handguns to the Glock 22 since their mass would negate some recoil.
The Glock 22 is snappy in Gen 3 configuration. In fact, I had a difficult time with it, which is odd, because I’ve fired .40 in the past without issue, but those guns were all-metal too, so there is that.
The recoil was bad for me. I didn’t have any malfunctions (no limp-wristing here) but my aim was wayyyy off (probably has nothing to do with recoil and everything to do with not being used to the trigger on this particular gun. I fired 50 rounds of Federal 165-grain FMJ, so the ammo wasn’t even hot. I need to work on my aim because I don’t think the recoil was messing with it. If I squeeze properly, the round will be out of the gun before recoil can affect the bullet’s path, so again, I need to focus on trigger pull with this gun. The trigger is not stock. It has a 5.5-lb trigger, from Glock, I believe, that was put in as part of a police package (it is a LEO trade-in). I think that’s what has me confused. My other Glock’s trigger is nothing like the one on this gun.
Also, the recoil is making the trigger rub harshly against my trigger finger as it pushes the gun up, so I have a sore spot on the underside of my trigger finger that might blister. I tried altering the way I shoot so that it would quit rubbing and I could not.
I grabbed some Talon grips for the Glock 22 on the way out of the range facility. They are now installed. I’m not sure if I like the grips, as they are extremely aggressive in texture and my hands are a bit raw just from installing them. I’ve no doubt they’ll help me in dealing with the recoil, but I may have to see if I can make them a bit less abrasive. I’m glad I’ve no plans to carry this gun…these grips will rub holes in my clothing.
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| Talon Grips for the Glock 22 Gen 3 |
Also, when I take apart or put together the gun, I’ve noticed the recoil spring seems a bit weak…I can install it or remove it with very little effort…it almost falls out and is very easy to get into place. I’m not sure it’s supposed to be this loose. I’m probably going to order a new one.
I’ve read that the Gen 4 Glock 22’s double-springed recoil spring guide works great in lessening recoil for that generation of G22. It’s a pity that they can’t be used with Gen 3s.
I’ve also found that .40 isn’t all that much more expensive than .45ACP or 9mm. I bought 100 rounds of .40 S&W for $18 a box (two boxes).
The sights are difficult to see at the range. They don’t show as dots. I’m wondering if that was my issue, but I don’t think it was, since I was trying to use the front sight’s shadow to align it properly between the rear sight’s “forks”. I should’ve been hitting closer to the red. I did catch myself not using both eyes a few times, too…that may have been the issue.
I know I bought this gun so that I can use it with the 22TCM 9R conversion kit, but even with the recoil issues, it is fun to try something different. It’s OK to mix things up, even if I couldn’t hit the damned bulls-eye at 7 yards with 50 rounds. 🙂 :/
A picture of the first few rounds out of the gun (well, MY first few rounds):
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| 7 yards, Glock 22 Gen 3 – 15 rounds of Federal 165-grain FMJ. Big bang with big recoil |
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| 7 yards, Canik TP9SA – 17 rounds of Remington 115-grain FMJ. Yes, I’m having trigger issues. I haven’t fired this gun in over a year. Still, I nailed the red several times — couldn’t do that with the G22. |
I had no issues with the Canik TP9SA. I fired 50 rounds of Remington 115-grain FMJ without issue, other than I was shooting left of the target even though most of those would probably be considered kill shots (see above).
How does it shoot compared to the G22? There’s almost no recoil, for one, but I knew that before I compared them. As exceptional as the G22’s 5.5lb trigger is, the Canik’s is still better, by a large margin. It’s that good.
I also fired 50 rounds of Remington 115-grain FMJ from the Grand Power P11 too. These were hang-up free rounds…no FTF or FTEs. No fails to return to battery. Here’s the target:
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| 7 yards, Grand Power P11 – some rapid fire, Remington 115-grain, 35 rounds…LOTS of shots in the red. |
I continue to get better with this handgun (see above picture). I even tried 5 shots strong hand only (one-handed, right-handed). This is the first time I’ve done this. The first shot was WAY left. The other 4 shots hit the head. It was easy to do with this gun. There was next to no recoil. The last 15 shots went all over the place…I might have been fatigued by then.
That makes 866 rounds out of the Grand Power. We’re getting closer and closer to the 1000 mark.
The next range visit will include the Glock 22. We’ll see if we can tame the recoil.