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Till the current launch of the Glock G44, the Austrian juggernaut of the pistol world didn’t have a .22 rimfire in its lineup. Glock has been a driving pressure within the handgun marketplace for many years, and followers of their polymer-framed pistols rejoiced when the G44 arrived. The comparatively stale .22 pistol class has seen some innovation lately, and this new Glock is actually one of many highlights. What ought to we make of it although? We anticipate it to be easy and dependable like another Glock, however how would possibly it distinguish itself from different new plinkers, trainers, and pint-sized pistols? I obtained a Glock 44 for myself to seek out out.
Glock 44 Specs
- Caliber: .22 LR
- Capability: 10 rounds
- Journal: Polymer, single-stack
- Dimensions: 5.04 inches (H) x 7.28 inches (L) x 1.26 inches (W)
- Weight: 15 ounces (weighed with empty journal)
- Body: Polymer with metal slide rails
- Slide: Metal, black end
- Barrel: 4.02-inches, black end
- Sights: Steel Ameriglo 3-dot tritium or White 3-dot with adjustable rear sight
- Optic prepared: No
- Set off: Single-action, curved shoe, 6 kilos 8 ounces (measured)
- Security: Set off security bar
- Value: $360
Evaluate Highlights
- True-to-form Glock design
- Comparable in measurement and set off pull to G19
- Obtainable with Ameriglo sights
- Choosy about some ammo
- Accuracy common: 2.69 inches (12 5-shot teams from 15 yards)
The Glock 44, Glock’s first .22 LR
Any new Glock introduction is often obtained in predictable vogue: Glock followers acknowledge updates and adjustments inside the scope of Glock pistols — and are typically excited. Shooters that aren’t Glock followers often roll their eyes — ooh, one other Glock. Most new introductions aren’t dramatically completely different from different Glocks, however that’s not a nasty factor. Glock has constructed a popularity for easy, sturdy, and completely dependable pistols. That’s why we like them, and that’s what we wish.
A Real Glock
The forty fourth mannequin that Glock launched, the .22 LR Glock 44 is without doubt one of the most true-to-form .22 pistols available on the market. By that, I imply that in building, it extra carefully follows the design of its centerfire counterparts than another .22 pistol I’ve used.
Mannequin-mimicking .22 pistols are nothing new. The Ruger 22/45 is without doubt one of the most notable .22 pistols that took on the grip form and angle of the 1911 in .45 ACP. The aim was to accommodate 1911 shooters with a rimfire pistol that will really feel and level like their .45s. Later, we noticed — and proceed to see full-sized 1911/.22 pistols which are the dimensions of a centerfire 1911, however chambered in .22LR. Principally, these weapons are 1911 in appears to be like solely and make use of a hard and fast barrel. The one exception I’ve seen is Browning’s scaled-down 1911/22 pistols, which do have a miniaturized 1911 barrel, information rod, and the like. Even Sig’s well-liked P322 incorporates a mounted barrel that deviates from the designs of their P320 and P365 pistols.
The Glock 44 is Glock inside and outside. It’s just about equivalent in measurement to the G19, and has a grip and slide serrations which are per the Gen 5. The pistol makes use of the identical twin takedown levers and field-stripping process as each different pistol of their lineup.
Below the hood, you’ll discover that the Glock 44 makes use of the identical fashion information rod and captive recoil spring as their different pistols, and the non-fixed barrel is faraway from the slide in the identical means. The barrel has a protracted feed ramp to information cartridges up from the journal, and it’s not threaded.
The grip and body look a lot just like the G19 that you just’d assume you could possibly swap them (you may’t, I attempted). To scale back the mass of the slide, the entire high of the slide is polymer, with a smaller metal portion that features the striker meeting and slide rail grooves. Magazines are about the identical measurement as G19 mags, however are single-stack and maintain 10 rounds — my solely criticism about them is that they aren’t increased capability. They’ve loading tabs on both facet of the journal to compress the spring, and so they’re simple to load.
A Glock is a Glock
A Glock is something however flashy, so for those who’re aware of them, you already know what you’re getting within the Glock 44. In Gen 5 configuration, the polymer body has no finger grooves, however does embody further backstraps of various thickness to customise your grip. The journal catch is reversible and the pistol options ambidextrous slide cease levers. The G44 has the identical single-slot accent rail that you just’ll see on the G19, and a just about equivalent set off pull weight and really feel.
The Glock 44 comes commonplace with polymer sights — the usual white entrance dot and sq. “U” notch rear — however the rear sight is definitely adjustable. My mannequin got here with Ameriglo H3 3-dot evening sights — a daring foray for manufacturing facility Glock pistols. Since the very first thing I do on any Glock pistol I purchase is change the manufacturing facility sights, it is a mannequin variation that I have a good time.
The Glock G44 doesn’t incorporate the MOS system or different commonplace optics compatibility at present, which is somewhat disappointing.
Capturing the Glock 44
I fired over 500 rounds by means of the Glock 44 and with sure forms of ammunition, it’s fairly dependable. With others — not a lot. This is a matter that’s frequent with most .22 pistols, and says extra in regards to the variability and sloppy nature of .22 ammo than in regards to the gun itself. Various bullet dimensions and lubricants could cause malfunctions, particularly in a extra complicated gun just like the Glock 44. Customary .22 pistols just like the Ruger Mark IV even have feed ramps, however their magazines place the nostril of the bullet proper on the opening of the chamber. The Glock 44’s journal positions the bullet farther again, and it’s simply connecting with the feed ramp because it springs free from the feed lips. This appears to create a bit extra room for error.
The set off on the G44 feels practically equivalent to my inventory G19 set off. I didn’t tear the set off right down to element degree, however on the vary, it was arduous to inform the distinction. This makes it fairly interesting for a coaching gun. Switching backwards and forwards between weapons with different-feeling triggers could cause some issues. Loading magazines into the gun can be a superb simulation of the identical course of with a G19, however the .22 LR magazines of the G44 do lock into place with much less pressure and spring freely when launched. As a result of the magazines and magazine nicely are the identical measurement as a G19, it’s good follow.
Some bulk-box bullets that used longer hole factors would sometimes jam on the feed ramp and fringe of the chamber, smashing the bullet. Decrease-powered ammunition additionally struggled to cycle the Glock 44. Subsonic masses would typically not eject, with the empty case staying within the chamber or stovepiping between the barrel and slide. The pistol functioned finest with excessive velocity masses utilizing shorter bullets. CCI .22 Clear was a transparent winner in my G44. It cycled the pistol sharply and I by no means had any feeding malfunctions with it. This hyper-velocity ammo fires a 31-grain polymer-coated bullet at 1,550 fps, and produces a considerable flash when fired within the Glock 44.
Glock 44 Accuracy
To check the G44’s accuracy, I recorded 4 5-shot teams with three various kinds of ammo: CCI Customary Velocity Goal, CCI Clear .22, and Winchester Tremendous X 40-grain Energy Level. I adopted our handgun accuracy protocol of capturing from 15 yards, standing, utilizing a bagged tripod for assist. The Glock 44 averaged 2.69-inch teams throughout all ammo sorts, and the CCI Customary Velocity and .22 Clear averaged 2.39 and a couple of.40 inches respectively. That is fairly good accuracy for a non-target .22 pistol with open sights.
I did discover that the iron sights weren’t fairly zeroed, so I used my XS Glock Sight instrument to exactly slide the rear sight and nil the gun. I want to see this pistol with an optic-mounting possibility, because it’s turn out to be commonplace — even for Glocks — and permits a larger degree of precision and velocity.
FAQ
The Glock 44 gives shooters preferring a pistol chambered in .22 LR that’s the similar measurement as a glock G19 9mm centerfire, making it extra reasonably priced to shoot and practice with.
Sure, externally, the Glock 44 is similar measurement because the Glock G19, however it weighs much less.
The Glock 44 will jam with some forms of .22 LR ammo, so it’s not as universally dependable because the centerfire fashions. Nonetheless, with the correct of ammo, it doesn’t generally jam.
What the Glock G44 Does Effectively
The Glock 44 makes a superb coach or plinker for individuals who want Glock pistols. It’s dependable with the correct of ammunition, and fairly correct. It’s nice for simulating the dealing with and capturing traits of the G19.
The place the Glock 44 Might Be Higher
The one important enhancements I might see serving to the Glock 44 could be optics compatibility and a double-stack journal. Different corporations have cracked the code on reliable-running double-stack .22 LR magazines, Glock ought to do it too.
Closing Ideas on the Glock 44
The Glock G44 is a well-executed pistol that the market actually wanted. Understandably, it looks like simply one other Glock to those that want different manufacturers, however contemplating the super recognition of the G-series pistols, a .22 LR mannequin is nothing wanting obligatory. I’m fairly happy with the entire bundle, although they might do nicely so as to add fashions which are optic-compatible and increase the capability of these magazines.
