The Glock 22 helped popularize the .40 S&W cartridge, offering law enforcement and competitive shooters a balance of power, capacity, and reliability. As Glock’s first big-bore handgun, it remains respected for durability, strong aftermarket support, and long-term ammo availability, making it a solid choice for those seeking a powerful, affordable handgun.
The Glock 22 marked a major milestone for the Austrian manufacturer, becoming the company’s first venture into larger-caliber pistols. When it arrived in the early 1990s, it entered the market before competitors could release their own .40-caliber handguns, giving Glock a significant head start in the emerging category.
Built on the same frame size as the earlier Glock 17 and Glock 19, the Glock 22 was engineered to handle the .40 S&W cartridge with only internal modifications. Despite the increased power, the pistol maintained Glock’s trademark simplicity and reliability, along with a 15-round magazine capacity impressive for the time.
The Glock 22 quickly gained popularity among law enforcement agencies. At the time, departments were transitioning from revolvers to semi-automatic pistols, and the .40 S&W cartridge offered a balance between capacity and stopping power. The Glock 22 provided nearly the same magazine capacity as 9mm pistols but with greater energy per round, leading many agencies to switch to it almost overnight.
Competitive shooters also embraced the Glock 22, particularly after new divisions were introduced in practical shooting sports. It offered an affordable and ready-to-use option compared to custom-built pistols, making it attractive to both new and experienced competitors.
Despite its success, the Glock 22 had some early issues. The original chamber dimensions were generous to ensure reliability, but this caused spent brass to expand more than usual, shortening case life for reloaders. Specialized resizing dies later emerged to correct this issue.
Another concern was the use of lead bullets in Glock’s polygonal rifling barrels. While jacketed ammunition worked fine, lead bullets could cause excessive fouling and, in rare cases, dangerous pressure buildup. This led to a strong aftermarket for replacement barrels with traditional rifling.
As Glock released new generations of pistols, the Glock 22 evolved alongside them. Modern versions include improved barrels with tighter tolerances and enhanced accuracy. The Glock 22 platform also expanded into multiple sizes, allowing users to choose full-size, compact, and subcompact models chambered in .40 S&W.
In the mid-2010s, many agencies including major federal organizations shifted back to 9mm pistols. Advances in bullet technology, lower recoil, and reduced training costs contributed to the change. However, the .40 S&W still offers greater recoil energy and remains widely available, supported by decades of production and a massive installed base of firearms.
The Glock 22 still offers strong advantages: high capacity, proven reliability, and extensive aftermarket support for parts and accessories. Downsides include slightly increased recoil and accelerated wear on brass for reloaders, though these can be mitigated with moderate load levels and proper bullet selection.
Interestingly, as 9mm pistols dominate the market again, many .40-caliber pistols including the Glock 22 can be found at attractive prices, making them a cost-effective option for shooters who appreciate the cartridge’s performance.
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