About a year ago, I decided to reduce the grip on a Glock 19 to the size of a Glock 26. I bought a used frame, spent a Saturday afternoon with a Dremel, and it turned out great. I've been very happy with it. Reducing the grip by a little more than an inch made a huge difference in concealability. The slightly longer slide seems to improve both practical accuracy and recoil over a regular Glock 26.
So now, I'm going to try the same thing with a Gen 3 Glock 20. I've got a new frame coming in which wasn't very expensive, and my plan is to reduce the length of the grip to that of a Glock 29.
My goal is to make the Glock 20 more concealable. By Glock's measurements, the height of a 29 is 4.45 inches. For comparison, the height of a 20 is 5.47 inches, and the height of a 26 is 4.17 inches. I will add the Pearce pinky extensions to the Glock 29 mags for more control. I found that on my "19-26", the Pearce extension increases control, but doesn't affect concealability (because the extension adds length on only the bottom of the grip, not the top, and the top is the part that usually prints).
My question is, does anyone have any experience with a Glock 20 that's had the grip reduced to the size of a 29?
I normally shoot and carry ammo that's 180 grains with velocity around 1150 fps. I'm expecting an increase in felt recoil, but was curious if anyone had any actual experience. I am also curious if I can expect any additional problems, like a decrease in reliability. The ammo I shoot and carry in the 20 right now is as reliable as the sunrise.
Thanks for any input you might have.
I don't. But I will follow this with keen interest. I have long really like the CCO concept, and this brings it to the Glock.
I'm with sqlbullet, following with interest to see how it turns out.
pictures are worth a thousand words.... :)
Something like this I think:
(https://www.everydaynodaysoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Glock-17-To-26-Grip-Conversion-Fail.jpg)
Of course, this picture is a fail as I think too much material was "roughed" off. But the general concept is there.
I have seen this done and on a G-20, however I'm not a fan of doing this to the factory frame. I have both the 20 and the 29, if I want the feel of the 29 I use the 29...
With the 80% frames becoming common maybe cutting one for a custom piece would be of interest, but I think some of those frames are thinner to begin with.
Good luck with your decision...
I just got word that the Glock 20 frame is shipping today. So it will probably be a couple of weeks before I can get to chopping it down.
In the meanwhile, I will try to post photos of how it went with my "26L". Actually, it's even more of a Frankenstein project than I originally mentioned. The pistol originally started life as a Glock 23, but I dropped in a 9mm conversion barrel and swapped out all the internals to make it a 9mm.
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After a lot of measuring, this was the first major cut on the 26L. No turning back now.
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This was after a fair amount of very careful Dremel work and sanding on the 26L.
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This was the final version of the 26L. I was very happy with how it turned out.
I appreciate your guys' feedback. I will get back with you on how the 29L project turned out. Thanks so much.
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tks for the pics....
In NY, the frame is the reg'ed part on the lic. So it's a pain in the butt to replace as it must be added as a new gun.
Man, that stinks. Now that I've started messing with Glock frames, I'm noticing that there are a lot of new Glock frames coming up for sale that weren't there before. Some are going for pretty cheap prices, too, especially those in the 17/22/31 size.
The experiment turned out well. It took quite a while to get the grip sized correctly, taking off just a little bit at a time until a G29 mag would finally seat. Hearing that "click" was a great feeling.
It has a bit more felt recoil with the shorter grip, but adding the Pearce finger extension helps keep it controllable. Adding an ISMI 24 pound recoil spring also made a big difference. This target was shot at 13 yards with medium level 180 grain handloads (at about 1100 fps).
However, the difference in concealability is huge. I always carry in an IWB, and this hides about as easily as a G26.
I was a bit nervous taking this project on, but I am very pleased with the results.
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We think alike! ;D
Had the G29 and liked its concealability but thought the recoil was snappy.
Got this G20 new in Nov. of 2002, fired a box of 50 rounds out of it and broke out the hacksaw.
Been GREAT ever since! 8)
(https://i.imgur.com/Io8HWY4l.jpg)
Quote from: BRL on January 03 2018 04:12:19 AM MST
We think alike! ;D
Had the G29 and liked its concealability but thought the recoil was snappy.
Got this G20 new in Nov. of 2002, fired a box of 50 rounds out of it and broke out the hacksaw.
Been GREAT ever since! 8)
That is outstanding! I sure like mine and wish I would've done this years ago..
Quote from: Tennessee Jed on January 02 2018 10:22:29 AM MST
However, the difference in concealability is huge. I always carry in an IWB, and this hides about as easily as a G26.
I also carry in an IWB holster.
This Kramer horsehide holster was designed to carry my G33, but after I sold that handgun, I wasn't about to pay another $100 or so for a new G20 one.
Excellent holster quality BTW.
It covers the trigger like it's supposed to and holds the G20 very well, but there was a slight hesitation when inserting my Glock that gave me the impression of something pressing against the trigger, even though there wasn't anything doing so. :o
That is why I rounded the front of the trigger guard, and now it slides in a lot smoother without that scary (am I about to get Glock leg) pause it once had. :D
The grip reduction works perfect with no problems encountered ever, and of course you can still use the original 15 round magazines without problems if desired.
Best of both worlds IMO. 8)
(https://i.imgur.com/dRr7Znrl.jpg)
That is pretty slick.
I use a Theis Hybrid Holster that is very comfortable. I'm a big fan of the hybrid format. However, thanks to a Midway USA gift certificate I got for Christmas, I've got a Galco Summer Comfort on the way, to try out that form of holster.
If I fall in love with the Galco, later on I will invest in a Milt Sparks Summer Special.
Had the Milt Sparks Summer Special for a Colt Govt. Model and it is a very nice holster with a metal band reinforcement to hold the holster mouth open.
However, at one time I cocked and locked the pistol on an empty chamber and took it quad ridding with me into the woods, and at the end of the day the safety had somehow worked itself off! :o
The Kramer has had no such problem even after years of rough trail use.
Probably because the Glock doesn't have thumb safety to begin with. :))
Just didn't like that hesitation when inserting the Glock into the IWB Kramer.
May not even had been the holster's fault because of course it was originally not made for the G20, but now it does work well with the rounded front trigger guard.