Any experience with a grip chop on a Glock 20?

Tennessee Jed · October 30 2017 05:34:24 PM MDT

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.

sqlbullet · October 30 2017 06:22:34 PM MDT

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.

Scarlett Pistol · October 31 2017 06:35:01 AM MDT

I'm with sqlbullet, following with interest to see how it turns out.

tommac919 · October 31 2017 07:18:56 AM MDT

pictures are worth a thousand words.... ${$default_smiley_smiley}$

sqlbullet · October 31 2017 07:38:03 AM MDT

Something like this I think:

Of course, this picture is a fail as I think too much material was "roughed" off. But the general concept is there.

The_Shadow · October 31 2017 08:23:23 AM MDT

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...

Tennessee Jed · October 31 2017 08:32:02 AM MDT

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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Tennessee Jed · October 31 2017 08:34:15 AM MDT

After a lot of measuring, this was the first major cut on the 26L. No turning back now.

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Tennessee Jed · October 31 2017 08:35:43 AM MDT

This was after a fair amount of very careful Dremel work and sanding on the 26L.

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Tennessee Jed · October 31 2017 08:38:45 AM MDT

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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tommac919 · October 31 2017 11:28:08 AM MDT

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.

Tennessee Jed · October 31 2017 01:58:41 PM MDT

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.

Tennessee Jed · January 02 2018 10:22:29 AM MST

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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BRL · January 03 2018 04:12:19 AM MST

We think alike! ${$default_grin_smiley}$

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! ${$default_cool_smiley}$

Tennessee Jed · January 03 2018 08:24:04 AM MST

Quote from: BRL on January 03 2018 04:12:19 AM MST
We think alike! ${$default_grin_smiley}$

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! ${$default_cool_smiley}$

That is outstanding! I sure like mine and wish I would've done this years ago..