The GLOCK 22 Gen4, in .40, introduces revolutionary design changes to this model of perfection that the majority of law enforcement across the country put their trust in every day. The Modular Back Strap design of the G22 Gen4 lets you instantly customize its grip to adapt to an individual shooter’s hand size. The surface of the frame employs the new scientifically designed, real-world-tested, Gen4 rough textured technology. Internally, the new GLOCK dual recoil spring assembly substantially increases the life of the system. A reversible enlarged magazine catch, changeable in seconds, accommodates left or right-handed operators. The G22 Gen4 .40 caliber retains the GLOCK accessory rail for your attachments.

My sample Glock 22 Gen4 came in a plastic carrying case. The case is foam-rubber-lined and includes two magazines, a magazine loader, a cleaning rod and brush, a cable lock, a safety brochure, and an owner’s manual. The G22 is based on the same medium-sized frame as the G17 9mm and has only 34 component parts, which demonstrates the design’s rugged simplicity. The pistol also features Glock’s legendary, striker-fired Safe Action system, which some erroneously refer to as being double-action only. The service-grade trigger pull is factory set at 5.5 pounds, and other pull weights are available.

The pistol’s grip frame is slender; yet it holds a high-capacity, double-column magazine, which on the G22 will hold 15 .40-caliber cartridges (Glock also offers a 22-round magazine). The Gen4 grip frame is modular, with interchangeable backstraps that can be replaced to better conform to each user’s hand size. A new, rough, wrap-around texture on the front, back and sides of the grip provides increased control in rapid fire and during inclement weather. Internally, there’s a new dual (concentric) recoil spring system that increases the gun’s service life, and another improvement is the enlarged, ambidextrous magazine catch, which can be changed over in seconds for left-handed shooters. Add to this an accessory rail located beneath the dust cover and you have a versatile sidearm for many different roles.

The size of the Glock 22 Gen4, with its 4.48-inch, polygonal-rifled barrel, is just 7.95 inches long overall, 5.43 inches high and 1.18 inches wide. This makes it a good uniform-carry pistol, but it’s also not out of place for everyday civilian use. It’s empty weight is 25.59 ounces, and even fully loaded it weighs just 34.42 ounces—about the same weight as a number of older, larger designs that carry fewer cartridges.

Not only does the durable polymer frame weigh less, it’s also stronger than most metals, requires little maintenance and reduces felt recoil. Another factor in recoil and muzzle flip reduction is the pistol’s low bore axis. The barrel is positioned a lot closer to the top of the hand, which causes the recoil impulse to push straight backward instead of down and up. The polymer frame, coupled with the surface-hardened steel slide, makes it almost impervious to rust and corrosion.

This gun just plain works, and that’s right out of the box with no fine-tuning or aftermarket parts needed. The gun arrives with polymer sights, but, like all Glocks, it can be had with steel tritium night sights.

One other advantage is the gun’s ease of disassembly. The one area where you have to be extremely careful is in making doubly sure that the gun is unloaded before starting the takedown process. That’s primarily because the first step in the process is to pull the trigger, and unfortunately some careless and/or improperly trained individuals have accounted for some negligent discharges when a round was left in the chamber. Once the chamber is clear and the magazine removed, the trigger can be safely pulled, and then all that is required is to manipulate the takedown latch, retract the slide the proper amount and pull it forward off the frame. With the slide off, the captive recoil spring can be removed and then the barrel. For routine cleaning, that’s all that needs to be done.

For this test, I elected to use an IMI Defense Model IMI-Z1010 holster and double magazine pouch. This is a polymer outfit with an easy-on-easy-off paddle-back on both units, contoured for comfort. The holster is a high-ride, open-top design that has a push-button-style retention system that allows a fast, natural draw. There is a tilt-adjustment built into the holster so you can cant the holster angle to your liking using an included Allen key. That same key can be used to adjust the tension retention screw on the magazine pouch. Black in color, this durable holster and mag pouch combo should provide service for many years.