Glock G22 Gen5 .40 S&W
Model: PA225S203
Glock G22 Gen5 .40 S&W
Model: PA225S203
Full Specifications
About This Firearm
The G22 Gen5 was the FBI's standard duty pistol from 1997 until 2014, when the Bureau moved back to 9mm. That two-decade service record built the G22 a holster ecosystem that nothing else in .40 S&W comes close to matching. At 28.43 oz unloaded with a 4.49" barrel, it's a full-size duty gun — and in .40 S&W, the full-size format is the practical one, because the cartridge's snappy recoil benefits from the extra mass and longer sight radius.
.40 S&W is a declining caliber. Most law enforcement agencies that issued G22s have since transitioned to 9mm, and the firearms market has followed. New G22 buyers today are typically picking up law enforcement trade-ins at favorable prices, working through existing .40 ammo inventory, or staying compatible with a department still running .40. If you're buying new and open to caliber choice, the 9mm G17 Gen5 shares the same frame footprint (7.95" OAL, 4.49" barrel) but shoots more comfortably — the G22 runs about 3.6 oz heavier because of the .40-spec slide, and recoil is noticeably sharper despite similar velocity. That's an honest assessment the G22 deserves.
Where the G22 still earns its place is aftermarket depth. More OEM and aftermarket holsters, lights, trigger components, and sights are catalogued for the G22/G17 frame than for any other .40 S&W pistol. The S&W M&P 40 M2.0 and Sig P320 .40 both have solid support, but neither matches the G22's catalog breadth. If you're committed to .40 S&W and want a full-size that you can tune, source parts for, or holster with off-the-shelf options, the G22 Gen5 is the standard against which the others are measured.
Best For
Strengths & Limitations
- The deepest aftermarket of any .40 S&W pistol — holsters, sights, trigger parts, and weapon lights catalogued for the G22/G17 platform dwarf what's available for the M&P 40 or P320 .40.
- Ships with 3 magazines. Most competitors include 2.
- The 28.43 oz weight and 4.49" barrel help manage .40 S&W's snappy recoil better than the compact and subcompact siblings. Owners consistently report the full-size frame makes the cartridge noticeably more manageable than the G23 or G27.
- No optic cut on the standard model. Aftermarket slide milling for an RMR or Holosun footprint runs $150-250 depending on the shop.
- The 5.9 lb trigger is consistent but has a soft, staged take-up that owners frequently cite as the first thing they want to change. An OEM Glock "minus connector" drops it to roughly 5 lbs for about $20.
Category Rankings
How the Glock G22 Gen5 .40 S&W ranks among full-size .40 S&W handguns.
Compare Glock G22 Gen5 .40 S&W
See how the Glock G22 Gen5 .40 S&W stacks up against similar firearms.
Ballistics Calculator
Calculate trajectory, drop, and energy for .40 S&W ammunition.
.40 S&W Ballistics →Where to Buy
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Smith & Wesson M&P 40 M2.0 .40 S&W
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FN FNX-40 .40 S&W
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the first upgrade most G22 owners make?
Community consensus is the Glock OEM "minus connector," which drops the factory 5.9 lb trigger pull to around 5 lbs for about $20. It's a drop-in part that requires no permanent modification. After that, the most common next step is a fiber optic or tritium front sight — the factory white dot is adequate but not bright. Slide milling for a red dot comes later and costs more.
Does the G22 Gen5 accept G17 holsters?
The G22 and G17 share the same frame dimensions, so most holsters designed for the G17 Gen5 fit the G22 Gen5. This is one of the G22's practical advantages — the G17 is the most-holstered pistol in the country, meaning Kydex options, duty holsters, and light-bearing rigs are widely available and often cheaper than G22-specific gear.
Can I convert the G22 to 9mm?
Yes, with a 9mm conversion barrel and a 9mm magazine. Several aftermarket companies make drop-in conversion barrels for the G22 frame. The conversion lets you practice cheaply with 9mm while keeping the same pistol for duty use with .40. It's a common setup for departments that issue G22s but want affordable range training options.
