Are The Glock 17 and the Glock 22 The Same Size?

Most Glocks function the same way. The only difference is usually the size and calibers. On the outside, the Glock 17 and Glock 22 look identical, and many gun users want to know if they are the same.

So, are the Glock 17 and the Glock 22 the same size?

Glock 17 and Glock 22 are the same size. They both have a 4.49-inch barrel, an 8.03 inches overall length, a 5.47 inches height, and interchangeable slides. The only difference is Glock 17 is chambered for the 9mm, while the Glock 22 fires the 40 S&W.

Let’s find out more about these two guns and how they compare to each other.

Glock 17 vs. Glock 22 – At a Glance

The Glock 17 came in 1982, and it was the first gun to Glock released into the market. And it’s chambered for the 9mm. It was named the Glock 17 since it was the 17th patent that Glock submitted.

Glock 17 is popular among law enforcement users, as well as civilian users, due to its manageable recoil, excellent ergonomics, and durability. With the 9mm gaining popularity due to higher energy and muzzle velocities, the Glock 17 is still one of the go-to 9mm handguns.

The Glock 22 came later in 1986 after the fatal Miami Shoot out in 1986. The FBI had to settle for a more powerful round, that’s why they contracted Smith and Wesson for the 40 S&W (Smith and Wesson). 

They used the .357 Magnums, .38 Special, and Remington 870 shotgun at that time, but they didn’t stop the assailants as fast as the 40 S&W would have.

In response to this, Glock quickly released the 40 S&W Glock 22, based on the Glock 17. Within a short time, Glock 2 became the most popular law enforcement handgun.

Since the 40 S&W rounds are larger, the Glock 22 also has a 15 rounds magazine compared to the 17-round magazine in the Glock 17. But in most cases, they weigh roughly the same.

Below is a brief comparison between these two guns.

One way to tell one over the other is to check on the side of the barrel. The caliber of the firearm is indicated there. For the Glock 22, there will be a number 40, and the Glock 17 will have a 9*19 shown on the side.

Are Glock 17 And 22 Slides The Same?

You can interchange the slides between the Glock 17 and 22 as long as they are from the same generation. 

You can even build a Glock 17 from a 22 or a Glock 22 from a 17. There’s even a Glock 22 9mm conversion barrel if you’d like to fire a 9mm in a Glock 22.

Most Glock slides are often interchangeable. When dealing with 40 S&W or .357 Magnums, you can move up to the 9mm by interchanging some of the caliber-specific slides. But you should also check if it’s safe for you to do so.

Will A Glock 17 Fit A Glock 22 Holster?

Since they are almost identical, the Glock 17 will fit in a Glock 22 holster and vice versa. Even though Glock has been upgrading their firearms in Generations (Currently at gen 5), the width and length remain the same. So if you have a Gen 3 Glock 17, it will fit in the latest Glock 22’s models’ holsters.

The Glock 31 is another handgun with similar dimensions as the 17 and 22. But it’s chambered for the .357 SIG. And yes, you can use it in a Glock 22 Holster.

9mm vs. 40 S&W

A lot of people are currently shifting towards the 9mm because it often has manageable recoil, it’s cheaper, and you can have more rounds in a magazine.

The 40 S&W, on the other hand, has more felt recoil, heavier, and more expensive. Remember, the 40 S&W is based on the 10MM, another round known for its recoil.

Final Thoughts

Both the Glock 17 and 22 are great guns. They have both been successful in self-defense and law enforcement. With the recent switch to 9mm by the FBI, choosing between the 9mm seems like the best way to go.

But some people may prefer the 40 S&W for certain reasons. But you don’t have to choose between the 9mm and 40 S&W when comparing these guns since you can convert the Glock 22 to a 9mm.