G35 Vs. G24 Which more Balanced?

[windplex]

To all long-sliders:

Would you please lend your expertise on the subject and let me know what is your opinion about which is the most balanced gun when comparing the G35 and the G24?

The reason I ask is that when holding them, with empty magazines, the G35/34 felt immediately balanced and good in my hand. Perhaps better balanced than my G17. While the G17L/G24 felt nose heavy or unbalanced to my hand (again without rounds in the magazine to better/fully judge it).

My next purchase WILL BE A LONGSLIDE GLOCK, I just need to decide which one, the G35 (5.5" barrel) or G24 (6" barrel)???

Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge!

Brian

[BKD in Texas]

The 35 has better "balance" in my opinion. It recoils less, cycles faster, points faster and transitions quicker between targets.

The 24 cycles slower and seems to recoil more (to me) because of the heavier, longer slide. You have to shoot both to see what I mean. You can almost see the 24 slide cycle when you shoot it if your really dialed in to it.

That said, I have one 35 that is strictly a competition/target/range gun and 2-24's. My 24's are for currently used for hunting, although one will soon convert to a dedicated home defense handgun. They are different models for different purposes. The 24 is not allowed in several U.S. "combat oriented" shooting sports, where the 35 is allowed in virtually all of them. That could be a factor in your decision.

All but two of the 7 or 8 35's I've shot have been very accurate, but all the 2nd gen 24's I've shot had only mediocre accuracy, surprisingly. The new 3rd gen 24's, however, shoot like match guns in my experience. (Only have shot my two 3rd gen 24's - so not as big a sample).

Get one of each!

Take Care,
BKD

[Brooklyn South]

G35.

Good shooting!
:) :) :) :)

[Andrew Colglazier]

I put a brass magwell on my 24, and even with a tungston guide rod installed, it feels very well balanced, especially when loaded. I have a 34 and I have shot 35s. I like the feel of the 24 better.

Andy C.

[windplex]

Good insight Andy. thank you! Brian

[retsvek]

I have 550 rounds through my G35 and it is to date my favorite weapon so far. I cannot explain why but I just LOVE it. It is well balanced both weight and recoil. I have always owned 40SW handguns and by far the G35 is my favorite so far.

[Rusty Guns]

Now you have me wondering with your statements on the weight of the slide on the 24.
The slide on the 17 & 17L are the same weight. The cut out on the 17L makes the weight the same as the 17, and they use the same spring. I don't know if anyone has put the 34 on a scale yet, but my guess the weight would be the same also.
For this reason I was under the impression, that the same would be true on the 22,24,& 35. But who knows, I don't have all of them to put on a scale, wish I did. The same would be true for the springs?

Rusty :cool:

[retsvek]

Originally posted by Rusty Guns
Now you have me wondering with your statements on the weight of the slide on the 24.
The slide on the 17 & 17L are the same weight. The cut out on the 17L makes the weight the same as the 17, and they use the same spring. I don't know if anyone has put the 34 on a scale yet, but my guess the weight would be the same also.
For this reason I was under the impression, that the same would be true on the 22,24,& 35. But who knows, I don't have all of them to put on a scale, wish I did. The same would be true for the springs?

Rusty :cool:

My G35 seems definitely heavier than my G22. Tha being said I have not weighed them. But it sure seems heavier.

[windplex]

Regarding the questions and discussion surrounding whether glock slides weigh the same or not? For instance whether the Glock 17 and 22 and 17 and 34/17L -- do they have the same slide weights?

Short answer is no.

Long and important answer follows.
According to the Ptoma: Complete Glock Referance Guide (I got from www.shootersbooks.com) The weights of the slides for the different model Glocks are all different; This is also confirmed by the Glock annual:

All weights stated in the Ptoma Guide and Glock Annual are shown without ammo and without magazine. So These wieghts represent the slide wieght differences since the G17/G22 use the same frame as the G35/G34 and G17L/G24 (spring weight diffenacnes between models, that use one spring, should be negligable):

G17-22.04oz G22-22.92oz G31 357-23.28oz
G34-22.92oz G35-24.52oz
G17L-23.63oz G24-26.70oz

The compensated models typically weigh less, typically by less than one quarter of one ounce.

My past includes heading up research and development of products as well as marketing new products and product management. I conclude that these weight differences are from dialing the optimal weight for cycling of each caliber, and they typical range of loads used, rather than for manufacturing and operational expediency. The weights in my opinion are not random or the result of merely removing metal for ports, unless Glock studied the weight and concluded that the ported weapons cycle porperly with the reduced slide weights.

From studying these miniute differences in the weights of glock slides I conclude that Glock is a highly scientificly based company that counts and measures grams when it come to slide weight to get it just right for each caliber.

Having so many slightly different parts is a logistical and monetary/cost nightmare for any company to work with and Glock would not do this unless each product REALLY benefitted from these minute slide-weight differances. Otherwise Glock would take the easy route and greatly reduce the number of stock keeping units (SKUs) by making the slide weigth of the G34 and the G35 exactly the same slide weight -- one less SKU. And so would the G17 and G22 and G31 -- another two less SKUs, and so on until the SKU reduction was distilled down to the fewest number of different slides Glock needed to make.

You can see how cutting SKUs can drive a company's product line from its current greatness quickly into mediocracy by designing products with inherent compromises to reduce SKUs, as is the practice of many companies and is applauded by Wall Street.

Cutting SKUs is much better for manyufacturing, warehousing, scheduling, staying in stock on ALL products and for other logiostical reasons. As you know, the manufacturer cuts costs in a MAJOR way by making compromises. Unfortunately, the current trend is for CEOs get written up in Forbes for making such changes (cost cutting/Value adding) and accountants become heros and CFO executives by making such changes in most companies. Despite the fact that these cutting actions harming the company in the long run -- look at GM in the 1960 and 70's when all their cars were truly different. then compare what the product line looked like in the 1980s when the accountants ran GM and all the cars looked the same. GM made a lot of profits in the short run, however GM 2/3rds of thier market share due to the sameness of thier cars -- no one could tell a Buick from an Oldmobile from a Chevy. However in the short run they made lots of money in cost savings and the accountants were heros to the board of directors and share holders.

Back to Glock: And by making each and every slide just a little differently, Glock increases their opperational costs DRAMATICALLY! A GM Automotive consultant and most Japanese Automotive Consultants would certainly reccomend that Glock cut the number of different weight slides in half to start (and likely cut it by more than one-half). glock would be told to cut SKUs by compromisisng the weight of sides for all similar models and thereby making the company's manufacturing more streamlined and Glcok much more profitable.

These consultants would ask the question: Would the G17 and G22 and G31 STILL cycle ADEQUATELY if they had an averaged slide weight (one slide for all)? The answer would likely be a qualified "Yes", "but each caliber would not be optimized as it should be any longer." The consultant would say, that "the ADEQUATE performance is good enough, just look at X company who does it this way and gets away with it...". Teh consultant would suggest: Make the changes and cut the SKUs. The board of directors, if a publicaly held American company, would force the CEO to go along with the suggestions even thought it reduces the quality of each caliber gun.

Personally I am extatic that Gaston Glock and the Glock Company takes the time and trouble to work the way they they do in product design. I am extatic that Glock makes unique slides for each firearm, even when the differance between differant slides is only a quarter of an ounce they still make a unique slide to optimize the performance! This is terrific news for my ears and makes me even more of a believer in Glock then before I studied this information and learned how they work from the minute differances in thier products.

Glock's meticulousness about each part weight and its impact on their operations also explains why Glock does not quickly to add new products. Other companies often merely lightly modify an existing product to add a new caliber and then problems arise once in the marketplace due to the fact that the weapon was not purpose-designed, as Glock takes the time to do fopr each weapon. When Glock does make the commitment to add a new model they do it right and it is a costly investment to do it right. I am very pleased that Glock works the way they do.

Yes every Glock slide and thereby Glock weapon, weights a little bit different than other very similar models to optimize that weapon for its caliber. Thank you Glock for maintaining excellance in your products! And you can bet the farm that the weight doifferances, however minute are important to each firearm's operation!

Hope this helps answer the question about weight differances.
Brian
Ps. No I do not work for, nor am I affiliated with Glock in anyway.

[retsvek]

Nice post windplex!!

[windplex]

Thank you for your comment. You may be the only person to read the "book" I wrote!

How does your G35 shoot (feel) compared to the G22?
Brian

[retsvek]

Originally posted by windplex
Thank you for your comment. You may be the only person to read the "book" I wrote!

How does your G35 shoot (feel) compared to the G22?
Brian

The G22 was a major "shock" to me after shooting almost 1000 rounds through the G35 before getting the G22. I thought I had made a mistake in buying the G22. But after 500 rounds I am starting to like it more and more.

I am wondering how the G23 is now, if the G22 was that noticeably different.

my $0.02 :)

[awlglock]

The 35 is a great pistol but I prefer my 24. To me the 24 has less recoil and I shoot it better. I put in a lightning strike guide rod with a 15 lb spring and with my 40 major reloads it is very flat shooting. Both are great pistols. You need to shoot them both and decide what feels best to you. Ask a group of 100 gun nuts the same question and you likely get 100 different answers.

[retsvek]

Originally posted by awlglock
The 35 is a great pistol but I prefer my 24. To me the 24 has less recoil and I shoot it better. I put in a lightning strike guide rod with a 15 lb spring and with my 40 major reloads it is very flat shooting. Both are great pistols. You need to shoot them both and decide what feels best to you. Ask a group of 100 gun nuts the same question and you likely get 100 different answers.

Isn't that the truth!! ;a

[windplex]

Quote retsvek:

"The G22 was a major "shock" to me after shooting almost 1000 rounds through the G35 before getting the G22. I thought I had made a mistake in buying the G22. But after 500 rounds I am starting to like it more and more.

I am wondering how the G23 is now, if the G22 was that noticeably different.

my $0.02"

Since you asked about the G23 I thought I'd let you know my experience with the smaller G23. For a baseline, I shot a 22 and found it acceptably smooth shooting and relatively comfortable kick. While I cannot speak to the 23, I did shoot the smaller G27. The G27 was unpleasant to shoot. I was accurate for self defence distances -- 7 yards and under. However my accuracy dropped dramatically at 17 yards. I only shot one box of 50 rounds and can only speak to that amount of experience with the weapon as well as my own accuracy limitations. I have found that 45acps and 45GAPs are pleasant to shoot and preferable on a fun scale when compared to the G22 which I find to be acceptable to shoot.

[wargunn]

I`m not the brightest bulb, but the differences in barrel lenght count,they don`t weight the pistols without the barrels and there`s a significant quantity of metal in 1,5 inches of barrel.
I don`t think it`s a slide weight problem, because of the different slide lenght there`s more leverage for the hand, it`s the same weight distribuited in different lenghts. Try grabbing one end of a one pound bar of metal 5 inches long and a one pound bar of wood 10 inches long, the wood one will appear to be heavier because there`s more leverage.

Can you tell that you con find a difference between two identically shaped espheres one that weights 26 ounces and the other 29???

The only way to cientifically prove that the 24 is slower than a 22 or a 35 is to put that full auto plug that replaces the slide cover plate to the 24, 35 and 22 and fire the same number of bullets till it runs dry(33 round magazines could be fun!!!) using a speed timer.

I would love to have that plug!!!!;f ;f

[wargunn]

I`m sorry but the smilies from the three stooges appeared when I put ` s.

Wasn`t trying to mock nobody;Q

[Morris]

Good thread. With a full mag and Taylor Seattle Slug, my G35 balances spot on. My G24 is a tad nose heavy but I find it just fine for the comp work I plan to use it for.

Frankly, if the chief would allow it, I'd carry my G35 in a heartbeat over my issued G22. Just balances better and is on target faster.

Oh, Windplex? If you are the fine individual that made "the guide" (Ptooma) happen, I bow to you. One dog eared copy in my personal armory, one at my PD armory. When I was at the Glock Armorer course last July, I had a copy on my table. The instructor and Glock rep both agreed that the guide was top notch and well liked.

[Rusty Guns]

I have not shot the 35, but I do have a 24 and it shoots just fine to me. It is just a tiny bit nose heavy, but it does not bother me in the least. I had a 34 a couple of years ago, and did not keep it too long. seems like i kept the 17, and traded the 34 for a 21. I've still got the 21, and got a 17L Guess I'll just have to get a 34/35 don't know which just yet. I do think I need to get one of them so I can do my own comparisons.

Rusty

[Glockadict]

I have a 24C, and I love it. I shoot it in USPSA Limited. I have a G34 also, and I love it too. I use +5 base pads on my mags, and the one thing I noticed is the G24 is nose heavy with an empty mag, but just about perectly balanced with a full mag. The 34 is well balanced empty, but a little unbalanced with a full mag. I would shoot what feels confortable to you, or just buy them both. I plan on adding a G35 to my collection soon. I was in the same boat your in. I was planning on getting a G35, and the G24's were rereleased. I got the G24C because of the low production run. Only supposed to be 500 3rd Gen G24C's, 1000 3ed Gen G24's, and 1000 3rd Gen G17L's. No more after that.

[windplex]

Rusty Guns Thank you for your response! Sorry to take so long to reply.

I went ahead a bought a G24 and have zero regrets; I love it. I also picked up a 357sig barrel from storm lake and love shooting the sigs as well as the 40s. The long slide mellows out the snap of the 40s quite a bit and makes them very pleasant to shoot, IMHO.

And yes, in real life conditions - loaded, I find the 24 to be balanced and easy to point shoot at self defense distances.

I still love the look and balance of the G35 and may add it or the G34 one day as well!

[Rusty Guns]

Windplex
Congratulations on your choice, glad you are happy with the G24.
I have had mine for a while, and just got around to shooting it last week.
I shot Pins with It last week, and came in 1st in the B class.
The winner of the A class wanted me to shoot with him for winner takes all the money.
I almost told him what to do with that suggestion.
But I remembered we were still in mixed company.
I thanked him for the challenge but declined.
The 24 worked great, and I am happy with it.
It goes well with the G17L, I got them both because of the new Run and they might not make any more for a long time.
Never can tell.

Rusty:cool:

[Steve Koski]

I don't think there's a wrong answer to this question.

[Rusty Guns]

I think You're Right Steve.
Its a Glock It can't be wrong.
Some are more right than others depending on the person.
I have long fingers and have no trouble with the 21.
My hands are thin too and the 19/23 fits me also.
But in the same line I don't care for the 26/27 Go figure.

It's like a Doctor told me a long tome ago.
Different Strokes, For Different Folks.

Rusty:cowboy:

[windplex]

A fellow loaned me his Ruger 44 magnum revlover sunday. I enjoyed shooting the cannon. In turn I let him shoot my 17, 24 and then the 24 with the 357sig barrel. He was impressed with the longslide as well as the 60 second barrel change and took note the Glock model number.

On the other hand his buddy who also has a 44magnum with the longer 10" barrel and SAO also let me shoot his revolver, however had no interest in shooting any automatics.

Well differnet strokes is right. And the double action trigger was a mechanical delight, however I did not enjoy being limited to SAO.

In the end I may have sold one of them on a long slide and they may have sold me on a ruger revolver:)

[shadow_dog]

I have a 3rd gen G34 and 2nd gen G22 that I shoot on a very regular basis. It does not matter what load I use but I always shoot the G22 better. It feels better in my hand also. I have often thought about getting rid of the G34 but it has sort of a sentimental value--it was my first Glock and I got such a good deal on it NIB (thanks AIM) that I can't bring myself to get rid of it.