When it comes to reliability, power, and customization, Glock handguns are at the top of the list.
Manufactured in 1982 by Gaston Glock, law enforcement officials widely use the Glock pistol. It has been known for its practicality, lightweight, and superior power for over three decades.
Even though the 17 and 19 have become one of the most popular Glocks, they are far from the most powerful Glock on the market.
That is a characteristic of the Glock 20, a 10mm, full-size pistol that can closely compete with a Magnum’s power.
Let’s examine why the Glock 20 is the most powerful Glock!
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Power Comparison of Glocks
Each Glock handgun has different characteristics depending on size, weight, capacity, stopping power, and ease of use.
Some of the best Glocks in the world are:
- Glock 17 (9mm)
- Glock 19 (9mm)
- Glock 43/43X (9mm)
- Glock 21 (.45)
- Glock 23 (.40)
- Glock 20 (10mm)
The 20 is the most powerful Glock pistol and a reliable handgun on the list.
Capacity
The first three Glocks on this list all carry 9mm rounds; the only difference is their size.
The Glock 17 is the largest, while the Glock 43/43X is the smallest of the group.
In terms of capacity, the Glock 17 has a standard magazine of 17 rounds; the Glock 19 can carry up to 15 rounds, while the 43/43X each carry 6 and 10 rounds, respectively.
On the other hand, the Glock 21 is a .45 caliber full-size pistol, carrying up to 13 rounds of ammunition.
Compared to this, the Glock 23 is an even smaller, compact pistol. It has a 13-round .40 caliber magazine capacity.
Stopping power
Regarding stopping power, the Glock 17 and the 19 are practically identical.
They both have an average muzzle velocity of 1,000 fps compared with bullets weighing 5.2 ounces and 4.8 ounces.
The 43/43X is a smaller pistol that can fire at a 1,000 fps average muzzle velocity.
Comparing the 9mm Glock pistols to the Glock 21 and 23, the latter has more stopping power.
The 21 is an even more powerful Glock pistol than the 23 because of its size and ammunition weight.
It provides up to 10.000 pounds of stopping power.
Ease of use
In terms of how easy each one of these Glock pistols is, it all depends on personal preference. They all provide a unique and comfortable shooting experience.
The smaller ones, like the Glock 43/43X or the Glock 23, offer concealed carry, while the others are more difficult to hide on your person. This also plays a significant role in use and ergonomics.
Why the Glock 20 is the Most Powerful Glock?
Even though the 17 and 19 are among the most popular 9mm Glock pistols worldwide, the Glock 20 also has its qualities.
It is a full-size gun with a 10mm caliber round capacity that can output a substantial amount of power.
Description and advantages
The first generation of the Glock 20 was introduced in 1990, instantly becoming one of the best 10mm pistols in the world.
Over the years, the Glock 20 pistol has experienced drastic improvements, with the most notable on the Gen 3.
It had forward accessory rails, a second pin, and a locking block pin for increased durability due to the larger caliber.
It also featured thumb rests and finger grooves for better grip.
The most popular generation(Gen 4) was introduced in 2010 with the following advantages:
- A polymer frame with a rough texture for improved grip
- A reversible release button for the magazine
- A dual recoil spring system (for a more modest recoil)
- An improved trigger and trigger safety
- A modular backstrap system (for a personalized grip)
- An adjustable rear sight.
The latest Glock 20 Gen 5 was introduced in 2017, bringing improvements like:
- Front cocking serrations on the steel slide
- Fully ambidextrous (can be used by both left and right-handed shooters)
- Slide release on both sides
- A flared mag-well
- Optics-cut slide (allowing you to mount red dot sights and shoot accurately)
- A smaller polymer frame grip.
Specifications
The Glock 20 has the following specifications:
- Overall length: 8.07 inches
- Barrel length: 4.61 inches
- Height: 4.53 inches
- Width: 1.34 inches
- Weight: 27.5 ounces (40 ounces fully loaded)
- Magazine capacity: 15+1
- Trigger pull force: 28Nm or 6.29 foot-pounds
- Muzzle velocity/energy: 1240 fps/614 foot-pounds (with a bullet weight of 6.3 ounces).
With a 15-round magazine, it’s lighter than most large revolvers and close to power output compared to a .357 Magnum.
How does it compare to other Glocks?
As you can see, the Glock 20 truly is a full-size pistol with 20-30% more power than its most popular siblings, the Glock 17 and 19.
The recoil is more substantial than on the 9mm Glock models but is still tolerable.
The grip is slightly larger than other Glock models, but that is understandable, considering the 20 is a full-size pistol.
When reliability is concerned, Glocks are among the most reliable pistols in the world.
Applications of the Glock 20
As a full-size pistol, the Glock 20 is an excellent choice for people who spend time outdoors and in the wilderness.
Considering its stopping power, it provides excellent defense against larger four-legged beasts, even bears.
That may be why the Sirius Sledge Patrol carries a Glock 20 in the wilderness of Greenland to protect themselves from polar bears.
A Glock 20 is an ideal weapon for outdoor self-defense and even hunting because it delivers more power than an average .357 Magnum and has twice the ammunition capacity.
This makes it more versatile in a life-or-death situation, enabling the shooter to fire multiple rounds quickly with modest recoil.
Conclusion
As you can see, the Glock 20 provides a strong punch when it comes to stopping power.
The 10mm rounds are as powerful as those in a .357 Magnum.
It is an excellent firearm for home and self-defense, but it has also been characterized as an outdoor gun for defense against large beasts.
The recoil has improved since the Gen 5, and the reload time is significantly faster than a Magnum.
So, if you want a powerful handgun that is lightweight and easy to handle, the Glock 20 is your first choice.