While it is common to see Glocks hit the civilian market from law enforcement agencies, they are typically relegated to the G17, G19, G22, and G23 models. What is not common is to see a long-slide Glock 35 come from a department – however, that doesn't mean it’s not an excellent option. Let’s take a look at the latest batch of G35 LEO trade-in handguns to join our inventory.
What is the G35?
In 1998, Glock introduced the G35, its long-barrel .40 S&W solution geared and marketed toward practical/tactical competition shooting. The handgun features a standard G22 frame with a longer slide and barrel, both of which bring a longer sight radius and a more controllable recoil impulse. The longer barrel will also bring a slight bump in velocity when paired with the cartridge.
As with most Glock models, the .40 S&W line is designed to include all major handgun sizes. The G35 is the long-barrel competition option – then there is the full-size G22, the compact G23, and the sub-compact G27. The G35 retains the same 15-round capacity as the full-size G22. One of the other unique features is the lightening cut on the top of the slide to keep the weight down.
This specific trade-in Glock 35 Gen 4 features finger grooves, more aggressive texturing, and a larger magazine release that is reversible, all improvements over the third-generation Glocks.
Common Uses
Competition shooters often prefer a long slide and barrel to give them an edge on accuracy. With a longer sight radius and more time for the powder to burn in the barrel, there is also a speed and recoil control advantage when moving quickly between shots.
The G35 can be found in the hands of many competition shooters around the world, so it is understandable why the advantages of the handgun would be enticing to law enforcement.
It's chambered in .40 S&W, the go-to cartridge for law enforcement in the United States during the 1990s and 2000s. Now with the FBI returning to 9mm due to the performance of modern hollow points, the secondhand market has seen a huge increase in .40 S&W handguns as they exit service.
LEO Upgrades and Purposes
Obviously, when lives are on the line, it is important to select the best equipment available for the job. From a law enforcement perspective, the accuracy advantage of the G35 is attractive, especially when considering that officers may have to engage at a distance while there are innocent civilians in possible crossfire areas. One nice feature that is frequently upgraded on LE guns is the sights, and this G35 is no exception. It has robust all-metal OEM night sights. As with most law enforcement trade-in handguns, this Glock features metal night sights that have exhausted tritium inserts.
Personally, with my experience in contracting and carrying a sidearm in a domestic environment, I prefer something with a shorter barrel and slide so that my draw and sight acquisition can be faster.
Specs
