Gun Review: Glock 10mm G40 long slide Hunter (VIDEO)

Glock enthusiasts and fans of the power-pistol 10mm chambering, rejoice!  This is the year of long slide, hunting-specific, optics-ready 10mm pistols and Glock is leading the way with their G40 Hunter.

The basics

The almost overstuffed box for the Glock G40. (Photo: Kristin Alberts)

The Safe Action semi-auto G40 with its gas nitride finish and black polymer frame joins a lengthy lineup of other MOS Glocks, but the caliber and barrel length set this one apart.  The new Gen4 Glock G40 in optics-ready MOS configuration pairs a full six-inch barrel with an eight-inch sight radius and a 15-round magazine.  Overall length of the G40 is 9.49” with an overall width of 1.28” and height of 5.47.”  If hundredths matter to you, the barrel length is actually 6.02 inches and the gun weighs in at just over 28 ounces sans magazine. That’s drool-time for pistol hunting aficionados.

Under-barrel rail detail, Glock G40. (Photo: Kristin Alberts)

As expected of Glock, the barrel has right hand hexagonal rifling.  There’s also the standard 2” under-barrel accessory rail for lights and lasers and a large, reversible magazine release button.  The white dot front sight and windage adjustable white-outline rear sight are the basic Glock standard.  The Glock hard case comes stuffed to the max—actually a slightly larger case would be fantastic so the latches don’t bust—with three mags, mag loader, backstraps, cleaning gear, sight adapters, fired case, manual, etc. Two of the backstraps are standard and simply increase distance to the trigger; the other two feature a beavertail to protect from slide bite.

Textured pad on front of the trigger guard can increase control and accuracy for some shooters. (Photo: Kristin Alberts)

There’s also an included MOS Adapter Set containing four reflex-sight mounting plates, screws, and wrench for the most popular optics.  The G40’s slide comes fitted with a filler-plate that perfectly matches the shape of the slide and is hardly noticeable.  Upon removal with the two top screws, shooters see how the slide is milled out, drilled and tapped to accept the series of removable plates. This plate is contoured to match the shape of the slide when an optic is not in use.  The G40 package comes at a lower-than-expected retail price of $840.

On the range

Aggresive texture grip detail on G40. (Photo: Kristin Alberts)

The eight-inch sight radius is quite impressive and does indeed improve shootability with the open sights.  Given the length of the G40, it’s incredibly well balanced for a gun that looks like it should be front heavy.  The weight is well distributed, and that extra weight helps minimize felt recoil.  The snappiness of shooting a hundred rounds through smaller frame 10mms can make you wish for good shooting gloves, but the G40 is surprisingly manageable.

The Vortex Razor sits cleanly with a low profile, though the location of the rear locking screw is tricky to adjust. (Photo: Kristin Alberts)

The longer barrel and bullet-rifling time increases both accuracy potential and powder burn time for greater actual velocity.  We didn’t spend much time shooting open sights, however, as the MOS configuration practically begs for a reflex sight.  After some ado to be detailed later, we mounted the Vortex Razor Red Dot Sight.  Standard mounting is quite simple, as the base plate attaches to the slide with the provided screws and then the sight mounts to the base plate.  Sighting in was a snap, and we were able to hold zero throughout 150 rounds.  Once you get accustomed to a reflex sight, target acquisition does indeed get quicker and we found it easier to remain accurate at longer ranges and to stay focused on the target with both eyes open.

Glock G40 cover plate detail. (Photo: Kristin Alberts)

Depending upon anticipated shooting distances, remain mindful of the dot size on your chosen reflex sight.  Our first test optic with the 6 moa dot began to obscure hunting targets at 50 yards and beyond.  When swapped for the 3moa dot version, target-dot acquisition takes a split second longer, but we felt more confidence in not covering the intended target.  Reflex sights add very minimal weight for the increased accuracy potential.

Unofficially on our scale, the fully-loaded G40 broke the 40oz mark, but that, along with its dual spring system, help make it controllable. The trigger is typical love-it-or-hate-it Glock, with some spongy takeup and a crisp reset.  Our test gun’s trigger broke at 5 lbs 4oz.

Field testing

The G40 pack with test ammo: Hornady Custom in 155 & 180 grn and Winchester Silvertip 175grn. (Photo: Kristin Alberts)

We shot Hornady Custom hunting ammo in both 155 and 180 grains, Winchester Silvertip 175 grains, and Federal American Eagle FMJ in 180 grains.  Most major manufacturers are following the gun companies lead into the expanding 10mm market, and we found plenty of hunting and defensive loads available.   As expected, the gun cycled flawlessly.  We shot both from the bench for accuracy and offhand to simulate hunting scenarios.

Staring down a 25 yard target fir sight in. (Photo: Kristin Alberts)

Accuracy?  Our best results from the 25 yard bench/sandbag shooting came with Hornady Custom 180’s at a 2.45” 5-shot group.  Winchester Silvertips gave us very similar results with 2.55” and the gun seemed to prefer heavier bullets.  Lighter Hornady Customs in 155 grain averaged just over 3.15” for a 5-shot group.  Though our initial 6MOA red dot size was not ideal, we shot a 50-yard target offhand, rapid fire to mimic real-world hunting, with groups staying in the vitals of a whitetail, but not with the confidence we’d prefer.

Rapid fire at 50 yards shooting offhand. (Photo: Kristin Alberts)

With some practice, our handgun hunter was able to consistently place shots in a 4” target after the switch to the 3moa dot. Debating adequate killing velocities is a topic for another day, but the Glock G40 in the hands of a practiced shooter with a rest is more than capable of placing the bullet within the vitals of a game target at 100 yards.

Considerations

Glock 40 compared to Glock 20. (Photo: Kristin Alberts)

Though Glock markets the G40 as a “powerful yet easily carried pistol for the outdoorsman, hunter, and sport shooter,” we found it to be quite a large sidearm for extended carry.  When compared to the size and weight of a 6-8” barreled large-frame revolver, packability is put in perspective.  Pistol fans will be quick to point out that the Glock offers the benefit of 15+1 round capacity.  While long slide 10mms are fairly new to the market, we’re still waiting on some good holster options for the pistol with optics in place.  Some G20 holsters may work, but not all.

Glock MOS plates. (Photo: Kristin Alberts)

The only other problem we ran across came with the optics mounting.  Though Glock includes a very thorough set of plates purported to accept “all popular reflex sights,” that does not include one of the most popular in my area, the Vortex Razor.  You can either modify one of the existing plates or more simply, order the appropriate mounting kit directly from Vortex.

The low profile highly coated Vortex Razor red-dot optic. (Photo: Kristin Alberts)

As the optic sits between the chamber and rear sight, depending on your choice of optic, some will sit closer to the rear sight than others, which we found to be the case with the Vortex.  In fact, it becomes almost impossible to access the sight’s rear locking screw. Unfortunately, Glock’s factory sights are too squatty, such that co-witness is not an option.  The mounting plates are touted to house: Trijicon RMR, EoTech, Meopta, C-More, and Leupold Delta Point. We had the pleasure of shooting the G40 at SHOT Show 2016 with the Delta Point, and found that optics fit and adjustments ideal for the pistol.

A long slide conclusion

With three mags and an optic, the G40 has earned the nickname The Hunter.(Photo: Kristin Alberts)

The handgun I’ve heard called both The Hunter and Glockzilla is a pistol hunter’s dream. Pairing classic Glock reliability with high capacity and a potent caliber make the G40 a capable and durable field companion.  While it will be hard to sway this revolver lover to packing a semi-auto on the next feral hog or whitetail hunt, Glock is on the forefront of a rapidly growing market as the 10mm is quickly building a loyal following in American fields and forests.