By R.K. Campbell | Contributing Editor
The Glock 22C is a formidable firearm that is enhanced by carefully chosen modifications. The Brazen firearms Battle Worn finish is both durable and attractive with a certain flair many find desirable.
This report is the result of much research and shopping for a suitable finish for a trusted handgun. The Glock is a personal handgun that fills a need for a go-anywhere, do-anything, solve-any-problem handgun. For every need short of defense against large animals the Glock 22 .40 caliber handgun is a fight winner and a formidable handgun.
While I do not neglect my handguns the Glock needs little maintenance. Just the same I sometimes change magazines and recoil springs. My Glock is the 22C with compensator. While not completely necessary the compensators are unobtrusive and make a credible difference in recoil when firing the heaviest loads.
The custom grip reduction resulted in a handgun that fits the author’s hands better than the original configuration.
I have also done a grip treatment that has been much more profitable than the factory compensator in making the piece easier to shoot well. By shaping the grip frame to better fit my hand and with a profile more similar to the 1911 type handgun the Glock is easier to control, more comfortable to fire and even faster from the holster. The pistol is light enough for constant carry and accurate enough for any conceivable chore.
I like the proven wound ballistics of the .40 caliber cartridge. There are those that propose that the small bore cartridge is equal to the .40 in wound ballistics. They evidently attend a different church and do not have the same experience as I. Rather I think they attempt to bend facts to suit their opinion. We are all entitled to our own opinion but not our own facts. After considerable research I elected to have the piece re-finished in modern Cerakote.
The Dark Star gear IWB holster is a good choice for concealed carry. Note the excellent fit and molding.
Gun coatings and finishings serve to cover metal and protect a handgun from the elements. They are also useful for cosmetic upgrades. A go-anywhere, do-anything firearm is subject to certain dangers such as exposure to inclement weather and oxidation causing corrosion. Camouflage is even a viable reason for a re-finish. Cerakote is heat corrosion and wear resistant. Cerakote is also available in custom applications. While a skilled person may even apply Cerakote at home I find that the home applications tend to be one color and are limited in consistency. For an important firearm—and many firearms are simply recreational—a professional touch is needed. I contacted Brazen Firearms, LLC, online:-brazenfirearms.com; phone: 330 822 4861; at 2637 W Comet Rd., Clinton, OH 44216.
JM Custom Kydex offers an appendix carry option that provides a viable option for concealed carry. Note anti roll out feature. Attention to detail is evident in the cushioning pad added to the JM Custom Kydex holster.
A combination of drop test rating, corrosion resistance and relative performance led me to Cerakote and reputation led me to Brazen Firearms. Since I use hard Kydex holsters for carry I was interested in wear resistance as much as scratch and abrasion resistance. The pistol isn’t a safe queen but on the other hand I like an expensive firearm to last many years. Friction testing has shown that the coating wears slowly. I have also found the new Battle Worn finish to be attractive. While I have a number of well-worn firearms that have seen much service, the new Battle Worn design is attractive and durable. A bit of show doesn’t hurt anything! The Glock was shipped to Brazen Firearms from my local FFL and returned promptly. The result was eye catching. This is an attractive and durable finish. As the images show, it is also quite unique.
Black Hills Ammunition is a good match for the Glock Model 22.
I began my evaluation by taking the unloaded firearm and making several dozen presentations from concealed carry. I often deploy this holster in a Dark Star Gear inside-the-waistband holster. This IWB (darkstargear.com) offers good retention and real speed. I found that the finish did not degrade after these presentations. I also use an appendix carry style holster from JM Custom Kydex (jmcustomkydex.com). This holster has the anti-rollout feature. I have been analyzing the benefits of appendix carry versus crossdraw for several weeks and find appendix carry is among the best choices for personal defense. This holster offers a good sharp draw when driving or seated. Again, there was no finish degradation when drawing several dozen times from this holster.
The author deploys a TruGlo TruPoint combination light/laser with the Glock Model 22C.
The Glock 22 is usually loaded with the Black Hills Ammunition 155-grain hollowpoint. I have also used the 140-grain TAC load, an all copper hollow point with excellent expansion properties. I have fired these loads with the return of the Glock to insure the sights, which were removed for refinishing, were returned to zero. There was no problem in that regard. My usual practice load is the Black Hills Ammunition ‘blue box’ remanufactured load. Affordable, reliable and accurate this is a great training and practice resource. After two hundred rounds of this load I detected no finish degradation and the same performance as before the Cerakote finish.
I have been using the Battle Worn Glock for a few weeks now and find it attractive and useful. There is a certain pride of ownership in a handgun with an attractive finish. The sum of the work: the grip modification and refinish all have added to the custom fit and feel and to my ability to stand and delivery with the powerful .40 caliber Glock handgun.
TruGlo TruPoint
When the Glock 22C is at home ready, it is deployed with a TruGlo TruPoint light (TruGlo.com). TruGlo offers good value for the price and this unit proves you do not have to pay several hundred dollars for a credible combat light. The TruPoint incorporates both a laser and a combat light into the unit. The laser may be used for training in dry fire as you attempt to hold the pistol steady as the dot races about the target. The laser may be used as an aiming device. The illumination is most important in my opinion. The laser and the light may be activated at the same time or individually. I like this unit a lot.
