The G22 RTF2’s internal workings did not change, but its exterior had a makeover purported to improve the gun’s ergonomics.
The Rough Textured Frame Version #2 (RTF2) has more than 4,000 small raised pyramids covering the front, rear, sides, and thumbrests of the frame. We trusted Glock on this point and did not attempt to count them. These “polymids” are designed to provide additional traction and an enhanced shooting grip.
The G22 RTF2 has also received a redesign to its slide serrations. New crescent shapes replace the straight grooves of previous versions. Again, the new shapes are touted to improve the user’s grip and to also give the gun a new modern look.
Our evaluation of the Glock began when we open the plastic case containing our test weapon. Inside we were greeted with even more plastic. The weapon frame, two 14-round magazines, and a mag loader all were composed of Glock’s proprietary polymer. The Austrian company definitely knows how to mold plastic, as no flashing, seams, or other surface defects were evident on the gun or its accessories. The RTF2 was passed around to our testers without advising them of the Glock’s design changes. Its new textured finish didn’t jump out to us visually, but its tactile qualities were readily noted when the gun was handled. Its feel would be accurately described as gritty, and our initial consensus was that gloved operators would definitely benefit from its enhanced properties. Our lone concern was that it could be too aggressive for bare-handed shooters, but this question would soon be answered on the firing line.
The new slide serrations on the G22 weren’t initially recognized by some of our testers either. When the gun was passed around, our testers knew there was something amiss, but it took a few seconds before the fish-scale-shaped serrations were recognized. The serrations did indeed provide additional gripping area, but we’ve never had a particular problem cycling Glock slides. The consensus was that the new design didn’t hurt the gun’s functionality, and might prove beneficial on occasion.
Aside from the aforementioned updates, the G22 RTF2 resembled its older brother in fit, form, and function. We started our evaluation of the G22 by disassembling the gun to clean and lubricate it prior to firing. Slide removal from the frame was accomplished by carefully checking that the magazine was removed, verifying the chamber was empty, and dry firing the gun to release the striker. Utilizing some finger ju-jitsu, the slide was pulled back approximately 1⁄8 inch with one hand, and then two small disassembly levers were pushed down and held by the thumb and forefinger of the other hand. The slide was then pushed forward to remove it from the frame. Once the slide was separated from the frame, the guide rod and captivated single recoil spring assembly were removed, along with the barrel assembly. The elegant simplicity of this design explains why the G22 is both popular and reliable.
Once properly readied for the range, we did some mechanical and visual checks of the gun. Like all Glocks, the G22 RTF2 has no external safeties, relying on three internal ones instead. A loaded-chamber indicator appears as a lever on the outside of the slide. This indicator bulges out slightly when a round is chambered. The Glock has no striker indicator to determine if the striker is in a cocked position. The grip on the G22 RTF2 featured finger recesses and an accessory rail with a single crosscut.
Trigger pull was measured at 7.4 pounds, the heaviest of our trio. The trigger pull of the RTF2 also stood out as the least desirable of our guns during our live-fire sessions. The G22’s trigger gave a feel of compression, then a snapping release, described as “breaking a piece of peanut brittle” by one of our testers. It was not unwieldy, but was the least desirable, according to our test group. Accuracy also lagged slightly behind its competitors with all three loads tested, achieving its best accuracy with the Winchester 180-grain FMJs, a respectable 1.2-inch group at 10 yards. As we cycled from one gun to another, our testers said that the Glock required the greatest adjustment period to “settle in” for consistent groups to be fired. This is not an indictment of the gun, however. Once acclimated to the G22, rounds were fired with decent control and repeatability. Targets could be attacked aggressively, recoil was manageable, although crisp, and we experienced some muzzle flip. The rough-textured finish of the G22 did give us an enhanced grip without being so rough as to cause blisters or abrade the shooter’s hand. The gun ate everything we fed it, and magazine changes were made without much difficulty, although the right-hand-only mag release required our lefties to make adjustments. We can readily recommend upgrading to the low-profile Trijicon night sights. Their three-dot configuration presented a good sight picture, and were smooth enough not to snag when unholstering and re-holstering. The tritium inserts gave us excellent low-light capabilities as well.
Our Team Said: Overall, the Glock G22 RTF2 was a solid, reliable performer, and Glock backs its product with a limited lifetime warranty. We found the new texturing to be an upgrade from the previous finish and will benefit shooters with gloves or sweaty palms. We don’t know that the changes necessarily give the G22 RTF2 a “new modern look,” as the company attests. To us, the Glock still has Swingline stapler styling, but the gun succeeds with its utilitarian simplicity and function over cosmetics. Our test model did everything relatively well, but it lagged behind one of its competitors in each category we tested, so its ‘B’ grade reflects that.
