The Glock 22 represents over three decades of law enforcement trust, chambered in .40 S&W with 15+1 capacity in a full-size duty frame.
Whether you're running a Gen3 trade-in, Gen4 with backstraps, or Gen5 MOS with modern features, proper accessories transform this proven platform from capable to optimized.
This guide covers holsters, weapon lights, optics mounting, magazines, and performance upgrades that maximize the Glock 22's potential across duty, home defense, and training applications where stopping power and reliability both matter.
Holsters for Glock 22
Glock 22 holsters must accommodate full-size dimensions, 15-round loaded weight, and increasingly common weapon light and red dot combinations.
Modern defensive setups typically incorporate light-bearing holsters that index retention off the light body rather than the frame alone, requiring careful holster selection that matches your specific generation, light model, and optics configuration.
IWB Holsters
Inside-the-waistband carry suits concealed applications where clothing coverage and proper belt support allow, though the 22's full-size profile and weight demand reinforced construction and adjustable cant.
Quality IWB holsters use stiffened mouths to prevent collapse during one-handed reholstering and provide retention adjustment to maintain security during movement. The platform's size makes IWB carry more challenging than compact 9mm alternatives, though many carriers manage it successfully with proper belt support.
Belt Holsters
Outside-the-waistband holsters remain the preferred carry method for duty, range, and open carry applications, distributing the pistol's weight across a larger belt surface while enabling faster access than IWB. Duty-grade OWB holsters incorporate adjustable retention and reinforced construction that maintain security through physical activity and vehicle operations.
OWB Paddle Holsters
Paddle holsters eliminate belt threading via wide paddles that slide inside the waistband, making them practical for range sessions or situations requiring frequent holster removal. The paddle distributes weight across a larger waistband area than standard belt clips, though retention security typically suffers compared to traditional belt holsters during vigorous activity.
Appendix Carry Holsters
Appendix inside-the-waistband carry positions the 22 at the front of the body between belt line and groin, offering fast access and concealment under forward-facing clothing. The position requires proper holster design that angles the muzzle safely and maintains comfort during sitting.
Hook & Loop Holsters
Hook-and-loop mounting systems attach to plate carriers, vehicle interiors, or tactical surfaces via industrial-strength hook-and-loop, providing quick positioning for non-traditional mounting locations. These holsters suit vehicle-mounted defensive roles or tactical applications where conventional belt mounting proves impractical.
Drop Leg Holsters
Thigh-mounted drop-leg rigs position the 22 lower on the body, clearing plate carriers and bulky tactical gear while maintaining accessibility during outdoor or duty applications. Adjustable leg straps distribute weight across the thigh rather than the waistline, though proper adjustment remains critical to prevent holster migration during movement.
Belly Band Holsters
Elastic belly bands wrap around the torso, providing concealment options under untucked shirts or athletic wear without requiring belt support. Quality belly bands use moisture-wicking materials and incorporate reinforced holster pockets that maintain trigger coverage and prevent printing.
Chest Holsters
Chest rigs keep the 22 accessible during ATV riding, hunting, or activities where belt carry interferes with backpack hip belts or seated positions. Quality chest holsters use padded adjustable harness systems to distribute weight across shoulders and prevent bouncing through rough terrain.
Level 2 Retention Holsters
Level 2 retention holsters incorporate secondary retention devices beyond friction—thumb breaks, rotating hoods, or trigger-guard locks that require deliberate manipulation for weapon removal. These holsters suit uniformed duty applications where weapon retention during physical confrontation matters more than raw draw speed.
Level 3 Retention Holsters
Level 3 retention holsters add third retention mechanisms, typically combining hood releases, trigger locks, and thumb breaks that require sequential manipulation. These holsters serve high-risk duty applications where weapon retention during violent encounters takes precedence over draw speed.
Lights for Glock 22
The 22's integrated rail accepts standard 1913 Picatinny weapon lights, with target identification capability being critical for defensive applications where positive identification prevents tragic mistakes.
Defensive loads demand reliable illumination—500–1000+ lumens proves adequate for most applications, with higher outputs providing additional reach for outdoor or extended-distance scenarios.
Popular Weapon Light Options
Streamlight TLR-1 HL delivers 1000 lumens with proven reliability and widespread holster compatibility, making it a gold standard for duty applications.
TLR-7A provides 500 lumens in a more compact package suited to everyday carry while maintaining adequate output for defensive roles. SureFire X300 Ultra offers 1000 lumens with legendary durability and consistent performance under harsh conditions, though at premium cost.
Olight PL-Pro Valkyrie provides 1500 lumens at mid-range pricing with adequate reliability for most users. When selecting lights, prioritize models with extensive holster support from major manufacturers to avoid custom holster expenses.
Light-Bearing Holster Requirements
Weapon lights change pistol dimensions, requiring light-specific holsters that accommodate both firearm and illumination device profiles.
Most manufacturers produce 22-specific holsters for popular lights—TLR-1, TLR-7A, X300U—with retention indexed off the light body and frame together. Universal light-bearing holsters accommodate multiple lights through oversized openings but sacrifice precise retention and may allow unwanted movement.
Always verify holster compatibility with your specific gun-and-light combination before purchase, paying particular attention to generation-specific fit.
Activation and Control Methods
Ambidextrous tail switch activation allows support-hand momentary activation during two-handed shooting, while constant-on modes suit scanning operations or sustained illumination.
Practice light manipulation during dry fire to develop muscle memory for activation under stress—most defensive shooters use momentary activation for threat identification followed by immediate disengagement to avoid target fixation. Remote switches suit tactical applications but add complexity and potential failure points for defensive use.
Optics for Glock 22
Gen5 MOS variants ship optics-ready from the factory with mounting plates for popular micro red dot footprints, while earlier generations require slide milling or dovetail adapter plates.
Properly mounted optics improve target acquisition speed and precision, particularly under stress where iron sight alignment suffers. Competition and defensive shooters increasingly adopt slide-mounted red dots for the acquisition speed advantages they provide across lighting conditions.
Factory MOS Mounting Solutions
Gen5 MOS models include mounting plates accepting Trijicon RMR, Holosun 507C, and similar micro red dots without requiring slide milling.
The factory plates provide adequate mounting for most applications, though aftermarket plates from Forward Controls Design or C&H Precision offer improved strength and lower mounting heights. MOS mounting simplifies optics installation while maintaining warranty coverage and reversibility.
Slide Milling Options
Professional slide milling creates precision-cut mounting surfaces directly into Gen3 or Gen4 slides, accommodating micro red dots with lower mounting heights than adapter plates or MOS systems.
Quality milling services include backup iron sight retention via suppressor-height front sights, allowing iron use if optics fail. Properly milled slides maintain structural integrity while providing rock-solid mounting platforms that maintain zero through .40 recoil cycles.
Dovetail Mount Plates
Dovetail mounting plates attach through the rear sight cut, offering red dot capability without permanent slide modification.
These plates trade slightly higher sight lines for installation reversibility and lower cost compared to milling. Multiple manufacturers produce Glock-specific dovetail mounts accepting various optic footprints, though users must verify compatibility with the 22's specific sight dovetail dimensions and consider the added height.
Red Dot Selection
Trijicon RMR Type 2 provides legendary reliability and clear glass suited to duty applications where failure isn't acceptable.
Holosun 507C offers multiple reticle options, solar backup, and proven durability at mid-range pricing. Shield RMSc and similar compact dots work well on milled slides where minimal profile matters. Battery life, reticle size, and window clarity drive selection alongside mounting compatibility with your chosen installation method and intended use.
Magazines for Glock 22
Factory 15-round magazines represent the reliability baseline, with proper magazine selection and maintenance directly affecting defensive reliability.
The 22 shares magazine compatibility with G35 and uses the standard full-size .40/.357 SIG double-stack frame pattern. An important compatibility note: .40 S&W magazines feed both .40 and .357 SIG reliably, but .357 SIG-marked magazines have internal protrusions that cause feeding problems with .40 ammunition—making .40 magazines the preferred choice for users running caliber-swap setups.
Factory Glock Magazines
OEM 15-round magazines deliver consistent function across ammunition types with robust steel-lined polymer bodies and properly-tensioned springs. Factory magazines maintain reliability through thousands of cycles when properly maintained and represent the gold standard for defensive applications.
These magazines work across all 22 generations, though some early Gen3 variants may have minor compatibility considerations with newer magazine designs.
10-Round Magazines
Capacity-restricted jurisdictions require 10-round magazines that maintain similar external dimensions to standard 15-rounders but incorporate internal blocking.
Factory 10-round magazines provide reliable alternatives for compliance requirements, though users should verify local regulations regarding magazine possession, transport, and use before purchase.
Magazine Extensions
Competition magazine extensions add capacity beyond factory 15 rounds while improving reload indexing through enlarged base pads.
These aluminum or polymer extensions attach via modified base pad hardware and may require extended magazine springs for reliable feeding. Extensions primarily suit competition and range use rather than defensive roles where OEM magazines remain preferred for proven reliability.
Magazine Maintenance
.40 S&W's larger case dimensions and higher pressures require clean magazine bodies and properly-tensioned springs for reliable feeding. Inspect magazines regularly for damaged feed lips, worn followers, or weakened springs that cause feeding failures.
Replace magazine springs every 5,000-10,000 rounds or whenever feeding issues develop. Mark magazines individually to track round counts and identify problematic units before they cause defensive failures.
Sights for Glock 22
Factory polymer sights work adequately for general use, but steel night sights or fiber-optic upgrades dramatically improve target acquisition across lighting conditions. Sight upgrades remain among the most cost-effective performance improvements for defensive pistols, particularly for users not running slide-mounted optics.
Night Sights
Tritium night sights from Trijicon, Meprolight, and AmeriGlo provide self-luminous aiming points in complete darkness, critical for home defense where light switches may not be accessible.
Three-dot systems provide complete sight picture visibility, while two-dot configurations (tritium rear only with blacked-out outline) reduce rear sight distraction during rapid shooting. Tritium brightness fades over 10-12 years requiring eventual replacement, though quality sets maintain adequate visibility throughout their service life.
Fiber-Optic Sights
Fiber-optic front sights gather ambient light into brilliant aiming points that accelerate acquisition under varied lighting.
Competition shooters pair fiber fronts with plain black rears to create high-contrast sight pictures supporting rapid target transitions.
Multiple fiber colors suit different lighting preferences—green typically provides the brightest daylight visibility, while red works better for some shooters' visual characteristics.
Suppressor-Height Sights
Suppressor-height sights clear common weapon lights and position above slide-mounted red dots for backup iron capability.
These taller sights prove essential for optics-equipped pistols or light-bearing setups where standard sights would be obscured. Quality suppressor-height sets from Ameriglo, Trijicon, or Night Fision maintain proper sight radius despite increased height and work across all 22 generations.
Grips and Grip Enhancements for Glock 22
Factory Gen4 and Gen5 backstraps provide some customization, but additional grip modifications address texture, palm swell, and recoil management for shooters wanting enhanced control during rapid fire with .40 S&W's sharp recoil impulse.
Grip Tape and Textured Wraps
Skateboard-style grip tape or purpose-designed firearm grip tape provides aggressive texture that maintains purchase through moisture, though installation requires careful application to avoid bubbling or premature wear.
Textured rubber sleeves like Talon Grips offer less aggressive but more comfortable texture suited to extended range sessions or concealed carry where clothing abrasion matters.
These solutions work across all generations and provide immediate improvement without permanent modification.
Stippling Services
Professional frame stippling creates permanent aggressive texture through controlled melting of the polymer surface.
Quality stippling services provide consistent texture depth and patterns that improve control without excessive abrasiveness.
Stippling permanently modifies the frame, affecting resale value and warranty coverage, but delivers superior grip consistency compared to adhesive solutions that may wear or peel over time.
Triggers for Glock 22
The factory trigger connector and spring combination provides 5.5-pound pulls suitable for duty applications, though aftermarket components allow tuning for competition or personal preference.
All trigger modifications must preserve safe drop safety and prevent uncommanded discharges during handling or drops.
Aftermarket Trigger Connectors
Aftermarket connectors from Ghost, Lone Wolf, and similar manufacturers reduce trigger pull weights to 3.5-4.5 pounds through modified geometry.
These connectors maintain factory safety systems while delivering cleaner breaks and reduced take-up. Defensive pistols should maintain 4+ pound pulls to prevent unintentional discharges under stress or during legal scrutiny following defensive use.
Trigger Spring Combinations
Reduced-power striker springs and trigger springs decrease pull weights but risk light strikes with hard primers if excessively light.
Quality spring combinations from reputable manufacturers balance pull weight reduction against reliable ignition across ammunition types. Always verify reliable ignition with your defensive ammunition after spring changes—light strikes with defensive loads represent unacceptable failures that could prove catastrophic during actual defensive encounters.
Complete Trigger Assemblies
Drop-in trigger assemblies from Apex, Overwatch Precision, and similar manufacturers provide comprehensive upgrades including improved trigger shoes, optimized connectors, and tuned spring weights.
These assemblies simplify installation versus piecemeal modifications while delivering consistent performance. Premium assemblies maintain drop safety and include detailed installation instructions with verification procedures.
Recoil Management Components for Glock 22
The 22's polymer frame and .40 S&W chambering generate noticeable recoil compared to 9mm alternatives, though aftermarket recoil springs and guide rods provide tuning options for specific ammunition or shooter preferences.
Guide Rods and Recoil Springs
Stainless steel guide rods replace the factory polymer unit, adding minimal weight while eliminating flex during cycling. Aftermarket recoil springs in various weights allow tuning for specific ammunition—heavier springs reduce slide velocity with hot loads, while lighter springs improve cycling reliability with target ammunition.
Gen4 and Gen5 dual recoil spring systems already provide improved recoil management compared to Gen3, making aftermarket springs primarily relevant for caliber-swap configurations or competition use.
Captured Recoil Systems
One-piece captured recoil assemblies eliminate loose spring retention during field stripping, simplifying maintenance procedures.
These assemblies function identically to factory systems but prove slightly easier to manage during cleaning. Most shooters find the factory system adequate, making captured assemblies convenience upgrades rather than performance necessities.
Cleaning and Maintenance Tools for Glock 22
.40 S&W generates significant carbon and fouling that accumulates in the barrel, chamber, and feed ramp areas.
Regular cleaning maintains reliability and accuracy through thousands of rounds, particularly important given the caliber's higher operating pressures compared to 9mm.
Essential Cleaning Supplies
Quality cleaning kits include bronze or nylon bore brushes sized for .40 S&W, chamber brushes that reach fully into chambers removing stuck cases and carbon rings, and proper-length cleaning rods that won't damage barrel crowns.
The 22's chamber requires thorough cleaning, particularly when switching between ammunition types or experiencing extraction issues related to fouling buildup.
Lubrication Points
Glock reliability demands proper lubrication at slide rails, barrel lugs, and connector interfaces.
Quality gun oils from Break-Free, Slip 2000, or similar manufacturers provide adequate lubrication for general use. Avoid over-lubrication that attracts debris—light oil films on friction surfaces prove adequate for reliable operation across temperature ranges.
Conclusion - Top Glock 22 Accessories and Holsters
Outfitting your Glock 22 with appropriate accessories maximizes its potential across duty, home defense, and training applications.
Quality holsters tailored to your generation, carry method, and light configuration ensure secure retention and consistent access.
Weapon lights provide critical target identification capability that prevents tragic mistakes in defensive scenarios. MOS mounting or slide milling enables modern red dot capability that improves accuracy and acquisition speed under stress.
Factory magazines maintain feeding reliability that defensive applications demand, with the important note that .40 magazines work for both .40 and .357 SIG caliber-swap setups. Night sights or fiber-optic upgrades dramatically improve target acquisition across lighting conditions without the complexity of optics mounting.
Whether you're running a Gen3 trade-in for home defense, Gen4 for duty carry, or Gen5 MOS for competition, these accessories transform a capable factory pistol into a fully optimized defensive system matched to your specific requirements and use case.