KJW Glock 32C Review

By Brandon
July 13, 2009

I’ve always held mixed feelings for Glocks.  They are the ultimate expression of functional utility with complete disregard for aesthetics.  Exciting or not, Glocks are widely known for their reliability and simplicity, to the point of having a cult following.  Airsoft Glocks are essentially the same, with a huge fanbase. The cheap entry price, reliability, and availability of upgrades has made the Glock an ideal first GBB.  In this review, I’ll discuss the KJW G32c, one of the many many choices an airsofter has when choosing an airsoft Glock.

Real Steel History

The Glock family of pistols, once started by famous Glock 17 pistol, was developed by Austrian company Glock Gmbh., previously known for quality knives and entrenching tools. The Glock 17 pistol first appeared at the Austrian Army trials, won it and was adopted by Austrian Army and Police in the early 1980s under the designation of P-80. Since then, the Glock 17 and its descendants become very popular military and law enforcement firearms, being exported in more than 50 countries. Currently, Glocks are chambered in all major pistol calibers, namely 9x17mm Short (.380ACP), 9x19mm Luger, .357SIG, .40SW, 10mm auto and .45ACP. Also, Glocks available in full-size service models, semi-compact models, compact models for concealed/backup carry, and in longslide competition models. Training versions, firing non-lethal practice ammo, also available. Training versions are distinguished from “live” ones by frame color – blue frame for guns that fire non-lethal ammunition and red frame – for non-firing guns.

All Glocks (except for ones chambered in 9×17 – .380ACP) are recoil operated, locked breech pistols. Glocks feature Browning-type linkless locking system with barrel interlocking with slide via ejection port. All Glocks feature patented “Safe action” striker-fired trigger mechanism. After the each cycle of the slide the striker is set to half-cock position and is safely blocked by internal safety. When shooter pulls the trigger, he disengages the trigger safety first, then cocks the striker to the full-cock and then fires the gun. This results in constant trigger pull (adjustable from 2 to 5.5 kg) and, unlike the traditional DA or DAO pistols, unavailability of the “second strike” option in case of the misfire. All Glocks has no external controls except the trigger and the slide stop (the only different is Glock 18, which has slide mounted fire mode selector).

History from world.guns

Movie Appearances:

Interestingly, there have been no notable appearances of the Glock 32 in mainstream movies.  The only reference I could find to a G32 in movies was the French film District B13, where Cyril Raffaelli uses one as Captain Tomaso

Glocks are prevalent in nearly any movie anymore, but this is the only occurrence of the G32 I can find.

First Impressions

So, for the lack of movie appearances, we can get right down to the gun at hand.  I have to apologize for the lack of pictures of the original packaging, but you’re not missing much.  You get a simple two-half box, with greyed out images of law-enforcement equipment, and red lettering reading KJW Glock 32c.  It contains a simple manual, the gun, and the magazine.  The packaging is quite spartan, and there aren’t any extras.

Lifting the gun from its drab quarters, one is greeted with a solid replica of a compact Glock.  The pot metal slide is painted black with decently durable paint, and the frame is made of decent quality ABS.  The replica has a few rattles, coming from somewhat loose fitment in the magwell allowing the mag to wobble around, and the slide rattling on the rails (again from somewhat loose fitment).   Unlike most Glock replicas, this one has an active safety.  Sliding the serial number plate on the bottom of the dust cover locks the trigger, just like on TM and HFC Glocks.  The passive trigger safety is discussed later.

In terms of markings, the gun is nearly as spartan as the packaging.  Starting at the front, the gun has a large stylized ‘G’ emblazoned on the front, followed immediately by 32C.  These markings are inaccurate, as the gun features a full stamped Glock logo.  In the picture below, you can see the relatively good quality of the paint used on the slide.

The slide also has .357 stamped on the side.  The real handgun is chambered in .357 SIG, so at least this is accurate.

The grip is stamped with the KJ logo where the glock logo usually sits.  You can also get an idea of the texture on the grip.  It is regular ABS, but the stippling on the grip panels is decent, and the checkering on the front and backstraps is quite deep.  The seam line on both sides is quite noticeable though.

Here you can see both the disassembly lever, the trigger, and the mag release.  The mag release on this replica is made of ABS, so long term durability may be a concern.  In my period of ownership, this never became an issue.  The trigger faithfully replicates the proper Glock trigger, with the appropriate middle-blade passive safety.  The disassembly lever is simple; its made of pot metal, and does its job appropriately letting you remove the slide after pulling it down.  What more can I say, really?

Here we can see the other side of the frame, with MADE IN TAIWAN KUAN JU WORKS molded proudly on the side.  You can also see the extractor, which is molded into the slide.  It doesn’t look bad per se, it just doesn’t look quite as nice as some of the higher qulity replicas with fake extractors made with parts instead of molding it on.

Another fake trademark: GAS BLOWBACK SYSTEM READ MANUAL BEFORE USE.

Here we have a top view of the gun.  You can see the .357 marking stamped into the chamber block, as well as the two compensator cuts near the front of the slide.  I think these cuts provide alot of interest over the standard flat-topped Glock, and it was enough interest to get me to bite.  Call me crazy.

Here is one of the mag, which again, is pretty bog standard.  It has mock Glock load indicators up and down the back of the mag in a double stack configuration.  You can see a few casting marks near the bottom, where there was obviously a little flash on the mag when it was cast.

Another shot of the standard and essentially uninteresting mag.  The mag has metal feed lips, so at least you don’t have to worry about those failing.

Disassembly on Glocks, like most other pistols, is quite simple.  Simply drop the magazine, pull down the disassembly lever, and pull the slide off the front of the gun.  The recoil guide rod is fully contained, so its unlikely to shoot off with your recoil spring like so many 1911s and plug-spring style guns do.  This gun comes from the same vein as Marui and HFC glocks, so the internals are similar.  A few things of note include the roller on the hammer visible below, and the rubber buffer at the front of the recoil spring guide.

An examination of the blowback system shows some casting marks on the bb muzzle/cylinder, as well as what appears to be a crack.  This however is simply flash, and did not turn out to be a cracked cylinder.  The internals on the blowback engine all appear to be simple, and while not super polished, they are robust.

Here is a closeup on the hopup unit.  While it isn’t terribly fancy, it works well.

I like the adjustment wheel as opposed to some silly tool nonsense on the KSC Glock hopups.  While you can’t adjust the hopup with the gun assembled, taking the gun partially apart to dial the hop isn’t as bad as having to manage some tiny little impossible to replace hop key in your field gear.  This is all opinion of course, but for what mine’s worth, there you have it.

So there you have it.  A standard Glock replica that comes off as a bit rough around the edges with all of its casting marks, and incorrect trademarks.  Next we’ll have to find out how it shoots.

Shooting Impressions

With all the little quirks in the build of this pistol, you may not expect it to be the best shooter.  The loose fitment of some parts, large amount of moulding flash, and general lack of polish will surely add up to a less than pleasant GBB for the shooter, won’t they?

This isn’t always the case as this pistol shows us.  MikeG (The site’s Co-Creator) and myself bought our KJW G32Cs surplus from a collector (who bought one from each major retailer chasing a fabled ‘trademarked’ version, which KJW does sometimes do).  With the price we paid, we certainly were not expecting much.

Shooting one however is a completely satisfying experience.  Sliding a magazine in, it locks very positively, and you get a nice metallic ‘clink’ when the slide is racked.  In terms of firing feedback, this particular pistol is superb, delivering a very loud report, and a strong jump from the recoil of the slide.  As a shooting experience, this is among the loudest and jumpiest pistols I have shot, including my KSC MK.23 Hardkick and my TM Desert Eagle Hardkick.

On the other hand however, this means that most of the gas consumption goes into pushing the slide around and making noise.  On the chrono, we saw results ranging from 230FPS to 250FPS on propane.  On 134a, we suspect the gun would be quite anemic, but since the parts appear so robust, I have no qualms about running this gun solely on propane.  Gas consumption also suffers, being able to get no more than a mag and a half of BBs off per gas fill.

Accuracy is one area that is affected by the loose tolerances on the gun.  The outer barrel’s tolerances are relatively loose in comparison with other GBBs, and in conjuction with the strong recoil, the outer barrel wobbles around quite a bit while firing, leading to worse than average groupings.

Targets and a shooting video should come up eventually, after we repair the damage discussed in the next section.

Durability Alert!

After a fair amount of use, Mike’s pistol suffered an unfortunate incident.  Mike had gone solely to his Glock as a result of strange behavior from his King Arms FAL, and we had just been hit after a executing a memorable assault on the enemy team’s flank.  After arriving at our own respawn, I noticed Mike’s outer barrel had simply vanished.  After much convincing, Mike finally agreed it was gone as well (he was skeptical at first).  Mike treats all of his guns very well, and mentioned that he hadn’t dove with it, or hit any trees. This leaves the barrel essentially being sheared from the chamber block from use alone.

The repair is simple; buy a new TM compatible barrel.  Mike intends to upgrade to a threaded barrel of some sort to gain the ability to use a silencer (I’m sure he understands the ideological folly of putting a silencer on a compensated pistol).  I never experienced issues with my G32C, but in the interest of full disclosure, this had to be mentioned.

Conclusion:

So, how did this gun do overall?

In terms of a looker, this certainly isn’t one.  Glocks are inherently disadvantaged, though they are interesting in a ruthlessly efficient way.  As a shooter, it doesn’t shoot all that hard, and not all that straight.  The real place this thing shines is in the shooting experience.  The sharp recoil and the loud noise never fail to make me smile when putting rounds through it.  It jumps quite enthusiastically in the hand, and the metallic clinks and clanks from the metal slide and barrel simply add to the experience.  Needless to say, I like it, but how would it rate?

Performance: 3.5/5
This gun is alot of fun to use.  The shooting feedback is in a league few GBBs can match.  Its a shame that the chrono results and inconsistent groupings from the loose tolerances on certain parts had to come into play to give this gun a merely average performance rating.

External Design: 4/5
While the gun is admittedly spartan, I don’t see anything wrong with it.  Lacking realistic trademarks bugs me, but for the regular skirmisher/shooter I’m sure its not a big deal.  It at least comes with replica trademarks.  The loose fit and finish, and flash don’t detract overly from the package on an external basis, and the replica is nice and hefty.

Value: 4/5
Mike and I paid $60.00 apiece for ours, and I have to say its one of the best value for money pistols I’ve purchased (in my opinion).  You get an average shooter with a nice useful hopup, good solid externals, and one of the better shooting experiences currently available.  This is a great workhorse gun.

Since Mike and I bought ours technically used, for comparison, the gun is available brand new at UNCompany for $81.00.  I’d still happily pay that for this gun, as you get a great overall pistol for less than most plastic Japanese replicas cost.

Overall: 4/5
Cheap and cheerful sums this one up nicely.  Great value, alot of fun, skirmishability, and acceptable externals make this one something I’d have all players considering a Glock look into.  Simply put, the gun is excellent.

The Final Word

You mean you didn’t get one yet?  Thats ok.  I sold mine off recently.  While I was heartbroken to see it go, I needed cash for some non-airsoft expenses that popped up.  Do I regret it?  Absolutely.  It was my skirmish workhorse, and now selecting a pistol to take into the field is a chore at best when I play.  I’ll probably buy another in the near future, and I hope the little guy who bought mine is enjoying it, because he certainly should be!