Oftentimes, you’ll find that a design change can go disastrously wrong, lead to a much better path, and a few years down the road lead to collectibles. Such is the case for the RTF2G models as they have come to be known to the collectors.
It all started in 2009 with a new pattern being released specifically to attract an even larger share of the police market. The first gun, naturally, was released in the model 22 and was a basic Gen 3 model but with a different grip texture and funny looking curved rear-serrations. By this time, police would buy anything labeled “Glock” so the new version of Gen 3 did reasonably well and was eventually put out in 17, 19, 22, 23, 22C, and 23C. They also decided to drop the curved serrations and released models with a standard slide, but new grip in 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 31, and 32.
But there was still a problem with that altered grip: while it is definitely the “grippiest” version of a Glock you can purchase, the little pyramids turned out to be SO sharp that they were wearing through clothing and patrol car seatbelts at an alarming rate. And if you were dainty of hand, they could be a little too brisk for your liking. Glock eventually solved this by the release of the Gen 4 models which are very similarly textured, but with larger (less sharp) pyramids to hold on to.
For a while there, the entire RTF series enjoyed a hallowed status with collectors–who naturally wanted all of them once Glock stopped making them, but it’s the 22C, 23C, and the 19 that have true rare status and command significant premiums on the open market if they have those funky curved “fish gill” serration cuts. 19s consistently bring four figures, 23Cs will go for $1500 in good shape and the 22Cs are so rare that most change hands in private sales (but probably in the $3,000 to $4,000 range).
The remaining models have been released in other versions (the Larry Vickers series 17s and 19s), distributor specials (Mostly through Lipsey’s), or were even re-released by Glock in 2017 (the 17, 22, & 23 with or without curves and the 19 in straight serration only). While all make fine range pistols and are excellent for open carry or wet duty jobs (you’re not gonna want to tuck those razorblades under your shirt for concealed carry), the three stand head and shoulders above the rest for collector value.
