Glock, founded by Gaston Glock in 1963, is a premier manufacturer of semi-automatic self-defense pistols, with many models gaining popularity among gun enthusiasts. These pistols are chambered to fire 9mm Luger (9x19mm) rounds, one of the oldest and most well-known types of ammunition.
Among these 9mm pistols, the Glock 17, Glock 19, Glock 19X, Glock 26, Glock 34, Glock 43, Glock 43X, and Glock 45 stand out not just from other Glock models, but from other manufacturers. Glocks are notoriously reliable, durable, and accurate, which is why they are trusted by law enforcement agencies across the globe. This guide provides a brief overview of each of these Glock handguns, so you can make a premium choice for your 2020 gun collection.
Glock 17
With a barrel length of 4.49 inches, an overall length of 8.03 inches, and a height of 5.47 inches (including the magazine), the Glock 17 is a full-size pistol that still works well for either concealed or open carry. The Glock 17 is the most well-known Glock model, and was the standard Glock of choice for law enforcement and military personnel for years.
Right now, there are 2 Glock 17 versions favored by gun owners: The Gen 4 (Generation 4) and Gen 5 (Generation 5).
The Glock 17 Gen 4 and Gen 5 both have a black melonite coating to prevent corrosion. However, the Gen 5 also has an nDLC finish to improve its resistance to corrosion and scratches from wear. In addition, both the Glock 17 Gen 4 and Glock 17 Gen 5 have the option of fixed polymer sights and Glock night sights (Gen 5 models have the option of AmeriGlo Tritium night sights).
This is where the similarities between these generation models end.
While the Glock 17 Gen 5 has a beveled (recessed) muzzle and an extended lip on the magazine, a flared magazine well, and an ambidextrous slide stop lever, the Glock Gen 4 does not. In addition, there are subtle differences like the Gen 5 having an orange follower and a dual-locking block pin trigger system, while the Gen 4 models have a black follower and a standard locking block trigger system.
The Glock 17 Gen 4 is a little smaller than the Glock 17 Gen 5, with a barrel length of 4.48 inches, a height of 5.43 inches, and a width of 1.34 inches.
Glock 19
The Glock 19 may be the best of all of, not just Glock’s 9mm models, but all Glock pistols. For many gun owners, the Glock 19 replaced the Glock 17. This a compact and versatile handgun that’s often used as a service pistol or concealed carry weapon. Holding 15+1 rounds in a single-stack 9mm magazine, it has a barrel length of 4.02 inches and a weight of just 30.16 ounces.
A Glock 19 also has the option of a 17, 19, 24, 31, and 33-round magazine.
Key features of this model, which is now on its 5th generation (Gen 5), include adjustable rear sights and black melonite and nDLC coating, which is the toughest and most durable finish used by Glock thus far. An nDLC finish protects your firearm from corrosion and scratches, improving its ability to function even in adverse conditions.
In addition, this model has an ambidextrous slide stop lever and reversible magazine catch, along with a mounting rail for accessories like red dot sights, a loaded chamber indicator, and interchangeable backstraps to customize the fit in your hand. An enlarged floorplate and flared magwell help speed up the process of reloading. The reversible magazine release and the trigger’s Safe Action System ensure that this pistol won’t fire due to incidental compact.
Glock 19X
The Glock 19X is branded as Glock’s first ever Crossover pistol and is suitable for use as either an open carry or concealed carry gun.
Although it is listed as a compact pistol, it has been designated as a Crossover pistol because it is a combination of the Glock 17 and Glock 19, having the Glock 17’s full-size frame and the Glock 19’s compact slide. While the Glock 19 and the Glock 19X both have the same barrel length (4.02 inches), the Glock 19X is slightly longer overall (7.44 inches compared to 7.28 inches) and has a greater height (5.47 inches, with the magazine included, compared to 5.04 inches).
Its dimensions are different from both the Glock 19 and Glock 17, but like the Glock 17, it has an optimal 17+1 magazine capacity. In addition, just like a Glock 17, this model can also have a 19, 24, 31, and 33-round magazine.
One way to easily distinguish the Glock 19X from the Glock 17 or the Glock 19 is its unique coyote tan color. An nPVD coating on the slide that prevents corrosion also differentiates it from others; however, it has standard Gen 5 features like a Safe Action Trigger system and ambidextrous slide stop levers.
Many have considered the Glock 19X to be the most accurate of all Glock 9mm pistols.
Glock 26
The Glock 26,also known as the “Baby Glock”, is more than perfect as a concealed carry firearm. It is similar in size to snub-nosed revolvers, offering minimum recoil and excellent accuracy with a rapid rate of fire. When you are looking for a handgun that you can use for self-defense, you can certainly see the benefits of owning a Glock 26.
As a smaller pistol, its standard magazine capacity is understandably smaller than others (10 rounds in a double-stack magazine) but it can also hold 12, 15, 17, 19, 24, 31, and 33-round magazines as well. This Glock has a barrel length of 3.43 inches, an overall length of 6.50 inches, a height of 4.17 inches (which includes the length of the standard magazine), and a width of 1.26 inches.
Like the other Glocks on this list, the Glock 26 has a striker-fired Safe Action Trigger system. The Gen 5 models have the Glock Marksman Barrels with polygonal rifling, ambidextrous slide stop levers, and an nDLC coating as a safeguard against corrosion and wear.
Glock 34
Glock 34s are competition pistols, with extended barrels, longer slide dimensions, and an elongated distance between sights. This is the largest Glock on the list, with a barrel length of 5.31 inches, an overall length of 8.82 inches, a width of 1.30 inches, and a height of 5.47 inches. It has a standard magazine capacity of 17 rounds but can also use a 19, 24, 31, and 33-round magazine.
Prized for its accuracy, Glock 34s are in heavy use by IPSC competition shooters and SWAT teams.
These full-sized Glocks have a matte black melonite finish, fixed sights and optional night sights, and hexagonal rifling. Like other Gen 5 Glocks, the Glock 34 Gen 5 has ambidextrous controls.
Glock 43
Like the Glock 26, the Glock 43 is a subcompact pistol and it’s inarguably one of the most popular Glocks of all time. It’s as concealable as any handgun offered by Glock, with a barrel length of 3.41 inches, an overall length of 6.26 inches, a height of 4.25 inches, and a width of 1.06 inches.
The grip of the Glock 43 has a built-in beaver tail that allows the shooter to maintain a grip that is both high and tight, which aids in it being highly accurate.
While the 5th generation of the Glock 43 has all of the standard features for Gen 5 Glocks, a glaring negative of this particular Glock model is that it only has a 6-round single-stack magazine capacity.
The aggressively-textured grip and built-in beaver tail design provide ultimate accuracy so you can make those 6 rounds count. The crisp trigger pull that you have come to know and love in all Glock firearms also contributes to better aim.
Glock 43X
The Glock 43X packs in all the great features of the Glock 43, but with a longer grip. The 43X is 6.50 inches long, 1.10 inches wide, and 5.04 inches high, with the standard 10-round mag included.
While the 43X is slightly larger than the 43, it is still quite compact. The Slimline frame comes complete with an nDLC-finished slide. The short trigger distance, reversible magazine catch, and built-in beavertail design all contribute to the 43X’s improved accuracy and precision.
This pistol is ideal for gun owners who want a compact model with a higher mag capacity.
Glock 45
Rounding out the best 9mm Glocks of 2020 is the Glock 45, which is the full-size Crossover compact frame with the compact-sized G19 slide. If you love the Glock 19X, you’ll enjoy the sleek black matte finish of the Glock 45.
This pistol is slightly heavier than the 19X, but it packs in all your favorite features, including a standard 17-round mag capacity with the ability to expand to 19, 24, 31, and 33 rounds. The barrel length is the same at 4.02 inches, and the overall length is also 7.44 inches. The width of the 45 is slightly wider at 1.34 inches, but the height is the same at 5.47 inches.
The Glock 45 offers all of the great Gen 5 features. If you’re not crazy about the tan G19X finish, this is a great alternative.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for the perfect pistol for concealed carry, open carry, home defense, or even target shooting, a Glock outperforms the competition every time. Made to withstand even the harshest climates and shooting conditions, with a Glock, you know when you need to pull the trigger, it won’t let you down.
For more information on our available selection of Glock 9mm handguns, browse our inventory or call IFA Tactical at (586) 275-2176.
