Step up your shooting game with a long-slide pistol. Unlike standard full-sized pistols, these variants feature an elongated slide and a longer barrel while keeping the same frame and grip sizes. Enthusiasts love long-slide pistols for their superior accuracy and performance, making them a preferred choice over traditional full-size handguns.
Discover the specs and benefits of long-slide pistols and check out the best models available today.
What Are Long-Slide Pistols?
Most handguns are categorized by size, such as full-size, mid-size, compact, or subcompact. A long-slide pistol is one step above a standard full-size pistol. It typically features the same frame and grip as a full-size but is fitted with a longer barrel and a matching slide. For instance, where most full-size pistol barrels fall between 4.25” and 5”, long-slide pistols are typically over 5”.
Because a long-slide pistol is usually an elongated version of a standard full-size, the term “long slide” is relative. For instance, the SIG P226 typically has a 4.4” barrel, but its long-slide version, the P226 X-Five, has a 5” barrel instead. However, a 5” barrel is the standard length for 1911-pattern pistols; a long-slide 1911 may have a 6” barrel or even longer.
Benefits of Long-Slide Pistols
If you aren’t used to shooting them, the benefits of using a long-slide pistol can seem unclear at first. Here’s a breakdown of what they offer to shooters and why you might consider one.
- More mechanical accuracy. Most long-slide pistols have extended barrels, which translates into better mechanical accuracy. The added barrel length gives more space for the cartridge’s gunpowder to burn more completely. This means more energy pushes each bullet, allowing it to exit the barrel at a slightly higher velocity than in a standard-length barrel. The combination of higher velocity and cleaner gunpowder burn translates into higher accuracy and more consistency.
- Easier to aim. A longer slide on a pistol extends the sight radius, which is the distance between the front and rear sights. That feature allows the shooter to make more precise aiming adjustments, which can help the handgun feel more accurate.
- Less muzzle blast. Because less unburnt powder leaves the barrel, long-slide pistols produce less distracting muzzle blast. This makes the handgun feel more comfortable to shoot, especially in low-light conditions or over extended periods.
- Easier follow-up shots. The extra barrel and slide length translate into additional weight at the front of the pistol. While it makes the gun heavier, the extra weight results in less muzzle flip with each shot. Shooters can return the sights on target more quickly, making follow-up shots easier and quicker.
The Best Long-Slide Pistols Available in 2024
Long-slide pistols are ideal for many applications, including bullseye shooting, competitions, and hunting. If you’re in the market for a highly accurate, long-barreled handgun, you’ll find plenty of options from the world’s top gunmakers. Here are some of the best long-slide pistols available today.
Glock 34 Gen 5 MOS
The Glock 34 was introduced in 1998 as a competition-oriented version of the 9x19mm Glock 17. Originally part of the Generation 3 series, Glock continuously refined and updated the G34 with each subsequent pistol generation. The Glock 34 Gen 5 MOS, part of the newest Generation 5 family, is the latest and most advanced version of the G34.
As a Modular Optic System (MOS) handgun, it features a cut slide ready to accept red dot sights (RDS) and adapter plates. Out of the box, the G34 Gen 5 MOS can fit some of the world’s best-performing mini-RDS, such as the Trijicon SRO and RMR.
While previous-generation Glock 34 pistols were already well-known for their accuracy, the G34 Gen 5 outpaces its predecessors in many ways. The 5.31” barrel has been updated to the Gen 5 Glock Marksman Barrel (GMB) specification.
Compared to Gen 4 barrels, it features more aggressive polygonal rifling angles, tighter chamber specifications, and a target barrel crown. These features improve the handgun’s accuracy and tighten groups, especially at extended distances (50+ yards).
As a variant of the Glock 17, the Glock 34 features the same full-sized Glock frame and accepts all G17-compatible double-stack 9mm magazines.
Specifications (G34 Gen 5 MOS)
- Manufacturer: Glock
- Model: 34 MOS
- Product family: Generation 5, Competition Series
- Caliber: 9x19mm Parabellum
- Overall length: 8.74”
- Barrel length: 5.31”
- Sight radius: 7.52” with standard polymer sights
- Weight: 26.21 oz. with an empty G17 magazine inserted
- Standard capacity: 17+1 with standard Glock 17 magazine inserted. It also accepts all G17-compatible magazines.
- Recommended applications: Target shooting, competition shooting
Canik SFx Rival-S
While Canik is typically known for its reasonably-priced pistol offerings, the Turkish gun manufacturer also produces competition-oriented models like the Rival Series. The Canik SFx Rival-S is the steel-framed version, distinguished by its chrome finish and high-contrast black grip and furniture.
The Rival-S is a high-precision competition shooting pistol. All its features are designed to improve the shooting experience at the range. The heavy steel frame adds extra heft compared to the standard SFx Rival, with an empty weight of just under 30 ounces or about 1.84 lbs.
The heavy all-metal construction improves recoil control, making it easy to tame any type of 9x19mm ammunition. Shooters can reload more quickly with the extended magazine well and use the 5” threaded barrel to install the compensator of their choice for further recoil control.
If you are used to standard Canik pistols like the TP9 SF, you may have noticed the SFx comes with a different trigger. Instead of a curved polymer design, the Rival-S features a lighter, flat aluminum trigger, encouraging more consistent finger placement and helping you decrease your split times.
Aiming and target acquisition with the SFx can be achieved in one of two ways: with the micrometer-adjustable iron sights or with a red dot sight. If you opt for an RDS, installing it on the cut slide with one of five included adaptor plates is the standard mounting solution. Alternatively, you can use the Picatinny rail to install a classic sight mount.
Specifications (Canik SFx Rival-S)
- Manufacturer: Canik USA
- Model: SFx Rival-S
- Product family: Rival Series
- Caliber: 9x19mm Parabellum
- Overall length: 8.09”
- Barrel length: 5”
- Sight radius: 7.76”
- Weight: 42.72 oz.
- Standard capacity: 18+1
- Recommended applications: Competition shooting
CZ 75 Tactical Sport 2
The Czech-made CZ 75 by Cezka Zbrojovka is one of the world’s finest firearm designs and the basis for numerous high-precision and competition guns. In the past, if you wanted a CZ 75 variant for competition, you had to turn to clones from other manufacturers like the EAA Witness or the Sphinx 3000. This is no longer necessary; modern-day competition CZ 75 pistols are available directly from Ceska Zbrojovka.
The CZ 75 Tactical Sport 2 (CZ 75 TS2) is the second-generation model of the competition-oriented Tactical Sport. It replaced the original version, produced from 2005 to 2018. It features all the amenities modern competition shooters expect, such as an adjustable rear sight, fiber optic front sight, flat metal trigger, and an enlarged magazine well.
While the elongated slide houses a 5.23” barrel instead of the standard military-spec 4.7”, it remains a CZ 75 through and through. Expect to find the same comfortable grip as other variants of the Czech pistol and the same highly accurate internal slide rails.
The TS2 is available in both 9x19mm and .40 S&W, providing competition shooters with multiple options for different disciplines. The .40 model is ideal for high-powered competition shooting, such as IPSC Major.
With the correct ammunition and a suitable sight, you can even press it for use in medium-game handgun hunting. Standard magazines hold 20 rounds of 9mm or 17 rounds of .40 S&W. You can extend the capacity with various extended baseplates, adding up to 4 extra rounds per magazine.
Specifications (CZ 75 TS2)
- Manufacturer: Cezka Zbrojovka / CZ-USA
- Model: CZ 75 Tactical Sport 2
- Product family: Tactical Sport
- Caliber: 9x19mm or .40 S&W
- Overall length: 8.9”
- Barrel length: 5.23”
- Sight radius: 7.6”
- Weight: 48.67 oz. with an empty magazine
- Standard capacity: 20+1 (9x19mm) or 17+1 (.40 S&W)
- Recommended applications: Competition shooting, hunting
SIG Sauer P320 X-Ten
The P320 family of handguns by SIG Sauer reached superstardom when the P320-derived M17 won the U.S. Armed Forces Modular Handgun System (MHS) competition. Since then, SIG Sauer has continued developing and producing new variants of the P320, including a large-frame version intended for large pistol cartridges such as 10x25mm Auto and .45 ACP.
The P320 X-Ten is one of the handgun models produced using a full-sized version of the new large frame. This version is chambered for the potent 10mm Auto cartridge and features a long 5-inch barrel. The result is a pistol that looks noticeably larger and thicker than the original 9mm P320 full-size and its 4.7” barrel.
The 5” barrel features a bull-style muzzle specifically designed to take advantage of the 10mm cartridge. This increases mechanical accuracy and helps the shooter produce tighter groups. While the 10mm chambering produces plenty of power for competition use, it is also popular for handgun-hunting medium game.
The top of the slide is cut and ready to accept a number of red dot sights. SIG recommends pairing this long-slide 10mm with its own ROMEO2 sight. The ROMEO2 is engineered to withstand a steady diet of full-power 10mm ammunition without losing zero, making it an excellent choice for competition use.
If mini-RDS optics aren’t your style, you can always use the SIG XRAY day/night iron sights, which are suitable for both daytime use and low-light environments.
Specifications (SIG P320 X-Ten)
- Manufacturer: SIG Sauer
- Model: P320 X-Ten
- Product family: P320
- Caliber: 10x25mm Auto
- Overall length: 8.5”
- Barrel length: 5”
- Sight radius: 6.8”
- Weight: 33 oz. with an empty magazine
- Standard capacity: 15+1
- Recommended applications: Hunting, competition shooting
Find the Best Long-Slide Pistols at IFA Tactical
Long-slide pistols are ideally suited for precision target shooting, competition, and hunting. They are also excellent for anything you might need a full-sized pistol for, from home defense to plinking. Regardless of the model and caliber you need, you can find long-slide pistols and numerous other firearms for sale at IFA Tactical.
Visit us in Sterling Heights, MI, and browse our wide selection of handguns from the world’s top manufacturers. We carry the latest models by CZ, Glock, Heckler & Koch, SIG Sauer, Canik, Colt, and Smith & Wesson.
Need help choosing the perfect pistol for your specific needs? Ask us for advice. Our staff is always ready to help shooters find the guns they need.
