Best Gen Glock - Glock released its Gen 4 pistol line in early 2010, which addressed some caliber-to-frame durability issues and brought some mild exterior changes. Nearly seven years later, we're presented with the next generation in the Glock lineup. The Gen 5 differences are similarly subtle on the surface, but there are some interesting changes that aren't immediately apparent.
I've been using a Gen 5 Glock 19 since late August and have put about 4,000 rounds through it since then. I ran it for static accuracy and without hiding in dynamic defensive drills, with and without light on the rail. I took it apart and spent time learning about internal modifications and parts replacement issues (because Glocks are fun hobby kits).
Best Gen Glock
Basically, the Gen 5 Glock 19 is just a Glock 19, but there are some interesting and odd changes that warrant investigation. There are also some caveats that first-time buyers should be aware of. I hope to cover most of them here, but remember that these concepts are used a few times a week for less than 2 months. More time can tell more stories.
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Most of this review deals with Gen 5's differences from previous versions and Gen-5-specific user issues (carrying, shooting, accessories, etc.). For a more basic review of the Glock 19, I encourage you to read my Glock 19 Gen 4 review here ("Review: Glock 19 Gen 4 - After 80,000 Rounds").
Also note that the photos shown in this article do not depict factory new pistols. Instead, these are photos of the handguns they use most days each week. They take a few beatings.
The first and best reason to review this pistol is because it is a Glock 19; It is the best all-purpose pistol ever made. It is large enough to be a duty weapon and offers functional accuracy and significant magazine capacity, while being small and light enough for everyday concealed carry.
Additionally, the excellent reliability record provided by Glock pistols cannot be overlooked. In my own experience, I've put over 100,000 rounds through Gen 3 and Gen 4 Glock pistols, and the only failures I've ever experienced are Glock replacement parts failing and the Cerakote job failing. With spare parts, Glock pistol works flawlessly even in difficult conditions.
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For Gen 5 specifically, you may want to consider the new Glock 19 for several compelling reasons. First, the slide lock lever is now fixed. So if you are left-handed, switch the seal to the right and you have a complete left-handed pistol. For those who like Glock pistols but don't like grip finger grooves, the Gen 5 comes with a flat face front strap on the grip. No customization required.
Gen 5 isn't new to the shooting experience, with 2 notable exceptions. The Glock 19 has always been a soft-shooting, easy-to-handle pistol and shooters are capable of more than 99.9% accuracy. The experience is updated with a new Gen 5 barrel and flat front grip grip.
After shooting a lot with Gen 3 and 4 Glocks, I noticed the lack of finger grooves. I was used to the grip filling my strong hand and now it feels different. I don't think the difference is bad, but I miss it on this pistol because the finger grooves fit my hand perfectly. I know many people have never liked them, many will be happy with this change.
After some muddy "wounded wing" practice, the Glock 19 Gen 5. dropped a few times.
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The new barrel profile is claimed to double accuracy at longer ranges (4-inch groups at 50 yards, Glock claims). I still can't get 4" groups at 50 yards, but I find that my groups at 25 yards with the Gen 5 are much smaller than with my Gen 4 shots. I can't say for sure, but I'm going to guess it's because of the more accurate barrel.
The Gen 5 trigger feels a little better than the Gen 4, but that's subjective and hard for me to say. The Gen 5 trigger assembly is completely different from the Gen 4, which is configured like the Glock 43. It has a "New York" trigger spring that uses a polymer spring support and a compression spring (instead of an expansion spring that locks the bar into a cross shape). ) I tried the 3.5 lb connector and didn't notice a difference in press weight. So I tried a 2lb connector and got the 4.5lb press I expect on my pistols. It is interesting.
Most of the 9mm ammo I put through the pistol was 115gr balls, but I cycled through Federal Premium 147gr Hydra-Shock JHP, Spear Gold Dot 124gr + P GDHP, Federal Premium 124gr HST JHP, Hornady. Critical Defense 115gr, and Hornady Critical Duty 135gr...all with impeccable performance.
In ~4,000 rounds with the Gen 5 Glock 19, I encountered none. The only significant problem I could count was that during the first 1,000 rounds I had a few times during the first round magazine action. Instead of the standard "chic" sound/feel of a slide into the battery, there's a slightly hesitant "ka-chunk" with a rounded chamber at times. This anomaly disappeared after about 1000 rounds and never affected the performance of the gun. Each round is chambered and fired.
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As with every other Glock pistol, the Gen 5 G19's trigger guard transition to the grip is quite angled and generally uncomfortable for a strong middle finger when shooting. Therefore, I suggest that every Glock pistol have a Dremel tool on the side and bottom of the grip to trigger guard junction to create a smoothly rounded and tapered profile. Other than that issue, the Glock 19 is very comfortable. Some disagree and there are those who think the G19 or any Glock pistol is fine without this small change. With this mod, I find the Gen 5 Glock 19 very comfortable. Cannot be used without it. Personally, I would never own a Glock that wasn't tuned this way. It would definitely be a nice Gen 6 upgrade.
The Glock 19 is not fast by any means, and recoil is very easy to handle. The magazine release is nice, and I had to change my grip slightly to fit my medium-sized hands (as I do with every pistol). Even with the Glock's minimalist slide lock lever, my grip often gets in the way of the lever, and I find that the pistol occasionally fails to lock with the last round in the magazine. This is in no way the gun's fault. Everything is me.
Although compact, the Glock 19 is larger than some in this category. However, with a good and well-made holster, it can be easily concealed in many positions on your belt, inside or outside the belt. I carry a Glock 19 with the light in the appendix position every day and never have a printing problem.
Note, however, that concealment is significantly controlled by the holster and its configuration. Most holsters designed for concealed carry are poorly designed because they are not configured to properly angle the pistol to aid concealment. Be careful!
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The Glock 19's fifteen-plus-one capacity is plenty, especially for a compact. There's no mistaking that the Glock 19 sets the standard for size-to-capacity ratio in the pistol world.
The mostly unadorned slide of the Gen 5 Glock 19 comes with a black Melonite coating and then finished with an nDLC coating. The result is darker and longer lasting. I love this new finish and the aesthetic it provides. I can't tell if it's more durable or not. However, I can say that repeated dropping on gravel during practice will scratch the slide and stain the finish as shown here:
The above lines were caused by several dozen repetitions of the "wounded wing" exercise shown here:
The polymer frame is very similar to the Gen 4, except the sides of the grip are slightly flared to simulate a magwell (which is just an imitation), and the finger grooves on the front strap are gone. Gen 5 also has only one pin next to the locking block instead of the 2 pins common to recent generations. Perhaps because of this change, the frame is slightly wider and slightly longer than the Gen 4. The grip texture is similar to the Gen 4 and can be used as long as your hands aren't wet or bloody (so make sure you don't bite your hands). If your Glock is a carry gun).
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If you light a Glock 19,
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