Glock 45

When the Glock 45 was introduced, it shocked many because it was a gun that seemingly no one was asking for. It didn’t fill any real void in the Glock lineup, and to this day, they have plenty of guns that still haven’t been brought up to the Gen 5 standard.

But it’s a gun that deserves its due, so let’s take this one for a spin.

What is the Glock 45?

Sounds like a silly question, right? Why wouldn’t the Glock 45 be a Glock that shoots 45 ACP ammo?

In all its wisdom, Glock made the Glock Model 45 a 9mm pistol. The Glock 45 is a Glock pistol with a Glock 19 length slide and a Glock 17 frame.

Features

Features make or break a pistol and often lead to buying decisions, and all of the features of a gun should be taken into account when you’re making a purchase.

Magazine Capacity

One reason to pick a Glock 45 over a Glock 19 is the G17 magazine capacity of 17 rounds vs the Glock 19’s 15-round magazine.

The extra two rounds can be a big deal regarding a self-defense.

Grip and Ergonomics

The real selling point of having a Glock 17 frame on this gun is the longer grip which leads to a more controllable shooting experience.

The longer grip allows for an increase in magazine capacity, but also an increase in the grip surface area lets you have better control while shooting.

Sights and Optics Mount

The Glock 45 has two versions the standard 45 and the 45 MOS. There is almost no reason not to buy the 45 MOS.

Why in 2024 gun manufacturers are still make non-optic ready models is hard to understand.

Personally, I’ll ignore non-optics ready pistols from this point on. I don’t feel like the have a place in my lineup.

But if for some reason you need a standard model they are available.

Rail

One of the great things about Glocks is the number of available accessories. Since this is basically a Glock 17 frame you can add anything that will work on a Glock 17.

The number of flashlights that are available are extensive and you can even slap a laser on this bad boy if you so choose.

Controls

The Glock Gen 5 controls are definitely my favorite of all the Glock generation controls.

Glock has spent a year refining their control design, and I think they finally found a winner. While it’s imperfect and could use minor tweaking, it’s much better than the previous generations.

Magazine Release

Glock’s Gen 5 magazine release lays flat on the grip but the overall size has been increased from the Gen 3/4 design.

Its large, flat surface is easy to press with or without gloves and drops magazines free easily and quickly.

I like this magazine release but it could be because I’m so used to it after all of these years carrying Glock Gen 5 pistols.

Slide Stop

All Gen 5 Glocks feature an ambidextrous slide-stop, and it’s what the Glock slide-stop should have been all along.

I like the fact you can use it on either side and simultaneously. My all-time favorite Glock slide stops had the small piece that stuck out ever so slightly.

Trigger

It’s hard to comment on a Glock trigger because I have so many rounds through various Glocks.

The Glock trigger is simple and works, but it is not a masterpiece, no matter the company slogan.

So many companies have better stock triggers than Glock, but the Glock trigger does just work.

It’s got a small amount of tough resistance to the wall, then a clean break, and the rest is direct to the wall.

Aesthetics

A Glock is a Glock is a Glock. Glock made some effort in the Gen 5 series to add functional aesthetic cuts into the slide. They are better known as serrations, and while they are nice and functional, it doesn’t add much to love.

I’ve long said the one thing Glock needs to add more than anything else is a custom shop, much like Sig.

Sig Custom Shop has put out some awesome guns and allows users to build Gucci handguns to their heart’s content.

Glock 45 Ammo

Again, I cannot stress enough how confusing Glock made this gun by naming it the Glock 45. This shoots 9mm ammo, and like any other Glock, nearly any ammo you throw at it will shoot.

Here are some good options from around the web:

Shooting the Glock 45

Shooting the G45 is like shooting a Glock 17 because of the grip. One might argue that you may have slightly more muzzle rise or perceived felt recoil due to the shorter slide, but I’m not going to sit here and blow smoke: I can’t tell the difference.

I don’t think you’d find anyone honest who would tell you there’s a massive difference between shooting the Glock 45 vs Glock 19 or Glock 17.

There’s not enough difference in the models to massively change the outcome of the recoil and perceived felt recoil.

Final Thoughts

I honestly thought the Glock 45 was a completely unnecessary addition to the Glock lineup, but I think you’ll see it sell very well to law enforcement agencies.

The reason I think law enforcement agencies will buy this gun in mass is it eliminates the need for the Glock 19 for undercover/plainclothes officers. It also reduces the number of magazine sizes, making them interchangeable department-wide.

But for the average person, I don’t see a need for this if they already have a Glock 19/17 in their collection.

That being said it would be a fantastic first Glock for anyone. Shoots as good as a 19 or 17 and brings a bit more compact length.

FAQ

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about the Glock 45.