The Glock 45 and Gen 5 versions of the Glock 19 MOS and Glock 17 MOS fleshed out the Glock lineup in 2018.
A very limited number of folks were able to try out these new heaters from Glock before they hit the shelves. But we were one of the chosen few!
So follow along as we walk you through the specs and notable features from this iteration of Glock pistols.
Table of Contents
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Glock 45: The Latest in Glock Evolution
It’s not a .45 caliber. This is an issue for some people though it is lost on me. Glock has never produced a model number that coincided with a caliber of the same number.
(But while we’re here in Distractionville, check out the G41; it is a tack-driving, 230-grain delivery system.)
When the new Gen 5 Glocks were released, another impressive idea from the Austrian gun manufacturer came out simultaneously — the G19X. This gun was the result of Glock attempting to fill the requirements for the U.S. Army’s MHS contract.
Glock called the G19X a crossover, a combination of the G19 slide with the frame of the G17.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Why? The idea was you’d get the concealability of the G19’s shorter slide with the expanded capacity and grip of the G17, a marriage made in heaven.
In response, many people professed to want a blending reared of the opposite values, namely, a long slide with a shorter handle.
The G45 takes the idea of the G19X crossover, combines it with the upgrades common to the Gen 5 series, and then enhances it with forward slide serrations.
It is a wonderful combination that is largely targeted at that law enforcement market.
Glock 45 Features
The gun is black, unlike its predecessor, and has the frame of the G17 and the slide of the G19. For specifics, the slide on the G45 is 6.85 inches, according to the Glock website.
The G17 Gen 5 MOS FS has a slide of 7.32 inches… roughly half an inch longer, so we’re not talking enormous differences.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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However, when it comes to grip, size is critical.
My gloves are 2X, and this means if I don’t use at least the “M” size backstrap add-on piece with the extended beavertail (since Gen 4), I will be experiencing some slide bite.
With the G17 frame, this is less of a problem. Regardless, Glock has you covered, as the fit is adjustable.
Range Performance
Call me a fanboy, but at this point in my life, if Glock made something that didn’t just perform, I would be surprised.
Please keep in mind that I am not a concealed carrier only. I served in law enforcement for 20 years and utilized firearms professionally for that duration.
That said, I had a chance to take all three guns out to the range. In short, they hold up to Glock standards, which are high, in my opinion.
I ran a few different brands of ammo through them and found them to be wholly reliable. This wasn’t an exhaustive test but an introduction.
The Glock 45 handled similarly to the G19X I had tested before. I am a big fan of the flared magwell though, and the forward slide serrations. This just makes sense to me.
I was able to engage my target at various distances and reload using the flared magwell in conjunction with the forward serrations. Ultimately, I believe this process will become faster for me with practice.
The benefits of the crossover were evident to me immediately, I was able to maintain a substantial grip on the weapon without slide bite, and it was still small enough to conceal with minimal effort. Let’s be honest, this isn’t a bikini gun, but you can tuck it away with some planning.
I had good accuracy with the standard Glock sights, though this is always a minimum standard and can be improved upon.
Glock 19 & Glock 17, Gen 5: Modernized and Upgraded
In addition to testing out the Glock 45, I also got to try my hand at the Gen 5 Glock 19 and 17 MOS.
Glock started the Gen 5 rollouts a while back with the Glock 34 and Glock 26. Both are excellent choices in 9mm, one (G34) being the big daddy long-slide competitor and the other (G26) being the stubby concealed carry or backup gun.
Gen 5 essentially meant the guns all shared some common traits.
First, they were coated in a diamond-hard nDLC finish which is super black. This exterior is tough and also has lubricious properties.
In addition, the Gen 5 series was given the Glock Marksmen Barrel, promising improved accuracy. One of my favorite upgrades was the flared and beveled magwell, greatly aiding in reloads.
The trigger was better, being smoother and having a quicker reset.
Plus, the magazine was given an orange follower, which visibly indicated an empty chamber as well as showed you how many rounds were present in the magazine.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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The Gen 5 Glock 17 and Glock 19 MOS were just added to the line. These are likely two of the most prolific handgun models in the world right now, and their Gen 5 MOS upgraded versions are a credit to their lineage.
They are still essentially the same, the G19 being the compact version and the G17 being the full-size, though they benefit from these Gen 5 enhancements.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Gen Glock 19 MOS & Glock 17 MOS: At The Range
The Gen 5 G19 and G17 MOS were impressive. Individually, I mounted the Trijicon RMR Type 2 on each gun for testing.
On the G19 it was dead on, and I punched a ragged hole in my target.
On the G17, it was slightly left for some reason, and I still punched an ever-growing, ragged hole in my target. I find the MOS system allows me quicker sight picture and recovery after recoil.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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By The Numbers
Ergonomics: 4/5
As I mentioned above, I have had other guns that just fit my hand better out of the box. That said, the newer generations of Glocks do a great job of fitting a wide variety of hand shapes. And for those who are left-handed, the Glock can be converted to suit you!
Accuracy: 5/5
I have hit man-sized targets with my Gen 4 Glock at 100 yards, so I’m sure these will be no different. The Glock Marksman Barrel is supposed to be capable of putting up 4-inch groups at 50 yards. That’s impressive.
Reliability: 5/5
While Glock isn’t the most beautiful firearm in the world, it is one of the most reliable. You can bury them in the ground, drag them through the mud, or even hold them underwater, and they will still work.
Customization: 5/5
Because of the sheer amount of these guns in the world, there is a large aftermarket, meaning a lot of customization options.
Looks: 3/5
As much as I like Glocks, I have to be honest. They aren’t as attractive to me aesthetically as, say, a 1911. However, they are terribly functional, and that is an aesthetic in and of itself. Function > Form.
Value: 4/5
While I have not seen MSRP on these models yet, I feel like Glock does a great job of creating value. If performance and all other aspects are the same, the price of these guns is incredibly competitive compared to other companies.
Overall: 4.5/5
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Final Verdict
Some folks will react to these Glocks with a “meh” mentality… but I fall into the other category.
I use my tools professionally and think any advantage I can gain in a possible gunfight is an investment worth making!
Irrespective of your position on Glocks, these models are some of the best offerings in the Glock lineup. Many of the features seen on these models are a direct result of Glock’s watching the aftermarket and seeing what customers want.
What do you think about the new Glock 45 and the Gen 5 in general? Tell us in the comments! It’s probably no surprise, but a few of these showed up in our best Glocks list — check it out!
39 Leave a Reply
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I just got a G45 and I love it, it fits my hand perfect and it is the perfect size for concealed carry. I had a G17 that was stolen and I had a G19 that I loaned to my girlfriend. I liked the G17 but it was a bit large for concealed carry. I hated the G19, I am 6 feed tall and the grip was too short for my hand so it was hard to control. The G45 is the perfect marriage of the G17 and the G19. I cant wait to get out and shoot it my G45.
Hello there, what you using for magazines? Im using a the Glock 17 magazine but however I'm getting proper feed so it ends up malfunctioning.
Do these online vendors screen who they sell the guns to? It's kind of scary knowing you can purchase guns anywhere... never knew how easy it is to buy a gun online.. I was looking to purchase one for protection. But so much to choose from. . How do you keep safe from people who bares arms and rob folks... you can hear a lot of folks shooting theirs in my neighborhood...
Hello!
The vendor itself does not handle the screening of customers, however, every firearm must be shipped to a federally licensed firearm dealer who completes the sale between the online vendor and the person making the purchase. It is at that point that IDs are checked, a background is run, and the customer is screened for eligibility.
There is no legal means of buying a firearm online without a background check before taking possession of the firearm.
That’s because they have to ship to a FFL then the buyer has it transferred through them. you liberal.
Damn, you're really that dense!! You don't know what an FFL is?? It's LITERALLY explained in length, on this site, and countless others. Must suffer from liberal brain
I want a pistol with a short grip and a long slide. The slide is easily concealed IWB. It's the grip which sticks out, yet all they make is the opposite.
Check out Sig P320 Carry.
I think Glock lacks innovation. They really haven't made any improvements to their guns. The trigger guards are still too small, the finger groove under the trigger guard is old fashioned and inadequate, the hump at the bottom of the backstrap is still providing their pistols with ergonomics that don't work for people who are not fan boys. And the "Marksman barrel" is a joke. No one is buying this thing for precision shooting. Glock will round the corners more on their next Gen. and call it an improvement.
When is there going to be a G19 GEN5MOS without the MOS?
The wait continues for my Glock Unicorn...G26 slide/barrel (with forward serrations, nDLC coating) married to a Gen 5 G19 receiver (of course short enough to fit the reduced slide length but with the Gen 5 frame features: flared mag well, removed finger ridges, etc...).
My main concern on the MOS model is just how reliable are the threads going to be? Will the threads strip? Loosen? Backout? How much purchase? How much abuse will the threads/plates take? Would it be better to mill the slide? How much better is a milled slide? And finally, who does the best milled slide and retreating the metal to look OEM?
Johnny,
I've carried the Gen 4 G17 MOS on duty for a little over a year and have had no issues with threads whatsoever. I've switched out optics and changed mounting plates and had no problems. I also shoot quite a bit so my gun is no safe queen. Using blue Loctite likely helps with this.
I can't compare it to having a slide milled by a gunsmith as I've never done that, but there is some motivation to move to the Gen 5 in my mind anyway since you get some other great upgrades. Hope this helps.
Pew pew (Eric)this is the most bombastic review I have ever seen. While I enjoy a plethora of informative firearms articles this one had no more useful content then a mans love for Glock. I think it is awesome the writer got to shoot these frankenguns <—-(cheap shot) before the rest of us even seen them, but the way it was articulated was no more then boasting.
I could have understood taking a jab at the competition if this were a Glock vs Sig review, but in the context of this article it was nothing more then an ego bloating cheap shot. Also if your guest writers are going to rate something using a scale maybe you should start with a 10 scale, even us less fortunate and far less knowledgeable folks know 10 is a perfect score.
Eric I have enjoyed your website, downloaded some of the free targets you offer , read many of your reviews and put some stock in your opinions. I have only pointed out a few of the misgivings I have about this article, there is so much more pertinent information that could have been gleaned and passed along.
For transparency: I own Glocks and Sigs. I don’t have any issues with taking either of them into a battle.
Along with a few others as well.
No I don’t write or talk like this in normal everyday interactions, I made an exception for this one.
Jim,
I’ll add another word to your description—evocative, based on your reaction.
I won’t address all the issues you’ve raised but I wasn’t taking a cheap shot at Sig. If you read the surrounding paragraphs, you’d see I referenced the MHS contract and the G19X as Glock’s entry. Their failure to win this bid led to them having a surplus of these weapons, so they sold them to the public. As I pointed out, the G45 is a result of marrying the G19X with some of the Gen 5 features.
As far as Sig is concerned, I think they make fine weapons, some of the best in the world in fact. However, as a writer, I also have a responsibility to point out recalls… and that happened Jim, neither of us can change it.
Go in peace sir. I mean you no ill will in spite of your acrimony.
I didn’t see boasting here. Curtis knows Glocks and - from what I can tell - appreciates their value. Bottom line - they’re reliable, shoot smoothly, and if they aren’t the prettiest gun, which is an opinion, then whatever. You don’t have to nitpick. I think he gave a “plethora” of valuable info for prospective buyer.
Jim,
You sound more like someone who is trolling for an argument rather than making a good one. Your “argument “ is really just negative criticism that is, imho, unsupported.
BTW, I could read your post and take it more seriously if you would learn the difference between the words “then” and “than”
Hopefully I'll have some first hand experience with the G45 by Monday...picking one up on Friday!
Actually Glock has produced another model that coencideds with a caliber. The glock 40. But I'm nitpicking, great article.
The G40 is a 10mm, but I'm nitpicking, too! LOL!
Writer is just a Gun Snob !
Lightnin,
I just might be, but could you define it so we're on the same page?
Zooming in on the 19 MOS picture, it appears that the front cutout has been removed from the magwell. Can anyone confirm?
Yes it has
Joe,
It most definitely has. I think the chief complaint that got back to Glock was that it pinched fingers for some shooters, even though it was intended to offer better purchase for mag removal.
Looks like it was removed on both the 19MOS and the 17 MOS.
G26 magwell with G19/17 slide length would be great. Will accept all Glock 9mm staggered mags. (Including G26 mags) Use adapters for full grip if think you need. Just personally myself would love that option.
I will agree that the Gen 5 are the best Glocks ever. However, I believe that one is biased by experience and training and not always in an "evidenced based" way. I have my favorite instruments in surgery and another surgeon has another set; neither of us is right although we accomplish the same. I grew up with Colt 1911's custom gun smithed for an Olympic shooter, my grandfather. This is the Gold Standard of triggers for me. In modern pistols, only SIG comes close, HN is not far away but factory Glocks are on another galaxy and custom Glock triggers are in another solar system, barely even close. I love my Glock, and also my antique 1911 and SIGs, yet shoot these latter many times better and with negligible malfunctions versus the Glock
Doc,
First off, thanks for your service!
I agree with a lot of what you said. I wrote a review of a Kimber recently that I carried on duty. I really like that gun. I'm happy to admit I tried a Sig P226 Tacops one time and it was amazing. I didn't care for the DA/SA, but the fit to my hand was amazing, the trigger was butter, and the accuracy was beyond par.
Regarding bias. This is true to a large extent. We are a collection of our own experiences. It reminds me of an old Chinese proverb: “There are many paths to the top of the mountain, but the view is always the same.” Though please rest assured, if I had a bad experience with any weapon, I will report that as well.
Okay, this is a Glock that I may not dislike. It appears to be well balanced. I do like forward slide serrations. I do like the wide mouth mag well. I do like......I don't know what else I do like. I still do not own a Glock. But this really does interest me. I know it is reliable and accurate. So...maybe. There is always a first time....
Duke,
Thanks for stopping by. One of the best arguments in favor of Glock is the value for the money. I'd suggest heading to a gun store and renting a few models to try.
I'm one of those you mentioned who thinks Glock got it bassackwards—we need a G17 slide and its longer sight radius coupled with a smaller G19 frame and its shorter grip.
I'm surprised they didn't pull out all the stops and breakout the lanyard loop again on this *thing*.
I don't care what you say; she is sexy, though. :)
Yeah, I never really got the whole concept of extra concealability with a bigger grip, the part that...duh...generally is exposed and a shorter slide/barrel, the part that...duh...is concealed inside the waistband. I’ve been carrying concealed for over 25 yrs. Am I missing something? I’ll wait for the Glock “Z”.....a G19 long slide.
Soon, we expect a Glock 99z, (PS, they are named in order of release) basically a bigger SIG P365 with better marketing (after all what does Glock do best?) with polymer magazines (Glock does not understand that the polymer makes the magazines take up more space meaning less space for bang sticks), that still would fit no more than 9+1, horrible sights that would cost 20% of the purchase price to upgrade, an abominable trigger that would cost close to 50% of purchase price to up grade, and which will still have failures to eject, light striker issues, etc, , since Glocks are perfect and their users are shamed into believing any failures are their own fault.
SoBe,
Such vitriol! I haven't had any experiences like this but I can respect yours.
I own both Glocks and Sigs and I love them all. No malfunctions with either. Glock’s trigger feels bad only when I really focus on it. If I am shooting live ammo and I focus on my target, I don’t notice. I actually shoot my G17 gen 4 better than my FNH FNS 9 or any striker fired handgun I have tried. When I get into the subcompact family it’s a different story, I prefer my single action Sig P938.
My Glock 35 Gen 3 is has fewer than a hand of fingers failure to eject and NEVER had a light primer strike and shoots MUCH BETTER than I can hold . That includes the original .40 S&W barrel and 9mm and .357 SIG barrels.
Brownells offers a 17 length slide for the 19 frame. Only gen 3 though, but I understand not mismatching unproven slides.