GLOCK’s latest generational changes, GEN 6, are big news in a (firearm) year that has otherwise seemed rather passé. The updated even ergonomics make this the most controlable and shootable generational platform yet. I’ve had trigger time with the Gen 6 G47, G19, and G45, but it was the latter – the Glock 45 Gen 6 (the Glock 45 9mm, mind you) that stood out. It’s the best of both worlds.

)GLOCK was once revolutionary. Now Big G’s the Incumbent

Our Austrian friends are hidebound. While the original GLOCK 17 was wildly revolutionary, many have suggested that the recent generational changes (or rather expected changes that didn’t materialize) make GLOCK, ironically, troglodytic. I would disagree. GEN 6 changes show that the GLOCK form-factor has indeed ossified, but they’re still ahead of any antediluvian implications. 

Grunts: Ossified

GLOCK, though firmly traditional, is far from irrelevant.  And the GLOCK 45 itself is a prime example. 

G45 refined

The G45 originates from the 19X. At the risk of being reductive, the gun combines the G17’s grip length and mag capacity with the shorter slide length of a G19. Despite belonging to the sixth generation of GLOCK pistols, the GEN 6 version is the second iteration of a G45. Compact slide, full-size capacity.

Is the G45 all about capacity?

There was a hot minute where the G19 was an industry standard. Part of this came from its 15 round capacity. 15 rounds is more than enough, no? 

It would be, except there are many more mags out now that offer more capacity in roughly the same size. And I’d argue that’s the case for the G17, which preceded the G19, but it isn’t worth dickering over two rounds (unless it turns out that you really need them). 

I’m talking more about extended baseplates or slightly longer mags. But let’s get past that–anyone can add a longer mag. Hell, there are 30+ round mags if you want. And you do want one. They’re essential for any serious GTA LARPing.

But maybe it isn’t about capacity. I’d point to the short grip and short length of the stock G19 mag/grip combo for those with large hands. I have to shift my hand in order to drop a mag cleanly from a G19. The edge of my hand just barely catches on the mag and prevents it from dropping free. 

By shifting to a longer grip and mag (those of the G17), I don’t have the problem. And the gun is slightly easier to hold, which makes my follow-up shots that much faster. 

The trade-off is in concealability for you size-challenged folk. I’m a bit beastly and can conceal the G45 as easily as I can a G19. 

Gen 5 GLOCK 45 MOS

While there was movement with the Frankensteined G19X guns that foreshadowed the G45, the official launch of this hybrid design came with the introduction of Gen 5 guns. The MOS optics provided a clear benefit for anyone using optics. MOS guns require optics plates. This created an aftermarket boom that improved on the factory plate design. My favorite of these is the C&H Precision plates.

Other than the new form factor, the GEN 5 guns follow the rest of the GEN 5 conventions. This change went a long way to answer the allegations that GLOCK is slow to keep pace with the desires of its customers. 

The in-between GEN 5 COA and GEN V

COA guns were proprietary to Aimpoint’s COA optic cut. I don’t know of any other optic with the COA mount, so that means you are wedded to a single optic. And COA is spreading. We’re beginning to see it across a wider variety of pistols and PDWs (not GLOCKs).

GEN V was different. GLOCK designed intentional changes into the GEN V guns to prevent the aftermarket modification of guns. Their end goal, at the risk of being reductive, was to prevent people from adding the so-called GLOCK Switch mods. Along with the announcement of these changes came a huge reduction in the older models that were still in the catalog.

All of this hit fast. COA changes hit about 10 months before the GEN V announcement, and then GEN 6 followed right on GEN V’s heels–all within about a year.

GEN 6 GLOCK 45 9mm Pistols

(As opposed to one of he Glocks chambered in .45 ACP)

Let’s begin with the ergonomic improvements. GLOCK upgraded the grip texture by about 100%. There’s polymer texture above the trigger guard for the support thumb, and the trigger guard itself is under-cut so that the dominant hand can get higher under the bore. On the back of the grip, GLOCK has thinned out the front-to-back dimension slightly, and the beavertail is longer. 

On the slide, GLOCK has updated the optics mount. Now they use small plastic plates that are hour-glass shaped. These keep the height of the optic slightly lower, which means it is easier to use the iron sights, too–though I’d still change them out. Co-witness sights are undervalued. 

There are a couple of internal changes. GEN 6 barrels are proprietary to these guns. Guide rods returned to the GEN 3 style design, moving away from the two-stage design of the GEN 5. 

For most of us, and everyone I’ve shown the GEN 6 guns to, the real appeal is how these new guns feel. Hold a  GEN 5 G45 or G19, then pick up the same model in GEN 6 and it is a wild difference. There’s a moment when you hand it to someone where you can see the light go on.

It is still a GLOCK. If you are one who has an irrational hatred of the brand, you aren’t going to like it. LIkely no Glock review would. . But I’ll tell you this, unequivocally. Any hatred is irrational. And any disrespect for what GLOCK has done over the last 40 years makes you look more than a bit naive. 

Shooting the G45

When I first began writing reviews, I was not a fan of GLOCK. But I stuck with my old G19 so that I could learn what I know to be the industry standard. This is the gun by which the rest of the industry is judged. 

Now, I’m well over 30K rounds through various G19s, and have carried G17s, G47s, and G45s. I have written or recorded mana a many a Glock review or video.

I’ve put more than 1K rounds through this one. The grip is genuinely better, especially as I’m shooting more on hot summer days. Older GLOCK generations had sufficient grip texture, but this is better. You can still get it sweaty enough that it slips in your hand, but it isn’t nearly as prone to this shifting as previous generations were.

GEN 6 guns still point like GLOCKs. If you know the recoil impulse of older generations, not much has changed. Higher hand placement allows for a lower bore axis, and this makes control more effective, but how much more effective is hard to measure. 

After more than 6 month with the GEN 6, I’m inclined to echo sentiments I expressed in my first 500 rounds. This shoots like a GLOCK. I shot previous generations competently well, even when I didn’t have the added benefit of optics or enhanced grip textures, so I can only opine that this is both similar and better. 

How to make the GLOCK 45 better

GLOCKs shoot well, out of the box. The iron sights are fine. Nothing fancy, but functional. But let’s be honest. It gets dark for half the day. You need a way to carry it. And, even though we’re talking about GEN 6 upgrades, there is still room to improve on the controls.

Holstering the GEN 6 G45 9mm

Safarlinad is the only way to go for retention holsters. I don’t just say that because I help design, sell, and market these. Other-way-around. I work for Safariland because I believe in the holsters and the mission.

Safariland makes almost every holster model for the G19s, and these will fit the G45s. And most of these will fit the GEN 6 models. Some may need a bit of modification at the muzzle plug end, but they’re all really close in their tolerances.

Incog X for IWB carry. These are ideal. Some complain that the G45’s grip is hard to conceal, but I have no difficulty.

6354RDSO for Level I OWB carry. The RDSO has an open carport for optics rather than the floppy garage door of the RDS versions. Much better.

Gravity for friction-fit OWB. Some competitive shooters are gravitating to gravity. It has an open cut front so you can sweep to the target fast.

https://safariland.com/products/6354rdso-als-holster-w-qls19-fork

Weapon lights for the G45 9mm

As this has a compact slide, I like the shorter lights on these guns. The Streamlight TLR-7X is a proven option. Surefire’s XSC, at 550 lumens, is also an option, and I’m just working these out for the first time now. 

But the large light options fit well, too. I’ve long been a fan of Surefire’s X300 line. 

Red dots for the Gen 6 G45 9mm

I’m a die-hard Trijicon fan. The RMR remains my go-to. If I were leaving the house today, uncertain as to if or when I’d be returning, I’d have an RMR on my G45. The SRO has a larger field of view, but it lacks the reputation for robust solidity due to the construction of its body. Still, I have seen SROs that have stood up to a lot of abuse. And now Trijicon’s closed emitter, the RCR, is even more robust. 

Co-witness sights

GLOCK sights are on literally millions of guns. They’re plastic, but durable. The only reasons I see to replace them is to increase their height–as you might to cowitness with a red dot or a suppressor, or to add some glow for the night-sight option. 

If you want to go tall, this is my preferred choice.

For fast daytime target acquisition and excellent night visibility, go with the HD XR line.

Optics plates for the GEN 6 guns

As I noted above, GEN 6 guns need different plates to go with their new Optics Ready Platform mount system. CH Precision is where I’d start. 

C&H Prceision plates.

Extra mags?

How many mags do you need for your carry gun? The answer varies. I hold fast to the 10 mag rule. I don’t own a pistol for which I don’t have at least 10 mags. 

For GLOCKs, I prefer to keep a number of stock factory mags. For the G45, these would be 17 round mags. You can supplement these with longer mags, if you see fit. There are also many aftermarket makers. The Magpul PMAG versions work well, too. And then there are scores of the candy-colored Korean imports. 

Factory GLOCK G45 mags are the gold standard, but they’re no different from the G17 mags, and they’re all backwards compatible.

Factory Extended mags exist, but are harder to come by. If you can’t find them in stock, try the more economical KCI or SGM.

Baseplates for mags?

Getting into this a bit deeper, I’d suggest having a few magazine base plates. This is a must for anyone wanting to get fancy-fast with reloads. I run the Taran base plates and like how they install and add weight.

Updating the controls

And what about the barrel?

Previous generations of GLOCKs could swap barrels. GEN 6 guns have a proprietary shape that keeps them unique to these guns. At the time of writing, I’m still not seeing a factory GEN 6 threaded barrel, which leaves you with aftermarket options:

NDZ: https://ndzperformance.com/ndz-glock-19-gen-6-barrel-ndz-brl-g19-g6-v/

Ballistic Advantage: https://www.ballisticadvantage.com/glock-19-gen-6-threaded-qpq-none.html

After the barrel, you can add suppressors or comps

For a genuinely compact 9mm can, Silencer Central is making waves with their Banish 9k. This is a short can that doesn’t require a Nielsen device, which is a big upgrade to most silencer designs.

I’m not a compensatory kind of guy, as I frequently shoot suppressed, but everyone I know shoots the Radian Ram Jet. They keep trying to convince me that I need one on every gun I own.

Controls?

These are important. GLOCKs are known for serviceable ergonomics, but the company needs to take care of its LE customers, so doesn’t go nuts with wild designs. If you want new mag release capability, swap the catch. The other addition would be a slide stop. That’s genuinely extra, though.

The GEN 6 mag catch is the same as those for GEN 3 (but not GEN 4, or GEN 5). Check them out here.

If you change the slide stop, it might be more cosmetic. But options exist.

Ammo for the GLOCK 45

GLOCK uses polygonal rifling in their barrels. There are no trenched grooves as there are in normal barrels. This causes some consternation in some folks when discussing ammo. Really, I find a GLOCK will eat anything.

AmmoToGo graciously supplies ammo for our review efforts, and they keep me stocked up with MagTech 115 grain 9mm. This is about as affordable as range ammo gets, and–since it is not bougie brass-cased ammo–it is rumored to cause feeding and/or extraction issues. Bogus bullshit. I’ve run many cases of steel-cased MagTech through GLOCKs and other 9mm guns and have yet to have an issue that I didn’t introduce myself. Best bang for your buck.

Once you leave the range, you’ll want hollow points. I like the hopped-up copper 9mm rounds.

Conclusions

If you have yet to feel the GEN 6 guns, they’ll impress. There’s no denying that. If you aren’t a GLOCK fanboy, maybe less so. I’ve talked to several folks who were nonplussed. There are other guns out there that have better ergonomics, but they’re not running on GLOCK’s unbeatable reputation for performance.

If you are a fanboy, well, you’re welcome. I’ve stoked your confirmation bias. Preached to the choir.