Glock 19: the World’s Perfect Fighting Handgun?
Glock 19: the World’s Perfect Fighting Handgun? Although there isn’t a single best pistol for every situation, there are undoubtedly several excellent options that may be used in a variety of settings. These include competitors for best all-around gun. I think the Glock 19 is the gun that tops that list. The modern fighting handgun standard is the Glock 19, or G19. The pistol is a striker-fired polymer-framed weapon chambered in 9mm. Although the weapon may also be fed with 17-round magazines made for the larger Glock 17 and 33-round magazines made for the full-auto Glock 18 machine pistol, a typical size magazine will contain 15 rounds.
The G19 is a medium-sized handgun that is ideal for use as a duty weapon by security guards, police officials, and military personnel. However, the gun’s size is also just right to make it a highly popular concealed carry pistol. In 1996, while serving as a reserve deputy sheriff, I bought my first Glock 19. I spent many years, both on and off duty, using that second generation firearm. It remains one of my favorite handguns, in fact. That handgun, when paired with a properly fitting Glock 19 holster, performed admirably for me in almost every situation I faced.
Glock has kept improving its gun lineup ever since. We’re currently on the Gen4, the fourth iteration of the G19. The Gen4 pistols have been upgraded with a larger magazine release button, a double recoil spring assembly that is meant to lessen muzzle flip, and a smoother surface texture for a better grip. The gun also features an attachment rail, a holdover from the third generation of handguns, that allows the insertion of a white light or laser. I recently bought the G19 in Gen4 form. I had shot one at several ranges, and even though I enjoyed my second generation firearm, I was keen to switch to a Gen4 more permanently.
Reliability
The Glock pistols are renowned for their dependability, if there is one thing about them. It is true that Glock pistols occasionally malfunction; they are not infallible. Still, the weapons have a very good performance history. Nevertheless, there were some documented issues with the Gen4 Glock pistols when they were initially introduced a few years ago. In a timely manner, the business revised the recoil spring assembly. I haven’t heard of any other gun-related issues since then.
My Glock 19 Gen4 had thousands of shots through it since I bought it. I’ve used 115 and 124 grain FMJ ammo for the most part, but I’ve also loaded the rifle with a good amount of self-defense ammo, including +P and normal pressure loads like HST, Gold Dot, PDX1, and Critical Duty. I’ve only experienced two malfunctions so far, for a rate of less than one in a thousand. That’s okay in my opinion.
Ammunition Performance
In the below table you can see some of the velocity and energy information I recorded when shooting the G19. Performance was on par with other guns with a 4” barrel.
Velocity | Energy | |
Federal 124 gr HST +P | 1160 fps | 370 ft-lbs |
Hornady Critical Defense 115 gr | 1122 fps | 321 ft-lbs |
Liberty Ammunition 50 gr JHP | 2012 fps | 449 ft-lbs |
The above velocity data was recorded with a Competition Electronics ProChrono digital chronograph. The chronograph was set up 15’ from the firing line, and the data given is an average of five shots.
New Feature Comparison
My primary motivation for getting the Gen4 gun was to replace my second-generation handgun. The accessory rail, enhanced grip texture, and bigger magazine release were the three improvements I found most appealing. Even though the third generation guns had a rail, that didn’t make me want to purchase one. Magazine Release: Compared to previous handguns, this is a major improvement. The older, smaller buttons never gave me any trouble, but I greatly prefer the larger one. Recently, I’ve been using my Gen4 quite a bit. I noticed that the old design Glock 17 button was significantly smaller when I took it out of my third generation Glock 17.
The Gen4 button is worth upgrading if you have trouble engaging the magazine release on earlier Glock handguns. The new button is wonderful, even if you haven’t had any problems with the old ones. Grip Texture: The new grip texture is pretty nice. While the previous weapons (second and third generation) had a decent texture, it was not very helpful in helping to lock the gun in the hand. The rifle wiggled a little bit when fired on a hot day with sweaty palms. This is when having a more “grippy” surface comes in very handy.
Glock previously tried using a device known as the RTF2 to improve the grip texture. Rough textured frame, or RTF, was an extremely rough surface that practically wore holes in clothes. While some found it appealing, many felt it was excessive. The RTF2 and original surface are separate from each other by a rough texture treatment on the Gen4 firearms. The outcome is an almost perfect combination of surfaces that significantly enhances a grip without jeopardizing a lovely shirt.
Things I Don’t Like
Grooves on the fingers. Really, my hand does not match the finger grooves or bumps that Glock began utilizing on their third generation firearms. The Gen4 uses the same grooves. They must fit someone, but I’ve spoken to a number of individuals who don’t think they’re cute. Glock was recently given a pistol contract by the FBI, one of which required the firm to remove the finger grooves from the frame.
Final Thoughts
Is the Glock 19 the ideal combat handgun, then? Yes, I’m sure that for certain individuals it is. If I have the rifle with me, I think it’s excellent for fighting. The gun functions well whether I carry it in a duty holster while on patrol, keep it in my quick access safe for home defense, or ride in an IWB rig when I’m out and about. Sometimes the G19 is too big for my purposes as a CCW. At moments like this, I consider concealable handguns such as the Glock 43. Nonetheless, the Gen4 G19 is the ideal battle handgun for me in the majority of situations.