Unfortunately, monikers are coined by others. It’s mostly a way to avoid an honest or logical discussion, but none-the-less prolific. The firearms industry is no exception. One often heard moniker that was given to me years ago was “Glock Hater.” The fact my preferences were not in line with the mainstream resulted in a label, something I am kind of used to. The Glock 19X (G19X) puts me in an interesting position.

Mostly dismissed by professionals, the advent of social media has, unfortunately, advanced these monikers to new levels. We have become a polarized society where the extremes have been made the norm. Sadly, the “either/or” mentality permeates American society and flourishes on the web and social media. Every major manufacturer has the same issue. It just seems to be the times we live in.

Fortunately, reality kicks in on occasion and the Glock 19X is a perfect example. It seems this “needless” Glock has sold more than 100,000 guns in the first six months; not bad for a pistol the “experts” said no one really wants.

Why the Glock 19X (G19X)?

So, why is the Glock 19X so popular? Well, it falls squarely into Glock’s niche: it works and it answers a number of questions critics have leveled for years.

Built to meet the U.S. Army’s Modular Handgun System specifications, it’s all about fighting with your pistol. It was not made to fit in your pocket or purse, but to be carried comfortably without compromising your ability to fight. But anyone carrying a pistol has to compromise. It’s all about which of the lowest common denominators are most important to you.

Is it carried as a means of comfort you hope to never use or a fighting tool you can use that may be less than comfortable? Much of what’s come out in the last several years fits the former. Most of my 35 years carrying a pistol as a working professional makes the latter my preference and the Glock 19X fits that need well … along with another 100,000 others it would seem.

Glock 19X Barrel and Grip

Shortening a pistol’s barrel, grip, or both is a never-ending argument. Hormones aside, it depends on why you carry. If it’s all about concealment you do both. If “printing” at the grip is an issue, you want that shortened. Shorten the grip and you lose capacity and the ability to fit your entire hand on the pistol.

Shorter barrels make it easier to conceal when carrying OWB (Outside the Waistband). They are also more comfortable for those carrying IWB or Appendix carry. Given my IWB carry preference, the 4-inch barrel is about perfect. Shorten the barrel too much and you lose effectiveness … or do you?

For years, 4.5-5 inches was the “norm” for working pistols. Anything shorter resulted in reliability issues, at least early on. Any ballistic disadvantage was mostly fiction. Today’s ammunition makes it fantasy.

Sight radius has also proven to be mostly fiction. Hunting varmints at 100 yards, sure, it can make a difference. In that case, get a 6-inch barrel and a revolver. But for functional, everyday carry or professional use, it’s a shooter issue. “More training, less complaining” is the answer.

I guess it’s why some labeled me a “hater,” since my idea of the perfect Glock was a G19 slide on a G17 frame and not the reverse that most clamor for. You lose absolutely nothing you will need in a fight by cutting the barrel by half-an-inch. Not to mention you maintain capacity and control by leaving the grip alone. Seems like a win/win to me.

Upgraded Features

Much of the focus on the Glock 19X has been the grip size and slide length, but that’s not all this pistol has.

As a Gen5, it uses Glock’s new trigger design, which to me is much better than past designs; enough so there is no need for me to swap it out with an aftermarket trigger. Is the difference huge? Not really, but it’s noticeably cleaner with less take-up and a bit less pull.

Glock’s Marksman barrel reportedly cuts the 25-yard accuracy in half. The slide stop is ambidextrous, something I asked for 25 years ago. Just as important, the finger grooves are gone — another previous request of mine.

Texturing is a nice mix from previous attempts; it’s just about right. Night sights are standard, as are two 19-round magazines with extended base pads and the single 17-round flush fit. I could live without the company’s first factory-colored “Coyote” slide, but for many that’s fine and an easy fix.

Everything you need to go to work or carry concealed is in the box. It may be the first Glock I have ever owned that will remain untouched from the factory.

Glock 19X Testing Gear

Blade Tech was kind enough to provide one of its signature holsters and a couple of magazine pouches. Most of the range work I completed using the pouches on one of Blade Tech’s older instructor’s belts. Its latest Ultimate Carry Belt is one of the nicest used to date. The buckle is very solid and the leather locks into place. Since you cut to fit there is no need to try different sizes.

The holster was a thin Kydex IWB for a G17 I have had for years. It worked perfectly with the belt. It also conceals easily. I carried the G19X for a couple of weeks covered with an oversized T-shirt and there was no printing.

Glock 19X Range Time

No surprises here — the Glock 19X ran flawlessly. The magazine springs were stiff, but I was able to load them all to capacity. The magazines dropped free and inserted on a closed slide fully loaded. Meanwhile, the grip fits my hand nicely — plenty of room with no need for a grip reduction or finger groove removal. The pistol’s texture is sharp enough without cutting my bare hand.

A SureFire X300U fit perfectly and locked in nicely when using the correct plate, fitting all of my duty holsters. Accuracy was also solid. My best group came in at less than 2 inches at 25 yards using Hornady 135 Grain +P Critical Duty ammo.

Shooting from offhand at 25 yards, the pistol was pretty easy staying on a 6-inch plate. Up close, it was fast and cut a fist-sized hole in the target at the 10-15 yard range.

All my carry guns use 4-4.5 pound triggers. It’s my preference, especially with gloved hands and working in the very cold. This one measured a very consistent 5 pounds, which is not bad. It may be a tad heavy, but not something I would change.

Bottom Line on the Glock 19X

For many, myself included, the G19X is the Glock we have always wanted; also one I asked for years ago. Whether a reluctance to irritate the followers or a mechanical issue, it took Glock that long to make it, thanks mostly to the U.S. Army. Either way, it addressed every “issue” I’ve had with these guns in some way or another.

Accuracy, ambidextrous controls, no finger grooves, night sights, and what has become one of the most prolific overall configurations today — not bad for a gun “experts” seemed to think nobody wanted. The G19X is about as close to perfect as it gets, for me at least.

Glock 19X Specs

G19X Peformance

G19X groups fired from bag (rest), using the hood of my truck as a rest. Distance of 25 yards, three (3) five-shot groups for comparison. Velocity in Feet Per Second (FPS) measured with a “Chrony” chronograph.

As a bonus, we have a little vote for you. Our friends at Personal Defense World put the G19 platform up against the SIG P320 platform. They wanted to see what readers thought was best. Head over to PersonalDefenseWorld.com and let your voice be heard.