Even with a close look, one would be hard-pressed to tell that these are CO2 pistols, not actual 9mm Glocks. That is the reason they make superb training substitutes. Today, Glock models are carried by U.S. military units, foreign military and government agencies, U.S. state and local police, international law enforcement, and civilians in greater numbers than almost any other handgun currently in production. For this reason, companies like Umarex offer Glock CO2 trainers for affordable hands-on practice.
Making Glock CO2 Trainers Measure Up
The 9x19mm G17 has a standard overall length of 8.03 inches, slide length of 7.32 inches, barrel length of 4.49 inches, height of 5.47 inches, and width of 1.26 inches. Standard capacity for the G17 is 17 rounds. However, that is not the reason for the name. It was the 17th design developed by Gaston Glock.
The Glock licensed Umarex G17 CO2 models are not only intended for hobby and sport shooting with steel BBs (and now with .177 caliber lead pellets). By design, they are training guns that incorporate all of the basic 9x19mm model line’s features.
This makes them a suitable stand-in for the centerfire pistols when learning fundamental holstering, drawing, aiming, reloading, and shooting techniques, i.e., muscle memory practice.
Umarex and Glock Perfection
Much as I hate the word “compromise,” there is almost always some compromise when building a CO2 version of a centerfire pistol for use as a training gun. This includes mandatory manual safeties, which Umarex ingeniously finds ways to hide on Glock models.
Unfortunately, the first blowback action G17 model (below) was not a full feature, i.e., field strippable pistol. So, that element of training (learning to field strip the gun, which is quite simple with a Glock) is lost on this otherwise superbly designed CO2 model.
Think of this one as an entry-level training gun (and the least expensive, with an MSRP of $114.99).
The newer G17 Gen4 CO2 version (below) adds that full field stripping component. A number of external and internal designs set the Gen4 apart from its predecessors. The new double recoil spring and guide rod combination greatly mitigate felt recoil and muzzle flip.
Pictured is the Gen4 CO2 pistol. The CO2 model’s frame is virtually identical to the centerfire version of the Gen4.
Focusing on Authenticity
Authenticity is an essential component of any CO2 pistol one would consider as a training alternative. Correspondingly, the G17 Gen4 is a totally compatible substitution for the centerfire model. It allows the pistol and its magazines to work with all duty gear, holsters, mag pouches, and light/laser accessories.
Umarex and Glock set out to make a variety of CO2 models based on the 9mm centerfire guns. This includes the G19X.
Within the centerfire world, the 19X brought the development of the Glock design up to date. It was both a Gen5 and the first crossover Glock model. Specifically, it combines the shorter 4.02-inch barrel and slide assembly from the Glock 19 with the larger and higher-capacity Glock 17 grip frame.
Another first for the 19X was the military coyote tan polymer frame and first-ever factory-colored slide. On the Umarex blowback action CO2 model, all of the basic details of the centerfire guns are duplicated. This includes the coyote tan base pad on the self-contained CO2 BB magazines, which have an 18-round capacity to equal the G19X standard 17-round mag plus one round chambered.
The airgun also fits all centerfire G19X holsters and accessories. As a result, it is an ideal training gun for those carrying a G19X.
CO2 Internals
The Umarex Glock G19X looks like a Gen5 from the outside. However, inside, it is a hybrid of the Third Gen G17 CO2 model. This means the G19X is using the Third Gen’s short, short-recoil blowback action.
But here’s the catch. The blowback action design developed for the Third Gen CO2 model allows the G19X to achieve significantly higher velocities than the short-recoil blowback action design used for the Umarex Glock 17 Gen4 CO2 model. However, it also gives up the ability to field strip the pistol.
If you want the military look of the Glock 19X, that is exactly what you get from the outside. Likewise, you get the improved features, flat checkered frontstrap, re-contoured slide with beveled edges for easier re-holstering, larger Gen4/Gen5 magazine release, and a G19X white dot rear sight, as opposed to the traditional white outline Glock rear sight.
It’s also the same price as a Third Gen G17, $114.99.
More Buck for Your Bang
No, I didn’t type it wrong. I mean exactly what I said, “buck” being a metaphor for felt recoil. In the centerfire world, gunmakers strive to minimize felt recoil. Likewise, they work to make it as linear as possible, reduce muzzle rise, and get the gun back on target quickly.
But you can’t totally erase the laws of physics with medium to large-caliber handguns. Even the most expensive Raceguns have some recoil.
So, it is a little amusing to those of us who shoot centerfire handguns to realize that blowback action air pistol manufacturers are striving to achieve just the opposite. In other words, they try to add more felt recoil to make them feel more realistic to the shooter.
The first time I shot the G19X CO2 model, the amusement vanished because it kicked like a .22 caliber pistol.
The G19X and Third Gen Glock 17 offer impressive recoil (for a CO2 pistol). They achieve a new high-velocity standard for blowback action CO2 models of 395 fps and a consistent average of 376 fps. This is at least 50 fps greater than any other blowback action model with a self-contained CO2 BB magazine.
What the Gen4 Brought to the CO2 Game
The question that remained unanswered—until Umarex introduced the Glock 17 Gen4—was could a field-strippable model be built that also allowed for the same higher velocity and level of felt recoil? The Gen4’s answer was no.
It could not maintain the velocity level of the Third Gen and G19X and its short, short-recoil closed CO2 system. Still, enough CO2 could be delegated to the Gen4’s blowback action to give the gun an impressive sense of recoil for an air pistol. Likewise, it provides an average velocity of 317 fps—a hefty 60 fps less than its G17 and G19X predecessors.
However, it has field stripping capability, interchangeable backstraps, authentic dual recoil spring, and guide rod design. So, the Gen4 easily claimes the title of best Glock blowback action CO2 model. It is certainly the very best version for muscle memory training and handling protocols.
The Gen4 design also comes at a higher MSRP of $169.99. Still, it is a drop in the bucket for a training gun.
The new G17 Gen5
The Gen5 (above) marks a new chapter in Umarex Glock CO2 technology. It is the first model with a rifled barrel and a 21-round, drop-free .177 (4.5mm) caliber pellet loading magazine. This is a groundbreaking design. Specifically because rifled barrel, pellet-firing CO2 pistols are generally found only in non-blowback designs utilizing small 8-shot rotary magazines.
The drop-free mag for the Gen5 uses an integral pellet loading rotary belt forward of the CO2 chamber. This allows everything to be self-contained and handled just like a CO2 BB magazine.
The Gen5 averaged 365 to 370 fps with Meisterkugeln 8.2 gr. lead pellets. It shot a best 10-round group, averaging 1.5 inches. Most hits grouped in the bullseye at 0.75 inches from 21 feet.
The only noteworthy difference is a heavier 7 lb. 10 oz. average trigger pull due to the design of the magazine feeding system. The Gen4 CO2 model has an average trigger pull of 5 pounds, 5 ounces—right on factory Glock trigger pull specs.
All four Glock CO2 models offer the same feel and handling as their 9mm counterparts right up to the moment you pull the trigger. Even the most robust recoil from a CO2 pistol cannot approach the muzzle rise and report from a 9mm Glock. However, there remains a tactile feel and one consistency from 9mm to BBs and pellets.
The blowback action of the slide still demands that the shooter reacquire their sight picture as it travels back and forward into battery for the next round—a key training element.
Final Thoughts
All of the Glock CO2 models are highly accurate at 21 feet, a standard combat shooting distance. Likewise, they will deliver 1 to 1-1/2-inch groups with very little practice. The bottom line is this: there is barely any cartridge-loading handgun worth its salt that doesn’t cost significantly more than all four Glock CO2 models combined.
From that perspective, a total cost plus any additional expense for extra magazines is more like an ammo budget for a half dozen trips to the shooting range. Ammo is expensive and expendable, even if you reload.
I’ve saved enough in centerfire ammunition since the first Umarex Glock 17 was introduced to pay for all four guns.
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