GLOCK pistols are the go-to choice for a huge number of firearms enthusiasts. They’re one of the most prolific handgun companies in the world, with an ironclad reputation for no-nonsense pistols that set the gold standard for reliability. Magazines, holsters, and parts can be found at nearly any gun store in America, and they’re one of the simplest firearms to learn to operate and work on, too.
A GLOCK is never a bad choice, but once you’ve decided on the brand, you have to narrow it down to a single model, and the field of options is vast. Different calibers and generations abound, and often the distinction between models can be slight.
Today, we’re going to break down the differences between two of the most popular semi-automatic pistols of all time: The GLOCK 45 and the GLOCK 19.
GLOCK 19: The Concealed Carry Classic
The GLOCK 19 is one of the most popular concealed carry handguns of all time. It’s a modern classic that strikes a delicate balance between concealability and firepower, sporting a grip just barely large enough for the average user to keep all their fingers on it and not a centimeter longer. Combined with a relatively short barrel at 4″, it’s a compact package that’s easy enough for most people to carry concealed without excessive effort.
Despite its condensed form factor, the GLOCK 19 still manages a respectable 15-round capacity. But, because it utilizes a shortened but still full-width frame, it maintains compatibility with larger magazines, allowing users the option of capacities as large as 33 rounds or more.
As one of GLOCK’s earliest models, the 19 has been around for a while. There are currently three generations of GLOCK 19 easily available on the market—GLOCK Generations 3, 4, and 5—although only generations 3 and 5 are still manufactured.
The most modern iteration of the pistol, the Gen 5 GLOCK 19, features enhancements such as a grooveless grip and improved texture, ambidextrous slide release, and the exceptionally accurate GLOCK Marksman Barrel.
GLOCK 45: The Hybrid
The GLOCK 45 is a newer GLOCK model introduced just 7 years ago. In the time since, it has already become exceptionally popular.
While the 45 shares many of the same features as the 5th generation GLOCKs, it’s technically not considered to be part of it, instead categorized as part of their Crossover series. Like all of their Crossover models, the G45 is a combination of the best attributes of two of their most popular pistols: the G17 and the G19.
The G45 marries the short slide and barrel of the GLOCK 19 with the full-size grip of the GLOCK 17, creating a firearm with a larger grip and full 17-round capacity with flush-fit magazines, but short overall length. This proved to be advantageous for several reasons and quite popular for certain pursuits.
The shorter overall length of the G45 made it an instant hit with police departments, who appreciated the reduced bulk on their belts. The shorter length allowed a shorter holster to be used, which many found to be more comfortable while seated in a police cruiser. Additionally, a shorter firearm allows for a slightly faster draw, and in a profession where a fraction of a second can be the difference between life and death, any advantage is worth having, no matter how slight.
The shorter slide and barrel came at the cost of sight radius, though. Longer firearms have long been acknowledged as easier to employ accurately, as a longer sight radius allows the user to more accurately detect smaller deviations in alignment.
However, with the dawn of pistol-mounted reflex sights, sight radius is rapidly becoming less and less important. Sight radius has no relevance to a pistol red dot, as the user does not need to line up the rear and front sight to make an accurate shot—they need only put the dot on the target, and fire.
The GLOCK 45 also found favor with those who prefer to attach a muzzle device of some kind to their firearm, whether a compensator or suppressor. In either instance, the shorter overall length of the GLOCK 45 allowed for a muzzle device to be added without the firearm becoming unwieldy. A GLOCK 45 with a compensator will typically be no longer than a bare GLOCK 17. Of course, in the case of a suppressor, the resulting package will be rather long no matter what, but the extra half-inch of barrel and slide of a GLOCK 17 can still make a noticeable difference in the way the firearm balances.
Lastly, some found the GLOCK 45 to be the ideal dimensions for a concealed carry firearm. As appendix carry slowly becomes the preferred method of concealed carry, firearms are increasingly placing less importance on the length of the grip, and more on the length of the slide and barrel.
With strong-side carry, the length of the grip was often of paramount importance to effective concealment, leading to the popularity of compact firearms like the GLOCK 19. However, many users find that appendix carry allows for a much larger grip without sacrificing concealment. Unfortunately, long barrels often prove to be uncomfortable for concealed carry, eventually leading to the demand for larger-gripped, higher-capacity firearms with shorter overall lengths like the G45.
GLOCK 45 vs 19 For Concealed Carry
Both the GLOCK 45 and GLOCK 19 are excellent choices for concealed carry, and both are immensely popular in their own right. Ultimately, the choice between the two will come down to personal preference and which trade-offs each user prefers.
The GLOCK 19 offers greater concealment, particularly for those who carry their firearm on their dominant hip. However, this comes at the cost of reduced capacity, at least with flush-fitting magazines. Since the GLOCK 19 can accept all the same magazines as the GLOCK 45, both offer the same capacity for spare magazines and reloads.
The primary advantage of the GLOCK 19 is also, unfortunately, its greatest drawback. The smaller grip size may be difficult to use for those with larger hands and can be harder to draw and acquire a proper firing grip on quickly. For most users, though, the difference is slight and often negligible.
The GLOCK 45, on the other hand, offers a full 17-round capacity and a spacious grip, but may be difficult to conceal strong-side. Appendix carriers will appreciate the short barrel and easy draw afforded by the larger grip, but those with slighter frames may still struggle to conceal the full-size grip, even when carried appendix.
Ultimately, between the two firearms, the GLOCK 19 is arguably the more versatile. While the GLOCK 19 can utilize larger magazines and even aftermarket grip spacers to behave more like a full-size firearm, the G45 cannot shrink or accept smaller magazines to become more concealable.
Conclusion
GLOCK is one of the most respected manufacturers in the industry and boasts a prodigious variety of models. Each offers it’s own benefits and trade-offs. The GLOCK 19 has long been respected as the perfect balance of concealment and firepower, but as appendix carry and pistol-mounted red dots become more common, the GLOCK 45 is increasingly looking like a compelling choice.
If you’re still torn between a compact or a full-size, though, you can check out our article on GLOCK 19 vs GLOCK 17 for even more options.
Between the two pistols, there really is no wrong answer. Choose the one best suited to your needs and carry in confidence, knowing that your GLOCK is always as ready as you are.
