A recent special edition of the Safariland Roundup focused on the 9mm Glock 45. That email is a great place to start if you’re looking for a Glock 45 review (or reviews), but there are plenty of other viewpoints out there. I’ll be sharing some of those that didn’t make it into the newsletter here (including a handful of Glock 45 MOS reviews as well).
It’s hard to go wrong seeking out a variety of opinions, as long as those opinions are themselves informed and cogent.
Note: You can read that edition of the Roundup newsletter to get started right here if you’re so inclined.
Cover photo: Williamson County SWAT Range training with Glock 45; 6354 RDSO holster and Liberator IV earpro.
Glock 45: It’s a 9×19 but not a g19x
Say that three times as fast as you can. So, I specifically opened that first paragraph the way I did because Glock’s naming convention still confuses people. And by people, I mean me. Most of you reading this probably don’t need the clarification, but for those who do — the 45 in G45 is the model number, not the caliber. There is no “Glock 9.” There are lots of Glocks chambered in 9mm, however.
The G45 is what is referred to as a “crossover” pistol. In its basic form, it isn’t really a new design; it’s a somewhat modified version of other models. There are two kinds of G45: the Glock 45 and the Glock 45 MOS. Both feature roughly the same full-size Glock 17 grip that’s been around since 1982. At 4.02 inches (like the Glock 19), however, the G45 barrel is more compact, and the slide is shorter than that of a G17. To further confuse matters, this layout is very similar to the Glock 19X.
A full comparison of the Glock 45 vs Glock 19X would require more detail than I want to go into here, but the most important differences are generational. G45 is a Gen 5 pistol with front slide serrations, Gen 5 internal enhancements, a flared magazine, and no lanyard loop. It’s also black instead of brown, making it more appealing to the (very large number of) law enforcement agencies looking for a duty gun worn openly in a duty holster. That’s not to say you can‘t carry a G45 concealed; it’s just not as easy to hide away as a 19 or one of the “slimline” models like the 43X or 48.
Summed up, then, a Glock 45 is a Generation 5 crossover pistol utilizing elements of the Glock 17 and Glock 19 but with more current features than the G19X crossover that also uses elements of the Glock 17 and Glock 19. Because that’s not enough numbers, we’ll go ahead and use some letters, too: MOS. MOS stands for Modular Optic System, which means that G45 version (or any model with MOS on the end of it) is manufactured to be optic-ready.
Too easy, right?
Glock 45 Review Lineup
The following are presented in no particular order. Hopefully, this will save you some research time if you’re performing due diligence. Or, I guess, even if you’re just indulging your curiosity. We’ll likely update this periodically as we find additional reviews.
Oh, and this is important: the fact that a Glock 45 review, pro or con, appears here is neither an endorsement of the reviewer nor a vindication of that reviewer’s opinion. I’m going to put individual viewpoints in front of you. Your take on it is your own.
Remember, many if not all of these are a few years old. You’ll want to read or watch in that context.
G45 Comparisons
We’ll start with a couple of comparisons courtesy of Handgun Hero. I’m a big fan of this site. You could do worse than to put it in your feed or give it a visit occasionally.
Glock 45 vs Glock 19X
If you visit the Handgun Hero site, you can drag and drop the various models in a tabletop comparison. It’s a great way to literally see how the two handguns stack up against each other. As you can see, some of the differences between the two models, though significant, aren’t readily apparent.
Next up we’ll look at the two G45s: the standard Glock 45 and the MOS version.
Glock 45 vs 45 MOS
This imagery (also from Handgun Hero) speaks for itself. The only real differences are the modifications made in the slide to make it optic-ready. This has proven a popular way to mount a red dot sight (RDS) without milling or additional work.
📣You can learn some more about how the G19X became the G45 in The guns the U.S. Army refused.
Glock 45 Reviews
You may notice that some G45 reviews you’ve already seen have not made it into this compilation. That can mean a lot or nothing. There was no way for me to list every well-constructed review available, and I ignored the ones that were just a couple hundred words or, in the case of a video, just a few minutes long. Meaning no disrespect to some “reviewers” out there; there’s no way to review a gun in three minutes adequately. Or seven. At best, you’re leaving a lot of information and context out. At worst, you’re just presenting an advertorial for financial, which is (in my opinion) disingenuous and potentially misleading.
If you are seeking quality information to make an informed decision about something you could have to stake lives on, you need more than Beardy McTactical or Ole’ Joe Bob the YouTuber blasting watermelons and yard ornaments while telling you, “…she sure shoots nice!” You should also be wary of anyone who throws out the term “game-changer.”
1. Pick Your Brick: One Glock to Rule Them All
“Choosing the best Glock is no easy task, and finding the right one has a lot to do with what you’re looking for from a handgun. I have to give credit to the Glock 45 Gen5 MOS, though. If you can only buy one pistol for concealed carry, home defense, and range-day fun, it’s damn hard to beat this gun.” Scott Murdock on Free Range American
2. Glock 45 Overview: Small Arms Solutions
If you’re only going to watch one video about the G45, watch this one. Small Arms Solutions always lays down some serious knowledge. This channel is one of my favorite YouTube channels.
“I definitely have to say that the Glock 45 will be replacing my Glock 19 Gen 4 as a carry pistol. I do like the longer pistol grip because I have larger hands and this one fits me so much nicer than that of my Glock 19…so yeah, this will be my new carry gun. It’s got everything that I would want on it.” Small Arms Solutions
3. Making the 45 the Perfect LE Gun
This review takes an approach that is more aimed at optimization for a particular use, though everything I read in here could just as easily be applied to the gun carried by an armed citizen. Or even other models of Glock, for that matter.
“While the old style GLOCK plastic sights are functional, from a practical and functional standpoint, they are too low (short). The short front sight causes the shooter to elevate the muzzle as distance to the target increases causing rounds to go high.
On the rear sight, there is three to four times as much light-reflecting white paint as there is on the small front sight. What that does is draw the human eye to the rear sight first, not the front sight, which is the most important of the two. Also, the rear sight, being angled plastic doesn’t offer a solid purchase if you need to rack the pistol single-handed.” Paul Markel, The Truth About Guns
📣You might also want to watch Guns, Gear & On Target Training LLC’s 5,000-round update video. Be sure to read the in-depth write-up he’s put in the video description.
4. Considering a G19X? A Better Idea is the Glock 45
“The Glock 45 is the pistol for Glock owners who approve of the Commander pistol concept and like the improvements introduced in the Glock 19X—but don’t necessarily need the military’s bells and whistles. The original Colt Commander concept is seventy years old and going strong, which gives one an idea just how long the Glock 45 may stick around.” Kyle Mizokami, The National Interest
5. Glock 45 9mm Review: Duty Gun Tested
“Just as my agency was about to purchase these pistols for our officers, Glock introduced the G45, which is essentially a hybrid of the G17 and G19…Ultimately, after shooting the G45 side by side with the G17 and G19, about 95 percent of our officers chose the newcomer. Although many couldn’t articulate why, I thought it just felt better than the other two 9mm Glocks and the larger Glock 21 that we were transitioning from. But, the G45 isn’t a perfect fit for all LE applications.” Richard Nance for Guns and Ammo
6. Regular Guy’s Review of the Glock 45 9mm Pistol
“I didn’t expect anything negative about the GLOCK 45 at the range. GLOCK may have a bit of a fanboy culture around it, but that doesn’t mean it’s a sub-par gun. GLOCK is trusted by professionals around the world, and for good reason. They work. Reliable and more accurate than most shooters themselves, they just go. And go. And go.
The GLOCK 45 was no exception. I’ve never shot a crossover pistol before, and was pleasantly surprised at how flat it shot. Definitely more accurate than I am, and it did display my slight tendency to “lobster” pistols. Lobstering is basically when a shooter tightens his grip even more while pressing the trigger. Proper technique is to keep a consistent and tight grip and just use your trigger finger. A lobster snaps his grip shut when he clamps on something. We’re not lobsters.
Regardless, I was impressed with the accuracy, even after I self-corrected the lobster issue.” via Regular Guy Guns
📣You might also want to check out The Glock 45 Delivers… on Officer.com.
7. TFB Review: Glock 45 MOS Reporting for Duty?
“Despite the unconventional layout of the crossover Glock 45, upgrading it with a red or green dot sight exploits the advantages of having a shorter barrel, shorter sight radius, and slightly less steel, for a minimal loss of bullet velocity, and no loss of ammunition capacity. Whether you’re looking for a new duty pistol for law enforcement, security, home defense, or just for fun, I recommend considering the Glock 45 MOS.” Doug E. for The Firearm Blog
That’s it for the lineup right now but check back once in a while. We’ll likely update it pretty often (assuming you readers think this sort of thing is a useful format).
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