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The Glock 19 has become a bit of a legendary handgun…
It’s been incredibly popular for several years now, and there are many people that commonly recommend it as the best handgun to get if you’re a first-time gun buyer…
It’s also been known as the best pistol to go with if you’re planning on using one gun for things like concealed carry and home defense.
This is all because of the Glock 19’s compact size, which for many years was incredibly unique in the firearms industry…
And here’s the deal, for me, the G19 still remains one of the best compact pistols in the world. So today in this review, I’d like to tell you why…
The Glock 19 (Like All Glocks…) Is A Simple Gun To Operate…
The Glock 19 is a fantastic gun for a first-time gun owner… The reason why is because it only has 3 basic controls.
There is no external safety, which may sound like a negative…
…but it actually takes a lot of practice and experience to learn how to operate a pistol with a manual thumb safety, especially if you need to use that gun in a highly stressful situation…
And to be clear, the lack of a manual thumb safety does not make this gun unsafe, and the first responsibility for any new gun owner is to learn how to handle their firearm safely.
Now, the first control you have on your Glock is the magazine release…
On the gen 4 Glock 19, the magazine release is both large and in a great spot to get to without breaking your shooting grip.
This makes the pistol very suitable for quick reloads, especially if you put in a little bit of practice.
The second control is the slide lock/ slide release.
I’m not sure which term Glock uses for it, but I like to call it both because it functions flawlessly in both roles.
You can easily lift your thumb up and lock back the slide, or you can put a new mag in, flip it down, and be chambered and ready to go almost instantly.
The third control is the trigger, and here’s the deal…
…alot of people criticize the standard Glock trigger pull as difficult to use, but I’ve never had any problems with it.
It can be improved with aftermarket connectors and springs, but as it comes, it’s perfectly usable for accurate and fast shooting if you’re using proper marksmanship fundamentals.
The Compact Glock 19 Is An Incredibly Versatile Size…
I think the size of the Glock 19 is perfect for all-around use…
It’s small enough to comfortably carry concealed, but at the same time… it’s a smooth shooter that has pretty decent magazine capacity.
The size of the Glock 19 grip is perfect for filling this role…
It’s not too long which would make it print very easily when you’re trying to conceal it, but it’s also long enough to get a full grip on the gun without having any fingers hanging off.
This makes it more comfortable to handle than subcompact guns (like the Glock 43X) and gives you a lot more control when you’re shooting.
In addition to that, the slide seems to be just the right length…
Again, if you’re going to carry a gun you need a relatively shorter slide to be able to hide it and remain comfortable…
…but whenever you shorten the barrel of a pistol, you give up sight radius and a little bit of muzzle velocity.
The Glock 19’s slide isn’t any shorter than it has to be, and I’ve always found it to be an easy gun to make accurate hits on target.
Now, the magazine capacity is also pretty good at 15 rounds in the standard mags…
…and to make it even better, the Glock 19 works flawlessly with Glock 17 magazines, which hold 17 rounds, and the extended magazines that hold 31 rounds as well.
Now one thing I don’t like about Glocks, in general, is the polymer sights that come standard with almost all models.
They’re not as durable as they could be, and the front sight is a little bit wide…
Metal sights would be a lot stronger, and I like my front sights to be a bit more narrow because it allows me to aim more precisely.
All that aside, the standard polymer sights do give a usable sight picture, and they’re still sitting on my Glock 19 which I’ve had for several years.
And if you really don’t like them, finding a new set of sights won’t be a problem because there are tons of manufacturers making sights and other accessories for the Glock 19 (you can also mount an optic like an RMR).
I’m Sticking With Gen 4 Glocks Right Now…
As of the time I write this, my favorite generation for the Glock 19 is the Gen 4 because for me, it seems to be a better fit than both the gen 3 and gen 5 guns.
Like I mentioned before, I like the magazine release on the gen 4 over the gen 3 because it’s much larger and easier to get to.
I also prefer the gen 4 texturing on the grip because it gives good purchase without being uncomfortable to hold (I find the gen 3s too slick).
Last, I like the extra back straps with the beavertails that come with the gen 4s because they shield my hand from slide bite, which is a problem for me when shooting Glocks.
Now, the only issue I have with the gen 5 Glock 19 is the enhanced magwell that is molded into the grip.
I don’t want that extra width on a gun that I might be trying to conceal, and If I do end up wanting a magwell in the future…
…I would rather add something from the aftermarket that would probably funnel in my mags more effectively.
So as I said earlier, I’m sticking with my Gen 4s right now.
The G19 Is Easy To Field Strip And Clean…
The Glock 19 is also a very easy gun to field strip or completely disassemble…
The whole gun can be taken apart with a simple punch, and field stripping is as easy as…
- Pulling the trigger to release the striker.
- Pulling down on the two tabs on the side of the frame.
- Removing the slide from the rest of the gun.
- Taking out the recoil spring.
- Removing the barrel from the slide.
It doesn’t get much easier than that.
Glock 19 Gen 4 Review – Final Thoughts…
So in the end, I think the Gen 4 Glock 19 is…
- an easy gun to operate if you’re a beginner…
- a fun and easy gun to shoot…
- and a great size if you want to carry it concealed comfortably.
I’m very happy with mine, and I definitely think it’s one of the best compact pistols in the world right now.
Now Remember…
No matter what gun you get, marksmanship fundamentals are always the same…
So if you’re looking for some help improving your shooting…
Check out my FREE Guide where I show you a trigger pull exercise that can be done without leaving your home or spending any money…
It’s a very simple exercise that anyone can do…
So to gain access just click the link below:
Farewell, and have fun at the range!
-RDshooters