Glock 19 Gen 5 Review: 3,500+ Round Report
The Glock G19 is one of the most popular handguns. But is the Gen 5 version worth it? We hands on review it after shooting 3,500+ rounds.
PPT Editor-in-Chief. Professional journalist 15+ years. NRA & BLS instructor. 2000+ articles
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Glock 19 Gen 5 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Tons of aftermarket support
- Proven Reliability
- Can fieldstrip without tools
- Easy to use
Cons
- Plastic sights
- Mediocre trigger
- Blocky ergonomics
The Bottom Line
The Glock 19 is the go-to for many in the concealed carry and defensive world for a reason. This 9mm pistol doesn't stop. If you want a solid, reliable handgun that won't quit, go with the Glock 19 Gen 5.
The Glock 19 has been around since the late 80s and has become a staple in law enforcement and concealed carry communities.
Known for its reliability and durability, this model has seen several iterations, including the latest generation, the Gen 5.
Equipped with some upgrades over its Gen 4 sibling, the Gen 5 promises to elevate performance. But does it?
After thousands of rounds and several years of carrying it, we at Pew Pew Tactical decided to weigh in. So, keep reading as we walk you through the specs, features, pros, and cons, and talk about what you can expect at the range.
Table of Contents
How We Tested the Glock 19 Gen 5
The PPT team have all used or carried a Glock 19 at some point in their lives, so we're starting on a solid basis. All pistol reviews are conducted with set standards that includes 500 rounds minimum with defensive and practice ammo at 5 and 7 yards.
That said, I have personally had a Glock 19 in my concealed carry rotation for over a decade, with the Gen 5 serving as my most recent model. My personal Glock 19 has seen thousands of rounds downrange and has spent countless hours in my AIWB holster. For this review, I’ve used that experience to rate the G19 on various factors, including ergonomics, accuracy, reliability, customization, and value.
Glock 19 Gen 5 Specs & Features
Specs
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Action: Semi-Auto
- Safety: No
- Weight: 23.63 oz
- Barrel Length: 4in
- Overall Length: 7.3in
- Sights: Fixed
- Finish: Black
- Magazine Capacity: 15rd
- Magazine Type: Removable
- Stock Material: Polymer
Features
- Fixed sights
- Safe Action trigger safety
- Comes with 2 magazine
- Adjustable backstraps
- Steel slide with Tenifer finish
- Polymer frame - impervious to corrosion
Glock 19 Gen 5 Background
Glock has been around since the 80s, with the illustrious Glock 17 kicking things off in 1981. The gun was a huge success, especially among law enforcement, and it wasn’t long until the market was clamoring for the same design, just a tad smaller and easier to carry.
Enter the Glock 19. Appearing in 1988, the Glock offered a more midsize approach to the popular G17 design with all the same features Glock fans had come to know and love.
Now, over 30 years later, the Glock 19 has become the most popular model of Glock in the company’s arsenal.
Want to learn more about how Glock got its start? Check out our Deep Dive into Glock's History.
Who Is the Glock 19 Gen 5 For?
The Glock 19 is perfect for those who want a reliable, time-tested handgun that works for home defense or concealed carry.
Its mid-size design means it can easily ride in a holster or sit in a bedside safe. The Glock aftermarket is also really robust, so if you like to customize your guns, you have the ability to do just that with this pistol.
In terms of the Gen 5 model, specifically, Glock introduced some additional features, including an nDLC coating, fully ambidextrous controls, improved triggers, flared magwells, and the Glock Marksman Barrel. If you’re into any of those, the Gen 5 is a solid choice.
Ergonomics: Fit & Feel
I’ve been carrying a Glock 19 on and off for over a decade. I started with the Gen 4 and then moved on to the Gen 5.
If you like finger grooves, I suggest sticking with the Gen 4; however, if you have smaller hands like I do, the Gen 5 works much better. I find the flat grip surface allows for a more comfortable grip and an overall better shooting experience.
The Glock 19, like its sibling, offers a blocky appearance and feel. It’s definitely not for everyone. The polymer frame also gives it a toy-like feel, so skip this pistol if you prefer the sturdiness of an all-metal frame.
That said, if you want something fairly lightweight and easy to maintain, the Glock is it. The company provides backstraps, so you can swap to something that fits your hand a bit better – I have the smaller one on mine.
It’s also got plenty of room for accessories like a light or laser – a bonus if you want it for a home defense.
How Does the Glock 19 Shoot?
I’ve had the Glock 19 Gen 5 since its release in 2017. It’s been my on-and-off again carry gun, and when it’s not in a holster, it’s tucked inside a bedside gun safe (alongside my Glock 17).
My Glock 19 has seen thousands of rounds put through it, and it’s still going strong. Even after all these years, it’s still as reliable as it was when it arrived.
The G19 has eaten a variety of ammunition during its time in my arsenal – including Winchester white box, Blazer brass, Hornady Critical Defense, and Speer Gold Dot. It’s done so without hiccups.
9mm Ammo in Stock
As a smaller framed shooter, I’m often asked about recoil and how the G19 handles. Out of all the Glock models, there’s a reason the G19 is my favorite. It’s midsize, and the lack of finger grooves really lends itself to smaller shooters.
I’m able to get a good, secure grip on the gun, and its heavier frame helps mitigate recoil and make follow-up shots a lot smoother.
My only complaint is that the mags can sometimes be a little tight, and I often rely on my Maglula to fully load them. Minor inconvenience at most, though.
The Gen 5 series comes with what Glock calls the Marksmanship Barrel, which is supposed to increase accuracy. Does it?
Jury is still out, at least for me. I don’t notice a difference between my shots with a Gen 4 Glock 19 and a Gen 5 Glock 19, but your mileage may vary.
Overall, the Glock 19 has upheld its reputation for reliability, at least for me. It’s easy to handle, easy to shoot, and easy to maintain. If you want a versatile gun to plink at the range, toss in a holster, or use as a bedside gun, the G19 is it.
Glock Generations
There are five generations of Glocks, but the most common you’ll see out and about are the Gen 3, Gen 4, and Gen 5.
Various small details set these generations apart…mainly accessory rails, magazine releases, and the grip texture/finger grooves.
That said, we dive further into the differences in our article dedicated to the Gen. 3 vs. Gen 4. and Gen. 5.
Glock 19 vs Glock 19x
In 2018, Glock released an updated take on its G19 platform by way of the Glock 19X.
The 19X was Glock’s submission to the U.S. Army’s Modular Handgun System competition, which ultimately went to Sig Sauer. It was later released on the civilian market as the 19X.
So, what are the differences between the 19 and 19X?
- Longer full-size grip on the G19X than the G17 with the slide of a 19
- Coyote colored slide
- Improved nPVD slide coating
- Glock Marksman Barrel
- Lanyard loop
The 19X is best suited for shooters with bigger hands or those who are dying for a color other than black.
By the Numbers
Accuracy: 4.5/5
The Glock 19 hits where you need to. During our testing, it landed shots just fine at 3, 5, and 7 yards without missing a beat.
Reliability: 5/5
Glock is synonymous with reliability for a reason. These guns just keep running -- wet, muddy, cold, you name it, Glock can handle it.
Customization: 5/5
The aftermarket for Glock is HUUUGE. Hate the sights - swap them. Hate the trigger - change that. Want a new barrel - there's plenty of those. You can customize until your heart's content with the Glock 19.
Ergonomics: 3.5/5
What the Glock 19 has in reliability, it loses in ergonomics. It's a blocky gun that doesn't work well with every hand type. Its stock trigger is meh, and the sights aren't the greatest, either.
Value: 4/5
The Glock 19 offers a good set of features at a fairly decent price. It's not a budget-minded gun but you can find these on the used market for a good price or even buy new without totally breaking the bank.
Overall: 4.5/5
Glock 19 Upgrades & Accessories
There are SO MANY upgrades for the Glock platform. And we cover them all in our Best Glock Upgrades article. From triggers to slides, barrels, and extended controls.
However, we think that some of the best ones to start off are extra mags and a decent light.
There's also a lot of Glock Magazines...but sometimes it's great to stick with regular Glock OEM.
As for pistol lights...we have an article for that too. But these two are our favorites in two different price ranges.
If you want to add an optic and need your slide milled to accommodate that, I prefer C&H's Slide Milling service. You choose what you want, package and send in your slide, and they get it fixed up and sent back out to you. From there, you can add your favorite optic.
Glock 19 Field Strip
From our sister channel Guncademy which features field strips of popular guns. Almost all Glocks follow the same field strip procedure so here is one for the Glock 41 that will work just the same for the Glock 19.
Why Trust Pew Pew Tactical
Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings runs our experienced team of reviewers and led the testing and evaluating for this article. She is a National Rifle Association Basic Pistol Instructor as well as a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association. Jacki has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years. With 2,000+ articles to her name, she uses her professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards for Pew Pew Tactical.
Aside from that, Jacki carried a Glock 19 AIWB for several years as her preferred concealed carry pistol, using a Dark Star Gear Orion to do so. It has accompanied her to training and shooting events and is a go-to pistol for range days.
Final Verdict
The Glock 19 Gen 5 is a workhorse of a pistol. If you’re looking for something you can run into the ground and still shoot, it doesn’t get much better than the Glock 19.
A staple in the concealed carry community for a reason; the G19 just doesn’t quit. Its midsize and easy-to-reach and use controls make it a solid choice for new shooters and seasoned ones alike.
Not running a Gen 5? If you’re sporting an older model, maybe it's time to upgrade with some of the Best Glock Upgrades.
And even more Glock articles…
- Best Glocks: Top Calibers & Sizes
- Best 9mm Glocks
- Best Glocks for Concealed Carry
- Best Glock Triggers
- Best Glock Sights
- Best Glock Aftermarket Mags
What do you think of the Glock 19? Leave us your thoughts down below. Looking for a gun that’s like a Glock…but not? Check out our list of the Best Glock Clones.