Glock 19 Gen 6 [Review]: Worth an Upgrade?

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I’ve been waiting for decades to write about a Glock that didn’t feel like a 2x4 in my hands, and that moment has finally arrived.

The Gen 6 is here, with vastly improved ergonomics, but is it worth your hard-earned money?

We spent time with the new generation, testing it both at the factory in Georgia and at our home range in Texas. Keep reading as we cover specs and features, take it to the range, and weigh in on whether it's worth upgrading your Gen 4 or Gen 5 Glock.

Keep reading!

Glock 19 Gen 6

$620

at Palmetto State Armory

Prices accurate at time of writing

$620 at Palmetto State Armory

MidwayUSA (see price)

Guns.com (see price)

GrabAGun (see price)

Gen 6 Glock 19 Specs & Features

Specs

• Caliber: 9mm
• Action: Semi-auto
• Capacity: 15+1
• Length: 7.28”
• Barrel Length: 4.02”
• Width: 1.35”
• Height: 5.04” (including magazine)
• Weight: 20.11 oz.
• Country of origin: USA
• Comes with: Plastic, lockable case, (3) 15-round magazines, magazine loader, (3) polymer optic plates, gun lock, owner’s manual, (2) backstraps, cleaning tools

Features

• Optic Ready System
• Enhanced Ergonomics
• Flat-faced Trigger
• Safe Action System

Gen 6 Backstory

Gaston Glock threw his hat in the ring for a defense contract in Austria back in 1980. And although he knew a great deal about polymer, he didn’t know much about making firearms.

In many ways, you could argue that he benefited from his lack of knowledge. Glock formed a team of experts and submitted a design that was thoroughly tested against heavy European hitters like HK, Sig Sauer, Beretta, and others.

Glock’s G17 won the contract, and the rest of the world sat up and started paying attention. The company’s approach was different.

Overall, the firearm was very simple, easy to maintain, incredibly modular, and polymer was the main ingredient for the frame. It was also pretty inexpensive, making it that much more appealing to organizations eyeing large purchases to outfit many shooters.

The accuracy was sound, reliability proved legendary over time, and the Safe Action System ensured the firearm was drop safe. All of these qualities combined, catapulting Glock to the top of the charts for government (military & law enforcement) sales, which led to a strong presence in civilian sales.

Over the next 46 years, Glock grew but was slower to implement changes than some competitors. Five generations evolved, improving features, catching us up to the most recent — the Gen 6.

Shooting the Gen 6 Glock G19: Accuracy & Reliability Analysis

Our testing for this pistol began in Georgia at Glock headquarters before the much-anticipated release. Lots of media folks were in attendance, and we all shot several models of the Gen 6 at Glock’s indoor range.

The Gen 6 ergonomics are much more in line with what other companies have been doing for several years.

Between the extended amount of grip texture (called RTF6 by Glock) and the improved grit of that texture, the gun really hooks up in your hand. On top of that, the beavertail really helped with protecting my hand, but also helped mitigate some muzzle flip.

When I clamped down on the Gen 6 while in Georgia, it shot like a comped pistol, very flat. A couple of months later, I tested it at our range with our ammo, and it didn’t shoot as flat.

I still want to point out, the Gen 6 performs better for me than any previous generation of Glock. Specifically, I’m referring to follow-up shots.

Shooting fast, you find out pretty quickly that your degree of accuracy usually suffers the faster you go. The improved ergonomics clearly allowed me to shoot the Gen 6 faster.

But speed is only one small part of the equation. Accuracy was decent once I got dialed back in on the trigger. I was able to hit a torso-sized steel target at 100 yards.

For more realistic testing, I stepped up to the 7-yard line and fired 10 shots of 115-grain AAC FMJ. I also fired ten shots of 124-grain Nosler ASP JHP defensive ammo.

Interestingly, both groups averaged 1.35 inches, which is on par with what I expected. There was a bit of vertical stringing, brought on by my repeatedly trying to find the exact breakpoint of the trigger.

Reliability is another hallmark of Glock, and interestingly enough, that quality was behind much of the Gen 6 changes. Customers buy Glocks, “upgrade” them with aftermarket parts, and then have problems.

Representatives said the overwhelming reason they have to help customers with Glocks that don’t run is aftermarket parts — or other monkeying around with the original recipe. Glock implemented all these changes to give shooters the features they want, without having to resort to the aftermarket.

I didn’t see any stoppages while at Glock testing the Gen 6, and we didn’t experience any in our (just over) 500 rounds of testing with both practice and defensive ammo. I shot several drills and conducted various exercises to test the new and improved ergonomics.

I used an Alien Gear holster and gun belt during testing and found that even with the adjusted frame, the Gen 6 Glock 19 still holstered and drew without any issues. For speed, I shot multiple targets and ranged between them, pushing to see where my accuracy failed.

To test the ergonomics of the controls, I conducted normal reloads and one-handed reloads to see how the pistol would function with my diminished capability. The Gen 6 was spot on in every instance.

Magazines locked into place during reloads and dropped cleanly when called upon to do so. Last round hold open happened every time without fail.

Gen 6 Glock 19 Ergonomics: Fit & Feel

I’ve been shooting Glocks since they came out.

In fact, the first pistol I ever purchased was a Gen 1 Glock 17. I carried them on duty as a peace officer, and I’ve been writing about Glocks for about 12 years, with experience across all generations.

Based on that experience, I can tell you Glock has always fallen short in the ergonomics category. My 2X-sized hands were chewed up by the early versions because the slide would mow over the webbing of my hand.

By comparison, the Gen 6 G19 is amazing. The unnatural flat surfaces on the sides are gone, and an exceptional beavertail is present as a standalone feature.

While Glock does include a medium and large backstrap for hand size, the extended beavertail is not part of the backstrap. This is a welcome upgrade for those who want the protection of the beavertail without needlessly thickening the grip.

Placing the Gen 6 in my hand, the first thing I noticed was the lack of feeling like I’d picked up a piece of lumber. As I applied pressure to the grip, I felt the beavertail locking in and protecting the webbing of my hand.

The whole experience is greatly improved over previous generations. While at Glock’s facility in Georgia, I learned the company analyzed 500,000 data points of measured hands collected by the US Army since the 1980s.

They used this to begin their search for the best shape and size of the Gen 6 grip, but didn’t stop there. The company also measured the hands of all its employees in Austria and America, adding them to the mix.

The result is a well-rounded grip that has more contact surface with the shooter’s hand. Glock improved the texture on the frame, also, making it a bit more aggressive than the Gen 5.

In addition, the texture covers more of the grip surface and even extends to the forward part of the frame for thumb indexing. The undercut of the trigger guard appears slightly deeper as the guard itself is thinner than the previous generations.

Glock also increased the depth of the divot near the magazine release on both sides. This allows the thumbs better access to the button on both sides.

I’ve been waiting years to say this, but the Gen 6 Glock actually feels good in the hand. You can establish a high grip and mitigate recoil better as a result.

Sights are unimproved, essentially the polymer three-dot setup most folks are accustomed to now. However, the Modular Optic System (MOS) got a refresh.

Now called the Optic Ready System, Glock moved the extractor a bit and dug out a fairly deep channel on top of the slide. Your optic mounts directly to the slide with a small polymer plate sitting between as a shock absorber.

Some people are complaining about this, but other companies like Smith & Wesson have used it. My experience with these polymer plates has been fine and resulted in no problems.

Optics sit pretty low on the slide, though not low enough to co-witness the standard height sights. Plus, Glock includes three of the polymer plates in the box, giving you choices.

Gen 6 magazines are the same and compatible with previous generations. They are polymer, with metal feed lips, double-stacked, and have an orange follower, which is also visible in the round count window.

Slide serrations are slightly more aggressive on the Gen 6, following the overarching theme of tactility. Glock wants you to be able to manipulate the firearm in just about any kind of circumstance.

The Gen 6 G19 still uses the Gen 5 trigger, which, in my opinion, is the best Glock trigger. That doesn’t make it a great trigger.

Glock moved the trigger further back in the housing, reducing the length of pull for shooters. This allows a firmer grip on the trigger or easier reach of the trigger.

Sadly, the Gen 5 trigger is otherwise unchanged. There are a few millimeters of take-up, where you feel the resistance growing, before you hit a defined wall.

The actual break occurs a little after that wall, and the exact moment can lead to anticipation shots, making low or low left hits. Reset is audible, tactile, and happens a few millimeters into the return.

Using a Lyman Digital gauge, I took several measurements and found the trigger broke at an average of 3 pounds, 10 ounces.

The shoe itself is comfortable to use, a flat-faced variety that differs from the traditional curve of previous generations. It features a wider trigger safety that blends better with the shoe.

The slide stop/release feels mostly the same on both sides of the gun. However, fencing around the button has been increased to better prevent accidental activation.

Finally, the magazine release button has been somewhat modified. The button looks a tiny bit shorter, and it has a more pronounced, rounded shoulder toward the front.

In effect, the button looks taller. I suspect this is more related to the deepening of the frame around the button, allowing better ergonomics for thumb activation.

Improvements We’d Like to See

I don’t expect hammer-fired performance here, but there are some wonderful examples of striker-fired pistols with great triggers like the Walther PDP and Canik Rival.

Regardless, Glock triggers are a bit of a rite of passage.

As I described above, I believe accuracy could be improved with either more time on the gun or an improved trigger with a more predictable break, with less room between the wall and actual break.

The only complaint I’d register on the ergonomics is related to my hand size, and not strictly the gun. With the shorter grip of the G19, the heel of my hand can occasionally keep a magazine from dropping freely. Again, this is a me problem.

Who Is the Gen 6 For?

The G19 is an absolute staple in the concealed carry segment because it checks so many boxes. It’s concealable, big enough to shoot well, and has decent capacity.

Glock hallmarks like good accuracy and steadfast reliability also contribute to the package’s total value. The Gen 6 version still holds true to these proven qualities while greatly improving ergonomics.

The G19 may serve as a concealed carry option, but it also works well in professional settings such as the military and law enforcement. It could just as easily defend home, hearth, or vehicle.

By the Numbers

Reliability: 5/5

I fired a few hundred rounds at Glock headquarters and had no malfunctions. On a separate gun at our home range, I tested just over 500 rounds and had perfect reliability.

Ergonomics: 4/5

The rounded grip, undercut trigger guard, extended beavertail, and improved texture go a long way toward addressing one of Glock’s traditional flaws.

Accuracy: 3.5/5

I fired a ten-shot group of AAC practice ammo and a 10-shot group of Nosler defensive ammo at 7 yards. The groups both measured 1.35 inches, so accuracy was good.

Customization: 4/5

The Gen 6 is mostly compatible with older series, though some changes were made that caused some things to be out of spec with previous generations. Magazines and most holsters are compatible, but check with Glock if you have any questions.

Value: 3/5

The Gen 6 Glocks are priced in the $600 range, and this is above average for a compact defensive pistol. However, Glock is very often the benchmark in any category, and there is little doubt, the firearms will outlast us all.

Overall: 4/5

Glock 19 Gen 6

$620

at Palmetto State Armory

Prices accurate at time of writing

$620 at Palmetto State Armory

MidwayUSA (see price)

Guns.com (see price)

GrabAGun (see price)

Upgrades and Accessories for the Gen 6 Glock

An optics-ready pistol deserves a quality red dot. I chose the Vortex Defender ST for this review, and it's a great addition to the Gen 6 G19.

Vortex Defender-ST

$299

at Amazon

Prices accurate at time of writing

$299 at Amazon

Battlehawk Armory (see price)

Brownells (see price)

MidwayUSA (see price)

A solid holster is a great investment in your shooting gear. I used the Alien Gear Rapid Force Holster for this review. It held the G19 securely and drew quickly.

Alien Gear Rapid Force Duty Holster

$159

at Alien Gear Holsters

Prices accurate at time of writing

$159 at Alien Gear Holsters

Protecting our hearing while we hone our skills is crucial. I use Shell Shock protective gear because it works well and is so comfortable, I can wear it all day at the range.

ShellShock Protection EXO PRO Electronic Earmuff

$99

at ShellShock Protection

Prices accurate at time of writing

$99 at ShellShock Protection

How We Tested the Gen 6 Glock 19

I evaluated the Gen 6 G19 for accuracy and reliability over the course of 500 rounds using the following ammunition:

• AAC 115gr FMJ
• AAC 124gr FMJ
• Federal Premium HST 124gr JHP
• Nolser ASP 124gr JHP

Accuracy was tested freehand at a distance of seven yards, firing ten-shot groups. I also shot torso-sized steel at 100 yards, hitting on my second shot.

Speed was tested via multiple target engagement drills, and ergonomics were tested with manipulation drills such as standard and one-handed reloads, in addition to shooting from cover.

Meet the Experts

This review was written by Sean Curtis, Content Producer and Lead Review Analyst for Pew Pew Tactical. Sean spent 22 years in law enforcement in Colorado, where he served as a Patrol Commander, SWAT Team Leader, and firearms instructor for his agency.

During his career, Sean carried multiple Glocks on and off duty. He held certifications in related fields, including 44-Hour POST Certified Handgun Instructor, 40-Hour POST Train-the-Trainer, 40-Hour Handgun Instructor Course (FCPD), CLEFIA Advanced Firearms Instructor Training, 40-Hour NLEFIA Red Dot Instructor, 40-Hour Principles of SWAT, High-Risk Warrant Service Workshop, Basic 40-Hour Tactical Response Course, and Glock Armorer.

Outside of law enforcement, Sean has continued his handgun training, completing Gunsite 250 and Gunsite Team Tactics.

This review was edited by Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings, who runs Pew Pew Tactical’s experienced team of reviewers. Jacki has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years. She uses her extensive professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards. Jacki's second carry pistol was a Glock 19 and her home defense pistol of choice has always been and still is the Glock 17. She has more than a decade's worth of experience with the platform and owns both the Gen 4 and Gen 5 G19s.

Final Verdict On the Gen 6 Glock 19

If you’re shooting an older version of Glock well and running on a tight budget, there’s really no need to upgrade. However, if you’re one of those people who have ergonomic gripes against the Austrian gun goliath, you should upgrade.

The difference is dramatic. The Gen 6 shoots better at speed than previous generations thanks to the improved ergonomics. It’s reliable, accurate, and will last longer than I care to think about.

Those accustomed to Glock triggers will find the Gen 6 familiar, while still appreciating the work done to the frame. This version is one step closer to “Perfection”.

Will you be upgrading to the new Gen 6 Glock? Let us know in the comments below, and for even more Austrian awesomeness, check out Best Glocks: Complete Glock Guide.