Glock 19 vs Glock 19x: Similar, But Different

The Glock 19 is a well-known firearm for self-defense, popular among law enforcement, military personnel, and civilians alike. But what’s the deal with the Glock 19X? There appear to be some misrepresentations, confusion, and issues that you may need to be aware of. 

The Glock 19X was initially designed to meet the requirements of an Army contract. Now available to civilians, its main advantage is its “crossover” design, which combines a full-size frame with a compact slide.

So, how does it differ from a standard Glock 19? There are several distinctions. Given that Glock’s different generations can sometimes be confusing, this article will focus on comparing the Glock 19X with a Glock 19 Gen5. We’ll also discuss the differences between the civilian and military versions of the 19X.

Note: While the Glock 19x has a lot of updates that coincide with Gen5 Glocks, it is technically not a gen 5 for reasons such as not being able to run gen 5 magazines without modification to the gun, different spring cups on the striker, a nPVD slide coating instead of nDLC, and no “Gen5” listed on the slide. Glock also does not list the 19x as a Gen 5 on their website. More info on this can be found on GlockCollectorInfo.

Spec Comparison

Glock 19 Gen 5 MOS

• Final Grade : A

Caliber 9mm

Action Striker

Capacity 15+1

Sights Polymer Sights

Optics Ready Yes

Weight (empty) 21.34 oz

Frame Size Glock 19

Height 5.04 in

Slide Size Glock 19

Slide Length 6.85 in

Barrel Length 4.02 in

Slide Serrations Front and Rear

Overall Width 1.06 in

Color Black

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Glock 19X

• Final Grade : A-

Caliber 9mm

Action Striker

Capacity 17+1

Sights OEM Night Sights

Optics Ready No

Weight (empty) 22.05 oz

Frame Size Glock 17

Height 5.47 in

Slide Size Glock 19

Slide Length 6.85 in

Barrel Length 4.02 in

Slide Serrations Front

Overall Width 1.26 in

Color FDE

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Why the Glock 19 vs. Glock 19x?

The naming convention from Glock can be confusing. But these two guns are very similar, and the name indicates that. Lets walk though them and discover the differences between the two and understand why the 19x was created.

The Glock 19 Gen5

The Glock 19 keeps the same dimensions of its previous generations as far as the 19 slide and 19 frame size. However, there are a lot more useful updates given to this Gen5 gun.

The Marksman Barrel

One of the most talked-about features of Gen5 Glocks is the Marksman Barrel. According to Glock armorers, these barrels are incredibly durable and may virtually never need replacement due to wear. The rifling has been updated from polygonal to hexagonal, which Glock claims results in a tighter shooting gun. Additionally, the barrel now features a match-type crown for improved accuracy.

Want to see how these new barrels stack up in terms of accuracy and velocity? Check out this 12-minute video comparing older and newer barrel styles:

Slide Coating

The Gen5’s updated slide finish is called nDLC. While some users report it chipping more easily, others claim it holds up better to holster wear (which is perfectly normal). You’ll immediately notice that the nDLC finish is darker than previous slide coatings, making it an easy visual indicator of a Gen5 Glock (besides the “Gen5” marking on the left side of the slide).

Slide Serrations

Good news for those who love front serrations—they’re now standard on Gen5 guns! Previously, only specific Gen4 models designated “FS” (front serrations) had them. These serrations provide added grip for manipulating the slide, especially helpful for both new and experienced users who prefer to push the slide to the rear using the front of the gun.

Ambidextrous Controls

The Glock 19 Gen5 features ambidextrous controls, including an ambidextrous slide release and an interchangeable magazine release. This means you can easily access these controls from either side of the firearm.

Grooveless Frame and Flared Magazine Well

Say goodbye to finger grooves! The Gen5 features a grooveless, flat frame, a significant improvement from past generations. This design allows you to use your preferred grip style without the gun dictating finger placement. The flared magazine well also makes for easier and faster reloads.

You’ll notice the flared magwells on these Glocks and the distinct baseplates on their magazines. The Gen5 baseplate (shown next to the Glock 19) is thicker, meaning these magazines won’t fit into earlier generation Glocks. Some other baseplates may also not fit.

For the Glock 19X, you might encounter issues fitting extended base pads due to the lanyard loop. If this happens, simply remove the lanyard loop, and your intended magazines and base pads should fit.

Single Pin Design

Gen5 Glocks now feature a single pin takedown design, a change from the previous two pins. This makes takedown much easier, as you only need to remove and install one pin within the frame.

I highly recommend that every Glock owner learn the proper way to field strip their pistol, including the slide. While this is an operator-level task, don’t just jump in. Watch videos and read instructions carefully before attempting takedown to avoid losing any springs (some are under tension) or bending any pins.

Remember, the trigger will need to be pulled after pushing down the takedown levers to fully unseat the slide. Clear the gun with eyes and touch prior to taking down the firearm.

Magazines

Gen5 Glock magazines feature a significant update: their base plates are now thicker than those of previous generations. While the magazine body remains the same, the increased thickness of the base plate, or the bottom of the magazine, provides a more substantial rim. This design improvement allows for easier “tugging” or removal of the magazine if it doesn’t drop freely from the magazine well.

For a detailed comparison of Glock 19 Gen5 and Glock 19X magazines and their compatibility, watch the video below:

The Glock 19X

First things first, to even find this gun on the Glock website you will need to go under the pistol dropdown and click crossover. It isn’t listed under the Gen 5 pistols.

The largest thing that users are loving about the Glock 19X is it being a crossover between two Glocks. The frame of the 19x is a Glock17 frame, or in other words a full size grip. However, the slide is that of a Glock 19, adding more of a compact slide. This enables the user to have the feel and recoil management of a full size gun, without the longer barrel that comes with the Glock 17. The shorter barrel is about a half an inch difference. This makes concealing the gun easier without that longer barrel showing in your pants, but still having a gun that is fun and easy to shoot due to the full size Glock 17 Frame. It’s a hit with a lot of larger framed men.

The 19x comes with night sights already on the gun. This is a huge plus since factory sights from Glock are total dog doo doo. Glock factory sights should be replaced immediately because they can break and drift out of place so quickly. Drifting just means that it will move within the dovetail that it is mounted in without you wanting it to….thus you will now be aiming in a different spot than intended. Night sights or not, aftermarket sights will often sit tighter in that dovetail and won’t move on you unintended.

The Glock OEM night sights with the 3 dot system are not my favorite, but they are better than the original factory sights.

A couple of other features or featureless..

• No front serrations
• Lanyard loop
• Ambidextrous slide release
• Removed finger grooves, smooth grip
• nPVD slide coating
• marksman barrel
• 17-round magazine, two 17+2-round magazines
• Maritime striker spring cups allowing for water dispersion
• Flared magwell

The striker on the top of the photo is out of the Glock19x. This striker features maritime spring cups. You can tell by the little divots/pockets on the black cup near the end of the striker. These pockets allow for water to drain faster if the gun is underwater. These spring cups were only made for the Glock19x and other special missions Glocks. Notice that the Glock19 Gen5 does not have these cups but instead has the standard cups.

Upgrades and Accessories for Glock 19 and 19x

Glock 19 Magazines Glock 19 OEM Magazine 15-Round		Impact-resistant polymer construction Full-length steel insert Numbered witness holes Compatible with compact 9mm models	See Price
Glock 19x Magazines Glock 19x OEM Magazine 19-Round		Durable polymer construction Full-length steel inserts Numbered witness holes High-tensile steel spring Injection-molded polymer follower	See Price
Holster Safariland Level III Retention Duty Holster		ALS and SLS Level 3 retention system Various colors	See Price
Weapon Light Streamlight TLR-1 HL		1,000 Lumens 1.5 Hour Run Time 20,000 candela 283m beam distance	See Price

Civilian VS. Military 19X

Before going any further, let’s talk about requirements from the Army and why the need for the 19x was even a thing.

The Beretta M9 has been in service since 1985. While still a capable handgun, it just wasn’t there as far as modularity and modern capabilities. Coming from a smaller female in the Army, the M9 performed and held up mechanically. However, it was just tough to use. Small hands with a big grip and a 12+lb double action trigger made this thing tough to handle. I had to change my grip to even press the double action trigger. The modular portion in the grip to change the sizing out or even the ability to add a pistol red dot (let’s be real it is 2023, soldiers deserve a dot) was not there on the M9.

This began the Modular Handgun System (MHS) program in finding the right gun to meet Army requirements and standards. The MHS is a system in which the operator finally came first. Many of the standards allowed the operator to switch controls and parts out on the gun to make the gun more user friendly to that specific soldier, no matter the size of him or her.

The parts on the inside of the Glock19 and the Glock19x are the same except for the striker cups. In this photo there are some aftermarket parts on the Glock 19 such as the Kagwerks Extended slide release and the ApexTactical trigger.

These requirements specified that the company submitting their firearm has to enter both a full-size and compact pistol (or one pistol that met requirements for both sizes), an operator’s manual, accessories, and spare parts.

For the pistol specifically, it must have integrated picatinny rail for lights or lasers, an internal and external safety mechanism, adjustability for ergonomics and hand size such as replacing the grips and backstraps, trigger changes, ability to hold 17 rounds, can mount a lanyard, and cannot be single action only (SAO). There were specific requirements based around accuracy, wound channels, and colors of the gun (not black). Thus, the Flat Dark Earth (FDE) colors. There were also performance requirements based on stoppages and round counts.

A few of the guns that were submitted were the Glock 19x, FN 509T, SIG Beretta M9A3, and the SIG P320. Spoiler alert, Glock didn’t win. Fun fact though, Glock also only submitted one pistol that they claimed fit the bill for both the full size and compact requirements.

You can read more on the MHS program here.

Pictured on the left is the FN509T. This was another submission into the Army’s MHS program.

So is the civilian version the same as the one submitted for to the Army? It is not..just barely.

The only difference between the civilian and military submitted versions is that the civilian version lacks the external safety and markings.

What About The Glock 45? 

The Glock 45 has a lot in common with the 19X, but it’s not a 19X. The Glock 45 features a Glock 19-length slide with a Glock 17 grip length. The Glock 45 is a Generation 5 gun with all of the Generation 5 features. This includes compatibility with Generation 5 magazines, front slide serrations, and the single-pin takedown. The guns are very similar, but the difference is more than a finish.

The Differences

Now that you know the differences between the Glock19 Gen5 and Glock19x, what is right for you? Is the Gen5 worth it? Those are all the questions you should decide on based on a few things. What is your need for the gun? Will you be concealing it? If so, what is your body type like and what holster will you be using? Will it be a match gun? Are you willing to replace sights? Is the marksman barrel and other Gen5 aspects such as flared magwells worth the purchase? Do you want serrations on both the front and rear of the gun straight from the factory? And maybe the most important..what color do you like right out of the box, FDE or Black? ;)

Happy shooting!