Glock handguns have been a go-to sidearm for American police officers and other owners for several years. Operating and maintaining them is reasonably uncomplicated, but more importantly, this sidearm is reliable whenever the user’s or someone else’s life is on the line. What’s more, Glocks are not as expensive and are quite durable, particularly when you compare them with metal-framed handguns. Today, we’ll dig into the Glock 45.
If you are looking for a simple firearm that offers simple pointing and shooting functionality, a Glock 45 would be ideal. You will not need to contend with a de-cocker or external safety. Things like these might seem insignificant but can become surprisingly tricky, especially under duress. Once again, simplicity is vital, particularly if you do not have enough experience or training using a firearm.
There have been several Glock models over the years. Initially, police officers used Gen 3, which they replaced with the Glock five after a decade. The Glock 17 and 19 were, and in some cases, still are popular. The Glock 17 had a seventeen round magazine capacity with a barrel of almost five inches. On the other hand, the Glock 19 was more compact. It had a fifteen round magazine capacity and a barrel of four inches. After some time, Glock released the Glock 45. You could say that it’s a cross between the Glock 19 and Glock 17.
Designers fused the best elements of the previous Glock models to create the Glock 45. Some gun aficionados claim that it could arguably be the best handgun available these days. The model combines Glock 17s smooth grip and Glock 19s barrel length, making it an excellent choice for every user. The long grip and short barrel combine to create a balanced, high-quality handgun.
What Makes the Glock 45 Stand Out?
As discussed earlier, it would be fair to call the Glock 45 as Glock 19s close cousin. Besides its jet black color, the Glock 45 sports front serrations, a flared magwell, Gen 5s internal features, and the new-gen marksman barrel. The short sight radius on this gun is impeccable. You can mark your target quickly and shoot with accuracy.
What’s more, Glock spoke to its valued law enforcement customers before designing this model. Officers and detectives need quick and efficient firearms. Therefore, their input was valuable for creating this outstanding handgun. It is functional, and most importantly, easy to handle.
Quite a lot of long-time users wanted to see what the hype was all about and put this handgun to the test. They shot the Glock 19, Glock 17, and Glock 45 side by side to notice which one was most efficient. Most of them selected this newcomer.
What About Its’ Ergonomics?
Ergonomics are a critical aspect of every handgun. If you have trouble holding or carrying your piece, it would be best to look for other options. With that said, the Glock 45 has outstanding balance – thanks to its full-sized grip. Contrary to most pistols, this one is not front-heavy, which is a big plus in virtually every user’s book.
There are no finger-grooves on this gun, and it is noticeable. However, considering other outstanding features, it would be best not to obsess over the absence of finger-grooves. Also, the front serrations are quite handy when racking the pistol’s slide.
Carrying this Glock model is quite comfortable. What’s more, there is no need to replace your Glock 19 holster as the Glock 45 will easily fit into it.
Reliable and Accurate
Some of you might not know this, but there is a bit of fanboy culture surrounding Glocks. Does that mean that it is a subpar firearm? Not at all! However, some people do tend to create too much hype around it. Despite that, professionals from different parts of the globe rely on various Glock models for protection, and it is for a good reason. Most importantly, they are more accurate and reliable than pistols from other brands.
The Glock 45s shot is quite flat, which is quite surprising considering that it’s a crossover pistol. Its high accuracy will astound you, especially if you do not use your gun frequently. It will reduce and could even eliminate “lobstering” habits. For those who don’t know, “lobstering” a firearm means to keep tightening your grip until you pull the trigger. It is not the correct way to shoot. Instead, your grip should be consistent throughout.
First-time users who want to blow off steam at the shooting range should consider this handgun. It would help if you also used it for training courses as its pin-point accuracy will improve your confidence, helping you learn various shooting techniques quickly.
Putting it To the Test
Shooting accuracy tests are vital to determine how good a gun works. Thankfully, plenty of pros took this handgun to the range to see whether the Glock 45 is worth the hype. Virtually all of them were successfully able to hit the head and torso without many complications. The G 45 has Glock’s proprietary marksman barrel. It is an excellent combination of Glock’s standard and polygonal rifling.
People who tested this weapon shot about one thousand rounds. While it is not a tough test for most combat pistols, it helps you determine the gun’s longevity. Most shooters concluded that the Glock 45 holds up quite well and could last a lifetime with frequent maintenance. Most testers utilized full-metal jacketed ammunition during this test, as it is less costly than other options.
However, it would be ideal to use defensive ammunition of your preference before heading out. Some people recommend using the highly-acclaimed Federal HST and Federal Hydra-Shok.
What about the Build?
The Glock 45 combines a standard slide size that features front serrations with a Gen 5 frame style. Some would say that this gun has similar Gen 5 features and structure as the acclaimed 19X. The finish from the Glock nDLC is arguably the most notable enhancement from Gen 5. For those who do not know, this is an exclusive finish in Glock’s production process that uses ion-bonding. It helps reduce scratching and corrosion.
What’s more, it also makes the weapon more functional in adverse conditions. Glock 45 has a remarkable flare magwell design. You will face no trouble funneling the magazine and changing it will become simple too.
The side stop lever is arguably the best addition in the Glock 45. It is ambidextrous and allows gun owners to comfortably, safely, and quickly handle the slide regardless of whether they are left or right-handed.
A Closer Look at the New and Improved Marksman Barrel
As most aficionados expected, this Glock model had an improved marksman barrel. It offers better chamber specs, target crown, and aggressive rifling to improve your shooting accuracy. Some individuals tried running this barrel with Gen 5 guns, and the difference was immediately noticeable.
Absence of Finger Grooves
As discussed earlier, this Glock model does not have finger grooves. It is similar to various other Gen 5 relatives in this regard. Some would argue that the lack of hand grooves will make for an uncomfortable grip. However, it’s the opposite as shooters noticed a significant improvement despite the grooves’ absence.
What Makes the Glock 45 Stand Out from Glock 19X
You will notice some subtle differences between the Glock 19 X and Glock 45 upon scrutinizing this model. While it still resembles the frame of a Glock 17 (full size,) the Glock 45 also provides a hybrid of Gen 5 and Gen 4 details. Of course, the first thing you will notice about this gun is its color. It is vastly different from the Glock 19X, which has a flat dark earth finish.
The Glock 45 does not have a U-shaped notch on its front strap, close to its magazine well. However, it does have a decent magwell flare, which is absent in the Glock 19 X. Most importantly, the grip’s overall texture did not feel as aggressive as the uncomfortable polynoid texturing on the 19 X.
Excellent for First-Timers
Are you still mulling over whether you should buy a gun? Well, it is time to stop thinking and start taking action. We are living in uncertain times where things happen unexpectedly. There have been hundreds of incidents that prove the importance of personal protection wherever you go. Therefore, it would be best to purchase a high-quality gun that is also beginner-friendly. Its ergonomics design, lightweight, and pin-point accuracy are ideal for first-time gun users.
Take it to a gun range or your shooting course, and the Glock 45 will help you learn things quickly. What’s more, you will not require a different sidearm once your training is complete. Quite a lot of police officers use the Glock 45 as their go-to firearm. Most of them immediately replaced their previous guns with this model, which shows why this handpiece is a masterpiece.
The Bottom Line
So, whether you’re a seasoned shooter or a first-timer, buy this gun without any reservations. You will love the Glock 45’s ergonomics, flat shooting, and recoil’s forgiving nature. Users will also appreciate the new Marksman barrel, and the excellent accuracy it offers. If the Glock 45 isn’t quite your speed, you can also check out our other Glock reviews, including the Glock 19, 26, 29, and 30. We love the Glock brand at OnlineCHP, and have reviewed quite a few of them in our day!