We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More \u203a<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Glock pistols are a bit of a paradox. Everyone knows about them. (Unless you live under a rock, how could you not?) But ask someone to explain the Glock handgun line by model, generation, caliber, and use, and you\u2019re going to end up with a lot of blank stares. If you\u2019re trying to select the best one for you or someone else it\u2019s pretty important to have a grasp on the company\u2019s ecosystem.<\/p>\n It doesn\u2019t help that Glock pistols have a sameness to their look that blurs the lines between one model and the next. Or a numbering methodology that has zero bearing on the pistol\u2019s cartridge or intended use. The fact that Glock has overlapping generations pistols still in production doesn\u2019t help clear things up either.<\/p>\n Fear not. We\u2019re going to break down the best Glock pistols in the lineup so you can become an expert on the Austrian wondergun, looking at them by model, frame size, caliber, and intended use. We\u2019ll also help you figure out the optimal Glock handgun for your needs, whether you\u2019re looking for something for concealed carry, home protection, bear defense, or competition.<\/p>\n Jump to:<\/strong><\/p>\n Best Full-Sized (for now): Glock G17<\/a> First, what is a Glock? In short they are polymer framed, striker fired pistols originally manufactured in Austria and imported to the U.S. in 1986. It was the first commercially successful pistol with an injection molded polymer frame and the handgun world has never been the same.<\/p>\n While at first glance all the Glock pistols look like they\u2019re made from the same cookie cutter, there are subtle and major differences between the models and latest generation of these handguns, as well as some configurations you may not be aware of. Let\u2019s take a closer look.<\/p>\n Model Numbers: Glock\u2019s model numbering nomenclature may seem arcane, but it\u2019s actually quite simple; It\u2019s sequential. That\u2019s it. It\u2019s literally just sequential in the order of model introduction. It has nothing to do with magazine capacity, cartridge, frame size, etc. For instance, the G48 is the 48th<\/sup> model of Glock pistol introduced to the commercial or military\/law enforcement market.<\/p>\n Unless you want something really weird or really small you can have a Glock in just about any pistol cartridge you want. They are available in .22LR, .380ACP, 9mm, .357Sig, 10mm, .45 GAP (Glock Auto Pistol), .45 ACP, and yes even .40 S&W if you\u2019re still one of the malcontents interested in that cartridge. As you might suspect there are more models available in 9mm than any other cartridge, but there are plenty of offerings in the other chamberings as well.<\/p>\n Glock has relatively intuitive nomenclature for their frame sizes. Standard, Compact, Subcompact, Competition and Long slide.<\/p>\n One caveat in the Glock model lineup are the \u201cX\u201d models. These will pair a compact or subcompact slide with the next size up frame.<\/p>\n MOS stands for Modular Optics System. Models with an MOS designation have the slide cut to accept optics via a series of plates that come with MOS pistols. These plates are adapters to allow mounting the most popular micro red dot sights like the Trijicon RMR, Leupold Delta Point, various Holosuns, etc. Think of the MOS plates as scope mounts specific to the most popular micro red dots on the market.<\/p>\n Glock pistols are now in their 5th<\/sup> generation. The Gen 3 and Gen 4 pistols are still available from the factory. There were only minor differences between the 3rd<\/sup> and 4th generations, but there are significant differences between the 5th<\/sup> generation and what came before. The Gen 5s have the following improvements:<\/p>\n So, unless you\u2019re unless you have a finger groove fetish, go with a Gen 5 if it\u2019s available in the model and caliber you want.<\/p>\n Ok, here\u2019s where things get a bit messy, but we can clean it up. Let\u2019s look at what\u2019s available by cartridge, starting with the most popular, the 9X19mm. Models listed are Gen 5 unless noted otherwise.<\/p>\n The Glock G17 is the model that started it all here in the U.S<\/a>., and it\u2019s going away. Yes, that\u2019s right, Glock is going to replace the G17 with another model of 9mm, the Glock G47. It was developed earlier, thus being out later than the G48, but wasn\u2019t available commercially until now. Basically it\u2019s a G17 but with a slightly shorter frame at the accessory rail area, and the guide rod ring on the slide is longer to take up the space.\u00a0 This is so you can mix and match slides and frames with a G19 to create a \u201clong slide\u201d G19MOS (G47 slide on G19 frame), or a G19X MOS. In addition to the new G47 you can get every type of Glock pistol available in 9mm. As a bonus if you have a pistol caliber carbine it like almost assuredly takes Glock magazines.<\/p>\n Read Next<\/strong>: Best 9mm Ammo<\/a><\/p>\n Though the .40 S&W isn\u2019t nearly as popular as it once was\u2014the arguments for the cartridge are less valid than they once were\u2014Glock still offers a variety of models.<\/p>\n Will the .357 Sig outlast the .40 S&W? It just might. Until we find out, here are the Glocks you can get in this zippy little bottlenecked pistol cartridge.<\/p>\n Glock has more models of 10mm than any other pistol manufacturer with some real standouts. Recently Outdoor Life determined that a 10mm auto is a better bet against bears than even the vaunted .44 Mag. Currently all Glock 10mm pistols are Gen4 configurations.<\/p>\n Yes, the .45 Auto (aka .45 ACP) is America\u2019s cartridge but it will be dead and buried long after the 9mm is still soldiering on. That said, if you just gotta have your pistol stoked with fatties, Glock has you covered with a decent selection of pistols configurations. All .45 Auto Glock pistols are Gen 4 models.<\/p>\n The .45 G.A.P. was developed to give .45 Auto ballistics in a cartridge that would fit into the same size frame as the 9mm Glocks (the G20 and G21 have larger grips to accommodate the double stack magazines of the .45 Auto and 10mm Auto). If you really like the .45 Auto ballistics but want a bit smaller pistol, this might be the cartridge for you. All .45 G.A.P. pistols are Gen 3 models.<\/p>\n The G42 is the Mini Me in the Glock lineup. It\u2019s listed under their Subcompact category, but really, it\u2019s more in the \u201cmicro\u201d category. While it\u2019s a bit big for a pocket pistol, it is still works for that method of carry<\/p>\n If you want or need a training pistol exactly dimensioned like your G19, the G44 is for you. It dimensionally almost identical to the G19 series but holds 10 rounds of 22LR.<\/p>\n Read Next:<\/strong> Best Handguns of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n To cut to the chase, here are the top Glocks for each of these end-user categories. As you\u2019ll see in the rest of the article, there are variations on each Glock pistol listed that might offer features more suited to your specific needs, but these Glocks form a solid foundation to start from.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n The Glock G17 is still the standard by which all full-sized striker-fired polymer-framed duty pistols are judged. That said, 2023 brings a notable upgrade to the G17 format with the commercial release of the Glock G47, which is poised to replace the G17 in the Glock handgun lineup.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n Fingers crossed, we should be able to purchase the G47 MOS any day now, but as of this writing it was still exclusively reserved for law enforcement, most notably for Customs and Border Protection (CBP)<\/a> which announced a contract for the G47 more than three years ago.<\/p>\n This pistol is going to replace the G17 in the company\u2019s lineup, which represents a major shift from the handgun that put Glock on the map all those years ago. It is essentially a Gen 5 G17 in its dimensions but has as slide cut to fit on G19 rails. This raises the prospect of assembling a long-slide Glock on a short G19 frame\u2014a configuration shooters have requested for many years.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n The G19 in Gen 5 trim strikes the best balance between a concealable pistol with excellent capacity (15 rounds standard), handling and reliability\u2014all at a good price. The modular backstrap system allows the pistol to be quickly tailored for shooters with any sized hands and the Gen 5s are lefty-friendly.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n The G45 MOS combines a compact slide with a full-sized frame in a Gen 5 configuration. The MOS system allows for easy mounting of red-dot reflex sights. The G45 comes with 17-round magazines, but can be outfitted with mags that take 19, 24, 31 and 33 rounds. For many Glock enthusiasts the G45 MOS is the ultimate hybrid crossover.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n The G20 is a well-balanced 10mm Auto that works well for hunting and for protection against bears. You can trick out a G20 for bear defense, or if you don\u2019t mind the extra barrel length, go with the optics-ready G40 MOS Long Slide.\u00a0<\/p>\n Read the Best Bear Defense Handguns<\/a> to learn more about choosing a pistol for bear country. <\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n As an all-around pistol for various practical handgun competitions, the G17 MOS is tough to beat. It\u2019s available in either Gen 4 or Gen 5 configurations and can accept magazines with a wide range of capacities. If you\u2019re only going to run iron sights, then the G17L with a long slide is worth looking at.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n If you\u2019re looking to rock this classic self-defense round, the G30 SF is the top selection in the company\u2019s lineup. The SF has a shortened frame with reduced grip dimensions\u2014for shooters with smaller hands or those wanting more concealability\u2014yet packs 10 rounds of .45 Auto into a magazine.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n Time was the standard G19 would be a shoo-in for this category, but it is clear the trend toward optics-ready pistols is here to stay. With that in mind the Glock G19 MOS, which comes with multiple mounting plates for various reflex sights, is the way to go. The only downside to the MOS versus the original is the higher price tag.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n For concealment and all-day carry comfort the G43X really shines. Despite its slim frame, the G43X carries 10 rounds of 9mm. It has no finger grooves in the grip and a minimalist profile. \u00a0With its 3.41-inch barrel it is just over a pound (18.7 oz.) with an empty magazine.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n The G44 mimics the dimensions of the G19 and has a 10-round capacity. Geared toward first-time gun owners and those looking for a dedicated trainer, the G44 is the ultimate Glock plinker.<\/p>\n For the longest time, if you had to pick one pistol to represent the quintessential Glock, it would have been the original G17, which was introduced back in 1986. But in 2023 Glock is making the G47 available for commercial sale, which is basically the G17 updated to be more modular while incorporating Glock Gen 5 features. So even though it won\u2019t be widely available for a bit, the G47 is going to dethrone the G17 as the best Austrian wondergun.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n If you wanted to assemble the ultimate group of Glock pistols, here\u2019s what we suggest: Adding after-market triggers is one of most common and popular upgrades on these pistols. The best Glock trigger<\/a> depends on your needs. Apex Action makes one that is very budget friendly. The Timney Alpha Competition series is popular with competitive shooters. While the Zev Pro Ultimate kit is the best complete trigger replacement.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n While the G19 is the default best Glock for concealed carry, you can see that Glock has a lot more to offer than their ubiquitous 9mms. Their cartridge selection combined with pistol configurations do in fact have something from almost any need, from deep concealment to hunting and even bear defense.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n The Glock Universe Explained<\/a>
Glock Pistols By Cartridge<\/a><\/p>\n
Best Glock You Can\u2019t Own (Yet): Glock G47 MOS<\/a>
Best for Concealed Carry: Glock G19 Gen 5<\/a>
Best Optics-Ready for Self Defense: Glock G45 MOS<\/a>
Best 10mm: Glock G20<\/a>
Best for Competition: Glock G17 MOS<\/a>
Best .45 ACP: Glock G30 SF<\/a>
Best Compact: Glock G19 MOS<\/a>
Best Subcompact: Glock G43X<\/a>
Best Rimfire: Glock G44<\/a>
FAQs<\/a><\/p>\n<\/ol>\nThe Glock Universe Explained<\/h2>\n
Cartridges<\/h3>\n
![\"Glock](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/01\/10\/glocksizes.jpg\")
Frame Sizes<\/h3>\n
\n
X Factor<\/h3>\n
Modular Optics System (MOS)<\/h3>\n
![\"Best](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/01\/10\/glock-field-strip.jpg\")
Generation (Gen 5 vs. Gen 4): <\/h3>\n
\n
Glock Pistols By Cartridge<\/h2>\n
![\"Best](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/01\/10\/DSC01400-scaled.jpg\")
9X19mm<\/h3>\n
\n
.40 S&W<\/h3>\n
\n
.357 Sig.<\/h3>\n
\n
![\"10mm](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/01\/10\/DSC01397-scaled.jpg\")
10mm Auto<\/h3>\n
\n
.45 ACP<\/h3>\n
\n
.45 G.A.P. (Glock Auto Pistol)<\/h3>\n
\n
.380 Auto<\/h3>\n
.22 LR<\/h3>\n
What Is The Best Glock?<\/h2>\n
Best Full-Sized (for now): Glock G17<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Glock](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/01\/10\/glock-17-1.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
\n <\/figure>\nBest Glock You Can\u2019t Own (Yet): Glock G47 MOS<\/h3>\n
![\"Glock](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/01\/11\/Glock-47.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
\n <\/figure>\n![\"Glock](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/01\/11\/Glock-frames-underside-curves-adjusted-scaled.jpg\")
![\"Glock](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/01\/11\/DSC01453-scaled.jpg\")
Best for Concealed Carry: Glock G19 Gen 5<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Glock](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/01\/10\/glock-19-gen5.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
\n <\/figure>\nBest Optics-Ready for Self Defense: Glock G45 MOS<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Glock](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/01\/10\/G45-mos.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
\n <\/figure>\nBest 10mm: Glock G20<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Glock](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/01\/10\/glock-20.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
\n <\/figure>\nBest for Competition: Glock G17 MOS<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"glock](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/01\/10\/glock-17-mos.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
\n <\/figure>\nBest .45 ACP: Glock G30 SF<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Glock](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/01\/10\/glock-30.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
\n <\/figure>\nBest Compact: Glock G19 MOS<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"glock-19-mos\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/01\/10\/glock-19-mos.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
\n <\/figure>\nBest Subcompact: Glock G43X<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Glock](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/01\/10\/glock43x.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
\n <\/figure>\nBest Rimfire: Glock G44<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"glock](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/01\/10\/glock44.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
\n <\/figure>\nFAQs<\/h2>\n
Which Is Considered the Best Glock?<\/h3>\n
What Are The Top 5 Best Glocks?<\/h3>\n
Glock G19 MOS (Most versatile)
Glock G47 (Top full sized)
Glock G20 (Ideal for hunting, bear protection and wilderness carry)
Glock G43X (Single-stack for deep concealment)
Glock G44 (Rimfire trainer and plinker)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nWhat Is The Best Glock Trigger?<\/h3>\n
Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n