Today we’re talking about one of the most trusted names in the concealed carry world — the Glock 19 Gen 5 — a pistol that's all about refinement, not reinvention.

Main Themes:
Incremental Changes, Familiar Feel.
If you’ve shot a Glock before, you’ll feel right at home.
The Gen 5 isn’t a radical overhaul — it’s a series of small but smart upgrades:

• No more finger grooves

• Ambi slide stop

• Flared magwell

• New Marksman barrel

• Updated NDLC finish
  “All Glock has done is made the same gun over and over again with tiny differences…” — and for a lot of shooters, that’s exactly what they want.

Reliability — Still Top Tier.
Glock’s calling card remains legendary reliability.
“Overlanding in Western Iraq through Moon dust... the guns just ran.”
But these days, other guns — like the CZ P-10C — are matching that standard too, so Glock’s edge isn’t as sharp as it once was.

Key Upgrades You’ll Notice:

• Absence of finger grooves makes it more hand-size friendly.

• Ambi slide stop is a bonus for lefties.

• Flared magwell helps with faster reloads.

• Marksman barrel is a nice touch — but let's be honest, most shooters aren’t outshooting their barrel anyway.

• Smoother trigger — better than old Glocks, but still not winning awards compared to aftermarket or some competitors.

The Competition Has Caught Up.
The Glock 19 faces stiff competition now:

• Springfield Hellcat Pro — smaller, still high capacity.

• Sig P365 series — game-changer for micro-compacts.

• CZ P-10C — outstanding ergonomics and build.

As one reviewer put it: "The Glock 19 might have been the king, but now there's a whole royal family fighting for the throne."

Aftermarket — Still the King.
One thing Glock still owns? Customization.
It’s the Lego set of handguns.
Whether you want a Gucci Glock or a hardcore duty build, there’s a mod for that — barrels, slides, triggers, you name it.

Quick Specs Recap:

• Barrel: 4.02 inches

• Weight: ~24 ounces unloaded

• Capacity: 15+1

• Sights: Glock plastic sights (but tons of upgrade options)

• Finish: NDLC coating for better durability

• Optics Ready: Only on MOS models (standard Gen 5 is not)

Potential Drawbacks:

• Trigger still isn't as clean as some competitors (but better than older Glocks).

• Stock sights are weak — first thing most people upgrade.

• Price can feel high when newer pistols are packing more features out of the box.

Bottom Line:
The Glock 19 Gen 5 is like the Honda Civic of handguns — dependable, customizable, and hard to kill.
It’s a great starting point if you’re new to concealed carry, and still a reliable workhorse for seasoned shooters.
Sure, the competition is fiercer than ever — but if you want reliability, simplicity, and a path to unlimited upgrades, the Glock 19 Gen 5 still delivers.