Glock pistols are everywhere—from duty holsters to nightstands to concealed carry rigs. And while some models get a ton of hype, not all of them actually live up to it. On the flip side, there are a few Glocks that barely get mentioned but honestly deserve more credit. Whether you’re looking to buy your first Glock or just tired of hearing the same ones praised, here’s a no-nonsense look at which models are overrated and which ones are flying under the radar.
Overrated: Glock 19X
The Glock 19X looks cool in coyote tan, but let’s be honest—it’s kind of a weird fit for most people. The full-size grip with a shorter slide makes it harder to conceal than a G19 and more awkward than a G17. It’s great for open carry or duty use, but it’s often hyped as the “best of both worlds” when that’s not really the case for most folks.
A lot of people buy the 19X expecting perfection, but end up wishing they had something either more compact or full-sized. It’s not a bad gun, but it gets more praise than it probably deserves.
Overrated: Glock 44
The idea of a .22LR Glock sounds great—cheap ammo, low recoil, same feel as a duty gun. But the execution? Not great. The G44 has been hit with reliability issues, especially with bulk ammo, and that defeats the whole point of training with it.
Plenty of rimfire pistols are more dependable and cost less. It might match the G19 in size, but if it can’t run consistently, it’s not doing you much good.
Overrated: Glock 42
The Glock 42 is lightweight and small, but .380 ACP isn’t exactly everyone’s first choice for carry. It’s often pitched as a great backup gun, but there are 9mm pistols just as small that pack more punch and offer better magazine capacity.
For the size, a lot of folks end up wishing they went with something a bit more capable. It’s comfortable to shoot, but there’s not a lot of practical upside compared to other options.
Underrated: Glock 45
The Glock 45 might look like the 19X’s twin, but it fixes some of the awkwardness. It has front slide serrations, a more refined grip texture, and uses Glock’s latest Gen 5 internals. If you’re open carrying or using it for duty, it’s one of the best-shooting Glocks out there.
It doesn’t get the same attention as the 19X, but many shooters who give it a try end up keeping it in rotation. It balances really well and feels great in the hand.
Underrated: Glock 26
The G26 kind of fell out of favor once single-stack and micro-compacts got popular, but it’s still a solid option. It holds 10 rounds flush and takes larger mags without issue. For people who carry with a spare mag, that’s a plus.
It’s chunky compared to newer slim guns, sure—but it’s also soft-shooting, reliable, and just plain easy to trust. A lot of folks overlook it these days, but it still holds its own.
Underrated: Glock 17L
This long-slide Glock is a range monster that barely gets talked about. It’s too big for most carry setups, but if you like shooting steel or getting tight groups, the 17L is a great pick. The extra barrel length makes a real difference.
You won’t see it in gun store displays too often, but people who own them rarely let them go. It’s one of Glock’s quiet performers.
Underrated: Glock 43X
The G43X quietly became one of the best carry guns Glock makes. It’s slim, easy to conceal, and with aftermarket mags like the Shield Arms S15, you can carry 15 rounds in a tiny package. That’s a big deal for everyday carry.
It doesn’t get the same fanfare as some other models, but it checks a lot of boxes. Light, accurate, and adaptable—it’s kind of the Glock that just works without a lot of fuss.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
