The Glock 45 doesn’t get enough credit. A lot of folks look at it and assume it’s just a mashup of the 17 and the 19. Technically, that’s true—it pairs a full-size grip with a compact slide—but once you spend time shooting it, you realize it’s not a compromise at all. It’s the better shooter. It carries easier than a 17, runs steadier than a 19, and handles recoil like it was made for serious work. If you’ve ever tried to find a carry gun that feels right without giving up shootability, this one answers that call. There’s a reason so many professionals have switched over. It makes both the 17 and the 19 feel like stepping stones.
The grip gives you full control
One of the biggest complaints about the 19 is that your pinky has nowhere to go. With the G45, you get the same full-size grip as the 17, which means all your fingers have a home. That extra grip surface makes a difference when you’re trying to manage recoil, especially under stress. You can get a stronger firing grip right out of the holster, and it stays locked in. Whether you’re wearing gloves or shooting in the rain, the longer frame gives you leverage you won’t find on the 19. For folks with larger hands, it’s a no-brainer—it just fits better.
The shorter slide carries easier
The compact slide from the 19 is what gives the G45 its edge when it comes to carry. The shorter barrel clears the holster faster, rides lower on your belt, and doesn’t poke into your seatback while driving. That little bit of length off the front end makes all-day carry less of a hassle. It points quick and handles well in tight quarters, but you’re not sacrificing much in velocity or sight radius either. It’s a smoother draw without giving up control. If you’ve ever tried carrying a 17 in an appendix rig, you already know why this matters.
It’s better balanced when shooting fast
The 45’s combination of a full-size frame and compact slide gives it a different feel under recoil. There’s less muzzle weight dragging the front down, which helps keep your sights returning faster. And because your grip is stronger and more stable, the gun doesn’t roll around in your hands between shots. You can run double taps and controlled pairs with more confidence, and your splits will tighten up without trying so hard. It’s the kind of balance that makes you want to shoot more, because it feels natural. The 17 and 19 both have their quirks here—the 45 fixes that.
The mag compatibility makes sense
Because the Glock 45 uses the full-size 17 frame, it takes all your standard Glock 17 and 34 mags without any baseplate gaps or extensions. That’s a big deal when you’re running drills or rotating through older mags. No pinched fingers, no loose fits. You can drop in a 33-rounder if you want to and not worry about feeding issues. It also plays nice with all your duty gear and mag pouches. With the 19, you’re constantly dealing with short mags or plastic sleeves. The G45 keeps things consistent—and that consistency matters when you’re reloading under pressure.
Gen5 features actually make a difference
The G45 isn’t just a hybrid frame setup—it’s got all the Gen5 upgrades baked in. You get the flared magwell for quicker reloads, the front slide serrations for press checks, and the improved nDLC finish that holds up better to grime and holster wear. The trigger feels cleaner, and the barrel’s been reworked for better accuracy. And yes, it’s still a Glock—so it’s easy to maintain, easy to upgrade, and hard to break. It takes all the rough-edged features from earlier generations and smooths them out in a platform that feels built for real-world use.
It plays well with optics and lights
Glock released an MOS version of the G45 that makes it easy to mount a red dot without needing a gunsmith. That’s not something every 17 or 19 model offered when they first came out. More shooters are moving to optics these days, and the G45 MOS lets you get there without buying an aftermarket slide. The dust cover has enough rail space for lights or lasers too, so you can run it as a full-duty setup or a home defense rig. And because it’s a Gen5, you get ambi slide stops, which helps if you’re shooting support side or swapping between shooters.
It’s become the choice for serious users
A lot of law enforcement agencies and special units have ditched the 17 and 19 in favor of the Glock 45. That’s not a marketing push—it’s based on performance. They want something that carries well, shoots fast, and doesn’t beat them up during long training days. The G45 checks all those boxes. It didn’t catch on with civilian shooters right away because it seemed like a weird middle ground. But now, more folks are realizing it’s not the middle—it’s the sweet spot. If you’re picking one Glock to do everything, this one deserves a long look.
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*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
