Glock 45 vs 19x: Detailed Comparison 2024

Glock 45 and 19X are two very similar-sized pistols designed for the US military service. Both guns are popular because they combine the best functionalities of the G17 and G19, two highly efficient pistols. Choosing a specific Glock is essential for police agencies to set their officers up for duty success. A comprehensive comparison between Glock 45 vs. 19X is thus beneficial to gain insights into the suitability of the firearm. This post examines the crucial features of the Glocks and lists their similarities and differences.

Glock 45 Vs. 19x Size Comparison

Let's first start by comparing the sizes, which will allow you to know which Glock is more suited for concealed carry immediately. There's a slight difference in the size and weight of both models. The G45 is a tad bit lighter than the G19X, weighing 24.48 oz as opposed to 24.83 oz.

There are no differences between the length, height, width, and even the barrel length of the two striker-fired Glocks. The G19X's slide is a combination of the compact slide of a G19 and the full-length grip of a G17. As for G45, it combines the larger G17 Gen 5 frame with a standard G19 slide that has front serrations.

A size comparison of Glock 45 vs. 19X shows that none are designed to prioritize concealability. However, if you wish to carry them discreetly, it is best to use a custom Gun holster.

Differences in Design Features Between the Glock 45 and 19X

There is something unique about the way both the Glock 19X and 45 are built. The Glock 19X's design is an improvement in the features of its predecessors, the G19 and G17. G19X's grip and slide length have been refined for more compact usability. It has the following distinctive features:

• A lanyard loop at the bottom of the grip frame (Absent in G45)
• Maritime spring cups that are helpful during water defense (Absent in G45)
• The newer Gen 5 variants of the G19X have a novel ejector design with a generous ejection port
• 90-degree rear serrations on the slide
• Dehorn bevel around the front parts of the gun's nose
• The slide's coyote finish is in nPVD and not nDLC, which is resistant to corrosion and abrasion
• The pistol has the Glock Marksman Barrel featuring improved polygonal rifling and barrel crown
• The area where the trigger meets the grip has a huge undercut for a comfortable recoil-controlling grasp
• The serrated and reversible magazine release and ambidextrous slide stop
• The G19X comes in a SL version in a color that matches the Streamlight TLR7A light

The Glock 45 is also a crossover of the G19 and 17 and is built to be a quick and effective gun for law enforcement professionals. Its weight is optimally distributed, and the full-sized grip facilitates ease of control. The major design features that make the G45 unique include the following:

• Flared mag well, which makes inserting the magazine during fast magazine changes easier
• Absence of finger grooves for a better grip
• Breech face cut, which prevents the empty case from unwanted movements when extracting live rounds
• Front slide serrations help with press checking
• Ambidextrous slide stop designs and reversible magazine release
• The front part of the gun is beveled for easier re-holstering
• Lon-bonded nDLC finish is resistant to corrosion and scratching
• Glock Marksman Barrel
• The G45 comes in MOS3 (DPP), MOS5 (RMR), MOS6 (Holosun), and MOS7 (Acro P-2) direct mill models.

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Magazine Compatibility Differences Between G45 and G19X

The G19X comes with one standard 17-round and two extended (17+2 rounds) coyote-colored magazines. Note that the pistol has older Gen 4 magazines, making it incompatible with Gen 5 magazines with improved designs. It is only compatible with Gen 4 and earlier Glock G17 magazines.

The Glock 45 has two standard 17-round magazines. You can find many extended (17+2 rds) and other high-capacity magazines for the pistol. It is fully compatible with all generation Glock 17 magazines, including the magazines for Gen 5 G19X.

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Glock 45 Vs 19X - Differences in Performance

The Glock 45 and 19X are known for their durability, accuracy, and shooting performance. However, some variations prevail. If you shoot with the G19X without any backstraps, it will be easy to control the gun. Professional shooters who have fired three back-to-back five-shot groups, with each having 9mm Luger ammunition, found the pistol to be highly accurate. The loads averaged below 1.5 inches at 25 yards. Two loads averaged a whisker over 2.5 inches.

Shooters who used the TulAmmo 115-grain FMJ and fired ten consecutive shots also experienced great accuracy. The loads averaged 1.9 inches, 3.3 inches, and 2.39 inches for five and five-shot groups at a distance of 15 yards.

The high accuracy of G19X results from the longer grip, preventing your pinkie finger from getting between the floorplate and the magazine well-opening. Besides, the G19X points naturally and recoils controllably during rapid-fire drills. This is also due to the longer grip.

G45 fits both small and large hands. The full grip size and the compact G19 slide make recoil smoother. Professionals who tested five five-shot groups at a 25-yard distance found that the load of Critical Duty 135-grain FlexLock gave the best results. The loads averaged 2.5 inches and 1.3 inches. It performed ideally in terminal ballistic testing and through barriers like sheet metal, plywood, wallboard, and vehicle glass. The accuracy of the pistol is also good at a distance of 10 yards, which is often the distance between a police officer and the suspect in the real world. G45 has a manageable recoil impulse, which allows for rapid and accurate fire.

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Differences in Sights and Trigger

The Glock 19X comes with standard night sights. The steel three-dot night sights have the MH3 mark. Its rear sight is drift-adjustable for windage. If you want to modify the elevation, you need to substitute the front sight with those with a different height. You can find 19X with Tritium Night Sights and a treaded barrel, which is called the SILC model.

The G19X has the Enhanced Safe Action trigger, a characteristic of the Gen 5 models in which the trigger, firing pin, and drop safeties disengage sequentially as you pull the trigger. The gun lets you change the trigger pull-weight, which is 5.8 pounds, with the different trigger connectors.

Some may notice their finger contacting the top right and bottom left side of the trigger guard in G19X. This is because of the wide trigger bow and the restricted top-to-bottom clearance within. It makes the top part of the trigger finger beside the nail sore after firing a couple of rounds.

Glock 45 comes with fixed U-notch polymer sights. However, GLOCK offers two other options: durable steel 3-dot sights and steel 3-dot night sights. If you use G45 as a duty pistol, it is recommended to put Ameriglo sights for daytime use as these sights have a vivid orange front-sight dot. When using the gun in low light, mount tritium front sights and rear glow for quick sighting and precise aiming.

The trigger of the G45 weighs 4 lbs., 5 oz, and is designed with the same three safeties as the G19X. The design of the G45's trigger is well-defined and much more improved than the previous Gen 3 and 4 models. Also, the consistent pull facilitates accurate follow-up shots. However, like the G19X, some users may experience some inconveniences.

For some shooters, the trigger guard could be slightly more open to facilitate easier operation with gloves. Still, the design, feel, and working of the trigger is pretty decent.

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Glock 45 Vs 19X - The Final Verdict

The Glock 19X was developed based on the improved Gen 5 architecture and offers many benefits. These include a full-size grip, short barrel, comfortable frame, and a lot of ammo capacity. Put simply, it offers the best of the Glock 17 and 19 models. However, although it is more compact than its famous predecessor, G19, the gun is not meant for concealed carry.

Glock 45 is also a user-friendly pistol chambered in a manageable caliber with a design that ensures a great shooting performance. The front serrations, easy-to-conceal grip, Gen 5 internal improvements, and flared mag well set it apart from the G19X. If you use it with Ameriglo Bold night sights, the accuracy of your shooting will be noticeable. If you want a slightly slimmer and easy-to-conceal gun with a good capacity, G45 will serve you well. Otherwise, you can test both models and find no significant difference that makes one better than the other.