Glock 19X Review: A Military Handgun for Civilians

Today we’re breaking down the Glock 19X — a pistol that’s equal parts beloved and debated within the firearms world.

Main Themes:
Origins — Born From Military Trials.
The Glock 19X started as Glock’s submission for the U.S. Modular Handgun System (MHS) trials.

• Compact 19 slide paired with a full-size 17 frame.

• Coyote brown finish — the first Glock to ship with a factory-colored slide.

Sig Sauer won the MHS contract, but Glock released the 19X to civilians — and it quickly became a hit with a certain crowd.

Design — Short Slide, Long Grip.
You get:

• 4-inch barrel (Glock 19 size)

• Full-size 17 grip for a full hand purchase

• 17+1 capacity (plus 19+1 with extended mags included)

That big grip is super comfortable — but it’s also the main reason some concealed carriers hesitate.

Performance — It Shoots Like a Dream.

• Excellent balance thanks to the short slide and full-size grip.

• Low recoil impulse, super stable.

• Good factory Marksman barrel for tight groups — reviewers saw 2–3.5 inch groups at 25 yards.

• Factory metal night sights — a huge step up over Glock’s usual plastic.

As one fan said: “This is by far my favorite Glock ever created — no questions asked.”

Trigger — Best Factory Glock Yet?
Most agree the Gen 5-style trigger in the 19X is:

• Smoother

• Crisper

• Better reset
  …but it’s still not a match trigger — and some users still call it “mushy” compared to competitors.

Concealed Carry — Mixed Reviews.
The full-size grip makes the 19X harder to conceal than a typical Glock 19.

• For IWB or appendix carry, the shorter slide can actually make it more comfortable when seated.

• But for true deep concealment, the big grip prints more.

Criticisms and Competition.
The Glock 19X catches flak for a few reasons:

• Some say the design feels backward — they’d rather have a longer slide and shorter grip.

• It’s still “just a Glock” — and newer pistols (like the Springfield Echelon or Sig P320 XCarry) offer better triggers, better stippling, optics-ready setups, and modularity — sometimes at the same or lower price.

Updates — Newer Models Now Offer More.

• MOS versions now available (optics-ready).

• Threaded barrel options too.

• These address some original criticisms around feature limitations.

Quick Specs Recap:

• Caliber: 9mm

• Barrel: 4.02 inches

• Capacity: 17+1 (with included 19+1 extended mags)

• Weight: ~24 ounces unloaded

• Sights: Factory metal night sights

• Finish: Coyote brown (PVD coated)

• Frame: Full-size polymer, lanyard loop included

• MOS Version: Now available for optics mounting

Potential Drawbacks:

• Grip size can make concealed carry harder.

• Price can feel steep compared to newer feature-packed competitors.

• Trigger still "okay" by modern standards, not stellar.

• Not Gen 5 mag compatible in some cases due to lip on front of grip.

Bottom Line:
The Glock 19X is a fantastic shooter with legendary Glock reliability, great balance, and a unique place in Glock’s lineup.
If you want maximum shootability, great capacity, and Glock simplicity, it’s hard to beat.
But if you're all about deep concealment or modern modularity, you might find newer guns more attractive for the price.

As one reviewer put it:
"It’s an awesome gun... as long as you understand what you’re getting into."