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 compa