{"id":66229,"date":"2021-10-13T07:00:25","date_gmt":"2021-10-13T13:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/?p=66229"},"modified":"2023-03-24T09:28:34","modified_gmt":"2023-03-24T14:28:34","slug":"glock-45-all-about-the-g45","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/glock-45-all-about-the-g45\/","title":{"rendered":"Glock 45: All About the G45"},"content":{"rendered":"

They\u2019re phrases uttered at your local gun store and posted on social media: \u201cmy Glock Forty,\u201d \u201cmy Glock 9,\u201d \u201cmy Glock 45.\u201d Usually, they\u2019re decipherable even when the lack of a proper model name drags at you like fingernails on a Glock-y chalkboard, but what about that last one? What is a Glock 45? What is the point of the Glock 45? Wait, do you mean the model or the caliber\u2026and which caliber? This is where we answer those questions. Keep going to learn about the Glock 45, 45, and 45.<\/p>\n

\"Glock
Glock 45 (Photo: Glock): one of several Glock 9mm models<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

History<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Glock 45 \u2014 and here we speak of this article\u2019s focus, the specific model \u2014 isn\u2019t chambered in any type of 45 at all, it\u2019s chambered in 9x19mm. This gun is considered a crossover between a compact and full-size gun, a fact made clear by the full-size frame and compact slide. It was created after the 19X was successfully debuted in 2018 and although it was designed with the needs of law enforcement officers in mind you, too, can get your 9mm-loving hands on one.<\/p>\n

\"Sig
No, that isn’t a Glock. The U.S. Army decided to replace their standard issue Berettas and Glock took a shot at it with their 19 MHS but Sig ended up winning the contract in the end. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Capt. Charlie Emmons.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So, how does the G45 differ from the G19X?<\/h2>\n

The most obvious-yet-slightly-vague explanation is that the G19X was made with the military in mind but the G45 was made for law enforcement. In reality, the 19X is the civilian result of Glock\u2019s attempt to win the U.S. Army\u2019s Modular Handgun contract.<\/p>\n

Glock\u2019s 19 MHS (modular handgun system) ended up losing out to Sig\u2019s 320 MHS so the company decided to modify it for us mere mortals, releasing the 19X with a few changes from the 19 MHS.  One change was the removal of the manual safety that had been required by the military for all pistols under consideration for the contract.  Another issue was the FDE finish of the 19X, rendering it that lovely dirty shade you either love or hate. FDE wasn\u2019t \u2014 isn\u2019t \u2014 ideal for law enforcement and isn\u2019t widely loved by the general public, either. In addition, the 19X has a lanyard loop while the G45 does not, and the G45 has front slide serrations (the 19X does not).<\/p>\n

The G45 was designed for open carry. It\u2019s difficult to conceal that full-size frame for most gun owners \u2014 and made for faster use and deployment. If you\u2019re thinking the military would probably benefit from quicker use and rapid target acquisition you are correct, but the military did put restrictions on the MHS handguns which meant Glock\u2019s gun hands were tied with the 19X. They rectified those issues with the G45.<\/p>\n

To Summarize<\/h3>\n

The G45 came about later in 2018, it does have significant differences from the 19X, and its most likely use is for open carry.<\/p>\n

\"Glock
Don’t confuse the G45 with this G19X. Among other things the G19X is FDE\/Coyote Brown and it has a lanyard loop. (Photo: Glock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Glock 17, 19X, and 45 Specs<\/strong><\/h3>\n

For those guys who claim the G17 is just as good as the G19X and the G19X is just as good as the G45, a comparison:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
MODEL<\/td>\nGlock 17<\/td>\nGlock 19X<\/td>\nGlock 45<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Caliber<\/td>\n9x19mm<\/td>\n9x19mm<\/td>\n9x19mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Overall Length<\/td>\n8.03 inches<\/td>\n7.44 inches<\/td>\n7.44 inches<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Slide Length<\/td>\n7.32 inches<\/td>\n6.85 inches<\/td>\n6.85 inches<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Barrel Length<\/td>\n4.49 inches<\/td>\n4.02 inches<\/td>\n4.02 inches<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Slide Width<\/td>\n1.0 inch<\/td>\n1.0 inch<\/td>\n1.0 inch<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight (Empty)<\/td>\n24.87 ounces<\/td>\n24.83 ounces<\/td>\n24.48 ounces<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Capacity<\/td>\n17 (standard)<\/td>\n17 (standard)<\/td>\n17 (standard)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Line of Sight (Steel)<\/td>\n6.46 inches<\/td>\n5.98 inches<\/td>\n5.98 inches<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Height (with Magazine)<\/td>\n5.47 inches<\/td>\n5.47 inches<\/td>\n5.47 inches<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Trigger Distance<\/td>\n2.83 inches<\/td>\n2.76 inches<\/td>\n2.76 inches<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Taken by numbers alone the specs of these guns may appear so similar as to not matter. The G17 is a little different from the other two, after all, but the 19X and G45 are all but inseparable from a numerical standpoint. However, guns are not comprised of their inches or millimeters alone. There are a host of other features to consider when choosing a firearm and figuring out what fits your hands and needs best.<\/p>\n

Defining Features<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Features of the G45 that set it apart from the 19X include but are not limited to its lack of a lanyard loop, the inclusion of front serrations, and a flared magwell. It\u2019s also black rather than FDE and boasts Gen 5 internal parts and magazines. What does all this mean? I\u2019m glad you asked.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s consider that 19X lanyard loop.<\/h3>\n

Are you really planning to run a length of paracord through a polymer loop at the base of your grip to hang your Glock from your neck? (If you are, please don\u2019t tell me, I don\u2019t really want to know.)<\/p>\n

\"Glock
Are you really going to put your Glock on a lanyard? (Photo: The High Road)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In the real world, a quality holster<\/a> will serve you far better than a lanyard loop. Attempt to justify its existence however you want but that loop serves no real-life purpose.<\/p>\n

Magwell and Magazines<\/h3>\n

The flared magwell of the G45 combined with the gun\u2019s use of Gen 5 magazine<\/a>s, which have slightly extended base plates, allows the shooter to execute smoother, faster magazine changes.<\/p>\n

Yes, your mag change time matters.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve never fumbled or stumbled trying to execute lightning-fast mag changes, more power to you, but having a larger base plate and flared magwell comes in handy for most shooters. They are features that grant you a slight edge and sometimes that hairs-breadth edge means the difference between life and death in a self-defense scenario.<\/p>\n

Front Slide Serrations<\/h3>\n

Front serrations are a point of some debate in the gun world. Some gun owners feel putting serrations right by the muzzle of a gun invites nothing but trouble and fingers overhanging the barrel while others think those same serrations can be lifesavers.<\/p>\n

\"Glock
Front slide serrations on a Glock are perfection to some and anathema to others. (Photo: Glock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Bottom line? There are situations in which having front serrations will benefit you but using them requires practice and attention to safety details. Just as you should not cover the ejection port of the gun with your hand while manipulating the slide or catch a live round being ejected simply to be cool you shouldn\u2019t view front serrations as for funsies. Get proper training and put in the practice time.<\/p>\n

This is also a good time to mention the existence of the Glock 45 MOS. Glock\u2019s MOS line is made to be optics ready; MOS stands for Modular Optic System. That means the slide is milled and ready to take a red dot which is a big pro for a lot of gun owners.<\/p>\n

G45 Performance<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s a Glock. That means it is, as expected, durable, reliable, and tough.<\/p>\n

As it turns out the G45 is also a well-balanced pistol; the combination of that compact slide and full-size frame works well to deliver a pistol that feels good in most hands. There will be cases where a shooter\u2019s hands are too small for the classic double-stack Glocks in general but it seems the G45 works for a broad range of gun owners.<\/p>\n

Thanks to the polygonal barrel and Gen 5 internal parts the G45 does out-perform some of the older-gen Glocks on the market. Shooting from the bench at 25 yards the G45 delivers an average five-shot group size of 2.75-inches. Hornady nailed some of the tightest groups while Federal\u2019s were some of the larger groups.<\/p>\n

This is also a gun that does beautiful rapid-fire work from 10 yards, offhand. As with any gun, practice is required but the G45\u2019s features and tolerances do assist you in creating those life-saving groups at a variety of distances.<\/p>\n

\".45
That’s a .45 ACP and a .45 GAP. The G45 is neither. (Photo: Quora)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

45, 45, or 45?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Here\u2019s the thing about referring to a Glock by its caliber rather than its model name \u2014 not only does it out you as someone lacking experience but it also makes you wrong.<\/p>\n

For example, the G45 is chambered in 9x19mm. It\u2019s the G21 that\u2019s chambered in .45 ACP \u2014 but wait, there\u2019s more.<\/p>\n

You also need to remember the G37 which is chambered in .45 GAP.<\/p>\n

If there doesn\u2019t seem to be any precise rhyme or reason to Glock\u2019s model names that\u2019s because there really isn\u2019t a readily explainable logic. Are they named in order of release? Order of approved patent? Order of design start date regardless of release date? Maybe so but that doesn\u2019t make understanding the numbers any easier for the vast majority of us. You are not alone if you\u2019re wishing for a more outwardly logical model naming system.<\/p>\n

The Glock-Bottom Line<\/strong><\/h2>\n

There\u2019s a reason the G45 is favored by quite a few members of law enforcement over the G17 but that doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re going to love it. The gun that beautifully fits the hands of one shooter won\u2019t necessarily perform to an impressive point for another. It\u2019s all about hand size and purpose.<\/p>\n

What the G45 is, is a well-balanced, reliable pistol chambered in what is currently the most popular caliber on the market (yes, 9mm). It is not a .45 ACP, not the 45th<\/sup> gun ever made by Glock, and not a 45-ounce bludgeon. This is a solid choice for a lot of shooters looking for a good open carry or home defense gun. After all, it\u2019s a Glock, and even if the black-and-blocky aesthetics of the gun don\u2019t appeal to your sense of style, the gun\u2019s consistent cycling and ability to reliably save your life should appeal to your sense of survival.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

What is a Glock 45? How is the G45 different from the G19X? Wait, do you mean the model or the caliber\u2026and which caliber? Let’s clear it up.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":47,"featured_media":66239,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2337],"tags":[2030],"class_list":["post-66229","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gunmagopedia","tag-glock-45"],"small_media_thumbnail":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/gunmag20202.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66229","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/47"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=66229"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66229\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":393036,"href":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66229\/revisions\/393036"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/66239"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=66229"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=66229"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=66229"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}