Looking for opinions/recommendations on the purchaNase of a new Glock handgun. I'm finally retiring completely after nearly 44 years of LE work. When I retired from my first agency, I had purchased a copy of my duty weapon, a Sig Sauer P320 X-Carry. My current agency switched from the G17 to G45 with an Aimpoint Accro late last year. Naturally, I purchased the G17 when we switched, so I have that size covered, but am on the fence of which handgun to look at. The G45 is an easy choice but I've never tried a G19 as of yet and wonder if the slightly shorter butt is enough reason to go that way.

So, for those of you that have tried both or are sold on either one, I'd like opinions and ideas to help make my decision. Or is there some other model that you'd recommend?

Congrats Brother on the retirement.. 44 years is no joke.

What's the intended purpose? New toy? CCW? How do you carry, appendix of 3-4 o'clock?

I have a 17, 19, 26 various generations.. the 19 conceals better than the 17 and 45 since it has a full grip. I personally prefer the full grip and dress around it even in the summer time, but sometimes switch to the 19/26 when it's super hot out and wearing a t-shirt.

I'd suggest finding a range or buddy who has one and try shooting it. I have medium sized hands and still prefer the 17 to carry around.

If it's for CCW, the 19/26 are good choices for double stacked 9mm. Others can comment on the singles stack Glocks.. I don't have any of them so can't comment..

The G45 and G17 are too close to the same size. I believe you’ll appreciate the smaller footprint of the G19 on occasions.

Agreed. I'd go with the G19 in this situation.

As long as the G19 is a Gen 5 it’s almost as good as a G45.

Congrats. 44 years is a lifetime, no joke.

The 19 is considered the epitome of Glock perfection but the smaller 43x and 48 cannot be ruled out either. The gen 5 guns are quite nice and their triggers are better, in my opinion.

I mean the G19 is sort of one of THOSE guns that all gun folks should experience. So I say go G19 or 26 as they offer you some additional capabilities but let you retain mag compatibility.

quote:

Originally posted by patw:

The gen 5 guns are quite nice and their triggers are better, in my opinion.

Gen5 Glocks are more accurate than previous gen pistols. They can be real tack drivers. They also shoot a wide variety of ammunition accurately. I can't say that with some of my other brand pistols.

G48.

G48 with the S15 mags would be something to look at IMO. G19 is not really different enough from your G17

quote:

Originally posted by jljones:
G48.

Yeah, I love the G48. Only problem is it puts you into a different mag/holster ecosystem so to speak. If you are ok with that, I have found the G48 to be pretty fantastic.

49 has been intriguing me as of late.

Due to department policy I carried a G19 for off duty from 2001.
When I retired it took a while but I wanted something smaller so I got a G43X and shield mags. Then it dawned on me I could EDC anything I wanted, so I went with a 4 1/4” 1911.

If you’re gonna stick with the Glock I’d recommend the G19, or the G43X (I went with the shield metal mags to bring the ammo count back to 15)

G48/43X with the PSA 15rd nickel mags.

48 would be my pick. Different mags but it does things a 19 won't. I really dig the slimline guns and I really did not want to.

I also agree with Chowser on the 15 round mags. I've used Shield Arms and PSA. Both worked great for me. Currently on the PSA ones because the Shield ones do not work in my comped 43X (and they are up front about this).

Sig 226,

To answer your questions, which bring up good points-new toy and occasional CCW. I have smaller 9’s for more ease of concealment, when the occasion comes up. My usual method is IWB at around 3:30-4:00 position. I’ve played briefly with AIWB but too many years of reaching around the right hip area and comfort are my limiting points.

I’ve read some of the earlier posts about the G48 too and that makes me wonder-I’ve got a P6 that years ago went through Grayguns excellent facility and I carried that for many years on my own time. How would you compare the G48 to the P225/P6 platform?

And to add to the mix, after adjusting to the red dot platform with the G45, I’m considering having the option of a MOS version to have the ability of adding an optic. For those with optics,is the MOS plate system as good as there is or is there an aftermarket plate that is better? My agency had our weapons spec’d so the Accra was mounted directly to the slide without a plate, but that was a larger purchase deal.

Great point about the G45 being roughly the same frame size as the 17 too. I appreciate everyone’s thoughts and suggestions so far, it’s giving me more to consider and that’s not a bad thing.

As for the lifetime comments,yeah the numbers make it seem so, but my father did it for 23 years and at the time I thought who could stay in one job that long? And now my oldest is in his 8th year for the agency I’m retiring from next month. Guess it’s a family business for us. It’s been a great ride for the most part.

First, CONGRATS on the retirement!
Enjoy it!!! One of these days, I'll get there too.

I'd go with a G-19 MOS
For me, it's easier to conceal, it takes G-19 mags, AND G-17 / 45 mags, so if you can use the same magazines. I wear my gun at the 3:30 /4:00 as well. The G-45 sticks out the same length as a G-17 on the grip end, yeah, it's 1/2 inch ~ 3/4 inch more? So the G-19 is just that much easier.
And again, if you "need" the extra ammo, carry a G-17 mag as a second magazine.

MOS because if you want a RDS you have the option. I like the aftermarket plates. I've heard too many of the Glock plates not lining up 100% or being warped. If you get one that works, then you have 1 less thing to worry about.

G48. Light, flat, good capacity and Glock reliable!

If we're keeping it to Glock, and we're talking a retired/off-duty lifestyle, unless you have giant hands I'm going to gravitate towards the smaller gun. Glock 19, or maybe even a 48 depending upon how each one fits your hands.

The beauty of being retired is that you only have to worry about solving your own problems now, not getting dragged into the middle of everybody else's bad life choices. Carry enough gun for your own protection, but you can hopefully afford to make some small compromises for comfort and concealabilty.

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
G48. Light, flat, good capacity and Glock reliable!

G-43X. Light, flat, good capacity, and Glock reliable!

It’s G-19 capacity in a single stack. Around my city where “nothing ever happens” I’m comfortable carrying my LCP I, but there are times I want more firepower. My G-19 used to fill that role, but with the Shield mags I now have the same capacity in a lighter single stack. The G-43X also works better in Smart Carry than the G-19.

You can’t go wrong with any of the suggestions. Congratulations on your retirement!