At a Glance: Best Glocks for Protection
- OUR TOP PICK: Glock – G19 G5 9mm Front Serrations 4″
- OUR TOP PICK: Glock G5 MOS 9mm
- BEST BUDGET OPTION:Glock 48 9mm Fixed Sights
Comparison of Best Glocks for Protection
PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
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Our Top Pick
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Glock – G19 G5 9mm Front Serrations 4″ |
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View Latest Price |
Our Top Pick
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Glock G5 MOS 9mm |
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View Latest Price |
Our Top Pick
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Glock 48 9mm Fixed Sights |
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View Latest Price |
The Glock is one of the world’s most iconic firearms. Some people love them, and others wish they’d disappear. The pistol revolutionized the American firearms market by providing an affordable, accurate, and reliable sidearm for law enforcement and the civilian market alike.
There are few more reliable brands to use for self-defense and concealed carry.
Best Glocks for Protection
It’s not as simple as “I’ll buy a Glock.” There are so many models and generations to choose from that it can be difficult to make your mind up when buying any handgun for protection. What caliber should you use? Should you get the standard size, compact, or sub-compact variant? There are lots of questions.
Here are the Best Glocks to Buy for Protection Today
Glock – G19 G5 9mm Front Serrations 4″
The infamous G19 is made better than ever before with the fifth generation enhancements. The G19 G5 is a compact sidearm, ideal for concealed carry, that is chambered to fire 9mm rounds. The mag can hold 15 rounds, plus one in the chamber means you can hold 16 rounds in total.
Among the G5 enhancements is the Glock Marksman barrel with improved polygonal rifling to ensure a superior gas seal, prevent fouling, and enhance accuracy. That is a more traditional style of rifling and is a welcome detail in the latest model.
The Gen 5 model gets rid of the finger grooves in the grip and opts instead for a flat-style grip, which many shooters will prefer. It certainly makes this a more accessible pistol for different hand sizes. The length is 4-inches, and the width is slightly thicker than the Gen 4, although it should still fit in a Gen 4 holster.
Glock is pushing to make the G19 Gen 5 a universal polymer pistol and has introduced an ambidextrous slide stock to cater to the southpaw crowd.
The barrel and slider have a tougher finish to help battle the elements. The new finish also makes the G19 look better, although it’s worth noting that fingerprints will be more visible, so keep a rag handy.
One of the most innovative upgrades to the G19 Gen 5 is the introduction of an orange follower in the magazine so you can easily see how many rounds you have left. Glock has also widened the mag to make reloading a breeze.
Glock has also improved the trigger assembly and added a firing pin safety. Although welcome, these enhancements mean that you won’t be able to interchange parts easily from earlier Glock models.
If you’re looking for a well-rounded concealed carry Glock that will hold enough rounds to put down any assailant, the G19 Gen 5 9mm is a perfect option.
Pros
- Powerful enough to rely on for protection
- Great for concealed carry
- Enhanced trigger assembly
- Magazine shows you how many rounds are left
- Flat-style grip more comfortable to shoot
- Great for shooters with smaller hands
- Improved rifling for reliability and accuracy
- Looks incredible
Cons
- Can’t switch out parts with previous generation Glocks
- Some shooters will miss the finger grooves on the grip
- Sights aren’t the best
Glock G5 MOS 9mm
The Glock G5 MOS 9mm is ideal or the shooter who wants something that can be counted on for protection and is also a blast to use at the range. This isn’t the best Glock for concealed carry due to the extra length.
The extra size of this flagship G17 affords you two more rounds in the chamber than the compact G19. You now have 17 rounds in the magazine, plus one in the chamber, meaning you’ve got more than enough to put down an assailant.
The G17 Gen 5 MOS, short for modular optic system, allows you to attach the best aftermarket reflex and red dot sights to your pistol. The enhancements make the G17 Gen 5 MOS great for home defense and practicing at the range.
The Glock Gen 5 MOS comes with the same enhancements as other Generation 5 Glocks. Upgrades include an enhanced trigger assembly that allows for better accuracy and a flat-style grip that makes the gun more comfortable to shoot.
Although I wouldn’t recommend it for concealed carry, the G17 G5 MOS 9mm is an all-round champion for home-defense. The G19 Gen 5 is better suited for concealment and only loses out having two fewer magazine rounds.
Pros
- Enough power to take down any assailant
- Great for home-defense
- Allows for optic attachments
- Enhanced trigger
- Flat-style grip more comfortable to shoot with
- 17-rounds plus one in the chamber
- Magazine shows how many rounds are left
- Flagship Glock
Cons
- Not ideal for concealed carry
- Can’t interchange parts from earlier Glock generations
Glock 48 9mm Fixed Sights
Bigger doesn’t always mean better. The Glock 48 9mm is the perfect concealed carry pistol to keep you safe when you’re out and about. It has a 10-round magazine, plus one in the chamber. The gun is significantly slimmer than the G19 and has a slightly shorter barrel length.
The Glock 48 has a similar profile to the G19, so shooters looking for something more compact will feel right at home with this slimmer pistol. The sight picture is the same as the G19, making the G48 an ideal switch for shooters looking for a more compact punch.
The gun can be modified to accept aftermarket sights, further improving accuracy over the fixed factory aiming system. It has a black body with a chrome slider, which gives it a unique aesthetic that stands out from other Glocks.
The G48 Gen 5 is loaded with enhancements in-line with other models in the latest generation. It has a widened magazine stack for easier reloading and an orange follower to show how many rounds are left.
It also comes with a flat-style grip to make it more comfortable for all shooters. The shorter grip means you won’t fit your pinky finger around it, which makes this gun less fun to shoot at the range. This is the price you pay for having a perfectly concealable firearm.
This is an ideal choice for someone looking for a lightweight and compact pistol to carry for protection.
Pros
- Enough power to put down any assailant
- Sub-compact and great for concealing
- Can fit aftermarket sights
- Chrome slider looks great
- Enhanced trigger
- Easy reloading
- Can see how many rounds are left
- Ten rounds, plus one in the chamber
- Lightweight
- Flat-style grip
Cons
- Grip too small for your whole hand
- Can’t interchange parts with previous Glock generations
- Ten rounds might be too few for some
Glock G17 G5 9mm 17+1 4.49″ Fixed Sights
The original Glock 17 that everyone loves from law enforcement to military to civilians around the world comes arrives with enhancements that make it more accessible than ever before, especially to shooters with smaller hands.
The G17 G5 9mm does away with the finger slots on the grip to make for a more comfortable shooting experience, reminiscent of the 1911-straight contour.
The trigger has been upgraded and now compresses instead of stretching, which improves accuracy and ease of use. The slide now features an ambidextrous design for the lefties out there, and the nose of the slide has been beveled to make it easier to holster.
Everything about the G17 G5 has been designed to make for a more comfortable shooting experience without sacrificing any of the reliability or power of previous generations of Glock.
You’ll have peace of mind thanks to the 17 rounds in the magazine, plus one in the chamber, giving you all you need to protect yourself in the home or while out.
The G17 doesn’t conceal as well as the G19 or G48, making it better for home defense than concealed carry. Still, this is a reliable sidearm that has won the hearts and minds of millions of shooters.
Pros
- Packs a serious punch
- 17 rounds, plus one in the chamber
- Revered by law enforcement, the military, and civilians alike
- Enhanced trigger
- Straight flat grip
- Easy reloading
- Can see how many rounds in the chamber
Cons
- Can’t interchange parts with previous Glock generations
- Not ideal for concealed carry
Glock G44 22LR Adjustable Sights
The Glock G44 22LR with adjustable sights takes the world’s most popular polymer pistol and combines it with the world’s best-selling ammunition. The G44 is chambered to shoot .22LR (long rifle) rounds that pack a nice punch, certainly enough to put down an attacker.
The G44 holds ten rounds in the magazine, plus one in the chamber. The sub-compact pistol is designed for concealed carry, which further enhances its use for protection.
The sub-compact sidearm has upgrades in line with other Gen 5 Glocks, including an improved trigger assembly, a flat-style grip for more comfort when shooting, a wider mag well for easier reloading, and a harder coat finish to protect against corrosion.
The G44 also has an enhanced Clock Marksman barrel with improved rifling. The more traditional rifling method improves accuracy and prevents the build-up of muck.
This gun punches well above its weight for a sub-compact pistol. Glock has redefined what small can do with this .22LR sidearm. If you’re looking for an ideal concealed carry gun that you can rely on, this is it.
Pros
- Packs a helluva punch
- Sub-compact size makes it perfect for concealed carry
- Ten rounds, plus one in the chamber
- Improved rifling
- Enhanced trigger
- Magazine shows you how many rounds are left
- Looks great
- More affordable than other Glock models
Cons
- Can’t wrap your pinky finger around grip
- 11 rounds total is suitable for a compact, but still not much
- Can’t interchange parts with previous Glock generation models
Why Are Glocks Such A Popular Handgun?
If there’s one name in the firearms industry that everyone knows, it’s Glock. The Glock a top rated handgun and a symbol of law enforcement, home protection, and Hollywood shootouts. But why is it so popular? There are lots of reasons.
Law enforcement effect
Gaston Glock first built his signature pistol for the Austrian Army, but the timing happened to coincide with a series of shootouts in the US that convinced law enforcement they needed an upgrade.
Gaston Glock came to the rescue with a lightweight firearm that is accurate and easy to maintain. Law enforcement agencies across the nation jumped on the gun.
This gave Glock leverage with the civilian market. If it’s good enough for law enforcement, then it’s likely going to be good enough for you, too, right? And in truth, it is.
Weight and trigger pull
The Glock is primarily made out of plastic, which greatly reduces the weight. This allows for more rounds to be held in the magazine and makes it more comfortable to carry around when concealed.
The trigger pull of the Glock is just a little over five pounds. This is significantly lighter than the 12-pound trigger pull of a run-of-the-mill Smith & Wesson revolver. A lighter trigger pull allows the shooter to be more accurate, regardless of experience.
Price
The Glock isn’t a cheap firearm, but it’s not expensive either. It sits in that sweet spot where you’re putting aside enough to call it a good investment, but not enough to blast a hole in your bank balance.
They’re sexy as hell
Finally, just look at the damn thing. The Glock is a good-looking pistol. Even if it’s not your style, you still can’t deny that it’s a unique and well-craft design.
If you’re a concerned citizen looking for something with which to defend themselves, the Glock will meet your needs in style.
What are the main differences between Glock models?
Not all Glocks are created equal. You’re wondering what the difference is between a G17, a G19, and a G26. I’ll lay it out in a way that you can easily understand.
Size
Different models of Glock are different sizes. The Glock 17 is the standard 9mm pistol from the Austrian company, while the Glock 19 is the compact version of this that’s often issued to officers with smaller hands, one of the best beginner pistols. The Glock 26 is the sub-compact 9mm variant of the pistol.
Caliber
Different models also refer to different calibers. The Glock 22 is the standard size .40 S&W pistol and is the most popular gun for law enforcement in the US, while the Glock 23 is the compact variant of this caliber.
Generations
You can buy a G17 Gen 3, and you’ll have yourself a great gun. But a G17 Gen 5 is even better. The fifth-generation models are currently the most up-to-date Glocks and have been designed to be more reliable and comfortable to use.
It’s important to note that you can’t interchange fifth-generation Glock parts with earlier generations.
Conclusion
All things considered, the Glock G19 Gen 5 9mm is the best Glock for protection. The compact size makes it ideal for concealed carry, but the magazine still holds 15 rounds, so you have enough shots to follow up where necessary.
The Gen 5 upgrades make the G19 a comfortable pistol for beginners and advanced shooters alike. You can wrap all of your fingers around the grip, even though it’s a compact gun, which makes it perfect for shooting at the range as well as keeping on your person for protection.
Finally, the G19 is a masterpiece to behold. It embodies what Glock is. It’s the world’s best polymer pistol, and after years of design tweaks, it’s become one of the most effective and reliable firearms on the market.