At a Glance: The Best Glock Barrel
- OUR TOP PICK: Silencer – Threaded Barrels for Glocks
- Brownells Match Grade Barrels for Glock 17
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Lone Wolf Dist.- Alphawolf Threaded Barrels
Comparison of The Best Glock Barrel
| PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Our Top Pick
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Silencer – Threaded Barrels for Glocks |
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View Latest Price |
Our Top Pick
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Brownells Match Grade Barrels for Glock 17 |
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View Latest Price |
Our Top Pick
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Lone Wolf Dist.- Alphawolf Threaded Barrels |
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View Latest Price |
Glocks are some of the most reliable and popular handguns on the market today. Thanks to their consistent design across multiple generations and calibers, it is easy to find aftermarket parts to really make the gun your own. It is important that you choose the best aftermarket Glock barrel to make the centerpiece of your custom gun.
Our Guide To The 8 Best Aftermarket Glock Barrels Available
Glock handguns have a great reputation and you may be wondering why anyone would want to replace the reliable factory barrel. The two perks of the aftermarket barrels featured here are customization options and performance.
A match-grade barrel can improve the accuracy of your gun, while a threaded barrel can allow you to add a compensator or suppressor. Several of our picks are available in different color options to allow you to further customize your Glock. Dive into our detailed review of the best aftermarket barrels for your Glock that will take your shooting experience to the next level.
Silencer – Threaded Barrels for Glocks
We are opening our guide with the SilencerCo line of threaded Glock barrels. These barrels are available in both a black nitride finish or a stainless-steel finish and can be purchased in multiple different calibers and is compatible with Gen 3 and Gen 4 Glocks. This barrel line is available in 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45ACP. and in several different lengths to accommodate the full size and compact models.
These barrels perform well and offer similar accuracy to the factory Glock barrels. The biggest draw of this barrel line is the threading, which is designed to accommodate a suppressor or compensator. A compensator is designed to redirect some of the gasses that result from the discharge of your weapon. The goal of a compensator is to reduce recoil and allow for more accurate follow-up shots.
As with any Glock barrel replacement, these barrels simply drop-in and utilize the factory spring, which eliminates the need to replace additional parts. Other than the two finish options mentioned above, these barrels do not offer any other color patterns. While reliably accurate, this barrel is not considered “match grade” and will not consistently provide next level accuracy that is needed for competitive shooting.
If you are considering this barrel replacement because you want to equip your Glock with a suppressor, it is important to consider the substantial turn-around time for applying for and receiving your tax stamp for your suppressor. You have to apply for one of these with each suppressor purchase. This barrel will function fine while you wait on your suppressor, but you must be careful not to damage the exposed threaded portion of the barrel if you intend to shoot it in the meantime.
Pros
- Available in several calibers
- Durable steel construction
- Available in several barrel lengths
- Threaded
Cons
- Not match grade
- Only two finish options
Brownells Match Grade Barrels for Glock 17
Our second pick is the Brownells match grade barrel for a Glock 17. This barrel has the traditional Glock black nitride finish. It is also threaded to allow for the addition of a suppressor or compensator. In addition to this barrel, Brownells also has a version of this match grade barrel for the Glock 43 and 34. These barrels are also chambered in 9mm, but do not have threading.
The Glock 17 version of this barrel is available with or without the threading, depending on your preference. It is compatible with the first four generations of the Glock 17 and will drop right into the stock slide. It is also compatible with many aftermarket slides, but you should verify compatibility with your slide manufacturer.
This barrel makes a great replacement for your stock Glock barrel if you need a threaded barrel or just want to tighten up your shot groupings a bit. However, you can get the most out of this barrel when using it in conjunction with Brownells RMR cut slide. The special slide is designed to replace your stock slide and has a cutout just in front of the rear sight location to allow for the attachment of an RMR.
An RMR, or ruggedize miniature reflex, is a reflex sight designed to be used specifically with handguns. They allow for rapid target acquisition by providing you with a single reference point as opposed to aligning a front and rear set of iron sights. If you have never had the chance to shoot your handgun with an RMR equipped, I can’t recommend it enough. Using this barrel with a quality RMR will turn your gun into a real tack driver.
Pros
- Threaded barrel
- Compatible with most aftermarket slides
- Match grade
- Tight shot groupings
- Compatible with unjacketed ammo
Cons
- Only available in 9mm
Lone Wolf Dist.- Alphawolf Threaded Barrels
One of my biggest gripes with firearms and parts manufacturers is when they have great names and branding paired with subpar products. Thankfully, our third pick avoids this all too common pitfall. Lone Wolf’s Alphawolf threaded barrel delivers great performance to go with their stylish and aggressive branding.
The Alphawolf threaded barrel is available for several Glock models, including the oft-overlooked Glock 22 and 31 chambered in .357 SIG. It is compatible with generations 1-5 of Glock handguns in the supported models. It also includes a thread protector standard with every purchase in case you are still waiting on your tax stamp.
This barrel drops right in and is ready to go. It consistently produces tight shot groupings and does not have any notable failures with cheaper unjacketed ammo. If you have run unjacketed ammo enough, you will know that an occasional failure is bound to happen, even with the highest quality equipment. However, you can use lower quality ammo for practice with the Alphawolf barrel without concerns of damaging the rifling thanks to its ultra-durable finish.
The only notable concern with this barrel is that some users experienced fitting issues when running a Gen5 frame and an aftermarket slide. As with any aftermarket barrel, it is important to ensure that it is compatible with your aftermarket slide. This barrel fits great with all generations running stock slides. If you need a durable, threaded barrel then the Alphawolf is worth a good, long look.
Pros
- Durable finish
- Includes thread protector
- Threaded barrel
- Multiple calibers available
- Aesthetically pleasing laser engraved insignia
Cons
- Compatibility issue with Gen 5 aftermarket slides
Lone Wolf Alphawolf Glock Threaded Conversion Barrel
Our fourth pick is another great product from Lone Wolf Dist. The Alphawolf Glock conversion barrels are available for the Glock 22, 23, 27, 31, 32, 33, and 35. All versions except the Glock 27 and Glock 33 barrels are available in a threaded and non-threaded version. These products are designed to convert your Glock from .40 S&W or .357 SIG to 9mm.
These barrels are a great option if you currently own a Glock chambered in either .40 S&W or .357 SIG because they allow you to convert your Glock to a different caliber without purchasing an entirely separate firearm. The uniform design of the Glock handguns allows for the interchangeable use of magazines and barrels. All you need is an Alphawolf conversion barrel and a 9mm magazine to complete the switch.
In addition to the inherent versatility of a conversion barrel, the Alphawolf barrels provide you with stellar performance and tight shot groupings. I enjoy having conversion barrels for my Glock because it allows me to get in more frequent range trips while using whatever caliber of ammunition that is readily available. Having a handgun that can easily be converted to fire multiple calibers is especially necessary for today’s political climate, which can cause intermittent ammo scarcity.
As with other Alphawolf barrels, these barrels are compatible with all five generations of Glocks. These also experience some compatibility concerns when using aftermarket slides with Gen5 frames. However, this is an easier fix with a conversion barrel. If you already have an aftermarket slide setup that you like on your current Glock and want to add this conversion barrel, I would recommend installing it into your factory slide so that you can just swap out the entire slide when you want to switch calibers.
Pros
- Converts your Glock to another caliber
- Threaded
- Tight shot groupings
- Compatible with all 5 generations
Cons
- Compatibility issues with Gen5 Glocks
- No conversion barrels for .45 caliber Glocks
L2D Combat Precision Match Fluted/Threaded Barrel for Glock 19
Our fifth entry is a match grade barrel from L2D Combat. This barrel is designed for the Glock 19, but L2D Combat also offers a barrel with the same finish options for Generation 3 and 4 of the Glock 17. This barrel is threaded and fluted. It is also available in five different finish options.
The five finishes available for this barrel are: stainless, black, titanium nitride (gold appearance), bronze, and chameleon (various bright colors). The different finish options don’t affect the performance of the barrel at all but give you some stylish customization choices. The titanium nitride finish is my personal favorite and looks great in a Glock 19, especially if you pair it with a ported barrel that makes more of the finish visible.
In terms of performance, this barrel line is truly match grade. It delivers consistent, tight shot groupings and looks great while doing it. It also includes a color-matched thread protector that stays firmly in place, even during heavy usage. The barrels are compatible with all five generations of Glock 19’s, including the 19C variant.
On top of being a great all-around barrel, the L2D’s high-quality finish makes it safe to use unjacketed “practice” ammo without concerns of damaging your barrel’s rifling. The only complaint is that they don’t make this barrel for my Glock 22. L2D’s barrel line is limited to only a handful of 9mm models and only this barrel fits all five generations of the Glock 19. Their other 9mm barrels for the Glock 17 and 34 are only guaranteed to fit Generations 3 and 4, according to L2D, although it should be compatible with Generations 1 & 2 because the dimensions are unchanged.
Pros
- Five finish options
- Match-grade quality
- Threaded barrel
- Durable, even when using unjacketed ammo
- L2D makes a compatible ported slide
Cons
- Made for limited models
Advanced Armament Threaded Barrel for Glock 19
Our sixth entry is made by Advanced Armament Corp. and is designed specifically for the Glock 19. This threaded barrel comes in the classic black nitride finish and is compatible with all generations of the Glock 19. It also includes a thread protector standard with purchase.
This barrel is especially appealing to me because they offer a left-handed version. As my fellow southpaws know all too well, it is tough to find a high-quality left-handed Glock barrel. The difference is that the left-handed version is cut opposite of a traditional barrel so that it ejects rounds to the left instead of the right. While this perk is more beneficial in a rifle, it eliminates the risk of hot brass hitting you in the face or falling down your shirt, but I digress.
In terms of performance, this barrel will perform about on par with your factor Glock barrel. It is not considered “match grade” and will yield similar shot groupings to your standard barrel. So, if you are looking to tighten up your shot groupings or get your Glock performing at competition level, this barrel may not make the cut.
However, if you want a durable barrel that can safely shoot hundreds of rounds of unjacketed ammo while providing you the flexibility to run a suppressor or compensator, this Advanced Armament barrel is a sound choice. It cycles reliably and did not result in any failures at the range.
Pros
- Available in left-handed cut
- Durable, even when using unjacketed ammo
- Thread protector included standard
Cons
- Only available in 9mm
- Not match grade
- Only available for Glock 19
Brownells Match Grade Conversion Barrels for Glock 22
Our seventh pick is geared towards Glock owners that prefer .40 S&W as their primary pistol caliber but are interested in being able to shoot 9mm from the same platform. The Brownells Match Grade conversion barrels are available for both the Glock 22 and Glock 23. These barrels come in a black nitride finish and are available in both a threaded and non-threaded version for both platforms.
These Brownells barrels provide true match-grade performance, delivering tight shot groupings with your newly converted Glock 22 or 23. The only other purchase you need to make is one (or several) 9mm Glock magazines to go with your new barrel. You can never have too many magazines or bullets.
Conversion barrels are one of the biggest appeals of the Glock platform, and this Brownell barrel line really drives that point home. The ability to convert your Glock to a second caliber eliminates the need to complete a separate custom build for each caliber. You can fine tune your custom build and purchase a high-quality multi-caliber suppressor that is compatible with both 9mm and .40 S&W. Swapping out barrels is much easier than purchasing multiple tax stamps and suppressor, which can take months to process.
This barrel is designed for use with Generations 2,3, and 4. However, it should work with Gen 5 Glock 22’s and 23’s. There may be some compatibility concerns with Gen 5 Glocks equipped with aftermarket slides. If you opt for this barrel with your Gen5 and want an aftermarket slide with an RMR cut, I would recommend sticking with the Brownells version to ensure compatibility.
Pros
- 9mm conversion with match grade
- Threaded and non-threaded options
- Compatible with multiple generations
- True drop-in conversion
Cons
- Some Gen5 compatibility concerns
- No version for .45 or .357 caliber Glocks
Wilson Combat Match Grade Barrel
Our final entry is a match grade barrel manufactured by Wilson Combat. If you have ever shot a Wilson Combat firearm, then you know the name is synonymous with accuracy and quality. This barrel line is no different.
This match-grade barrel is manufactured with a stainless finish that looks great. It is available for the Glock 17 and Glock 21 only but is compatible with all generations of those models. It provides tight shot groupings that you would expect out of a competition quality pistol and performs reliably with jacketed ammunition. However, the stainless-steel finish is not recommended for use with cheaper, unjacketed rounds.
The barrel is not available in a threaded option, making it a non-starter if you are set on adding a compensator or suppressor to your Glock. The fact that it is only available for two full-sized Glock models also detracts from the great quality of this barrel. If you do own one of the two supported models and can go without a suppressor, then you’ve got to give this barrel some thought thanks to its first-class accuracy.
There are two big considerations that will influence whether or not this barrel is right for you, other than whether or not your Glock is one of the supported models. One, you must be sure you are willing to use higher quality ammunition for your range trips to avoid damaging the rifling of this barrel. Two, you should be sure that you are not interested in a threaded barrel or don’t mind purchasing more than one aftermarket barrel for your Glock. As long as you are ok with those two factors, then you won’t be disappointed with this barrel’s performance.
Pros
- Competition-quality accuracy
- Consistent groupings
- Available for both a 9mm and .45 caliber Glock
Cons
- Limited models supported
- No threaded option
- Not compatible with unjacketed ammo
- One finish option
Choosing An Aftermarket Glock Barrel
As you can see from our review, there are great Glock barrels made for just about every model and caliber of Glock available. There are barrels geared towards every possible goal you may have when customizing your Glock. An aftermarket barrel is one of the best upgrades you can make to your Glock. Before choosing a barrel, let’s consider some benefits of replacing your factory barrel.
Why Upgrade My Glock Barrel?
Glock’s are such well-designed and well-built handguns that you may have not even previously considered replacing your factory barrel before. There are three main reasons why people generally choose to replace their factory barrel: threading, caliber conversion, or improved performance. All of the barrels featured on our list address at least one of those three areas and most fill multiple needs. Having the option to choose from one of several finishes when swapping your barrel is a nice perk too.
Barrel Options
When purchasing your aftermarket barrel, it is important to consider that several of our picks are offered in both a threaded and non-threaded option. If the barrel you pick has an option between the two, I would recommend going with the threaded option. Also, you should make sure that it includes a thread protector. If not, you should definitely add one to your purchase to prevent the threads from being damaged when you aren’t using a suppressor or compensator.
Benefits Of A Threaded Barrel
If you outfit your Glock with a threaded barrel and aren’t actively using the threads to run an attachment, your barrel will not suffer any decreased performance when compared to the non-threaded counterpart. That is why I recommend opting for the threaded version when both are available. I would rather have the flexibility of a threaded barrel instead of having to purchase another barrel in the future if I later decide to add an attachment.
There are no performance downsides to the threaded barrel, and it has the added benefit of further customization. Just about any holster that accommodates your Glock will still fit it with a threaded barrel and thread protector. However, it is important to ensure that your holster will safely hold your Glock with a compensator attached because it does add nearly 1″ of length to your gun.
While browsing for new holsters for your new threaded barrel, you should make sure that it can accommodate a weapon-mounted light. A good quality weapon light, a spare magazine, and a reliable knife are must-haves for my EDC (everyday carry).
Are All Glock Barrels The Same?
While Glock has used the same dimensions for their cornerstone models for many years, not all barrels are the same. For example, the Glock 17, Glock 21, and Glock 22 are the exact same dimensions but are of different calibers. This is why manufacturers are able to produce conversion barrels that will allow your G21 or G22 to shoot 9mm instead of .45 ACP and .40 S&W, respectively. The universal design and wide variety of calibers/frame sizes available are why Glock is a popular choice for both law enforcement agencies worldwide and for personal protection.
Precautions
In terms of aftermarket barrels, it is important that you select a barrel that is compatible with your model and generation of Glock. As long as the aftermarket barrel is compatible, it will perform as designed. If you purchase a barrel that is the proper caliber but not compatible with your generation, then you will experience a failure to feed or failure to fire issues.
The most dangerous mishap involving swapping barrels is if you were to purchase a barrel of the proper length but the wrong caliber and then attempting to fire the original caliber. As long as you avoid this error, swapping Glock barrels is perfectly safe. A barrel of the wrong length will not properly fit within your frame, but a barrel of the proper length will, regardless of caliber.
If your goal is to convert your Glock from a higher caliber to a 9mm, then it is important that you purchase a conversion barrel. Do not simply purchase a non-conversion barrel of a different caliber and install it in your slide. This can lead to dangerous failures and can severely damage your gun.
Legal Concerns
As long as you have lawfully purchased your handgun, there are few regulatory concerns when modifying your Glock. As with any firearm, you have to abide by any capacity restrictions in the state that you are in. You also have to apply for and be granted an ATF tax stamp before you can receive a suppressor. This is a fairly simple, albeit time-consuming process.
Drop and Go
For my money, I’m going with the Lone Wolf Alphawolf threaded barrels and conversion barrels, and it’s not just because of the awesome branding. This barrel line fills all three needs when looking for an upgraded Glock barrel. It provides improved performance, threading, and caliber conversion.
Not only does this barrel perform great while adding a threaded option, but it is available for a large number of Glock models and generations, making it a great choice no matter your preferred caliber or frame size. This barrel will serve you well for thousands of rounds with uncompromising performance.
