The Glock 19 or 19X are both good options if you need a gun for range use and home defense. The “X” in the 19X denotes extended frame. The full frame grip adds an additional 1/2″ overall.
But what is different except this between the Glock 19 and the 19X? Are they just the same gun under a different name? Or are there any distinctive differences?
Turns out the Glock 19 is actually a better choice among the two! Why? Find out in this article!
Glock 19 vs Glock 19X: Quick Comparison Table
| Specs | Glock 19 | Glock 19X |
| Caliber | 9x19mm | 9x19mm |
| Action | Safe action | Safe action |
| Capacity | 15 rounds | 17/19 rounds |
| Length | 7.36 inches | 7.44 inches. |
| Width | 1.26 inches | 1.30 inches |
| Height | 5.04 inches | 5.47 inches |
| Barrel Length | 4.02 inch | 4.02 inches |
| Weight | 23.63 oz | 24.83 oz |
| Barrel Material | 416R stainless steel | 4140 steel |
| Sights | Polymer “U” dot configuration, rear adjustable (standard) | Standard metal night sights |
| Trigger Pull | 6.29 pounds | 5.8 pounds |
What’s The Difference Between Glock 19 and Glock 19X Based on Features?
Feature 1: Ease of Shooting
The Glock 19 is a pretty great shooter. It has good enough accuracy and great elevation. Although you do hear complaints about it shooting a little to the left.
On the other hand, you don’t realize how perfect the G19X is until you fire a few hundred rounds through it. The 19X is a gun for shooters. The G19-length slide moves quickly with little to no muzzle oscillation as it cycles, lifts, and returns.
The 19X returns to level quickly, tracks more easily, and shoots a little flatter. So it wins this round.
Feature 2: Accuracy
The G19 is very accurate. With federal 147gr HST, it can shoot 1 and ½ inches at 20–25 yards. If you are right-handed, almost all of your shots will land a few inches to the left of the target.
The 19X also performs similarly shooting with similar ammo.
Both have an acceptable elevation and are similarly accurate. If you can shoot accurately at the range, you can be sure that at 7 yards, you’ll hit the person coming at you.
Feature 3: Trigger
The Glock 19 Gen5 has the Ejector #30274 and the trigger with trigger bar #39701. These two have a smooth rolling break without a visible break at the trigger press. The reset seems to be a bit shorter.
The Glock 19X has the Ejector #47021 and a trigger with trigger bar #39701. Compared to the 19, the trigger on the 19X feels better and is crisper.
The shorter slide and full-length grip combined with the dual recoil springs effectively reduce recoil and speed up follow-up shots in the 19X. So it wins this round.
Feature 4: Slide
The slides are the exact same as meets the eye. But the Glock 19 is slightly smaller in slide length. The colour of the Glock 19 is flat, earthy green colour.
The 19X has a longer frame. Which enables better shootability. It is also a diamond plate black finish.
Other than this, everything about them is the same including the recoil springs, the recess crayons are the same.
Feature 5: CCW
Consider this: the full grip on the 19X will protrude more than the G19 if you want to conceal carry.
The sight radius is smaller with the Compact slide length on the 19 guns.
So if conceal carry is your goal, get the G19. If you have large hands, the 19 and 19X deliver significantly different performance. Buy the 19X and use the larger backstop that comes with it.
Feature 6: Ammo
The 147gr Federal HST ammo has to be the most used ammo with the Glock 19. You can also use Blazer 115 grain brass FMJ, DA Ruger LC-9 9mm etc.
The Glock 19X offers a wide range of ammo. And performs outstandingly. These include: 50 Black Hills Ammunition 115 TAC-XP, 1392 Black Hills Ammunition 115 FMJ, 90 Black Hills Ammunition 124 JHP-XTP, 37 Black Hills Ammunition Honey Badger, 90 Federal 147 HST, 90 Speer 147 GDHP G2, 100 Speer Lawman 147 TMJ, 100 Federal AE 115 FMJ, 54 Winchester 115 FMJ and many more.
It seems that 19X uses more variety of ammo than the G19.
Feature 7: Sights
Compared to the Glock 19X, the grip on the 19 is wider. Longer magazines may thus extend far beyond the grip. Therefore, a 17 MOS for the G19 would be a better option. A Gen 5 MOS or Holosun with a Delta Point Pro performs equally well.
On the other hand, it seems like the 19X tracks very flatly. It works really well with Trijicon Bright and Tough suppressor height sights. Holosun 507c functions well in both Glock 19X and 19.
However, the grip and the 19X optics feel a little more abrupt than the 19.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)
Glock 19 or Glock 19X Which One to Choose?
The grip on the 19X is the same as a G17. You might as well have the G17 if you’re going to have the grip length. The 19X is more expensive but offers night sights and a different color.
The Glock 19, however, is “the right size” gun. There is a reason why the size of a Glock 19 is often used as a benchmark for other carry options.
The two guns can both be modified in essentially the same ways. The only restriction is that you must either modify the magwell or remove the toe if you want to attach a magwell to the 19X.
Other than that and color, the two weapons at least at the Gen 5 level, are interchangeable in the same ways.
Why Was the Moon Cut removed from the Glock 19?
Older Gen 5 models with the FBI moon cut have received complaints from users who say the G19 model’s moon cut digs into their pinky.
The moon cut is excluded from newer G19 models, particularly the G19-MOS.
Are Glock magazines compatible with the Glock 19X magazines?
No. The grip of the Glock 19X has a small lip that prevents Gen 5 magazines from fitting. Unless you Dremel the lip off or swap the Gen 5 baseplates for older gen baseplates.
How Are Glock 17, 19 and 19x related?
Glock 17 is full-sized Glock 19. The Glock 19X has a full-size grip similar to a 17 but a 19 slide instead. In essence, it is a cross between a 17 and a 19.
Summary
The Glock 19 is a classic while the Glock 19X was designed with military use in mind. Regarding civilian use, it was “made backwards.” Although the 19X was preferred in many aspects of this discussion.
In all honesty, I believe it will simply come down to personal preference. Whatever your needs, there are many options available. So, I hope you make a good choice, cheers!
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