The main difference between the Glock 45 vs Glock 19 is the Glock 45 is a hybrid design that uses a full-size frame that holds 17 rounds with a Glock 19 slide to make it narrower and easier to carry.
The Glock 45 is not a .45-caliber variant of the popular Austrian pistol series despite the designation. Instead, the Glock 45 combines the benefits of both the Glock 19 and 17 pistols into a versatile package. So, what exactly are the differences between the G45 and G19, and how do they compare?
Glock 19
The Glock 19 is the company’s most popular semi-automatic pistol — the standard for law enforcement and concealed carry. A compact variant of the Glock 17, the G19 entered the U.S. market in 1988. As a testament to its reliability, both the U.S. Navy SEALs and Secret Service selected the Glock 19 to replace their existing SIG handguns.
The Gen4 G19 has a 4.02” barrel, an overall length of 7.28”, a width at the frame of 1.26”, and a height of 5.04” (including magazine). The weight with an empty magazine is 23.63 oz. The only dimensional difference between the Gen3 and Gen4 pistols is the width (0.08”).
The Glock 19 is fed from a 15-round magazine as standard but is compatible with 17- and 33-round magazines.
Glock 45 vs Glock 19 and 19X
In 2018, the company introduced the Glock 19X based on its MHS (Modular Handgun System) submission. This pistol is a crossover design, mating the slide of the compact Glock 19 to the full-size frame of the Glock 17. While the G19X is not strictly a Gen5 weapon, it does incorporate several Gen5 improvements, including:
Ambidextrous slide stops
New pistols have slide stops on both sides of the frame for right- and left-handed manipulation. Activating a right-handed slide stop with your left hand can prove difficult, especially under high-stress conditions.
Glock marksman barrel (GMB)
The key modifications to the barrel include the target crown, a more aggressive polygonal rifling, and a different chamber specification. These changes allow for competition-grade accuracy, printing tighter groups.
No finger grooves
The front strap on Gen5 pistols no longer has finger grooves on the front strap, and the texturing pattern is different, changing from checkering to stippling.
In addition, the G19X features a lanyard loop and a coyote tan color, suitable for arid conditions.
Glock 45 — How it Compares
Like the G19X, the Glock 45 consists of a Glock 19 slide on a Glock 17 frame. However, there are a few notable differences:
nDLC finish
nDLC increases corrosion and wear resistance. In the Glock 19X, the finish is a PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) coating.
Flared and beveled magazine well
Gen5 Glock firearms have a flared and beveled magazine well to simplify the reloading process, guiding magazine insertion.
Front slide serrations
The G45 has charging serrations on the front of the slide for increased traction when loading, reloading, or clearing the weapon.
No lip on the frame
In the G19X, the frame has a lip that prevents the insertion of Gen5 magazines, which have a base plate that curves upward in the front. The G45 does not have this lip, increasing intergenerational magazine compatibility.
Glock 45 Dimensions and Weight
The Glock 45 has the same length barrel as the G19 — 4.02”. The overall length is 7.44”, the width at the frame is 1.34”, and the height is 5.47”. The weight with an empty magazine is 24.48 oz.
Glock 45 vs 19
Because the Glock 45 uses a full-size G17 frame, it has an increased standard magazine capacity — 17 rounds vs. 15 — and height relative to the G19. The G45 is also compatible with 19-, 24-, 31-, and 33-round 9mm magazines.
The difference in weight is minimal and shouldn’t affect the recoil impulse; however, the increased height allows for more gripping surface and control. If you shoot competitively or want to perform faster follow-up shots, the G45 has the advantage.
Although many gun owners find the G19’s grip optimal for comfort and control, those with larger hands may prefer the G45. Due to dimensional differences, the G45 requires its own holster.
The G45’s flared and beveled magazine is an improvement compared to the Gen3 and Gen4 Glock 19 pistols. However, the Gen5 G19 also shares this feature.
Glock 19 vs 45
For concealed carry, whether inside or outside the waistband, one of the most critical dimensions is height. While increasing the height generally corresponds to more surface contact between your hand and the gun, it also reduces concealability. As a result, the G19 is the more concealable handgun, hiding more effectively under clothing and printing less without holster modifications.
Regarding magazine interchangeability, the G19 (Gen4) benefits from the ability to accept 15-, 17-, 19-, 24-, 31-, and 33-round magazines. The G45, by comparison, cannot accept 15-round G19 magazines due to the reduced height of the frame. While this may not deter purchasing a G45, the number of affordably priced G19 magazines on the market is staggering.
The G19 and G19X can share holsters, increasing versatility.
Concealment Devices
When you’re carrying a handgun concealed in an IWB holster, a claw or wing can rotate the pistol toward your body, ensuring that the bottom of the frame — the butt — doesn’t protrude. Although this is not as necessary with the G19 as the G45, this holster modification increases concealability with all firearms.
Find the Best Holster for the G45, G19, and G19X
Whether you’re interested in carrying a Glock 45, a Glock 19, or a Glock 19X, we have IWB and OWB holsters suitable for all three pistols. We offer holsters in your choice of Kydex or leather, featuring adjustable retention, ride height, and cant for the perfect carry solution. Check out our holsters and find the best option for your specific carry needs.
Attach a claw to our Kydex IWB holsters to hide the weapon under clothing. The tuckable belt clips in our leather IWB Independence holster increase wardrobe versatility, allowing you to tuck a shirt into your pants over the firearm.