ST911
02-25-18, 16:34
Summary of observations after about one month with my G19X. These are based on shooting this gun almost exclusively during that time, uniformed LE carry, plain-clothes and CCW carry, public and LE demonstration and instruction, and some USPSA club matches. Information following is based on actual first-hand experience carrying and using the gun, not conjecture or third party information. There are no pertinent disclosures.
https://i.imgur.com/SlCp9gr.jpg
Unboxing
Blue label guns are flowing slower than commercial. 19X is priced higher than other gen4 and 5.
The box is brown, and includes all the usual manuals and safety brochures.
The gun is supplied with 1-17rd mag, and 2-19rd mags, four color matched M and L backstraps with and without beavertails.
Shipped with standard Glock NS.
The polymer has colorant throughout, the coyote is not an external application.
Slide cover plate, barrel, sights, and controls, and internals are black or silver.
Front corners of slide and dustcover are blended.
First Shots
Immediately after purchase, I took the gun to the range with an assortment of carry and training ammo from my armory. No inspection, cleaning, or lubrication was done. I opened the box, filled magazines, and fired 400 rounds of various drills in a little over an hour. There were no malfunctions. The Glock OEM night sights shot POA/POI. Ammunition used:
200 rounds BHA 115 FMJ
50 rounds BHA 115gr TAC-XP
50 rounds Speer GDHP G2
50 rounds Federal 147 HST
50 rounds Speer Lawman 147 TMJ
Slide
Depending on the lighting, slide appearance is dull copper, bronze, FDE, sand, gold, and shades in between.
RSA is marked 1_7. The same RSA is in the gen5 G19.
The inside of the slide forward of the ejection port takes on a purple color in some light.
https://i.imgur.com/swGpxDX.jpg
Late in this process I replaced the OEM night sights with Ameriglo Agents, #GL5517. These sights were GTG in all types of lighting indoors and outdoors. 147gr rounds run a smidgen high, but everything else is at or near enough to POA to not bother with further fine-tuning. Target below is 10rds standing offhand at 25yds.
https://i.imgur.com/fv1Fg34.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/LtDOsOf.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/CWLzncu.jpg
Barrel
The new GMB shoots as well as I am capable of, and better shooters can wring it out further. When shooting 25yd groups off hand my overall group size is comparable to gens 1-4. I do notice smaller clusters of my well-placed rounds in the 9/10 rings.
Receiver
The extension/lip at the bottom front of the mag well is no bother, and extends no lower than the magazine floorplate it sits in front of.
Mag well dimension is gen4 type, no flaring.
Lanyard ring is easily removable, press a punch into the hole and pull lanyard ring. Reinstalls as easily.
The magazine release has a rounder edge and seems like it stands out a bit more than gen5 G17/19s on hand. Part number for the 19X release is #8794, gen5 is #7534. I like the 19X release better.
https://i.imgur.com/3Q7APHw.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/thHWqvL.jpg
19X trigger with trigger bar is #39701, ejector #47021. Gen5 trigger with trigger bar is #39701, ejector #30274. The trigger press on both is a smooth rolling break without apparent wall. I perceive that the 19X is a little smoother.
Checkering on front strap, back strap, and side panels is 11-1/2 lpi on the gauge.
Fouling is obviously much more apparent on the coyote receiver than black. My frame is stained in a few spots, but it’s of no matter to me. Some will be bothered by this.
https://i.imgur.com/iVhvMcM.jpg
Magazines
Magazine spring in the 17rd is 10-coil. The 19rd (+) mags it is 11-coil.
(+) extensions are the same design as the existing 7151 black.
Pmag 17s and 21s were used at various points and work fine.
Concerns over gen5 magazine compatibility are overstated. The number of G19Xs in circulation is low. Gen5 G17/34 and their magazines are still outnumbered many fold by earlier versions. It’s largely a non-issue for the vast majority of users, and a 19x user can easily swap or tweak gen5 floorplates.
Holsters
Holsters for existing gen1-4 models mostly work. If they flex or otherwise have clearance for the right side slide stop lever no mods are needed. Tightly molded kydex may need to be remolded or trimmed. Some duty holsters were tight enough that the gun dragged at the slide stop during presentation. Those bodies or their liners will need to be trimmed, molded, or replaced. My daily use holsters have been a Safariland 7390 and CCC Shaggy AIWB. The 7390 required no modification. I trimmed a small notch in the Shaggy for the (r) slide stop.
Concealing the 19X requires no more effort than a G17 or G34, which I have also done for extended periods in similar applications.
https://i.imgur.com/gTKEjSq.jpg
Shooting
As of this post precisely 2,838 rounds of 15 unique cartridges have been fired through the gun. There have been five shooters, ages ~15-50, four men and one woman.
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
50 Blazer Brass 115 FMJ
50 Blazer Brass 124 FMJ
*100 ICC Green Elite 100 lead free frang
135 Remington Disintegrator 101 lead free frang
162 Speer Lawman 100 RHT lead free frang
338 Ultramax 115 FMJ reman
54 Winchester 115 FMJ (Q4172)
There was only one malfunction with the ICC Green Elite lead free frangible. This is not uncommon and the ammunition has a spotty history with me. All other ammunition functioned reliably. Range activities include OH, SHO, WHO, exaggerated minimal gripping.
The 19X is a shooter’s gun. The 19-length slide cycles, lifts, and returns quickly with little to no muzzle oscillation. The full size grip allows full-handed control, a quick master grip at the holster, and additional (internal) ammunition capacity. Despite criticism of the 19 slide on a 17 grip, I found this much more favorable for actually running the gun than a 17 slide/19 grip configuration.
https://i.imgur.com/vztE9HK.jpg
I found the 19X particularly agreeable when shooting SHO and WHO. It was most pronounced during an extended session with my ballistic shield, which creates irregular support, angles, and sight pictures.
https://i.imgur.com/Yc1bLWI.jpg
Inconsistent ejection pattern and so-called “BTF” was evident with some combinations of shooter-task-ammo. In other combinations, ejection was strong and consistent. During the 1911 extractor test only about 30% of cases ejected via the port. Most of the remainder went down the well. A few stove-piped. The last round in any given magazine extracted and ejected properly without stoppage.
Accelerated finish wear to the barrel and slide stop levers is evident, and much greater than previous Glock generations. Earlier (gen1-4) haven’t shown such wear for tens of thousands of rounds of shooting and handling. There was no parts failure or corrosion, just cosmetic effect.
https://i.imgur.com/VKppnPO.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/aMhceZc.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/KxfPcG7.jpg
Didn’t Dos
Other than sight replacement and the gl9 pmags, I didn’t check any aftermarket parts or their functionality, nor any swaps of OEM parts between any other Glocks. Other owners will have to supply that information. No WML use yet.
Wants
A 19X in black. Current color limits sales for agency, individual LEO, security, and other professional users. Many are overly concerned with color, and this gun isn’t an option for them as-is. The public is largely indifferent, and only gun-guys commented on mine during uniformed carry.
Include the orange high-visibility follower of the gen5s in any future 19X magazines.
Make the 19X available with other gen5 OEM sight options, such as the Bold/FBI.
https://i.imgur.com/SlCp9gr.jpg
Unboxing
Blue label guns are flowing slower than commercial. 19X is priced higher than other gen4 and 5.
The box is brown, and includes all the usual manuals and safety brochures.
The gun is supplied with 1-17rd mag, and 2-19rd mags, four color matched M and L backstraps with and without beavertails.
Shipped with standard Glock NS.
The polymer has colorant throughout, the coyote is not an external application.
Slide cover plate, barrel, sights, and controls, and internals are black or silver.
Front corners of slide and dustcover are blended.
First Shots
Immediately after purchase, I took the gun to the range with an assortment of carry and training ammo from my armory. No inspection, cleaning, or lubrication was done. I opened the box, filled magazines, and fired 400 rounds of various drills in a little over an hour. There were no malfunctions. The Glock OEM night sights shot POA/POI. Ammunition used:
200 rounds BHA 115 FMJ
50 rounds BHA 115gr TAC-XP
50 rounds Speer GDHP G2
50 rounds Federal 147 HST
50 rounds Speer Lawman 147 TMJ
Slide
Depending on the lighting, slide appearance is dull copper, bronze, FDE, sand, gold, and shades in between.
RSA is marked 1_7. The same RSA is in the gen5 G19.
The inside of the slide forward of the ejection port takes on a purple color in some light.
https://i.imgur.com/swGpxDX.jpg
Late in this process I replaced the OEM night sights with Ameriglo Agents, #GL5517. These sights were GTG in all types of lighting indoors and outdoors. 147gr rounds run a smidgen high, but everything else is at or near enough to POA to not bother with further fine-tuning. Target below is 10rds standing offhand at 25yds.
https://i.imgur.com/fv1Fg34.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/LtDOsOf.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/CWLzncu.jpg
Barrel
The new GMB shoots as well as I am capable of, and better shooters can wring it out further. When shooting 25yd groups off hand my overall group size is comparable to gens 1-4. I do notice smaller clusters of my well-placed rounds in the 9/10 rings.
Receiver
The extension/lip at the bottom front of the mag well is no bother, and extends no lower than the magazine floorplate it sits in front of.
Mag well dimension is gen4 type, no flaring.
Lanyard ring is easily removable, press a punch into the hole and pull lanyard ring. Reinstalls as easily.
The magazine release has a rounder edge and seems like it stands out a bit more than gen5 G17/19s on hand. Part number for the 19X release is #8794, gen5 is #7534. I like the 19X release better.
https://i.imgur.com/3Q7APHw.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/thHWqvL.jpg
19X trigger with trigger bar is #39701, ejector #47021. Gen5 trigger with trigger bar is #39701, ejector #30274. The trigger press on both is a smooth rolling break without apparent wall. I perceive that the 19X is a little smoother.
Checkering on front strap, back strap, and side panels is 11-1/2 lpi on the gauge.
Fouling is obviously much more apparent on the coyote receiver than black. My frame is stained in a few spots, but it’s of no matter to me. Some will be bothered by this.
https://i.imgur.com/iVhvMcM.jpg
Magazines
Magazine spring in the 17rd is 10-coil. The 19rd (+) mags it is 11-coil.
(+) extensions are the same design as the existing 7151 black.
Pmag 17s and 21s were used at various points and work fine.
Concerns over gen5 magazine compatibility are overstated. The number of G19Xs in circulation is low. Gen5 G17/34 and their magazines are still outnumbered many fold by earlier versions. It’s largely a non-issue for the vast majority of users, and a 19x user can easily swap or tweak gen5 floorplates.
Holsters
Holsters for existing gen1-4 models mostly work. If they flex or otherwise have clearance for the right side slide stop lever no mods are needed. Tightly molded kydex may need to be remolded or trimmed. Some duty holsters were tight enough that the gun dragged at the slide stop during presentation. Those bodies or their liners will need to be trimmed, molded, or replaced. My daily use holsters have been a Safariland 7390 and CCC Shaggy AIWB. The 7390 required no modification. I trimmed a small notch in the Shaggy for the (r) slide stop.
Concealing the 19X requires no more effort than a G17 or G34, which I have also done for extended periods in similar applications.
https://i.imgur.com/gTKEjSq.jpg
Shooting
As of this post precisely 2,838 rounds of 15 unique cartridges have been fired through the gun. There have been five shooters, ages ~15-50, four men and one woman.
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
50 Blazer Brass 115 FMJ
50 Blazer Brass 124 FMJ
*100 ICC Green Elite 100 lead free frang
135 Remington Disintegrator 101 lead free frang
162 Speer Lawman 100 RHT lead free frang
338 Ultramax 115 FMJ reman
54 Winchester 115 FMJ (Q4172)
There was only one malfunction with the ICC Green Elite lead free frangible. This is not uncommon and the ammunition has a spotty history with me. All other ammunition functioned reliably. Range activities include OH, SHO, WHO, exaggerated minimal gripping.
The 19X is a shooter’s gun. The 19-length slide cycles, lifts, and returns quickly with little to no muzzle oscillation. The full size grip allows full-handed control, a quick master grip at the holster, and additional (internal) ammunition capacity. Despite criticism of the 19 slide on a 17 grip, I found this much more favorable for actually running the gun than a 17 slide/19 grip configuration.
https://i.imgur.com/vztE9HK.jpg
I found the 19X particularly agreeable when shooting SHO and WHO. It was most pronounced during an extended session with my ballistic shield, which creates irregular support, angles, and sight pictures.
https://i.imgur.com/Yc1bLWI.jpg
Inconsistent ejection pattern and so-called “BTF” was evident with some combinations of shooter-task-ammo. In other combinations, ejection was strong and consistent. During the 1911 extractor test only about 30% of cases ejected via the port. Most of the remainder went down the well. A few stove-piped. The last round in any given magazine extracted and ejected properly without stoppage.
Accelerated finish wear to the barrel and slide stop levers is evident, and much greater than previous Glock generations. Earlier (gen1-4) haven’t shown such wear for tens of thousands of rounds of shooting and handling. There was no parts failure or corrosion, just cosmetic effect.
https://i.imgur.com/VKppnPO.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/aMhceZc.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/KxfPcG7.jpg
Didn’t Dos
Other than sight replacement and the gl9 pmags, I didn’t check any aftermarket parts or their functionality, nor any swaps of OEM parts between any other Glocks. Other owners will have to supply that information. No WML use yet.
Wants
A 19X in black. Current color limits sales for agency, individual LEO, security, and other professional users. Many are overly concerned with color, and this gun isn’t an option for them as-is. The public is largely indifferent, and only gun-guys commented on mine during uniformed carry.
Include the orange high-visibility follower of the gen5s in any future 19X magazines.
Make the 19X available with other gen5 OEM sight options, such as the Bold/FBI.