TOP 5 Upgrades For Glock 19
The Glock 19 is one of the most common pistols in the world. Known for its reliability and versatility, the G19 is a massive seller worldwide. Another major reason for its success is the vast aftermarket that surrounds Glock pistols. If you can dream it, somebody out there makes it. Unfortunately, that also means that there are a lot of gimmicks and cheap parts floating around. This is a minefield for new shooters who have yet to determine what makes a quality part or a helpful upgrade. My personal G19, a customized Gen 3, is here to help (you’re welcome). Here are the top five upgrades for your Glock 19, ranging from sights to a concealed carry Glock holster.
1: Glock 19 OWB Holster
Holsters aren’t an upgrade to the gun itself but they are essential to making a handgun practical. With the exception of being in your home or at the range, having a gun on your person means that it needs to be in a quality holster. First, let’s talk about outside-the-waistband (OWB). I made this number one because of the importance of learning how to safely use your firearm before shoving one in your pants. Drawing, firing, and basic manipulations need to be second nature before you start seriously considering carrying a pistol for self defense. There are basically three options when it comes to holster materials: leather Glock 19 holster, nylon Glock 19 holster or performance Kydex Glock 19 holster. Leather holsters are kinder to the finish of your gun & more comfortable, if that matters to you. I tend to stick with Kydex or other hard plastics. Kydex holsters offer more features than leather, like different levels of retention, but to each their own. Just make sure it is from a reputable brand and designed for your specific gun.
2: Stipple/Grip Tape
Gunfights are like awkward introductions at a party. You want to get in and out as quickly as possible and you’re hands are probably going to be wet. With a fight, that could mean sweat, blood, rain, or who knows what else. This can negatively affect your ability to grip your gun, which compromises control. Altering your Glock 19 to have a more aggressive grip texture can be huge. Personally, I like a stippled frame. As you can see above, I use my Glock 19 a lot. The brown in the grip is a mixture of dirt and skin, which has accumulated over the last four years and 10,000 rounds. There are countless companies, big and small, that can do this for you. If you’re feeling brave, you can do it yourself with a wood burning kit. I suggest practicing first on your Glock’s box or some cheap A2 AR-15 grips. If that’s too expensive or daring for you, there are a few companies that offer grip tape; either rubberized or like sandpaper.
3: Defensive Ammunition
If you’re using your G19 as more than a range toy, ammo selection is a very important subject. I could write an entire article just on this. The short version is that you need to use defensive ammunition. Hollow point and other defensive loads are designed to mushroom out upon contact with the target. While some will have you believe that this is to make the most evil wound possible, it does something far more important. When the round expands, the projectile uses all of its energy in a short amount of time. This means that the bullet is far more likely to stop within the target, cutting down on damage that may occur from the bullet passing through. A 9x19mm full metal jacket round is likely to overpentrate, leaving you vulnerable to civil and criminal penalties. Unfortunately, sometimes we need to think more in terms of the performance of our wallets than our firearms.
4: Optic/Sights
The shooting community has been complaining about the factory Glock sights for as long as I can remember. The sights that come on your Glock 19 leave something to be desired. They are perfectly serviceable and will do the trick, but we’re all here to make our G19s better, right? Let’s have some fun. Without a doubt, a red dot optic is one of the biggest upgrades you can make. This is true both in capabilities gained and money spent. Red dots are not cheap, and if they are, there is a reason. This is not the place to cheap out. There are reputable manufacturers like Holosun that make a great product, for a reasonable cost. Beware the sub $200 red dots if you want to use your Glock for anything serious. Red dots have the ability to get you on target much quicker, and much more accurately. This, of course, is after some training. While electronics can fail, these optics have been around for long enough that I think it is safe to say that they are dependable for both duty and carry. However, if it’s still not what you want, a nice set of high visibility iron sights will still be massive upgrade.
5: Glock 19 IWB Holster
This is more specific to the concealed carry crowd. Your holster needs to be comfortable, and this seems to be the focus of those who are new to concealing a handgun. They tend to start with comfort and dress around the gun. As you become more experienced, you find out that a good inside-the-waistband Glock concealment holster actually helps hide the gun. Advances like chassis systems, hard-sided bellybands, and wing attachments have made carrying easier than ever. Leather still owns a large part of carrying concealed. It can be more comfortable thank Kydex. This is truly personal preference, but again, you want to make sure that the holster covers the trigger and is made well. Avoid the word “universal” and get a specific concealed carry Glock 19 holster. If you can’t find one you like for the G19, you can also use a Glock 23 concealment holster, as the guns share dimensions. Which is the best concealed holster for Glock 19? I can’t answer that for you. It’s all trial and error.
The Most Important Glock 19 Upgrade
Everything that I just listed will add value to your Glock 19. Gear is cool and fun to buy, but none of these are the most important upgrade. The most important part of your G19 is you. Your ability to think on the move and use the firearm in a proficient manner is the single most important part of shooting. The number one investment you can make is in upgrading your abilities. Seek training, practice when you can, and keep your mind and skills sharp.
Nic Lenze
24.4.2023
