Is a Glock that is “compact” really compact enough to make any difference, or is it simply small enough to shoot worse? The reason why Glock grew to high positions of non-belief to almost default was a practical one: polymer meant less weight, the construction remained minimalistic, and the weapons gained a reputation of operating even after being neglected. To make the problem worse, it is not in the functionality of a Glock that makes the modern buyer have a hard time making the purchase, but how to trace an enormous model line to real-life applications such as concealed carry, home defense, training, and match use.
The initial brain re-Boost is naming. Glock numbers are not a caliber or purpose coded number, but a sequential release number. A Glock 47 is just a 47 any other model that has been released and many new owners have been following the wrong path when they are taught to think that the “higher the model number” the “bigger” and “better” it is to do a job. The second reset comes in finding that “size class” can be more significant than the rollmark on the slide due to the grip length, sight radius, and holster fit contributing to how the pistol is carried and how it is fired in the field.
Full-size and compact are debated like it is a canyon. As a matter of fact, the distinction can be small. An illustrative case as to why is in the shorter barrel of the Glock 17 (4.5 inch) and the magazine capacity of the Glock 17 (17 rounds), which is almost the same width and roughly the same weight as the Glock 19 (4 inch barrel and 15 round magazine). It is just that little delta that makes many shooters tell about the full-size frame “settling” better in the hand and at recoil, whereas others continue to take the shorter grip to minimize printing. The length of the slide often has little to do with it, but often it is the grip that is able to fit under normal clothing, and still allow a repeatable full firing grip once out of the holster.
And that is why micro-compacts should be singled out as well. Shooting becomes more difficult once barrel length is reduced to less than four inches and grips are smaller not due to mechanical inaccuracy of the gun, but because the interface of the shooter is worse. Smaller pistols are easier to squeeze hard in hand, and the shorter sight radius of the pistol indicates errors in alignment sooner. Nonetheless, the carried gun is more applicable than the one at home and micro-compacts are in existence as real wardrobes and real time-lined do not always accommodate duty-sized pistols.
The role and not online folklore should determine caliber decisions. The reason why 9mm is the center of gravity of Glock is that it is controllable, has capacity, and is available. There is still controversy due to felt rather than calculated recoil, and a widespread lesson of this experience is that.40 S&W can sometimes seem “snappier” when used in a similar-sized firearm; a typical conclusion to this is that factory.40 caliber ammunition may actually have a higher perceived recoil than factory 9mm ammunition on the similar platform. In the case of individuals wishing to use heavier bullets but not to enter into specialty areas, the Glock 30 SF line of products, such as the Glock 30 SF, retains power in a reduced frame. 10mm Auto remains a low volume, niche product at the extreme, defending against large, outdoor predators, where penetration and energy are more important than split times and concealment.
Role-specific models are more reasonable after the size / caliber basis is established. Glock 19 continues to be the so-called “do-most-things-gun,” as it strikes a balance between a concealed and usable grip and capacity to service. To complete a full-size optic-ready system, the Glock 47 MOS includes a modular angle: the slide can have a variety of slide configurations compatible with the slide, including a Glock 19-length slide. To achieve something of a crossover feel-compact slide, full-size grip, the Glock 45 MOS fits shooters who desire a grip that can be used in the duty role but with a just-slightly-shorter top end, particularly when equipped with a reflex sight.
There is logic of competition and training. The Glock 34 MOS has an elongated platform with optics ability to achieve a quicker visual confirmation at speed. At the same time, the Glock 44, .22 LR, will resemble the overall size of the Glock 19, and hence a training variant when the target is time and practice, but not suppressing recoil.
Finally, the Glock choice is not so much about finding the “best model” and more about finding a consistent combination of variables, grip length, sighting mechanism and recoil behavior to support the job that the pistol will perform on a daily basis.
