Best Upgrades For Glock 19

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Mike23

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Okay, I just purchased my first gun (Glock 19 Gen4) and I'm getting use to the internal components. I know its kind of a general question and mostly a matter of opion but I was just wondering what sort of general upgrades are best for this model? This question is more geared towards internal components but any useful information or suggestions on the matter from those with experience with this gun would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

-Mike
 
It is a fine weapon and extremely popular...........it needs NOTHING done to it except to be cleaned and lubricated periodically. That is all. If there was any improvement to be made the factory would have already done so.
Are you a mechanical engineer? Just leave well enough alone.
 
More standard capacity 15-rounds magazines before they are outlawed.

More practice ammo.

If you can find either one at this point in time.

rc
 
I have never understood the need for an extended slide release.

You either slingshot the slide on a reload which is the method taught in most combat pistol-craft schools.

Or you punch the stock slide release with your left thumb while it is up there waving around next too it while stuffing a loaded mag in the grip, which is one way the guys who win speed shoot games do it.

Either method is superior to an extended slide release that may get pushed up and lock the slide back with an errant thumb or finger under recoil.

rc
 
I have small hands so I have the Vickers extended mag release. That's just me. I would not consider that an upgrade, but rather a matter of physiology of the individual's hand.

The stock one is too small for me to hit without changing my grip and the Glock extended release resulted in unintentional dropped mags. It's also damned sharp.
 
Um lets see.

Metal guide rod. Since the Gen 4 has a dual action that's part of the problem solved.

Extended slide release that was mentioned.

Grip plug to prevent crud buildup in the grip. Good luck finding one that fits the smaller profile GEN4 handle.

Ghost trigger kit. In any weight you like.

Steel sights. I have seen Glock sights snap off like twigs during drills. Really funny when it happens to that U shaped rear sight.

Talon or similar sandpaper grips.
 
I put a steel guide rod and new spring, grip plug, internal recoil pad, extended beavertail grip, night sights, and polished the barrell. I personally like the stock trigger on the glock 19 gen 3 so I left it be. The only other thing I can think of is snag up extra mags.


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For me, a set of 10-8 sights was the very best upgrade. I see no reason to change anything on the gun, but then, mine's a Gen 4. If I had a Gen 3, I'd likely get a larger mag release and do some stippling.
 
I have a gen 2 and I put nightsites on, a piece of 1/8 drill rod in the recoil spring and wear marks. I also purchased a bunch of mags. 4 g-17 mags with 2 having +2 adapters, 6 g-19 mags with 4 having +2 adapters.
 
The best upgrade money can buy is your personal proficiency.

Shoot it as much as you can afford, and dry fire practice when you can't.
 
Is there any way to change the grip angle?

- a few people do grip reduction / grip angle alterations...
Robar in Arizona, Bowie (I think) in Texas, Boresight in Florida

I'm rather partial to Heinie Straight 8 sights
 
I'm not sure if there are any real "upgrade" aftermarket parts. Most changes are personal ergonomic issues and not upgrades in that the new parts improve functionality, accuracy, or reliability. The "Glock hump" can be removed. I did it on one of mine and there are DIY guides on the Internet on how to do it. Stippling isn't too hard either.

I also used the G19 ribbed trigger shoe over the smooth G17 shoe as personal preference and polished friction points to improve trigger pull feel. The only upgrade I have on one of my rigs is a Trijicon red dot in that it increases my accuracy while retaining the function and reliability of co-witnessed iron sights.
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How does it shoot? First thing I would do is go out and buy 500 rounds of ammo for it, shoot it all up and go buy more. Get out and shoot as often as you can.

I know many an experienced Glock shooter that can run circles around most of us with a box stock pistol. The only upgrade that I would recommend is for reliability reasons, replace the "perfect" plastic sights with something more durable.
 
The Glock in 9mm doesn't need any sort of upgrade to be completely functional. I like a set of night sights if it's going to ever be used in a defensive role, but 9mm Glocks are really about as reliable as an auto pistol can get.
 
my standard glock upgrades when i buy a glock are new york trigger,night sights,extended slide release,and extended mag release(which i take some sandpaper to the sharp edges and kind of round off the square corners).i use my guns for work,and if god forbid i have to use the gun at work,the lawyers won't have much ammunition to try to screw me over about modifications to the pistols.
 
extended slide release
Sorry, but this is an awful generic recommendation. There are some people, including myself, who have found that an extended slide stop is a hindrance. It causes me to inadvertently lock the slide back mid-mag. May work for some, but certainly not everybody. Furthermore, it's useless if you use the overhand sling shot method to release the slide.
 
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I have four Glocks, the oldest being a 2nd gen 19, around 13-14 years old at this point.

Not having an engineering degree, I trust Gaston Glock, and leave the internals alone. I have, however replaced the sights on all of them (19, two 36's, and a 30) with tritium night sights.

Mark H.
 
the extended slide stop is basically a lil bit more metal on the stop(rounded with a flat on the top) making it easier to hit versus just the flat tab.it's not like the big levers you see on the 1911's.it makes it easier for us guys with short fat fingers(as opposed to our short fat heads)to flick the lever while using 1 hand.just check holster fit after installing.you may have to force fit a couple of times to wear in a channel(safariland)
 
I should note I also have small hands and run an extended slide release. My thumb doesn't interfere with it upon operating the firearm because my hand is smaller, though that happened all the time on my 1911 and I did needless amounts of tap-rack-bangs when I ran dry, assuming it was a malfunction.

I'd also note that when practicing one-handed reloading and shooting drills to simulate an injured arm, an overhand slingshot probably isn't possible if your hand is ruined severely. Dropping the slide by catching the rear sight on a holster only works consistently if you're running kydex on an OWB. It's much more difficult with a leather or hybrid IWB. It also keeps the muzzle away from your threat for a longer duration. You can always try racking it against your belt as well, but I find popping the extended slide release with my thumb works great during one-handed drills because I can do that with the gun on target, instead of adding the extra step of trying to send the slide home off my holster or belt. The gun is already out of the fight long enough when you're trying to pop in a fresh mag with one good hand. I can also do weak-hand, one-handed reloading drills and pop the slide release with the second knuckle of my now-trigger finger.

The dexterity of hitting the slide release is a lot less than doing the knee method or trying to catch the rear sight on a belt or holster, IMO.

One big benefit of the RMR optic I run is it makes it incredibly easy to send the slide home. I just bat the RMR with my support hand instead of gripping the slide to slingshot it. I remember during a weeklong training course, my adrenaline was pumping so hard that I was practically palm-striking the Trijicon during reloads. I actually managed to bruise my palm pretty good. It also catches much easier than a tiny rear sight for one-handed reloads.
 
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