For the friends of all4shooters the GLOCK 19X is no novelty. We began last year with what was the start of all things, the GLOCK 19 MHS, i.e. the the pistol that the Austrian manufacturer presented for the US military XM17 Modular Handgun System (MHS) competition and was selected as a finalist.
We extensively tested it, anticipating that a “civilian” version would be offered on the market soon (GLOCK: the military G19 MHS goes civilian?). Just a few months later, that gun became a reality in the form of the GLOCK 19X. We duly introduced the latter in an article (GLOCK 19X: the new 9mm pistol in “Coyote Tan”). Now, finally, we put it through its paces in a complete – and pleasant, we must say – fire test.
GLOCK 19X: technical features
In case you missed the previous episodes, let's summarize some technical info. Chambered in 9mm Luger, the 19X is GLOCK's first ever "Crossover" pistol, combining the best features of two of its most popular and most trusted field-tested platforms, the G17 and the G19. This polymer frame pistol combines the full-size G17 frame with the compact G19 slide, which means that it offers plenty of firepower in more compact dimensions. The large full-size frame is in fact designed for 17-round magazines and can even accept extended 19-round magazines.
Additional features include the GLOCK Marksman Barrel (GMB) for better accuracy, no finger grooves on the grip, ambidextrous slide stop levers and a lanyard loop. Another “first” for Glock is the fact that the 19X comes in a “coyote” color with the first-ever factory colored slide, finished with an improved nPVD slide coating to prevent corrosion. The finish is made especially for the military and therefore it's very durable and corrosion-resistant – the simple black Tenifer times are long gone. The polymer frame is coyote tan too.
A departure from the original MHS version is the removal in the G19X of the ambidextrous manual safety that was present in the former model as per US Army's request. The guys at GLOCK always considered manual safety anathema after all, since the pistol safety system already includes three independently operating mechanisms - the trigger safety, the firing pin safety and the drop safety.
GLOCK 19X: watch the video from our all4shooters test firing
GLOCK 19X, the live firing test
When we test-fired the original GLOCK MHS last year we immediately fell in love with it.
Thanks to a new trigger pack, the trigger feel is exceptionally uniform and smooth with no over-travel and a crisp reset. And even if we had never shot that model before, accuracy was surprising – and very satisfying for the shooter. Well, the 19X is no different: trigger is perfect, recoil and muzzle flip are easy to control, and accuracy is beyond reproach. The three-dot sights are always clear and easy to use, allowing for quick alignment. Not to mention a flawless cycling.
As you can assume even from the video our time at the range in Niederweimar was in fact more fun than testing, since there wasn't much to “test” after all. We had already shot with the GLOCK 19 MHS so we knew our gun, and at the end we only wish we had more cartridges and more time... In fact, if you catch our drift, the GLOCK 19X seems to “drink” rather than to chamber cartridges considering the smoothness with which it cycles. Firing it never becomes tiresome or uncomfortable, and full magazines are emptied on the targets in a flash
All the (few) external controls – magazine release button, slide stop – are exactly where you expect them to be, easy to reach and to operate. Moreover, the 17-round magazine capacity (that can also be increased to 19 with the extended magazine) is quite reassuring in any scenario.
To wrap up, few pistols can give off the same feeling of reliability. The G19 is like a trustworthy old friend, and having it by your side or in your hand makes you feel confident. Which is not a minor matter whether you carry a gun to protect yourself or just for a relaxing day on the range.
For more information please visit GLOCK website.
