Despite what the mall ninjas and bearded pretenders think, I happen to really like the Glock 19X. When the complaints started rolling in, I wasn’t sure that the “Glock went the wrong direction,” wasn’t an April Fools joke. Turns out, you really can buy a G34 slide on a G26 frame, at the low price of $2000. At any rate, I like the 19X so much that I bought the one that came in for review. And this week, I finally got around to the add-ons and mods I prefer.

First rattle out of the box, the sights that come as the only option on the 19X are weak sauce. They aren’t the Glock plastic “ placeholder “ sights, but it isn’t the new hotness either. Same old 1994 model standard Trijicons. Nothing actually wrong with the Trijicons, they have a proven track record of toughness. But the NEW Trijicon HDXR models are a night and day improvement. I wrote about them at length earlier this year, and they are awesome. The HD XR models have a narrower front, a wider rear notch, improved tritium glow, and a super bright orange ring on the front sight now. All of that stacks up, for me at least, to faster engagements. I love the new models, and can’t say enough good things about them. They were an obvious choice as an upgrade, and I actually can’t believe Glock didn’t choose them in the first place.

Old and new styles side by side

new front sight in old rear sight channel.

Next up is not so much an upgrade, as an out of the box change. I reviewed the gun the first time just as it came from the factory. But for the Gen 4 & 5 models, I do really like the included backstrap with the extended beavertail. If you have anything near large size hands, you have gotten the infamous slide bite on your shooting hand. An extended beavertail that uses the second Glock pin to hold it has been available on the aftermarket for years, and I am glad to see they started making it a factory option. It also makes the grip just a little bit bigger, which in this case is a win.

While I was fixing the grip, the 19X obviously needed the sandpaper treatment. But here, I didn’t want to ruin the look of my new tan gun with regular black skateboard tape. I found pre cut grip tape at US Night Vision in ATACR Arid, which is a good looking camo pattern. I am normally not a slave to aesthetic choices, but it was a good one for this project.

I prefer Taran Tactical magazine extensions, which presents a small problem with the 19X. The 19X has a built-in lanyard loop, which hits the locking pin for a TTI mag extension. Fortunately, Glock made the lanyard loop removable. Without much effort, it pops free, allowing you to use any Glock magazine. Unless you are left-handed, in which case Gen 4 or 5. Taran doesn’t make an extension in coyote or FDE, but the Burnt Bronze model fits the color scheme well enough.

Last but not least, what does else does a pistol need? A flashlight of course. The options here are myriad, but I went with old reliable. Surefire makes an X300 Ultra in tan, which is pretty much a perfect fit.

And there we are. 10 minutes later, the 19X is both range and Instagram ready. The 19X is a mean little bugger, one that I think history will judge well. If you are in the Glock camp, the time to grab one is now. Before Glock caves to the Troll Army and starts making 17L/43 hybrids, or some other useless paperweight.

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