Glock 49 vs 17 vs 19: Long Slide, Compact Grip

The Glock 49 is a G17-length slide and barrel on a G19-size frame. You get the G17’s 4.49 inch barrel and longer sight radius with the G19’s shorter grip and 15-round magazines. The G17 gives you the full-size grip and 17 rounds. The G19 is the shorter, handier all-rounder. Pick the G49 if you like a long slide but want a grip that hides better, and the G19 if you want the most holster and accessory support.

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Anyone who has done the math figured Glock would someday introduce the G49 MOS. The G49 is a hybrid pistol much like the G19X and G45, except the G49 uses a G17-length slide mated to the G19-size frame. Think longer barrels with less capacity. The new Glock is hardly innovative but it is a variation on the G17 and G19 that some DIY Glock builders have concocted in the past and a variation Glock loyalists have harped on for years. Now the G49 label in your safe doesn’t have to be empty anymore. You now have a gun to fill that slot. 

Glock 49 vs Glock 17 vs Glock 19 at a Glance

	Glock 49	Glock 17 Gen5	Glock 19 Gen5
Build	G17 slide and barrel, G19 frame	Full-size slide and frame	Compact slide and frame
Barrel length	4.49 in (G17 barrel)	4.49 in	4.02 in
Overall length	About 7.95 in, set by the G17 slide	7.95 in	7.28 in
Height with magazine	About 5.04 in, set by the G19 frame	5.47 in	5.04 in
Standard capacity	15 (G19 magazines)	17	15
Weight, no magazine	Not published by Glock	22.22 oz	21.52 oz
Where to get one	TALO distributor exclusive, not in Glock’s catalog	Glock catalog	Glock catalog

Glock 47 vs Glock 49

The G47 is the G17-size Glock built for Customs and Border Protection: full-length slide, full-size grip, 17 rounds, and a shorter dust cover that makes it parts compatible with the Gen5 G19. That compatibility is why Glock nerds were building G49-style guns before TALO ordered one from the factory. Put a G47 slide on a G19 frame and you have the G49 idea. Want the full grip? Buy the G47. Want the shorter grip? Buy the G49. Our Glock G47 MOS review breaks the G47 down.

Holsters and Magazines for the Glock 49

• Magazines: the G49 has a G19 frame, so it takes 15-round G19 magazines. Longer G17 magazines fit too and stick out of the grip.
• Holsters: the slide is G17 length, so a G17-length holster is the place to start. Confirm fit with the holster maker before you buy, especially for light-bearing or optic-cut holsters.
• Optics: the G49 MOS takes red dots through Glock’s MOS plate system, like other MOS models.

Which One Should You Buy?

• Glock 19 if you want one pistol that does carry, home defense and range work, with the deepest pool of holsters and gear.
• Glock 17 if you want the full-size grip and two extra rounds for home and duty use.
• Glock 49 if you shoot irons, like the longer sight radius and softer muzzle flip, and want a grip that conceals like a G19.
• Glock 45 if you want the reverse recipe: a full-size grip with a compact slide. Our G45 vs G19X review covers it.

🛒 Check current Glock 49 listings on GunsAmerica

A Glock Nonevent

While the G49 is a bit of a nonevent, I did have to exercise my curiosity. The G49 uses the G19 frame with a G17-long slide and barrel. It looks awkward due to the compact grip frame and the longer barrel. They’ve given Gen5 treatment to the G49: so it has the Glock Marksman barrel, the MOS mount to bolt on a red dot, ambidextrous slide stop, switchable magazine catch, improved trigger, front slide serrations, and flared magazine well. The sights are Glock circa 1986; white dot front and outlined rear. I like the contrast in the sights and because I have used these sights since I’ve been using Glocks, I am accustomed and familiar with them. 

In hand, the G49 points well, and due to the extra slide length, the sight radius is increased. Which is an aid when shooting iron sights. It won’t make much difference, however, if you are using a red dot optic. The extra barrel length ekes out a smidge more velocity but not that anyone will know except your chronograph. 

G49 Expectations

So what can you expect from the G49? A reliable, easy-to-run pistol. If you like the G19 size grip this could be an option. The real benefit in my opinion with the G49 is that there is less muzzle flip due to the longer slide. The pistol cycled smoothly and the Gen5 trigger is a better Glock trigger.

Range Time With The Glock G49 

I ran training and defense loads through the G49 and had no issues. That’s what I expect from a Glock and that is what the G49 delivered. I used a rest at 15 yards to gather accuracy data and found the best group with defense ammo came with Remington Ultimate Defense loaded with a 124-grain Golden Saber BJHP bullet with a 5 shot groups that measures 1.6 inches. On average it is grouped 1.7 inches. The best group with training ammo was 115-grain FMJs in Federal American Eagle ammunition. Best group measured 1.3 inches and averaged 1.5 inches. That is very acceptable accuracy for a service style pistol.

Shooting for speed at 7 yards the G49 was easy to control. I fired as fast as could while pushing my limit on accuracy. Keeping hits in a 8-inch circle in a few seconds was not hard to accomplish. I’d like to say that the G49 is like shooting a long slide G19 and that is the case. 

Do You Need A Glock G49?

In my opinion, I’ll stick with a G47, G45, or a plain, tried and true G19. The G49 doesn’t bring anything new to the table. It does bring that legendary Glock reliability with Gen5 features. If Glock wants to innovate, I still think a compact size, single-stack magazine Glock chambered in 45 Auto would be a popular. Perhaps a G36X? Or reconfigure the G43X and G48 to hold 15 rounds, just like Taurus, SIG, Springfield Armory, Ruger and S&W have done with their compact models. In my onion that is the math Glock should be solving for.

READ MORE: Ready For Prime-Time Commercial Sales: Glock 28

The G49 MOS isn’t in Glock’s catalog nor website. TALO Distributors introduced it in late 2023 when they ordered the limited-edition, specific combination from the factory. The G49 is a good, reliable gun, but there are other Glock models better suited for concealed carry. The novelty of having a Glock roll marked “49” is perhaps the biggest reason to own a G49.

FAQ

Is the Glock 49 a real Glock model?

Yes. TALO Distributors ordered it from Glock as a limited, distributor exclusive configuration in late 2023. It is not in Glock’s own catalog or on Glock’s website.

Do Glock 19 magazines fit the Glock 49?

Yes. The G49 uses the G19 frame and comes with 15-round G19 magazines.

Is the Glock 49 more accurate than a Glock 19?

Our reviewer found the longer slide helps with iron sights and muzzle flip. His best 15 yard group with training ammo was 1.3 inches.

More Glock reading: the top Glocks and the best Glock alternatives.