Best Glock Alternatives: 6 Pistols That Outperform Perfection

There is no doubt that Glock has left an impression on the firearms world. Long touted for their simplicity, modularity, and reliability, the Austrian wonder is so deeply represented that it threatens to leave newcomers thinking there are few other choices.

Many folks have great experiences with these guns, so it's no wonder new shooters are steered toward them when considering their first purchase. It’s a lofty goal to associate your brand with perfection, but many shooters will attest that there are at least a couple of areas where Glocks could use some updating.

While they have been successful enough to become the standard by which many other firearms are measured, several other excellent options are also available.

Our team compared notes stemming from many years of experience to compile a list of alternatives. Whether you’re a Glock hater, fan, or somewhere in between, these options are worthy of your attention.

Best Glock Alternatives Comparison Chart

How We Tested the Best Alternatives to the Glock

To start, our team put their heads together to compile a list based on their expertise with the Glock platform and other similar performing semi-auto handguns. Each gun has undergone a testing and evaluation process that includes a minimum of 500 rounds of defensive (JHP) and training ammo (FMJ) through it. Although many of the guns listed have 1,000+ rounds through them.

All guns are tested with at least two different magazines to gauge reloads. A Lyman Digital Gauge is used to measure each gun's average trigger pull weight.

For accuracy, our course of fire starts at 7 yards on a Ransom Rest to remove shooter error. From there, we fired supported and unsupported. Our accuracy tests include groups of 5 rounds to determine accuracy.

Best Glock Alternatives

1. Walther PDP - Editor's Pick

Editor's Pick

Walther PDP

$599

at Brownells

Prices accurate at time of writing

$599 at Brownells

GrabAGun (see price)

Palmetto State Armory (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: 9mm
• Action: Semi-auto, striker-fired
• Capacity: 18+1
• Overall Length: 8”
• Barrel Length: 4.5”
• Width: 1.34”
• Weight: 25.4 oz. (empty magazine)
• Country of origin: Germany

When the Performance Duty Pistol (a.k.a. the PDP) came out in 2021, it was evident Walther was gunning for Glock.

It was almost as if their engineers analyzed the competition, saw their weak points, and targeted them.

The PDP has some great features that make it just as good as a Glock, and in many ways, better. The Super Terrain Slide Serrations, front and rear, make working the slide a snap, even in bad weather and under stress.

I have 10,000+ rounds through mine now, and its reliability and accuracy were so good, I carried it while on duty. Plus, the Performance Duty Trigger in the PDP is even better than the Gen5 Glock, in my opinion.

There’s a pretty solid optic plate system for mounting red dots on the PDP. In addition, the capacity of 18+1 full size is slightly better than the Glock 17's 17+1.

What really holds the PDP head and shoulders above Glock is its ergonomics. With an extended beavertail and a grip with curves Glock could only dream about, the PDP feels profoundly better in the hand.

Want to learn more? Check out the Walther PDP Review!

What do you think of the Walther PDP? Rate it below!

2. CZ P-10C - Best Ergonomics

Best Ergonomics

CZ P-10 C

$393

at BattleHawk Armory

Prices accurate at time of writing

$393 at BattleHawk Armory

Classic Firearms (see price)

GrabAGun (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: 9mm
• Action: Semi-auto, striker-fired
• Capacity: 15+1
• Overall Length: 7.3”
• Barrel Length: 5.2”
• Width: 1.2”
• Weight: 26 oz.
• Country of origin: Czech Republic

The CZ P-10C is a fantastic alternative to the Glock 19 for size and capacity. One of the first things you notice is the better ergonomics of the grip.

There’s a deep beavertail, no extension needed, that covers the web of even bigger-handed shooters. The grip is truly oval-shaped, not square with rounded corners.

Up top, the slide features very serviceable serrations both front and rear. Plus, the low bore axis helps shooters with mitigating recoil.

In addition, the texture is made up of raised squares in various patterns along the sides. This texture is a little deeper on the front strap and backstrap, and is generally a little more aggressive than what you find on a Glock.

The trigger is solid too. Pulling back, there’s a build to a defined wall that isn’t crippled with squishiness. It breaks crisply and has a solid reset that is both audible and tactile too.

The P10-C is an excellent option for its better ergonomics and overall performance. It’s also extremely affordable!

We've got more details in our full review of the CZ P-10C! Or click on the video below to see it in action!

3. Sig Sauer P365XL - Best Concealed Carry Glock Alternative

Best for CCW

Sig Sauer P365XL

$582

at Guns.com

Prices accurate at time of writing

$582 at Guns.com

GrabAGun (see price)

Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: 9mm
• Action: Semi-auto, striker-fired
• Capacity: 12+1
• Overall Length: 6.6”
• Barrel Length: 3.7”
• Width: 1.1”
• Weight: 20.7 oz.
• Country of origin: USA

The Sig Sauer P365 is one of the best-selling concealed carry handguns of all time, and for good reason.

It’s compact, reliable, and has good capacity.

Sig capitalized on these attributes by giving the platform a little more with the XL version. Still calling it a micro-compact, they increased the length of the slide and barrel slightly, while increasing the capacity to 12+1 (15+1 with some magazines).

The gun is still slim, just over an inch wide, and easy to conceal. This doesn’t cut down on the performance, though.

The trigger is solid. With a flat-faced shoe, it pulls back without squish to a defined wall. Once there, it breaks crisply and features an audible and tactile reset as well.

Few companies rival Glock for modularity, but Sig seems to have taken this as a challenge because you can literally buy different components and build your own gun using Sig’s Fire Control Unit (FCU).

I’ve had one for a few years now and have found it to be accurate, reliable, and easy to carry. Plus, you can choose from a variety of accessories (red dots, lights, etc.) to set it up how you like.

Want more? Read up on the P365XL in our review or check out the video below!

4. Canik SFx Rival - Best Competition-Ready Glock Alternative

Best Competition-Ready Pistol

Canik SFX Rival

$629

at Midway USA

Prices accurate at time of writing

$629 at Midway USA

Palmetto State Armory (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: 9mm
• Action: Semi-auto, striker-fired
• Capacity: 18+1
• Overall Length: 8.1”
• Barrel Length: 5”
• Width: 1.41”
• Weight: 29.5 oz.
• Country of origin: Turkey

Glock’s modularity is often touted as one of its greater attributes, though at times, they can feel a bit unwilling to branch out. While there are variations in the mix, it would be a stretch to call some models specialized.

Canik doesn’t have that problem. They committed to creating a competition-worthy pistol, with all the features you want, that doesn’t break the bank. It’s called the SFx Rival. 

The Rival SFx has great ergonomics, with a well-rounded grip, good grip texture, and slide serrations both front and rear. The trigger guard is rather large, but also features a solid undercut for a good high grip.

Within that trigger guard rests a wide, flat-faced trigger shoe. Pulling back, the trigger comes to a wall before breaking crisply. The reset is tactile and audible.

The trigger is one of the highlights of the gun. But being competition-ready, Canik included an optics setup that rests deep within the slide.

In our testing, we’ve found accuracy to be excellent, no doubt, in part due to the great trigger. Reliability has also proven to be solid too.

With all these features and an 18+1 capacity, you can be off to the races in no time. Plus, at such a low price, you can afford to buy a good optic and ammunition for practice.

We've got more info our Canik SFx Rival Review and video below!

5. Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 - Best Duty Glock Alternative

Best Duty Pistol

Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0 Full-Size, Optics-Ready

$599

at Brownells

Prices accurate at time of writing

$599 at Brownells

Midway USA (see price)

Firearms Depot (see price)

GrabAGun (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: 9mm
• Action: Semi-auto, striker-fired
• Capacity: 17+1
• Overall Length: 7.25”
• Barrel Length: 4.25”
• Width: 1.3”
• Weight: 28.16 oz.
• Country of origin: USA

Smith & Wesson has been a staple in the law enforcement community since the early days of the revolver. The M&P series (military and police) continues that fine tradition today.

Although I never used one during my law enforcement career, I came to them much later through a review of the M&P 9 2.0, and later with the 2.0 Metal. I was struck by what I’d been missing. Initially, I didn’t like the trigger, but then I grew to love it.

Once I realized what was intended with the design, I appreciated it. While it has a relatively long pull, there’s no squishiness, and you come to a defined wall before a crisp break.

I was able to obtain great accuracy with this pistol, largely due to that trigger. Plus, the reliability we’ve experienced, testing the M&Ps has been great.

Finally, the 2.0's ergonomics are very good. The grip is oval-shaped with no hard corners or edges, and the beavertail is adequate to protect the hand's webbing.

Smith & Wesson includes a very aggressive texture on the grip, which allows shooters to maintain purchase and mitigate recoil. Plus, controls are well-designed and easy to reach.

This handgun also uses plastic optic plates to mount red dots, which have held up well in our testing so far.

Read the Smith & Wesson M&P9 2.0 review here!

6. Springfield Armory Echelon - Best Optics-Ready Glock Alternative

Best Optics-Ready Alternative

Springfield Armory Echelon

$583

at GrabAGun

Prices accurate at time of writing

$583 at GrabAGun

Kygunco (see price)

MidwayUSA (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: 9mm
• Action: Semi-auto, striker-fired
• Capacity: 17+1 or 20+1
• Overall Length: 8”
• Barrel Length: 4.5”
• Width: 1.2”
• Weight: 23.9 oz.
• Country of origin: Croatia

Springfield Armory released the Echelon in 2023.

Based on the look and features, the gun appeared to be targeting the law enforcement/concealed carry market — the domain Glock has dominated for decades.

The outward appearance suggests much in common with Glock, though it is more evolved. The capacity is a standard 17+1, though Springfield added extended magazines to the full-sized pistol, increasing that capacity to 20+1.

Aggressive slide serrations grace the front and rear, and a sandpaper-style grip texture covers the grip and parts of the frame. The Echelon's ergonomics are very solid.

The beavertail protects your hand well, and the grip is rounded all over. Springfield also includes additional backstraps to adjust the pistol to your hand size.

In our testing, we experienced good accuracy with the Echelon. The flat-faced trigger shoe was comfortable and the break allowed for excellent control.

We also pushed a bit further than standard testing and ran a case of ammo through the gun without fail. The last 500 rounds were fired burndown, and the Echelon prevailed.

If you're interested in something a tad smaller, Springfield just released the Echelon Compact -- a slim and trim version. We reviewed it not too long ago, so you can read more in our review.

Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C

$599

at Sportsman's Warehouse

Prices accurate at time of writing

$599 at Sportsman's Warehouse

Brownells (see price)

GrabAGun (see price)

We reviewed the Echelon when it came out, so learn more in our full written review or the video review below!

Meet The Experts

This list was compiled by a team of Pew Pew Tactical members consisting of the following:

Pew Pew Tactical Content Producer Sean Curtis spent two decades in law enforcement. There, he became a POST-certified handgun instructor and NLEFIA Red Dot Instructor and received CLEFIA Advanced Firearms Instructor Training. He has also attended Tactical Performance Center Handgun Mastery. Sean has written for several gun publications, evaluating and testing guns and gear, and has written hundreds of articles.

Pew Pew Tactical Editor Scott Murdock is a Marine Corps veteran who competed and qualified as a rifle and pistol expert while in service. In addition to shooting, Scott has written for a variety of publications and tested, researched, and evaluated guns and gear.

Pew Pew Tactical Editor Wyatt Sloan is an NRA and USCCA-certified instructor with previous experience in competition shooting, long-range shooting, and hunting. Wyatt personally owns over 200 firearms and has 10 years of home-based FFL firearm sales.

Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings runs our experienced team of reviewers and edited this article. With a bachelor's degree in journalism and 20+ years in the media industry, paired with certifications as an NRA Basic Pistol Instructor and former Concealed Carry Instructor, she uses her professional journalism experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards for Pew Pew Tactical.

Final Thoughts

Glock has certainly earned consideration as one of the top choices for a defensive pistol. Its accuracy is good, its modularity is beneficial, and it is well-known for its reliability.

That doesn’t mean they’re “perfection”. The blocky ergonomics and sometimes lackluster triggers leave room for a lot of other guns which are worthy of consideration.

Any of the models listed above are at least as good as Glocks, and in some ways, better. Try some out and see for yourself!

Will you be picking up any of these Best Glock Alternatives? Let us know in the comments below! Set on a Glock? Check out the Best Glocks for our picks!