Maybe your new Glock isn’t quite “Perfection”…yet. Or maybe your old Glock has lost that new gun smell.
Either way, you’re covered since Glock has one of the best aftermarket upgrades and mods in the business.
Learn about the essential upgrades I do to my defensive home and CCW Glocks. Plus the best mods for competition.
And of course…fully custom builds that might tend to be more Gucci than practical.
Now with a video detailing each of our 8 personal builds…
Need a Glock to customize? Hit up our list of the Best Glocks for our favorites.
Summary of Our Top Picks
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Best CCW UpgradeGlock Extended Magazine Release
Easy to reach and use when quick reloads are needed.
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Best Value Trigger Drop-In for CompetitionGreat for an affordable leg-up on the competition
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Table of Contents
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Home Defense & CCW Glock Upgrades
The primary advice is to not alter your gun for home defense or CCW. But I keep mine pretty “stock” for the most part with Glock OEM parts.
1. Glock Extended Slide Stop Lever
I like to reload from a locked slide position using the slide stop lever. I know tons of people out there preach the slide racking method, but for me, I prefer using my thumbs to activate the slide stop lever.
It saves some time, and I always practice the same motion for my Glocks & 1911s. If anything, it gives me two options of how I want to reload.
For Glocks, I find that the stock version is hard to consistently activate using either of my thumbs. When I upgraded to the extended version, it became infinitely easier to release the slide every time.
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Learn how to install it here with video and step-by-step picture walkthroughs.
2. Glock Extended Magazine Release
With my hand geometry and strength, I found I always had to shift my right-hand grip in order to reach the stock magazine release. Once I upgraded to the extended version, I was hitting the magazine release every time without losing my grip.
I take the mod one step further and sandpaper the edges to take away the sharp edges (me and my dainty hands). I also like to sand away extra material in the bottom left-hand corner of the release to give room for my right-hand middle finger.
Make sure to choose the correct Gen version.
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For instructions and video on how to install the extended magazine release, check out our other blog post.
3. Ghost 3.5 lb Trigger Connector
The Glock trigger could be a lot better. There are plenty of complete drop-in solutions, but I wanted to keep it as stock as possible to maintain maximum reliability.
So I swapped out the stock 5.5-pound trigger connector with the Ghost 3.5-pound trigger connector. I find that it doesn’t drop the trigger pull weight exactly by 2-pounds, but more like 1-pound and change, which is still a significant factor in making more accurate shots.
The Ghost version is supposedly self-cleaning and has run flawlessly in my Glocks.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Check out how to install the trigger connector here.
4. Night Sights or Fiber Optic Sights
If I could only choose one essential upgrade to the Glock, it would be to swap out its crappy standard sights that consist of a white “U” in the rear with a white dot.
I prefer night sights for self-defense and even class situations since I definitely want to be able to see my sights in the dark.
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For competition, I like having fiber optic sights since they draw in ambient light and focus it, so you see a bright red/green dot in front. See the rest of all my favorites in Best Glock Sights.
Good thing there are tons of options, and it is relatively easy to install yourself.
5. Talon Grips
For a long time, I was all about stippling…or taking a soldering iron to the polymer grip area and making it a lot more grippy.
You can learn how to do it here…or now there are some non-destructive methods to add more grip with Talon Grips.
I prefer the rubber type as it’s better suited for CCW since it doesn’t snag on clothing as much as the sandpaper-like granulate type. Here is my G19 with the rubber version compared to the stippled G17.
6. Extended Basepads
If you’re running a smaller Glock such as the G43 or G26, it’s very possible your pinkie doesn’t fit, or you want to extend its capacity.
Enter…Pierce Grips.
Or, if you want to add +1 or +2 capacity…get some Taran Tactical Basepads.
And now also some Tyrant Design extendos for G19s and G17s (and more) we really dig.
Now even for smaller G43/G43x/G48 models!
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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7. Pistol Light
For the home-based or holstered handgun…I highly recommend a pistol light. We go over the Best Pistol Lights in super detail…complete with images of the beams.
Our overall pick goes to Streamlight TLR-1 series which lives on my home defense gun and has survived thousands of rounds on the range.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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And the current gold standard of the Surefire X300.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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If you want more options (and maybe some more affordable options), check out the main Best Pistol Lights article. Now let’s get into some more fun upgrades to give you the leg up in competition.
Competition Glock Upgrades
The go-to Glock for competition is the 9mm G34 which sports a longer barrel, slide, and sight radius. It doesn’t weigh much more than a G17 since it has cutouts on the slide.
But regardless if you’re running the G34…I would suggest extended components from above plus Talon Grips and the following upgrades.
1. Fiber Optic Sights
You’ll want something for quicker acquisition. I recommend going with the Truglo TFX Fiber Optic + Tritium sights for the best of both worlds.
2. Upgraded Drop-In Trigger
Of course…we have a complete guide to the Best Glock Triggers with videos, but here are our favorites. Our best bang-for-the-buck is the Apex Tactical Trigger.
Which feels & looks very nice. Especially at the price.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Check it out in action…
Then we have the best trigger if you’re balling it up.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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And in action…
Want something more for aesthetic reasons? You can try out the Tyrant Designs ITTS trigger which modifies only the visible part of the trigger and leaves the factory stuff alone.
Easy enough to install…check out instructions here.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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And be sure to check out our master list of the Best Glock Triggers.
3. Compensator
Glock compensators have exploded onto the scene, but the Tyrant CNC version is especially easy to put on…and one-size-fits-all-generations.
Very noticeable reduction in muzzle rise, especially on my Polymer80 G43 single stack.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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4. Magwell
You’ve probably seen these flared-out additions to the bottom of the grip on most race guns.
Magwell extensions help your reloads become a little faster and more certain because they offer a bigger target.
The idea is simple — increasing the size of the hole while providing angled walls to help funnel that magazine home makes reloads a snap.
This addition from Tyrant CNC is crafted from aluminum, comes in different colors, and is easy to install on your Glock.
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Best Custom Glock Upgrades
The sky is the limit here…especially if you’re going with custom frames like Polymer80s.
See the full guide to how to build your own.
1. Custom Glock Slides
Now you can have all the serrations, lightening cuts, and red dots.
But our overall favorite is Grey Ghost Precision because of their tight fit, increased accuracy, and sexy looks.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Followed by our most affordable pick from Brownells that give you options for cutouts to show off your barrel.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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How about some more Grey Ghost Precision slides for the tiny bois (43/43x/48)
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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We cover all the rest of our favorites in Best Glock Slides. And speaking of barrels…
2. Custom Glock Barrels
Yup…you guessed it. We have a Best Glock Barrels guide too. We love Lone Wolf’s barrels…and they’ve been at the game a long time.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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And also newcomer Faxon’s (though they’ve been making great AR-15 barrels for a long time too). Especially if you want something more eye-catching like their gold TiN or chameleon.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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3. Best Pistol Red Dot
If you go with a slide that has a red dot cut…you’ll want something from our Best Pistol Red Dots article.
Our go-to red dot if price is no object…plus the easiest “footprint” on ready-to-buy slides is the Trijicon RMR.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Or our best bang-for-the-buck is the Vortex Venom.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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4. Tyrant CNC Package
One of our newest mods is a set from Tyrant CNC, which was previously known for some cool AR-15 upgrades. Here you’ll see their extended magazine release (which is the perfect length and has super positive grip) and extended basepad.
Plus, their backplate. I went with red everything to match the Apex trigger from before.
My Polymer80 G19 might almost be done now! Especially with the release of their Extended Glock Slide Release that gives the perfect amount of extra grip.
And they also have parts for the G43/G48.
Pretty good value to give your Glock both aesthetic value AND more capacity/grip.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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And check out my finally complete Polymer80 G43 with a complete Tyrant upgrade kit.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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5. Everything Else We Covered
Round out the rest of your perfect build with what we’ve already talked about, and you are SET.
Glock Conversions
This one goes in a category of its own…
Ever wanted to make your Glock more carbine-like?
Our go to is the Recover Tactical 20/20 brace system which is super lightweight and gives you an extra two points of contact when folded out.
This really helps with accuracy and follow-up shots.
Plus you get some extra Picatinny rail space on the side to add lights/lasers and more.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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We go over it more in-depth in our Recover Tactical 20/20 vs Micro Roni article where we crown the 20/20 the overall winner.
And now there’s also the Recover P-IX system which changes your Glock into more of an AR-15 style system.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pistol Braces and the ATF went head-to-head earlier this year, so make sure to read up on those latest developments!
Final Thoughts
Now go forth and upgrade…your Glock.
Let us know your favorite builds in the comments below. Then check out Editor’s Picks for our favorite guns and gear.
88 Leave a Reply
I completely agree that Glock is a top-notch firearm brand and Silverback Tactical offers some of the best Glock models and accessories in the market. Glocks are well-known for their reliability, durability, and ease of use, making them a popular choice for law enforcement, military personnel, and gun enthusiasts alike.
Silverback Tactical offers a wide variety of Glock models, from the classic Glock 17 to the compact Glock 43, to suit the needs of any shooter. Additionally, they offer a range of accessories such as holsters, magazines, and sights that are specifically designed to enhance the performance and functionality of Glock firearms.
Overall, if you're looking for a high-quality Glock and accessories, Silverback Tactical is definitely a great place to start. Their products are of excellent quality and can withstand the toughest conditions, making them a reliable choice for any shooter, whether you're a beginner or an experienced marksman.
With the P80 G19 Gen 3 having a different angle on the grip does it still fit the Recover Tactical P-IX Modular AR System? You have it listed as an accessory here but have you actually tried a Glock P80 in it?????
The biggest difference is the grip angle. Glock's use a 22-degree grip angle, and Polymer80 mimicked the 1911 with a 19-degree grip angle.
Every time I see a review of whats suppose to be the 'Best Glock Upgrades' it kinda makes me laugh when they come to the trigger.
I laugh because of something that happened.
One day in a new class, we put all the beginning students on the line to practice what they had learned in class. A lot of stock Glocks, no after market triggers and all with open iron sights. Everyone was doing fine with these nice groups and sometimes a flyer or an outlier.
All doing fine except this one guy, his hits were all over the silhouette target with no groupings and no rhyme or reason but at least they were on the target and in an actual defense situation would have improved his odds of survival. But that wasn't the drill here, the purpose at this point was to practice grip and trigger control in a timed exercise and there should have been some semblance of grouping going on for the 15 yard target. Most of the shooters had 5 or 6 inch groups center mass, a few maybe 8 inch, but this guy had no grouping pattern at all other than to say most of the rounds hit the target if you want to call that a grouping.
So I watched him for a bit and then when the course of fire was over made a few recommendations to him, his grip seemed kind of loose and he wasn't getting up high enough on the gun at the bevertail.
He said to me "Its not me, its the trigger. I ordered a new trigger for it and it hasn't arrived yet. Glock triggers are the worse."
So I took him aside to another part of the range set up for the next course of fire after lunch and asked him if I could fire his gun, he said "Sure, you try it. The trigger sucks."
I fired seven rounds rapid fire with his Glock with the horrible trigger that caused him to put rounds all over the target. All seven in a 3 inch group in the center of the head potion of the silhouette target at 15 yards. I told him he should send his trigger back for a refund when it arrives, and practice the things I recommended to him. So I let him practice a bit doing what I had recommended, and he started getting 4 - 5 inch groups center mass on the silhouette.
The 'Best Glock Upgrades' or best upgrade for any gun frequently turns out to be practice.
Why not just get a better "Glock" from Shadow Systems? The extra $780 for upgrades on top of a stock $600ish Glock comes out to about $1380...any of the Shadow System Elites are about $200 less...but then again, my CZ-P10C came stock with all the upgrades you'd want on a glock...lolz.
The P80 G43 hyperlink is taking me to the Brownells website. Thought y’all should know!
Best Glock Upgrade?
Sell it and buy a Walther PDP or PPQ M2.
You'll get a better quality gun with the best Out of the Box Trigger on the market, with one of the shortest resets available on a stock pistol.. The PDP comes set up for a Red Dot. The PPQ will probably be discontinued as the PDPs influence grows, but the PPQ is available in 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP, whereas the PDP is 9mm only at this time.
You beat me to it… best upgrade is a Walther
I’m having a real hard time finding a nice threaded barrel for my 34 gen 5. Any ideas on where to get one? Always love your work.
Keeping it to three different applications is very much the point as a lot of accessories tend to migrate to the other uses even tho they could actually be detrimental.
First, find the gun that has controls that fit you and work well. In this case the Glock is a barbie doll getting a lot of stuff thrown at in for an article - but in reality if it need that many different parts, its a very poor choice. A different model or even different maker would be money ahead. The rule is don't buy the gun you like - buy the gun that fits the job first. What range what target is a good summary. From knowing specifically what ranges and what target is intended, you don't mix or mismatch features and wind up with a snapshot of all this months cool kid parts that aren't suited and which will be out of date in three years.
For concealed carry an extended mag isn't a major necessity, as it's not a speed drill in use when you are seeking or behind cover. CCW is avoiding the fight if possible, and certainly not firing at a target with others behind them - ammo isn't conserved so much as judiciously used to prevent panicking civilians running in front and behind the perp or you.
How you reload is also weapons dependent, not style - if the manufacture says drop the slide to reload, do it. Slingshotting it came from the race gun crowd who demanded a high force high reliabilty operation while being timed and scored - yet many combat oriented do that with dropping the slide release. If it was taught a certain way in the military, changing your technique later may not be in your best interest as you cycle thru hundreds of repetitions until you can't do it wrong - when you may have already been there.
There is also how well that mag release works for you - some higher profile ones don't play well with holsters, a fact that also goes to the more accessories, the less likely it's in stock. And since a CCW doesn't drop mags but keeps them if they have ammo, putting it in a pocket for later use may be important. They are also not cheap and bouncing them off the mall floor to land just out of reach also could alert an opponent. Like hot rods, burnouts are fine in the box but not in front of the cops in the dry cleaners lot.
Good sights are important - go with what you find work well. Lots of defensive guns now come with them, Glock isn't keeping up.
Lights on weapons are somewhat controversial, the major issue is when you need to light something up - will it be legal to pull your weapon without it being escalation, and if you point it at someone is that brandishing, or worse, a lethal threat to them causing return fire?
This is where the separate clipped light used by the off hand still has both tactical and legal value. Pointing a flashlight to illuminate someone is at worst a bit rude and that also goes to tactics - why were you there at all in a low light situation? I know it happens and so do "blue on blue" shootings, too. Accessories need to be chosen for the distinctly different rules for civilian users - not LEO's who get a universal pass, or competition use where its entirely synthetic.
I keep a Streamlight clipped in the off side as EDC and use it more a day that a pocketknife or gun - best thing I adopted and after years of use I've gained off hand proficiency the dozens of times a day I need it. A WML? Without extensive repetitions it's a literal guessing game in after actions if the individual pressed a light activation button or a trigger. Its much safer and surer to separate those motions to completely different hands to prevent negligent misfires. If a shooter is running thru less than a few thousand rounds a year then be aware proficiency won't be gained easily.
I didn't choose the sponsored model or brand for my CCW, but one aspect did come into play and that was the option for a seperate thumb safety. All my experience in carry has used a thumb activated safety and I prefer moving it down to take it off. Adding that feature was optional and I did it. Glock could for most of it's line but won't for the public. That was a deal breaker for me as I insisted on that feature to be included in all my carry pistols across the board. It's a consistency issue - the ability to use a dozen different manuals of arms for the carrier who doesn't get to shoot often (which does include military and police who may only qualify annually) means it's always the same regardless. Same manual of arms improves consistency. Do I suffer not having bragging rights? I don't miss that at all. Not having the opportunity to go home after is far more important.
There is a lot of marketing and a certain amount of flex in media presentations of accessories, be advised it's there and think thru the usage for that intent. Im happy to note a red dot wasn't included for CCW - the optic itself is great on the range but compromises carry and also adds another feature than can fail, much less limit holster selection and can also snag on the draw. There are plenty of folks out there selling them for personal security but it's another "one bridge too far" item for many.
Or just buy a Canik.
These lists like slides need updating
Seems like the best upgrade is to dump the Glock, get something else, and save a boatload of money! I recommend a Walther PDP (and so does PewPew). Love both my C4 and F3.5. Aside from adding red dots to both, no other upgrades were needed to make either a really nice EDC gun.
My recommendation is FN 509
Great review! What kind of sight is mounted on the Brownels G17 slide?
Buy Shadow Systems if you want a Gucci glock.
I'll take my IMI Jericho 941 f for $350 all day long over any glock no matter how much extra you spend on fixing it.
But, but, but, they are perfection! The box says so.
This article recommends both these upgrades, but can a Ghost 3.5 lb connector be used with the Apex trigger? Apex will not say it can. They only say their triggers should be used with either their connector or the OEM connector.
I am on mine, They wouldn't work together initially, one would fire or the other would fire, both together would not fire. A little fitting from my gunsmith and it works perfectly now. LOVE the feel! Its a beast, super happy with that combo
It's 2022.
The TImney Alpha Trigger should be #1 on the updated list now.
Hi Eric,
Am planning to buy a glock 35 with conversion barrel,
My question, can I use the gun with the barrel of my choice in IPDA/IPSC competetion open division & standard division? Please let me know.
What about something to reduce recoil a little bit, like for a G23?
compensators help a bit with recoil adding some weight to the firearm.
What is that sight on the Brownells slide?
See All Open Sight
Get the cross-hair one for a pistol. The triangle one gets too big for the screen at arm's length. (in my experience)
I have a Glock Model 21, Gen 1. What mods are available for this gun? I have added a Vortex Venom 6 MOA Red Dot (had to machine the slide). I'd like to find a good trigger mod and a extended mag release.
Check out the Vickers Tactical flat trigger shoe. Then do an easy at-home trigger job where you polish the stock trigger components. I also prefer goontape. It's cheap, comfortable, and effective.
Hi, complete noob here. 1) How do the night sights, light, and laser interact? Do you want upgraded sights AND a laser? 2) Do you still recommend no upgrades for CCW, and why?
I don't recommend a laser in any case other than night vision use. Night sights are always a good idea. A white light is always #1 on my list of upgrades for a self-defense firearm! All of my CCW guns are heavily modified.
Thank you very much!
I can't seem to find anyone offering a caliber conversion barrel for gen 5 Glocks. I want a 9 mm barrel for my 23, but Lone Wolf and others I've looked at don't offer gen 5 compatible conversion barrels. Is there an option for me, or should I have bought a Gen 3 or 4?
Easiest solution I’ve found was to buy both the G23 and G45. Then you can swap the slides either way and decide if you want the compact grip of the 23 or the full length grip of the G45. Tested fully and works great!
So what’s the accuracy like at the range, or did the slide bite make you call it a day?
I mean geez, if your going to make a blog about some high end Glock but not a Glock at least go through all the paces.
Hey man really good article, but I have a question. In the “slides” section up u showed a picture of three Glock’s each with a different slide with the caption “ (L to R) Grey Ghost G19, Grey Ghost G17, Brownells G17” what kind of optics or sights did the Brownells G17 slide have on?
SeeAll Open Sight, we have a complete review on it!