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.
THE QUICK LIST
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Best CCW Upgrade
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Best Home Defense Upgrade
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Best Value Trigger Drop-In for Competition
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Best Competition Comp Upgrade
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Best Glock Conversion Kit
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Best Custom Upgrade
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Best Glock Barrel
Table of Contents
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Why You Should Trust Us
Hi, I’m Eric, and I’m the founder of Pew Pew Tactical. I’ve loved firearms since forever and have been professionally testing and writing about guns since 2015.
I own and have shot various Glocks, as well as built a number of Glock clones from the ground up. And unlike some sites that copy us, we have hands-on tested every aftermarket part on this list.
This list is the culmination of our team knowledge and we strive to keep things up-to-date based on our real-world experiences and continued testing.
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
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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.
Learn how to install it here with video and step-by-step picture walkthroughs.
2. Glock Extended Magazine Release
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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.
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
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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. 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.
Check out how to install the trigger connector here.
4. Night Sights or Fiber Optic Sights
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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.
For competition, I like having fiber optic sights, which draw in ambient light and focus it, so you see a bright red/green dot in front. Be sure to check out some of my other favorite sights in our Best Glock Sights article.
Good thing there are tons of options, and it is relatively easy to install yourself.
5. Talon Grips
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For a long time, I was all about doing my own stippling by taking a soldering iron to the polymer grip area to make it a lot more grippy.
You can learn how to do it here, but there is a great non-destructive method to add more grip in the form of Talon Grips.
Talon offers three different texture options: A rubberized texture, a sandpaper-like granulate texture, and their “Pro” texture, which is a combination of the rubberized and granulate.
I prefer the rubber type, as it’s better suited for CCW and 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
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If you’re running a smaller Glock, such as the G43 or G26, it’s possible you can’t quite get a full grip on such a short frame, or that you find that capacity lacking.
We are a fan of the magazine extensions from Tyrant Designs, as they both increase the capacity while also giving you more surface area to grip.
For those that just want a little extra ledge to rest their pinky on without modifying the capacity, Pearce Grips has you covered with their grip extensions.
7. Pistol Light
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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 the Streamlight TLR-1 series, which lives on my home defense gun and has survived thousands of rounds on the range.
And for those looking for extreme-use duty-grade optics, the current gold standard is still the Surefire X300.
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Now let’s get into some more fun upgrades to give you the leg up when it comes to 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
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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
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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.
Check it out in action…
If you are looking for something even better, we like the Zev Fulcrum Ultimate trigger package. This kit includes a trigger, trigger bar, trigger block, ejector, connector, trigger spring, and a lightweight stainless steel firing pin and safety plunger.
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See it in action…
3. Compensator
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Glock compensators have exploded onto the scene, but the Tyrant CNC version is especially easy to put on and it is one-size-fits-all, regardless of generation.
Very noticeable reduction in muzzle rise, especially on my Polymer80 G43 single stack.
4. Magwell
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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.
Best Glock Conversion Kit
Want to make your Glock a little more like a carbine? There’s a couple Conversion Kits out there but our favorite is the Recover Tactical 20/20.
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It will fit all Glock 9mm models and the PSA Dagger.
It stows away nicely folded up which is perfect for a larger handgun safe that can be kept bedside or under your carseat.
Then it opens up and gives you near pistol caliber carbine (PCC) performance with a regular ole Glock.
I would opt for the 20/20NB (cheapest) kit and then add the angled mag pouch like I have above for another point of contact and ability to hold another mag.
Note that you want your red dot as high as possible or else you have an uncomfortable cheek weld. Go with the upper rail add-on or get a high mount like this one.
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
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Getting a customized Glock slide lets you have all the serrations, lightening cuts, and red dots mounting options your heart desires.
Our overall favorite slides are the ones from Grey Ghost Precision because of their tight fit, increased accuracy, and sexy looks.
If you are looking for something more affordable, Brownells makes their own excellent aftermarket slides as well.
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We cover all the rest of our favorites in Best Glock Slides.
2. Custom Glock Barrels
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We love Lone Wolf’s barrels, and they’ve been in the game a long time.
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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Yup, you guessed it. We have a Best Glock Barrels guide too.
3. Best Pistol Red Dot
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Our go-to red dot if price is no object is the tried-and-true Trijicon RMR. It is exceedingly durable and uses the most widely available footprint, making finding a compatible slide easy.
If budget is a concern, but you don’t want to lose out on quality or features, we highly recommend the Holosun HS407c.
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You can check out more options and read more on our favorite choices in our Best Pistol Red Dots article.
4. Tyrant CNC Package
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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 a super positive grip) and extended base pad.
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, which 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.
And check out my finally complete Polymer80 G43 with a complete Tyrant upgrade kit.
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Final Thoughts
There are a ton of directions you can go when it comes to modifying your Glock or starting a completely custom build. The possibilities are limitless, and our list barely scratches the tip of the iceberg.
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.
100 Leave a Reply
re: Recover Tactical's 20/20: A pistol brace does not a carbine make... Just an IMHO.
Yeah, 16+ yr trainer and soooo many people, 'this gun sucks and it pulls to the left!' I pick it up with one hand put 6 rounds in the center and the look on there face is priceless! Fundamentals Son, Fundamentals! :)
North Forest Arms sights look interesting.
I would like to see a build of the grey glock in the pictures. If one exists, could you tell me where? Thank you.
the best upgrades will be a good class, ammo, and dry firing.
But upgrades are fun. Even though I agree, they don’t make you a better shooter.
you aren't wrong. and I know fundamentals are still things I need work on. need the time and money for a class personally.
How about a better trigger. Try a Tinmey trigger-you’ll be a better shooter
I agree also about the content.
I’ve seen all of these upgrades a multitude of times. Nothing new.
I am a little confused when their is amazing amount of other upgrades out and less expensive that they are not in your lineup?
Palmetto offerings.
TRYBE defense.
Gorilla manufacturing.
And a verity of other manufacturers out there build very solid Glock upgrades. Even MMC with their Davidson defense makes and offers very decent upgrades and lower cost builds. I’m also speaking from experience. I’ve purchased and used all of these parts. Reliable and very nice machine work.
Just finished Operation Bear Claws, upgrading the Mama Bear's G19 with the recommended items;
Ghost 3.5, mag release, slide stop lever, Talon grips & a Holosun 507c. On hold for a Streamlight TLR-8 w/ green laser that's on the way. She's stoked and can't wait to go try it out! Thanks for the suggestions!
No one better mess with the Bear now !!
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.
"Silver Back" -- Creating spam ads for yourself in the comments section is a great way to be sure I never buy anything from you
Never heard of them! I presume they are your employer, and this type of promotion is not what I come here for...
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!
I wish there would be hk mods to this level
Wish their were Glock 22 gen 4 upgrades, slides,barrels??
My 2 cents about racking the slide vs. using the slide stop. Racking is a gross motor function, dropping the slide stop is a fine motor function (requiring more reaction from your brain.) Using gross motor functions will always cause less distraction in a high pressure situation, ie. a fire fight.
If your upgrading for carry do not install an extended mag release. Too many time I've bumped it and then dropped the mag after sitting down... and after trying Zev, Apex, Agency triggers... the SSVI TYR trigger blows then all away!
One more important mod (essential to me) that I remembered: install an extended slide lock. I've never tried the Glock OEM model because I already had several from Glockmeister that worked. The factory slide lock is too short for me to get a good grip when disassembling the pistol. The Glockmeister gives me about 1/16" more on both sides, allowing smooth take-down. If the OEM is the same length, it should do the same thing. So I add the extended mag release, extended slide stop lever, AND the extended slide lock on all my Glocks.
I'll just throw this out. Not claiming it's the "best" but it works for me. I ran the Ghost 3.5 lb. connector for several years but it felt mushy (more mushy that the typical Glock trigger). Recently, I tried the NY1 trigger with the Ghost 3.5 lb. connector. Just horrible. Both heavy and mushy. So I went back to the factory 5 lb. connector but added a 6 lb. Ghost trigger spring. Huge improvement. Slightly heavy but very crisp with a snappy reset. I'm running this combo now and it works for me.
In the custom Glock slide portion there is a picture of 3 slides (L to R) Grey Ghost G19, Grey Ghost G17, Brownells. The middle Slide shows a Slide plate that looks like brass? With a Racker Knob? WHERE CAN I GET ONE!!!!
Is there anything that makes racking the slide easier? It's too stiff and i have a very hard time racking it back. Like the spring is far to tight.
I'm guessing it's a new gun. The easiest and most fun way is to shoot about 3-700 rounds out of it.
Ryan take a look at Tandemkross "halo" for slides. I got one for my Browning Buckmark. Makes working the slide a snap.
Have you tried a Vickers Tactical slide racker? It should help you get a better purchase on the slide without making the pistol unreliable with lighter springs.
Oil your gun, or exercise to improve your grip. It really isn't that hard to rack. If you can pick up a 2x4 one handed, you should be able to rack a glock.
I think you should take it out and shoot it in your free time. Get it cycling some rounds. Also get some dummy rounds and practice working the slide find best angle and hand position that fits you so in a time of need you got it down right. hopefully that wont happen, but better be ready anyways right. Hope this helped you out bud.
i think your recoil or slide spring should be replaced with a slightly lighter one as i had same problem with my glock 19compact .after i changed the recoil spring i had no problems for the past 4 yrs
Thanks for the info on stippling I didn’t know of the price drop on resale and odor from cells. Would you have any recommendations for an extended mag release in aluminum for a Gen 3 Glock 36. I’ve found all other upgrades except that one
Great article loved it. You helped me make up my mind on several thing that I want to do to my new Glock 19X such as a new trigger.
I have a Hard time releasing the slide for cleaning on my Glock 29, getting old I guess. Does any one make a slide release that is easier to to work?
The extended version helps a lot for me
sweet list, but i have a light and Laser combo, that works great. Teh green laser is so strong, it blasts right through the LED light. works day or night
For sure, I used a TLR-2 with a red laser for a long time and now like the smaller TLR-8.
Thank for the article! It was fun to read. What "tall" sights did you put on your Gray Ghost/Gray Frame pistol above that has a red dot on it? Do you recommend a specific height/size? I suppose these would also be the right ones for a suppressor. Thanks!
Hi Kory, they are Night Fision sights that are "suppressor height." Linked in the Best Glock Sights article!
You forgot the S&W, M&P 2.0 compact. By far the best Glock upgrade.
Just a heads up, for your recommended Glock mods the video tutorial uses a Ghost ultimate trigger connector (which is drop-in) but the article links the Ghost rocket which requires custom fitting to install correctly. I unknowingly ordered the rocket model and had to return it and get the ultimate version.
Hi Brendan, thanks for bringing this to my attention. You're right and I apologize for mixing that up. But I've fixed it so hopefully no one else has to go through that!
Great article. Gocks are SO INADEQUATE if you don't spend more on the upgrades than you did on the firearm itself. Thank goodness there's a JC Whitney for guns.
The last thing you'd EVER want to do is spend all that money on training ammunition instead of upgrades because out of the box Glocks are such junk you could never hope to hit the broad side of a barn without all them spendy, hi-zoot "upgrades," no matter how much you spent on actually practicing shooting it.
Hallelujah, Amen, Preach the word my brother. It don't mean a thing if the gong don't go ding.
If that is so, why on earth would anyone buy a Glock? When there are good pistols that are good from the factory.
What if *gasp* you do both??
Interesting... I can hit my target(s) just fine with my G19...or my P320...or my RP9...or my Arex. All stock. What problems do you have shooting a Glock?
If you carry your Glock for self-defense, the only "upgrades" I recommend are night sights and Talon grips. Leave everything else stock (especially triggers, barrel, etc.) if you're betting your life on your gun. Also, should you be involved in a defensive gun use situation, a stock gun, loaded with the type of ammo your local police use, may help you in court. A highly modified weapon begs the prosecutor to brand you a "gun nut" just looking for a chance to shoot someone.
If that is the case, sure you can cite at least one case where that has happened.
This is just good advice. Prosecution is all about politics and depending on where you live and who is up for re-election you don’t want to give them any more ammunition against you. My CCW instructor has recommended this as well.
A 25 cent polish trigger job, 3.5# connector and competition spring kit will do the job and save a lot of money as as far as trigger work goes.
For sure, I'll add in links to our 25 Cent Trigger Job into the competition and custom segments.
I have always considered it a benefit that I could NOT activate the mag release without shifting my grip. It's one thing I don't like about the AR (being right handed), finger off the trigger can easily activate the mag release accidentally. In my opinion, Glock has it right, AR has it wrong.
Hi Eric, thanks for posting this article. I just ordered the Ghost Rocket disconnector and I noticed it is optional to purchase springs with it too. I was wondering if it’s not reliable if you don’t use their springs? I’d like to stay as stock as possible for reliability.
Thanks,
Daniel
I've stayed stock and so far it's been good!
Any thoughts about optics (RMR) on carry guns?
I personally wouldn't. Possible malfunctions and it might make it harder during your defense.
How would it make it harder during your defense?
Batteries can die, lens can fog up, bringing it up takes a lot of practice and is different from irons, etc.
Don't care for it on a duty weapon just something else that you need to jack with. Maybe a competition gun.
Are these mods suggested for a carry gun?
I would still suggest no mods to a carry gun.
Being a left handed shooter I equipped my duty weapon with the extended slide release. So much easier to hit it with my index finger. Other than that, I also run night sights
Great list.
For me personally, I got Talon grips for both my G19 and G26 alongside swapping the stock "bucket" sights for 3 dot truglos. I do not live in the free U.S (California) so we're stuck with Gen 3s here with the protruding serrations which I really hate.
On another note, came from TTAG after they featured your article. Glad to have another gun blog site to read for my lunch/coffee breaks!
Thanks Ryan! Glad I could help out and give you something to read on your breaks.
And wow, I actually did not know I got featured on TTAG. I'm a big boy now!
Great Video. Can you elaborate on your stippling on your 17 or 34? It's an aftermarket application, just curious what you did?
Thanks Michael! I go over everything in my Stippling article.
just purchased a Glock 17 and interested in correspondence on upgrades. Also appreciate the videos on quick upgrades.
Congrats and thanks! Let me know in the comments what questions you have and I'll do my best to answer them for you and other readers.