Glock 20 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Modern capacity
- Great price
- Accurate
- Easy to control
Cons
- Wide grip
- Stock sights suck
The Bottom Line
Glock has produced the Glock 20 since 1991 and has mastered the 10mm fighting pistol. It’s a full-sized pistol that offers shooters a capable, accurate, and reliable gun in a modern configuration. If you need a 10mm and are concerned about its practical application more than anything else, the Glock 20 is the way to go.
Glock makes great guns that are reliable, accurate, easy to shoot, and generally some of the most dependable options on the market…but let’s face it, they’re boring.
That lack of excitement kept me away from Glock for years, and it took the 10mm cartridge and the Glock 20 to pull me into the Glock fold.
The Glock 20 was everything I needed in a gun — a great price, modern polymer frame with a modern capacity, rail, and widely available holsters. It just seemed to be the most practical 10mm pistol.
Did the boring reliability eventually win me over? Keep reading to see how it has performed at the range and how I use it.
Table of Contents
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Specs & Features
Specs
- Caliber: 10mm Auto
- Capacity: 15+1 rounds
- Barrel Length: 4.61 inches
- Overall Length: 8.07 inches
- Weight: 30.86 ounces (empty)
Features
- 3 magazines
- Interchangeable backstraps
- Rail for accessories
- Captured recoil spring design
- Ambidextrous magazine release
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Glock 20: Past & Present
The early 1990s were an interesting time for handguns. Police departments had mostly moved from revolvers to semi-autos, but a few high-profile events had departments rethinking their caliber needs.
The 1986 Miami Shootout created a ripple in handgun ballistics that essentially said that 9mm and .38 Special weren’t doing it anymore. The FBI wanted something more powerful than the 9mm, but still wanted decent capacity.
This led to the first adoption of the 10mm within the FBI. Anytime the FBI adopts a new gun or cartridge, American law enforcement pays attention. With the 10mm in the FBI’s hands, more companies were willing to invest in the caliber.
Glock wanted on that train and released the Glock 20 in 1991. At the time, the G20 broke all the 10mm rules by introducing a double-stack handgun. This gave shooters 15 rounds of 10mm ammunition in the most modern platform of the era.
Since 1991, Glock has kept a 10mm pistol in the catalog and arguably produced a very reliable and capable pistol throughout all those years.
What Sets the G20 Apart
The G20 provides an affordable and reliable 10mm option for people who like to deal with a little recoil when they shoot. It’s a great way to get into 10mm and have some fun with it.
For a more practical perspective, the Glock 20 is an outstanding and versatile gun. If you live in an area where you might encounter bears, mountain lions, and similar animals, the 10mm can shut them down with the right ammo. The 10mm cartridge is extremely capable and powerful, and can penetrate deeply into threatening animals.
It’s also a good self-defense cartridge for two-legged vermin. You can simply swap magazines and move from 15 rounds of hardcast 10mm lead rounds to some lighter-loaded 10mm JHPs.
It’s a versatile pistol that can fill many roles. For predator defense, the Glock 20 is tough to beat. You’re getting twice the ammo of a revolver in an easier-to-shoot platform.
Who Is It For?
The Glock 20 will always be the most practical 10mm. It combines a good overall size with reliability, accuracy, modern capacity, and a fair price point.
This gives you a plug-and-play 10mm that’s easy to shoot and well-suited for multiple roles.
Ergonomics: Fit & Feel
The Glock 20 is not an egalitarian gun by any means. It will work for some and won’t for others.
This pistol is wide and has a long reach to the trigger. This means shooters with smaller hands will struggle to get a solid grip. It works best for those with larger-than-average hands. I fit that category so I like it.
If you don’t mind Glock’s generic board-like grip, you won’t mind the Glock 20’s. It does have the dreaded Gen 4 grooves. Most of us can’t stand them, but you can learn to deal with them. If you absolutely hate them, you can opt for the Glock 20 Gen 5, which ditches the grooves for a flat grip.
The G20 is a tough gun with a solid finish Glock is known for. It’s nothing to brag about, but it’s simple and functional.
How Does the Glock 20 Shoot?
Shooting what’s essentially hot .357 Magnum and low-powered .41 Magnums through a gun, you worry about recoil impulse.
With a lot of 10mm guns, the recoil is snappy; not so with the Glock 20 which feels less snappy that competitors. My theory is that the wider-than-average grip creates a more comfortable 10mm experience.
While companies like Sig Sauer offer a polymer frame 10mm with a thinner grip, those thinner grips tend to concentrate the recoil over a smaller area. This leads to less control and a snappier feeling.
The Glock 20’s wide grip helps keep it centered and easy to shoot.The front sight settles back on target fairly quickly, which leads to fast and accurate follow-up shots.
Reliability
The Glock 20 works like every other Glock…reliably.
It works with the cheap Herter’s ammo and PSA’s surprisingly hot 10mm load. The G20 even feeds Federal Hydroshok hollow points. It runs whatever you put through it.
When testing the G20 out, I scored a sub-3-second Bill Drill with the G20 from concealment. Sure, it was barely a sub-3-second, but you know what a 2.97 Bill Drill and a 2.2 Bill Drill have in common? They are both sub-3 seconds.
No issues here.
Accuracy
With a solid two-handed grip and stance, I can fire two shots in less than a second from the low ready, with less than a finger’s length apart.
Using nothing more than stock Glock iron sights, I can consistently hit an IPSC-sized steel target at 50 yards with a second or so between rounds. At 25 yards, I can run a gong rack from side to side. I’m hitting 8, 6, and 4-inch gongs consistently, with the 4-inch obviously taking the most time.
A red dot on this thing would absolutely rule!
By the Numbers
Accuracy: 4/5
The gun’s only limitation is the substandard stock Glock sights. If I were to purchase the Glock 20 again, I’d choose the MOS option.
Reliability: 5/5
It’s a Glock, so it runs and runs and runs.
Ergonomics: 3/5
It’s great for me, but I understand that my hands are larger than most. I think this gun is worth handling in person before purchasing to make sure the large grip fits you.
Customization: 4/5
The Glock 9mms are five out of five, and the Glock 20 is a close second. It doesn’t have the same aftermarket as other Glocks, but it’s close.
Value: 4/5
I’m sure there are cheaper 10mms out there, but I’m unsure if I want a cheaper 10mm. The Glock 20 will hold up to much abuse and do so for a great price point.
Overall: 4/5
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Upgrades for the Glock 20
Ameriglo Protector Sights
Swap those crap-tier Glock sights for the Ameriglo Protector sights. You get a blacked-out rear sight and a high-visibility front sight that’s easy to see and track. Plus, they are metal!
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Streamlight TLR-1 HL-X
If you’re using the Glock 20 for defensive purposes, you need a light, and the Streamlight TLR-1 HL-X is an affordable and very powerful option that snaps right on your rail. The TLR-1 HL-X welcomes some awesome quality-of-life features to the TLR-1 platform, making it one of the most user-friendly lights on the market.
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10mm Ammo
Of course, if you’re picking up a 10mm, you’re going to need ammo.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Meet the Experts
Leading the research and testing for this review is Pew Pew Tactical author Travis Pike. Travis spent a lifetime shooting and hunting before joining the United States Marine Corps, where he spent five years as an infantryman. Travis is also an NRA-certified instructor and concealed carry instructor in the state of Florida.
Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings runs our experienced team of reviewers and edited this review. She is a National Rifle Association Basic Pistol Instructor as well as a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association. Jacki has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years. With 2,000+ articles to her name, she uses her professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards for Pew Pew Tactical.
Final Verdict
The Glock 20 is the most practical option for a 10mm pistol in the modern era. It’s not too big or expensive and gives you all the modern features you expect.
If 10mm is on your radar, look no further than the G20.
Rating score
What do you think of the Glock 20? Let us know in the comments below! For more Glock magic, check out our round-up of the Best Glocks!
Latest Updates
June 2025: Full rewrite with all new information based on more testing.
Readers' Ratings
51 Leave a Reply
G40 anyone?
Sean, if you're going to Glock, particularly around large carnivorous animals, the G40 is the way to go.
Thanks,
Great review.
I think your articles are excellent and it is great seeing a females steadily becoming interested in the shooting sports,ccw interests and best of all the hunting tradition. The ladies are the answer to saving the hunting industry/tradition.
Thank you,William R. Nunnally
Hey Kat, I was just interested in finding out when a review for the Glock 20 Gen 5 MOS will be coming out? if it is at all.
Hey! Thanks for the comment. Kat no longer works at PPT, but I can add the Glock 20 Gen 5 MOS to our potential review list!
I've carried an original Glock 20 since 2004 and a G20 SF since 2007. I have shot them with original barrels and replace barrels when I wanted to use cast bullet reloads. Although it's not recommended, I've even shot 40 S&W remanufactured ammo in my stock Glock 20. The grips are too big, the gun is too ugly for words, and it works. I did carry one for bear defense in Alaska during a moose hunt, nominal 200 grain hard cast at 1300 fps from DoubleTap and carried it as a farm gun on my small horse farm with mild 180 grain or 200 grain JHPs, Hornady 200 grain XTP or 180 grain XTP and Georgia arms JHPs, probably Speer 180 grain gold dots. Initially 175 grain Winchester Silvertips were my carry load, chronographed at 1174fps, 536 ft-lbs. No worlds more with common factory ammo than the 45 ACP but more versitility in performance, from mild to wild!
I love my G29 & G20.My next purchase is a G40.I do have a Rock Island Double stack 10mm that is very smooth shooting, I enjoy this one too. I prefer the Glocks for personal Defense due to reliability and function.
Thank you for the nice review. Appreciate your insight.
The Glock 20 is and will remain the only semi automatic handgun that I own. It's the only semi auto that I've ever chosen over a revolver. And it's the first gun I'd grab if I had to survive in a post apocalyptic wasteland.
Never hold a pistol near your head
The G20 is a beast, I love the reliability and easy of care. My Gen3 G20 is one of my favorite pistols and I own a good range of them. Great article, keep them coming.
Tell me you are not married
Great article. Share your joy. I purchased one of these several months ago and have just had it in an indoor range but man, what an absolute blast to shoot. Very comfortable in the hand and you feel the furry of the 10mm rounds but this Glock evenly absorbs it. Very quick getting back on target. And extremely accurate. I just have the iron sights but the 20 is more accurate than my Hellcat 9mm and XDM 45 compact. I just recently became a handgun enthusiast and will not doubt be adding to my collection (also have a Ruger SP-101 with a 2.25 in barrel and in 357 mag), but I already know this will always be my favorite.
Great article. I have been looking for a defense and hunting pistol for a long time. My last visit to my local gun dealer I noticed a glock 20sf. It felt great but was concerned about the recoil and thus review made up my mind. Got to have it. 10mm amunition seems to be the only caliber on tge shelf.
Police point of view, Glock works every time.
I run a Rock Island Commander in 10mm for my EDC. I was trained on the 1911 platform and they just fit. I've owned many Glocks and loved them all. After reading this article I may just have to buy one more. I carry for self defense against critters of the 2-legged variety so my ammunition reflects that situation, heavy and slow. Love the 10mm. It's right up there with my 45's. Have a blessed day and stay safe.
Gen 3 G20 with an OD frame is and will likely be my forever woods gun. I handload a 200 grain Hornady XTP. I love, love, love both the gun and the load!
Hello Kat, I have just reread this review on the G20. I am in the process of relocating from Texas to Alaska and was wanting to get some additional information from you if I could? What plate do you use to mount the optic onto the G20 and then what ammo do you recommend for bear protection? Feral hogs I know, bears not so much... Thank you in advance for your input.
Mr, you want hard cast buffalo bores or corbons
Which plate would you recommend to mount a red dot to a Glock without milling the slide?
Picking up my G20 today. Have 1000 Starline cases in the car hole ready for powder and bullet as I type. Nosler 150 HP, Nosler 130 HP and 200 HP on the way.
Pickup a tungsten guide rod for it. Best thing that I have done for any of my Glocks.
EDC, heavyish but worth it. By far my favorite handgun.
I absolutely love my G20 and my go to loads are a mix of Underwood 200 grain Hard Cast and 150 grain Xtreme Hunter for woods/hunting
I carry a M29 with aftermarket 5" barrel in woods when logging.smaller with no loss of velocity. Also can use Buffalo Bore heavy lead without worrying.
Can't argue with Glock! When it comes to 10mm though, I went with the Springfield XDM. The thing is a beast! Fits my hand well, no issues whatsoever. I got the 4.5" model. I would recommend giving this a hard look too, and I say this as a Glock 17/19/45 owner and former 43/21/41 owner. Sig replaced the 43, and the 21 and 41 are long gone for other projects.
My G20 is my EDC, and I swap in a G40 slide with Vector Venom optic for a woods gun.
This works without any issues? Is the frame for the G20 the same as the frame for the G40?
Great idea for people like me who can't decide between the G20 and 40!
I just got a drop in OEM G20 6" barrel for the woods. It works just fine and speeds up FPS and lbs by 1.4" over standard. Cheap add and carries just fine in a chest rig so both hands are available. I usually carry it stock w/the 4.6" barrel in my bag in the work truck. One gun two barrels and no feed issues because it's a Glock barrel.
Thanks for the review, i was looking for another hunting gun, your reviews have never steered me wrong and I enjoy the detailed reviews you post. (my .454 casull with a 2.5 inch barrel isn't doing it for me anymore)
i have the G20,my swamping gun..accurate,easy to fire,just like the article said..if i could only keep 1,this would be it
I now carry a Glock 29 when fly fishing in black bear country. I used to carry a magnum revolver but have now committed to the 10mm for protection if ever needed. The 29 is compact and comfortable to carry while wading streams...much more practical than my magnum revolvers.
As a fellow fly fisherman, I totally agree!
I carry
Great article. Can't go wrong with a 20.
Kat, Have you reviewed the Glock 20SF (slim frame) yet or know anything about it? I'm stuck in Commiefornia so all we can get is the Gen3... Thanks in advance...
"Short Frame," not "slim," :)
...difference in length from heel/backstrap to trigger vs. width of the grip.
The Gen 4 is equal in size to the SF with better grip texture IMO.
Do they have a Glock 20 MOS?
Not yet :( You can get aftermarket slides that are pre-cut for red dots though!
While in the Army I bought my Glock 20 in spring of 1990 while home on leave from Ft. Davis, Panama. We'd had our 1911s replaced with M92. My unit had a lot of flexibility with side arm choice. I really liked the .45 ACP hated the M92 pussy 9mm cause it would bounce off of everything, penetrate nothing unless you were within rock throwing distance. In the jungle a lot of things tend to get in the way when your shooting at something and you don't want your rounds bouncing off. I chose the G20 180gr 10mm because it wouldn't even slow down where the 9mm would completely fail. The 10mm would penetrate jungle vegetation and reach out and touch someone when needed, and it was occasionally needed to.
So me & my G20 have been together since 1990, thru 4 yrs in Panama & Central America, Just Cause, many 'side trips' between JC & Desert Shield (works great in desert), a few more jungle trips, Iraq and Afghanistan. My G20 worked flawlessly throughout, absolutely flawlessly. Now we're both retired but My G20 is my full-time EDC. Yes you CAN conceal carry but you have to be adaptable, lol. All in all, my G20 has been there, done that and is still getting it done!
Are you sure this wasn't in call of duty there bud?
I have both the Glock 20 and 29. I carry the 29 with ease and it is very easy to do so. The 20 is my truck/backwoods pistol.
Good article.
Self def. - Hornady Custom, w/xtp 180 gn. bullet (1180fps). For hunting - Underwood Ammo, 180 gn. xtp bullet (1250fps). My chrono.
Also Underwoodammo.com has plenty of ammo:delivery is quick, customer service good.
Glock20 gen 3 next year glock40
I have a 50 Cal conversion for mine.
Next level bear gun.
I was considering the new Glock 45 in 9mm but I’m a big bore guy. I have the Glock 21, Glock 35 and next up Glock 20!!
I'll stick with my Glock 40MOS, with a kkm 7.25 inch barrel, Zev technologies trigger package, extended slide release, and my Vortex Venom. Far superior than the Glock 20 and it feels so much better. I'm curious to try the Trijicon SRO.
I'd like to try a RD on mine, what plate are you using?
I know it would be a handful but I'd like a small, single stack CCW 10mm!
Look online for a dove tail optic mount for Glock pistols. You remove rear U notch sight and drift mount plate in.