Glock handguns are designed to work in the most inhospitable conditions. Extreme heat or cold, dust, sand, or mud pose little impediment to the Glock design. Longevity is proven. These handguns are simple enough to use but capable of real combat performance. The Glock’s manual of arms will not challenge agencies with training time at a minimum. The action is useful enough to compliment a trained shooter and allow that shooter to perform well under stress. The pistol will win competitions of some types as issued. Glock has steadily improved their design. The first was a change in recoil spring weight to prevent limp wrist malfunctions as much as possible. Later various grip texture changes were undertaken, self luminous iron sights were introduced, and a provision for mounting combat lights was added. Then came the MOS Glocks and an optics ready slide. The Glock Generation 6 is a meaningful improvement. This handgun features serious changes that are beneficial to the shooter.
The Glock Generation 6 M45 is the author’s choice
It is important to note that the Glock Generation 6 operates in the same manner as the original Glock. Loading, trigger control, take-down and maintenance, and the manual of arms are the same. The differences are in ergonomics, small parts, and optics mounting. Lets look hard at the Generation 6. I should add this isn’t a fluff piece- there are more than a dozen of those on line and in print from the popular press. This is an evaluation of one of the first Glock Generation 6 pistols my personal gun and the result of comparison against Generation 5 handguns. Lets see what the Glock has to offer- The Glock is available in G17, G19, and G45 models. The 19X and G49 will not be offered. Since the pistols have the same slide/frame interchangeability as the Glock 47 no need for that model. Of course all are 9mm Luger caliber. It looks like Glock improved a couple of things to make modern shooters happier. First the most obvious thing that reaches out and grabs you is the grip texture. The curve of the grip features a slight palm swell that feels very nice in the hand. The new texture is a good mix of adhesion and abrasion. This texture is a full coverage of the grip frame offering excellent stability in rapid fire or if the hand is moist with sweat.
Note improved grip profile of the Generation 6 Glock
Another advantage is that the grip tang is extended. This beavertail is an aid in controlling the handgun in rapid fire. This type of design also serves to funnel the hand into a proper firing grip. Ahead of the trigger-guard is a relieved section with a textured surface. During movement it is essential for safety to keep the trigger finger off the trigger. This pad helps in that regard. The surface is also useful for those using the thumbs forward grip. The tip of the thumb may find a rest in this section. The trigger action is the same as other Glock handguns a striker fired double action only. The Generation 6 features an improved trigger shoe with a flat face. The Glock trigger safety lever is the same however the new trigger offers better control. The geometry of the trigger results in a slightly shorter trigger reach. As a result the trigger feels more controllable even lighter. The overall effect of the ergonomic improvements is to give the Glock Generation 6 more of a sculpted feel than a blocky feel. Another small change is increasing the size of the fence around the slide locks compared to the generation 5. When firing it isn’t unusual for the thumb to contact the slide lock in some designs, especially with +P loads. This will lock the slide back during recoil. The new fence should eliminate this possible interference with function.
The author’s Glock is fitted with the Trijicon RMR and Streamlight TRL8
Moving to the slide both forward and rear cocking serrations are cut more deeply than the Generation 5 Glock. The pistol’s sight cuts are the same which allows the shooter to fit XS sights or his choice of aftermarket sight. The striker and extractor are re-designed largely to allow a cleaner optics mounting system. The optics mounting system is a great advantage in that it offers a direct mount for popular red dot sights. This system offers a lower height mount than the Glock MOS set up. This is an advantage for rapid acquisition of the carry optic reticle. The slide is drilled for RMR, Delta Point Pro, and C More footprints. To mount a carry optic first remove the cover plate. Then insert the proper compression washer, a slim polymer piece with two recoil studs that helps stabilize the optic. Then using the proper screws bolt the sight down. I used a RealAvid torque wrench to properly install the sight. Mounting screws are not provided with the Glock but they are usually provided with the red dot sight. I mounted a Trijicon RMR, the new green reticle version, with excellent results. There is nothing more rugged and reliable than the RMR. The pistol was tested extensively in firing drills.
Glock’s new mounting system is a good improvement
Shots Fired in
Sometimes a handgun is tested from the outside rather with an inside perspective. The inside perspective covers the pistol’s use in personal defense or institutional use or competition whichever is most important to the shooter. Firing the pistol on a static range at targets and then firing for accuracy from a benchrest isn’t the whole story. My Glock Generation 6 is a M45 version. I like the crossover of a Glock 19 slide and Glock 17 frame. The full firing grip offers good handling while the shorter slide clears the holster quickly. While the M45 has a shorter slide radius than the Glock 17 this doesn’t really matter with a carry optic. Firing with both eyes open and using the red dot sight properly concerns such as sight radius and cross eye dominance don’t have an affect on the shooter.
Accuracy proved good with a wide range of ammunition
At this point I am several weeks into testing the Generation 6 M45. There have been no malfunctions of any type related to the handgun. No failures to feed, chamber, fire or eject, save for the usual common problems with burner grade ammunition that doesn’t function one hundred percent in any other Glock. I tested the pistol with steel case ammunition. Function is good without any problems. This ammunition is often dirty due to gas blow by since the steel case doesn’t adhere to the chamber walls on firing as closely as brass. In firing a wide range of 115, 124, and 147 grain FMJ ammunition the sole failure to chamber was experienced with an out of specification cartridge. This cartridge would not chamber in Glock and CZ pistols on hand. The new pistol features a single spring flat spring recoil system. This pistol handled all loads well without any type of problem proving reliable with all bullet weights and +P ammunition, quite an accomplishment. I am nearing seven hundred cartridges fired, a small amount by institutional testing standards but significant for a single shooter. The pistol tracks targets well and offers real speed in transition between targets. TheM45 handles well in retention drills and in one hand fire. Speed loads are excellent and the pistol is left hand friendly. (The slide locks are ambidextrous and the magazine catch is reversible.) The Glock Generation 6 low mounting system seemed to offer greater speed and a more sure sight acquisition.
Absolute Accuracy
The Glock Generation 5 with its Marksman barrel has proven capable of a five shot group of 2.5 inches at 25 yards from a solid benchrest firing position using quality ammunition. The Glock Generation 6 proved capable of this type of performance to slightly better with firing groups of 1.8 to 2.8 inches depending on the ammunition used.
Carrying the Glock Generation 6
I confirmed the Generation 6 pistol is a good fit for holsters designed for the previous Glock Generation 5. I carried the piece in one of my favorite holsters the Galco Concealable. This is a pancake type holster with outside molding to improve retention. The Concealable rides well beneath a light covering garment. The Concealable features a good balance of speed and retention. The draw angle is good and fit finish tanning and molding are excellent.
The Galco Concealable is a first class all around concealed carry holster
The Glock Generation 6 is a genuine improvement over earlier generation Glock handguns. Handling and practical accuracy are improved. The pistol handles recoil well and the new low mount direct mount optics system is especially welcome. The Generation 6 pistol is an upgrade worth its price.
Ammunition testing
Federal 124 grain HST 1160 fps
Barnes TAC 115 grain 1140 fps
Winchester 124 grain +P 1189 fps
Accuracy testing
Fired from a solid benchrest firing position with every advantage taken for accuracy. 5 shot groups were fired from 25 yards. Groups are measured from the inside to the inside of each bullet hole in the target.
Federal Gold Match 147 grain 1.9 inch
Federal 147 grain Syntech 2.5 inch
Blazer 115 grain FMJ 2.25 inch
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