The discussion opens with talk of credible rumors that Glock is discontinuing several models, especially many .40 S&W and .357 SIG variants, along with the Glock 34 MOS Gen 5. Against that backdrop, the hosts begin their countdown with number five: the Glock 43 and Glock 43X. They describe the 43X as a standout concealed carry pistol thanks to its 10+1 capacity, very slim profile, and comfortable grip that works for a wide range of shooters. The 43X can also use higher-capacity Shield Arms magazines, though the hosts caution that users assume reliability risks when moving away from factory mags. They frame the 43/43X/48 family as some of the slimmest, easiest-to-conceal Glocks available. The Glock 48 is noted for its longer slide and barrel, while the Glock 43 keeps a similar barrel length but in a shorter overall package, giving carriers multiple size and capacity options within the same slim platform.
The countdown continues with the Glock 45 and Glock 19X grouped together at number four. The hosts explain that the 19X was Glock’s entry for a major U.S. military contract that ultimately went to SIG Sauer. Both pistols share the hybrid configuration of a full-size Glock 17 grip with a Glock 19-length slide and barrel, but the 19X differs with its factory coyote Cerakote finish, lack of front slide serrations, and a lanyard loop. The Glock 45, by contrast, is a more modernized duty pistol and is confirmed as the official number four pick, with the hosts suggesting its ranking could rise over time. They briefly examine the COA optic, noting its slim, Acro-like profile and clear glass, but express concern about its capture-style mounting through the rear sight that might allow it to walk out under recoil. After a sponsor segment for Sonoran Desert Institute’s online gunsmithing and firearms courses, the list moves to number three: the Glock 34. This long-slide 9mm is praised for its extended barrel, longer sight radius, 17-round capacity, and enhanced shootability, especially when paired with upgrades like a Timney Alpha trigger. The Glock 34 is highlighted as a competition favorite and pop-culture icon, including the Taran Tactical Combat Master version seen in John Wick 4.
At number two, the hosts spotlight the Glock 19, focusing on the Glock 19M variant. They describe it as the quintessential do-all handgun: compact enough for concealed carry yet large enough for duty use and home defense. With a roughly 4-inch barrel and 15-round magazine, the 19M offers a balance of size, capacity, and controllability that helped define the modern carry-sized, full-capacity pistol category. Developed for an FBI contract, the 19M introduced many features that later became standard in Gen 5 Glocks, including the removal of finger grooves, a slightly flared magwell for faster reloads, an extended slide lock/slide release, and improved coatings. Optics-ready configurations further modernize the platform. The hosts note that the Glock 19 is Glock’s best-selling model and one of the most widely issued law-enforcement sidearms. The 19M serves as the FBI’s standard-issue pistol, with the 17M available for agents who prefer a full-size grip and longer slide, underscoring the 19’s central role in Glock’s lineup.
Before revealing the top pick, the hosts present honorable mentions that narrowly missed the list. The Glock 48 is described as essentially a longer-barreled Glock 43X, offering a slim, single-stack-style frame with a 10-round capacity that can be increased using Shield Arms magazines. In overall footprint, the 48 is similar to a Glock 19 but noticeably thinner, giving shooters a flatter, easier-to-conceal option with improved sight radius and softer perceived recoil compared to the shorter 43X. They then highlight the Glock 26, a classic 10-round subcompact 9mm that was once a dominant concealed carry choice. The 26’s key advantage is magazine compatibility: it can accept standard 15-round Glock 19 magazines, 17-round Glock 17 magazines, and even higher-capacity options, making it highly versatile. The hosts mention the older .40-caliber Glock 27 as part of that same lineage and note how the market has gradually shifted toward slimmer models like the 43, 43X, and 48, but they credit the 26 with playing a major historical role in the evolution of concealed carry pistols.
The number one spot goes to the Glock 17, with the Glock 47 presented as a closely related, modernized counterpart. The Glock 47 is described as essentially a Glock 17 slide and barrel on a Glock 45-style frame, using a Glock 19 recoil spring. This configuration allows for modularity, letting users swap to shorter slides and barrels, such as a Glock 19-length upper, while retaining the same frame. The hosts then turn to the Glock 17’s origins, tracing it back to 1982 and Gaston Glock’s original Gen One design. Initially dismissed by some as a “plastic gun,” the 17 overcame skepticism by winning a major Austrian military contract for over 25,000 pistols. That success propelled Glock into global prominence and helped make the 17, alongside the 19, one of the most widely used handguns in the world. The video closes by inviting viewers to share their own top five Glock lists and acknowledging notable omissions like the Glock 21 SF and various 10mm models, emphasizing that the ranking is limited to five primary picks plus honorable mentions.
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