Test: on the firing range with the GLOCK 45, the G17/G19 crossover

Marcus Heilscher

The front cocking grooves offer additional handling options. Apart from that, the new GLOCK 45 behaves about as you would expect from combining a medium-length GLOCK 19 slide with the full-grown frame of the Glock 17.

Apart from the full-grown grip of the GLOCK 17 combined with the slightly shortened 102 mm barrel and matching slide of a GLOCK 19, this 9 Para pistol also offers factory front cocking serrations. Otherwise, the GLOCK 45 hardly differs from other Gen5 9 mm models: controls on both sides, no finger grooves, and the GMB barrel are also part of the basic equipment. The new, matte black nDLC finish (DLC: Diamond Like Coating) looks a little smoother and shinier than the previously used Tenifer coating which, depending on the generation and year of manufacture, sometimes appeared to be anthracite-GLOCK 45 grey. The grip was slightly modified again at the bottom. It does not feature a cutout in front of magazine well to pull out the magazine in case of a malfunction. But unlike the GLOCK 19X made for the US military tender, the grip doesn't feature an extended front lip on the magwell either. As a result, the new, slightly enlarged standard magazine baseplate of the regular Gen5 magazines fits into the GLOCK 45. Despite partially redesigned recoil springs, the no-groove grip and the new rifling of the GLOCK Marksman Barrel, the GLOCK 45 didn't shoot much differently than one would expect from a mix of GLOCK 17 and the (closely related) GLOCK 19.

GLOCK G45 in detail

Model:	GLOCK 45
Price:	749 euro (price may vary in your country due to VAT and import duties)
Caliber:	9 Luger
Magazine capacity:	17 + 1 rounds
Barrel length:	4” / 102 mm
Dimensions (L x W x H):	7.44 x 1.34 x 5.47 in (189 x 34 x 139 mm)
Trigger pull weight:	88.18 oz / 2.500 g
Weight:	24.5 oz / 695 g (with empty magazine)
Ausführung:	interchangeable backstraps, partially preloaded safe action trigger, ambidextrous controls, improved Browning locking system, nDLC coating.

Marcus Heilscher

In addition to the modified inner barrel profile, the new GMB barrels feature a recessed muzzle crown.

Handling and manipulation: firing the G45

For right-handed shooters with medium-sized male hands, the brand-new Gen5 iteration offers hardly any significant advantages in handling and shooting behaviour. The small advantages are more important when handling than when shooting, such as the textured front strap or the funnel-shaped magwell. The best grouping was 2.4” / 61 mm (-12 points) at 25 meters, with the GLOCK 45 harmonizing best with the 8-gram Golden Saber by Remington, closely followed by the Sellier & Bellot FMJ 115-gr load and the GECO Hexagon FMJ 124-gr, with 2.8” / 73 mm and 2.9” / 75 mm respectively.

The test in detail: how does the GLOCK 45 perform?

Marcus Heilscher

The magazine release can be reversed, while the slide stop lever is both sides of the frame on the GLOCK 45.

Like all GLOCKs, you must apply pressure to the trigger if you want to disassemble the pistol (-1 P.). Apart from that, however, the GLOCK did not make any further slip-ups in terms of function or safety. Out of the box, the trigger should be a little crispier and a little less backtravel would also be fine, but the typical Safe Action trigger can also be appreciated as a proven compromise between safety and shooting comfort with a pistol that is basically without any manual safety (-2 P.). Full points were awarded for the trigger and grip design (-0 P.), which are similar to the related GLOCK 34 Gen5. There is also no flaw to be found on the controls: the flat tactile surfaces of the slide stop levers have their meaning on the GLOCK 45 as a guidance, as do the slightly enlarged levers on the GLOCK 34 (-0 P.). The plastic rear sight, which is typical for the manufacturer and can only be drifted sideways, offers a usable sight image, but not more. It was and is replaced by many shooters and LEOs by better solutions (-3 P.). The slide play and the sharp edges on the newly designed GLOCK 45 magwell were slightly more pronounced compared to the present GLOCK 34s Gen5, while workmanship and finish of the GLOCK 45 were altogether on a high level (-1 P.).

GLOCK 45 test review

Rating	Points
Accuracy (max. 50 points)	38 points
Cycling/safety (max. 10 p.)	9 points
Trigger characteristics (max. 10 p.)	8 points
Grip design (max. 5 p.)	5 points
Controls (max. 10 p.)	10 points
Sights (max. 5 p.)	2 points
Fit and finish (max. 10 p.)	9 points
Total points (max. 100 p.)	81 points
Test result	Very good
Rating	5 of 6

GLOCK 45 in 9 mm Luger: wrap-up

Overall, the GLOCK 17 / GLOCK 19 crossover in the form of the model 45 was appreciated. The newcomer offers the full-size grip of the tested service model, but most armed and police forces worldwide today are fully satisfied with barrel lengths of around four inches (102 mm) - a well-proven compromise for the 9 Para for a long time.

More information on the GLOCK 45 please visit Glock website.

all4shooters.com already published tests of the following pistols: