We attended the invite-only Gen6 technical event to break down what’s new and how the G17, G19, and G45 Gen6 pistols perform on the range.

Glock has introduced a 6th generation of pistols, starting with the classic G17, the mass-market G19, and the popular G45.

The standard slide, compact frame G49, is being launched for the international market, but I think if we keep asking Glock nicely, they will bring that model to the US as well. A nice stable of popular 9mm pistols.

The last we heard from Glock was the announcement of discontinued pistol models and the Gen5 V series. The Gen6 guns incorporate some of the Gen5 V series traits; really just the slide and frame modifications, the rest is all new and all Gen6. 

The outside of the Gen6 is a radical departure, especially for a company that ignores trends in the polymer frame and striker-fired play space. Gen6 has a new texture, a beaver tail, flat trigger, better slide serrations, a nice undercut trigger guard, a gas pedal, palm swells, a new optic mounting system, and more.

I had some time with the Gen6 during the invite-only Gen6 event on December 4th, which included a technical deep dive explaining the new enhancements and trigger time with all three models. 

First Impression: A Glock That Doesn’t Look Like A Glock

My first impression of the Glock Gen6 is that it didn’t look like a typical Glock. That’s because of the grip. The Glock Gen6 grip just felt right in my hand, and the other enhancements make the new Gen6 pistols more ergonomic and shooter friendly.

Inside the pistol is pure, original Glock DNA, with the safety-action trigger design. It is the outside of the Gen6 Glocks that’s flush with enhancements. Gripping the new Gen6 was like shaking hands with a new, old friend. 

Let’s start with the sexy stuff Glock did to the outside the Gen6 pistols and then move on to the internal modifications for all you tech nerds, which I am a proud member.

Glock’s Gen6 Sexy New Look

Glock is quick to explain that the new changes to the new G17 Gen6, G19 Gen6 and G45 Gen6 came from user feedback. Glock is not a company to follow trends within polymer striker fire pistol space since they virtually invented the category. One thing Glock is good at is listening to user feedback, be it good, bad, or ugly. With the new Gen6 Glocks the enhanced ergonomics increase usability and shooter comfort.

The biggest and most noticeable enhancement to the Glock Gen6 pistols is the new RTF6 texture, which is a combination of RTF2 and RTF4 textures. The RTF4 texture is higher than the RTF2, so when you grip the pistol, it provides better purchase without abrasion. Glock was also more generous with the RTF6 texture, spreading it higher up on the frame and thumb rest.

Plus palm swells have been added to the grip to fill that hollow space between your hand and the flat grip panels of previous generations. And for shooters who spew lead downrange in nanoseconds, an index point, albeit a gas pedal, is incorporated into the frame that provides more leverage for the support hand to grip.

The real estate on the frame is re-contoured for the gas pedal, but does not increase the width of the frame, so you can still use a Gen5 holster with a Gen6 gun.

The enlarged, extended beaver tail eliminates slide bite for users with big, meaty hands. Additional back straps are included, sans the beaver tail, to increase trigger reach if desired. An undercut trigger guard offers a higher grip than any previous generation.

This new feature was a common aftermarket Dremel tool modification. Also new to the frame is a higher fence around the slide stop which is especially useful for users who might accidentally ride the slide stop and inadvertently not allow the slide to lock back on the last shot.

It took Glock five generations to include front slide serrations and the new Gen6 slide serration are deeper at the top so preforming a press check is that much easier. Maybe a Picatinny accessory rail is the only thing missing on the new Glock Gen6 frame.

New Glock Gen6 Trigger

Another dramatic and radical departure is a flat face trigger. We all know that flat face triggers are easier to press consistently and Glock chose to include a flat face trigger. Since the flat face trigger changes the geometry of the trigger, pre-production guns were extensively tested. One G19 Gen6 had over 40,000 rounds through it with no issues.

I think running excessive quantities of ammunition through a Glock to see if it will fail is a pointless exercise. The Glock won’t break, and all you accomplished was convert valuable cartridges into scrap brass. Still, Glock is a company that is in no hurry to bring a product to market. They overtest all of their guns so they are safe and reliable.

Inside the new Glock Gen6

Internal changes with the new Gen6 include the relatively new , as of this past October—Gen5 V series slide and triggers enhancements.

The inside of the slide, as well as the frame, has been modified to reduce the chances of bad actors modifying the pistol for use with an MCD (Machinegun Conversion Device) or more commonly known as a switch. Inside the slide are raised ridges around the firing pin channel, a larger and wider striker with a narrower channel, and a modified lug shape.

The frame also features a new notch that mates with a new slide-back plate. Not all parts from V series pistols are compatible with Gen5 guns.

Not really an inside enhancement, but a change nonetheless is a new optic-ready system. Forget all you know about MOS; that is history, though Glock will still support guns with that system. The new optic-ready system alleviates some of the headaches associated with installing an aftermarket optic.

First, the cut in the slide is lower, and a polymer plate in lieu of the metal MOS plate is used. The polymer plate acts like a crush washer and absorbs some of the shear force on the mounting screws. Speaking of screws. Aftermarket optics can have screws that are too long or are torqued down too much like a gorilla installed the optic. Plus liberal use of Loctite, e.g. more than one drop could drip into the extractor channel.

New Gen6 guns have a redesigned extractor that is clear of optic mounting screw holes. An extra step is required to remove the new Gen6 extractor assembly, but it is straightforward.

Shooting The New Glock Gen6 Pistols

I ran magazines full of inexpensive 9mm Federal ammo through a Glock G17 Gen6, G19 Gen6, and G45 Gen6, all with a mix of optics. The grip is what you notice first. The hand filling palm swell and the stickiness of the texture that’s not abrasive. Next is the trigger, which felt very different than the curved Glock triggers of yore.

The undercut offers a slightly higher grip to get on top of recoil. The front slide serrations offer great traction to rack the slide. My first few shots were slow and deliberate. I wanted to see the point of impact with the optic, after all it wasn’t zeroed for me, the feel of the trigger. The trigger break reminded me of a Gen5. I like the flat face and alternated between my finger pad and my first knuckle.

Then I went John Wick and emptied the pistol as fast as I could while still keeping it in control. I followed the same process across the G45, G19, and G17. Yeah it operates like a Glock. That’s the original DNA in the gun, but the enhancements made the pistols easier to control even when I went John Wick on them. No issues. All the pistols ran like a Glock. Load it. Shoot it. Repeat.

Final Thoughts On The Glock Gen6

In 2026 Glock will celebrate 40 years in the US, making it an appropriate time to launch the latest generational evolution of the classic G17 pistol, as well as two other popular models, the G19 and G45.

The Gen6 pistols, according to Glock, were engineered for us end users—law enforcement, military, or civilians. The MSRP for the three models will be around $745. The new Glock Gen6 guns are new but are rooted and defined by Glock’s heritage and reputation for reliability, safety, and performance. Welcome to your new Glock.

Glock Gen6 FAQ