Glock Lineup: Which Model Is Right for You?
Glock offers pistols for every purpose. Here are the models we have reviewed:
- Glock 17 MOS – Full-size 9mm. 4.49" barrel, 17+1 capacity. The iconic duty pistol, optics-ready.
- Glock 45 – Crossover 9mm. 4.02" barrel, 17+1 capacity. Compact slide with full-size grip.
- Glock 43 – Subcompact 9mm. 3.41" barrel, 6+1 capacity. Ultra-slim for deep concealment.
- Glock 43X MOS – Slimline 9mm. 3.41" barrel, 10+1 capacity. Longer grip than G43, optics-ready.
- Glock 44 – .22 LR trainer. 4.02" barrel, 10+1 capacity. Affordable training on the G19 frame.
- Glock 20 – Full-size 10mm. 4.61" barrel, 15+1 capacity. Woods carry and hunting. (this review)
This review covers the Glock 20, the full-size 10mm for woods carry.
| Glock 20 Quick Specs | |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 10mm Auto |
| Capacity | 15+1 |
| Barrel Length | 4.6" |
| Overall Length | 8.07" |
| Weight | 30.69 oz (empty) |
| Street Price | ~$550-$650 |
| Best For | Woods carry, hunting, bear country |
Are you a big-caliber lover? Maybe you love the 10mm round, and I understand it's awesome. But if you've been in the market for the best 10mm pistol, you have surely been recommended the Glock 20, including by me in the best 10mm handgun article.
In this hands-on review of the Glock 20 Gen 5, we run down its features and controls to better help you decide on your next 10mm pistol and why it should be this one.
Features
The Glock 20 has three different model generations: the Gen 3, Gen 4, and Gen 5. All the photos and mentions in this article are of the latest generation G20, the Gen 5.
One of the major differences between the Gen 4 and Gen 5 is the MOS or optics-ready platform, slide serrations, slide stop, and slide coating.
Glock 10mm
This is why you bought or are considering a Glock 20. The 10mm caliber is an interesting one, quickly gaining popularity in handgun circles.
It's not a new caliber but has largely been reserved for 1911s and other large-bore pistols.
Magazine Capacity
Glock 20's full-size frame allows for a 15-round magazine capacity and uses the standard Glock magazine design, steel with polymer overmold.
With a similar magazine capacity to the Glock 19, your firing cadence may be similar to what you're used to, assuming you carry or shoot a Glock 19 often.
With more recoil, the 15-round magazine capacity does seem to last longer while shooting, but that's likely just perception and not reality.
Grip and Ergonomics
The Glock 20 brings me back to my 45 ACP days. When I first entered law enforcement, we carried the Glock 21 SF, a full-size Glock chambered in 45 ACP.
While it wasn't my favorite gun to carry, it didn't bother me much because it was in a duty holster on a duty belt.
But since I haven't shot much in the way of 45 ACP out of a handgun that wasn't a 1911 or 2011 pistol.
If you have held a Glock 21, the grip and ergonomics will be nearly identical to that of the Glock 20, but with the Gen 5 grip texture.
Like all Glocks Gen 4 on, the Glock 20 Gen 5 has modular grip panels that you can use to make the grip larger or smaller for your hand. This makes the overall ergonomics better for the shooter.
I leave the grip stock since I have smaller hands, so I don't add the medium or large grip modules.
Sights and Optics Mount
Glock is pretty consistent with their sights and optics mounting platform. This model is the MOS model, and if you want to add a sight to your Glock, you want to get an MOS model or plan to have the pistol slide milled by a reputable company.
This gun has suppressor height sights, which are great for co-witnessing your pistol's red dot sight. I love the Trijicon sights, but they can be somewhat expensive.
One top I currently have is the Aimpoint Acro, which is a great option for this large-frame pistol. It's an extremely clear and crisp red dot that gets the job done well.
Rail
The classic Glock rail will readily accept any pistol light you have, as nearly all lights made for the Glock platform are interchangeable (the smaller frame sub-compacts aside).
Controls
If you are familiar with Glocks, then the controls section of this review will be a snooze fest.
However, remember this is a Gen 5, so some controls have been updated slightly from other Glock generations.
Magazine Release
Glock made the magazine release on the Gen 5 Glocks much better and more easy to use.
The magazine release is longer and wider while sitting more in line with the grip.
Even on this large-frame pistol, I can easily press it with my thumb while using the master grip.
Slide Stop
Ambidextrous slide stops are the future, and I need all pistol manufacturers to accept that.
It removes any chance of being unable to send the slide home, even on an empty magazine.
Having the ability to grab both slides release/stops and have the force and leverage to send the slide into battery is crucial.
Trigger
Glock stock trigger has always been debated in the trigger snob circles of the world.
It is most certainly not the best trigger ever made, nor is it the worst. It has a decent take-up and a clearly defined wall and reset.
Overall, it's an okay stock trigger, but improvements can be made, with Johnny Glocks being one of the most highly praised Glock trigger makers.
Other aftermarket triggers like the Zev Tech Pro and the Timney triggers are also widely popular, but the Glock warranty gets a bit dicey with aftermarket parts like triggers.
Aesthetics
Glock's look-alike is a boring brick of a gun but a bombproof pistol. People have spent a lot of time changing the looks of their Glock to make it not so... yawn.. boring.
But the Glock 20 is no different in terms of looks or function. It's reliable and the same-looking gun as everything else in the Glock product line.
While the overall aesthetics don't win any awards, what you don't have in looks you make up for in reliability and function.
Range Bag
The 10mm Glock 20 is a handful - and so is the ammo. The Prime range bag has room for this full-size pistol plus the extra magazines you'll want for a proper 10mm range session.
10mm Glock Ammo
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Shooting the Glock 20
This one could surprise you if you have never shot 10mm pistols.
The recoil on a 10mm is almost guaranteed to be snappier than any other pistol you have, other than a micro-sized 9mm or 380; I know that's confusing, but it's a size thing.
The Glock 20 is undoubtedly a hand cannon, but it still has that true-to-form Glock recoil impulse and Glock feel, so if you love Glocks, you're in luck.
I carried the Glock 21 on duty for years, and I would say the recoil is comparable; however, the Glock 21 may be a bit more controllable due to the sub-sonic .45 ACP rounds.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for an EDC or a fun gun to take to the range to shoot all day, this probably isn't it.
This is a good, reasonably light, reliable pistol that has its purpose. If you need more knockdown power and speed, this is your gal.
I like Glocks, so this would be my go-to 10mm if I were hiking through areas with lots of Bear or other large game.
If you need one of the best 10mm pistols, this is likely one you need to evaluate before deciding.
