Ten rounds of .45 ACP in a subcompact frame. The Glock G30 Gen4 measures 6.88 inches long and 4.8 inches tall, making it the smallest .45 ACP handgun in the database. It weighs 26.3 oz unloaded, which is light for .45 ACP but heavy compared to subcompact 9mms. The width at 1.27 inches is narrower than you might expect from a double-stack .45, and comparable to many single-stack 9mm carry guns.

The trade-off for that size is recoil. At 26.3 oz, there is less mass to absorb .45 ACP energy than the full-size G21 at 29.1 oz, and the shorter 3.78-inch barrel means a choppier recoil impulse. Reviewers consistently note the G30 is snappier than a G21 but manageable with a firm grip. The 5.5 lb striker trigger is the same unit across all Gen4 Glocks. The gun accepts full-size Glock 21 magazines, so a 13-round backup magazine is an option for range use.

One practical note for carry: the G30 is thick through the grip. While the slide is only 1.27 inches wide, the double-stack grip fills the hand more than a single-stack 1911 like the Colt Defender. Owners who carry the G30 IWB recommend a quality holster with a claw or wing to push the grip into the body. Without one, the grip prints through a T-shirt.