Glock G45 Gen5 9mm
Model: PA455S203
Glock G45 Gen5 9mm
Model: PA455S203
Full Specifications
About This Firearm
The Glock G45 Gen5 is a crossover: it pairs the G19's compact 4.02" slide with the G17's full-size grip frame. The result holds 17 rounds in a 7.44" package that draws faster and conceals better than the G17's 7.91" length. At 22.93 oz, it actually weighs less than both the G19 Gen5 (23.63 oz) and the G17 Gen5 (24.87 oz) despite matching the G17's capacity.
Glock introduced the G45 in 2017 for military and law enforcement contracts that wanted G17 capacity without the full-size slide. The "45" is a model number, not a caliber. The Gen5 trigger runs 5.8 lbs with a soft take-up before the wall breaks. Glock includes three 17-round magazines instead of the standard two, giving you 51 rounds total before buying extras.
The full-size grip is the G45's defining trade-off. The 5.47" height extends further below the belt than the G19's 5.04" grip, which can print under fitted shirts. If concealment is the priority, the Sig P320 Compact or HK VP9 keep 15-17 rounds in a shorter grip. If shooting comfort and capacity matter more, the G45's longer grip fills the hand better for sustained range sessions and recoil management during rapid strings.
Best For
Strengths & Limitations
- 17 rounds in a 22.93 oz package. That is lighter than both the G19 Gen5 (23.63 oz with 15 rounds) and the G17 Gen5 (24.87 oz with 17 rounds) while matching the G17's capacity.
- The compact 4.02" slide with a full-size grip frame gives G17 capacity in a 7.44" package versus the G17's 7.91". Half an inch shorter overall with the same magazine.
- The 5.47" grip height extends further below the belt than the G19's 5.04" grip. That extra 0.43" prints more easily under fitted or tucked shirts, limiting the G45's concealment compared to true compacts.
- No optic cut on the standard model. The HK VP9 ships optic-ready in its OR variant at the same capacity, and the Sig P320 Compact offers modularity the G45 lacks.
Category Rankings
How the Glock G45 Gen5 9mm ranks among compact 9mm Luger handguns.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the G45 too big for concealed carry?
The compact 4.02" slide and 22.93 oz weight conceal well. The problem is the full-size grip. At 5.47" tall, it extends further below the belt than the G19's 5.04" grip. In an IWB holster with an untucked shirt, most people can hide it. Under fitted or tucked clothing, the grip length prints. If concealment is your top priority, the G19 is the better choice.
Do G17 magazines work in the G45?
Yes. The G45 uses the same G17 frame, so all Glock double-stack 9mm magazines fit. The standard 17-round G17 mags are flush-fit. The 19-round G17 extended mags and 24-round or 33-round extended magazines all work. G19 15-round mags also fit but sit about half an inch below the grip without filling the magwell.
Why does the G45 weigh less than the G19 despite having a bigger grip?
The G45's slide is the same 4.02" compact length as the G19, but it uses a full-size frame with more polymer and less steel in the dust cover area. The weight difference is small (22.93 oz versus 23.63 oz) and depends partly on how Glock specs the weight. Both guns use the same slide dimensions, so the frame construction accounts for the 0.7 oz gap.