[Mall Ninja]

That’s right. Just like the title says. The Glock 19 is the only 9mm handgun that can truly be considered a ‘compact’ design.

All the other manafacturers have come out with their compact versions, yet they are much closer in overall height to the Glock 17. Let’s break out the numbers...

Overall height:

(Glock 19- 4.99 inches)

(Glock 17- 5.43 inches)

Some of the popular competition:

CZ P10C- 5.2 inches

Sig P320C- 5.3 inches

Walther PPQ- 5.3 inches

HK VP9- 5.41 inches

I’m really not sure why it’s so difficult for the other guys to come out with a 15 round polymer pistol with an overall height of less than or equal to 4.99 inches in overall height.

 

[hurley842002]

So is it safe to say you haven't heard of the M&P 2.0 compact?

 

[seanmac45]

I have always said that the Glock 19 is the perfect duty and concealed carry weapon. The ammo capacity to size ratio is ideal.

 

[powernoodle]

I’m really not sure why it’s so difficult for the other guys to come out with a 15 round polymer pistol with an overall height of less than or equal to 4.99 inches in overall height.

That statement presupposes that they have tried to do it. We don't know that. "Shortest grip in its class" is not a big selling point.


:dog::dog::dog:

 

[Mark Smeaton]

SIG 938

 

[hurley842002]

SIG 938

Huh!?

 

[leathermaneod]

That statement presupposes that they have tried to do it. We don't know that. "Shortest grip in its class" is not a big selling point.


:dog::dog::dog:

How do you figure that one? I’d argue that it’s one of the biggest selling points...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Borg Warner]

A G43 is a lot more compact than a G19 and a Kahr PM9 is even more compact. Glock came up with the term compact to differentiate it from a full-size duty gun but a more accurate term would be "Mid-sized".

I never liked the G17 and I always thought the Beretta 92 was way too big for a 9mm. The first time I saw a Glock 19 I wanted one and I had never owned a Glock before.

The Glock 19's size, while not truly compact, is compact enough that it's more easily concealed than most of the other 15 round "Mid-sized" double stack 9's.

 

[Dave514]

Beretta PX4 Storm Compact comes to mind.
5 inches. 15 rounds.

One thing I've noticed with a lot of these pistols is that the grip isn't any longer than the G19 but the slide is taller. This is where the Styer also seems to save on height.

 

[kme]

A G43 is a lot more compact than a G19 and a Kahr PM9 is even more compact. Glock came up with the term compact to differentiate it from a full-size duty gun but a more accurate term would be "Mid-sized"...

I agree, I consider my 19 to be "mid-size" amongst my 34, full size CZs, and my 42, 43, and P238. Of these pistols, the only one I would call "compact" is the 43 because it is easily concealable on a belt but too big for pocket carry.

YMMV

 

[fastbolt]

I can appreciate your enthusiasm for the G19 ... but ...

The G19, with its 7.28" length and 4.01" barrel is more akin to a full-size duty pistol than a true compact. It's only a "compact" from Glock's perspective because it's smaller than the G17. (The standard 5906/5903 had a 4" barrel and a 15rd mag, and was a full-size duty pistol, for example.)

The standard S&W M&P compact, like the M&P 9c, has a 3.5" barrel, a 6.7" length and only lacks 3 rounds of mag capacity (12 v. 15).

Glock's "subcompacts" are more like the "compacts" made by some other gun companies.

In earlier time the designations of full-size and compact were a lot simpler. Once the "subcompact" designation entered the fray, things got more than a little "variable".

 

[Mall Ninja]

So is it safe to say you haven't heard of the M&P 2.0 compact?

So is it safe to say you haven't heard of the M&P 2.0 compact?

I have. The MP 2.0 comes in at aprox 5.00 inches in height. May only be a minor difference, but still taller than the G19

 

[Mall Ninja]

I can appreciate your enthusiasm for the G19 ... but ...

The G19, with its 7.28" length and 4.01" barrel is more akin to a full-size duty pistol than a true compact. It's only a "compact" from Glock's perspective because it's smaller than the G17. (The standard 5906/5903 had a 4" barrel and a 15rd mag, and was a full-size duty pistol, for example.)

The standard S&W M&P compact, like the M&P 9c, has a 3.5" barrel, a 6.7" length and only lacks 3 rounds of mag capacity (12 v. 15).

Glock's "subcompacts" are more like the "compacts" made by some other gun companies.

In earlier time the designations of full-size and compact were a lot simpler. Once the "subcompact" designation entered the fray, things got more than a little "variable".

True, however the overall height of the weapon is of much more importance in terms of concealment than the overall length of the slide/barrel assembly.

The height of the weapon is what causes it to print for example, under a t shirt IWB. The length of the weapon is concealed under the pants (har har) and is not a hinderance when trying to conceal the pistol.

The height of the weapon is what causes the grip to poke into your shirt etc

The shorter the overall height of the weapon, the less it will print in general.

 

[rock_castle]

There’s no doubt that the G19 is one of the very best duty/CC handguns on the market, but I’ve never considered it a true compact, no matter what Glock says.

 

[Mall Ninja]

There’s no doubt that the G19 is one of the very best duty/CC handguns on the market, but I’ve never considered it a true compact, no matter what Glock says.

I agree. I just use ‘compact’ as the manufacturers description. Mid-Size as others have mentioned, is a more accurate representation

 

[Mall Ninja]

My point being...

Other manufacturers ‘compact’ designs are much closer in overall height to a full size duty weapon. The overall height of the competition is too similiar to the G17 size format for me to consider them a true CCW weapon.

 

[Mall Ninja]

Only the Glock 19 and Steyr C9-A1 can truly be considered mid-size or ‘compact’ handguns. The rest of the bunch are full size duty guns with an abbreviated muzzle/slide length which means **** all for concealment. It’s all about the overall height of the weapon when printing is a concern.

If printing isn’t a big concern, by all means, strap on that full size duty gun under a flannel or jacket and go about your merry way.

 

[seanmac45]

Replying to Rockcastle;

Nor do I consider it a compact. However, it does fit the bill for duty and concealed carry very well. The 43 is a compact, with all of the ammo limitations which accrue thereunto.

 

[Mall Ninja]

Nor do I consider it a compact. However, it does fit the bill for duty and concealed carry very well. The 43 is a compact, with all of the ammo limitations which accrue thereunto.

Schematics, but I consider the G43 and the like as ‘sub compacts’

I personally went with the Kahr CM9 as it is noticeably smaller and easier to pocket carry. Much closer in size to the G42 really.

 

[PocketProtector]

When the G19 was created it WAS a compact 9mm......in 2017 not so much......just a name now.