Glock Gen 6: Would I Buy It With My Own Money?

Glock just dropped the Gen 6, and I was able to get hands-on time with it. I’ve now had about a week to think through the hype, the changes, and the tradeoffs. There are some things I wasn’t thrilled about with the Gen 6, maybe even some things that were straight-up disappointments, but the real question isn’t whether it’s new or improved. The real question is simple.

Would I buy this gun with my own money?

And maybe more importantly for you, should you buy it when it launches?

First Impressions Matter, and This One Feels Different

Let’s get this out of the way up front. The Gen 6 feels different in the hand in a way that no previous Glock generation ever really has.

The grip is the biggest win. Glock blended elements of their older aggressive textures with a new palm swell that actually fills the hand well. The undercut on the trigger guard lets you ride the gun a little higher. The beavertail solves Glock bite for good, and the new gas-pedal style thumb ledge gives your support hand something meaningful to work with.

On video or in photos, it doesn’t look revolutionary. In your hand, it’s immediately obvious. Blindfolded, you’d know which one was the Gen 6.

The Trigger Is Fine, and That’s Okay

The trigger reach is slightly shorter, bringing it closer to the hand. That’s a good thing for most shooters. The pull itself is exactly what a defensive pistol trigger should be.

There’s a clear take-up, a defined wall, and a break in the five-and-a-half-pound range. It’s not a competition trigger. It’s not something I’d write a sonnet about, but it’s what I want on a fighting gun.

In short, if you miss with this trigger, the problem isn’t the trigger.

Internal Changes and the Compatibility Tradeoff

This is where things start to get complicated.

Glock made meaningful internal changes. The barrel, extractor system, and trigger geometry were all redesigned. That means better feeding, better mounting options, and maybe some long-term benefits for durability and performance.

It also means compatibility took a hit.

Glock performance triggers don’t work in the Gen 6. I’d wager most aftermarket parts won’t either. Glock generations have traditionally shared a lot of parts DNA. This one breaks from that pattern more than any previous models, and it’s going to take some time for the aftermarket to catch up and provide the parts for all you who like to tinker with your guns.

On an upside, all the standard double-stack magazines still work.

The Optics System Is a Genuine Upgrade

Glock finally ditched the MOS plate system and replaced it with a near-universal mounting solution.

The new system uses included adapter plates that index cleanly and lock down solidly. The polymer plates act like a crush washer when torqued, creating a tight, stable mount without the need for a separate plate that is bolts onto the slide. No more screwing down a plate to screw down your optic. No more Inception mounting plates! Your optic goes right into the gun like God intended.

The Gen 5 Problem That Killed It for Me Is Gone

I never liked the Gen 5 Glock. For my grip, the slide stop would lock the slide back while shooting. It happened consistently, and it wasn’t something I experienced with Gens 1 through 4 or with other pistols. Other good shooters I know had the same problem.

The Gen 6 fixes this.

Glock reshaped and built up the slide stop border in a way that clearly acknowledges this wasn’t just a “bad grip” issue for a few shooters. The problem is gone for me, so yay for that.

The Price Increase Is Hard to Ignore

Here’s where things get painful, and something I’m disappointed with.

The Gen 6 MSRP is $745. A Gen 5 can still be found around $569.

That’s a $176 jump.

I understand inflation. I understand manufacturing costs. I also understand that $745 is real money, especially when Glock built its reputation on being the reliable, affordable workhorse.

At that price point, expectations rise, and now some competitors start to look really nice.

Why I’m Not Buying One Right Now

There are three reasons I’m not buying a Gen 6 at launch.

First, the price. I’d rather wait until it drops into the low $600 range.

Second, compatibility. I don’t love waiting for the aftermarket to catch up, even if I understand why Glock made the changes they did.

Third, and most importantly, I don’t carry full-size or compact pistols anymore.

For concealed carry, I live in the subcompact world. Glock 17s and 19s don’t excite me for daily carry. If Glock launches a Gen 6 in a Glock 48 or 43X size, my interest may spike. Until then, this is more of a war-belt or duty-role gun for me, not an everyday carry solution.

So…Did Glock Nail It?

The Gen 6 is the best Glock generation to date. No question.

The grip is better. The ergonomics are better. The optics system is better. The Gen 5 issue that stopped me cold is fixed.

But it’s not a no-brainer at launch pricing, and it’s not optimized yet for how I personally carry.

If you find one on sale, I’d buy it. If you’re deeply invested in the Glock ecosystem, you’ll probably end up with one eventually anyway.

Just don’t confuse “new” with “mandatory.”

Remember, Train Hard. Train Smart. And choose your tools with the same intentionality you bring to your training.