The Glock is a masterpiece of utilitarian design, but “factory stock” is rarely the pinnacle of performance. Because the platform is so popular, there is a massive aftermarket of accessories designed to fix the minor gripes shooters have with the original design. If you want to take your Glock from a standard duty tool to a high-performance firearm, these seven accessories are the most effective places to start your upgrades.
1. High-Visibility Night Sights
The plastic “ball and bucket” sights that come on factory Glocks are often the first thing owners replace. They are prone to breaking and are difficult to see in low-light conditions. Upgrading to steel night sights with Tritium inserts ensures you can find your point of aim in total darkness. Look for “AmeriGlo” or “Trijicon” sets with a bright orange or green front ring for faster target acquisition during the day.
2. An Enhanced Trigger Connector
Glock triggers are known for being a bit “mushy” with a heavy break. You don’t necessarily need to replace the whole trigger to see a big improvement. A “3.5 lb Minus Connector” is an inexpensive part that reduces the trigger pull weight and smooths out the take-up. This small mechanical change allows for a cleaner “surprise” break, which is one of the easiest ways to immediately improve your accuracy at the range.
3. Extended Magazine Release
For many shooters, the factory magazine release is a bit too flush, making it hard to drop a magazine without shifting your grip. An extended magazine release provides a slightly larger surface area, allowing for much faster reloads. Be careful not to go “too large” if you carry the gun in a holster, as an oversized release can accidentally be pressed by your body, causing the magazine to fall out.
4. Extended Slide Stop Lever
The standard glock accessories slide stop is tiny and can be difficult to manipulate, especially under stress or with wet hands. An “Extended Slide Stop Lever” features a small “bump” or “shelf” that gives your thumb more leverage. This makes it much easier to lock the slide back for clearing malfunctions or to release the slide during a fast reload, significantly improving the overall manual of arms of the pistol.
5. A Quality Weapon-Mounted Light
Positive target identification is a requirement for any defensive firearm. Adding a light like the “Streamlight TLR-7” or “SureFire X300” allows you to see what you are aiming at in the dark. Modern lights are small enough that they don’t significantly affect the balance of the gun. Furthermore, the extra weight at the front of the frame can help slightly reduce muzzle flip, making the gun shoot a bit flatter.
6. Grip Plugs and Magwells
The “hole” at the bottom of the Glock grip is designed to let debris fall out, but it can also snag your thumb during a reload. A simple “Grip Plug” fills this gap for a cleaner look. If you want a performance boost, a “Carry Magwell” provides a flared opening that funnels the magazine into the gun. This makes your reloads much more “forgiving,” which is a major advantage in high-stress situations or competition.
7. A Threaded Barrel and Compensator
If you want the ultimate performance upgrade, a threaded barrel allows you to attach a compensator. A compensator vents gases upward to keep the muzzle flat during rapid fire. While this adds length to the gun, it makes the Glock 19 feel like it has the recoil of a .22 caliber pistol. This allows for incredibly fast follow-up shots and is the cornerstone of the modern “Flat-Shooting” Glock build favored by many professionals.