Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1544638
Frag Out! Magazine was among the few invited to be the first to get acquainted with the new Gen 6 family, which includes the GLOCK 17, 19, 45, and 49 models (the latter will not be available on the American market). Shortly thereafter, it turned out that the world premiere of the pistol, originally planned for January 20, 2026, was moved up; the 6th Generation GLOCK was publicly presented in early December and subsequently went on sale. And Europe was way ahead of US this time As has been the case with the Austrian manufacturer for over 40 years, the GLOCK Gen 6 is a typical example of an evolutionary rather than revolutionary approach. The new design represents the next step in the development of this classic, aligning it with current market trends and detailed requirements reported by users. Along the way, the external appearance of the weapon has been slightly altered, and highly selected „aftermarket" solutions have been integrated into its design. The most significant modifications in the GLOCK Gen 6 pistols focus on the grip ergonomics, the trigger system, and the slide construction. @ GRIP / FRAME The largest and most noticeable changes were made to the grip. It is slightly less „blocky" than in Gen 5, featuring a subtle narrowing in the thumb rest area called a palm swell. This improves the fit in the hand, particularly for shooters with smaller hands, such as women. However, the pistol actually feels better „seated" in the hand even for those with larger hands or when shooting with gloves. The undercut at the top of the grip has been noticeably increased, allowing for a higher purchase on the weapon. A factory-extended beavertail has also appeared—something that in the previous generation could only be added via backstrap overlays. Shooters with large, „fleshy" hands will especially appreciate this, as it reduces the risk of slide bite. It is worth noting that this solution is taken directly from grip stippling practices, where one element of reprofiling involves aggressively grinding the trigger guard- to-grip transition. Interestingly, many warranty claims previously concerned excessively sanded trigger guards by DIY tuning enthusiasts, which led to cracks in that area. KEY CHANGES IN GEN 6 FIREARMS