Firearm: Glock G19 Gen5 MOS (MSRP: $745)
We’re revisiting the Glock G19 on today’s episode, specifically the fifth-generation version with the multi-optics system Glock calls MOS. There are two reasons for highlighting this specific pistol: First, we have a new red-dot sight we’ll discuss in a moment, and second is an upgraded barrel and compensator from Radian Weapons specifically designed for the Gen5 series of Glock pistols.
The Glock G19 is, as we’ve mentioned, a popular choice for a concealed-carry pistol. Its compact size makes it easier to carry, while the three-fingered grip makes it easier to shoot than many of the micro-compact pistols with smaller grips. As with everything related to carrying concealed, there’s a tradeoff between how easy a pistol is to carry vs. how easy it is to shoot—larger pistols like 1911s allow a full grip and a longer sight radius, but are heavier and require more consideration for concealment options. Tiny pistols like the LCP are quite easy to tuck in a pocket, but can be difficult to shoot well. The G19 and other pistols around this size are a decent compromise on the range and in the holster.
Making the G19 even easier to shoot are aftermarket components like the Radian Weapons Afterburner micro-compensator and RamJet barrel. These are drop-in replacements for the standard Glock barrel and offer a claimed 44 percent reduction in felt recoil. The RamJet barrel is match-grade and includes a loaded chamber indicator. There’s an angled groove milled near the end of the barrel into which a bolt to anchor the Afterburner micro-compensator fits. Addition of this micro-comp adds less than half an inch to the overall length of the G19 by design, making the complete system the same length as a G17.
The robust aftermarket is just one of the many reasons to consider the Glock family of handguns as your concealed-carry pistol. With options like the Afterburner micro-compensator from Radian Weapons, the G19 can be made even easier to shoot, which translates into more practice time and, ideally, more of that all-important training. Anything that gets you on the range more often is a good thing, and there’s a lot of options to consider for the Glock G19.
Holster: Crossbreed Rogue (MSRP: $79.95)
In a fairly surprising move, Crossbreed Holsters released the all-kydex Rogue holster. Crossbreed, long known for its hybrid-design holster system with a leather back for comfort and a kydex shell for retention, has entered the kydex-only market in a big way. The Rogue line offers a sandwich-style holster with two molded sheets bolted together that offers adjustable cant, a wide variety of attachment options and fits for many popular handguns.
It’s the modularity of the Rogue line that makes it especially noteworthy, and makes it easy to see why Crossbreed chose this particular setup to deviate from the hybrid design. Rogue holsters can be ordered with an impressive array of clip options, including the tuckable, Crossbreed-branded steel clips we have here. The Rogue can be ordered with a matching magazine carrier, either separate or, as we have here, attached in a sidecar-type arrangement. You can even choose different colors for the mounting hardware—again, choices are a good thing.
Optic: EOTech EFLX Mini-reflex sight (MSRP: $389)
Honestly, we’re a little surprised that EOTech hasn’t offered a pistol-mounted red-dot sight sooner. Known for the battle-tested line of holographic weapon sights in use with the U.S. military, EOTech, along with Trijicon, is one of the first names that comes to mind when powered, non-magnified optics are discussed. The EFLX represents EOTech’s first foray into reflex sights, and by all accounts it appears the company has done its homework well.
Available with either a 3- or 6-MOA red-dot, the EFLX uses the Leupold DeltaPoint Pro footprint and the common CR2032 battery. Seven daytime settings, an “ultrabright” setting and one night-vision-compatible setting are available for brightness, and battery life is 20,000 hours (on setting 5) for the 6 MOA dot and 25,000 hours for the 3-MOA dot. The EFLX is impact- and water-resistant, weighs 1.4 ounces and comes with both a sight-adjustment tool and a Torx wrench for mounting.
