First Look: Umarex Glock G19 Part 3

First Look: Umarex Glock G19 Part 3 Part 2 Part 1

Almost the gun you have been waiting for

By Dennis Adler

It is a form of Glock Perfection; the CO2 model is Glock’s first .177 caliber model (there have been Airsoft versions previously) and the G19 looks exactly like a 9×19 Glock pistol in every detail right down to the finish on the slide.

As a Glock training gun the new G19 non-blowback action model serves as a basic hands-on tutorial on holstering, drawing, aiming and firing a G19. It’s a 1-2-3 process that is fundamental to learning to shoot, whether a Glock or any semi-auto or revolver. What is lacking is feedback, i.e., any sense that the gun is working beyond the audible sound of the air pistol firing. No blowback action slide to instruct in sight reacquisition. It is an imperfect trainer in that regard but for practicing the basic handling skills for a Glock, including the magazine release, this less than $80 CO2 pistol has authentic design, weight, balance in the hand, and provides a basis for learning to properly fire a pistol with a Safe Action trigger. With a Glock, aside from specially modified guns, the only safety (externally) is that thin, cantilevered blade projecting from the trigger shoe. Glock put the concept on the map, others, many others, have followed, but no other CO2 semiautomatic air pistol has yet offered a working Glock version until now.

The Safe Action-style trigger on the G19 air pistol is about 3-pounds heavier than a centerfire Glock model but still gives you the same feel with depressing the blade safety as you press the trigger. The air pistol trigger also hits a very distinct point that you can feel before it fires; I would equate it to the hammer staging on a double action revolver, and this definitely makes it easier to keep the gun on target.

Specs and weight

Let’s begin with a centerfire Glock 19 model. As listed on the Glock website and spec page the overall length is 7.36 inches, width 1.18 inches, height (with magazine and sights) 4.9 inches, and carry weight (with empty magazine) 23.65 ounces. Magazine capacity is 15 rounds plus one chambered, for a total standard capacity of 16 rounds. Barrel length is 4.1 inches, sight radius 6.02 inches. Factory trigger pull is 5.5 pounds with 0.49 inches of travel.

I absolutely love that my centerfire pistol’s Glock GTL 22 tactical light and red laser fit perfectly on the CO2 model. This really makes it a great training and practice gun that can be live fired with BBs for just pennies compared to even the most affordable 9mm FMJ rounds.

Glock and Umarex worked to make the CO2 model as close as possible to the 9×19 model within the modest limitations imposed by differences in internal mechanisms. The G19 CO2 model weighs in (empty with magazine) at 25.5 ounces, with an overall length of 7.26 inches (base of backstrap to muzzle), width of 1.18 inches, height of 4.9 inches, sight radius of 6.01 inches, and a magazine capacity of 16 rounds. Average trigger pull is a heavier 8 pounds, 11 ounces with 0.5 inches of travel. The air pistol then has a little over three pounds additional resistance to the trigger. That is a fairly substantial difference when ounces, not pounds can make or break a good trigger pull, but the air pistol’s Safe Action-style trigger still has a smooth, albeit heavier pull, with only light stacking at the end. Differences in the air pistol’s overall size and weight are 1.85 ounces greater in weight, 0.1 inches shorter in overall length, identical width at 1.18 inches, (more on that when we get to holsters) identical height at 4.9 inches, and a minuscule .001 inches shorter sight radius. Overall, pretty darn close for an $80 air pistol.

The CO2 version has a slightly wider triggerguard which prevents the gun from fitting into some holsters. It does, however, fit one of the very best CCW rigs on the market, a Galco Combat Master which holds the CO2 Glock perfectly and makes a great training rig for the airgun. The holster design keeps it close to the body, provides excellent retention for an open top design, and allows a quick, smooth draw.

Packing a CO2 Glock 19

Training with a CO2 pistol not only includes becoming familiar with the gun’s operation but with the gun in a holster. There are a lot of Glock holsters in every imaginable style from shoulder holsters to ankle holsters. The CO2 model, despite its accurate size will not fit all of them. The problem is that the triggerguard’s edges are a little proud compared to an actual G19 and when trying to put the air pistol into a molded Kydex holster, like a Galco Matrix, the triggerguard won’t go in. With a contoured leather holster you have a much better chance, and I found that it will fit perfectly into a Galco Combat Master. This is one of the best all around belt rigs for any number of handguns and for training it remains one of my go to choices. It fits close to the body for better concealment, allows a clean draw and still offers excellent retention for an open top design.

Holsters for a Glock with a Glock GTL light or light laser are hard to find. The Arc Light Tactical is handcrafted by Chisholm’s Trail Leather and designed specifically for concealed carry of any full size or Compact Glock model fitted with a GTL unit. The basket weave pattern gives it a law enforcement look.

The holster is just slightly larger than the gun and suitable for concealed carry with a wide, double stitched heavy-duty belt loop to keep the rig and gun close to the body. The Arc Light is the only Glock GTL 21/22 carry holster of its kind with a sturdy build that makes it possible to carry models as large as the G21 SF with a GTL mounted.

For training with the GTL 22 mounted to the air pistol, holster options are fewer still, and that also goes for the centerfire guns. Most Halo holsters (holsters designed for guns with tactical lights mounted to the rail) are designed for every light laser combo but a Glock GTL. This has always amazed me. My solution was to have Alan Soelner at Chisholm’s Trail design and manufacture a leather tactical holster for the Glock with the GTL 22. It is known as an Arc Light holster and it works perfectly.

For the training and shooting exercises with the G19 CO2 model I wore the Galco Combat Master, firing from 21 feet using a two-handed hold. I also ran a dusk shooting test with the GTL 22 to see how the BB pistol performed with an actual Glock tactical light laser for aiming.

Hard to tell from the outside, but there’s an airgun in there and this one uses a removable backstrap (like the Umarex Walther PPS) to load the CO2. The seating tool is built into the backstrap panel (shown in the raised position). The stick magazine loads 16 BBs to match standard capacity for a 9mm Glock 19.

Downrange Tests

The Umarex Glock model has a factory rated velocity of 410 fps. Being a non-blowback action pistol an extra 100 fps over blowback models is to be expected. Using Umarex Precision steel BBs the Glock clocked an impressive average of 430 fps with a high of 439 fps and a standard deviation of 5 fps for 10 consecutive shots.

The white outline rear and white dot front sight on the CO2 model are pure Glock and the pistol aims like the actual 9×19 model. The test gun shot slightly left but elevation was on center at 21 feet using a 6 o’clock POA.

The authentic Glock-style sights are very easy to pick up on almost any target and at 21 feet my best 10 shot group measured 1.375 inches with 5-shots grouped 0.5 inches. Switching to Air Venturi Dust Devils, which cleared the chronograph at an average of 448 fps; my groups were not quite as tight. Dust Devils work but not as accurately. My best 10-round spread covered 1.68 inches, with 5-rounds at 1.18 inches.

From 21 feet, the G19 shot best with Umarex Precision .177 caliber steel BBs, delivering a best 5-shot group (right of the bullseye at 1 o’clock) measuring 0.5 inches. Average velocity with the steel BBs was 430 fps.

Using frangible Air Venturi Dust Devils there were no failures to function or any magazine issues. The lighter weight composite BBs clocked an impressive average velocity of 448 fps and delivered 10 rounds at 1.68 inches, with a best five at 1.18 inches. They were not quite as accurate in the Glock as steel BBs but Dust Devils traveling at almost 450 fps would be great for training against reactive steel targets.

When the sun went down I was out again with the GTL 22 mounted and aiming with the laser I was able to punch 10 Umarex rounds into 1.375 inches with a best 5-shot group in the red at 0.68 inches.

A dusk shooting test with Umarex steel BBs and the GTL 22 on the Glock CO2 model provided an equivalent handling and shooting experience (less recoil and the sound of firing live centerfire rounds) for effective low light practice.

A shot in the dark, well actually 10 shots at dusk using a Glock GTL 22 tactical light and red laser painted the sighting target POA and punched all 10 Umarex steel BBs into 1.375 inches with a best 5-shot group in the red at 0.68 inches.

Conclusions

While this is not exactly the Glock most of you were hoping to see, it is still worth owning at well under $100. Yes, a blowback action model is coming, so why get this one? Because it is the first ever Glock CO2 air pistol. There may be different models coming down the road, but there will only be one first.

The Airgun Experience will return on July 10. Have a safe and fun 4^th of July!