Best Glock Upgrades (2021) – Top Picks

Glocks are popular for a reason. These pistols are reliable and durable, besides giving you access to a huge selection of aftermarket parts. You can upgrade your Glock to customize your build or get a pistol that is a better fit for your unique needs. Here are some of the upgrades and mods to consider for a Glock 43.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Glock Upgrades

A good upgrade depends on how you use the pistol. You wouldn’t pick the same mods for a home defense handgun than for a Glock you use in competitions.

Improving the accuracy of your Glock is one of the major benefits of customizing your build. You can add accessories like sights, optics, and even a light to improve the accuracy of your Glock or upgrade it with a new barrel.

Some upgrades can make your pistol more comfortable to use. Examples include custom grips or an extended base pad for a better fit.

Talon Grips (Photo credit: opticsplanet.com)

The slide release is not easy to engage in most Glock models. You can upgrade this feature and manipulate your firearm faster with an extended slide release or extended magazine release.

You can find accessories that modify the appearance of your Glock. These upgrades won’t impact functionality, but they will result in a unique look. You can customize your Glock with slide covers, backplates, or aftermarket barrels.

Glocks are popular firearms because they’re reliable, but there are a few flaws in their design. The short slide lever is one of the most common complaints from Glock owners.

You might also want to upgrade your Glock to create a pistol that is a better match for your unique needs. A sight can, for instance, improve visibility in low-light conditions if you’re likely to use your pistol at night.

Some upgrades are a matter of personal preferences. If you don’t like the shape and feel of the factory trigger, think about upgrading it with an aftermarket part for a different feel.

Lastly, Glocks don’t stand out because they’re so common. Upgrading your Glock will result in a pistol that feels more customized.

There is a huge market for Glock upgrades and mods. Here are a few things to consider when choosing upgrades.

Alpha Shooting Sports ALPHA Marksman V4 Slide (Photo credit: opticsplanet.com)

There are a total of five generations in the Glock series. You can also find variants with different calibers.

Make sure the aftermarket part you choose is compatible with the Glock you own. Some parts fit a wide range of models, but it’s always best to double-check that an upgrade will fit your Glock.

A good mod should enhance the functionality of your pistol unless you’re upgrading it for aesthetic reasons.

When choosing a mod, ask yourself how much weight it will add to the handgun and how it might impact functionality. Some accessories can make carrying your Glock in a holster difficult.

Think about how you use your Glock, which features are problematic, and what kind of upgrades could solve these issues. For instance, you can upgrade your Glock with a grip extender if you have large hands and want a more comfortable fit.

These products are some of the best aftermarket upgrades and mods available for a Glock 43.

Pros

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Why it Stands Out to Us

This quality grip is a great option if you’re looking for an accessory that will help you hold your firearm more securely. It can make a difference in hot or cold weather or in situations where your hands might be shaking.

It’s an affordable upgrade with a simple installation process. The grip uses a quality adhesive that is durable and easy to remove if you decide you don’t need the grip anymore.

The grip provides plenty of coverage. It covers the sides, the area above the thumb rest, the backstrap, finger wraps, and the area below the trigger guard.

You can choose between a granulate finish that provides a reliable grip and a soft rubber finish that is less abrasive and more suitable for concealed carry situations.

Bottom Line

It’s easy to upgrade your Glock with a grip that helps you hold your pistol more securely. We like that there are two finishes to choose from, and you can customize your Glock with the different colors available.

Pros

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What Recent Buyers Report

Why it Stands Out to Us

This slide from Alpha Shooting Sports is a great way to make your Glock feel a little lighter and more responsive while giving it a distinct look.

The skeletonized design of the slide uses a pocket pattern that creates a sleek and modern look. The cutouts reduce the weight of the part and make your pistol feel lighter.

It’s a durable slide with a stainless steel body and nitride-treated finish. You will find 60° serrations on the sides to create a textured surface and help you pull the slide back effortlessly. The slide also features chamfered edges to improve responsiveness.

Bottom Line

We recommend this slide if you want a pistol with a sleek look or are working on a lightweight build. It’s a great accessory that will make your Glock feel more responsive, and the serrated sides improve speed and comfort when manipulating your handgun.

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Why it Stands Out to Us

There is a switch you can install on either side for easy operation. You can choose between a red or green laser beam. The sight uses a 5mW laser beam with a range of up to 20 yards.

It’s a waterproof sight with a durable aluminum housing, and the design prevents the sight from getting out of alignment.

Bottom Line

This laser sight is easy to install and remove. The low-profile design is perfect if you conceal carry your Glock, and the brightness and range of the laser beam are ideal for a wide range of conditions, including outdoor use.

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Why it Stands Out to Us

The barrel locks in securely, thanks to its drop-in design. There is no play or rattling, and it will enhance the range and accuracy of your Glock compared to the factory barrel.

Faxon Firearms uses a unique flame fluting process to create small indentations on the surface of the barrel. This feature results in a lighter design, but it also prevents your barrel from overheating and improves its structural integrity.

This barrel is a durable option thanks to its machined steel construction and the salt bath nitride finish that is resistant to wear and corrosion.

Bottom Line

This stylish gold barrel will immediately create a sleek look for your Glock. It’s an original way of customizing your pistol, but this barrel will also improve your accuracy, and the fluting will prevent overheating.

Pros

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A majority of buyers are happy with their purchase because the trigger feels precise and comfortable. People say this trigger feels more responsive than the factory trigger and is easy to install.

Why it Stands Out to Us

There are a few known issues with Glock factory triggers, namely pre-travel and overtravel. Glock triggers can feel somewhat loose and lack precision.

You can address these common issues by replacing the factory trigger. We recommend this trigger from Overwatch Precision because it delivers a crisp feel and is easy to install.

The flat face of the trigger is comfortable and reduces trigger reach by approximately 0.24.” It’s an interesting feature if you have small hands and want a pistol that fits better in your hands.

The trigger has a smooth face, but there is a small indentation that will guide your finder to help you get consistent finger placement. It’s a feature that can improve your accuracy by ensuring that your hand position is exactly the same every time you pull the trigger.

This trigger won’t change the factory pull weight, but it greatly reduces travel and feels crisp and precise.

Bottom Line

One of the main drawbacks of the Glock is the trigger that has too much travel. We recommend installing this aftermarket trigger for a crisp feel and shorter trigger reach.

Pros

Cons

Why it Stands Out to Us

The design of the rear sight guides your eye to the front sight, where you will find a tall blade that helps with target acquisition. This design is ideal if you’re new to using a sight since it guides the eye naturally.

The sight sits low on the top of your Glock and won’t get in the way if you conceal carry your pistol. There is a rubber cushion that protects the sight from shocks and a durable aluminum housing.

Bottom Line

We recommend this Glock sight because of its brightness level. It doesn’t use batteries, and the design will guide your eye naturally to help with target acquisition. It’s the perfect mod to improve your accuracy and get more visibility in low-light conditions.

Glock owners often invest in the following upgrades and mods.

The slide stop lever is a small part that allows you to pull the slide back to check that the handgun’s chamber is currently empty. It also allows you to close the slide once you have inserted a new magazine.

The factory slide stop lever isn’t always convenient to engage because it’s short. Glock owners often replace this part with an extended slide stop lever that is easier to grab. It’s a simple upgrade that makes your handgun easier to use, and it helps you save time when you change magazines.

The magazine release is a part that secures your magazine in place. It releases the magazine when you push a button.

Most Glock models feature a magazine release with a low-profile. The release button can be difficult to engage for this reason.

You can find extended magazine releases with a button that is easier to engage. It’s another simple upgrade that makes your gun more intuitive to use.

A common complaint from Glock owners is that the factory trigger has too much travel. You can easily upgrade your Glock with an aftermarket trigger to address this issue.

Overwatch Precision TAC Trigger (Photo credit: opticsplanet.com)

Some aftermarket triggers come with an adjustment screw you can use to get the exact amount of pre-travel you want. Features vary from one aftermarket trigger to another, but this type of upgrade generally results in a trigger that feels a lot crisper.

The Glock is a popular option for concealed carry and home defense. It’s a firearm you might use in situations where you have to draw and aim quickly.

A grip is a simple upgrade that creates a textured surface on your pistol. It helps you adopt a comfortable hand posture and makes your grip more secure.

There are over 50 different Glock models and variations available. The model you own can help you narrow down your options when comparing different types of mods and upgrades.

The Glock 19 is one of the most popular pistols. There is a huge market for accessories you can use to customize your Glock 19 and make it look unique.

Upgrades like backplates with custom designs are popular. You can also swap the barrel to create a unique look or opt for a skeletonized slider to emphasize the lightweight feel of this compact handgun.

Faxon Firearms Glock Flame Fluted Barrel (Photo credit: opticsplanet.com)

Because of its compact design, the grip of the Glock 19 can feel short if you have large hands. A lot of owners opt for a grip extender for a more comfortable fit.

The Glock 17 is practical and reliable. It’s a popular firearm used by law enforcement.

Among common Glock 17 upgrades, you will find grips. A textured grip allows for a fast draw and comfortable fit.

Extended slide levers and magazine releases are other popular upgrades for this firearm. These two mods enhance the functionality of this pistol.

The Glock 43 is an ideal option for concealed carry, thanks to its compact design. It’s one of the models with a little too much travel in the trigger, which is why an aftermarket trigger is a common upgrade.

Like the Glock 19, the Glock 43 has a compact design, and many owners decide to upgrade it with a grip extender to hold the firearm more securely.

A sight is a mod that makes the Glock 43 more versatile and helps with target acquisition. There are low-profile sights that still allow you to conceal this firearm.

LaserMax Guide Rod Green Laser Sight (Photo credit: opticsplanet.com)

The Glock 26 is slightly less compact than the Glock 43, but it’s still a popular option for concealed carry. Among common upgrades, you will find laser beams that you can attach underneath the barrel. This type of upgrade doesn’t get in the way when you carry your pistol in a holster.

You can also mount a red dot sight on the top accessory rail to help with target acquisition. Custom sliders are another popular upgrade for a Glock 26 since they can reduce the weight of this compact pistol even further.

The Glock 42 is a slim and lightweight pistol. Many owners opt for a low-profile sight since the compact barrel can make target acquisition challenging for novice gun owners.

The magazine release button sits almost flush with the grip of the Glock 42, which is why an extended magazine release is a common upgrade.

Because of the slim design, many owners prefer to install a customized grip for a more secure fit.

The Glock is a popular pistol. It’s a reliable firearm, and its compact design makes it an ideal candidate for concealed carry. Because it’s such a popular handgun, there is a huge market for upgrades and mods.

If you’re not sure where to get started with upgrading your Glock, we recommend installing Talon Grips Handgun Grip for Glock. You can choose between rubber or granulate finish to upgrade your pistol with a textured grip and get a more secure hold on it.

Here are some common questions about mods and upgrades for Glocks.

The process depends on the type of upgrade you’re interested in. You can install accessories like grips or sights with some basic tools. Other upgrades like slides, barrels, or aftermarket triggers will require you to take your pistol apart.

You can increase the accuracy of your Glock by upgrading it with a sight. An aftermarket barrel can also help with accuracy.

Many Glock owners decide to replace the factory barrel for aesthetic reasons. However, a new barrel can also reduce the weight of your pistol, and features like fluting can prevent overheating.

Alpha Shooting Sports ALPHA Marksman V4 Slide (Photo credit: opticsplanet.com)

You shouldn’t install upgrades on a Glock you plan on using in competitions with strict rules. There are also some restrictions if your Glock is a service weapon.