The Glock 27 is a gun that needs no introduction. A product of precise Austrian engineering, the Glock 27 is as reliable, dependable, and accurate as they come. Now in its 5th generation, Glock promises the Glock 27 is renewed and better than before. But is this really the case? This Glock 27 Gen 5 review goes all in to reveal the features of the Glock 27 Gen 5 and what makes it special.
Glock has served as a faithful, reliable piece for members of the law enforcement community as well as countless individuals who’ve been lucky to own one. So, will the Glock 27 Gen 5 live up to its predecessors’ record? Dig in and find out.
Beyond the standard Glock 27, there are numerous variations. However, these three stand out and are the most common. They include the Glock 27X (extremely rare), the Glock 27 extended barrel, and the Glock 27 MOS. Here’s a brief look at the three:
This is quite a rare variant of the Glock 27. The main difference is its slightly longer slide at 4.49 inches (compared to the Glock 27’s 4.13-inch-long barrel) and extended magazine. These seemingly minor differences give the Glock 27X an edge when it comes to accuracy, range, and capacity.
It’s worth mentioning the Glock 27X comes stock with these features. This guarantees all the advantages of a longer slide and extended magazine with the reliability of Glock’s precise engineering. Also, since the modifications are minor, this variation still retains some of the advantages of the compact Glock 27.
Unfortunately, Glock didn’t mass produce this variant, making it a rare find. Due to this, you may face some difficulty finding suitable upgrade accessories or even holsters. The price may also be prohibitive if you’re lucky enough to find one.
As a compact pistol, the Glock 27 falls a bit behind full-sized pistols with regard to accuracy. Still, other features of the compact Glock 27 remain highly desirable, and most people still want to retain them.
Just to be clear, a Glock 27 with an extended barrel isn’t exactly a stock model by Glock but rather a well-known and practiced modification that has solidified into a name. There are aftermarket brands that offer longer barrels for the Glock 27 (usually 11-12 inches long), and Glock itself features competition models with longer barrels.
The result of these modifications is a slight improvement in accuracy and range due to added bullet velocity. The downside to this is pretty obvious. The conceal element goes out the door, handling may deteriorate, and the pistol’s long-term durability and performance may be compromised. While there’s the obvious advantage, you can’t wish away the side effects of an extended barrel on the Glock 27.
This is a variant of the Glock 27 that comes with a pre-milled slide making it easy to install a red dot sight (RDS) system easily. The advantages of this are obvious. Improved accuracy, faster target acquisition, and enhanced performance even under low-light conditions.
However, the 27 MOS came at a higher price point than the standard Glock 27. The RDS also comes at a separate cost, meaning you’d have to spend more to get it.
The success and hype around Glock pistols can be attributed to what Glock Inc. claimed as its major selling point: dependable simplicity. While this phrase goes back to the 80s, the vision remains the same with the Glock 27 Gen 5 and subsequent releases. Here is a detailed review of the Glock 27 Gen 5 features and performance that make it so appealing to the market.
When it comes to ergonomics and general build quality, Glock is an undisputed market leader. This is a testament to the company’s longstanding dedication to innovation and research. Just so you know, Glock was the first to produce pistols on a commercial scale with a polymer frame. The dedication to high-quality standards is evident even now with the Glock 27 Gen 5, which boasts an evenly textured polymer grip that offers enough traction without being overly harsh to the touch. Thanks to this handling, the Glock 27 Gen 5 is a breeze regardless of the environment.
A leader in intuitive design, controls on this gun are ambidextrous, guaranteeing easy and convenient operation by left- and right-handed shooters. Small hands? Not to worry. The Glock 27 Gen also comes with an interchangeable backstrap set with each purchase. If you can’t find your sweet spot with the grip, simply swap out the backstrap with something more suitable for the size of your hand and handling preferences.
One of the things that thrust Glock into the limelight is its near-foolproof reliability. Since the early days of Glock Inc., the company always took on the burden of proof with zeal and determination. These efforts bore fruit, and from Glock’s early days as a service weapon for law enforcement to now, when it’s being used by special operation troops Trusted Source How army special forces worked the system to get glock pistols Glock pistols have become the standard that modern handguns are measured against. The polymer-framed, striker-fired design has served as the inspiration for the most popular handguns on the civilian, law enforcement, and military markets. coffeeordie.com , the message is clear. Glock products are as reliable as they come.
On matters accuracy, the Glock 27 Gen 5 proves its worth again on this front. Understandably, most compact pistols perform poorly on accuracy compared to their full-sized counterparts. Generally, the longer the barrel, the more the bullet velocity, which translates to better accuracy by default over a long range.
However, in true Glock fashion, innovation took center stage and turned things around. The 27 Gen 5 features a low-bore axis that helps it counter muzzle flip, which severely affects accuracy. While it can’t go head-to-head with full-sized pistols, especially on a longer range, it’s certainly a leader in accuracy in the compact pistol space.
One thing about Glocks is you can always count on them to perform when you need them the most. It’s one thing to shoot any gun. But getting one that inspires confidence with every pull of the trigger. One that gently yet enthusiastically nudges you to take another shot with the unmistakable click as the trigger falls back into position. There’s no coming back from that.
The Glock 27 Gen 5 is no exception to this. It’s designed to empower the shooter and generally make everything seem easy. As you line up your shot, acquire the target, and pull the trigger, one thing is clear in your mind: you’re right on target, and nothing could go wrong (as far as the gun is concerned). At the back of your mind, you can’t help but marvel at how everything works seamlessly. The recoil or muzzle flip may not be too much, but the Glock 27 Gen 6 delivers devastating damage with stunning accuracy.
As a compact handgun, it is by any means small in size. Measuring 6.5 inches in length, 1.26 inches wide, and 4.17 inches in height, the Glock 27 Gen 5 fits like a glove in your hand. However, some huge guys may not feel the same about this with their pinky fingers hanging below the grip.
Owing to its relatively small size and light construction, the recoil kick may not be too much, but it’s there. The good thing is it’s something you get used to and adjust easily. Despite the shorter barrel, the Glock 27 Gen 5 is easily as accurate as other full-size options.
Conceal carry is where the Glock 27 Gen 5 really shines. Owing to its small size, it’s easy to conceal it with or without a holster. The textured grip design also doesn’t impact concealment in any way, and it’s unlikely for print to show. Still, it’s upon you to wear clothes that can cover it adequately as you go about your business.
Right from the beginning, Glock has been focused on enhancing safety with all of its production models. As far back as the 80s, Glock became a pioneer by doing away with external safety, which was responsible for numerous accidental discharges at the time. Glock’s commitment to safety again came to the fore when law enforcement personnel raised concerns about Glock’s light trigger.
Almost immediately after this, Glock designed and supplied upgraded firing safety pins Trusted Source How The Glock Became America's Weapon Of Choice : NPR In his book Glock: The Rise of America’s Gun, Paul Barrett traces how the sleek, high-capacity Austrian weapon found its way into Hollywood films and rap lyrics, not to mention two-thirds of all U.S. police departments. www.npr.org to further enhance Glock’s safety all across the US. More than 30 years later, Glock is still on brand. The Glock 27 Gen 5 boasts a reassuring array of safety features. These include an impeccable drop safety mechanism, the legacy (but improved) internal firing pin safety, and a trigger disconnect. Each of these features is designed to be a failsafe for the other with the overall aim of preventing any accidental discharge.
The three mechanisms also work in tandem and activate once you release the trigger and deactivate each time you pull the trigger. As if that wasn’t enough, the Glock 27 Gen 5 also comes with a visual indicator that shows whether or not the chamber is loaded. Still, despite all this, the burden of responsibility falls on the operator. Even with the Glock’s safe action system, you must handle firearms safely, following best practices and applying basic common sense.
As the world leans more towards individuality and personal style, it seems Glock took the cue and adapted customizability and modularity into the Glock 27 Gen 5. Unlike previous Glock models, the Glock 27 Gen 5 is a literal canvas, depending on how you look at it. While the stock version is adequately up to the task, there are numerous accessories you can use to kit out your compact pistol.
With its optic-ready slide, an RDS system should be one of the first accessories you get for your Glock. This may affect concealability, but the advantage of operating even in low-light environments with deadly accuracy is unmatched. Eye and ear protection are some of the underrated yet vital accessories for any gun owner. You don’t want to get hit by brass in your eyes or damage your ears during practice. Whatever it is you want to upgrade your Glock 27 Gen 5, ensure you follow the recommended manual for installation and don’t install accessories that are incompatible with your gun.
The Glock 27 Gen 5 is a .40 caliber. It goes without saying you must always use the appropriate ammunition for each gun/ caliber. While there’s the obvious temptation to try things out, remember stupid games can only earn you stupid prizes. Inappropriate ammo can jam inside the barrel, causing damage to the gun or, worse, leading to life-changing or fatal injuries.
It’s also a good idea to use the right ammo for specific purposes. If you’ll be hitting the range, full metal jacket rounds are the best option. They’re relatively less costly and can go through most targets in the range.
For defensive purposes, consider getting hollow-point rounds. Bonded jacketed hollow point rounds are an even better option. Hollow point rounds typically expand upon contact, lending them maximum stopping power. There’s also the advantage of less collateral damage, which can be a possibility should the rounds ricochet post-impact and hit unintended targets.
In a competitive setting, precision hollow point rounds are ideal for offering accuracy and punching through targets easily. Depending on where you live, there might be restrictions on the type of ammo you can use, so try looking at the laws and regulations before you do anything.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
The Glock 27 Gen 5 is a worthy contender for the title of best compact pistol. Blending high performance, superior build quality, accuracy, and reliability, it’s easy to understand why. With what you’ve learned in this Glock 27 Gen 5 review, you should be able to make an informed choice.
