Glock mixed a compact slide with a full-size grip and called it the G19X. This Gen5 version is a 9mm with a 4 inch barrel, a 19-round magazine, night sights and a flat dark earth finish.

The full-size grip holds more rounds and gives you something to wrap your hand around, and the compact slide keeps the gun shorter and lighter. That is a combination popular with carry permit holders who want a bit more gun and concealment all at once. Around Charlotte and Raleigh, plenty of people wear one on the hip every day. Test your chosen ammunition before you trust it in the field or for carry, and stick with what runs well.

Night sights help in low light. They glow in the dark and give a clear aiming point when you cannot see standard sights. The Gen5 design drops finger grooves and has a refined barrel and trigger, plus an ambidextrous slide stop.

The FDE finish sets it apart from the usual black pistols. Practice often, and get a quality holster. It ships to a North Carolina FFL dealer, where the background check is done at pickup.