After a lot of research, going back and forth, and honestly not knowing what direction to go at first, I finally made my decision.
I went with the Glock 45.
This is the first real step in my journey, and I want to walk through exactly how I got here and why I chose what I did.
Why I Started With a Pistol
Before even getting into specific models, I had to decide what type of firearm made the most sense for me.
I landed on a pistol for a few key reasons.
First, affordability. Compared to a lot of other options, pistols felt like a more accessible entry point.
Second, practicality. It’s easy to find ranges that allow you to shoot pistols, which makes getting reps in a lot more realistic.
And third, versatility. A pistol can serve as a home defense option while also being something I could eventually carry in the future.
That combination made it feel like the right place to start.
Why I Chose Glock
Once I decided on a pistol, the next step was figuring out which brand to go with.
I kept coming back to Glock.
Everything I found pointed to the same things—reliability, simplicity, and consistency. It seemed like one of the safest bets for someone just getting started.
On top of that, they’re relatively affordable compared to other options, and there’s a huge ecosystem around them for parts, upgrades, and maintenance.
The simplicity of the platform was a big factor for me too. As someone new to this, I wanted something that would be easy to learn, easy to clean, and something I could grow into over time.
Glock 19 vs 43X vs 45
After narrowing it down to Glock, I was deciding between three options:
- Glock 19
- Glock 43X
- Glock 45
All of them are chambered in 9mm, which was another big plus—ammo is widely available and relatively affordable.
But reading about them only got me so far.
I needed to actually hold them.
Why I Chose the Glock 45
Going into the store and physically handling each one made the decision clear pretty quickly.
The biggest difference for me was the grip.
The Glock 45 has a larger frame compared to the 19 and especially the 43X, and that mattered more than I expected. It just felt better in my hand—more control, more stability, and more confidence holding it.
The 19 felt good, but slightly smaller than I preferred.
The 43X felt noticeably slimmer, which I can see being great for concealed carry, but for me as a beginner, I wanted something I could really get a solid grip on.
That’s what pushed me toward the 45.
What About Concealed Carry?
I did think about concealed carry when making this decision.
That’s actually where the 43X had an advantage.
But being honest with myself, I’m not there yet.
This is my first firearm, and I don’t feel comfortable carrying until I’ve spent real time training, understanding the weapon, and building confidence with it.
Because of that, I didn’t feel the need to prioritize size for concealment right now.
I’d rather start with something I can control well and learn on.
What’s Next
Now comes the part that actually matters.
It’s time to get to the range and start learning.
I’ll be putting time into understanding how the Glock 45 shoots, how it feels under real conditions, and what I need to improve on.
I’ll come back with honest feedback—what I like, what I don’t, and what I learn along the way.
This is where the journey really begins.
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