All the Glock-oholics out there tend to repeat the same models ad nauseam: G17, G19, G17, G19.
Now, there’s nothing wrong with those 9mm models – they’re fantastic pistols and great for EDCs – but there is more to the world of Glock than the two most-sold designs.
Consider the G20, for example. It’s a full-size gun chambered in a badass cartridge (10mm). It deserves some love, too.
I’m here to explain why the G20 – and, by association, the G29 – are worthy Glocks to contemplate adding to your collection.
Because, why not?
Glock 20 Specs:
- Manufacturer: Glock
- Model: G20
- Generation: 4 (reviewed)
- Caliber: 10mm
- Safety: SAFE Action
- Capacity: 15 +1
- Barrel Length: 4.61 inches
- Weight: 30.69 ounces, empty
- Trigger Pull: 5 pounds, 3 ounces (measured)
- Overall Length: 8.07 inches
- Slide Length: 7.60 inches
- Width: 1.34 inches
- Height: 5.51 inches
- Line of Sight (Polymer): 6.77 inches
- Trigger Reach: 2.85 inches
Dropping Some History
My personal preference is to drop some history-related knowledge on you before we dive into the model itself. Glock itself has a cool history. But we’ll stick to just the G20 this time.
In 1990 Glock released the G20. And just like that, one of my favorite 10mms hit the market.
When Gen 3 Glocks rolled around, changes got real. Early Gen 3 guns had finger grooves and thumb rests, details I have been less than thrilled with because, let’s be real, it only works for specific hand and finger sizes (and placement).
Then as the third-gen moved along, forward accessory rails were added. A second pin, the locking block pin, was also added for greater durability in the larger-caliber trigger mechanisms (like the 10mm).
Gen 4 guns appeared in 2010 with less aggressive texturing than prior Gens. The guns retained the finger grooves, thumb rests, and forward accessory rails.
Other new additions included four interchangeable backstraps, a reversible magazine release button, dual recoil spring system, and an updated trigger.
Mags for Gen 4 were also made to function with the reversible mag release. The Glock we’re about to cover just happens to be a Gen 4.
The Gen 5 changes don’t exactly apply to the G20 just yet… Hopefully, Glock will release a Gen 5 10mm – but as of yet they have stated they will only be updating 9mm Glocks to Gen 5 changes.
If you’re interested in info about the Gen 5 and the changes made, check out my review of the Glock G19 Gen 5!
Glock 20, Gen 4
This specific model has been floating around for about three decades and over the years it’s gone through the expected changes of each generation. It’s a 10mm, of course, and in classic Glock double-stack form.
The G20 has a capacity of 15 +1 and isn’t really that heavy, even loaded. Its empty weight is 27.51 ounces and its loaded weight is 39.86 ounces. To put that in perspective, one of my favorite 10mm 1911s weighs 41 ounces, empty.
That one only holds 8 +1 and it’s a hefty pistol. So if you’re looking for a lighter-weight yet still-accurate 10mm for hunting, the G20 is your plastic pistol.
The G20 has a 4.61-inch barrel, a height of 5.51-inches, and an overall length of 8.07-inches so you’re unlikely to use this one for concealed carry (and that’s not what it’s meant for, anyway). If you’re determined to EDC a 10mm Glock, check out the G29. It’s legit.
As for the Gen 4 G20 it’s built to last. And last. And last. Mine has traveled to ten states, flown on airplanes in rifle cases, been driven on road trips both holstered and in a soft case, and scraped and bumped against countless trees and tree stands.
It’s been dragged through the dirt as I’ve belly-crawled while stalking game, rained on, and generally abused. You could say this is a durable gun.
Pew Pew
It would be easy to do a range report and leave it at that but it wouldn’t be much fun. Instead, I’m going to hit on some of the highlights of the gun over the years. Yes, I’ll dive into accuracy for a hot second, too.
Over the years I’ve dropped a number of red dots onto my G20s: Burris FastFire, Trijicon RMR, Trijicon SRO, the list goes on. No, it isn’t milled for a red dot – that’s something I keep meaning to do and not getting done – so I use plates.
With iron sights, it’s an accurate pistol but with a red dot, it’s fantastically precise. Want to run a 10mm on steel at 50 yards? Done. 100 yards? Why, yes you can.
Of course, you can do all that with irons as well but the red dot makes things a little simpler.
The Gen 4 G20 fits my hands so well it’s almost like it was made for me. I did put a Hogue HandALL Grip Sleeve on it – on all of them – because that’s my current preference rather than doing aftermarket stippling.
This Gen does come with interchangeable beavertail backstraps but I like mine as is; the gun fits my hand well and allows me to get a good, firm thumbs-forward grip. Thumbs down just doesn’t work for me on this gun.
At this point in time I’ve run so much ammo and so many different brands of ammo through the G20 I’ve lost track. Yes, I really should write these things down but for a hunting handgun it hasn’t seemed worth the time.
It’s eaten everything from Inceptor Preferred Defense 10mm 90-grain ARX frangibles to Hornady 10mm 180-grain XTP to CorBon 10mm 155-grain DPX.
Then there’s all the new Remington Hog Hammer 10mm 155-grain Barnes XPB and Federal Personal Defense 10mm 200-grain HST JHP.
You get the idea.
If it’s 10mm, odds are this gun has eaten it. It’s gotten me through pre-launch testing loads for manufacturers and reviewing red dots; it’s dropped hogs, coyotes, and deer.
Using Inceptor ammunition the G20 produces five-shot groups under two inches consistently from 25 yards. At 10 yards it burns single-hole groups into targets and at 15 yards it keeps on with the single-hole work. It rings steel at 50 yards but I admit I haven’t tried to group it at that distance.
For quite some time I had a Trijicon RMR on it and believed I’d never take it off but when Trijicon sent an SRO, all bets were off. I was initially a bit skeptical but changed my tune immediately when I ran the first mag through the gun with the SRO mounted to it.
Precision, thy name is Trjijcon-SRO-on-G20. If you want to know more, check out my review of the Trijicon SRO here.
As for the basics, the G20 is simple to run like all Glocks. The slide can be racked easily and all controls are within easy reach without adjusting my grip. If you have tiny hands the story might be different but for my hands everything is right where I need it.
Because it’s a full-size frame there’s no dangling pinkie; my hands grip the gun securely and comfortably. Trigger reach is 2.85-inches, a sweet spot for me.
About four years after I bought the Gen 4 G20 I had to replace the slide stop because it started locking open at random.
It wasn’t a big deal and it was rather a lot of use in, so no complaints on my part. Considering how hard I’ve been on this gun it’s amazing nothing else has been battered into breaking.
You’re probably wondering about the trigger. The G20 has the usual factory Glock trigger, meaning odds are good you’ll want to replace it. Measured pull weight of the factory trigger is 5 pounds, 3 ounces.
The trigger is a bit stiff, as expected. If you want an aftermarket trigger there are quite a few out there but consider taking a look at the Overwatch Precision TAC Trigger.
Overwatch’s trigger for the G20 is a flat-faced, drop-in trigger with the usual shoe and safety tab.
With that one you get a major reduction in pre-travel, a broader surface for good finger contact, and no grit.
Then, if you want to change the trigger pull weight, Overwatch Precision also has a trigger spring and OEM minus connector you can install to lighten things up a bit.
Hunting With Glock 20
This wouldn’t be a legit 10mm review without some hunting thrown in. One of my favorite memories of my Gen 4 G20 was a hunt in Texas – of course – during a drought.
The red dirt was permeating everything imaginable so it was no surprise my guns were all caked with dust in every nook and cranny.
The G20 kept on trucking, though, dropping feral hogs like it was born for it. Other handguns I had with me were not so reliable.
10mm is a good round for handgun hunting especially if you’re thinking you might get into a big sounder of hogs. It offers more manageable recoil than magnums which means getting back on target more quickly, for one thing.
In fact, if you want a gun for defense against angry bears, 10mm is excellent. You’ll find there are some guys out there who always push magnums for defensive use against charging bears but there are some issues with that, follow-ups shots being the big one.
When you have a furious bear coming at you, you’d better be able to re-acquire your target and rapid-fire accurately.
Remember, bears can run 30-45 MPH depending on species and that is faster than you can sprint. Outrunning a sprinting bear isn’t going to happen. If you try it, you’re going to have a bad time.
10mm is pretty much my favorite cartridge for handgun hunting. I admit it.
Bottom Line
You could certainly use a Gen 4 G20 for the range. 10mm can be fun and it offers significantly greater velocity and energy than the 9mms that dominate most gun owners’ collections.
It does have actual uses, though, like hunting and defense against wild animals. I won’t lie, I’ve carried the G29 for self-defense, but the G20 is a bit too large for me to conceal comfortably unless it’s winter and I can layer up.
It’s a Glock, so it’s pretty much a given it’s reliable. The fact that it’s a 10mm and accurate is a great bonus – I’ve run more than one 10mm that was basically Minute of Dinner Plate – and with the Trijicon SRO it’s beautifully precise.
Yes, felt recoil outdoes that of a 9mm but with a little practice you’ll have the hang of it in no time. It’s not a difficult gun to hold onto and the muzzle rise is not remotely like that of a magnum revolver.
This is one of my gold star guns. It just rocks that much (in my opinion). Affordably priced, tough as all hell, and accurate, which is why I have more than one. Try it. You’ll like it.
Oh, get some extra magazines. Just saying. You can never have too many magazines!
By the Numbers
Reliability: 5/5
As I said, it’s a Glock. Of course, it’s reliable. My G20s eat ammo like candy and keep coming back for more. I’m also not the greatest about cleaning my plastic guns and yet they keep on cycling. Go figure.
Ergonomics: 4/5
This is generally an okay gun for fit. No it doesn’t have the greatest-ever aesthetics, but that isn’t what we’re here to debate. Since it’s a double-stack it won’t fit everyone.
There are going to be people out there whose hands are small enough they can’t stand the thickness of a classic Glock. There’s a reason those 9mm Glocks are so popular, though: they really do fit a wide variety of hands and needs. The G20 is no different.
It fits a lot of people and makes a solid hunting handgun. I’d like to see a new Gen without finger grooves but that’s about it.
Accuracy: 5/5
I’m giving this one a 5/5 for accuracy based on its performance with the Trijicon SRO.
If you’re running this pistol with irons you’re unlikely to get the same level of precision out of it.
Even with irons it’s a solid 4/5. The gun is capable of solid accuracy so the real question is, are you?
Customization: 5/5
You can customize the heck out of this gun. ‘Nuff said.
Value: 5/5
This is a good value pistol. So many 10mms on the market are prohibitively priced, making it difficult for people interested in handgun hunting to get going.
With the G20 you get a reliable, accurate gun that’s going to last for an extremely long time. What’s not to love?
Overall: 5/5
Parting Shots
I can’t help myself, it’s a great gun. 5/5 would recommend. I’d be less likely to recommend it if you’re just looking for a plinking handgun but if you want something for hunting or are just large-caliber curious the G20 is A Good Thing.
I’m not saying this is the gun you need as an EDC, I’m saying it fulfills a niche and does it well. If you want a good workhorse gun for the woods, get one. Wanna see some other great Glocks? We’ve rounded up the best Glocks we’ve tried out!
Do you run a 10mm as your “woods gun”? EDC? Let us know in the comments! And for some awesome ammo to feed it, take a look at the Best 10mm Ammo [Hunting, Self-Defense, & Plinking]!
