Glock is arguably the most beloved handgun manufacturer in the world, and for good reason. In addition to introducing the world to their high-quality polymer build, Glock has gradually built an ever-increasing catalog of diverse handguns, all of which are designed to fit the needs of specific gun owners. Glock doesn’t just manufacture handguns of different calibers – they produce handguns of different sizes within certain calibers, offering greater specialization and more options than any other handgun manufacturing company. One of the best examples of this is Glock’s development of subcompact guns – accompanying guns to standard Glock lines which serve as subcompact, smaller versions of the standardized Glock entry.

The Glock 21, as we have covered in the past, is a highly successful .45 auto handgun, and its accompanying subcompact brother is the Glock 30. Combining big-bore caliber with precision and a more compact size, the Glock 30 has become a favorite of many in the gun-loving community – the .45 auto cartridge combines power with accuracy, which, paired with the smaller form that doesn’t compromise on handling ability, makes for a damn good handgun. Again, this isn’t the first time Glock has found success introducing a subcompact version of an already successful gun, as it did with the Glock 17 and 19 (also covered here), which feature even more compact models in the Glock 26 and 43.

Glock 30 Gen 4 Specs

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The Glock 30

Caliber: .45 ACP
Capacity: 10+1
Barrel Length: 3.8″
Overall Length: 6.9″
Height: 4.8″
Width: 1.27″
Weight: 26 oz. (unloaded
MSRP: $545

Glock 30 Gen 4 Build

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The Glock 30 Features a Premium Build

The Glock 30 features the classic and revolutionary polymer design and build that has become the trademark of Glock guns – it’s pretty funny to think that no one took Gaston Glock and his design seriously back in the day. The nylon-based, plastic-like substance provides increased durability and resiliency in the G30. The ergonomics and aesthetics of the G30 are unsurprisingly excellent, at least in my opinion. Ultimately, preference comes down to the opinion of the individual. Like all Gen 4 Glock guns, the G30 comes with interchangeable backstraps, which means that everyone is going to be able to find something that they like in terms of grip.

A reversible magazine well and a new dual recoil spring assembly system represent two other Gen 4 features, which make for a gun that holds up and suffers from less wear and tear than its less-advanced Glock predecessors. Again, the Glock 30 is the subcompact version of the G21, which was Glock’s entry into the .45 auto category. With superior stopping power and force, .45 auto handguns tend to come in on the larger side, which makes the G30 and its relatively slim build (6.88 x 4.80 x 1.27 as compared to the 8.03 x 5.47 x 1.27 dimensions of the Glock 21) an excellent option for concealed carriers who do not wish to compromise on firepower by settling for a 9×19 or .40 gun. The small form of the G30 does not necessarily leave the gun vulnerable to excessive recoil or difficult handling while shooting, however, which we will cover shortly.

Glock 30 Gen 4 Shooting

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Glock 30 in Action

One word which I would use to describe the Glock 30 in terms of its shooting is ‘surprising’. As my hands come in on the larger side, I did have a slight problem with handling the gun, although it is an undeniably excellent and easily concealable self-defense weapon. With that being said, despite its size and caliber combination – one that would seemingly make for a ‘bumpy ride’ when firing – the Glock 30 features minimal kick, or recoil, and fires as accurately as the most popular models in the Glock lineup. It had about the same accuracy for me when firing from 30 yards as my trusty Glock 21, which is an achievement in and of itself.

The gun is easily controllable, and although the compact form may prove problematic for some, I had no issues with the gun after installing some basic finger extensions for the mags of my G30. A plug for the rear of the gun would serve a similar purpose, although I have found that the extensions were sufficient, the point is that there do exist options for tailoring the G30 to the individual. If you’re going to start accessorizing your gun in order to achieve a more comfortable grip, to begin with, it may make sense to purchase a bigger gun altogether, but it doesn’t take much to find the perfect fit with your Glock 30.

Glock 30 Gen 4 Magazine

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Glock 30 Magazines

The Glock 30 magazine is of a standard 10-round capacity, but there are options to upgrade the magazine to a capacity of as many as 13. The magazine of the gun makes up part of the ‘give’ in the ‘give and take’ associated with a small-form handgun – it’s nice to have a stealthy, easily concealed weapon, but this dictates that the magazine only reaches a certain size and capacity. As previously mentioned, in the Gen 4 model of the G30 the magazine well is reversible, which makes for some idiot-proof usage, and a new magazine release button is easy to use as well.

Extended mag options are always available for Glock guns, and the G30 is no exception. Keep in mind that extended mags basically ruin the appeal of the subcompact design. Look for a gun that can accommodate it with factory mags if capacity is a priority.

Glock 30 Gen 4 Sights

One aspect of Glock guns that even I have a hard time getting behind are their factory sights. I find this is a weak choice in subcompacts which are intended for self-defense. Many folks buying the G30 have nighttime use in mind, so night sights would be a smart move. Luckily, there are tons of different replaceable sights to choose from when accessorizing your Glock 30. I just look forward to the day when replacing Glock sights will be just an option as opposed to a prerequisite to using.

Glock 30 Gen 4 Safety and Assembly

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Glock Safe-Action System

The Glock brand has become synonymous with a number of terms in the gun industry – quality, polymer, and yes, safety. One of the reasons I like Glocks is that they’re surprisingly safe. Many argue that they’re the safest handguns that civilians and law enforcement officials could be using. The G30 utilizes Glock’s ‘3-part safe-action system’, designed to provide comprehensive safety measures. The trigger safety, firing pin safety, and drop safety were designed to cover the firearm’s three integral components. I’ve encountered trigger, firing pin, and drop problems with many guns but never with a Gen 4.

Glock 30 Gen 4 Accessories and Customization

The advantages to owning a Glock don’t stop in the design and build of Glock guns themselves. The popularity and prevalence of Glock guns has prompted an excellent expanding aftermarket community. Some of the more popular Glock 30 accessories include, unsurprisingly, Pearce Grip Extensions, TALON grips, Trijicon Night Sights, lasers, attachable lights, and, of course, holsters for easy concealed carrying.

Glock 30S and Glock 30SF

Glock offers two alternate Glock 30 models – the Glock 30 SF and the Glock 30S. The 30SF (Short Frame) only differs in that the front-to-rear grip profile is diminished. The circumference of the receiver, or the back strap, offers increased comfort and control. This is especially useful for shooters with small hands. The Glock 30S, the S denoting “slide”, is built on the 30 SF frame but features a slimmer slide. Both of these models are just a taste of the wealth of specification options offered by Glock.

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Glock 30 SF (left) and Glock 30 S (right)

Conclusion

The reach of the Glock empire is furthering, and it has a choke hold to the .45 cal market. The Glock 30 is not a perfect handgun. The sights are a bit underwhelming, and the subcompact build might not work best for everyone. It will, however, serve as the perfect handgun for some folks, and therein lies the beauty of Glock. It’s impossible to produce one gun that will satisfy everyone. Yet if Glock keeps pumping out gems like the G30, they’ll eventually have a gun for every kind of shooter.

Thanks for reading our Glock 30 feature here at Gunivore – check out our Glock 31 feature to read about another great handgun!

Nate M.

7 Comments

  1. Reversible magazine release, not reversible mag well.

  2. I’m just looking for a reliable gun to carry while I’m hunting if someone can give me the best advice I will appreciate, subcompact what I’m looking for. thanks

    1. Hi Abe, are you looking for a revolver or a pistol?

    2. If you want a In case of bears gun I would go with a revolver in .44mag. If that is too big of a round then go with a cowboy revolver in gov .45-70

  3. Only problem with this weapon is it is a pain to break down

    1. You’re right! I bought my Glock 30 Gen 4 about a year ago. I agree, pushing down the take down lever on both sides is a nightmare. I live in Arizona, have a CCW and bought it to be my carry weapon.But experienced the issue you described. There is a solution! I bought a DELTAC extended take down plate that another shooter recommended. It sticks out about a 1/16 inch on each side and now the pistol is the easiest of all my handguns to break down. Doesn’t catch on the holster at all. I’ve made five changes to the pistol. Tritium night sights. Extended slide release (look online). Extended take down plate (look online). Finger groove plastic bottoms for my magazines (look online) and one Foo Foo item. A back plate that is the Arizona state flag. It is beyond cool and once again, look online.

    2. Maybe if you are special needs, or an double amputee.

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