Glock 29 Gen 5 Review | Glock 29 Gen 5 10mm For Sale Online: 500 Rounds With Glock’s Compact 10mm

Glock 29 Gen 5 10mm Review. Whether your idea of a good day involves heading deep into the backcountry or you simply appreciate what the 10mm Auto cartridge brings to the table, the Glock 29 has occupied an interesting place in the handgun world for decades. It has long been one of the smallest factory-produced pistols chambered for the powerful 10mm Auto, giving shooters a relatively compact platform without stepping down to a smaller cartridge. The latest version, the Glock 29 Gen 5, takes that familiar compact 10mm formula and brings it into Glock’s newer fifth-generation lineup. We’ve spent the last couple of months getting familiar with the pistol, carrying it, shooting it, and putting more than 500 rounds through the test-supplied example.

So, after all those rounds, how does the newest G29 stack up?

Table of Contents

• Overview
• The Specs
• Features
• Trigger
• Reliability
• Accuracy
• Carry
• Pros & Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The Glock 29 has been around for a surprisingly long time. The original Gen 3 version was introduced back in 1996, while the Gen 4 model followed in 2013. For many years, the G29 essentially occupied its own niche as one of the few factory-built compact or subcompact 10mm semi-automatic pistols readily available to consumers. That history matters because the G29 isn’t a new concept. Glock has had decades to refine the platform, and the Gen 5 version represents the latest step in that ongoing development. For 2024, Glock began extending its fifth-generation design changes further into its smaller handgun lineup.

The 10mm G29 and .45 ACP G30 became the next subcompact models to receive the Gen 5 treatment, joining the already established 9mm G26 and .40 S&W G27. While the basic G29 formula remains familiar, Glock made a number of changes under the Gen 5 umbrella. In total, there are roughly 20 modifications compared with the previous-generation configuration. Some of those changes are immediately noticeable, while others are more subtle.

One of the most obvious differences is the removal of the traditional finger grooves from the grip. Instead of the molded grooves found on earlier generations, the Gen 5 uses a straighter grip profile. The slide also receives front serrations, giving shooters another gripping surface for manipulating the slide. Glock also applies its nDLC finish, adds an ambidextrous slide stop lever, and equips the pistol with an enhanced Glock Marksman Barrel. Together, these changes bring the little 10mm more in line with the company’s larger Gen 5 models. When comparing the G29 directly with other pistols occupying roughly the same combination of caliber, dimensions, and capacity, the field is fairly small.

One of the closest comparisons is the Springfield Armory XD-M Elite 3.8-inch Compact. Both are compact 10mm pistols that fit into a similar general category. There are, however, some advantages that come with the G29’s long history. Glock has been producing variations of this platform for nearly three decades, resulting in a very extensive aftermarket. Holsters, magazines, replacement components, and other accessories are widely available.

Another characteristic worth mentioning with Glock pistols is the modularity of the company’s overall design. Most Glock models can be traced back through a fairly straightforward family tree to the original G17 design of the early 1980s. As a result, many models share components and small parts. The G29 Gen 5 is no exception. Several of its components, including items such as the trigger and slide stop, are shared with the larger Gen 5 G20, Glock’s full-size 10mm pistol. That commonality can be a real advantage for owners who appreciate the ability to find replacement parts and accessories without having to search for obscure components.

Testing Disclosure of Glock 29 Gen 5 10mm

For transparency, Glock supplied the G29 Gen 5 used in this review to solventpartshub.com for testing and evaluation upon request. All of the shooting and testing described here was conducted with this single pistol.

Specs of Glock 29 Gen 5 10mm

Here are the basic specifications for the Glock 29 Gen 5 we tested:

• Overall length: 6.85 inches
• Barrel length: 3.78 inches
• Overall width: 1.38 inches at the widest point over the slide stops
• Slide width: Approximately 1.11 inches
• Overall height: 4.45 inches, including the magazine
• Standard magazine capacity: 10+1 rounds with the flush-fit magazine
• Magazine compatibility: Can also accept G20 magazines
• Weight with empty magazine: 26.81 ounces
• Loaded weight: 33.6 ounces with 10+1 rounds of 200-grain Federal Punch 10mm ammunition

Those numbers tell you quite a bit about the G29 before you ever pick one up.

It is genuinely compact, especially considering that it fires the 10mm Auto cartridge. At the same time, it isn’t exactly a featherweight pistol. The combination of the relatively thick frame, substantial slide, and powerful cartridge gives it a noticeably stout feel compared with many smaller 9mm carry pistols. That extra mass can be useful, however, because it provides some additional resistance against the recoil generated by full-power 10mm ammunition.

Glock 29 Gen 5 10mm Features 

The Gen 5 G29 incorporates the familiar Glock operating system while bringing several of the company’s newer design changes to the compact 10mm platform. The deletion of the finger grooves is one of the first things you’ll notice when handling the pistol. The straighter grip profile gives the shooter fewer molded contours to work around and allows the hand to establish its own position.

• The front slide serrations are another welcome addition. While the rear serrations have traditionally provided the primary gripping surface for manipulating a Glock slide, having serrations toward the front gives shooters another option.
• The pistol also features Glock’s nDLC finish, an ambidextrous slide stop lever, and the company’s enhanced Glock Marksman Barrel.

Perhaps one of the most important features isn’t a change at all: the G29 remains compatible with the broader Glock ecosystem. Its ability to accept larger G20 magazines means owners have options when they want additional capacity for certain applications. Of course, the larger magazine extends below the compact grip, so it isn’t necessarily the configuration you’d choose when concealment is the primary concern. Still, having that compatibility available is a useful feature.

Glock 29 Gen 5 10mm Trigger

The Gen 5 G29 uses Glock’s standard fifth-generation trigger system.

• Out of the box, we found the trigger to have a relatively short amount of take-up before reaching the wall. The pistol broke at an average of 5.6 pounds during our initial testing.
• Once the trigger breaks, the reset is short, measuring approximately 0.26 inches. More importantly, the reset is both tactile and audible, making it easy to recognize when the trigger has returned to its reset point.
• The overall pull also felt remarkably consistent from one press to the next. There wasn’t a dramatic variation between individual trigger pulls, which is something we appreciate on a pistol intended for practical use.
• After completing our 500-round evaluation, we checked the trigger again. At that point, the average pull weight measured approximately 5.3 pounds.

In other words, the trigger remained very consistent throughout the test. The small difference between the initial and post-test measurements isn’t something we’d consider meaningful in practical use.

Glock 29 Gen 5 10mm Reliability

Reliability is one of the areas where the G29 performed exactly as we hoped.

During our evaluation, we fired just over 500 rounds of factory-loaded, SAAMI-specification 10mm ammunition through the Gen 5 G29.

The result?

500 rounds fired, 500 rounds successfully cycled.

We experienced no malfunctions during our range sessions.

The majority of our approximately 350 rounds of general range ammunition consisted of CCI Blazer Brass 180-grain FMJ, which is listed at approximately 1,200 feet per second. We also used smaller quantities of Winchester Target & Practice 180-grain FMJ ammunition.

For defensive ammunition, we fired approximately 160 rounds. Most of those consisted of Federal Personal Defense Punch 200-grain JHP ammunition, which has an advertised velocity of approximately 1,100 feet per second.

Again, the pistol ran without any problems.

That kind of performance is exactly what you want from a defensive or outdoor-oriented handgun. There were no stoppages during our testing that required us to diagnose a problem or make an adjustment to the pistol.

The G29’s barrel is also almost fully supported. Although we didn’t individually examine every single spent case after every string of fire, we did not observe any bulged cases during the evaluation.

Managing Glock 29 Gen 5 10mm Recoil

Of course, the 10mm Auto cartridge comes with a reputation for substantial recoil, and the G29’s compact dimensions mean that the shooter is dealing with that recoil in a relatively small package. Shooters who find the recoil particularly sharp or “snappy” have several potential avenues for making the pistol more comfortable to shoot. One possible modification is replacing the factory plastic guide rod assembly with a heavier aftermarket tungsten guide rod. Whether that type of modification is worthwhile ultimately comes down to the individual shooter, ammunition choice, and intended use. The important point is that the G29’s recoil characteristics are part of the overall tradeoff involved in carrying a powerful cartridge in such a compact package.

Glock 29 Gen 5 10mm Accuracy

Getting the most out of a stock Glock can sometimes involve a little adjustment on the shooter’s part.

The factory trigger has a familiar Glock feel, while the standard square-profile U-notch sights aren’t necessarily everyone’s preferred setup for precision shooting. Those characteristics become more noticeable when you’re trying to shoot a compact 10mm accurately at longer distances.

The G29’s short grip also becomes an important factor.

The combination of a relatively small grip and the recoil generated by full-power 10mm ammunition gives the pistol a personality of its own. During rapid fire, we noticed that the limited amount of grip surface can make it more difficult to maintain exactly the same hand position from shot to shot. The grip tends to move slightly during rapid strings of fire. That movement can translate into vertical strings in groups, particularly as the distance increases. A small pinky extension on the magazine baseplate could potentially help provide a little more purchase. Glock didn’t include one on the standard flush-fit magazine, but this isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker.

There are aftermarket solutions available for shooters who want more support for the little finger. Another option is to think about the G29 as a compact pistol with a larger reload. The 10-round magazine can remain in the pistol for concealed carry, while a 15-round G20 magazine can serve as a spare. The larger magazine naturally provides additional grip length when inserted.

At 25 yards, the G29 was still capable of keeping shots in the center-mass area with a reasonable amount of concentration and careful shooting.

One feature we’d like to see added to the platform is an optics-ready configuration. A properly integrated micro-red-dot mounting system could make a meaningful difference in the practical accuracy and effective range of such a small 10mm.

Glock 29 Gen 5 10mm Carry

This is where the G29’s compact dimensions really begin to make sense.

• The G29 is often described as a “Baby Glock,” although calling it a chunky baby would be fair. Compared with larger Glock pistols, it is remarkably compact, especially considering that it houses a 10mm Auto cartridge.
• A commonly used rule of thumb for a pocket-sized handgun is a height of less than about four inches from the rear sight to the bottom of the grip. The G29 measures approximately 4.45 inches in overall height, so it doesn’t quite make that mark, but it comes surprisingly close.
• Its dimensions also put it in the same general conversation as some of today’s larger micro-9mm pistols, including compact models such as the SIG P365 X-Macro and Springfield Hellcat Pro.
• Of course, the G29 is considerably different from those pistols because of its caliber, and the comparison is primarily about physical dimensions rather than cartridge characteristics.
• The G29’s relatively thick profile is noticeable, but that thickness is part of the package. You’re getting a compact pistol capable of firing 10mm Auto, and the dimensions reflect that.

Another significant advantage for anyone considering the G29 as a carry pistol is the sheer number of holster options available.

Because the model has been on the market for so many years and has such a large user base, finding a holster designed specifically for the G29 isn’t particularly difficult. That aftermarket support gives owners considerably more flexibility when choosing how they want to carry it.

Glock 29 Gen 5 10mm Pros & Cons

Pros

• Compact overall dimensions
• Chambered in 10mm Auto
• 10+1 capacity with the flush-fit magazine
• Excellent reliability during our 500-round test
• Compatible with larger Glock magazines
• Large aftermarket ecosystem
• Wide selection of available holsters
• Manageable size for concealed carry
• Proven platform with a long production history

Cons

• Relatively thick for a compact carry pistol
• Short grip can limit purchase during rapid fire
• Standard configuration isn’t optics-ready
• Full-power 10mm ammunition produces noticeable recoil

Conclusions on Glock 29 Gen 5 10mm

The Glock 29 has been around long enough to qualify as a genuine veteran of the handgun market. When the original G29 arrived in 1996, the world was a very different place. Stone Temple Pilots were still appearing on the charts, and Val Kilmer was wearing the Batman suit. Since then, the G29 has moved through multiple generations and ultimately arrived at the Gen 5 G29 tested here. Despite all that time, the fundamental idea behind the pistol remains remarkably relevant. The 10mm Auto cartridge has experienced a significant resurgence in popularity, particularly among shooters who want a versatile cartridge that combines substantial power with a relatively flat trajectory.

Pairing that cartridge with a compact, well-established Glock platform creates an interesting combination. The Gen 5 version adds several worthwhile refinements to an already proven design. Removing the finger grooves gives the grip a cleaner and more universal shape, while front slide serrations provide additional manipulation options. The nDLC finish, ambidextrous slide stop, and enhanced Glock Marksman Barrel further modernize the platform.

Our testing also demonstrated the reliability for which Glock pistols have become known. After putting more than 500 rounds through the evaluation pistol, including both general-purpose FMJ ammunition and defensive 10mm loads, we experienced no reliability problems.

The pistol isn’t perfect, of course.

Its relatively thick profile is noticeable, and the short grip doesn’t provide quite as much purchase as some shooters might prefer when firing full-power 10mm ammunition rapidly. The lack of a factory optics cut also feels like a missed opportunity in a market where compact red-dot sights have become increasingly common. Still, those shortcomings have to be considered alongside what the G29 actually offers. You’re getting a genuinely compact handgun chambered for 10mm Auto, with an 11-round loaded capacity using the flush-fit magazine, a decades-long track record, widespread aftermarket support, abundant holster availability, and compatibility with larger Glock magazines.

That’s a pretty compelling combination.

For someone specifically looking for a compact pistol chambered in 10mm, the G29 Gen 5 remains a difficult package to dismiss. Glock has made meaningful improvements without abandoning the characteristics that made the G29 popular in the first place. There is certainly room for the platform to continue evolving. An optics-ready slide, ideally with a well-integrated direct-mount footprint, would be a welcome addition. But even without that feature, the Gen 5 G29 remains a strong option for shooters who want the performance of the 10mm Auto cartridge in a handgun small enough to carry concealed. After nearly three decades on the market, the G29 hasn’t simply survived. It has managed to remain relevant in a category that has become considerably more competitive.

And for anyone who wants to carry a compact 10mm, that’s no small accomplishment.