Glock 45 COA Review: A Factory Red Dot Gun That Kinda Makes Sense
Glock’s new COA series — short for “Carry Optic Advantage” — represents the company’s most significant factory configuration shift in years. This isn’t just a new model or generational refresh. The Glock 45 COA, for example, pairs a proven platform with a purpose-built enclosed emitter red dot system, pre-installed and ready out of the box.
I spent some time with the Glock 45 COA and was surprised at how well Glock executed this package. It’s not revolutionary, but it’s efficient, rugged, and smart — and it may be the best “stock” Glock configuration available today for shooters who want a reliable pistol with a factory-installed optic.
What Is the Glock 45 COA?
At its core, the Glock 45 COA is a Glock 45 MOS with an Aimpoint ACRO-style red dot already mounted. The optic is manufactured by Aimpoint and uses a proprietary low-mounting system known as the “A-cut,” which wedges the base of the optic into the slide itself. The result is an extremely low-profile mounting solution with a rugged footprint and true co-witness with standard-height iron sights.
The optic itself weighs just 1.7 ounces, offers an enclosed emitter, and has a field of view comparable to the ACRO P-2. The red dot features automatic brightness adjustment and extended battery life rated at up to 50,000 hours.
Why the Glock 45?
The Glock 45 is a full-size frame mated with a compact-length slide — essentially a Glock 19 slide on a Glock 17 grip. While this might seem counterintuitive for concealed carry, the configuration has become surprisingly popular for its shootability and magazine capacity. It was also the basis for the Glock 19X, which was submitted for the U.S. military’s Modular Handgun System trials, where it advanced to the semifinals against the Sig Sauer P320.
The full-size grip allows for better recoil control, compatibility with full-size (17-round+) double-stack 9mm Glock magazines, and some users claim an improved reload speed. The shorter slide offers a quicker cycling action and (allegedly) slightly improved draw characteristics.
Shooting Impressions
On the range, the Glock 45 COA performs exactly as expected: reliable, straightforward, and easy to shoot. With the optic, target acquisition was fast, and the low mounting height helped eliminate the dot hunting expedition that often plagues red dot installations.
At 7 yards, slow-fire groups were ragged holes. Under time pressure, split times were faster compared to iron sights, and target transitions felt quicker and more precise. While seasoned Glock shooters won’t find the recoil impulse or trigger surprising, the addition of the enclosed red dot takes this platform to a new level of performance — especially for duty or defensive applications.
Durability and Carry Use
Glock’s decision to partner with Aimpoint was a wise one. The COA optic offers ACRO-like durability with a fully enclosed emitter and robust housing. It’s flush with the slide, meaning it won’t snag on clothing or overhang the sides. Importantly, the sealed design prevents dust, lint, and moisture from fouling the lens, which is a common issue with open-emitter red dots, particularly for concealed carriers.
The co-witness capability is a major bonus. If the optic fails, the shooter can instantly revert to irons without changing sight picture or presentation.
Who Is It For?
The Glock 45 COA is not a must-have for every shooter. If you already own a Glock 45 or Glock 19 MOS with a quality enclosed red dot, this package won’t dramatically change your experience. However, if you’re new to red dots or if you’re looking for a turn-key setup that eliminates mounting plates and optic choices, the COA delivers exactly that.
It’s also a smart move for departments or agencies seeking a consistent, factory-configured handgun with a trusted red dot. No third-party parts, no additional training curves. It’s just a durable, factory-ready setup that’s backed by two of the most trusted names in handguns and optics.
Final Thoughts
At a street price of roughly $1,000, the Glock 45 COA isn’t cheap, but when you factor in the price of a standalone Aimpoint ACRO (typically around $600) and a Glock 45 MOS (~$620), this package actually saves money. More importantly, it saves time, complexity, and the potential for mounting errors or optic issues.
For Glock fans, carry gun shoppers, or anyone looking to upgrade to a red dot pistol without the headache, the Glock 45 COA is a compelling option and perhaps the smartest off-the-shelf Glock we’ve seen yet.
««« GUN AND GEAR GIVEAWAYS »»»
PLEASE check out our Patreon and Subscribe Star pages if you enjoy our program, and consider helping us at TFBTV out! We give away hundreds of dollars of gear a month to our supporters!
NOTE: These giveaways are not affiliated with, associated with, or in any way endorsed by YouTube and TFBTV is solely responsible for the giveaways mentioned in this video and this description. No purchase required for gear worth over $250.
««« FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA »»»
https://www.facebook.com/TheFirearmBlogTV/
https://www.instagram.com/TFBTV/
https://www.reddit.com/r/tfbtv/
««« SPONSORS »»»
Please Support Them! They help make our videos possible.
- Ventura Munitions - www.venturamunitions.com
- Blue Alpha Gear - www.bluealphabelts.com
- Top Gun Supply - www.topgunsupply.com
««« TFB CHAT ROOM »»»
Want to join the TFBTV chat room? Use our Discord Invite: discord.gg/tfbtv
#TFBTV
Owner, Neutral Ground Gun Co. NRA/Louisiana State Police certified concealed weapons instructor, 2012-present Maxim Magazine's MAXIMum Warrior, 2011 TFBTV Executive Producer Champion, Key West Cinco De Mayo Taco Eating Competition Lawyer Instagram: gunshorts Twitter: @jjreeves
More by James Reeves
Comments
Join the conversation
Mmm.. I've had my 45coa going on 5-6 months now or whenever the first batch was released to LEO's before they ran out and created a 5-6m lead time. So a while. I have over a dozen other G's in my safe, all 9mm like he 45COA. This 45COA is the best G ever and I'll tell you why differently than Mr. Reeves has. Slightly.
45COA's are Gen5 G's. Mine might be a fluke but it has the tightest slide to frame fit and trigger I've felt from a stock G. Very clean. The COA is not "like an ACRO" except in a general they both are the same shape sense. The COA is smaller which might be important to you. I like it. It also has the lowest witness on the standard sights of any G I have including some prepped by ATEi. Its the clearest best sight picture of any of my RDS's which include RMR's, EPS Carries, and an actual ACRO.
The irons are standard height. I like it that way. It has a geometrically shaped "foot" that "fits" into it's mirror image slide A cut and both are held in place by the rear sights two small screws that hold the sight on. The A cut accepts all the shear force, not the screws. You will not get sheared screws like you get with the MOS system (when not using Forward Control's excellent adapter plate), The COA has the most round clear bright red dot and view window of any RDS I've used. I've used a few.
Mr. Reeves is right, this gun is accurate. Under 2 inches at 25m using my range reloads of 115g FMJ's over 4.3g of TG., if you do your job which used to be exclusively the realm of custom 1911's with high grade match ammo. Glock does this with what they call their match barrel which is different from standard barrels of the G1, G2, G3, and G4's, but is now standard on the G5's. Nice.
Recoil is nice and controlled. I like the full size frame because I have a "few" 17rd Glock mags and I really like the G19 length barrel because I used to carry a G for a living and being only 71 inches and medium waisted, a longer barrel would dig into my units cushions and especially the booth cushions at Denny's. I still have my G1 G17 and my G2 G17 all with drag marks across the muzzle of the holsters.. so it's very comfortable to have this size G barrel length wise, that takes my 17rd mags.
My 45COA fits all my G19 holsters of all types, though I did need to tighten the tension screw(s) on most of the Kydex based holsters. That's a plus.
Mr. Reeves said the 45COA is for everyone.. he's right again. Everyone who wants a striker fired pistol with a RDS made by G that's of a duty size wants the 45COA. Can you carry a 45COA comfortably concealed? I can and do.
I bought my Staccato C2 because I was never fully 100% satisfied/comfortable with ANY of my striker fired duty qualified (allowed by my dept with the mods I wanted). The 45COA.. if I would have had it before buying the Staccato C2 I wouldn't have bought the C2 for a duty gun.. or the P. The P is just too heavy when you have all the other stuff you have to carry... imo. So I would be happy to carry the 45COA on duty and would have used my Staccato money for a more prepped Staccato to use for other tasks.
A value? Without a doubt. A quality Aimpoint or Trijicon easily adds $500-$600 (or more) to the cost of any G. A Blue Label G45COA is $812! Not a first responder? Join Glock's competition club or whatever it is, costs $20 a year, and you can get one Blue Label Glock per year. I'm not sure exactly on the details of this but it's somewhere around there. There's more: This is the only Glock I haven't wanted to do something to before carrying. I'll carry it for duty or personal use just the way it comes out of the box with the addition of my current white light of choice. Nothing else, not a single dime more is necessary.
Best G ever? Without a doubt.
Didn't Glock just announce last week that they aren't selling these to commercial buyers any longer due to demand from LE and Mil buyers?