Skeletonized and ported Glock 19 slides might attract some shooters for the Gucci glam – if you can excuse the term – but they’re really not just about aesthetic appeal. They’re about performance.
To demonstrate this, consider the RMR-cut X1 Glock 19 slide available at NineX19. Here’s a breakdown of what it offers, beyond its ability to grab your attention.
The Use Case for a NineX19 X1 Glock 19 Slide
First thing first, skeletonized or not, the Glock 19 slide in question is RMR-ready. It’s cut for an RMR-pattern optic and comes with a matching cover plate, making it easier to mount RMR-style optics with just a swap of the slide; no other modifications are needed.
The whole thing is also CNC-machined (and American-made, by the way) from 17-4 stainless steel, an alloy that exhibits exceptional corrosion resistance, has a high yield strength, and performs optimally even at high temperatures (a good thing for a slide).
In that vein, the porting of this Glock 19 slide allows for optimal heat dissipation from the barrel – unlike the factory slide, which completely encloses the barrel and complicates heat dissipation.
That isn’t the only performance-boosting asset of this Glock 19 slide, though. The porting strategically lowers the weight of the slide, which in turn cuts back on the reciprocating mass of the pistol, which is one of the direct determinants of felt recoil.
Meaning: if you swap your G19 slide with this one, you can cut recoil without making any other modifications to the gun. This reduction in recoil also gives you the benefit of making faster, more accurate follow up shots. (Another great upgrade here is to outfit the G19 with a compensator, for that matter.)
Also, depending on the strength of your recoil spring, investing in a skeletonized/ported slide can result in faster, crisper, snappier cycling, too. That’s just one more argument in favor of upgrading your G19 with a skeletonized slide.
These two main attributes, minimized reciprocating mass and improved heat dissipation characteristics, are the biggest selling points of an upgrade like this. If you’re on the fence about making the upgrade because you think it’s just cosmetic, think again. The cost can be well worth the bump in performance.
These slides are also available with either nitrided or Cerakote finishes – both of which are renowned for their hardness, wear-resistance, and corrosion-resistance, as well as for the fact that they both require minimal to no routine maintenance beyond basic periodic cleaning.
One more note: it’s not just compatible with actual Glock 19 pistols, but with G19-style builds, such as those made with Polymer80 and Nomad Defense frames and builds.
Want the Full Picture?
This is just a snapshot into the performance offered by a skeletonized Glock 19 slide like the RMR-cut G19 X1 slide available at NineX19. They sell other slides, along with fluted, threaded barrels, and other G19 upgrade parts.
For more information, visit their website or contact their customer service department directly.
