Ever felt the sting of disappointment
when your Glock doesn’t deliver as expected? Often, the issue lies with
an easily overlooked component: the barrel. Like many shooters, you
might have experienced how a generic or ill-suited barrel can affect
accuracy and consistency. This common problem doesn’t have to be a
roadblock. What if you could turn that frustration into a sense of
achievement? That’s where this collaborative effort comes into play.Faxon and Refactor have joined forces to create this comprehensive
guide, meticulously crafted with the shooter’s needs in mind. They’ve
pooled expertise and conducted extensive research to present you with
the best Glock barrels. Let’s delve into their guide and discover
top-tier options that promise precision and a rekindled enthusiasm for
shooting.

Why Upgrade To An Aftermarket Glock Barrel?

Even though the OEM Glock barrel with
polygonal rifling is pretty damn good and will do the job for the
average gun owner, there are two primary reasons to upgrade to an
aftermarket Glock barrel. First and foremost is accuracy.Most shooters will never practice out
past 25 yards with their pistols. But if you want to stretch the
effective range of your pistol to 50 yards and beyond, you’ll need a
good match-grade barrel. A good-quality match-grade Glock barrel will consistently cut your groups in half at 50 yards.The second reason is to have a
threaded barrel for a suppressor or compensator. If you’re thinking at
all about adding a suppressor or comp to your Glock down the road, do
yourself a favor and get a threaded barrel. If you don’t want to buy and
change barrels constantly, getting a threaded barrel is a good idea.
They also increase the cool factor of your gun. Let’s get into the Glock
barrels.

Top Picks for the 7 Best Glock Barrels1. Faxon Firearms

Faxon Glock barrels
are given a PVD or black Nitride coating to increase resistance to
surface wear, lubricity, and barrel life. All barrels are conventionally
rifled for various compatible ammunition, including cast lead.They also drop into factory-spec
slides with no gunsmithing required. Thanks to their better-than-factory
tolerances, a more consistent, tighter lockup than OEM is guaranteed.Faxon offers both threaded and
non-threaded barrel options for your Glock handguns. Faxon Glock barrels
are universally compatible with generations 1-5.

2. Wilson Combat

Wilson Combat Glock barrels
are fully machined from aircraft-grade stainless steel blanks and
heat-treated to R/C 40 for maximum service life. Critical manufacturing
tolerances are held to less than .0005″ (one-half thousandth of an
inch!).To guarantee better accuracy, extreme
care has been taken to ensure that the chamber is glass-smooth and
perfectly concentric with the bore. They’ve routinely obtained test
groups of 1/2″ at 25 yards in their barrel tests.Throughout the manufacturing process,
each barrel undergoes multiple quality-control checks, with a detailed
final inspection prior to receiving the Wilson name. These barrels are
compatible with all Generations of Glock handguns.

3. KKM Precision

KKM has been producing match-grade
pistol barrels for 25 years and has a well-deserved reputation for
excellence.  If you want to shoot tight groups through targets or bad
guys, KKM can help accomplish that.KKM Precision Glock barrels
use certified 416R gun-barrel quality stainless steel bar stock. The
barrels are then heat-treated and vacuum-tempered. Finally, the CNC
machining produces superior dimensional tolerances over mass-produced
factory barrels.KKM’s Glock barrels come with fully supported SAAMI spec match chambers for shooting factory or reloaded ammunition.

4. Lone Wolf

The Lone Wolf Industries Alpha Wolf Glock barrel series is available in stock length, threaded, and conversion caliber flavors.Machined from 416 stainless steel
(certified, stress-relieved no less), Lone Wolf Glock barrels bring
premium manufacturing and features at an affordable cost.Additionally, they are salt bath
nitrided, fluted for heat dissipation and debris clearance, and are
compatible with all generations of Glock.

5. Grey Ghost Precision

The Grey Ghost Precision Glock barrel
is an excellent upgrade for a Glock pistol. The barrel is machined to
“match grade” tolerances and has an excellent fit and finish.Made from 416R Gun Barrel Quality
Stainless Steel, a proprietary twist rate, and an optional Black Nitride
Finish for durability without hindering performance.Grey Ghost Precision barrels are manufactured with a final dimension of +/- 0.003″ for consistent accuracy.

6. Zev Technologies

ZEV Technologies Match Grade drop-in barrels for Glock
feature extremely tight tolerances. They are manufactured with
pre-hardened chromium stainless steel (416R) that was originally
designed for use in Match Grade rifle barrels.This material provides high tensile
strength and toughness to withstand typical chamber pressures while
still being highly corrosion-resistant.ZEV Technologies barrels are some of
the most precise in the industry. Every barrel is double-honed (rough
and finish) until a minimum surface finish of 16 RA is reached. The
barrels are held to a final dimension of +/- 0.0002″ for consistency and
accuracy during this process.

7. Agency Arms

The Agency Arms Syndicate Barrel
offers great performance at an affordable price. This model designed
for the GLOCK 19 features a smooth profile without fluting and a
target-crowned muzzle.The Glock 19 Syndicate Barrel is made
to the same standards as the other models out of high-quality 416R
stainless steel and extremely consistent broached rifling at a 1:10
twist rate.

Which Aftermarket Glock Barrel Do We Prefer?

Having thoroughly assessed various
barrel manufacturers over the years, we confidently recommend Faxon
Firearms as the top choice. Let’s take a closer look at some of their
current offerings.

Glock 19 Barrel

Seeking the ultimate upgrade for your trusted Glock 19?While Glock’s renowned reliability
and ease of use remain unmatched, its immense popularity has paved the
way for many aftermarket enhancements.Upgrading the Glock 19 barrel
is one of the easiest modifications. Faxon’s precision-engineered
barrels are shielded with a PVD or black Nitride coating, increasing
resistance to wear and ensuring longevity. Crafted with conventional
rifling, they will eat almost all ammunition, including cast lead.The best part? Seamless integration
into your factory-spec slides without the need for a gunsmith.
Experience a lockup that’s tighter and more consistent than OEM, thanks
to their meticulous tolerances.Whether you prefer threaded or
non-threaded, know that every barrel is manufactured in-house (in the
USA), ensuring the best possible performance for your Glock 19.

Glock 17 Barrel

The Glock 17 has reigned as one of the best full-size pistols for over four decades.Despite a divided audience—equally adored and criticized—Glock’s reliability is undebatable.The sheer amount of aftermarket parts
and accessories amplifies its popularity, allowing owners to tailor
their firearms. One of the most popular upgrades? Shifting from the OEM
barrel to a match-grade barrel.Faxon Firearms, long admired for its
excellence in manufacturing AR-15 barrels and even complete firearms,
extends its expertise to the Glock domain. Their Glock 17 barrels, in
particular, are a testament to their unwavering commitment to quality.

Glock 43x Barrel

Looking to elevate your Glock’s
precision to nail those long-distance shots? The key lies in the right
barrel, quality ammo, and superior sights.Faxon Firearms, a name synonymous with barrel excellence, presents its match-grade barrels tailored for the Glock 43X. These barrels, renowned for halving groups at 50 yards, ensure an immediate fit without any modifications.Experience the difference with its
enhanced lockup, sharper than OEMs, combined with a 1:10 conventional
rifling and an 11-degree target crown.The result? Unparalleled accuracy for
your Glock 43X. Plus, with varied coating options, this barrel doesn’t
just perform exceptionally—it looks the part, too. Because style,
undoubtedly, matters.

Glock 48 Barrel

Want peak performance from your Glock G48?Look no further than Faxon’s Match Series pistol barrels—a pinnacle in barrel craftsmanship.Precision-molded from stress-relieved
416-R stainless steel, these barrels boast impeccable quality, shaped
entirely in Faxon’s own facilities. With black Nitride or PVD coatings,
they promise enhanced durability, extended lifespan, and resistance
against wear.Their conventional rifling is
compatible with diverse ammunition types, including cast lead. And the
best part? Slide them effortlessly into your factory-spec slides without
needing a gunsmith’s touch.Experience an unmatched lockup—more precise and consistent than typical OEM barrels, all credited to their superior tolerances.

OEM Glock vs. Aftermarket Glock Barrels

OEM Glock barrels are renowned for
their reliability and performance straight out of the box. They are
designed to meet the versatile needs of most shooters, offering a
balance of accuracy, durability, and cost-effectiveness. However,
aftermarket barrels present significant advantages for enthusiasts
looking to push their Glock’s performance further, especially in
precision shooting or customization.Aftermarket Glock barrels often come
with tighter manufacturing tolerances, which can translate to better
accuracy, especially at longer ranges. They also offer a variety of
features, like different coatings for increased barrel life, threaded
options for suppressor or compensator attachments, and aesthetic
customization to suit individual preferences. While OEM barrels provide a
solid baseline, aftermarket options allow shooters to tailor their
Glock to specific uses, be it competitive shooting, hunting, or personal
defense.In summary, while OEM barrels
maintain Glock’s promise of ‘perfection,’ aftermarket barrels offer the
opportunity to specialize and optimize your firearm according to your
unique shooting needs and preferences.

Button Rifling vs. Polygonal Rifling

When upgrading your Glock, understanding the difference between button rifling and polygonal rifling is crucial.OEM Glock barrels typically use
polygonal rifling. This type of rifling is known for its smoother bore
surface, offering a slight velocity boost and easier cleaning. However,
it’s generally less suitable for shooting lead bullets, as it can lead
to faster fouling.In contrast, many aftermarket barrels
feature button rifling. This traditional form of rifling, characterized
by its distinct lands and grooves, provides a better grip on the bullet
per se and potentially improves accuracy. Button-rifled barrels are
also more versatile, accommodating a wider range of ammunition,
including lead bullets, without the risk of excessive fouling.Glock markets itself as perfection
out of the box. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t take an
already-proven design and modify it to suit your style and needs.
Swapping out the stock barrel for one of these aftermarket barrels is
just one of many things you can do to elevate the performance of your
Glock pistol.