Key Points and Summary: The Mk 27, a U.S. Navy SEAL designation for the Glock 19, is a compact, lightweight, and highly reliable 9mm pistol.
-Designed for both concealability and combat effectiveness, the Mk 27 boasts a 15+1 capacity, compatibility with Glock 17 magazines, and the ability to mount suppressors and optics.
-SEALs and other SOCOM units favor it for its rugged simplicity, shootability, and legendary reliability.
-Paired with the SIG MOD-X9 suppressor, the Mk 27 remains a top-tier choice for elite forces worldwide. Whether for military use or concealed carry, the Glock 19 continues to set the gold standard for combat pistols.
Meet the Mk 27: The Glock 19 Trusted by U.S. Special Forces
The Navy SEAL teams use the Mk27 pistol, a polymer-framed, compact pistol with a 4-inch barrel and 15-round double stack 9mm magazine. It’s not a full-sized pistol, but it’s not quite a compact. It is a mid-size weapon that does exactly what it was designed for: It is a concealable pistol that can be turned around and used as a duty weapon for law enforcement or the military.
The Mk 27 is a Glock 19 adopted by the military. The US Special Operations Command designated it the Mk 27 Mod 2 pistol, but the SEALs are the most frequent pistol users. Other SOCOM units use the very similar Glock 17.
They Are Not Aesthetically Pleasing But Effective
The Glock 19, like its big brother, the Glock 17 are boxy, black, and superb pistols. They were designed by Gaston Glock, who had no previous gun-making experience. But he changed the way military and law enforcement types looked at pistols. He went to work when Austria was looking for a replacement for the iconic Walther P-38. It was first designed, prototyped, and tested in just a few months in 1982.
I admit I was slightly leery about a polymer-framed weapon when it was first introduced. I fired and liked the Glock 17, and it began to wear on me. As I’ve said before, I was a 1911A1 apologist and still am, but I love my Sig Sauers.
But as anyone will tell you, the Glock is a great pistol.
Meet The Glock 19/Mk 27 Pistol
The Glock 19 is lightweight (24 ounces) and carries 15 rounds in the magazine plus one in the chamber. I fired the SOCOM Mk 27 Mod 2 with the threaded barrel (but no suppressor), Surefire X300 light, and Trijicon RMR red dot sight. Wow, what an excellent firing pistol.
Glock 19 Specs:
Caliber: 9x19mm
Length: 7.28″
Height: 5.04″
Width: 1.34″
Barrel: 4.02″ – 1:9.84″ RH twist – Blued
Trigger: 5 to 6.5 pounds
Sights: Polymer “U” dot configuration, rear adjustable (standard)
Weight: 23.99 oz. w/empty magazine
Slide Finish: Black Melonite + nDLC coating
Capacity: 15+1
The Glock 19 is a bit more versatile than the slightly larger Glock 17, but it functions and cycles the same and can even be used in the Glock 17 magazines. Some of the best features of the Glock19/Mk 27 are the weapon’s ruggedness, simplicity, and absolute dependability.
The Glock 19/Mk 27 comes with a standard 15-round magazine, but there are also 17, 24, and 33-round magazines that are no doubt in team rooms across SOCOM.
Other Features
The Glock 19/Mk27 is not snappy at all and handles recoil very easily. The Mk 27 is a Glock 19, so it is the perfect combination of size and capacity. The weapon is famous for its shootability, and it is well-deserved.
It is legendary for its reliability. I like the absence of the finger grooves on the front straps, but that is my preference. USSOCOM selected the SIG MOD-X9 in 9mm as the suppressor for use with the Mk27 pistol.
The MOD-X9 Suppressor features completely modular and configurable titanium baffles for the ultimate lightweight performance. It lets the user personalize the suppressor’s overall length, weight, and sound.
Glock 19 Gen4. Image: Creative Commons.
It is comprised of seven 3D-printed titanium baffles and an encapsulator with 21 points of impact adjustment. The length is adjustable from 3.25 inches to 7.5 inches, the weight is adjustable from 5 ounces to 8 ounces, and the sound is adjustable from 127.4dB to 145.3dB.
“The Glock 19 gives the shooter the perfect blend of a service weapon in a compact package. It may probably be one of the most popular concealed-carry pistols of all time. It is considered by many to be the gold standard of which other pistols are judged.”
Glock 19 Gen5. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
About the Author: Steve Balestrieri
Steve Balestrieri is a 19FortyFive National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing for 19FortyFive, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications.
