I was genuinely excited when I picked up my Gen6 GLOCK 19 to get more hands-on experience with it. Once an optic is installed, the real work begins. Mounting the optic is only the first step. What matters is how the platform performs once you start putting in repetitions on the range.
Spending time on the range with the Gen6 platform highlights a big selling point of this platform: it’s stability. The difference is not dramatic, and you probably will not notice it in a single magazine. It becomes noticeable over time through consistent use.
Whenever I take a new firearm to the range, my goal is to start slow and get familiar with the firearm before focusing on speed or performance. That approach matters even more when running an optic for the first time. The initial session can feel slightly off. Your performance may not be what it normally is, and that can lead to frustration. The dot may not always be where you expect it to be, and your presentation may not immediately align.
This is normal. An optic requires consistency in grip and alignment. If your shooting fundamentals are inconsistent, the dot will expose that. It is not a flaw in the system. It is feedback that shows you exactly where adjustments are needed. By taking a slower, more intentional approach, you give yourself the opportunity to make small corrections that lead to meaningful improvement.
As training continues, small but meaningful adjustments begin to happen. Presentation becomes more consistent, grip stabilizes, and finding the dot becomes more natural rather than forced. These changes do not happen instantly. They develop through repetition and intentional practice. With the Gen6 platform, the ergonomics and overall balance helped me establish a more secure purchase on the pistol. That stability became more noticeable the longer I trained with it.
A common mistake is expecting immediate improvement. Installing an optic does not automatically make a shooter faster or more accurate. An optic is a tool that requires consistent use and disciplined training. Another mistake is inconsistent practice. Running a few drills and expecting long-term results will slow progress and increase frustration. The shooters who benefit the most are those who commit to regular practice and remain focused on fundamentals. Improvement comes from consistency, not shortcuts.
Confidence does not come from the optic itself. It comes from repetition and familiarity. With continued training, the Gen6 platform feels more natural in the hand. The combination of ergonomics and optic use creates a system that supports movement, control and consistency. This is where the real difference appears. Not in a single session, but in how the platform performs over time as the shooter becomes more comfortable and consistent.
During my first experience with the Gen6 GLOCK 19, the grip rubbed against my thumb, causing some irritation. Going into additional range sessions, I expected that to continue. To my surprise, it did not. As I became more familiar with the platform, the issue resolved itself. Running an optic on a Gen6 GLOCK is not about immediate results. It’s about building consistency through repetition and understanding how the platform responds to your input. The system lets you set it up correctly from the start, but what you do afterward determines how effective it is.
At the end of the day, it’s not about the optic. It is about how you train with it and how consistently you apply the fundamentals that support your performance.
Avery Skipalis is the owner of Skip’s Tactical Solutions, an organization that focuses on empowering women, men and children to make sure that no one else becomes a victim. She gained her firearms experience from the military where she’s been a military firearms instructor for 10.5 years. She’s also a certified NRA rifle and pistol instructor and Glock Advanced Armorer since 2015. She’s attended Sig Sauer Academy, FNH, Special Operations Command Armorers courses as well as multiple Advanced Shooting Schools across the United States. She resides in Florida with her husband and 2 kids. She’s currently serving in the United States Air Force and loves sharing her passion with others. She thinks it’s important that women also feel like they’re in control of their own safety. View all posts by Avery Skipalis
