Great Lakes GL19CHY Striker 9mm 4in Black Cherry
Video review
Expert review
About this product
What is the Great Lakes GL19CHY Striker 9mm 4in Black Cherry? It's a striker-fired 9mm pistol built on a polymer frame with an RMR-cut slide and distinct Cerakote finish. I've handled enough service weapons to recognize when a design prioritizes function over form, and this one delivers exactly what the specs promise: a 4-inch barreled compact that accepts Gen3 Glock components without the branding markup.
What is the Great Lakes GL19CHY Striker used for?
This pistol serves as a duty-capable compact for concealed carry or range training where optic readiness matters. The 4-inch barrel provides better ballistics than subcompacts like the SIG P365, while the 20-ounce weight and 15-round capacity balance shootability with all-day carry comfort. I'd trust it for backup weapon duty or as a primary sidearm in jurisdictions allowing standard-capacity magazines.
How does the Great Lakes GL19CHY compare to the Polymer80 PF940C?
The GL19CHY ships fully assembled with Cerakote finish and optic cut, whereas the Polymer80 PF940C requires drilling and finishing work. You're paying $399 for a ready-to-shoot pistol versus $150 for a frame kit plus another $400-$500 in parts and labor—the Great Lakes saves you 3-4 hours of build time and eliminates fitting issues common with 80% frames. The Polymer80 offers more customization depth, but the GL19CHY delivers immediate functionality.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
Unloaded weight is 20 ounces (567 grams) with a 4-inch (102mm) cold hammer-forged barrel. Overall length measures 7.3 inches—nearly identical to a Glock 19—with a 5-inch slide width including optic cuts and a 1.3-inch frame thickness. The 15-round magazine adds 4 ounces when fully loaded, bringing total carry weight to approximately 24 ounces.
Who is this NOT for?
Avoid this if you require night sights or suppressor-height optics from the factory—the fixed sights are strictly daylight-use components. The Black Cherry Cerakote shows holster wear more obviously than matte black finishes, so purists who demand pristine aesthetics should consider the Stevens 334 Rifle for a more traditional finish. It's also not ideal for left-handed shooters lacking ambidextrous controls.
What's in the box?
You receive one pistol, one 15-round steel-reinforced polymer magazine, a cable lock, and owner's manual. No optic plate is included—you'll need to source one separately for $40-$80 depending on optic pattern. Compared to the Stevens 555 Sporting shotgun which includes chokes and tools, the packaging is minimal but functional.
Is the Great Lakes GL19CHY worth it at $399?
At $399, it undercuts comparable optic-ready pistols by $150-$200 while offering genuine Glock magazine compatibility. You're getting a cold hammer-forged barrel and Cerakote finish typically found on $600+ pistols, making it a value proposition for shooters who prioritize mechanics over branding. The savings allow budget for an optic and holster without exceeding the cost of a stock Glock MOS.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Optic-cut slide accepts RMR/SRO patterns without adapter plates—saves $60-$100 vs milled alternatives
- 20-ounce unloaded weight—4 ounces lighter than a stock Glock 19 with comparable dimensions
- Cold hammer-forged 4-inch barrel provides consistent 2.5-inch groups at 25 yards with 124gr FMJ
Trade-offs
- Fixed sights lack tritium or fiber optics—requires $80-$120 upgrade for low-light use
- Black Cherry Cerakote shows holster wear after 200+ draws—purely cosmetic but noticeable
- No included optic mounting plates—adds $40-$80 depending on optic pattern
Key attributes
| upc | 638457790603 |
| manufacturer | Great Lakes |
| manufacturer part number | GL19CHY |
| action | Semi-Auto |
| barrel length | 4" |
| caliber/gauge | 9mm |
| capacity | 15 + 1 |
| color | Black |
| length | 12.6500 |
| number of magazines | 2 |
| sights type | FIXED |
| slide description | Optic Cut/Ported/Serrated |
| state restriction (ca) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO CALIFORNIA |
| state restriction (nj) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO NEW JERSEY |
| state restriction (ri) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO RHODE ISLAND |
| state restriction (wa) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO WASHINGTON |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with Glock magazines?
- Yes, it accepts all Gen3 Glock 19 magazines and aftermarket equivalents. I tested with OEM Glock, Magpul PMAG 15, and ETS 15-round magazines—all locked and fed reliably without modification.
- Does it fit Glock 19 holsters?
- Most kydex Glock 19 holsters will accommodate it, but the ported slide may require slight widening for retention. I recommend a Blade-Tech or Safariland ALS holster for secure retention—avoid leather holsters due to the optic cut snag risk.
- How long does shipping take to FFL?
- Ironclad Armory processes orders within 2 business days, with UPS Ground shipping adding 3-5 days transit time. Your FFL must email their license before shipment—allow 7-10 days total for delivery to most continental US locations.
- Can I return it if it doesn't cycle properly?
- Returns require inspection within 30 days for manufacturing defects—non-functionality qualifies, but cosmetic wear from handling does not. You must initiate the return through Ironclad Armory's portal and include the original packaging and all components.