Last updated: March 2026
The back plate is often one of the last parts considered when customizing your Glock. Any Glock aficionado will discuss Glock sights, barrels, and triggers when discussing customizations. The back plate, a small but key component, often goes unnoticed by Glock 19 Gen 5 owners.
The Overlooked Significance of Glock 19 Gen 5 Back Plate
The Glock 19 Gen 5 back plate holds critical responsibility. It’s tasked with securing the striker assembly (firing pin) and the extractor plunger assembly. While small in size, its role in seamless operation is substantial. Glock is a brand known for durability and quality. The failure of the OEM rear slide plate is not a known flaw of the firearm. Many users testify to Glock’s superb quality, as seen on this GlockForum.net post. In the “better safe than sorry” mindset, billet aluminum trumps plastic every time. Thanks to our pal, ZombieKiller54, NDZ Performance gets an honorable mention!
Customize Glock 19 Gen 5 Back Plate: Make It Yours
Part of owning a Glock is the opportunity to make it distinctly yours. Custom rear slide plates give you that personal flair. With many options for customizing your Glock 19 Gen 5 back plates, expressing yourself has never been easier. You’re not just handling a weapon; you’re showcasing your individuality.
The Match-up: OEM Back Plate vs. NDZ Performance T6 6061 Aluminum Glock 19 Gen 5 Back Plate
It’s a showdown between rear slide plates. On one side, the Glock OEM plastic slide plate. On the other, the NDZ Performance T6 6061 aluminum back plate. NDZ’s high-grade aluminum offers durability and strength. While OEM is a decent start, NDZ’s T6 6061 Aluminum delivers a knockout punch, sending plastic down for the count.
More Than Just Strength: The Anodizing Advantage
NDZ Performance’s T6 6061 aluminum slide plate offers more than strength. It undergoes an anodizing process that forms a hardened, protective film, enhancing resistance to weathering and corrosion. It’s not just protection; anodizing allows for customization in over nine colors.
The Customization Champ: NDZ’s Image Library
If a spectrum of colors isn’t enough, NDZ Performance further impresses with an ample image library. With over 1500 images, you can laser-engrave a design of your choice onto back plates. It’s personalization at a higher level, making your Glock 19 Gen 5 a testament to your style.
In Glock customization, the back plates might appear as an undercard fighter. However, choosing between an OEM slide plate and NDZ Performance’s upgrade is straightforward. NDZ T6 6061 aluminum back plates can enhance your firearm’s performance and aesthetics. Embrace the spirit of customization, improve your firearm’s durability, and carry a Glock that’s as unique as you are.
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How Does an NDZ Custom Back Plate Compare to the Factory Glock Back Plate?
| Feature | NDZ Custom Back Plate | Factory Glock Back Plate |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Anodized aluminum or stainless steel | Polymer composite |
| Design Options | 100+ laser-engraved designs, custom text available | Plain black, no customization |
| Installation | Tool-free, same as factory removal/install | Tool-free press-fit |
| Durability | Metal construction resists wear and cracking | Polymer may crack under heavy use |
| Personalization | Flags, logos, patterns, custom engravings | None |
| Price | $15–$30 depending on design | Included with pistol |
No tools are required. Use a punch or the edge of a coin to depress the retaining spring tab at the rear of the slide and slide the plate down and out. The entire process takes under 30 seconds. Reinstall by aligning the new plate’s tab with the channel and pressing upward until it clicks.
Glock Gen 3 and Gen 4 back plates are interchangeable. Gen 5 back plates have a slightly different tab geometry due to the ambidextrous slide stop on Gen 5 frames. Always order plates specifically labeled for your generation to ensure proper fit and retention.
A properly machined back plate of the correct dimensions has zero effect on Glock function or reliability. The back plate has no contact with any functional mechanism. However, plates machined with incorrect depth can prevent proper slide cycling—only purchase from manufacturers with documented QC standards.