Which generation Glock and why?

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Kahrmine

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So there are 4 generations so far. Should I be leaning towards one or another generation for any particular reason, aside from grip style?

It appears the Gen 4's came out fairly recently. Are the Gen 4's the be-all/end-all of Glocks right now, or would I be better off buying an older Generation for cheaper?

Any experience or opinions on the differing generations in terms of build quality, features, and price would be appreciated.

thanks
 
Get whatever works best for you. I personally can't stand the older ones anymore (I like having finger groove grips) but any Gen3 or Gen4 is fine by me.

The main advantage to Gen4s is if you have really large or really small hands you can make the grip accommodate your hand better, and the mag release button is a bit larger, and with the Gen4 it is like getting a grip stippling job for free.

-Mike
 
NortheastShooter said:
So there are 4 generations so far. Should I be leaning towards one or another generation for any particular reason, aside from grip style?

It appears the Gen 4's came out fairly recently. Are the Gen 4's the be-all/end-all of Glocks right now, or would I be better off buying an older Generation for cheaper?

Any experience or opinions on the differing generations in terms of build quality, features, and price would be appreciated.

thanks
Click to expand...


A little more info on which model(s) you are interested in, and what for?

Target, carry or competition?

Do accessory rails underneath interest you for lights and or lasers?
 
Can't go wrong with any generation really. I'm with drgrant in liking the finger grooves of the gen3/4 models. What caliber are you looking for?
 
northframingham said:
A little more info on which model(s) you are interested in, and what for?

Target, carry or competition?

Do accessory rails underneath interest you for lights and or lasers?
Click to expand...

It's be a range gun, an outside the waistband sidearm.

I already know what I want: A 27 with a single preban high cap mag and two regular pinky extension mags.

I'm already committed to a 23, which I will be picking up this weekend. But ultimately I know I want a 27. I will spend time with both and likely get rid of the 23 eventually.

So now it's just a matter of what generation.
 
drgrant said:
The main advantage to Gen4s is if you have really large or really small hands you can make the grip accommodate your hand better, and the mag release button is a bit larger, and with the Gen4 it is like getting a grip stippling job for free.

-Mike
Click to expand...

What about the slide spring change? The Gen 4's use a double spring, kinda like the Walther PPS uses. What do you think about the older style versus the new one? The new one looks more robust, but I don't really trust companies or their suits. It seems like even the best companies eventually get seduced into the "make it so they break it" marketing in the effort to make more money.
 
NortheastShooter said:
It's be a range gun, an outside the waistband sidearm.

I already know what I want: A 27 with a single preban high cap mag and two regular pinky extension mags.

I'm already committed to a 23, which I will be picking up this weekend. But ultimately I know I want a 27. I will spend time with both and likely get rid of the 23 eventually.

So now it's just a matter of what generation.
Click to expand...


Keep BOTH. Don't get rid of the 23 eventually.

27 is great... but always nice to have one a little bigger that is more enjoyable to shoot "Lots of Rounds Through"

As for generation... I'd say which ever feels better in YOUR hand.

After all the original GLOCK 17 in their factory in GA... Has seen a million rounds... & still works... Only minor maintenance on it...
 
NortheastShooter said:
What about the slide spring change? The Gen 4's use a double spring, kinda like the Walther PPS uses. What do you think about the older style versus the new one? The new one looks more robust, but I don't really trust companies or their suits. It seems like even the best companies eventually get seduced into the "make it so they break it" marketing in the effort to make more money.
Click to expand...

The dual spring system doesn't make that big of a difference, although I imagine it might have a more significant effect in something like .40 S+W.... so if you're into .40, you might want to look at the Gen4 22/23s. For the G27 the spring system is exactly the same as the old one, so there's no difference between the generations there spring wise, the 27 always had a dual spring.

-Mike
 
im with mike, learned to love the finger grooves, and i love the gen 3 texture for carrying. Ive had bad luck with the gen 4's so im going to stay away from them
 
Get which ever generation you can afford haha. I prefer Gen 3's over Gen 4's. I've noticed that shells tend to hit me in the head in the Gen 4 models. My Gen 3 ejects shells in a neat pile. The different backstrap sizes for Gen 4's are nice but not necessary. It's not like I'm changing out the backstraps all the time.
 
NortheastShooter said:
It's be a range gun, an outside the waistband sidearm.

I already know what I want: A 27 with a single preban high cap mag and two regular pinky extension mags.

I'm already committed to a 23, which I will be picking up this weekend. But ultimately I know I want a 27. I will spend time with both and likely get rid of the 23 eventually.

So now it's just a matter of what generation.
Click to expand...

A g27 with a pinky extension will print the almost the same as a g23 with a flat base plate.
 
As far as Gen's go.... I thought the finger grooves were the only way to go...until I got a smoking deal on a 2nd gen 19 and after 500 rounds, I've acclimated just fine and have backed off my prior position.

The 3rd gen and all the finger groove models are nice though, and have a more refined look to them.

I do a lot of reading on the Glock forum, seems like there is a lot of discontent over the 4th Gen guns not running as reliably as the prior, most notably 3rd. I'm sure much of this is the normal internet blown out of proportion syndrome but is is very loud over there.

My two 3rd gen's, a 30sf and 21sf have run like tops for well over a thousand rounds each, and I mean like not a single failure between the two of them. And no annoyances either ( brass ejection issues ).

Just got the 2nd Gen 19, it has a very new slide on it ( not sure exactly how new ) but in the 500 or so rounds down the pipe, also, not a single issue.

So, I personally will be sticking with 3rd gen's or earlier when possible, at least for the time being.
 
I have the gen3 19 which is amazing about 5 or 600 rounds thought so far. I have the gen4 26 and aside for some 115gr +p+ hp ammo it too has run flawlessly. It fed everything else I gave it, it just didn't like that ammo at all.
 
I'm with Mike as far as the grooves are concerned. I have smallish hands, so the Gen4 with no backstrap fits me perfectly. I do occasionally get some brass off the head, but I've had zero failures of any kind.
 
The model that I think will benefit the most of the new grip texture and double recoil spring is the Glock 20 (10mm). It was just put into production this summer and it will likely be the first gen4 I pick up. The RTF2 texture from the Gen3s is great to shoot but its too hash if carried too close to the body. I think the texture from the Gen4s is a good compromise.
 
I like Glocks... yes its true. I am generation stupid and I don't have preference. If it goes bang bang then I am down with it. I have had first, 2nd, and 4th. All have been great. I would not kick any of them out of my holster.
 
I love my Gen4 G19 and it hasn't given me a problem yet. I also really like my Gen1 G17 which shoots great but it's very slippery. It is one of the earliest G17's, with the pebble grip and no grip stippling. I wouldn't part with it, and I also wouldn't carry a G17.

I really want a nice Gen3 as they have the highest reliability ratings, or at least that's what I've read on here and the Glock forum.
 
ski patrol said:
I'm not a fan of the finger grooves,they bunch up my hand too much.
Gaston glock thought the 2nd gen was the perfect pistol.
Click to expand...

I have had a gen 2 model 17 since 1995, this gun has never let me down. Put thousands of rounds through it up in Live free or Die N.H.
 
Ive owned gen 2,3,and now 4 in 40 and 45 and 10mm. Most of them new out of the box. Probably 10 in total. Ive never had a ftf with any of them.

I cant say that about the one m&p i had or even my sr9c. Though the 9c was likely break in cause it runs great now.
 
If you look hard enough, you can find gen 3 / 4 for decent prices.. if you are in a rush yea.. you'll get slammed with MA premium.

I prefer the Gen 3/4's overall the 4's the most because it just fits my hand more comfortably and with more stippling on it for more grip. The gen 4 grip is slightly less bulky out of box (and adjustable with the different size grips). The 26 / 19 i have in gen 4 i love them both. The g30.. well that hasn't come out with a gen 4. Good luck to the OP, go hold some different gens and see what fits you best.. better yet shoot some and see which you like best.
 
I love my Gen2 G22, just wish I could shoot reloads in it (bulged brass and I don't want to spend more money on an aftermarket barrel). I like the finger grooves on my G26 because it's a subcompact and helps with grip retention, otherwise I prefer the Gen2 frame.
 

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