Glock 17 Gen 3 or Gen 4

I'd think the reliability would be equal. The Gen 4 9mm's had some problems early on, I believe, because they shipped with recoil spring assemblies optimized for the .40 S&W guns. That paired with lightweight, low powered training ammo caused problems. Glock fixed that very quickly. Ejection issues have been an issue for the Gen 3 and Gen 4 guns of the same era.

I prefer the grip of the Gen 4 over the Gen 3, so of the two I'd pick the Gen 4. Of course the Gen 5 guns are now available, and they may be a better choice.

I think any Glock should be reliable and durable. Pick the Gen that has the features you prefer.

Gen 4. You get ambi safety capability with Gen 4 or Gen 5 magazines and dual recoil spring assembly plus back strap inserts to change grip profile. No back strap installed is equal to Gen 3 SF. Interesting alternative is recently released desert sand model with G19 slide on G17 frame (the other way around would make a great deal more sense). Unfortunately when it comes to filling government contracts little makes sense. The only sense buying Gen III is second hand with useable night sights for less than price of new one. It makes zero sense to buy new Gen III gun.

I'd worry more about the frame size than the Generation. G19 over G17 for me.

PabloJ said:

Gen 4. You get ambi safety capability with Gen 4 or Gen 5 magazines ...

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Just for clarity, I'm pretty sure you meant ambi-magazine release rather than ambi-safety.

Go with the Gen4 if you have smaller hands. I also like the grip texture on the Gen4 better then the Gen3.

I own 3 Gen 3 Glocks, two 17's and a 26.
I bought them when the Gen 4's were experiencing their initial teething pains with the BTF problems. I've fired thousands of round through each and they just fit me well.
My wife, not a novice shooter but very new to handguns shot so well with mine that she wanted a Glock of her own. We settled on a G 19 Gen 4 because of the backstrap interchangeability for her smaller hands and since all the issues have been worked out with the Gen 4's.

I've been told never to start someone out with a Glock handgun. I don't believe that, she shot very well right off of the bat.

I have small hands, and i can't tell what gen Glock I am firing (1-4) unless it has a light attached- then I know its not a 1. So I would say what you can get the best deal on.

Only Glock I've ever shot was a gen 4 17 and liked it just fine. Nothing spectacular but in the same realm as most strikers.

Check them both out and get which one feels the best.

I am mixed, I have 2 gen 3 and 1 gen 4

My gen 3’s have better triggers then My gen 4

I like then dove tail backstrap/grip on the gen 4 a whole lot

With the gen 4 I went to the thickest grip after I tested all of the grips and discovered that I shot best with the thickest grip

I would handle them all and only buy one that feels right and has a decent feeling trigger

Check out the Gen 5!
I have used Gen 2 and Gen 3 extensively and really like the new updates.

I prefer the grip texture and mag release on the Gen 4.

Gen 4 hands down. Interchangeable backstabs with and without beaver tails, better frame texture, larger mag release, and 3 mags. The Gen4s have been out for 8 years now, so obviously there are tons with high mileage.

I have medium size hands and the gen4 glock17 is my competition gun.
I must have close to 4,000 rounds both factory and reloads maybe 1 or 2 hecups with reloads other then that no problem.
You can run a gen3 trigger bar in the gen 4 gun.
My glock17 has a few upgrades it not my carry gun trigger breaks under 3 lbs.