Question for you Glockers out there

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Nordeste

Nordeste

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It's been a while since I've been wanting to purchase a G19 and now I have a very nice used Gen 3 unit at hand... and I think I'm gonna buy it. It fits my hand perfectly so I can live without the new interchangeable backstraps of the Gen 4. It's the new recoil spring that makes me hesitate and think if I should get the Gen 3 or wait for a used Gen 4 unit to show up.

So here comes the question... Is the Gen 4 worth it?. Any of you has test fired the two of them (Gen 3 and Gen 4) and noticed if the new recoil spring actually works or is it more of a placebo effect than an actual reduction in muzzle flip?.

Besides, there are aftermarket recoil springs that claim to do the same than the new OEM one in the Gen 4 19. Which one would you recommend that does the job?.

Thanks in advance ;).
 
I read of more problems with the new Gen 4 recoil spring design then all the previous Generation's put together.

Buy it.

rc
 
Sorry, I can not fully answer your question as I've only fired a gen3 G19. However, I shot very well with it and didn't think recoil was bad at all. The G19 was a very popular model even before gen4s showed up. I don't think you can go wrong with the gen3.
 
You can read hundreds of Internet forum posts and view dozens of YouTube videos on both sides of this, each both right and wrong depending on your perspective.

You can't go far wrong with a Gen3 or Gen4. If you like the Gen3, buy it, and wear it out, if you can!
 
The problems with the Gen 4 Glocks are in the past.

Personally, I like the Gen 4 Glocks better than the Gen 3 Glocks. Like most people, I like the small grip the best so I don't care about the backstraps.

But, you can put a few mods on your Gen 3 that will make it about as good as a Gen 4. Namely, a new mag release button.
 
Perhaps I should have pointed out that this -used- G19 comes with the 2 kg (which I think is 4.5 lbs) connector and extended mag release. I should only add some night sights (which I would) and the heavier recoil spring&rod in case I get positive feedback on how those work, otherwise I wouldn't bother. I'd be pleased to hear if they actually work ;).

Those of you who prefer the Gen 4... why?. Is the grip's new checkering that important or is it due to any other reason?.
 
For me it was the swappable backstraps and the ability to switch the mag release to lefty. At the time I purchased I was not sure which way I'd want to go.

Presently I'm shooting with the mag release set to righty even though I shoot lefty, and I'm using the zero (SF) backstrap. It fits me better than a normal size Gen 3, but I like being able to change it if I wish. The Gen4 checkering if actually very good, but it was not a factor in my choice.
 
Nordeste said:
Perhaps I should have pointed out that this -used- G19 comes with the 2 kg (which I think is 4.5 lbs) connector and extended mag release. I should only add some night sights (which I would) and the heavier recoil spring&rod in case I get positive feedback on how those work, otherwise I wouldn't bother. I'd be pleased to hear if they actually work ;).

Those of you who prefer the Gen 4... why?. Is the grip's new checkering that important or is it due to any other reason?.
Click to expand...
I like the grip on the Gen 4. I think it is the best of all the Glocks. My hand is perfect for a Glock. Even the finger grooves fit my hand perfectly.
 
I would get a Gen 2 or Gen 3 Glock 19.

The Gen 4 recoil spring assembly was designed to correct functioning problems with Glocks chambered in .40 S&W. When weapon mounted lights were mounted, the dust cover flexed more than normal under the .40 S&W's snappy recoil, the dust cover contacted the slide and slowed down the slide, causing malfunctions. In the 9mm chambered Glocks, the Gen 4 Recoil Spring Assembly can cause malfunctions due to too heavy recoil springs. Supposedly these problems have been addressed and fixed through a voluntary recoil spring assembly exchange for guns made before July 2011. All later Gen 4 guns should have updated Recoil Spring Assembly.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr
 
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Which one's "better?" Up to you. Which one is cheaper and more reliable? Easy.

I honestly feel like even the latest Gen4 G19 spring is slightly too stiff for maximum reliablilty with regular ammo. It's noticeably easier to induce a limpwrist malfunction. And it's noticeably harder to rack. And while the recoil feels different, I wouldn't say it's a definite improvement. I shoot both versions, regularly.

For a 23, I'd go with the gen4. But that's a different fish.
 
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I have both and they are functionally the same to me. Cosmetically, they differ but when it comes to shooting there is no difference. The business of poor ejection associated with the Gen4 guns never materialized for mine. That's after nearly 5,000 rounds through it.

Some prefer the Gen4s because you get three magazines. Since I always buy several OEM magazines for all my semi automatics that was a minor selling point.
 
Right, so it's quite clear now. Thank you very much for your answers. I'll get the Gen 3 and won't look back. The unit in question belongs to a shooting club buddy who used it for home protection, basically. He seldom carried it and she's in excellent shape, looks like new, so I'll call this guy soon :p.
 
I have both a Gen3 & Gen4 17 and have to notice any difference in recoil regardless of ammo used, including 9mm NATO. As was said above, the RSA problems are behind them. While my Gen4 never experienced any issues, at the last GSSF we went to last year, I had the armorer upgrade it to the latest RSA and ejector. I'd like to get a "dot" connector for it to make the trigger feel like my Gen3.

There's no need with that Gen3 to use an aftermarket heavier recoil spring. Glocks work best with the stock spring. It was a heavier RSA that caused the Gen4 problems.
 
I'll follow your advice HexHead ;). I did a bit of research and the common perception is that there is little difference in muzzle flip with these aftermarket springs.

The trigger on the 19 I'll be buying had the "-" connector (which is 4.5 lbs in your units, if I'm not mistaken) and the trigger felt very nice. Do the Gen 4 have a different -and worse, for what you say- trigger?.
 
I have a Gen4 19 and a Gen3 17.

Then 19 is my carry gun. That should sum up my feelings, but to go into detail it has about 3k through it with no malfs, BTF etc.

17 is my range/comp gun. I DID have BTF, but it was maybe 1 per 100 rds. Since switching to Gen4 ejector, no probs.

Very happy with both. That said, all future Glock purchases will be Gen 4. Bigger mag release and texture being main issues. I use "M" backstrap, so frame size is non-issue as is dual RSA. But man, those 2 features I do like, OH! and Gen4=3 mags vs. Gen3=2. Nothing wrong with Gen3. They still work as should. Either way, buy with confidence.
 
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I have a Gen 2 19, a Gen 3 17, and a Gen 4 19.

The only one that ever had any problems was the Gen 4 19 -- the recoil spring assembly somehow leaped through the witness hole in the slide while my wife was using it at a training course one day. Glock sent a replacement recoil spring assembly and all is well. Reliable ever since.

The stock is a shade thinner on the Gen 4, but if you already know that the Gen 3 fits your hand just fine, I really don't see any reason to wait.
 
I was lurking Glock talk forum and there are many bad stories about gen.4. As a matter of fact, the members still recommend gen. 3 Glocks
 
i've shot and own both
i prefer the 4th gen just for grip texture.
all the problems have been fixed with fte
the 19 gen 4's are just fine....actually they still work better than most any other polymer pistol out there.
It's a glock
 
MagnunJoe said:
I was lurking Glock talk forum and there are many bad stories about gen.4. As a matter of fact, the members still recommend gen. 3 Glocks
Click to expand...
I'm a member of GT and I've read pretty much all the horror stories, many of which are very old and are simply perpetuated. There are many favorable stories too, they just tend to be overshadowed by the other variety.

Keep in mind, GT is a concentration of Glock owners. Given that high ownership concentration, it's natural for there to be a high concentration of Glock stories ... good as well as bad. And generally people want to vent, bad news travels fast and all that.
 
My early S/N Gen4 G22 was jamming, stove-piping, and it was launching brass into my forehead. It needed to have the ejector replaced with the Gen4 upgrade version. The dual recoil spring did not need to be replaced. Shoots great now. The later S/N Gen4 Glocks have these upgrades are run great. If you are thinking about buying a used Gen4 check the S/N with Glock Technical Customer Service at 770-432-1202 to find out if it needs the upgraded ejector and / or the upgraded dual recoil spring. Glock will only send replacement parts to one of their certified armorers.
 
I prefer the texture of the Gen 4 to the Gen 3. I have a 34 for competition and a 26 for carry, both in Gen 4.

The oversized mag release is really nice. Note, it's not extended it's 100% larger.

The RSA will last longer than previous springs.

You may have to wait a long time for the Gen 4 19 to come around used. I waited to buy my 26 until I could get one in the 4th Gen.

The Gen 4's come with 3 mags too.
 
I am the same as Luke regarding the feel of the 4gen, except I use my 4gen g34 for carry.

my 3gen G19 shoots well, I just like the feel of the 4gen.

(Someday I will send them to Bar-Sto for a frame treatment, which'll remove any difference in grip stippling. )

Honestly, 6 of one, half dozen of the other. Both gens will go bang when you pull the trigger, and both will hit what you're pointing it at! :)
 
Have both Gen 3 and Gen 4 models of the G19. Shoot 'em both, like 'em both. I think the trigger on the Gen 3 is slightly better than on the Gen 4, at least mine is.

Get which ever one fits you best.
 
I picked up this one yesterday, its a gen3.5 g19, with the rough textured grip on a gen 3 frame, about as good as it gets, imo.
 

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