Gen 4 vs. Gen 3

[WayBeau]

Besides the interchangeable backstraps, what makes the Glock Gen 4s better than the Gen 3s, if in your opinion they are better? I was at my LGS today and the guy behind the counter put a Gen 4 and Gen 3 side-by-side. With the slide locked back there is a noticeable difference in the guide rod, the Gen 3 appearing to have a one piece rod while the Gen 4 seems to have a two piece. Another customer who was standing near by said something about seeing a video where when played in slow motion, you could actually see the Gen 4 'flex' when fired. He didn't really go into great detail, but he seemed to be saying that you could see the slide almost twisting.

So I'm curious if there's anyone who has had experiences that could shed some light on the differences between the two (Gen 4 & Gen 3). The Gen 3 is comfortable in my hand so I'm not really sure that I need the extra backstraps, but they might be nice to have for 'fitting' it for my wife or kids (when they're old enough).

 

[gc70]

Polymer frames flex. Heck, even steel rifle barrels flex. Don't worry about that.

Beyond the backstraps, the big change in the Gen4 is the recoil spring assembly. If I remember correctly, the new recoil spring assembly was designed to improve functionality in the .40 caliber models. Some people initially reported problems with the new recoil spring assembly in the 9mm models and Glock modified the assembly.

 

[guyfromohio]

I find the Gen 4 stays on target much more easily.

 

[LawScholar]

I think they feel better in hand and have better-feeling recoil. That's enough of a difference to sway me. I used to find them too slippery.

 

[guyfromohio]

Some people rail on them for being unreliable. I have one of the early models with the original gen4 spring and have never had a single failure (except when my lefty friend tried to shoot righty and sliced up his hand). They advertising touts that it's reliable in sand, mud, and even water. Also works well full of flesh, muscle tissue and even some nail fragments.

 

[ku4hx]

I have one Gen4 19. I also have two Gen2s and five Gen3s. One of my Gen3s is a 19 which my daughter has.

The Gen4 19 has different checkering, the ubiquitous changeable backstraps and a dual spring RSA as seen in the Gen3 model 26 and 27. My Gen4 19 is on the third iteration of the RSA: the latest one Glock is offering in a prepaid and free swap.

As far as functioning, the Gen4 has been flawless through just over 2,000 rounds and it feels no different than I remember the Gen 3 19 feeling or for that matter the Gen2 17 I shot just today. The changes to the 19 from Gen3 to Gen4 are "evolutionary" and not "revolutionary" to me.

As far as flexing ... yes they do. So do barrels of rifles, all tall building and most everything else in existence to one degree or another. If not on a macro scale, certainly on a micro scale.

 

[Redlg155]

Want to see flex? Watch an arrow fired from a bow in slow motion.

I have close to 500 rounds through my G34 with zero malfunctions. Ammo ranged from S&B, USA, Nato Spec, Corbon and other manufacturers.

I like the larger mag release and slide release/lock. I use mine without any added grip adaptors. The trigger face is rounded as well, but that could be a mod unique to the G34.

 

[grayhambone]

all in all

all in all the gen 4 in general has better egronomics. besides the back straps. i beleive the two best updates are 1. the grip texture. why? because it's just better "polymids" with enhanced gripping capability. now the second is a little less noticible just looking at the firearm. i really love the mag release. this mag release is better. bigger is better? yes in this instance it is. it honestly feels like the spring is tighter too. i love then gen 4.

 

[daytodaze]

Different backstraps, different grip texture, the mag release is reversible, enhanced recoil spring assembly, and the gen 4 models come with an extra mag.

In my opinion, unless I find a great deal on a used gen 3, all future glocks will be gen 4

 

[REAPER4206969]

what makes the Glock Gen 4s better than the Gen 3s

Nothing.

 

[WayBeau]

Thanks for the replies. I'm currently looking at getting a .40 and the G22 is at the top of the list. I was just curious if it was worth the extra $ to get a Gen 4 or if I should put the extra $ into an extra mag or holster.

Any other opinions?

 

[grayhambone]

there shouldnt be much of a difference in cost....maybe $50 at the most...remember an extra mag....and i know it sounds stupid but the backstraps too... so think $50 for more parts

 

[Inebriated]

Gen 4 won for me just because it has the SF-sized frame without the back straps, the extra magazine, and a larger magazine release (more comfortable to reach). I also found that head-to-head with a Gen 3 21, my Gen 4 21 is a bit softer in recoil. So there's a plus.

And because I got it for $5 more than the Gen 3 (though to be honest, I think the lady who rang up the thing may have thought it was a Gen 3 lol). Made my decision much much easier.

 

[daytodaze]

Glock mags are about $25 if you buy them new, so the price gap is pretty small. I think you should go for the gen 4, unless you find yourself offended by the grip texture

 

[WayBeau]

I think you should go for the gen 4, unless you find yourself offended by the grip texture

I actually liked the grip texture on the Gen 4 better. I liked the feeling that the gun was 'gripping' back.

 

[jackpinesavages]

The new RSAs in the Gen 4, interchangeable back straps. Other than that, I have no clue. Same trigger I believe.

 

[LJ-MosinFreak-Buck]

Well I've been looking (could never afford one) at Glocks for a while, and some of my experience with the Gen 3 vs. Gen 4, is that the Gen 4 feels better. I like their new polymid grip, the idea of a two-piece RSA and the mag release. Now sometime last month a buddy of mine sold me his Gen 4 G22 reeeaall cheap, an offer I couldn't refuse. And now I'm a happy Glock owner. I haven't had any issues with mine whatsoever. Granted, I only put 200 rounds through total.

 

[Damon555]

I have a Gen 4 G19 and a Gen 3 G26. The 19 fits my hand better with no back strap installed. That, the grip texture, the 2 piece recoil spring assembly and reversible mag release are the only differences.

I have noticed one thing....My Gen 3 G26 (and previously owned Gen 3 G17) will go much longer than the Gen 4 G19 in between cleanings before it starts to malfunction. I can go over 1000 rounds without cleaning my G26 but the G19 needs to be cleaned and lubed much more frequently. Of course this won't be a problem if you clean your guns every time you shoot them. I just tested the cleaning frequency required to see how the guns would react.