Gen4 GLOCKS and Knuckle Pain

[greenlion]

If you don't choose the correct backstrap to fit your hand size in the Gen4 GLOCKS, you could be causing yourself more recoil discomfort than is necessary.



Note how the flat bone of my middle finger is perfectly in line with the flat portion of the bottom of the trigger guard on this older G19. The knuckle is out to the side of the trigger guard.



Compare that image to this shot of a friend's newer Gen4 GLOCK 23 without a backstrap addition. You can see how the smaller circumference of the frame lets the large knuckle of my middle finger drift just far enough under the trigger guard to be hit upon recoil. I shoot .40 cal a lot, but 50 rounds of .40S&W wore that knuckle out. It might not be as noticeable in 9mm, but none of us have a GEN4 9mm to test yet.

Adding the Medium backstrap to the Gen4 GLOCK moves my knuckle back out from under the triggerguard, and feels as comfortable as the GLOCKS I've been shooting for years.

For folks with even longer fingers, the large backstrap might be needed to keep that knuckle out from under the trigger guard.

 

[greenlion]

Here is a shot of the Gen4 GLOCK with the medium backstrap installed. It places my finger very close to the older Gen3 size.



and with the Large Backstrap installed. It moves my knuckle even further out from under the trigger guard. This one is a little too large for me.

 

[Fotno]

I have the same problem with my Gen4 26. With no backstrap installed, my knuckle starts feeling the pain within a box or two of ammo. With the medium backstrap installed I can shoot till my wallet gives out.

 

[stringer87]

ok so put the backstrap in. whats the problem again?

 

[Fotno]

What I gathered from the OP, is that he was trying to inform and encourage new Gen4 owners to try each of the backstraps until they find the one that fits them best.

 

[Der Stro]

I've been shooting without the backstrap just because I feel like it "fits" my hand a little better, but have been having the same sore knuckle issue as you. I'll have to run a magazine through the gun with each backstrap installed just to see which one is the most comfortable. I just kind of wrote the pain off as recoil or whatever but you reminded me I had a bag full of baksktraps sitting around somewhere.

 

[Inebriated]

Interestingly, I FEEL the "pain" when I hold it, but shooting doesn't make it any worse... I can just tell it's a little uncomfortable. You could always Dremel out that little bit, to give it a better fit. Won't look as good, but Glocks aren't really known for looking good in the first place.

 

[greenlion]

Yes, this thread was meant to be primarily informative. That is why I didn't include any questions in my post.

For comparison, the G21sf pictured here positions my finger at almost the exact spot the G23 with the large backstrap does. I can shoot the G21 fine, but the frame is still just big enough that it feels more like I am "holding on" to the gun instead of having it "in my grip" like the smaller 9mm/40 frames feel. I does keep that knuckle way out from under the trigger guard though.

View attachment 160496

 

[wheelyfun66]

Thanks for sharing!

I must be lucky....never felt any knuckle pain...shooting any gun?!

 

[Hamburger]

That knuckle pain is a Glock trait. All generations of Glock cause that.

 

[TrailWolf]

I dremelled down and shaped the right side of the trigger guard a bit and that fixed the problem on my Gen 4 G26 entirely. Best 5 minute modification ever!!!

I went for the G17 over the G19 as the finger spacing is a bit wider and doesnt hurt my knuckle.

Here are some pics:

Unmodified side:



Modified side:



.

 

[GLOOB]

The G19/23 (3rd or 4th gen, doesn't matter) is the only* Glock frame that rubs my knuckle, there. Or rubbed, past tense, anyway. I was sorely tempted to dremel the triggerguard when I first got my gen3, but the irritation just went away after a couple sessions for some reason. I now have no issue with the Gen4, either, even with no backstrap. I guess I'm lucky.

*Well, I haven't tried the G30/29 or the G36 frames, yet. I've put plenty of rounds downrange with the other 3 frames.