Glock 19 Gen. 3 or 4?

I can't believe that I am posting this (I am usually a fan of blued-steel-and-wood firearms ), but I shot a Glock 19 recently. It shot really well. I was thinking about buying an HK, but I've decided to add a Glock to my meager collection instead.

After reading on the Interwebs (I probably shouldn't have done that), I saw that apparently Glock had some issues with the early Gen. 4s. I'm curious about whether those have been solved, or if it would be better to stick with the Gen. 3s. There's a used Gen. 3 sitting at my LGS. Any thoughts?

 

Whichever one feels better to you.

I prefer the Gen 4 guns since they are more small hand friendly than the Gen 3 guns. The Gen 4 also gives you a larger mag release button.

The big Gen 4 advantage is with the .40 S&W models, which were a problem with pre-Gen 4 models. The early Gen 4, 9mm problems were associated with the recoil spring calibrated for the .40 S&W. Glock fixed that long ago. There were some ejection/extraction issues, but those were both with Gen 3 and Gen 4 guns of the same era. I believe that is mostly fixed also.

 

I have stuck with 3rd gen myself, but then again 2 of my 3 vehicles are carbureted, and I still have my Sega Genesis.

 

I am a wheelgun guy that converted to semi-autos some years ago. I have owned serval Glock pistols in that time period including the Gen 3 and Gen 4 Glock 19. I liked my Gen 3 but it just didn't fit my hand quite right. When the Gen 4 came out I waited a few years before picking one up so they could work the bugs out (and they did). The Gen 4 fits my hand like a glove. I also like the fact that it has a tad less recoil due to the new spring system. Larger magazine button is a plus as well. I liked the slide finish better on the Gen 3 as well as the trigger out of the box. Both seem to be similarly accurate. The price will be a bit lower on the Gen 3 guns because they have been around longer. A nice bonus with the Gen 4 models is that they come with 3 magazines instead of 2. I fixed the trigger on my Gen 4 by installing a Generation 1 black oxide coated 5 pound connector. It was a pull off from a different gun and made a world of difference in how crisp the trigger breaks. FWIW, my Gen 4 has never had a failure of any kind. Feed it good stuff and use factory magazines. It will never let you down.

 

The Wife likes her Gen3 G19 and I like my Gen4 G19. However, they both have been 100% flawless and both shoot well.

To the OP, which one fits your hand better?

Edmo

 

Gen 4, by a mile.

It’s well worth the price of admission just for the grip texture.

Way way better than the gen 3. Did I say way better?

 

hence why a gen3 is cheaper by the price of a magazine. I prefer gen3 as you can have a far better trigger in them. (Both custom and home grown)

 

From what I read BTF is still a problem with some pistols . It effects both Gen3 & 4 9mm's , but you hear about it the most with the 19 . Some times it doesn't start until about the 1000 rd. mark . This is as recent as 12/16 . It looks like the pistol that are sent back to Glock come back with the same problem . The fix is a Apex Extractor and non LCI Glock spring loaded bearing , cost $70 plus shipping . So that is the chance you take with the 9mm Glock , some work fine others you have to fix yourself at $70 plus shipping . I wouldn't take the chance with so many other good pistols out there .

 

I would look for used early Gen 3s built no later than December 2006 (prefix KNN). The serial number prefix "HUG" (December 2005) is my personal cutoff date cuz it's easier to remember. No MIM parts, no BTF issues.

Or look for Gen 2s.

I still find plenty of the earlier date models out there in the used market in most calibers.

Good luck

M

 

My G30S sports a Gen3 grip and I found that it needed ... something. So I added a piece of bicycle inner tube which, mostly, solved the issue.

When I first gripped my new G19Gen4 I realized that, for me, the new grip treatment is quite close to ... perfection. (sorry'bout that)

I have found both pistols to be very accurate & comfortable.

I do, however, wish that the G30S grip were a Gen4.

 

I have 3 Gen 4's, a Gen 3 and a much loved Gen 2 and they all work.

The problems that they had with the Gen 4's were fixed shortly after they came out. It's a done deal and old news. It also affected a minuscule amount of the ones from back then.

Buy whichever one you like, it won't matter. I like the grip texture better on the Gen 4's, but that's just a personal preference. Some happen to like the Gen 3's better.

 

I never liked the feel of the Gen 3 and earlier Glocks. The frames were too "blocky" feeling. That all changed with the Gen 4. The frame is shorter and you get the option of adding backstraps in medium size (same size as Gen3 grip) and large. I shoot the gun without any backstraps and it is MUCH better. You also get 3 mags with the Gen 4s and you get a dual recoil spring in the 19 and larger models.

I have three Gen4 Glocks and every one of them runs with boring reliability. They just shoot and shoot and shoot and shoot. Get the 4!

 

I have to admit that I like the idea of different backstraps. I'll have to compare the grip textures, too.

 

All right, I'll bite: I know a lot of firearms acronyms, but what is BTF?

 

BTF = Brass to Face

I would go with the Gen 4, and did. I like the feel of them better and haven't had any issues with mine. You also get an additional mag with the Gen 4.

 

Is that still happening? I saw that in one of the video reviews online on the Gen. 4 (at least I'm pretty sure it was). And was the extractor problem just a 19 thing? I might consider a 17.

The odds of me finding a Gen. 2 aren't that great, I imagine.

 

Oddly, that is why I like the Gen 3. Dont care for the gen 4 grip texture, too aggressive.Thus, all my Glocks are gen 3. Those changeable back straps on the Gen 4 are nice!

Russellc

 

I just read a thread on GT about it still happening . This was a 12/16 thread and the OP sent his pistol back to Glock ( they wanted him to pay shipping , he got them to send him a shipping label after talking to a different person ) it came back like most do not fixed . This was a 19 , don't remember if it was a Gen3 or 4 . What I don't like about this ( I am not a Glock hater , I have a Gen 3 G23 ) , is they will not admit too a problem and they can't seem to fix them or it . When Glock came out they changed the firearms world . They had a new firearm that was ahead of the times and it earned it's name , Glock Perfection . That was then , this is now and they have not kept up with what the consumer's wants and their quality has gone down . They were behind S&W with the removable grip panels . They were way behind the demand for the single stack pistols . They are behind with their triggers , Walther's PPQ is ahead of the game with their triggers and CZ is getting into the market with a new striker fired pistol that is suppose to have a better trigger than a PPQ and can fit in a G19 holster . Glock is not what it use to be and they are now behind the times IMO .

 

All current production Glocks use the new MIM extractor. This is what is driving some people batty with inconsistent brass trajectory.

Gen 4:
backstraps and gritty texture.
dual recoil spring... supposed to last twice as long... and it costs more than 3x as much to replace and takes up more room in your gun bag.
Different mag release button that can be swapped for left hand.

Gen3
no backstraps.
Single recoil spring.... lasts at least 5k rds for G19, IME. I keep replacements and change it at ~5k.... just because it only costs 5 or 6 bucks.

My favorite are the older/used Gen 3 with the slick finish. I would certainly not turn my nose up to a Gen 4, but I don't go out of my way to collect them. When I stumble on a slick Gen3 that I don't have, my wallet tends to get lighter.

 

I have a Gen4 17 and 19. No issues with BTF or other failures (other than a squib). I prefer Gen4 models because I'm a lefty, no other reason.