Glock Gen 3 or 4?

Status
Not open for further replies.
T

TheCracker

Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2011
Messages
482
Location
East Texas
So I'm wanting do dive into the word of Glocks. I've never shot one much less owned one. I really want a G19 and plan to get one once all the craziness dies down.

I have studied and know the changed made to te Gen 4 but am a little Leary ad have heard some like the Gen 3 better.

I'm looking for opinions from the experts on here. Which one do you guys like better and why?
 
I have a couple of each. All of my future purchases will be Gen 4s unless I find a particularly good deal on a Gen 3, but have no plans whatsoever to get rid of my current Gen 3s.

The reason for me is that my paws are a little on the smaller side and the Gen 4s without a backstrap are just a bit easier to shoot well. I also prefer the larger button for the magazine release. Speaking in general terms, I don't dislike either.
 
glock 3or 4 gen

I use a 3rd gen glock she does a good job! I was a hard core beretta man, but once I put the glock through its paces it surprised me! shes lighter, she is a dead on shooting machine. The 4th gen has to much toys with it, the change out back strap, bad!!! if you really use your glock, you will drop it! kick it, stratch it up! A 4th gen wont take the beating!
 
I have shot a G-17 (3rd gen) for several years with no malfunctions. IRecently I saw two people at our local club with 4th gen G-19's and both were experiencing ejection malfunctions and very weak ejection. Personally I would stay away from gen4 guns until I see then functioning reliably.
 
greetings,
for me glock and its legendary reputation is associated with gen 3 models. they work! I will opt for 3rd gen all the time.
 
I've been worried about the reliability. Have heard that re g4 19's have extraction problems ESP in weaker ammo.
 
psyopspec said:
I have a couple of each. All of my future purchases will be Gen 4s unless I find a particularly good deal on a Gen 3, but have no plans whatsoever to get rid of my current Gen 3s.

The reason for me is that my paws are a little on the smaller side and the Gen 4s without a backstrap are just a bit easier to shoot well. I also prefer the larger button for the magazine release. Speaking in general terms, I don't dislike either.
Click to expand...

I have smaller hands and this is good to know!

Thanks!
 
I have a Gen3 26 and love it. I know there are plenty of Glock haters out there, but I don't think you can go wrong with a Gen3 or Gen4. They do their job.
 
I've been worried about the reliability. Have heard that re g4 19's have extraction problems ESP in weaker ammo.
Click to expand...
Sure they did when the Gen 4's first came out, but that is old news.

I'm not a Glock fan, but they are a quality gun company. They had an initial problems with the dual recoil spring with the G17/G19 when they first came out. It took a few try's but I'm pretty sure they've fixed them.

If the Gen 4 feels better in your hand, and you have a need for the larger mag release button, get it. I would be confident both generations of current manufacture Glock's will be equally reliable.
 
My EDC is a Gen4 G19.
My favorite range/comp/training gun is a Gen3 G17.

Both are good to go, but if I had to sell one itd be the 17. I would then replace it with a Gen4 17 or 34. I really prefer the Gen4 and itll be Gen4 from here on out, but nothing wrong with the 3s.
 
The Gen4 17s and 19s at rollout had real problems. By a wide margin, the new RSAs and ejectors have fixed things.
 
I just bought a Gen4 17 and am absolutely in love with the no-backstrap grip and the new grip texture. My Gen3 35 is about to go up for sale and be replaced with a Gen4 35.
 
If you can, go Gen 2. No ugly finger grooves that may, or may not, fit your hand. Call Glock & if it hasn't had the recall, send it. Free rebuild. Plus two new free mags and new sights (at least for mine.)

No kabooms.
 
Last edited:
I bought my first Glock (Gen3 G19) a short while after Gen4 hit shelves. I was concerned that Gen4 might have issues, and knew Gen3 was solid. I'm glad I chose Gen3, if only because I don't care for the backstraps or larger mag release.

The Gen3 G19 is still my only Glock, and I'm really hoping they continue to produce Gen3s so I have time to pick up a NIB Gen3 G23, G30, and G34. Problem is I'm planning to start law school in Fall 2014, so it'll be a few years before I can afford all three of those, and I don't see Gen3 Glocks still being produced in four years.
 
gen 3 G26 for me. Glock designed the duel spring for that gun right the first time. Have had others, but the 26 is more accurate and reliable. Maybe I just got lucky?
 
This is almost always gonna be a user preference when it comes to Gen 3 vs 4.

I have a Gen3 G19 while a buddy has the Gen4. I've shot both and still love my Gen3, while he loves his brand new Gen4. Some Gen4's are known to have ejection quirks/issues that Gen3's don't have.

Also the Gen4's grip seem to have more rougher stippling from my observation, which is why I like my Gen3 better.
 
No question for me. Gen 4.

I've had several from each, and both have been reliable. Gen 4 has some small improvements. Also an extra mag for non LE.

For instance, on a 40, the gen 4 has noticeably less recoil imo. Probably because of the recoil spring. All of mine have had at least 1000 rounds through them and are my most trusted pistols ahead of the sigs, beretta, and czs I own.

I have sold all my gen 3s and won't buy another since there are enough small improvements imo to stay with gen 4. Grips, texture, mags, recoil, etc. I think they got a bad rep early on, but like I said, mine have been most trust worthy.
 
FWIW, here is my opinion.....
I own 14 Glocks. Of that 12 are gen 3's. One is a gen 2 and the other is a gen4 G17. I cannot get the gen4 G17 to shoot as accurately as my G17 gen 3's. I have tried several different loads. My wife has the same inaccurate issues out of it. We each can shoot any of my gen3's and get an accurate group, then shoot the gen4 for an inaccurate group. I can say recoil does seem somewhat softer out of my gen4. However, forget the recoil I want an accurate pistol. I do plan on keeping the gen4. I will use it for an experimental pistol to see just how much abuse it can take. I have to admit I bought it using my GSSF coupon to get the 3 magazines. I figure after what the mags are worth I got the pistol for around $300. Give me a gen3 anyday.
 
Anyone else shot both and notice a reduced perceived recoil?
Click to expand...

In my case, it's hard to say. The Gen 4s are competition size, and my Gen 3s are compact/subcompact. All are tame in 9mm, so it could just be something I've never noticed, and given the different frame sizes it would be tough to decide which had the least amount of recoil based on the new recoil spring isolated from the different frame sizes.
 
I have a gen 4 g27, which I carry everywhere, and a gen 3 g22, which I shoot often. I see no reason to upgrade my g22, but if I were buying it today, I would definitely get a gen 4. The grip texture and the larger mag release sold me, and the extra magazine is a nice bonus
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

S
  • Locked
why do i shoot better with a gen 4 glock??
Replies
6
Views
572
JDGray
J
A
  • Locked
Switching Glock Gen 4 Frame to Gen 3 Slide/Barrel?
Replies
1
Views
602
Prince Yamato
P
J
  • Locked
glock 23 gen 3 vs gen 4
Replies
9
Views
7K
Flfiremedic
F
P
  • Locked
Glock Gen 3 or Gen 4?
2
Replies
28
Views
2K
Flfiremedic
F
WayBeau
  • Locked
Gen 4 vs. Gen 3
Replies
17
Views
756
Damon555
Damon555
Back
Top