Glock Gen 4 9mms: Problems Solved!

[Torgy]

Like many of you I'm sure, I was surprised to learn about the Gen 4 9mm issues. That's why I waited it out for a couple years before buying another Glock 9mm. I've owned a G34 since 1999 and it's been flawless -- I can recall one malfunction and that was a failure to eject using cheap/weak ammo.

Last week I purchased a 19 with a test fire date of 7/31/12. Red label box with serial number TNVXXX. It has the new ejector and the 043 spring. I ran 150 rounds of ammo through it this morning at the range -- American Eagle 124, Blazers 147, UMC 115, and Federal HST 147 (my defense round). Not only were there no malfunctions, but the brass was tossed out uniformly and consistently to the right. Absolutely flawless. Moreover, the new 043 spring is pretty amazing in terms of the reduced recoil. This 19 feels as smooth and balanced as any gun I've shot.

You have no idea how happy and relieved I am -- not just for my own sake but for the sake of everyone who's come to rely on Glock, both law enforcement and citizens alike.

 

[AOK]

Great to hear about your positive experience. I picked up a Gen 4 Glock 19 on Monday and get to take it out for the first time Wednesday. Similar to you I have been waiting for the bugs to be worked out. Hopefully I will have the same results as you.

 

[WinThePennant]

G19 is one of the all time great pistols. Love my G19.

 

[RBid]

I am not surprised that the Gen 4 had early trouble. Recoil springs are akin to a car's transmission. Changing that resets the track record to 'zero'.

I am glad that they were able to sort this out, though.

 

[Water-Man]

Recoil springs are not the only problem Glocks have.

 

[RBid]

Water-Man, please elaborate.

I'm not challenging your opinion, just curious about your view. Personally, I hate Glock sights. I dislike the grip angle. I don't like the ergonomics. I think there are many slightly-to-dramatically superior triggers available. I think they're ugly (minor quibble-- form < function). In short, I see no reason to buy one, given equally reliable options, and which I view as better in these other ways.

 

[ColdDayInHell]

Water-man, if you're referring to the ejector problems with the compact Gen4 models, Glock will happily fix any issue you have. I got my Gen4 G19 a month ago and it has been a pleasure to shoot. It's reliable, fun to shoot, and dead on accurate. Now I know why people say if you're only going to own one gun, get the G19. It's a do all gun!

 

[Water-Man]

RBid,

Extractor and ejector problems. Actually, Glock has had ejection problems going back to 2005.

I don't shoot Glocks anymore but I heard a company called Lone Wolf has a fix for those problems.

 

[Fotno]

Not saying there haven't been problems with some Gen4 guns, but the two I have run like sewing machines. The only bobble I had was a few erratic ejections in the first 200 rounds with my G26. Somewhere around the fourth box of ammo it smoothed right out. Very consistent since.

 

[dbp]

Fotno -- I had been considering a 3" 1911, but after a good deal of research, I have decided against that. I know a couple of guys that are, admittedly, Glock fanboys and they have been urging me to try the G26. Going to the range today to rent and shoot one. They only have the Gen 3 however. I am assuming that if I like the Gen 3 I should love the Gen 4. In your opinion, is that an accurate statement?

 

[45_auto]

I've got a couple of each. You won't be able to tell the difference between them.

 

[dbp]

Just curious then about why come out with Gen 4 if you can't tell the difference between the two? Were there no positive changes made?

 

[Inebriated]

Just curious then about why come out with Gen 4 if you can't tell the difference between the two? Were there no positive changes made?

There were plenty of changes made. Mag release is larger on the Gen 4. The grip texture is much more aggressive on the Gen 4. They switched to a double recoil spring on the compact and full-sized Gen 4's (sub-compacts always had that). They added a back strap system on the Gen 4, which shaved 2mm off the back of the gun, so the user could pick between a slightly more traditional grip angle, or a more Glock-like grip angle (the +2 strap makes it just like a Gen 3). They also give you an extra mag with the Gen 4. In my opinion, there's no reason to ever get another Gen 3.

I don't shoot Glocks anymore but I heard a company called Lone Wolf has a fix for those problems.

...so does Glock.

 

[GlockFan]

Got a G19 Gen4 last fall. I have girly hands and what sold it for me was the larger mag release and smaller grip. I have not had any issues with it from the few hundred rounds i put through.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Just curious then about why come out with Gen 4 if you can't tell the difference between the two? Were there no positive changes made?

Most of the improvements were designed to address issues with the .40 G22...they seem to work as you don't hear many complaints about the new G22 after initial teething problems.

The current problems have to do with the G17/19. I have a couple of shooting partners who just bought Gen3 G19s to avoid the Gen4 issues. One has only had 300 rounds through his gun and it seems to be running pretty well, the other was running well until he got over 1100 rounds.

The second G19 has been back to the factory and still had the same issue when returned, it is on it's way back for a second try to fix it.

 

[45+9]

I got a Gen 4 G17 in Sept. of 2011. The first 1000 rounds were miserable, probably never got a full magazine without a FTE. About a month after I got it, Glock announced the new ejector. They paid shipping both ways to get it back to the factory and change the ejector. Close to 5k through it since, not a single problem. I did put on Dawson Precision sights and had a local smith work the trigger, it is now a very nice and reliable shooter.

 

[farscott]

That was very similar to my experience with a pair of 3rd Generation G19s made in September and October of 2011. Both did very well until the round count went over 1,000 rounds. Then I started to see failures to extract and some stovepipe stoppages with softer ammo (115-grain WWB). Two trips back to Glock were unable to solve the issues for more than 500 rounds. Finally Glock scrapped/replaced those guns after the 124-grain +P load I use started exhibiting erratic performance. Ammo from the same lots were run in my 2nd Generation G17s with no issues.

The replacement guns were traded to my dealer without being fired for an HK P30 for my wife. I, on the other hand, went the other way and picked up a Colt Double Eagle Officer's ACP to fill in for the Glock 19's place. So far, so good.

One has only had 300 rounds through his gun and it seems to be running pretty well, the other was running well until he got over 1100 rounds.

The second G19 has been back to the factory and still had the same issue when returned, it is on it's way back for a second try to fix it.

 

[Bozwell]

I've got a Gen 3 G34 that spits brass all over me. At best, it just lands at my feet, and at worst, it smacks me in the face, and then lands at my feet. I figure it's worth trying the LW extractor and I'm also going to replace the ejector with the newer one (pulled from a Gen. 4 ejector housing). If that doesn't work, I figure I can send it in to Glock, but it's cheaper to try a few replacement parts than to pay for shipping/do without it for a few weeks. Otherwise, the gun has functioned fine, but this is a really annoying problem.

 

[StrikeFire83]

In my opinion, there's no reason to ever get another Gen 3.

Hmmm, well, I made that decision when I bought my Glock 26 a little over a year ago. I can think of a few reason to buy Gen3 over Gen4.

1. I don't care about interchangeable backstraps. The standard Glock "grip angle" is just fine with me.

2. I don't care for the "aggressive" checkering. In over 15,000 rounds fired between 2 Gen3 Glocks I've never had the pistol fly out of my hand.

3. Superior European "Tennifer" treatment. The glossy Gen3 Tennifer melonite finish is just better, in my opinion, than what I've seen on the Gen4 Glocks.

4. Over 15,000 rounds with no problems, and I've done nothing but clean them.

 

[riceboy72]

I got a new-to-me Gen 4 G19 two months ago with a serial number that starts with PUK. On the 29th round of using factory FMJ ammo, the pistol failed to cycle and locked up pretty tight. After getting everything apart, it appears as if the takedown lever and mechanism 'blew out' of the pistol, much to the surprise of the range staff and especially myself. This did not have the current guide rod, either.

A quick trip to Glock and they replaced both the ejector and the guide rod. So far, so good. Does the Gen 4 trump the Gen 3 overall? I like the more aggressive grip texture, but otherwise, I see nothing of true significance that makes me ooh and aah over one generation to the other.

 

[xnmw]

Hmmm, well, I made that decision when I bought my Glock 26 a little over a year ago. I can think of a few reason to buy Gen3 over Gen4.

1. I don't care about interchangeable backstraps. The standard Glock "grip angle" is just fine with me.

2. I don't care for the "aggressive" checkering. In over 15,000 rounds fired between 2 Gen3 Glocks I've never had the pistol fly out of my hand.

3. Superior European "Tennifer" treatment. The glossy Gen3 Tennifer melonite finish is just better, in my opinion, than what I've seen on the Gen4 Glocks.

4. Over 15,000 rounds with no problems, and I've done nothing but clean them.

I really prefer the more aggressive checkering, the gen3 checkering feels slippery to me now. The big backstrap is perfect for me, too--I would not want to go back to the one-size fits all. Agree with you on all points, though--to each his own. My gen4 26 has been error-free (factory brass date 6/1/12)...albeit through only a few hundred round of mixed ammo.

 

[coolluke01]

Gen 3's will all have the new matte finish. The Tennifer treatment is not a finish but a metal treatment. The top finish is a totally different process.

I don't know anyone that has had a gun fly out of their hand. But they will shift and move.
The Gen 4 texture is far better for keeping the guns from moving in your hand.

The backstraps don't change the grip angle. Installing the medium backstrap is the same as the Gen 3 grip size.

With the new extractor and ejector my Gen 4 26 has had no failures with a 200-300 rounds. Gen 4 34 straight out of the box has close to 2000 rounds with no failures.