What do you think about the new Glock RTF2 (4th Generation?) .40 Model 22?

[Spreadfire Arms]

i was reading pros and cons on the new Glock (i guess it has been dubbed the 4th generation) RTF2 (Rough Texture Finish)? it is supposedly only available at this time in the Glock 22 (full size .40) platform.

just wondering people's thoughts. i've read that it is ugly and that is cool too. i just got two sequentially serial numbered ones (and low S/N's) so im just trying to get feedback on it.

there are photos at the link below. thanks in advance for your input.

here is the text from a webpage review:
http://www.gunsholstersandgear.com/2009/01/17/glock-rtf2-finish-on-the-glock-22-thousands-of-polymer-spikes/

Glock RTF2 Finish on the Glock 22: Thousands of Polymer Spikes

At the 2009 SHOT Show, Glock introduced a new texture called “RTF2.” Claiming to be the “the new standard for operators working in the harshest conditions imaginable,” the RTF2 features a new style of texturing on the grip frame, and a new serration pattern on the rear of the slide.

The new RTF2 texturing on the Glock 22 is described in the Glock literature as “thousands of polymer spikes.” I couldn’t agree more. The RTF2 texture was not comfortable to hold. In fact, it was downright unpleasant. Yes, the RTF2 texture does seem to increase the bond between hand and gun, but at what cost to the hand? I would not want to shoot one of these, but I suspect I will have to in the near future.

Glock states the “crescent shaped grasping grooves” on the slide “offer a new stylish demension to the term efficient improvement.” Uh…right. I’m not sure what efficient improvement was gained, and neither was the Glock representative I spoke with.

Fortunately, the Glock representative told me that the RTF2 was limited to the Glock 22 at this time. Additionally, the G22 can still be purchased with the normal third generation frame. If the RTF2 proves to be popular, the Glock 17 will be the next firearm to receive the treatment, followed by others in the line.

 

[C-grunt]

I know a lot of officers in my dept put skateboard tape on their 22s to help with grip. Maybe this will help out those people. The slide serations are ugly though. I dont have a problem with grip so I wouldnt by it.

 

[bonedust]

i held it and it feels exactly like grip tape. non-replaceable grip tape...so, once the micro-fit texture wears down, it will need grip tape?

im not sure what Glock was thinking on this one. i do like the function of the new cocking serrations tho. ugly? maybe, but i dont need a gun to be beautiful if there is functionality from the ugly.

 

[CPshooter]

i held it and it feels exactly like grip tape. non-replaceable grip tape...so, once the micro-fit texture wears down, it will need grip tape?

Does polymer really wear down over time? I didn't think it was possible to wear down a polymer grip.

I have mixed feelings, but overall I don't like it. First, a lot of people say Glocks are "ugly." I disagree. I find the 3rd gen Glocks to be very sleek and aesthetically pleasing to my eye. This new 4th gen, however, is super ugly. I don't see how the new cocking serrations could be that much of a help considering how easy a Glock slide is to manipulate in the first place. They only make it uglier IMO.

As far as the grip is concerned, it's the same thing as with the cocking serrations. I don't feel that holding on to a 3rd gen Glock is difficult at all, even under rapid fire. IMO they are no more slippery than any other polymer gun out there.

That being said, I do see why Glock chose to offer the RTF exclusively as an option for the 22 (and the 17 from what I've read). They will probably be sold in bulk to police departments looking to buy new equipment. The cops could always use more "grip" on their guns, I suppose. So as long as they are more functional, I think they will be a hit with law enforcement. For me, I'd take a 3rd gen any day of
the week.

 

[Spreadfire Arms]

That being said, I do see why Glock chose to offer the RTF exclusively as an option for the 22 (and the 17 from what I've read). They will probably be sold in bulk to police departments looking to buy new equipment. The cops could always use more "grip" on their guns, I suppose. So as long as they are more functional, I think they will be a hit with law enforcement. For me, I'd take a 3rd gen any day of the week.

from what i have seen/read, it is only being offered on full size .40 (Glock 22) and not any other model at this time. the reason is from what i heard, is that this is the most common model sought by LE.

im sure this is targeted to the LE agency, and i also think many big dealers who do "PD trades" will be pushing this new-and-improved Glock RTF2 to them.

i heard this is a test to see if it sells. if it doesn't sell they are not going to do it to other models. if it sells in the Model 22 the next model to have it will be the Glock 17.

i think personally it doesn't look ugly and actually caught my eye when i first saw them. heck i bought two.

 

[NG VI]

I like everything about it except the new serrations. I wish the OD 23 I just bought had the same frame treatment that the RTF 22 does but still OD and same old 3rd Gen slide. I love a nice, raspy grip. I took the Hogue overgrip off my USP and I absolutely love those pointy little grenade patterns. Rougher is better for me. Besides, then I can exfoliate with my gun, saving me money on face washes.

 

[ljnowell]

I personally feel its a waste of time and effort. I own a g21, there is nothing wrong with the texture of it, IMO. I installed a hogue grip, because the glock 2x4 just wasnt big enough. It seems to me that if they were interested in increasing sales and improving product they would have done something with the grip itself. Maybe dropped more of the hump off and possibly changed the grip angle a degree or two. But no, thats not possible, they dont want to mess up "perfection"

 

[burningsquirrels]

nothing wrong with the texture. i like it aggressive. but then again, it's a personal preference. i know those who like silky smooth wood, and some like it extra rough like my race gun.

 

[Ken Grizley]

I own a 3rd gen glock 17 and when I held the new RTF glock 22 I INSTANTLY had to have one. In the past I've applied decal grips to my 17 to aid shooting in during adverse weather conditions, but the smaller pointed texture (of the 2 rtf's available) gives an amazing grip right out of the box. Even the Glock rep that delivered them to my local range commented it was the first Glock firearm that truly fit his hand in stock configuration. But I couldn't disagree more with the above quote "Down Right Unpleasant," even if you white knuckle this thing like some shaky knee'd prey I don't see how the grip could prove uncomfortable.. [Unless you only shoot rubber grips, which, can be a bit 'spongy' IMHO opinion.] The new slide serrations also make it easier to grip and manipulate the slide [and the tenifer finish] with wet hands, removing the need for decal grips on the slide aswell. I think these two options are vast improvements over their previous offering, but then again it is only my two cents.

 

[Guitargod1985]

It's almost as if the engineers at Glock sat down and said, "okay guys, how can we possibly make this thing any uglier?"

 

[Cpt. America]

The 3rd gen's were much more comfortable to handle than the G1's or 2's. I wouldn't mind handling one and seeing the difference. I usually get something called Traction grips for my "plastic" frame auto's.

 

[Gamera]

It's almost as if the engineers at Glock sat down and said, "okay guys, how can we possibly make this thing any uglier?"

I was about to post literally the exact same thing.

 

[legion3]

Don't like the feel of the grip, like coarse sandpaper. I will be passing.

 

[jaysouth]

I have not shot one at speed yet, but it feels good with casual handling.

The slide serrations are "different". How do you make a glock more ugly? I hire folks and pick guns for their utility. "Pretty" gets framed and hung on the wall.

 

[welshrabbit]

I picked up the new Glock last week.

I have chosen Glock to my carry gun ever since I got my license, but if all future Glocks come from the factory like the the new one I will not buy another one. I would choose an HK, Beretta, S&W or host of others before it. Glock has been doing the wrong things with their ergonomics since they started making Generation 3's.
The slide looks like it has cocktail weenies on it and the tiny plastic protusions on the frame were extremely uncomfortable. So uncomfortable that it led me to question this if one gripped the pistol with the amount of tension one would in a fight, could the little plastic protusions break the skin? Broken skin on your palm is one of the last things you would want to have if you were in a fight and chose to deliver a palm heel strike. Your open skin plus opening up the bad guy's skin means you have the potential for AIDS. Phil Messina's Modern Warrior website had an article or a link to an article about a police officer who got AIDS by punching a subject with a closed fist. I could not find the article when I looked today, but that does not mean it is not there somewhere.

 

[Hank1215]

If the plastic protrusions break your skin, you need to stop putting so much lotion on your hands.

 

[burningsquirrels]

finally handled one the other day. i like the grip. the slide looks wierd, i don't think it improved my grip any. i can see where some might say the grip is too rough, but to me it needs more. but then again, my grips are wrapped with 20 grit rock hard traction tape.

 

[PT1911]

personally, I think it is the first glock I have actually thought to be comfortable... and I like the slide serrations are actually an improvement in my opinion.

 

[denfoote]

What I think is that Gaston's injection molds were wearing out and he had to retool new ones!!!

 

[Quiet]

The RTF is not the 4th generation, it's just an option for 3rd generation Glocks.

 

[clang]

I guess I would have to handle it with wet, sweaty hands to get an appreciation for the new texture. Looks a little weird, but probably very functional.

As for the slide serrations - it's nice to see Glock wants you to have a nice day, otherwise they wouldn't have put 14 smiles on their new guns....
Again - you probably have to handle the gun with wet, sweaty hands to fully aqppreciate the new slide serrations.

 

[markh]

Just picked one up. I love he frame with one exception - if you carry it next to bare skin (IWB, etc.), it will become painful after awhile. I just get around it by wearing an undershirt.

I don't really have an opinion either for or against the new slide serrations.

I am sure the weapon will not disappoint.