Whats the Skinny on Glock Gen4 Still Bad?

[Life During Wartime]

Don't mean to reopen a can of worms here but can someone eplain to me why so many people dont like the Gen4
I don't get it. You hear on youtube people saying dont buy them they suck and then you see people buying them like hey heres a gen4
and with the new models Glock has not made them in gen3
So, has Glock worked out the problems I have heard
and what are these problems, I still dont get it? Triggers or reliablity?

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

I bought a Glock 26 Gen 4 this Summer. My first Glock ever having spent decades wondering who would buy a "plastic pistol" and what all the fuss was about. I have about 2000 rounds thru my G26 Gen 4 and it is utterly reliable, accurate to the highest degree, controllable in rapid fire, hides in my pants pocket, and is rust proof, stupid proof, and simple.

I have no idea why others would spread the hate but assume they have had experiences with theirs or have opinions contrary to my experience. Personally I use what works and leave hype and Internet Experts drivel on the driveway of life.

My Glock Gen 4 experience is flawless hence I use it, carry it, shoot it, and recommend it.

VooDoo

 

[JTQ]

I'm not a Glock guy, but my understanding is the problems were with the G17/G19 models.

The Gen 4 was created to fix function problems the G22/G23 models were having with mounted lights. The Gen 4 is all about the dual recoil spring, the adjustable back straps and mag release were just throw ins. Since Glock had to redo the frame to get the dual spring in there, they also threw in the bigger mag release and the adjustable backstraps. Those are nice things about the Gen 4's, and I'd probably pick one over the Gen 3 simply because the grip feels better. If the Gen 3 G17/G19 feels good in your hand, there probably is no reason to get the Gen 4. If you are looking for a G22/G23, the Gen 4 is the better mouse trap.

The initial problems with the G17/G19 was centered around the recoil spring rates in the Gen 4 models. Since the focus was on the G22/G23, they didn't calibrate them very well for the G17/G19's using light training ammo such as the big box store variety of 115gr ammo. Glock figured that out after a few try's. I think they are good to go now.

There are also some ejector complaints regarding brass to the face, though I think that is across the line-up and affects the Gen 3 as much as the Gen 4.

While I'm not a Glock fan, they are a very good company producing a quality product. If you happen to run into a gun with a problem, whatever generation it is, they'll get it fixed for you.

 

[Coffee357]

Purty much the reasons you've read of. I bought a gen 4 Glock 19 shortly after they came out and had major failure to feed and extract issues. I love Glocks and have carried predominantly Glocks for 20 some years - but I got rid of that pistol. It took a while for Glock to get the right combination of ejector, extractor, and spring rates - but they eventually did. The new Gen-4's are solid and the guns I choose to carry today are generation 4's. The new guns are solid -most of the folks talkin bad about em are remembering the initially released guns.

 

[BYJO4]

The current Gen 4 models run fine. I bought a 19 about 4 months ago and have had no issues.

 

[9mmepiphany]

It is easy to tell if the late-Gen3 & Gen4 G17/19...doesn't affect the G26, to the same degree...you have is prone to the problem.

1. Load a round into the chamber from a magazine
2. Remove the magazine
3. Fire the round

a) If the case ejects out the ejection port, you are GTG
b) If the case drops out the bottom of the frame, you have a potential problem.

The issue of BTF doesn't always occur immediately, I've known (not just heard) several which didn't start until they were over 1k rounds

 

[red rick]

BTF was a problem with gen3 & gen4 19/17 and like 9mmepiphany said sometimes it doesn't start until 1k rounds even in the repaired guns .

I don't know if they have got a handle on it yet .

 

[jfrey]

My Gen 4 G19 runs fine. Actually had more problems with my Gen 3. New ejector fixed that. Glock had some teething problems with the Gen 4 guns but seems to have gotten the problems ironed out by now.

 

[HexHead]

Why do you care, you're in CA and can't have one anyway.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Sure he can, there are a lot of Gen4 Glocks in use in CA, you just have to follow the correct procedures to obtain them

 

[ForumSurfer]

What? They were bad? I bought a gen4 19 as soon as it was released. I put several thousand rounds through it and even shot some IDPA with it. I didn't know it was "bad" until the Internet said so. My only problem...I replaced the extractor with a piece from lone wolf distributing. I was getting brass in my face. That isn't a gen4 problem per say, I had the same exact issue on a newer gen3 17. I disassembled each and noticed sloppy MIM quality. It was a minor problem and I was overall pleased with the gen4, and gen 3 for that matter.

 

[guyfromohio]

I'm on my third Gen 4 Glock. My last was purchased last weekend brand new. In fact, all were LGS purchased new. The first two had thousands of rounds through each. Never a failure of any kind. They felt great in the hand and were incredibly accurate and had little muzzle flip. I sold them because Glocks are easy to sell and easy to buy a replacement when money is needed. However, from first run (pre-fix) to current manufacture, I just cannot get used to the brass hitting me in the forehead, lodging in my glasses, falling down my shirt...... I'm going to put this one in the market now too, after only 100 rounds. Time to check out the Gen 3s (I have too many holsters and mags to be without a 19).

 

[mes228]

Gen 4

I've had many Gen 3 Glocks (still do). But had avoided the Gen 4's because of the bad internet press I've read. Bad mistake! I just obtained a Gen 4 Model 21 .45 - and it's quite a surprise! A good one. After a flawless 100 rounds, new out of the box, I was surprised. This Model 21 is ACCURATE, and I mean Target Accurate ie one hole accurate at 10 yards. Still a Glock trigger, but different and quite easy to adjust to. I'm tickled to death with this Gen 4 Model 21. If these had problems Glock has fixed them. I realize this is a sample of "one" and may be an exception. The pistol is flawless, accurate, improved trigger (subtle difference), and does not have any ejection problems at all. No "brass to the face" either, as I've read some did.

 

[RBid]

The reoccuring issues were with 17s and 19s. The 26, .40, .45, and .357 offerings have been great.

I've had 4 Gen 4s. A 23, and three 19s. After a few thousand rounds, my 2011 19 Gen 4 (with the maligned 337 extractor) lobbed two pieces of brass to the top of my head. My others are 2013s, and have all run perfectly.

I looooooove Gen 4.

 

[HexHead]

Sure he can, there are a lot of Gen4 Glocks in use in CA, you just have to follow the correct procedures to obtain them

Are you referring to that "single shot modification" nonsense? Glock can't submit them for approval since they don't have magazine disconnects.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Are you referring to that "single shot modification" nonsense? Glock can't submit them for approval since they don't have magazine disconnects.

Why would availing oneself of the Single Shot Exemption be nonsense?

It is a legal and valid exemption within the law to obtain guns which haven't been submitted by the manufacturer for certification. The Single Action Exemption is equally valid, as is the target pistol one

...you're in CA and can't have one anyway

It is completely legal to posses a Gen4 Glock in CA

 

[ratt_finkel]

I've shot two different 34's without any issues. Actually the only model Glock I've enjoyed shooting.

 

[HexHead]

Why would availing oneself of the Single Shot Exemption be nonsense?

It is a legal and valid exemption within the law to obtain guns which haven't been submitted by the manufacturer for certification. The Single Action Exemption is equally valid, as is the target pistol one


It is completely legal to posses a Gen4 Glock in CA

I would agree with you if the modification had to stay on the gun once you took possession of it. But seeing as how the selling dealer remains in possession of the device to reuse shows it's a sham.

 

[JDR]

I have a Gen4 G-22 and G-21. The 22 needed some work to get it right, and it runs great now. The 21 is one of the best firearms I have ever owned. Brass to Face (BTF) can happen with weaker factory .40 ammo. It's rarely a problem with the G-22 if I maintain a good Isoceles stance when I'm shooting it, since I'm holding it further away from my face.

 

[helitack32f1]

I love my Gen 4 G17. Every Glock I buy from now on will be Gen 4 unless it is something different and special, like a perfect Gen 1 G17, a Glock 42 or, ya know, a G18.

 

[John C]

HexHead;

You say that now, but you won't like it one bit when 150,000 ex-Californians move to Tennessee and start voting. Just look at the politics in Oregon, Nevada, Colorado, and Arizona to see how that works. Especially Colorado.

-John

 

[helitack32f1]

HexHead;

You say that now, but you won't like it one bit when 150,000 ex-Californians move to Tennessee and start voting. Just look at the politics in Oregon, Nevada, Colorado, and Arizona to see how that works. Especially Colorado.

-John

Don't forget Washington, and the newest conquest of liberal wet dreams, Texas.

 

[greenlion]

The brass to the face issue is the only problem I've had with recent GLOCKS. Recent Gen3 guns have also had the problem. I have a Gen3 G21sf and G22 that both do it, and it is really annoying, and painful/dangerous, when brass gets down behind your shooting glasses. I also notice that the brand new G41 that they have shown videos of from the Shot Show slings a few brass at heads while people are demoing the gun. The new G42 380 looks like it never does it, and has strong side ejection.

So I would say no, GLOCK has not solved all their new Gen GLOCK problems.

 

[Warp]

I've had a Gen3 G26 since 2005. It was my daily carry gun for 6 years. A Gen3 G19 was my daily for a couple years as well.

As of last ~August, it has been my new Gen4 G26.

I have had 3 failures with it in approximately 1,222 rounds fired. That seems pretty poor to me, and is certainly a higher rate than any of my three other (all Gen3) Glocks.

HOWEVER, the three are as follows:

1) Failure to feed using a many years old, used and abuse, Korean brand knock off magazine, whose spring feels about 1/4 as powerful as a good Glock brand mag, whose follower is prone to tilt. So I'm pretty sure we can write that one off.

2) Failure to feed using a Glock magazine that I got with my first G26 in 2005, that I kept loaded for carry for all of those years, and used a bunch...and when I took the spring out the next day to replace with a new one, it was visibly shorter than the new spring. I'll call that one a tossup on what to blame.

3) A failure to eject (I think it was eject, I didn't record it well enough and have forgotten exactly what it did) using a round of Winchester Ranger, but I was using all the Winchester JHP I had up at the range because I have come to the conclusion that Winchester's quality control sucks the big one recently and couldn't trust it for defense...and as I recall the round sounded and felt weaker than the rest. Also, even though I listed this one last, it was the first to happen, on my first trip to the range, when the gun was brand new and any springs that might "break in" would not have been able to yet.

Full disclosure. ^

I haven't had any particularly problems with BTF or erratic ejection. Once in awhile I get pegged with one, I guess, but it's not common at this point. Last range trip I shot over 100 rounds and all ejected perfectly as far as I could tell.

 

[tarosean]

Gen4 19 sent back to Glock for failure to eject. Replacement pistol works fine. not sure of the manufacturing date since the casing envelope belongs to a G23 with almost the same Serial Number.