[dvrdwn72]

Ive got a few gen 4 35's. Love them. I do have a gen 2.5 27. ccgxxx. Great shooter and carry it daily. Never thought it was a 2.5 as I just figured it was a 3. I just got a great deal on a gen 2 23, blzxxx. I did notice that on the slide of my 27 it says .40sw

[im_n2_vws]

Here are a couple of pictures of my G21 2.5 gen. Anyone have any idea on production numbers on the 2.5s? I heard somewhere that there were maybe 1000?


http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...100_0230-1.jpg

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...s/100_0232.jpg

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...s/100_0231.jpg

[DJ Niner]

No idea how many total were made. That type of info (from a reliable source) is difficult to find for Glocks. Great photos, though; thanks for posting them!

And thanks to all who have offered kind words about this thread.
I'm glad folks are finding it useful.

[malleable]

Good info

[legalsten]

Not sure if this is the right place to ask but here it is . I thought I remembered seeing many years ago , that the 9mm had smaller / shorter metal guide rails in the frame than 40 or 357 models. Therfore it was not recommended to change to a 357 or 40 slide and ejector. Did this change at some point ? Are the frames the same now other than ejector and slides ?

[DJ Niner]

The only recommendation I have heard along those lines, is the older 2-pin frames should not be converted to .40 or .357 (see post #2 in this thread for an image comparison of a 2-pin and 3-pin frame). The third pin stabilized the locking block better in the frame, and along with a larger/stronger locking block introduced at about the same time, greatly improved durability in the larger calibers over the long term.

The third pin was introduced somewhere in the middle of the Gen3 model run, so you will find some Gen3 9mm full-size Glocks with 2-pin frames, and some with 3-pin frames. I've always been told that 3-pin frames can be safely converted to .40 and/or .357 (given the correct parts, of course).

[legalsten]

Mine is the 3 pin design and I was guessing that somewhere down the line they simplifed by using one frame for each given size ( full , compact , sub compact ) instead of one for the 9 mm and another one for the 357 and 40 .

Thanks for the info

[DJ Niner]

Originally Posted by legalsten

Mine is the 3 pin design and I was guessing that somewhere down the line they simplifed by using one frame for each given size ( full , compact , sub compact ) instead of one for the 9 mm and another one for the 357 and 40 .

Thanks for the info

Checking a few Glock full-size 9mm handguns/photos that I can access, I see that by the DT* ***-series of serial numbers, there was a faint shadow mold-mark on the frame where the third pin hole would eventually be, like they were already using the 3-pin .40 frame mold, but plugging the hole for the third pin when they used it for 9mm frames. I saw the same thing in a DU* ***-series 9mm, so they still hadn't converted to the three-pin frame for the 9mm guns at the time that Glock was made. Checking the user database for date will give you an idea of when those guns were made, if you want to narrow-down the time window.

[DJ Niner]

Wow! 20,000 views in about 9 months!

Thanks again for all the kind comments I have received on this thread, and once again, I am glad folks are finding it useful.

[GRT45]

This thread is a wonderful resource. Thanks for creating it.

I can contribute some information about the 45ACP and 10mm subcompact pistols, models G30 and G29, respectively.

I have noted owner/buyer reports and data in the Glock Serial Number Research Project database showing the Gen 3 versions of the G30 and G29 subcompact pistols went through a transition from Gen 3 models without an accessory rail to later Gen 3 with the accessory rail.

Before the accessory rail was added, G30 and G29 pistols were manufactured that had all the Gen3 characteristics:

• Finger grooves on the front strap
• Checkering in the finger grooves on the front strap
• Thumb rests on the grip
• Three frame pins
• Loaded Chamber Indicator Extractor (LCI)

Therefore, I do not think it correct to assign an informal designation of Gen 2.5 (a designation that Glock, Inc. doesn't recognize officially) to the G30/G29 without an accessory rail. I believe it's more correct to simply describe the two variants as "G30/G29 Gen3 without accessory rail" and "G30/G29 Gen3 with accessory rail."

The database indicates the accessory rail first appeared on the Gen 3 G30 45ACP around June, 2005 with serial number prefix HGM.

In the database, the first record for a Gen 3 G29 10mm specifically mentioning a rail has a test fire date in February, 2006 with serial number prefix HXN. It's possible that the Gen 3 G29 had an accessory rail earlier than this date since the G29 and G30 share a common frame.

[NtheFamily]

Great info and thanks!

[BustedFlush]

Originally Posted by DJ Niner

Glock subcompact frame style comparison (9mm, .40, and .357-size frames).

Although the Subcompact frames have never been available in Gen1 or Gen2 styles, the naming convention used for the full-size 9mm/.40/.357 frames was informally adopted to describe the subcompact models as well. Along with no Gen1 or Gen2 versions, I have never seen or heard of a Gen3 RTF2 subcompact, so that leaves us with 3 basic styles or generations: Gen2.5, Gen3, and Gen4. As said before, Gen4 has been clearly defined by Glock. Gen3 subcompacts have all the same features as the full-size Gen3 frames, but there was also a very early version that had similar features, but was missing the checkering in the fingergroove area on the front of the grip frame. The smooth-groove frames have become known as Gen2.5 guns. In some larger frames, Gen2.5 has been used to describe frames missing the frontstrap checkering and/or missing the front accessory rail on the dust cover area of the frame; but because the subcompact guns have never had the dust cover rail in ANY generation, the lack of frontstrap checkering seems to be the only defining factor in identifying a gun as a Gen2.5.




Tags: subcompact Gen2.5, subcompact Gen3, subcompact Gen4, smooth fingergrooves, smooth finger grooves, non-checkered finger grooves, non-checkered fingergrooves.

Very nice job! Thanks DJ!

I have one of each. Oddly, my first subcompact Glock, a smooth fingered gen 2.5 G27 with a slip on grip and that "pretty" original Glock slide finish still seems to be my favorite. My gen4 26 is growing on me. Thanks again for the great pics!

** Tagged **

[DJ Niner]

More nice words; thanks!

I totally agree with you on the finish of the early Glocks.
I prefer it to all other variations, and it seems pretty durable.

[AquaHull]

Originally Posted by DJ Niner

Checking a few Glock full-size 9mm handguns/photos that I can access, I see that by the DT* ***-series of serial numbers, there was a faint shadow mold-mark on the frame where the third pin hole would eventually be, like they were already using the 3-pin .40 frame mold, but plugging the hole for the third pin when they used it for 9mm frames. I saw the same thing in a DU* ***-series 9mm, so they still hadn't converted to the three-pin frame for the 9mm guns at the time that Glock was made. Checking the user database for date will give you an idea of when those guns were made, if you want to narrow-down the time window.

You answered my question in advance of me asking.

I spotted a DZU*** G19, on a MI forum that looks like a small mold mark where the 3 rd pin would go.It's hard to tell by the pic, but it doesn't look like the 3rd pin on my GUB *** G19

link to the ad

http://www.migunowners.org/forum/sho...d.php?t=220738

The question is, is a 3 pin better than a 2 pin model? I know it won't have the BTF issue, but it is pricey.

[DJ Niner]

Originally Posted by AquaHull

...

The question is, is a 3 pin better than a 2 pin model? I know it won't have the BTF issue, but it is pricey.

Only you can make that call. Personally, if I was buying an older used Glock with the intention of shooting it regularly, I'd try to buy the latest/newest model that I was reasonably certain would work well, if for no other reason than parts availability. Generally, the older the model of ANY firearm, the more difficult it is to get parts for it. In the Glock world, examples of hard-to-find parts might include the old flat-sided (non-LCI) extractors, older locking blocks, and the very early "pencil"/skinny 9mm barrels.

I have several older 9mm models, but I try to do most of my shooting with newer Glocks. Several of my Gen3 guns have the flat-sided/non-LCI extractor, but I bought a few spares several years ago, so if I need some to replace worn or broken parts, I already have them. For folks who don't stock spare parts, the only other option is to send it to the factory and hope they still have a stash of older parts that includes whatever you need.


.

[Magnum Brown]

I'm new to the Forum and guns. About 6 months ago I purchased a Glock g21 .45 ACP, with 3 mags (One extended)

Based on the pics, I'm pretty sure it's a Gen 2.5. My question is... How can I tell the difference between a gen 2.5 and 3? (Sorry if this is a silly question, but Im a newb)

[BustedFlush]

Originally Posted by Magnum Brown

I'm new to the Forum and guns. About 6 months ago I purchased a Glock g21 .45 ACP, with 3 mags (One extended)

Based on the pics, I'm pretty sure it's a Gen 2.5. My question is... How can I tell the difference between a gen 2.5 and 3? (Sorry if this is a silly question, but Im a newb)

I just dropped by and caught one I can answer.

In the Glock 21 what we call gen 2.5 means it has the finger grooves but the frame does NOT have the accessory rail. There used to be pics of these in the old Serial Number Thread, but I couldn't find them. I'll look again later.

If you have neither rail nor finger grooves it is gen 2.

If you have finger grooves only, it is gen 2.5.

If you have both, it is gen 3.

Gen 2.5 means something a little different in the subcompact 26 and 27 than it does with your large frame 21. DJ did a nice job of explaining what a gen 2.5 means for the subcompacts. I think in all uses, "gen 2.5" simply refers to intermediate step between gen 2 and gen 3. There is no such thing as a gen 2.5 in a Glock 19 or 17 for instance, nor for several other models.

It gets confusing and not everyone agrees on these definitions, especially with the subs. If my definitions above were applied to the subcompacts, they would still be gen 2.5 since they still lack the rail.

I've "over answered" your question.

You can use your serial number alpha prefix to get the date of production if you are interested. Hopefully the link in my signature is still good.

ETA: The first one I see posted in the SN thread is this one:

CGD*** G-21C 2.5 1997-05-01

I would not be surprised if there were earlier ones though. Someone might have submitted their SN and not realized that the finger grooves meant we'd call it Gen 2.5.

I hope you like your G21 and that you enjoy it.

BF

[Magnum Brown]

Originally Posted by BustedFlush

I just dropped by and caught one I can answer.

In the Glock 21 what we call gen 2.5 means it has the finger grooves but the frame does NOT have the accessory rail. There used to be pics of these in the old Serial Number Thread, but I couldn't find them. I'll look again later.

If you have neither rail nor finger grooves it is gen 2.

If you have finger grooves only, it is gen 2.5.

If you have both, it is gen 3.

Gen 2.5 means something a little different in the subcompact 26 and 27 than it does with your large frame 21. DJ did a nice job of explaining what a gen 2.5 means for the subcompacts. I think in all uses, "gen 2.5" simply refers to intermediate step between gen 2 and gen 3. There is no such thing as a gen 2.5 in a Glock 19 or 17 for instance, nor for several other models.

It gets confusing and not everyone agrees on these definitions, especially with the subs. If my definitions above were applied to the subcompacts, they would still be gen 2.5 since they still lack the rail.

I've "over answered" your question.

You can use your serial number alpha prefix to get the date of production if you are interested. Hopefully the link in my signature is still good.

ETA: The first one I see posted in the SN thread is this one:

CGD*** G-21C 2.5 1997-05-01

I would not be surprised if there were earlier ones though. Someone might have submitted their SN and not realized that the finger grooves meant we'd call it Gen 2.5.

I hope you like your G21 and that you enjoy it.

BF

Thanks... I really appreciate the info

Glad I found this forum... I have a lot to learn

[DJ Niner]

Based on a recent thread in the General Glocking sub-forum, some folks have had difficulties using (or perhaps more accurately, figuring out how to use) the Glock-supplied magazine loader. Click the link below to see a short video clip demonstrating the use of the Glock mag loader:

http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/9186/dscn6124.mp4



.

[INEEDMILK]

Originally Posted by DJ Niner

Based on a recent thread in the General Glocking sub-forum, some folks have had difficulties using (or perhaps more accurately, figuring out how to use) the Glock-supplied magazine loader. Click the link below to see a short video clip demonstrating the use of the Glock mag loader:

http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/9186/dscn6124.mp4



.

You should post this on www.reddit.com/r/Glocks

Someone just posted a picture today of a broken mag loader with the title "You win this time, magazine."

[DJ Niner]

Originally Posted by INEEDMILK

You should post this on www.reddit.com/r/Glocks

Someone just posted a picture today of a broken mag loader with the title "You win this time, magazine."

Well, I'm not going to say it will ALWAYS be this easy to load a mag with the Glock loader; this mag was well-broken-in, and I only loaded 5 rounds into it. I've seen my share of recalcitrant mags (especially when they are brand new), and I'm sure this isn't the first time a loader has been broken during use.

However, I will note that the mag shown on Reddit was NOT a Glock factory mag, had a greatly extended capacity, and was being filled with .45 ACP ammo. The strength of a spring required to push an extended stack of chubby .45 ACP punkin' balls up and out of a long tube in a timely fashion so as to keep up with a quickly cycling slide may well have exceeded the design/build specifications of the Glock mag loader, so I wouldn't really call this a failure under "normal" use.

If you think the vid clip would be helpful to Reddit users, feel free to repost it with a "For non-commercial educational use only" disclaimer.

[DJ Niner]

25,000 views and still climbing!

Thanks again for all the kind words, and thanks to the other folks who have added knowledge, tips, and photos to this thread!

[bsg1]

very informative.

[duramaxdiesel09]

Originally Posted by Leathernecker

As for what constitutes a "real" Gen 2.5 in the subs would be something missing that they eventually ended up with, like the checkering in the finger grooves. I've seen it on the 9mm and the 40 S&W, I assume that there are possibly G33's out there that are missing the checkering.

There are Gen 2.5 G33's. My uncle has one of them.

[DJ Niner]

Originally Posted by duramaxdiesel09

There are Gen 2.5 G33's. My uncle has one of them.

Good to know!

If you don't mind, and if he doesn't mind, the next time you see or talk to him, could you get the first three letters of the serial number? I'd be interested in knowing the approximate serial number range where these were produced.

Thanks in advance for anything you can do!