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Switch from Gen 3 to 4?

3K views 40 replies 32 participants last post by  sciolist 
#1 ·
I am bored tonight. Always browsing guns and convincing myself I need another (when I have too many, apparently, if you ask my wife)

I bought a Gen 5 19 when they came out and I was not impressed with a few things, mainly the ambi levers. So I sold it off and stuck with my Gen 3 17 and 19.

but the more I fondle the Gen 4 guns at work, the more I like the slightly slimmer profile of the grips (I like smaller gripped guns. A J Frame is about perfection in my hand)

So that has me considering switching to a Gen 4 from my Gen 3.

what is your opinion on the switch? Worthwhile, or waste of energy and money?

Or maybe I’ll buy a Glock 44 tomorrow. Who knows.
 
#8 ·
I am bored tonight. Always browsing guns and convincing myself I need another (when I have too many, apparently, if you ask my wife)

I bought a Gen 5 19 when they came out and I was not impressed with a few things, mainly the ambi levers. So I sold it off and stuck with my Gen 3 17 and 19.

but the more I fondle the Gen 4 guns at work, the more I like the slightly slimmer profile of the grips (I like smaller gripped guns. A J Frame is about perfection in my hand)

So that has me considering switching to a Gen 4 from my Gen 3.

what is your opinion on the switch? Worthwhile, or waste of energy and money?

Or maybe I’ll buy a Glock 44 tomorrow. Who knows.
I just got done watching what they announced.

It is a Glock 19 in 22 caliber GEN five. Titled the Glock 44.
Yes, disappointing, that’s what I thought.
 
#10 ·
I've found that I like the gen 4 & 5 in full and compact size guns, and I like gen three in the sub-compact guns. So to further complicate, I just ordered a gen 5 G26 with a GSSF certificate due to the marksman barrel and improved OEM trigger.

:dancingbanana:
 
#11 ·
I don't know what prompted that type of comment but whatever...

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Californians are moving to Arizona in droves and they then begin to vote in AZ for the same type of leftist clowns that ruined California. That's why AZ has become purple.
 
#12 ·
I've been very pleased with my Gen3 G17 and G26.
But, I bought a like new Gen4 G22 police surplus pistol, and I find I really like the grip texture. I also find that without a backstrap installed, it fits my hand better.
I'll probably stick with my Gen3's, though.
 
#15 ·
With the larger framed G20 and G21 guns, the smaller grip is an absolute necessity for me because the smallest backstrap makes the grip smaller just like the SF grip on the Gen 3's.

But with the G17, G22, and G31 sized guns I just assumed that the gen 4's with the smallest backstrap made the grip smaller But I never knew that for sure and even if it were the case it wouldn't be a reason for me to switch to a Gen 4 since my Gen 3 G23 fits may hand just fine and the gun has been 100% reliable for several thousand rounds.

But if the smaller grip on the Gen 4 "Compact" sized guns makes a difference to you, that's the best reason I can think of to make the change.

And I really like the fact that the Gen 5's have no finger grooves but they aren't making the gen 5 in either 40 S&W or 357 Sig. But if I were going to get a gen 5 G19, I'd want to make sure it didn't have the half-moon mag cut out.
 
#16 ·
Gen 4 in the 20, 21 frames is absolutely worth it.

I have always preferred the smaller grip of the Gen 4s. The Gen 4 19 with no backstrap fits my hand like a glove although the M backstrap would probably be more natural for my hand relative to trigger reach. The Gen 4 17 feels great in my hand also.

This past week I put the M backstraps on the 19 and 17 and did a bunch of dry firing in preparation to actually take a range trip and shoot with the backstraps installed to see if I noticed any improvements. But while the trigger reach is a little more natural with the backstraps, I couldn't get over how I just really didn't like the feel in comparison to a plain grip and I took them off.

Try shooting the Gen 4 and see how you like it. Nothing wrong with having new Glocks.
 
#19 ·
... So I sold it off and stuck with my Gen 3 17 and 19.
... So that has me considering switching to a Gen 4 from my Gen 3.

what is your opinion on the switch? Worthwhile, or waste of energy and money? ...
If I owned and used a Gen3 G22/23, I'd consider adding a Gen4 version of the models to my safe, if only to hope to benefit from the compound RSA and softer recoil impulse.

The revised Gen4 ejector may, or may not, be something that you find to be a benefit (depending on your grip technique and ammo/loads used).

If you like the grip size and available inserts, the Gen4 might appeal to you, as well.

One thing that might appeal to you, if you do a lot of shooting, is that the Gen4's compound RSA seems to offer a longer service life than the single spring RSA's in the earlier full-size and compact models. (Think 5000 rounds, versus 2000 or 2500 rounds, for the .40's, depending on the model.)

Ditto probably seeing more service life from the mag springs, too, considering the reduced recoil impulse resulting from the compound spring RSA's.

Not sure I'd be tempted just for the G19/17, myself, as the 9's are pretty nicely balanced and run well with the older single spring RSA.
 
#20 ·
Well, I picked up a Gen 4 19 today. Haven’t got to shoot it yet or put my new sights on it, but feels good in the hand. I don’t expect shooting it to be mind blowing or much difference. But feels good with the slight change in grip size.
 
#23 ·
I started shooting Glocks hard in the late-90s when the Gen3 was newer and was (and am) a die-hard Gen3 fan. I tried to like the Gen4 for a long time and I finally bought a Gen4 19 when the price was irresistible and I’ve really grown to like it. I shoot it well and appreciate the larger mag release- so much so I’ve ccw’d my Gen4 19 for two years.

I’m not a Gen5 fan as I detest the ambi slide-stop and the finish is worst in a long time.
 
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#27 ·
I am usually not fussy about guns- as long as it runs and shoots accurately enough for the intended purpose I am happy. Until recently my glocks were a gen 2 19 and gen 3 26. Was pretty happy with both and figured that would be it. Well a gssf prize certificate forced me to pick up a gen 5 19. It definitely feels better in the hand and the larger mag release is a great benefit to my Pygmy hands!
I even sold off my gen 2, and am thinking hard about replacing my gen 3 26 with a gen 5
 
#32 ·
KEEP THE GEN 3 !!!! At my work we used the Gen 3's and then got in some Gen 4's. A lot of the Gen 4's had rust crop up here and there. I never saw a Gen 3 rust. Plus the Gen 4's were having troubles with functioning with the new style recoil springs. I'd never buy a Gen 4. My favorites are the Gen 2 and 3. I say keep the Gen 3. They are boringly reliable and boring is GREAT !
 
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