Glock Gen 3 vs Gen 4

blopez50

blopez50

New member
I've been getting into blocks recently and have been thinking about picking up a few more. I keep reading were people keep recommending that "Joe" get a gen 3 instead of the new gen 4 because "it's easier to find part."

I can't wrap my head around this.... I've read where almost all the parts/springs are interchangeable. I've even seen replacement rods for the new double spring guide rod. I believe all the gen 3 triggers can be dropped into a gen 4 as well..

What gives?
 
I don't know what gives. Plenty seem to like their Gen 4 models. I had the choice a while back & chose to stick with Gen 3, no firm reason. This is when I added a Glock 26.
 
Glocks are very confusing to me too. the labeling system is crazy and I always have to look at a chart to know the caliber and frame size. I don't get why they don't call a model 23 just a .40 compact. I do know parts differ from one generation to the other but I am by far no expert on them.

that said, I did just buy my first one. it is a gen 3 .40 compact they call a Glock 23... hopefully I don't need any parts anytime soon. if so, I will go back to my trusted XDs.
 
I have owned a Gen 3 21sf (Full size .45) and now own a Gen 4 30 (Compact .45). I may be wrong but I believe the only things that are not interchangeable between the 2 Gens. are the recoil spring/guide rod and the mag. release.
 
gen 4 glocks have an interchangable mag release, so gen 4 mags will work with all gens, but earlier mags wont work in gen 4 glocks if you flips the mag release.

the slide has more polymer in it, to make it lighter.

and (I believe) gen 4 has different size interchangable grips. small, medium and large.

and they cost about $75 more
 
And the Gen 4 will rust and the Gen3 wont.Not that this matters much as most everyone I know keep their pistols in clean working condition.
 
when I bought my last glock, a g26, I had a choice between a gen 3 or 4, both on the counter in front of me. after handling, I picked the 3. Just felt more like the rest.
Barry
 
I have smaller hands and the mag release on the Gen 4 is so much easier to use over the Gen 3. I am able to now use the mag release without changing my grip.
 
They are very similar. I have both flavors but like the grip texture of the Gen 4's better...they feel very solid regardless of whether your hands are dry or not.
 

I have a Gen 4 G19. I like the interchangeable grips. It made it feel much better than stock and also gives the option for beavertail style grips like a 1911. By changing grips, I was able to get the pistol to point properly and be on target from draw.
 
I am so far from an expert on this so don’t take this as me saying it. When I got ready to buy a Model 34 for 3gun two people that I trust said stay away from the Gen4. One is the Waco Law enforcement armorer and he said they are giving them grief under high round counts FWIW. I got the gen3 just to be safe. It could be more anecdotal than reality though you know how folks are these days.
 
Originally Posted By: venaticI am so far from an expert on this so don’t take this as me saying it. When I got ready to buy a Model 34 for 3gun two people that I trust said stay away from the Gen4. One is the Waco Law enforcement armorer and he said they are giving them grief under high round counts FWIW. I got the gen3 just to be safe. It could be more anecdotal than reality though you know how folks are these days.
Interesting, I've ran a gen 3 34 for 13yrs now... very few problems, I purchased another gen 4 34 about a year ago, we'll see how she runs.
 
One of the biggest things on the Gen 4s is the different recoil spring. It is better than the springs on the gen 3. However, there are many after market springs for the Gen 3s. The 4s have different backstrap otions- that could be a selling point to some who dont like the big arch in the lower part of the 3s grip.

I own a gen 3 17 with a 5.5 trigger. Works like a champ. I have shot several duty 26 gen 3s with out parole division- run like champs. I have shot a gen 3 and a gen 4 19 and have noticed the recoil and slide return time is a bit better on the gen 4 19. But IMO unless you shoot glocks all the time, you probably wont know the difference. I like the newer feel of the grips on the gen 4. But, I had my gen 3 17 stippled and it is like velcro in your hand.
 
Our Dept has carried Glock 22's for a number of years. We just switched to Gen 4. We began to have trouble with the recoil springs after about 3000 rounds and were having to switch locking block pins. I had gone to extra training and my locking block pin was so bent I could not roll it across the desk. We could have switched out recoil springs but was cheaper to get new guns after our trade ins because new night sights were needed, mag springs and recoil springs. The recoil springs were not lasting as long as they said they would on the 40 cals.

I cant give you a good review on the gen 4 because we just got them and only have about 300 rounds. They definitely control recoil better. I do like the interchangeable grip straps and the grip texture.
 
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Originally Posted By: blopez50I've been getting into blocks recently and have been thinking about picking up a few more. I keep reading were people keep recommending that "Joe" get a gen 3 instead of the new gen 4 because "it's easier to find part."

I can't wrap my head around this.... I've read where almost all the parts/springs are interchangeable. I've even seen replacement rods for the new double spring guide rod. I believe all the gen 3 triggers can be dropped into a gen 4 as well..

What gives?

The parts differences are more to do with different models,
than generations. If a trigger bar, drops in a Gen 3, it
will drop in a Gen 4. The connectors are the same. Either
generation is relatively easy to get parts for.

My G17 Gen4, and my G30SF, were suffering weak ejection, so
last year at a local GSSF match, I had Glock go through both
pistols. On the G17, they replaced the Recoil Spring
Assembly(RSA), the extractor, and the ejector, and now
ejection is improved. The G30SF, on the other hand, had those
parts replaced, and still dribbled brass. It went back, and
they replaced the trigger bar, the RSA(again), and every part
associated with extraction and ejection...Better but still
kind of weak ejection with my bunny fart competition loads.
Both pistols always ran reliably, I just didn't like brass
bouncing off my glasses and forehead.
glare.gif


I have 5 Glocks, three Gen 3s, and two Gen 4s. I really
like the grip on the Gen 4s, but not enough to trade three
perfectly running Gen 3s.

If buying a new Glock, I would opt for a Gen 4, with no fear
of internet/friend of a friend/Gun store expert advice to the
contrary.

Squeeze
 
There are some differences between the guide rod, the mags, and the extractor.

There are also differences between the trigger assemblies, whether two or three pins.

But most of the parts are interchangeable. I dropped a new extractor into my Gen 3, with a Gen 4 extractor with no problems.

IMHO, with over 70,000 rounds through my Gen 3 G17 shooting in competitions, I prefer the Gen 3. If you have small hands, Gen 4 is fine for "feel." But if you are gripping the gun correctly even people with small hands control a Gen 3 just fine.
 


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