Table of Contents

• Action
• Trigger and Safety
• Cleaning and Maintenance
• Magazine Capacity and Accessories
• Finger Grooves and Holsters
• Glock Gen 3 VS Gen 4 Differences
• Slide
• Recoil Spring Assembly
• Frame Grip
• Trigger Bar
• Trigger Housing and Connector
• Ejector
• Back Straps
• Magazine Release
• Magazines
• Cost
• Glock Gen 3 VS Gen 4 Reliability Comparison
• Conclusion

The two latest versions of the Glock 19 are not what you would call ‘new’. The Gen 4 has been around for about six years now, and the Gen 3 was introduced in 1996, but people still ask me which one I would recommend, as both versions are readily available on the market. Many folks either love Glocks or hate them. Generally, those that don’t like Glock pistols don’t like polymer “plastic toy guns,” period. But those that do love Glocks, such as myself, often own several of them. Sure, they may not be the most attractive handguns on the market, but there is something appealing even in their utilitarian look to me. It is no secret that my family loves Glocks – between me and my relatives, the members of my family own every Glock model several times over! If you’re looking into buying a Glock, 19 or otherwise, you must have heard some good things about them. The Glock 19 has had some impressive iterations over the years, and we will compare two of their very best in this, our Glock 19 Gen 3 VS Gen 4 Review.

Most people are familiar with at least one of the models of these popular revolutionary polymer-frame pistols. The reason they were considered so revolutionary when they were introduced in the early 80’s mainly comes down to their striker fired, no-external hammer design, and the fact that they were one of the first polymer-framed handguns to be marketed in large numbers (the Glock 17).  Despite no longer being unique in these aspects; the availability and variety of holsters, OEM replacement parts and upgrades, and the ability to customize the Glocks to a shooters specifications and needs, have kept them popular and in demand throughout the years.

The Glock 19 is a compact polymer framed, locked-breech, double stacked, 9mm’s with no external hammer, and is one of the most popular of the Glock models, which is impressive given such entries as the Glock 17 and the Glock 26. For many, it is the go-to-gun for concealed carry and self-defense purposes. If you’ve ever fired or dry-trained on any of the Glock models, the Glock 19 will feel familiar to you, which is the beauty of having a unified-across-models Glock design. It means that even though you may be practicing with the subcompact or full size, the muscle memory will translate to the compact and vice versa, no matter which Gen it is. The Gen 3 and 4 versions of this compact pistol are similar but have some important differences that should be noted and considered when choosing between the two. Let’s start though by going over the similarities:

Glock Gen 3 VS Gen 4 Similarities

Action

Glocks are all striker-fired pistols, without external hammers. Instead of external hammers, the firing pin is “cocked” by an internal spring until the trigger releases it to strike the cartridge. When you rack the slide of a Glock to chamber the first round, the firing pin is only partially cocked. That provides a degree of safety because the gun can’t fire from the partially cocked configuration. When you pull the trigger, the cocking operation is completed until the backward motion of the trigger releases the fully cocked striker. With the striker-fired design, every trigger pull will feel the same.

Trigger and Safety

As with all Glock models, there are no external manual safeties. This means that all Glocks can be quickly drawn and employed if deadly force is required without the shooter needing to worry about flipping the safety on or off. Assuming there is a bullet in the chamber, just draw, point and you’re ready to fire. If you’re ever in a real-life blood pounding situation with adrenaline shooting through you, you’re going to want to have a gun that is as simple and direct as possible to operate. The Glock 19 trigger is part of the Glock Safe Action Pistol safety system.

Depressing the center part of the trigger releases the safety and allows the pistol to be fired. This is meant to reduce the risk of accidental discharge. Second, the Glock has an internal firing pin safety. This pin will keep the striker from launching itself forward. Third, there is a drop safety, which means the gun may be dropped from a significant height, with a round in the chamber, and this safety will ensure that the gun does not discharge. Trigger pull is about 5.5 pounds on all Glocks and can be easily increased or decreased depending on your preference by changing parts readily available from Glock.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Without a doubt, cleaning and maintaining Glocks are one of their major selling points: Because there are so few parts, the field stripping is really quick. Fewer parts also mean fewer malfunctions and less hassle. The less time it takes to maintain, the more likely you are to maintain the gun better and more frequently; so you will be dealing with fewer stoppages and problems. The Glock is the definition of rugged and low-maintenance: you can fire it dry or simply oiled since the slick surfaces of polymer don’t seem to have any wearing effects on the steel slide.  I personally do add a little lubricant on my G19 but it is not critical on the Glock. The Glock has an easy four piece disassembly process for cleaning and lubrication.  The spring is integral to the recoil assembly and guide rod so there is no chance of inverting the spring incorrectly or losing it.

Magazine Capacity and Accessories

Both Glock 19s have a 15+1 round capacity in their standard magazine and you can get purchase capacity magazines if you want (though this takes away from the concealability factor).  Both come equipped with a Picatinny accessory rail on which you can mount a variety of different accessories from lights to lasers etc.

Finger Grooves and Holsters

Both Glock 19 Gen’s have the same finger grooves and you can use the same exact holster for both generations, even if you’re using the different sized back straps of the Gen 4 – which I will explain about below.

Glock Gen 3 VS Gen 4 Differences

Though the list below might make it seem like there are many differences, they are really more noticeable to someone who has lots of experience with both. If you’re trying to figure out which to buy, most of the differences will likely not be as important to you, but they should still be considered.

Slide

One of the first differences people note about the Gen 4 Glocks across all models (even if you’re holding a Gen 3 and 4 that at a close glance seem to be very similar) is the fact that the slide is stamped with “Gen 4” on it. Another easy way to determine if you’re holding a Gen 4 is to look at the guide rod right below the muzzle; the Gen 4, which uses a dual-recoil spring guide rod, has a larger hole. For those really paying attention, the slide and barrel finish are different between the Gen 3 and 4. This doesn’t really make much of a difference, but the earlier Tenifer surface treatment has now been replaced by a similar process that is faster and safer to apply (and is meant to be better for the environment). The metal surfaces of the Gen 4 are of a slightly different color, being a lighter and somewhat duller grey than their Gen 3 contemporaries.

Recoil Spring Assembly

The recoil guide rod assemblies, as stated above, are different. Gen 3 features a single-spring guide rod assembly, and the Gen 4 has a dual-spring assembly. You can put a Gen 3 guide rod into the Gen 4 if you use the recoil spring adapter (it will not work the other way around). The dual recoil spring helps reduce the felt recoil and also increases the lifespan of the assembly because it isn’t working as hard as the Gen 3 single-spring. I personally do not find this recoil difference to be tremendous, and since I don’t do any competition shooting, I can manage fine with both. Still, any tiny help with accuracy and the reduction of recoil energy to the wrist sure feels nice when you spend a lot of time at the range like I do. Inside the frame, the dust cover features a wider channel to accommodate this larger dual-recoil spring assembly.

Frame Grip

The texture on the grip is a little different, with a more aggressive rougher texture on the Gen 4 grip which helps slightly for a surer grip when your hands are wet or sweaty.  This new checkering improves your grip and at the same time is still comfortable in long shooting sessions at the range, even without gloves.

Trigger Bar

The trigger bars on the Gen 3 and Gen 4 models are completely different. The Gen 4 features a rounded bump on the part that deactivates the firing pin safety, though it is still compatible with previous generation guns This bump helps keep the trigger bar centered on the firing pin safety. This also makes the trigger pull feel slightly rougher and increases the weight of the pull (by an estimated half-pound). Some people really don’t like this, though I have never had an issue with it. You can switch out the Gen 4 trigger bar for a Gen 3 if you prefer.

Trigger Housing and Connector

The trigger housings are different as well, though not drastically different. The Gen 4 has been redesigned to be compatible with the new and smaller frame, and the connector engagement angle is also slightly different. Because of this angle change, the connector features a modified angle to preserve the same trigger pull weight of the Gen 3 pistols. A Gen 4 connector can be used in a Gen 3 Glock, although it will alter significantly the weight of pull.

Ejector

The ejector was changed in the Gen 4 and can be swapped out between generations. However, it is not sold by itself – only with the trigger housing. I don’t see any real reason to do swap it out, though, as it functions just fine.

Back Straps

Gen 4 models come with two extra, alternate back straps to help fit these Glocks comfortably into a wider range of hand sizes. The smallest back strap is integrated into the frame, reducing the trigger distance of the standard size Gen 3 frame by approximately .08 in, making it more similar to a 1911. The medium back strap will add approximately .08 in. making it equal the size of a standard frame. Finally, the large backstrap increases the trigger distance by a total of approximately .16 in.

Magazine Release

Gen 4 magazine release buttons are not only larger for easier releases but are also ambidextrous, so unlike in earlier Gens, these are now made to be as equally comfortable in right or left-handed shooters.

Magazines

The magazines of both are generally compatible with each other, although if you change the magazine release over to the right-side (for left-handed shooters), then the older Gen 3 magazines, which were built for standard left-sided releases, will not work. The Gen 4 magazine has a notch on both sides, whereas the Gen 3 has only on the left-side (so they are good only for right-handed shooters).

Cost

The Gen 4, as a newer model, does cost more, but not by very much. The Gen 3 will run about $400-$500, with the Gen 4 coming in at about $100-$200 more in price – depending on where you’re purchasing from.

Glock Gen 3 VS Gen 4 Reliability Comparison

These are Glocks we’re talking about here – that means rugged reliability, no matter what generation you own! The Gen 4 had some issues when it first came out (as do many new guns and earlier Glock Gens), but Glock quickly ironed those out. In general, the simplicity and excellent design of the Glocks, with so few parts to break down, have given them a reputation of durability that is well deserved. They function well in almost any condition and hold up to abuse better than their lightweight construction might suggest, which is one of the reasons why many civilians and law enforcement officers in the U.S. and around the world carry a Glock of one model or another. Just imagine if you take care of your Glock properly – it’ll function that much smoother.

Conclusion

For me, the compact Glock 19, whether in Gen 3 or 4, is truly the Goldilocks pick of the Glock family. The 9mm bullet has enough stopping power for most practical self-defense needs. It isn’t too big for concealment, and weight-wise many will be comfortable carrying it. The Glock 19 also isn’t too small that you need to sacrifice much bullet capacity, grip comfort or sight radius. Also, most men and a large percentage of women can grip it and handle it properly and feel comfortable carrying it.

Personally, since I’m right-handed, I never needed the ambidextrous option of the Gen 4, nor did my hand need a different back strap size to fit well, but I do like the more aggressive grip texture of the Gen 4 and the larger magazine release makes switching mags, especially when you’re under stress, much easier. Though the dual-recoil spring assembly doesn’t make much of a difference in a 9mm gun like the Glock 19, every little bit helps. I would be happy if I ended up with either one, but at the end of the day, if I had to choose, I would take the Gen 4.

It truly boils down to a matter of taste. As always, no matter which you choose: as long as you are comfortable with your pistol choice and spend time becoming proficient with it, you’ve made a good choice. Both the Gen 3 and the Gen 4 also feature a plethora of accessory and modification options, making them as user-friendly as can be. Just remember to practice regularly to become the best shooter that you can be, and to always practice proper gun safety. It will also ensure that you’re confident in the handling of your weapon to be able to use it if ever you need to. The harder you train, the easier it will be when you’re in a stressful real-life situation to remember what to do and not fumble. That can be a real lifesaver. There is no wrong choice here, and I hope you’ll be happy with whichever one you get.

Thanks for reading our Glock 19 Gen 3 VS Gen 4 Review – be sure to check back for more on all things guns here at Gunivore!

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Table of Contents

• 1. The Trigger
• 2. The Stainless Steel Guide Rod
• 3. Slide Release Lever
• 4. Magazine Release Lever
• 5. Sights
• 6. Extended Mag

The Glock 17 Gen 4 comes out of the factory in prime condition. Ever since it was released in 1982, the Glock 17 (and its brothers and sisters) continues to dominate the gun market. And with good reason, too. A Glock handgun is fit for anyone. If you can point and shoot, you can use a Glock 17.

Aside from the first question of “which holster should I choose?”, many people choose to further personalize their handguns by modifying the existing parts with ones which better suit the shooter’s tastes. These are the top modifications which are done on the Glock 17.

Some of these upgrades – like the extended magazine release lever and the extended slide lever – are less recommended for those who are carrying their weapon in concealment. This is because these levers could potentially get caught in clothing or what not.

The top five Glock 17 upgrades are presented in no particular order. Take your pick.

1. The Trigger

Glock produces handguns which perform wonderfully in any situation. The Glock 17 comes with a trigger which has a ~5.5 lbs. trigger pull. Many shooters – professional and non-professional – choose to replace the factory-made trigger with a lighter, 3.5 lbs. trigger.

A lighter trigger means a quicker round, and that can make a big difference in certain times. Understanding the small nuances of accurate trigger pulls will make you a sharper, safer, and more conscious shooter. This is a trait which many shooters want to acquire, and after training with a lighter trigger for a while, you will be able to see the difference at the shooting range and in your approach to trigger pulling. This can certainly help gain accuracy, and make you a more confident shooter.

Price: $20 – $40

2. The Stainless Steel Guide Rod

The original factory-made guide rod is made of polymer. There is nothing wrong with it, but in those rare times where there has been some issue with the Glock’s guide rod, it was with their polymer one. The polymer guide rod has some flex and bend to it because it is made of polymer, which is a nylon-based substance.

The stainless steel guide rod will not break, will not bend, and will not flex. The weapon’s energy and pressure are very concentrated, and a lot of that energy goes right into that guide rod.

The weight of the stainless steel guide rod will add a little bit of weight to your barrel, but the advantage is that it helps reduce muzzle climbing. It has been shown to improve accuracy, because the additional weight helps keep the gun on target after that first shot has been fired. The steel rod will help follow-up shots stay focused.

Price: $20 – $35

3. Slide Release Lever

When firing the gun and running out of ammo, an empty magazine will push on an internal lever which locks the slide into a rearward position, in order to let the shooter know that there are no more rounds to fire. After inserting a new magazine, the slide release lever is pushed, which accomplishes two tasks:

A) It pushes the slide forward, and

B) Moves a cartridge into the chamber.

The factory-made slide release lever is relatively small and flat. While it is true that you can get used to anything, there are some cases in which you would like to feel more convenience.

The extended slide release lever is just that – extended. It makes the reloading process a lot quicker and easier. The flat lever is a lot more suited for concealed carry, but the extended lever is also has a lot of practicality, because it is sensed a lot easier. If you are wearing gloves, or are with hands wet with sweat or water, it can be a very different story. The extended slide release lever means you have to think less about it, because it protrudes from the gun. Not a lot. The surface is still pretty smooth, but your finger can sure tell the difference.

Price: $10 – $35

4. Magazine Release Lever

This lever has gone through some changes over the years, but one critical issue remained pretty consistent with the factory-made levers. With the factory-made magazine release levers, the shooter usually has to change grip in order to release the magazine. This means extra time spent on bringing your hand back to the shooting position. Extra time which would be better spent reloading. When you are in the middle of a confrontation, you need to make sure you have the quickest and easiest way of reloading your weapon. As the experts say: ammo in the gun equals time in the fight.

That little nub-of-a-lever gives you a real edge, so to speak. The one downside is that it may not be right for concealed carrying. That is a judgement call, and it varies from one shooter to another.

Price: $10 – $16

5. Sights

Sights, especially night sights, are probably the most popular upgrade of all. The factory-made sights are good for daytime use, but not for night / low light shooting. You can never tell what the conditions will be when you are called upon to draw your gun and fire, so it is best to be prepared. As far as sights are concerned, tritium and fiber-optic are two of the most popular choices. There are many companies who make sights for the Glock handguns, and depending on how you prefer your Glock to look and feel (the concealed carrying issue may be relevant here, as well), you will be able to find sights which will suit you.

Prices vary greatly, and they range from $10 – $15 for Glock-made polymer or steel sights, through ~$60 for Glock fiber optic sights, to $126 – $150 for Trijicon suppressor sights. As far as night sights go, the competition is fierce. There are many great companies out there, and Glock itself makes its own night sights, available for $75. Other popular choices are TruGlo ($65 – $129), Meprolight ($81 – $162), and Trijicon ($106 – $157). These sights can be tritium, fiber optic, or a combination of both. It really all depends on the needs of the shooter, so go with whatever you are most comfortable with.

6. Extended Mag

The Glock 17 comes standard with a 17 round magazine. For most people 17 rounds is more than enough. You may not be like “most” people. That is why magazine extensions are a popular upgrade for many Glock owners. There are a handful of companies making extended mags that range from +3 to a whopping 33 rounds.

The Pearce company is known for their high quality grips but they make mag extensions as well. One of which is the Pearce +3 Glock Mag Extension. This upgrade will cost you around 10 dollars and will give a total of 20 rounds. Arredondo makes a great mag extension that will give you an extra 5 rounds. This piece clips on to the standard Glock magazine. It’s made out of a durable nylon and runs around 35$. These two extensions are modest compared to the next one on the list. The Glock factory 33 rounder gives your Glock 17 an insane 33 rounds. That is nearly double the amount of the standard Glock 17 magazine capacity.  They are produced by Glock so you know they are made out of the highest quality material. They will cost you $35 or so. There is legislation in the works to possibly ban these 33 round extenders so get one before it’s too late.
The advantage to an extended mag is obvious. More rounds more firepower. But the addition of more rounds comes at the cost of weight and size. More bullets means a heavier weapon and more stress on your body when carrying. The smaller extensions won’t alter the guns size too much but the 33 rounder definitely will. It can make it extremely difficult to conceal to carry. It comes down to personal preference. The point is if more rounds is what you are looking for there are many products that can help you achieve that.

Or Choose A New Glock

Upgrades can only take you so far. The Glock 17 is an industry standard but it is not the most compact you can go. Glock has many other models that may suit you if size is the issue. You may want a Glock that shoots a different caliber bullet. Glock parts are only interchangeable to a point. A Glock 17 magazine won’t hold a .45 round. If that is what your looking for you may want to check out the Glock 37 or the Glock 38 and 39. These compact guns all can carry .45 caliber bullets in a compact frame.

Conclusion

The Glock 17 remains one of the most popular firearms in the world. Glock have sold nearly 10 million guns, which is no small feat. The Glock 17 semi-automatic 9mm caliber handgun, even with no accessories whatsoever, is still a great weapon that serves its purpose well. It is no wonder that so many first-timers, veterans, and even professional competitive shooters choose to use a Glock. It is a reliable and dependable weapon, proven and time-tested. If you do choose to modify or accessorize your Glock, remember to do so at a gun shop. Some modifications are ones you may be able to perform yourself, but most of the time it will require a more professional touch. That is why it is best done at a licensed shop.

Good luck and happy shooting!

Another fan favorite is the Glock 19 Gen 4, which is essentially a smaller sized Glock 17 and therefore convenient for concealed carry. Glock 19 accessories also present many options for making your gun best suited to your own personal needs. Also, be sure to check out our Glock 17, 21, 26, and 30 reviews!

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