Gen 3 vs Gen 5 Glock 19

TomJ said:

Is there something going on with the Gen 5's that people are selling them or is that just coincidence?

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I think it's probably coincidence since the G19 is probably Glock's, and possibly the world's, most popular handgun, and more would end up being sold or traded simply because there are more of them.

On the other hand, and I'm hesitant to mention it since you haven't seemed to notice it yourself - yet, but many folks complain about the cutout at the bottom of the front strap designed to allow you to grab the mag. Lots of folks on the internet have complained about that being an annoyance to their grip. Perhaps now that I've put that bug in your head it'll bother you too. You're welcome. Sorry.

I also wonder if after a couple of decades of Glock fans complaining about why other gun companies, such as S&W, don't produce a G19 size gun (S&W eventually did), and how stupid Glock was for making the G19X and G45 sized guns, with the short slide and full grip, that it would have been better to make a G17 slide with a G19 grip, that perhaps they are realizing that perhaps all the other gun companies that were producing the short slide with the full grip (think 1911 "Commander" size) may have been right all along. Perhaps folks are now digging the 19X and G45 over the G19?

Maybe they are like me and prefer the gen 3. Cant wait for them to come back to the market. Have not seen a new one in over 2 years, i want to to replace my gen 4 with the 3

I like the Gen5's simply because they got rid of the finger grooves. That was enough of a push to get me to buy.

I'm waiting for a metal only magazine for the G48 that puts the capacity up to 14+1. Then you might have quite a few trading in their G19's.

TomJ said:

I forgot about that magazine. It's a 15 round magazine, and I'm on the list to be notified. I have a 48, and that changes my need for a 19.

https://shieldarms.com/glock-43x-48-15-round-mag

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I meant 15+1; like you I'm on their notify list.
I've been looking for a metal magazine release to purchase in anticipation of them getting those magazines off and running.

TomJ said:

Is this it?

https://hyve-technologies.com/product/extended-magazine-release-for-the-glock-48/

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Yes, thank you. I didn't see the 48 on their website, when I ordered a couple of +2 baseplates. I'll have to order one.

<*(((>< said:

I like the Gen5's simply because they got rid of the finger grooves. That was enough of a push to get me to buy.

I'm waiting for a metal only magazine for the G48 that puts the capacity up to 14+1. Then you might have quite a few trading in their G19's.

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I would like them if they didn't add the cutout I disliked from the Gen 2. It's like one step forward two steps back for me.

Now I'm gonna have to pay extra for the MOS version to get rid of both the grooves and the cutout.

Probably still going to do it though, it's such a good size for carry

I bet since it’s new many people picked them up realized there isn’t a whole lot special and want to move on. Think about it what would you get rid of first that gun you had for 6months or that gun you liked enough to keep for 20yrs

I recently put a Wilson Combat Vickers Elite F.O. front and blind battlesight rear sight set (@$90), and an Apex action enhancement trigger kit (@$130) on my 10 yr. old Gen 3 Glock 17. Considering the fact that last year I was only offered a low-ball $200 trade in value for this unmodified gun towards the ($599.00) full price of a Gen 5 17, (IMHO) I’m way ahead price-wise with my old gun and these upgrades. And (again, IMHO) this pistol now shoots much better with these upgrades.

Be aware that the gen5 barrels have shorter throats than previous gens. Have not found this to be an issue...

Some have reported issue when using reloaded ammo.

Gen 5 outer finish looks nicer than gen4 finish. However, gen 3 may have the best slide finish of all...in my opinion.

Gen 5 grip is easier for me to hold. The grip circumference feels smaller in my hand than gen3.

Gen 5 for me runs great. Super reliable ..like gen3s.

I can't shoot Glocks because the grip angle is so much different than the 1911's. That said, my fave 1911 (and the one I carry most when I carry a 1911) is a Colt Gunsite Ranch model C.C.O. that has a Commander length slide and barrel and an Aluminum Officer's Model frame. Overall, a lightweight concealable grip frame with the longer barrel for keeping velocity up.

Having looked in the Gen 5 Glocks, I think the non-grooved grip, the better trigger, the reversible controls and the rounded edges are all fine improvements.

TomJ said:

Other than personal preference is there a reason not to sell my Gen 3 and go with the Gen 5?

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Nope...

I agree Tarosean, Nothing wrong with the gen 3, i prefer the gen 3 over any other gen

Maybe Glock is cutting their own throat with so many generations of the same model. Kind of like car manufacturers changing the grill and a few exterior features on next years model trying to convince buyers it is better car.

BSA1 said:

Kind of like car manufacturers changing the grill and a few exterior features on next years model trying to convince buyers it is better car.

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Except Glock went back to 88 (gen 2) tossed in some 98 (gen3) tossed in MIM and new grip texture and sold em on the orange follower...

BSA1 said:

Maybe Glock is cutting their own throat with so many generations of the same model. Kind of like car manufacturers changing the grill and a few exterior features on next years model trying to convince buyers it is better car.

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I don't see it as a big deal.

They really only make one gun in different sizes, caliber's, and colors. It's not like they have a hammer fired gun, a striker fired gun, a steel framed gun, and aluminum framed gun, a revolver, a rifle, a shotgun, etc., like nearly every other gun company has in their line-up. They just make a polymer striker fired gun. It's a pretty simple line-up.

Let me add: The available different generations gives the customer the option to buy what they want.

JTQ said:

I don't see it as a big deal.

They really only make one gun in different sizes, caliber's, and colors. It's not like they have a hammer fired gun, a striker fired gun, a steel framed gun, and aluminum framed gun, a revolver, a rifle, a shotgun, etc., like nearly every other gun company has in their line-up. They just make a polymer striker fired gun. It's a pretty simple line-up.

Let me add: The available different generations gives the customer the option to buy what they want.

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Right, they just have to make minor changes that are relatively easy to do (no major engineering changes such as a hammer, or 1911, carbine, etc) to keep people buying the new Glocks or to suit specific contracts.

And the contract guns can pull double duty of fulfilling a juicy contract and being the new "shiny" Glock for the masses.

I know Sig gets props for "Innovation" in their 320 but I'm not so sure. If I had bought a 320 instead of getting I to Glocks way back (I had an early 250 before I owned Glocks) then I'd likely have 1 320 with a spare slide and a couple frames instead of 6 Glocks. More money in the Glocks, obviously.

The Gen 5 Glocks are just what I've been waiting for, mainly due to the finger grooves being removed, but this gen also includes some other minor redesigns which I think are worth it.



https://glockcollector.info/2017/08/31/differences-between-gen-4-and-gen-5-pistols/
17M/19M & Gen 5 changes from the Gen 4 pistols include:

• No finger grooves.
• Flared mag well.
• Ambidextrous one-piece slide stop lever – on many of the ‘M’ guns, it’s also an extended ambi slide stop. That extended ambi slide stop lever is part # 33797, and is available for sale to certified armorers. It now appears that the extended ambi slide stop lever is on the Gen 5 G34.
• Front of the slide is rounded to match the Gen 4 subcompacts and long slide models. When first introduced, the Gen 5 and ‘M’ frame weren’t beveled to match. That has since been resolved in newer pistols.
• Land and groove rifling instead of polygonal
• Gen 5 GMB (Glock Marksman Barrel) barrel has a target match crown (FBI ‘M’ guns don’t). Barrels cannot be swapped with other generation guns – mainly due to the differences in locking blocks and newer, longer, RSA.
• Same style firing pin safety (angled instead of flat) as the Glock 43
• Return to two-pin frame due to a redesign in the locking block that removes the need for the third pin as well as Glock’s plan to only have Gen 5 in 9mm.
• Slide lock spring similar to Glock 43 (coil vs leaf), and the slide lock is moved slightly rearward.
• Return of cutout on bottom of front strap to assist with stripping magazine (such as due to a double feed) that were originally in Gen 1, Gen 2, and early Gen 3 full sized guns. Early prototypes did not have this cutout, which is why it’s not visible in some early pics. This cutout is on the 17, 19, and 34, but not the 26. The 26 has the extended toe similar to the MHS and 19X frames. It is also not on the Gen 5 MOS guns.
• Tougher finish applied to the same Melonite metal treatment process. This finish is dubbed nDLC (diamond like coating) that is similar to the black nitride finish. Glock refers to it as an ion bonded finish, and will only be available on Gen 5 guns.
• The upper cartouche, the flat area on the upper right grip area that show where the pistol was made, has been moved down and combined with the lower one, which contains the patent number
• Mags have an orange mag follower
• Mags have extended front lip to aid in reloading
• Mags have a slightly rounded base plate (bottom front edge)
• There are no front serrations on the regular 17 and 19, as some people claim, or as some photoshopped pictures suggest. Glock added an LCI to the guns many years ago to negate the need for press checks. The G45 does have front serrations.
• ‘M’ guns come with 6 magazines. Gen 5 guns come with 3.
• Gen 5 is available with polymer sights or several night sight variations, including factory and Ameriglo ‘Bold’ night sights. The new sights are narrower than previous models. ‘M’ guns have slightly different sights than the Bold sights. These are called the ‘Agent’ sights. Differences being FBI sights have a ‘U’ shaped notch in the read sight, whereas the Bold have a square notch. Both rear sights are serrated, and the night sights don’t have a white or colored ring around them (this is often referred to as ‘blacked out’). Both the Gen 5 Bold sights and the FBI sights are available with a .125 orange front sight as well as a more traditional .140 width sight.
• Glock had originally said no plans for MOS guns, but they are now releasing the Gen 5 G34 in MOS.
• Glock said originally that the Gen5’s will only be offered in 9mm, but São Paulo Police Department (Brazil) is now testing the Gen 5 G22.
• New striker, but same spring cups, spring, and sleeve
• New extractor
• New slide cover plate
• New trigger mechanism housing
• New trigger bar, but the Gen 4 dimple is removed (since the Gen 5 went to the angled trigger safety, the hump is no longer needed)
• Gen 5 doesn’t use the ‘S’ shaped coil trigger spring, like the previous generations, instead going to a setup like the slimlines
• G19 and G26 come with a smooth trigger (like the 17) instead of the previous grooved trigger.
• ‘M’ guns have the nDLC finish on some internals (at least the trigger bar), Gen 5 guns do not.
• ‘M’ guns appear to have an extended mag catch as stock, vs. a normal mag catch for the Gen 5 guns
• Gen 5 are currently available in black. ‘M’ guns are available in several color molded frames.
  • Black is standard issued to all agents.
  • BFG is issued to FBI SWAT
  • FDE is issued to FBI HRT
• Gen 5 guns have a ‘5’ rollmark on the top of the barrel. ‘M’ guns have a ‘5M’.
• Gen 5 G34 doesn’t have the cutout on the top of the slide like previous version, yet still maintains good balance due to a re-engineering of the materials used in the slide.
• Gen 5 pistols have a rail that uses the 1913 picatinny dimensions.

The new mags will work in previous generation pistols, and vise versa, with the exception of the 21SF with picatinny rail & ambi mag catch, and the 19X.

Keep in mind that the ‘M’ pistols are Glock’s specific response to the FBI requirements for a new pistol. Just because any of these features exist on these guns does not mean that they will appear in any other non-‘M’ guns in the future.

The following pictures of the Gen 5 G26 and G34 are from Glock.

One overlooked item of the gen 5 series... The beveled front slide makes it easier for me to carry the pistol appendix in the waistband.

I use an open-end kydex "appendix in the waistband holster" made for a Glock 26. (That's to reduce the overall footprint of the holster.)

Glock 19 Gen 5 slide sticks out about a quarter of an inch pass the G26 holster.

With the beveled slide of the gen 5 model, I don't feel the end of the slide poking at my leg as much as the older squared off slides of previous generations.

For me... that's an important advantage of the gen 5 model. It's almost as if I am carrying a Glock 26 with a 12 round magazine.

Flatbush Harry said:

I can't shoot Glocks because the grip angle is so much different than the 1911's.

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This I don't get, I find it easy to transition from Glock to 1911 and back. One of my 1911's has an arched mainspring housing which emulates the Glock grip angle.

Also, some people like the earlier Gen3 with their lack of MIM parts.

vba said:

This I don't get, I find it easy to transition from Glock to 1911 and back. One of my 1911's has an arched mainspring housing which emulates the Glock grip angle.

Also, some people like the earlier Gen3 with their lack of MIM parts.

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I agree that the transition between a Glock and a 1911 is fairly straight forward, at least for me.

Been culling the number of pistols in my possession and that in my safe the last few years and my two EDC's are my 3rd Gen Glock 19 and a DW 1911 45ACP. They're both Commander size pistols and for one reason or another, they compliment each other very well in my hands. For carry, they're about the same weight though I prefer the CCO as it's slimmer with a shorter officer's grip stock. Both great pistols and frankly, I culled from a whole lot of CLASSIC HK's and Sigs! The latter two companies make great pistols.

The 3rd Gen G19 has always been reliable and accurate. There's been no reason for me to update. I had installed a set of TruGlo TFX sights last year. Very nice addition.

Stay safe!