Gen 4 Glock 19 Mags in a Gen 1

[galena]

I have had a Gen One G19 for several years. Never shot it much and never carried it. I am re-thinking that and considering carry and possibly duty rotation. The Gen 1 mags do not drop free and must be snatched out of the magazine well, main reason I have never carried it. I see ads for Gen 4 G19 mags that state they are compatible with Gen 1 pistols. Does anyone have experience with Gen 4 mags in a Gen 1 pistol? Do they in fact drop free? Comments/thoughts?
Thanks.

 

[jmr40]

They will interchange and anything from Gen 2 and newer drop free. All of the Gen 1's I've ever owned dropped free when empty. The originals were not metal lined and would not drop free when loaded because the sides of the magazines expanded slightly when loaded. When empty they fall right out.

 

[FL-NC]

Yes, they will work fine, unless something is WRONG with the pistol or mag(s). I think all new mags are now gen 4- I have several gen 4 mags but no gen 4 Glocks. IMO, they should have been clearly marked in some way when the changes were made. i have had earlier mags that wouldn't drop free when empty- who knows, maybe just old.

 

[Rob1035]

Arent Gen 1 G19s really rare?

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

They will work fine as long as you don't flip the magazine release button around...oh wait...that's the other model, lol.

 

[Terlingueno]

If you have a true Gen 1 Glock 19, are you really wanting to carry a pistol potentially worth more than $5000 ?

 

[Steve C]

Model 19's started in the Gen 2 production and are all Gen 2 not that it matters that much as the difference in frame between the Gen 1 model 17 and the 19 is mostly the checkering on the front and back strap but neither had the finger grooves that didn't appear until Gen 3.

Gen 4 mags work just fine in my 30+ year old Glock 19 and will drop free. I have a couple Gen 4 mags along with the original 2 Gen 2 mags and a couple gen 3 drop free. All Glock magazines I have ever used have worked without and issues.

I bought a couple Korean military surplus Glock 19 mag's that had problems and would fall out of the pistol when shooting after firing 5 or so rounds. Could have been some wear on my OEM magazine catch but I haven't felt it worth the effort to find out yet.

Glock 19 with G4 mag.

 

[Spats McGee]

I am not a Glock historian in any way, shape, manner or form. That said, I've read that there were a handful of Gen 1 G19s. See here: http://www.glocktalk.com/threads/new-member-introduction-and-glock-19-gen-1.1617508/

and here: http://www.glocktalk.com/threads/gen-1-1st-gen-first-generation-glock-19.1409747/

OP, if you actually have a Gen 1 G19, you might seriously consider whether you should keep shooting it. It might be worth quite a bit of money. As in, you could probably sell it and buy a few of whatever other Gen strikes your fancy, along with new carry gear and a whole bunch of ammo.

 

[galena]

Thanks for the information guys. Obviously I know nothing about Glocks being basically a 1911 guy. However, as ugly as they are they are beginning to grow on me..........I am smart enough to recognize a good working pistol when I am hit in the head with one. In fact, I just picked up a G43 and I already have a G23 with is my favorite. I read somewhere that the mags didn't drop free in Gen 1s and since my 15 round mags don't drop free I just assumed I had a Gen 1. Based on your info I have a Gen 3 as it has the finger groove front strap. For some reason the 15 round mags won't drop free but I have two 10 rounders that do drop free. There is a tag on the front of the box that says "2 - commercial mags" I bought it used in about 2004. It came with the two 10 rnd mags. The 15 rounders are aftermarket but they appear to be Glock mags as they are marked on the lower rear of the mag "Glock & Austria" I am going to try a Gen 4 mag and see what happens. Thanks again for the info, I continue to live and learn.

 

[Spats McGee]

. . . . Based on your info I have a Gen 3 as it has the finger groove front strap.

Well, that changes things pretty dramatically in terms of value, but Gen 3s are still very popular.

In answer to your original question, though, it's my understanding that Gen 4 mags should work in a Gen 3 (sayeth the man who does not own, nor has ever shot, a Gen 3 . . . ) Gen 3s are supposed to also work in Gen 4s, unless the magazine release has been reversed in the Gen 4, from what I understand.

Anybody who has better information than I, you're more than welcome to correct me.

 

[9mmepiphany]

it's my understanding that Gen 4 mags should work in a Gen 3

I understand that what you are saying is that magazines from a Gen 4 G19 should work in a Gen 3 G19, but, just for the sake of accuracy...

The magazines that come with Gen 4 Glocks are really 9th or 10th generation magazines. Gen 3 Glocks come with 8th generation ones http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=545154&highlight=different+glock+magazine+generations

 

[Spats McGee]

And that, 9mmepiphany, is why I said:

Anybody who has better information than I, you're more than welcome to correct me.

Thanks.