Glock 19 - Gen 4 vs Gen 3

[marb4]

I'm in the market for another 9mm and after some research and investigation I'm about 98% settled on a Glock 19. I've shot a couple of Glocks but have never owned one. I have a couple of questions for you Glock guys.

It seems as if there may be reliability issues with the Gen 4 Glocks. Is this an issue that is more internet myth than truth and if it is indeed true, have these issues been corrected? (from what I've read the issue seems to be related to a newly designed recoil spring system)

Is the gen 3 Glock 19 still manufactured?

Any advantage of Gen 4 vs Gen 3 or vise versa?

I appreciate any thoughts from you guys that have some actual experience with this pistol and possible issues with gen 4. Thanks.

 

[JoeMal]

Yes, Gen3s are still being manufactured

The Gen3 is arguably one of the most reliable semi-autos out there. There are some differences between the Gen3 and 4, including the frame and the recoil spring. I'm not sure if the issues were more internet lore or real problems; I've personally never shot a Gen4. I can tell you that I have a Gen3 17 and have fired over 4000 rounds without a single problem whatsoever. I would go with a Gen3 if it were me...

 

[wh!plash]

Even if the reliability issues are sorted out, I'd still go with a Gen3 until they go back to using the old tennifer coating on the new Gen4s. Its really weird to see a new Glock with substantial holster wear on the slide...

I have a Gen3 G19 thats been around for a number of years, and the finish looks like the day it was new.

 

[JoeMal]

I have a Gen3 G19 thats been around for a number of years, and the finish looks like the day it was new.

I will agree with this 100%. My Glock has been through some thangs and it still looks brand new

 

[beeenbag]

It seems as if there may be reliability issues with the Gen 4 Glocks. Is this an issue that is more internet myth than truth and if it is indeed true, have these issues been corrected? (from what I've read the issue seems to be related to a newly designed recoil spring system)

Its not really a new designed recoil spring system, it is the same recoil spring they have always used in the baby glocks, a dual coil system. It is actually a better system in reducing felt recoil.

Even if the reliability issues are sorted out, I'd still go with a Gen3 until they go back to using the old tennifer coating on the new Gen4s. Its really weird to see a new Glock with substantial holster wear on the slide...

The tennifer is actually "baked" so to speak into the metal of the slide and barrel. The black is not the tennifer. You can take all of the finish off of the barrel and slide and it will still be tennifered. The black is just a covering over the tennifer treated metals.

With that being said, it really depends on what the purpose of the new glock purchase is. If you are going to "use" it as in, carrying or for duty purposes, I like the gen 3 because of the fixed backstrap, the smaller mag release, and the proven reliability.

The gen 4, I like for general target shooting, and uspsa competition purposes. The reasons being the opposite for carrying. I like the bigger mag release for competition and having the option of changing the grip thickness. Also reduced felt recoil and muzzle flip is a big plus in competition.

 

[voyager4520]

It seems as if there may be reliability issues with the Gen 4 Glocks. Is this an issue that is more internet myth than truth and if it is indeed true, have these issues been corrected? (from what I've read the issue seems to be related to a newly designed recoil spring system)

Most of the Gen4 9mm Glocks don't have any problems, but some of them do. Most of the people with problematic pistols have been able to fix them by replacing the extractor with either another factory one, a polished factory one, or a Lone Wolf Distributors aftermarket 9mm LCI extractor. Others have fixed their pistols by using after market guide rods, or using adaptors that allow use of a Gen3 guide rod in a Gen4. But, some people have not been able to fix their guns even after replacing both parts. Some people have fixed theirs by modifying the ejector, others have made that same modification and it didn't help. Even Glock Inc seems to be puzzled as to what the cause/s of the problems may be.

Is the gen 3 Glock 19 still manufactured?

Yes, and it uses the same extractor that the Gen4 uses. Most Gen3 9mm's with the new extractor don't have any problems, but some do. The extractor may be too tight in the slide, causing erratic ejection or in severe cases failures to eject. This can usually be remedied by trying a new extractor, polishing the top and bottom surfaces of the extractor, or using an aftermarket LWD 9mm LCI extractor.

Any advantage of Gen 4 vs Gen 3 or vise versa?

Well the Gen4 has a smaller grip with add-on backstraps to fit more hand sizes, plus it has a bigger reversible magazine catch. Those are the only real differences.

 

[stonecutter2]

It seems as if there may be reliability issues with the Gen 4 Glocks. Is this an issue that is more internet myth than truth and if it is indeed true, have these issues been corrected? (from what I've read the issue seems to be related to a newly designed recoil spring system)

There are a few different theories about what isn't working right - the recoil spring, the extractor. I know Glock has shipped different recoil springs for the gen4 19, but I have one of the ones that "don't work right" for other people, and I haven't had a problem. One thing seems pretty certain regarding this - if you have a problem, and call Glock, they'll work to get a part to you to try and get your new gun working like it should.

Is the gen 3 Glock 19 still manufactured?

Like others have said, yep they still make the gen3.

Any advantage of Gen 4 vs Gen 3 or vise versa?

I prefer the size of the gen4 grip. Without any backstrap on the gen4, it's slightly smaller than the gen3 grip - and that fit my hand *perfectly*! The texture of the gen4 grip is like little spikes, vs the more "slippery" grip of the gen3. The gen4 mag release is also ambidextrous and bigger, but you need compatible gen4 mags to swap it out (older mags won't be compatible, but Glock mags are pretty cheap).

I have had no issues with my gen4 Glock 19. It chambers everything fine, and runs fine. However, I did do one small thing (after shooting it stock for a few hundred rounds with no issues):

I changed the trigger bar/trigger assembly to a Glock 17 gen3 version. This was for three reasons:
1) The face of the Glock 17 gen3 trigger is smooth, which I prefer.
2) The trigger bar on the G17 gen3 doesn't have this little "bump" that i found never affected performance, but did smack the rear plate on the slide whenever I broke down the pistol (it would "catch" on the back plate and nick it up, hang up during disassembly a little - the slide wouldn't just "slide" off) and the little bump also somehow made getting the pistol back together occasionally "stick" until I worked out pushing down the safety plunger with the striker pointing downwards, and then putting the slide on.
3) I found it actually improved the trigger pull somehow!

Regarding the slide's finish as someone else mentioned, there are two varieties to finishes for Glocks lately - the slick black finish (which I have on my gen4 19) that people say is far more wear resistant, and then a grayish matte finish that's like parkerizing, which people say wears off faster but Glock says provides a better grip. I don't know if Glock is simultaneously making these finishes, but I seem to remember reading that they switched to the matte gray at this point.

 

[Strahley]

I wouldn't even consider a Gen 4. Gen 3 all the way for me

Gen 3 wasn't broke, there was no reason to try and "fix" it

 

[md7]

I prefer to go with what I know, and that is gen 3. The gen 4 might be good to go. It might not be. I know that my gen 3's are. Thus, gen 3 for me.

 

[Lightsped]

Whats the difference in the tennifer finish of a Gen 3 vs a Gen 4? Is one really more resistant to holster wear than the other?

 

[FullEffect1911]

Gen 3 is still made, I just bought a G17 last week (my first Glock). The fired case package says 6/1/2011 so assuming is uses US style dating it was made the month before last.

From what I've read the Gen4 models really are better for the .40 S&W, but took away from the 9mm models. From watching the ejection of the 9mm models in slow motion youtube videos, it mostly appears that weak ejection is a big cause of the problems, along with sometimes needed different numbered extractors.

So in an effort to go with tried and true I went to the Gen 3 G17. Turns out that blocky grip is perfect for me, it gets the pad of my trigger finger right where it's supposed to be without me needing to adjust my grip to get it there.

If you need the smaller grip (which really is pretty comfortable), desire a larger magazine release or otherwise demand a rougher texture grip then the Gen 3. Then consider the Gen4. However if those things aren't that important then Gen 3 all the way for 9mm.

My opinions are based mostly on research and not so much on owning or firing Glocks extensively. I came into this whole Glock thing with having the option of both the Gen 3 and 4 so take it all for what it's worth.

 

[reppans]

I'd say you should go with what feels better in your hand. The smaller grip, larger mag release, and textured grip feel better in my hand than the Gen 3 (I need to rotate my grip to eject mags on the Gen 3).

The early Gen4s had an "0 3" recoil spring which was stiffer (made for the .40 cal?) and didn't fully cycle weaker/lighter 9mm ammo causing jams. I think all new 19s (from beginning of 2011?) come with an "0 4" spring which is lighter and will reliably cycle the weaker ammo. If you had a "0 3" spring, you could just call Glock and they'd mail you the "0 4" spring.

I have 700 rounds through my Gen 4 19, purchased in Feb, without a single issue and mostly cheap Walmart ammo (115gr, WWB and Fed Champ).... love the gun.

 

[rustedangel]

I purchased a gen 4 G19 October 2010, have run about 1,200 rounds through it without a single FTE or FTF or any other kind of problem. I decided to wait for the gen 4s because I liked the adjustable backstraps and ambidextrous mag release.

 

[Sig88]

I'd go for a Gen 3. While Glock has seemed to fix some of the issues with the Gen4 9mms, the Gen4 have a spotty record. The double spring system doesn't seem like a needed "improvement" for Glocks.

I also am not a fan of the grip or stippling. I like the Gen3 and I'll most likely on purchase them, at least for 9mms.

 

[REAPER4206969]

From what I've read the Gen4 models really are better for the .40 S&W, but took away from the 9mm models.

The GEN4 .40's have had many of the same issues as the 9mm's.

I'm not saying the GEN4 models are bad, I'm just saying that they are not "better" than the other generations.

 

[Dogguy]

The Glock 19 is one of the most reliable handguns made. The Generation 3 was probably as good as the gun could get. Trying to improve it with the Generation 4 led to reliability issues that may or may not have been resolved today.

Given a choice, go with the Generation 3.

 

[ForumSurfer]

I have a gen4 19 with the "0 4" spring. 2500+ rounds with no jams at all. One tula round refused to go bang, but it was the ammo. It got a good primer strike. It wouldn't fire in any of my other 9mm pistols, either. It was simply one bad round.

Will I have problems down the road? Who knows.

But when I bought it, I made sure to field strip it and make sure the recoil spring assembly was marked "0 4" instead of "0 3."

There is a nightmare of a thread on here about a guy having horrible warranty issues with glock. Not saying that is always the case, but he is clearly having mechanical and customer services issues.

I'd buy another gen4 19 in a heartbeat...but not without field stripping it and checking to see what the recoil spring is marked with. If you see "0 3" or earlier, run away screaming.

 

[NMBrian]

Glock first sent the Gen 4's out with the 03 springs, these had caused reliability issues in some pistols.

Next they released them with 04 springs, this seemed to cure the issues for most people.

My new Gen4 has an 04-2 spring in it. Glock recognized the problem, corrected it, and the gen4's are now as reliable as the gen3's IMO.

Id go Gen 4 unless there is something you particularly dont like about them.

 

[ForumSurfer]

Id go Gen 4 unless there is something you particularly dont like about them.

Same here. The new texture and mag release are what pushed me over the edge to take the glock plunge. I've ended up buying four glocks since then. I was formerly a glock hater, too.

I prefer them with no backstraps attached. Just to opine objectively, I feel the backstraps have a certain cheesiness about them. If I had to use the backstraps, I'd just buy a gen3 as I don't like the cheap feel of them when attached. Just my opinianted 2 cents.

 

[gearhead]

The tennifer is actually "baked" so to speak into the metal of the slide and barrel. The black is not the tennifer. You can take all of the finish off of the barrel and slide and it will still be tennifered. The black is just a covering over the tennifer treated metals.

Well, sort of. The Tenifer process consists of a salt bath nitriding at high temperatures to harden and toughen the surface of the steel, then a secondary treatment to form an oxide over the surface to give a uniform black finish that is resistant to corrosion. The trademarked Tenifer process encompasses both of those processes. My understanding is that Glock also applied a secondary coating over the Tenifer oxide layer to make the surface even more glossy and to further improve corrosion resistance, it was this combination of Tenifer + coating that was proprietary to Glock. I haven't held a Gen 4 to compare the finishes.

 

[ChCx2744]

Lucky 777 post

The newer gen 3s no longer incorporate the glossy oxide finish anymore on neither the slide nor the barrel. The gen 4s and newer gen 3s all have a flat, dull phosphate-like finish, similar to what the gen 2s had. The only good thing about this "new" finish, is that thd gun may grip a bit better, that's it. It scratches easier and wear shows up faster. A shame really, it shows that Glock is cutting corners to save a few pennies. Bad corporate decision.

 

[stonecutter2]

Whats the difference in the tennifer finish of a Gen 3 vs a Gen 4? Is one really more resistant to holster wear than the other?

The tenifer hasn't changed (so far as I know). Tenifer is actually a process that is "in" the metal to a certain depth. You could scrape off all exterior finish and the pistol will still have the tenifer process protecting it. Just wanted to clarify that first.

Second, the matte finish shows holster wear a lot more according to people. The shiny/glossy finish on my gen4 19 seems to be holding up VERY well and isn't showing much wear at all. By all accounts I've read, if you're worried about holster wear, find a Glock with the shiny/glossy finish - I describe as looking like a non-stick frying pan finish sort of.

 

[dsk]

I have one of the new Gen 4's and love it. The new grip shape is just what the doctor ordered, as it feels much better in my hand and I can shoot it better than a Gen 3. However, like many others I couldn't see what was broken with the old guide rod setup and wish Glock hadn't changed it.

 

[Apocalypse-Now]

if you don't care about the gen4 features, get a gen3 g19. it would be corporate suicide for glock to stop manufacturing the most popular pistols in the world any time soon.


the gen4 19 & 17 are the only models that still have occasional issues. although the most recent (and numerous) recoil spring updates seem to finally have solved those. at least the recent reports indicate so.

the gen4 40cals and gen4 26's have always been good to go.

 

[jackpinesavages]

Either one, does not matter. If money is an item, go with a used Gen 3.