Glock Value Question: gen1 vs gen2 vs gen3 vs gen4

[Tarvis]

There are a couple of local adds for older Glocks, namely a G22 gen 2 LE trade-in with 2 mags for $400, and a G17 with no finger grooves (doesnt say if it's gen 1 or 2) with 2 mags for $400. My knowledge of the specifics is fairly limited as far as Glocks go, I'm basically looking for a deal regardless of caliber.

My questions is this: personal grip preferences aside, what are the pros/cons of buying an older generation Glock, and how do they rate value wise (what are they worth in comparison)? If I buy a gen 1 or 2 for $400, will it hold its value?

Thanks guys.

 

[JohnBiltz]

If you are paying $400 for a Gen 1 or 2 it seems like it has held its value pretty well so far. I don't believe a Gen 1 or 2 cost that much new.

 

[amd6547]

There are people who are collecting the early Glock 17's, and others who just prefer them.
I have a late model gen 3 OD frame G17, and wouldn't mind finding an early model myself.

 

[legion3]

I bought my first glock in 1987 at a K-mart in California. It was a generation 1 G17 and was around $375 ish. My first glock 19 was a Gen 2 purchased in 1988 and was around $400.

They were never $200 or $300 guns when new.

That said Glocks have pretty much retained decent value (depending on caliber - always harder to sell a 10mm or 357 sig or 45 gap- there are also often plenty of 40 cal police guns around to dampen that caliber at times) however many people prefer the newer guns.

Also first gen's only came in 9mm and were the G17 and G17L models, some G18's and a very very few G19 prototypes (never a production gun). So if someone says they have a 1st gen G21 they do not, they have a 2nd gen gun and so forth.

When I have sold Glocks at gun shows I have always been able to sell any generation but need to find the right buyer otherwise most seem to want a "better" deal on the "older" Glocks.

A 3rd Gen sells to most pretty quickly. A Second sells slower and a first you really need to sell on line to get top value. And honestly the 4th gens are just to new to be a big player on the used market. I can usually get between $400 - to $475 easily for most used Glocks depending on model and what comes with it.

There is actually a group of glock collectors but collecting is kind of limited.

 

[Magnuumpwr]

If this helps your any, Gen 4's are southpaw friendly in that the mag release can be reversed.

 

[breacher]

if you plan on shooting it a bunch it's probably best to get a 3 pin frame and not the older 2 pin version

 

[gym]

The frame is different without the finger grooves, some prefer it, for those people they are worth more

 

[Sapper771]

I think the most value is found in the gen2. As an example, CDNN has Gen2 G22 police trade ins for ~$329. The gen3 trade ins are $359 i beleive. I got my old duty G22 for $323. Most places will have the gen2's cheaper than the gen1/3/4.

Gen1 are turning into collectors items, so they dont have the best value. Gen4 are usually going for more than the gen3's, so I would say their resale would be higher than the used gen3's.

My vote goes to the Gen2.

 

[GLOOB]

The reason gen2 Glock 22's are so cheap:
1. The number of LE trade ins.
2. less chamber support. If you reload, these guns will probably bulge your brass
3. 40 is more abusive. If shot extensively, 40 cal glocks peen. Check the slide above the locking block and the barrel hood for peening.

If you don't reload, and the gun looks good, they're a great bargain.
If you wanted to upgrade the barrel with a current factory barrel, you have to figure the cost would make even a 320 Glock cost more than a new one.

Before I started reloading, I figured I'd get one of the cheap gen2 40's, possibly even a 2 pin version. And swap the frame with a current Gen 9mm to save some money and have both calibers. But that doesn't solve the chamber support issue. Again, not an issue if you don't reload.

 

[Johnny Lightning]

I never heard of the 2 pin vs 3 pin issue w/ glocks. So the gen 1 & 2 have 2 pin and the gen 3 & 4 have 3 pin? What about the sub-compact models? I reload so I guess I will go w/ the gen 3 or 4 for my next glock purchase.

 

[rooter]

If shot extensively, 40 cal glocks peen. Check the slide above the locking block and the barrel hood for peening.

Peening doesn't hurt a thing and will stop at a certain point anyway. Buy used if you want a used gun (pick the generation you like best), replace the recoil spring, and shoot away.

 

[legion3]

The original 1st and 2nd 9mm glocks had two pin frames.

I'm pretty sure the orginal 40 cal's had the 3 pin design from the get go.

So its not generational until a point. At some point glock made all 3rd gen guns 3 pin. But as always with glock there is some spill over of generations and changes.

 

[greyling22]

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deals/1093739/

gen 2 G22 $299 shipped
gen 3 G22 for $329 shipped.

police trade-ins. the pictures show night sights.