Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Glock question

Which generation of Glock pistol is preferred by most - and why?

I'd really like to know - but I'll make the popcorn, now.

I can't tell you which is best, but for me personally I prefer Gen 3. I like the rail, and the finger grooved front strap. Something about that style fits my hands well.

My Glocks are all first-generation, and they operate and carry just fine. I've never tried a more-modern Glock, though, so it's possible I might like one better.

The rail is cute and all, but I don't think I'd ever use it for anything. The only things I know that can reasonably be mounted on it are lasers, flashlights, and bayonets. I'm not a fan of lasers or flashlights for defense guns, and bayonets on a handgun are silly.

Do the later-generation Glocks have advantages other than the rail?

Please tell my you are not thinking of stepping into the dark side Mark.

I like my G-19 Gen 2 the best. It doesn't have the finger grooves. It was updated by a police armorer a few years ago but has never had any issues. All I have added to it are night sights and a 3.5# connector. I still have the non drop free mags for it, I use them when carrying outdoors.

My G-26 Gen 4 will be nice once I get the finger grooves ground off.

I have a bunch of Glocks but my favorite is the Gen 4 19

I have 4 a Gen 1 model 21, a Gen 3 model 17, SF model 20, and Gen 3?model 27.

I guess I like them in that order.

I also have had a Gen 1 model 17 and Gen 2 (I believe) model 23.

I used to have a Gen 1 21[lost it in a boating accident].
I really liked it.
Have yet to shoot anything newer.

I prefer the Gen Two Glocks. Of course, the only Glock I own is a Gen Two 19. lol.

My personal opinion is that 1st Gen Glocks are a train wreck. Neat for a collector's piece because it is a very significant pistol, but they had a LOT of issues. Gen2 is when they started clearing up all the issues, and there are several versions of the Gen2. Still, the Gen2 guns are pretty solid. By Gen3 IMO the Glock became a perfected design and it's about as good a pistol as money can buy. Gen4's are a subtle improvement on the perfected design.

Gen 4 17, because they were on gen 4 when I finally got a glock.

Gen4's have had some ejection/feed issues especially in 9mm. Attaching lights, lasers, etc to rail supposedly makes problem worse. Have had Gen3's with no issues but never needed an attached light.

What is it you don't like about the Gen1`s, Kevin?

Extractors broke often, if dropped on a hard surface the slide will often depart the frame, they had a bad tendency to go click instead of bang, they also had a tendency to occasionally fire out of battery.

A Gen1 that has had the "6 part upgrade" is pretty decent, but it still has the drop problem.

FOR ME (and this is just me) I wouldn't consider a Gen1 Glock as a serious defensive pistol.

Late Gen2's and Gen3's are VERY good though.

Gen4's went with a dual captive spring to increase the lifespan of 9mm's that use a lot of +P and .40/.357's. The first 9mm's were a bit over-sprung, but that was quickly corrected. The Gen4's are good to go now.

Interesting, while I never dropped the Gen1 I had,it never once went click instead of bang.

Remember the late 19th - early 20th century guy? I carry a 45 Blackhawk a lot, at the ranch.
Seriously, "The Warden" likes the Glock 21, I believe. Thought I'd get her one to share the ammo for my 1911 with.


She needs to shoot larger calibers a bit more to get good.

I prefer the Gen 4 due mainly to the superior functionality of the mag release.

Believe ejector and extractor upgrades are also required. Does #30274 ejector ring a bell? More fiddling with the design during production than I would trust.

There have been a gazillion changes to Glocks over the years. While I don't care for Glock as a company, their commitment to constantly upgrading their product is quite admirable.