Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Which gen glock 17

Eeenie-meanie.

In using the various gen models over the past 30 years, i've not found the new gen 5 to be more accurate than the earlier models--ie, I've not found that the gen 5 will "do better" than a single ragged hole 5 shot group at 15 yards--such as I've seen with gen 2 and gen 3 rigs. Perhaps longer ranges, or various different pills--might prove newer gen 5 barrels to be more accurate than I know.

Perhaps Glock--or ultra die hard Glock fans, are setting folks up for some new hype in "Glock Perfection".



However, the newer glocks do have some re-designed features that I think are improvements:


An ambi slide release--nice for lefties, although it does create minor holster issues, especially with the form-fitting kydex.

A coil spring on the slide release--rather than the thin, old spring from earlier gens that could bend if one was careless in dissassembly.

A coil spring under the slide lock, rather than the leaf style spring that was prone to breakage on some models (ie. G30).

The reshaped firing pin safety--now being square, i believe this was a good move--though time will tell.

The firing pin itself has been reshaped to offer slightly more support near the tip.


A possible negative?

In these days of many firing heavier pills in 9mm, and using +P, and +P+ rounds much more often, I think it would have been better to stay with two pins on the Locking Block, rather than just one pin as is now the case.

I can't say for sure if the new finish is better--it is too early for me to comment. However--the old dark black, slick, "frying pan" finish of some of the earlier models, was about impossible to better.

My 2 cents, for what it's worth....

Wish average people could shoot good enough to actually be able to see a difference. Present company excluded of coarse we all shoot thrown aspirins out of the air from the hip.

Thanks for the input guys.

Just start over.

Just handled a Gen 5 26 that was barely fired and still stock. I thought the trigger was a noticeable improvement (still the same trigger "character" & reset, but lighter and cleaner pull & break). The one I looked at also happened to have an extremely well fit barrel and very little play in the slide. I liked the new slide release lever. Dont know if it might give problems in previous Gen holsters? I'm guessing no in leather, yes in kydex, etc.

So, I'm optimistic...

Im curious if gen 5 can use the other gen magazines?

Correct. Leather (especially soft leather), no problem. Hard molded leather still okay. Kydex will likely be a problem with the new right side slide release, so a new holster will likely be called for.

Yes. No problem. Only issue is if you convert it to right side mag release. In that case, you can't use gen 1 and 2 magazines. Not sure about gen 3. If you leave the mag release the way it comes, then it can use all gen magazines.

Great advice that I also fully recommend.

Can't go wrong with the Glock 45!!!

Thanks real hawkeye. Guess ill start shopping around for a gen 5

All generations are good unless you let Glock do an "upgrade".

I looked at gen 5’s today, 19’s. The trigger seems nice, but until you spend some range time, it’s hard to tell.

I understand. The Gen 2 M19 is one of the most sought after used Glocks - folks pay a premium for them. Mine never misses a beat.

1st Glock I ever bought was a Gen 2 G19, way back in 1993. Sold it years ago. Now I have a Gen3 G19 that I will never part with, though I doubt it is any better than a Gen 5, by the sounds of things.
Glock really got it right with the 19.

Unless your fingers don't happen to fit the finger groves, as is the case with me. My Gen 4 19 puts my pinky right on top of the bottom point of the last finger groove, instead of inside the groove. My fingers ate too fat. For this reason, I think I might well like the Gen 5 Model 19, since it has no grooves.

Yep, I'm blessed with banana fingers as well. I like the Gen 2, I tolerate the Gen 3, but it doesn't fit me without use of tape filler, and I won't buy a Gen 5 because I can buy a better 9mm for over $200 less. Glocks are over-priced.

That's a good point, and one I tend to forget about as my hands seem to fit the grooves on the Gen 3 G19 very well. Still, I might buy a Gen 5 sometime, as the lack of grooves reminds me of my old Gen 2, which I really do miss.

Surely Glock is overpriced but which 9mm is better and why?

If you're granting that the Glock is overpriced, why do other 9mms have to be better? If they're just as good but cheaper, isn't that enough? (Ignoring obvious answers involving more ergonomic grips, better triggers, non-plastic sights.)