Can anyone with either or both 3 or 4 gen Glock tell me the diffrences between the two. All I know is the later has the adjustable bakstrap, i beileve diffrent recoil spring etc. I really want to know if thers any diffrence in performance. Ive been told the gen 4s dont respond the same with conector bar trigger mods like gen 1-3 is this just heresay or somthing more ? Im in the market for a 34 and theres on average a 60-90$ diffrence in price dont know if thats cause the gen 4 comes with 3 mags and box or whats da deal. Hell if all things the same I just assume get a gen 3 and spend the diffence on ammo. I have a gen 2 17 and a gen 4 41 so recoil wise I cant tell the difrence between um diffrent calibers.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Glock gen 3 & 4 owners....
- Thread starter Sterling
- Start date
jaytothekizzay
New member
Seems the gen3 "BLACK" finish may be a bit more durable from what I hear. I dont have any personal experience with the 4 but my gen3 is bulletproof
Uncle Malice
New member
Ive been told the gen 4s dont respond the same with conector bar trigger mods like gen 1-3
Then gen4 housing puts the connector as about a 5 degree different angle than gen1-3 did. It makes the gen4 just a hair heavier but also a hair more crisp on the break than the earlier generations. The same will apply to aftermarket trigger bars. Since the way they reduce the pull weight is to make it a more sloped angle, it also makes the trigger more mushy. I prefer the heavier trigger with a more crisp break... so I actually prefer the stock gen4 set up where I would always replace the connector in my gen3 Glocks.
It's a minor difference that you won't notice unless you have significant experience with various gen3 and gen4 Glocks.
Crankgrinder
New member
Dual.captive spring, stubbled texture grip, larger/reversible mag release button, and backstraps are the main differences. Rumor has it the surface treatment may not be as durable but to me right now it seems it's just a rumor.
If your buying in 9mm then pick which ever Gen feels the best in your hand. If your going 40S&W/357 Sig then the Gen 4 may be more durable over the long run, (on the other hand spring replacement is cheaper in the Gen 3.) If your prone to slide bite than the Gen 4 has the option of beaver tail backstrap. I find the backstrap system to be flimsy, but so far no major problems. The Gen 4 grip has a better texture and the mag release is larger (I never had a problem with the older mag release.) It really comes down to your personal preference.
To the point that jaytothekizzay made, the change they made to the Tenifer finish was --NOT-- an improvement.
I don't believe the change was done cleanly with change from Gen 3 to Gen 4, and I beleive it was some industrial concern that precipitated the change (it was never designed or billed as an improvement) but the difference is, IMO, very large.
My Gen 3 is a 2008 build gun. My buddy has a pair of Gen 4s, both are much newer and his finish isn't nearly as good as mine, in any way, not even close.
But in the end, they are Glocks, and neither look "good" because of any finish treatment... They all still look like Glocks.
I don't believe the change was done cleanly with change from Gen 3 to Gen 4, and I beleive it was some industrial concern that precipitated the change (it was never designed or billed as an improvement) but the difference is, IMO, very large.
My Gen 3 is a 2008 build gun. My buddy has a pair of Gen 4s, both are much newer and his finish isn't nearly as good as mine, in any way, not even close.
But in the end, they are Glocks, and neither look "good" because of any finish treatment... They all still look like Glocks.
Captains1911
New member
Frame texture, interchangeable backstsraps, dual RSA (with exception of G26 and G27 which already have this) and larger ambi mag release are all Gen4 upgrades. The Gen4s also come with 3 mags vs. 2 with Gen3s.
As for the trigger, I disagee with an above poster who suggests the Gen4 triggers are heavier and crisper. My experience is opposite, where the Gen3 triggers are slightly heavier but break much crisper. This has beenitrue with every one of both gens I've ever handled, including the 2 of each I own.
As for the trigger, I disagee with an above poster who suggests the Gen4 triggers are heavier and crisper. My experience is opposite, where the Gen3 triggers are slightly heavier but break much crisper. This has beenitrue with every one of both gens I've ever handled, including the 2 of each I own.
Uncle Malice
New member
As for the trigger, I disagee with an above poster who suggests the Gen4 triggers are heavier and crisper.
There's nothing to agree or disagree with. There is a 5 degree change in the angle of the disconnector on then gen4 housing. Pull them out and compare them.
As with any mechanical device, there can be changes in tolerances that may change how the trigger pull is perceived on that particular copy. I prefer the feel of the Gen4 trigger pull. You prefer the feel of the Gen3. That's perfectly fine.
Captains1911
New member
I'm not arguing about the mechanics. But trigger pull weight is measurable and quantifiable, as is "creep."
ETA: however my Gen3s have many many more rounds through them so it's not quite apples to apples.
ETA: however my Gen3s have many many more rounds through them so it's not quite apples to apples.
Last edited:
Glock slides are stil nitrocarburized, which is a metal hardening treatment. Tenifer was a branded version of the process.
The black coating has changed many times in Austrian and US slides. Oldest was just a phosphate process, like Parkerizing. Then they added epoxy type coatings. These final coatings are what have changed again. It has no effect on the nitrocarburizing/Tenifer metal hardening results.
I have read of several folks who are less than pleased with the current coating, as it's dull finish shows rub marks more easily than the more shiney finish of s few years ago.
If rub marks are going to bother you, wait a few years, Glock will probably change the finish again.
The black coating has changed many times in Austrian and US slides. Oldest was just a phosphate process, like Parkerizing. Then they added epoxy type coatings. These final coatings are what have changed again. It has no effect on the nitrocarburizing/Tenifer metal hardening results.
I have read of several folks who are less than pleased with the current coating, as it's dull finish shows rub marks more easily than the more shiney finish of s few years ago.
If rub marks are going to bother you, wait a few years, Glock will probably change the finish again.
Uncle Malice
New member
I'm not arguing about the mechanics. But trigger pull weight is measurable and quantifiable, as is "creep."
It sure is. Let's assume that you have to climb to a certain height, one ramp is 40 degrees, one ramp is 45 degrees.
Obviously the ramp that is 40 degrees will have less incline. It will be slightly longer, yet easier to climb. This is the Gen1-3 Glock.
The 45 degree ramp will be shorter, yet slightly harder to climb. This is the Gen4 Glock.
This is evidenced by Glock's production of the 5lb connector specifically made for the Gen4 in response to the BATF purchase. They complained that the Gen4 triggers were slightly too heavy, but didn't want the 4.5lb connector. So Glock split the difference and made the 5lb version just for them.
The Connector 5 brings the angle of the connector back in line with that of the Gen3 pistols and reduces the trigger pull by about a half pound.
Check out more info here.
What
Not trying to get off topic but When I purchased my gen 2 in 93 I never saw myself buying another Glock figured one was good enough, here I am saving for # 3. This gun thing is madness.....but fun. Truth be told I considerd a xdm 5.25 in 9mm came mighty close but then I remembered moding, parts availability imo way more easier and I beleive cheaper on Glocks you almost have to send in the Springfields for anything versus geting a Glock part from the lgs or the web and diy. Funy I still think the xdms 5.25 are badass after I shot my coworkers I was very impressed, WHATS YOUR ANGLE ON XDM VS LONG SLIDE GLOCKS.....
Not trying to get off topic but When I purchased my gen 2 in 93 I never saw myself buying another Glock figured one was good enough, here I am saving for # 3. This gun thing is madness.....but fun. Truth be told I considerd a xdm 5.25 in 9mm came mighty close but then I remembered moding, parts availability imo way more easier and I beleive cheaper on Glocks you almost have to send in the Springfields for anything versus geting a Glock part from the lgs or the web and diy. Funy I still think the xdms 5.25 are badass after I shot my coworkers I was very impressed, WHATS YOUR ANGLE ON XDM VS LONG SLIDE GLOCKS.....
Gen 4
I have owned quite a few Glock's and have kept a few. All were Gen 3 except for two Gen. 4 Model 21 .45 ACP. Both are flawless performers. If there were Gen 4 problems early on it seems Glock has over come them.
My subjective personal impressions are:
The Gen 4 Model 21's are accurate. More accurate than the Gen 3's I have owned. They are almost "target pistol" accurate and I'm impressed.
On mine the trigger feel is "different" and slightly better than the Gen 3 models. Recoil has been lessened. I was a firm believer in Gen 3 Glock's and own several. However the Gen 4 (at least the Model 21 .45's) are improved over the Gen 3 Model. I have no experience with other caliber Gen 4's.
All this is just my opinion and my experience with a limited sample size. Your "mileage may vary" as the automotive sector says.
I have owned quite a few Glock's and have kept a few. All were Gen 3 except for two Gen. 4 Model 21 .45 ACP. Both are flawless performers. If there were Gen 4 problems early on it seems Glock has over come them.
My subjective personal impressions are:
The Gen 4 Model 21's are accurate. More accurate than the Gen 3's I have owned. They are almost "target pistol" accurate and I'm impressed.
On mine the trigger feel is "different" and slightly better than the Gen 3 models. Recoil has been lessened. I was a firm believer in Gen 3 Glock's and own several. However the Gen 4 (at least the Model 21 .45's) are improved over the Gen 3 Model. I have no experience with other caliber Gen 4's.
All this is just my opinion and my experience with a limited sample size. Your "mileage may vary" as the automotive sector says.