How to determine Glock gen??

Gen I has no fingergrooves and pebble texture all around the grip.
Gen II has frontstrap and backstrap checkering.
Gen III has fingergrooves.
Gen IV has "Gen4" stamped on the slide and has the very lazy "modular" grip.
Gen V has "Gen5" stamped on the slide, no fingergrooves, and also has the "modular" grip.

There's various part upgrades, downgrades, omissions, finishes, in between models, (so called) short frame models, and so forth. But there's the obvious differences for you. Some of the early generations didn't have accessory rails, but I don't feel like looking it up.

If it doesn't say on the slide, it's one of the first three generations.
 
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Great information guys for sure, very informative. I have an older Model 26 and I was not sure what generation it was, it appears that it is a GEN. III.

Thanks again
 
kozak6 said:
Gen I has no fingergrooves and pebble texture all around the grip.
Gen II has frontstrap and backstrap checkering.
Gen III has fingergrooves.
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Allow me to add a couple of footnotes. :)
  • Gen1 consists only of the 17, 17L, 18, and a few early-production 19s. IOW if the caliber is other than 9mm, or it's a subcompact or large frame (20/21/etc), it's not Gen1. Easy. :)
  • More certain Gen3 spotting features are the accessory rail and checkered finger grooves. The Gen2 26, 27, 29, and 30 had finger grooves and a thumb rest from the outset to meet 1968 GCA importation criteria, but they did not have checkering or rails. Additionally, a few "Gen2 transitional" or "Gen2.5" 31, 32, and 33 pistols were made with checkered finger grooves but no rail.
 
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