Sidearms & Scatterguns Glock Gen 3 VS Gen 4
- Thread starter Sendero_Man
- Start date
Gen4 potentially has better ergonomics due to interchangeable backstrap, and a larger mag release.
There were some initial problems with the extractor of the gen4, but I believe they have been solved for a while.
The gen4 uses a different style recoil spring. I really cant tell the difference in feel. Probably just as reliable.
All other parts are interchangeable afaik.
There were some initial problems with the extractor of the gen4, but I believe they have been solved for a while.
The gen4 uses a different style recoil spring. I really cant tell the difference in feel. Probably just as reliable.
All other parts are interchangeable afaik.
Pretty much what Defusion said. There is a difference in the ejector plastic portion as well due to the new grip set up. You can see the Gen 4 comes to more of a point and it needs to to fit in the grip. There are more and more parts for the Gen 4 coming out. I just got a Dawson ICE magwell for my Glock 35 Gen 4. they just started making them. Also if you wanted to use a standard guide rod in a Gen 4 instead of the dual spring version you can as they make an adapter for the front of the slide as the Gen 3 and Gen 4 have different slides as well. Below is a pic of the front of mine. The Gen 4 35 with a Lone Wolf 40 to 9mm conversion barrel is on the left and the right is the Gen 3 34. You can see the larger hole on the 35. Also the mag release on the Gen 4 can be made to use right or left side but it does protrude a little less than the Gen 3.
Gen 4
Gen 3
35 Gen 4 top, 34 Gen 3 bottom
Gen 4
Gen 3
35 Gen 4 top, 34 Gen 3 bottom
Thanks for the info and pictures Rob...
what front and rear sights ya running ?
any trigger work or stock ?
what front and rear sights ya running ?
any trigger work or stock ?
I have Dawson Precision fixed rear and fiber optic fronts on both of them. Good sights.
I did the 25 cent trigger job and put a 3.5 connector in the 35 and the 34 has a Vogal trigger. They seem similar but the Vogal is a little better. I wil see if I want to replace the 35 trigger after i use it some more. I just got it about a month ago.
I did the 25 cent trigger job and put a 3.5 connector in the 35 and the 34 has a Vogal trigger. They seem similar but the Vogal is a little better. I wil see if I want to replace the 35 trigger after i use it some more. I just got it about a month ago.
Not to thread hijack but Rob, could you tell me, via PM if appropriate, how you like the LW conversion for your 35. I have a 35 and was thinking of getting a 34.
The gen 4 come with 3 magazines & the gen 3 come with 2mags. Gen 3 Glock 22, 31 & 23, 32 work with 9mm conversion barrels without a spring change like the gen 4 require. Otherwise, the bigger bores have no issues with the heavier spring rates. Rob01 will have to chime in on his gen 4 G35 reliability (on some under power target loads) with the Lone Wolf 40 to 9 conversion without a lighter spring change...
If you don't plan to swap barrels go for the gen 4. The latest include beavertail backstraps protecting your hand from the moving slide.
If you don't plan to swap barrels go for the gen 4. The latest include beavertail backstraps protecting your hand from the moving slide.
I carry a Gen3 G21 on duty and I will not change until the gun stops working. I have over 6,000 rounds through it without changing anything, except mags every 13 rounds, with no issues.
I have shot the Gen4 G21 and it is a little softer on recoil, but not enough for me to buy one.
I have shot the Gen4 G21 and it is a little softer on recoil, but not enough for me to buy one.
Sendero:
I shot the Gen 3 as a duty gun (.40 cal) for 7 years. Put thousands of rounds through it with no failures, ever. We switched to Gen 4 18 months ago (and I bought my Gen 3 from the dept.... can't give up an old friend).
Have not fired the Gen 4 as much yet, probably about 1000 rounds so far. But it's performing exactly the same. In fact, I can't tell the difference. I know what the upgrades are, but in terms of performance, I have felt no difference whatsoever. Still dead nuts accurate trigger feels the same and it's as reliable as gravity.
That said, the Gen 3's had trouble with non-Glock weapons-mounted lights. Our department had several instances of Gen 3's with lights jamming at training. I'll note that the lights that were giving problems were all personally-purchased and were generally the 'cheap' ones. My Surefire gave no problems and continues to give no problems on my Gen 4. Those with Glock Brand lights had no issues at all. The Gen 4's apparently solved the 'jamming with aftermarket lights' problem. But you may want to do some more research on that. I think there is some conflicting opinion on the blogosphere. I can only say that the light problem never manifested itself on MY Gen 3. But I did see it on other Gen 3's. And with Gen 4... the problem seems to be gone.
Last... there are lots of guns I love for their workmanship, beauty, history, etc. The 1911 I carried for years is still a thing of beauty. But when it comes down to it, Glock's Tactical Tupperware is without a doubt the best duty handgun I've had! Collect and admire the others. Carry the Glock.
Cheers,
Sirhr
I shot the Gen 3 as a duty gun (.40 cal) for 7 years. Put thousands of rounds through it with no failures, ever. We switched to Gen 4 18 months ago (and I bought my Gen 3 from the dept.... can't give up an old friend).
Have not fired the Gen 4 as much yet, probably about 1000 rounds so far. But it's performing exactly the same. In fact, I can't tell the difference. I know what the upgrades are, but in terms of performance, I have felt no difference whatsoever. Still dead nuts accurate trigger feels the same and it's as reliable as gravity.
That said, the Gen 3's had trouble with non-Glock weapons-mounted lights. Our department had several instances of Gen 3's with lights jamming at training. I'll note that the lights that were giving problems were all personally-purchased and were generally the 'cheap' ones. My Surefire gave no problems and continues to give no problems on my Gen 4. Those with Glock Brand lights had no issues at all. The Gen 4's apparently solved the 'jamming with aftermarket lights' problem. But you may want to do some more research on that. I think there is some conflicting opinion on the blogosphere. I can only say that the light problem never manifested itself on MY Gen 3. But I did see it on other Gen 3's. And with Gen 4... the problem seems to be gone.
Last... there are lots of guns I love for their workmanship, beauty, history, etc. The 1911 I carried for years is still a thing of beauty. But when it comes down to it, Glock's Tactical Tupperware is without a doubt the best duty handgun I've had! Collect and admire the others. Carry the Glock.
Cheers,
Sirhr
That is probably the best way to put it!!
Plus it is comforting to know that you are carrying a pistol has put more criminals in their place than the electric chair.
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