Is there a big difference between the Gen.3 , and Gen.4 Glocks
At a very high level in 10mm....
Gen 3 and Gen 3 SF are Glock reliable.
Gen 4 is hit and miss, especially with full power ammo.
Glock has addressed many issues in the 4th gen pistols and the newer versions seem to run better from the factory as is. That being said how well they were tested using the higher impulse ammo like UW, DT, BB over time will tell the story... ???
I have a Gen 4 23 (40 SW) and a Gen 3 36 (45 ACP). For the 40 SW I prefer the Gen 4 over the Gen 3 mostly because of the dual recoil spring in the Gen 4. It really helps with snappy recoil of the 40. I shoot better with the Gen4.
Other differences that Gen 4 has that the Gen 3 don't:
Interchangable back straps. Come in 3 different sizes. For me personally the way it comes from the factory (medium I think) fits real well.
Ambidextrous mag release. Can be changed for left handed shooters. Im a lefty, and I have gotten used to being left out and have adapted to and am comfortable with using my trigger finger to release the mag.
Gen 4's come with 3 mags from the factory, other Gens come with 2. IF your a lefty and switch the mag release to the other side, if you purchase extra mags, you will need to make sure to get Gen 4 mags as they have been cut for the ambi mag release.
IIRC, when the Gen 4 first came out there were problems with the recoil spring and the overall function of the gun. If you buy used, I would look for something newer than 2012. Ive put about 1500 rounds or so through my 23 without any problems what so ever. Ive put Winchester PDX, Federal HST, Hornady Tap, American Eagle, Winchester White Box, Blazer Aluminum, and 200 hand loads (180 grain Hornady XTP with Longshot powder) without issues.
If you are Military, Police, Fire, EMT or Paramedic, and there is a few other professions that I can't think of at the moment you can buy on the Glock "Blue Label" discount. Around here normal retail is $549 for the most common Glock Models. Go to a Blue Label Dealer and they run $425 and there is one Police/EMS supply store here that sell them for $399 stock and $450 with night sights. Although I qualify for the discount, I paid retail for both of mine. I bought the 23 during the last panic and it was atleast 6 month wait for the blue label. The 36 was on clearance and it wasn't worth the time and money to drive to the Police/EMS store to save $50.
Thank you all for the education , I like going to school . I want to get all the facts I can about a product , before spending any money . I'm thinking that may be my next gun purchase could very well be a Glock .
Quote from: The_Shadow on May 27 2015 07:38:02 AM MDT
Glock has addressed many issues in the 4th gen pistols and the newer versions seem to run better from the factory as is. That being said how well they were tested using the higher impulse ammo like UW, DT, BB over time will tell the story... ???
Interesting side note, I was talking to the owner of one of the companies mentioned when I had some failures to extract in a new Glock 20 Gen4 with all the updated parts (the ammo manufacturer was able to reproduce and pulled the ammo from sale). He mentioned that they (Glock) regularly bought 50,000 rounds from them... All other ammo has run fine through my Gen4 - I have used Underwood, DoubleTap, and hand loads (with loads from the pulldowns here).
By updated parts i mean a call to Glock to see if all the components were at the correct revision level by the serial number. Gun was purchased in December of 2014.