Glock 20 Gen 3SF or Gen 4?

[redbaron007]

"This is correct.

However, aftermarket Gen3 springs can be used in Gen4 pistols, but an adapter is required (a simple bushing). The Gen4 RSA's are not easily weight-adjustable (yet, but there isn't much in the way of an advantage), so the remainder of my statement was referring to the Gen3 springs, used in either Gen. This is important to folks with Gen4 G20's that don't like certain ammo the shooter might prefer. The use of an aftermarket Gen3 RSA with the adapter will almost always cure that issue (when properly tuned), but loses the advantage of the progressive Gen4 RSA. My "the Gen's don't compare" comment was referring to the pistols in factory form. Adapting the use of the Gen3 RSA in the Gen4 pistol allows it to behave exactly like a Gen3, in regards to action function."

Gotcha.....I thought that were you were going with that, but wanted to make sure. From my experience, there is really not a comparison when one tries to use the 'adapter' in the G4. Just my personal experience; I'm not a fan of the adapter use. 

[t4terrific]

see if you can find a shop with both. I searched until I did and was very glad. I have medium-size hands and the G4 was very uncomfortable.  Unless you have baseball mits for hands, you may find the G420 too big a grip.   I have had the G3 SF for 3 months now (1500+ rounds) and absolutely love how it feels.

The Gen4 grip is slightly smaller than the SF, yet you say that it's larger?

Is that a typo, or did you mean to compare a Gen3 to an SF?

[DM1906]

"This is correct.

However, aftermarket Gen3 springs can be used in Gen4 pistols, but an adapter is required (a simple bushing). The Gen4 RSA's are not easily weight-adjustable (yet, but there isn't much in the way of an advantage), so the remainder of my statement was referring to the Gen3 springs, used in either Gen. This is important to folks with Gen4 G20's that don't like certain ammo the shooter might prefer. The use of an aftermarket Gen3 RSA with the adapter will almost always cure that issue (when properly tuned), but loses the advantage of the progressive Gen4 RSA. My "the Gen's don't compare" comment was referring to the pistols in factory form. Adapting the use of the Gen3 RSA in the Gen4 pistol allows it to behave exactly like a Gen3, in regards to action function."

Gotcha.....I thought that were you were going with that, but wanted to make sure. From my experience, there is really not a comparison when one tries to use the 'adapter' in the G4. Just my personal experience; I'm not a fan of the adapter use.

I don't disagree. The Gen4 pistols run fine with a Gen3 RSA, but like I said, it will lose the advantage of the Gen4 RSA. If you aren't having specific issues with the Gen4 pistol, it is a poor choice to use a Gen3 RSA. This only applies to the G20. The G40's seem to have a more generous appetite for ammo variety, due to the slide/barrel mass I'm certain. They could be used in the G40, but I haven't seen a need for it, yet.

Just a note about the adapters....
When used according to recommendation, the adapter bushing should be installed within the assembly. However, if multiple spring assemblies are intended (if you have a bunch of them around, like me), the bushing can be installed ahead of the RSA. The bushings aren't cheap, and it could save a lot of time (disassembling/reassembling RSA's) when tuning a pistol before a final choice. I do not recommend anyone install them "free" in a carried pistol. They are solid, but there is a possibility of movement, however slight. That's a game stopper that won't stop your game (if you're hunting).

[Unimakpass]

Thanks for all the information. Feel like I got a base to work from. Just got back from hauling freight to Uganik Bay at Kodiak Island. Went ahead and got a glock 20 gen4. Figured if I'm going to upgrade trigger, barrel, ect. might as well start from that platform. Can lone the gen3 to the crew with the stock trigger when we go off hiking in different directions.
  Also read that "hard cast" bullets are fine in glock barrels. It's "lead" bullets that cause the fouling. Good news because it sounds like glock barrels are the most reliable.

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=54

[DM1906]

Thanks for all the information. Feel like I got a base to work from. Just got back from hauling freight to Uganik Bay at Kodiak Island. Went ahead and got a glock 20 gen4. Figured if I'm going to upgrade trigger, barrel, ect. might as well start from that platform. Can lone the gen3 to the crew with the stock trigger when we go off hiking in different directions.
  Also read that "hard cast" bullets are fine in glock barrels. It's "lead" bullets that cause the fouling. Good news because it sounds like glock barrels are the most reliable.

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=54

"Hard cast" is "lead". Factually, hard cast is much more likely to lead a bore than pure, soft lead, all else being equal. The issue is bore diameter vs. bullet diameter, the conditions necessary to provide an ideal gas seal. A poor fit will cause leading, regardless of any other factor. If you have reservations firing lead bullets, of any type, consider them all equal. Unless you know, as fact, what is your bore diameter, and the bullet diameter, one is just as likely as any other to be good or bad.

[Unimakpass]

Dang, seemed to easy to be true. Looks like more homework on hard cast and lead. Thanks.

[Roguer]

So...what is the main recommendation?

Gen 3 Glock 20 less problematic than a Gen 4 glock 20?

What about later Gen4 glock 20 production?

And would the Glock 40 have the same Gen 4 problems?

[PCFlorida]

I can only share my experiences with my G20.3. I have had zero problems with it, a couple of K through it, no factory ammo though. All warmish handloads.

[chucky2]

So...what is the main recommendation?

Gen 3 Glock 20 less problematic than a Gen 4 glock 20?

What about later Gen4 glock 20 production?

And would the Glock 40 have the same Gen 4 problems?

There are no changes in Gen4 G20 production that makes them differ from early Gen4 G20 production save for the #4 follower.  I'm fairly certain someone with Gen4 G20 issue obtained #4 follower and it didn't fix their problem.  Glock themselves was unable to fix Gen4 G20 issues, instead replacing customers firearms who insisted with Gen3SF.  So make of all that what you will in regards to Gen4 G20.

Don't know about G40...

[DM1906]

For those having issues with Gen4 G20's not feeding high(er) power rounds, a simple spring swap should be all that's needed. Either convert to a Gen3 single, or a SS Gen4 double (LWD now has them). With either option, spring weights can be tuned. It's 20-40 bucks you shouldn't have to spend, but it works. The additional slide mass of the G40 seems to take care of that issue in every case I've seen, so a re-spring should be optional.

[kilibreaux]

Are the bugs worked out of the Gen 4 Glock 20's? Might pick up a Gen 4 for the slimmer grip. I just know that the Gen 3 is proven...

The Gen 3 "SF" model feels VERY comfortable in my size 7.5 hand!  No, you can't change backstraps, but if it fits your hand you don't need too!

[raven5]

For those having issues with Gen4 G20's not feeding high(er) power rounds, a simple spring swap should be all that's needed. Either convert to a Gen3 single, or a SS Gen4 double (LWD now has them). With either option, spring weights can be tuned. It's 20-40 bucks you shouldn't have to spend, but it works. The additional slide mass of the G40 seems to take care of that issue in every case I've seen, so a re-spring should be optional.

Can anyone shed any light on why the G40 slide is wider than the G41? ( I read that in an article that had pictures and it does indeed appear wider) How does slide mass compare between the two?

How does the slide mass compare between the Gen3 and Gen4 G20? Any changes? Barrels same? Feed ramp geometry, chamber dimensions any tighter?

Are the only differences between the generations simply some magazine follower issues and/or RSA?

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[chucky2]

I used think the only EDIT: slide difference between Gen3SF and Gen4 G20 was the new dual RSA of the Gen4, however that is NOT true.  I stated as much in a previous thread a long while ago here now and someone posted a link to either a website or PDF that listed the differences - it wasn't just the RSA.

[raven5]

Thanks. If anyone has the link or pdf I'd appreciate it.

Been wanting a 10mm for a long time. I'm ready for a Christmas present to myself.

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[Pumpkinheaver]

All I can tell you is that my Gen 4 20 has run flawlessly with light Privi loads all the way up to full power stuff.