Gen 3 or Gen 4 G20 10mm?

[mlk3454]

I am looking to pick up a G20 sooner rather than later. I understand I will have to wait until after the Shot Show to pick up the gen 4 as I dont have the membership or profession to get it sooner. My questions revolve around fit and modifications:

1. I like the feel of the SF model in the gen 3; I understand that the smaller backstrap size is the same for the gen 4s?
2. I plan on using the gun for bow range deer hunting as well as beer protection while backpacking. I will be handloading to the full potential of the round...do I need to upgrade the spring/rod for the gen3? Would the new recoil system of the gen4 be able to take that abuse?
3. I am in NY and am limited to 10 round mags. I may be interested in getting a couple preban mags for practice and or home defense. I have a buddy that has a gen4 G19 and the preban mags fit extremely tight. Is there any word on if this is the norm or do they not fit well or require modification?
4. I am looking to change the sights to at least a green fiber up front and possibly an adjusteable rear (for hunting): any recommendations?
5. As far as upgrades go I know there are a million for the older generations; will they work for the gen 4?

I have searched through this forum and also a couple others and have been overwhelmed with the amount of information with upgrades and accessories. I am looking for opinions based on experience to help. Thanks!

[sqlbullet]

1.  That is my understanding as well.  Gen 4 with no insert = Gen 3 SF
2.  Should be fine.  If it breaks, get to a GSSF shooting event and the Glock Armorer there will fix it free.  Some guys swear by stiffer springs.  I used to be one of them.  Not so much anymore.  Nothing wrong with it, I just don't see a reason to fix a problem you don't have.  And most people will never have a problem.
3.  I could be wrong, but I thought new mags worked in older guns, but not older mags in the new guns.  I may have that backwards though.
4.  I don't see a reason for an adjustable sight on a work pistol.  I have one on my Witness Elite Match.  I have never touched it since dialing it in.  My Glock has Fiber Optic sights + tritium and I really like them and they don't break.  Especially given how flat the 10mm shoots, there isn't a lot of reason to hold over at any range you are actually going to try to take game.
5.  Most should work.  Some won't.

Overall, based on your concerns, I would think you may want to get a Gen3.  You articulate a number of things where you have concerns with the Gen 4 (recoil spring system, magazines, after market upgrades, availability of guns) and no downsides to the Gen 3.

Just get a Gen 3 and be on your way.

[mlk3454]

Thanks for the detailed response! I have since thought of a couple other items to add to the mix:

6. I may get a 6 inch barrel for hunting and if so what holsters are you guys with the longer barrels and stock slides using that doesn't leave the barrel falling out the bottom of the leather? I am looking for more of a shoulder or chest holster for hunting.
7. A buddy of mine suggesting going with the G21 and getting a 10mm barrel and mags (along with the possibility of other calibers). I do have a 1911 in .45 but practically dont shoot it so I dont see the need for another .45 BUT would it be another good option? Would it require any other mods to shoot the 10mm?

Thanks again!

[sqlbullet]

Some guys have success with this.  You may have to tweak the extractor to get reliable extraction.

I would NOT go this route with a gun I was going to bet my life on.  It might be fine for a hunting non-dangerous game.

[raven28690]

I too was on the fence about waiting on the gen 4 G20 of just picking up a gen 3 and after shooting a buddy of mines gen 3 G20, I bought it.
There is a ton of gen 3 accessories already on the market and the price on the gen 3's compared to gen 4's was a deciding factor.

As far as the mags go,
per GlockStore   

Gen 4 magazines must be used in Gen 4 guns only if the magazine release is switched from the left side to the right side (for left-handed shooters). In any other case all previous generation magazines will fit the Gen 4 and all Gen 4 magazines will fit all Glocks from previous generations.

[REDLINE]

Overall, based on your concerns, I would think you may want to get a Gen3.  You articulate a number of things where you have concerns with the Gen 4 (recoil spring system, magazines, after market upgrades, availability of guns) and no downsides to the Gen 3.

Just get a Gen 3 and be on your way.

I'm of the overall same opinion of sqlbullet as quoted above.

Thanks for the detailed response! I have since thought of a couple other items to add to the mix:

6. I may get a 6 inch barrel for hunting and if so what holsters are you guys with the longer barrels and stock slides using that doesn't leave the barrel falling out the bottom of the leather? I am looking for more of a shoulder or chest holster for hunting.

About holstering a 6" barreled G20SF;  When out hunting and most woods carry I use a basic Fobus paddle holster because that holster is fully open at the muzzle and the 6" barrel simply protrudes from the muzzle holding area of the holster.  In terms of the Fobus paddle holsters in general I've found I actually prefer to carry my G20 in my Fobus paddle holster designed for the G29.  The G29 Fobus paddle holster simply allows part of my G20 slide/frame to protrude through in the muzzle area since it's made for the shorter G29 slide/frame, while at the same time supporting the trigger area like normal.  Hope that made sense.

7. A buddy of mine suggesting going with the G21 and getting a 10mm barrel and mags (along with the possibility of other calibers). I do have a 1911 in .45 but practically dont shoot it so I dont see the need for another .45 BUT would it be another good option? Would it require any other mods to shoot the 10mm?

My opinion is no to getting a G21 in conjunction with a 10mm conversion barrel.  I say this because you're primarily wanting a 10mm gun, and on a G21 more steel is removed from the slide than on the G20.  It's quite noticeable when viewing them side-by-side.  The lighter slide of the G21 is great for the 45 Auto which is a relatively low pressure cartridge.  Not so great for the 10mm Auto which is a relatively high pressure cartridge (particularly when loading up some Nuclear level ammo for hunting and whatnot) that makes intelligent use of a heavier slide.



BTW, IMO it's much cooler, with nothing but aftermarket conversion barrel swaps, in the G20 to be able to go to any or all of:  357SIG, 40S&W, and 9X25 Dillon.  This is as opposed to buying a G21 and simply converting it to 10mm Auto which I would expect would require different magazines too.

[mlk3454]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I'll have to do some shopping after the holidays and see who has a G20 in stock and what the price difference is between generations. After that I will definitely change out the sites but I doubt anything will change until I get very familiar with the guy and work up some loads.

As for the mags not fitting well I only have the experience that my buddy had with his new Gen 4 G19 and preban mags. They were VERY tight fitting and almost impossible to get in and out without putting much effort in. I understand there has been a change in mag design after the ban and that preban mags can swell when loaded but its a little disheartening when your in a state and can't have the benefit of the higher caps in a smoothly operating weapon.

[RagweedZulu]

Mike, I once converted a G30 to shoot 10mm when I was backpacking. Looking back, this was a silly move since I might have needed that weapon for personal defense in the high country. The extractor claw on a 30 BARELY grabs the case head of a 10mm round. It's fine for the range, but NOT something I'd ever use for SD.

I quickly sold the conversion parts and just bought a G29SF. Of course that led to a G20SF, and that led to a reloading setup...  But I digress. You can't go wrong with a stock G20. I prefer the Gen 3 even though my profession allows me access to the Gen 4. That part has to be your call. But you'll LOVE the 20 in any configuration.

[mlk3454]

Gen4s have been around for some time now (not in 10mm of course) so do moat of the common upgrades work or available for them? Ie the 3.5 connector, over travel reducer, springs, etc. Seems like I am leaning much more on a gen3sf so far. How many mags come in either generations? Both come with 2 mags I guess r

[sqlbullet]

As far as I understand, the magazines are the only area of non-compatibility.  And that is new mags in older guns I think.  Everything else is still common.  You can even swap in the older recoil system I am pretty sure.

[REDLINE]

How many mags come in either generations? Both come with 2 mags I guess r

Both generations will come with 2 mags, unless you get an LE version which adds a 3rd mag.

[BlueLineFish]

I will be placing an order for an LE gen 3 this week. I held the 4 and like the gen 3 better. Guess it's just what I'm used to. G19 is our duty weapon

[pacapcop]

Who will you be ordering from,just curious?I went thru Alantic Tacticle in Pa,Gen 3,3 mags.At that time with discount NIB 504.00 total.

[BlueLineFish]

Who will you be ordering from,just curious?I went thru Alantic Tacticle in Pa,Gen 3,3 mags.At that time with discount NIB 504.00 total.

My local dealer..500 for gun and 3 mags

[REDLINE]

Good Deal BlueLineFish.