Ever since I first posted about the Gen 4 Glock pistols in June 2009, I have been eagerly awaiting the new guns. A lot of rumors, information and photos have floated around the Internet in the recent weeks. The time for speculation is done; the Gen 4 Glock pistols are now here.
The Gen 4 Glock pistols were alternately called the “Next Generation of Perfection” or “too little, too late” depending on who you talked to. After handling and shooting a Gen 4 Glock 22, I feel comfortable in stating the new guns are an evolutionary step in the Glock platform: nothing more, nothing less.
Gen 4 Glock Features
The Gen 4 Glock pistols have a variety of new features that I have discussed before. They include:
- interchangeable backstraps (three sizes);
- reversible, enlarged magazine release;
- dual recoil spring assembly; and a
- rough textured frame (RTF)
Interchangeable Backstraps
The Gen 4 Glock pistols have a “multiple backstrap system,” which allows the shooter to adjust the grip size of the frame between a small, medium and large. The small size feels slightly smaller than the current third generation pistols. The medium and large increase by 2mm and 4mm respectively.
For my hand, I really liked the smallest size best. The large (for me) was just too big. If you like the size of the standard Glock 20 and 21 pistols, the large backstrap will most likely make you happy.
The medium seemed too large, yet it is supposed to be the same size as the third generation guns. Funny, I thought I liked the grip size of the Glock handguns. Maybe I just found something better.
Reversible and Enlarged Magazine Release
This is a pretty straightforward change to the Glock pistols. The magazine release can be set up on the left or right side of the gun. The magazine release has also been significantly enlarged. I found the enlarged mag release was easy to manipulate, but it did not get in the way of shooting. Also, I did not experience any unintended magazine drops that would have happened if the release was too large.
Dual Recoil Spring Assembly
The dual recoil spring assembly looks like an elongated Glock 26 or 27 assembly. According to the Glock staff I spoke with, the new spring assembly cannot be retrofitted into prior generation pistols.
The new spring assembly is supposed to absorb more of the recoil when the handgun is fired. However, I did not notice any difference between the Gen 4 Glock 22 and a third generation Glock 22. The recoil in both felt about the same to me.
I suspect the real reason that Glock went to a dual recoil spring assembly was for enhanced reliability. The Glock 22 sometimes had reliability problems when shooting certain types of ammunition with a light mounted on the pistol. It is possible that the dual recoil spring alters slide velocity during recoil to enhance the gun’s functioning with all ammo.
Rough Textured Frame (RTF)
Oddly, Glock pistols with the RTF2 texture were introduced before the pistols with the RTF texture. Regardless of the timeline and naming conventions, I liked the RTF texture…a lot.
The new RTF texture is fairly aggressive, providing a very positive grip on the handgun. When I shot the Gen 4 Glock 22, it was raining and cold. Although miserable, this was a great environment to test the new texture. Even though it was wet, the pistol did not shift in my hand. It just stayed put.
The RTF finish was not as sharp as the RTF2. It enhanced reliability without creating discomfort. Also, I think the RTF will be much easier on clothes than the RTF2. I believe the RTF texture will be very popular.
Shooting
The Gen 4 model 22 Glock shot just like any other Glock. It was reasonably accurate, easy to shoot and was 100% reliable. Unlike the pistols of other manufacturers, the Glocks were covered in dirt from impromptu torture testing by various gunwriters. Even so, the Gen 4 Glock performed like a champ.
Final Thoughts
The Gen 4 pistols from Glock offer some nice improvements. Several of the enhancements may be worth enough to you to warrant the outlay of your money. Personally, I did not find anything with the Gen 4 that will cause me to trade my second generation Glock 19 for the new model.
As I have talked about before, Smith & Wesson has seen a lot of recent success in capturing the law enforcement market. This is largely due to the interchangeable backstraps that are available on the M&P line of handguns. With the Gen 4 pistols, Glock has leveled the playing field, matching S&W on several important features and making the decisions more about cost and reputation than specs.
I think the Gen 4 Glock handguns are an evolutionary step forward for the company. I did not find them to be revolutionary, but I think the feature enhancements were well thought-out and will be warmly received by the Glock community. For someone who does not currently own a Glock, the Gen 4 is an excellent choice. If you already own a Glock, you will have to determine if the additional features are worth the investment.
(Ed. Note: Caleb Giddings out together a look at the future of Glock pistols at Shooting Illustrated.)
Surviving the Street: Guide to Concealed Carry of a Firearm
Essential information on concealed carry. This book has just the basics - not a lot of fluff to get bogged down in. Easy to read, Surviving the Street introduces the reader to the important information you need as an armed citizen.
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About Richard
Richard Johnson is a gun writer, police trainer and really bad joke teller. Check out his other writing on sites like Human Events, The Firearm Blog and BlueSheepdog.
Not sure what I was expecting but I do not feel really excited about the Gen4 Glocks. Like you said…”Evolution”
Maybe the exciting part is that I just convinced myself to get a Sig P229 E2 you mentioned the other day!
Seems to me that how you are using “evolution” and “revolution” here isn’t clearly defined. Since I study evolution I can tell you that anything that takes a step forward in evolution is in itself revolutionary to that particular species. Evolution is a very slow process with many transitions and in fact we are all in a state of transition all the time. Same as the Glocks
. I own a Gen 3 Glock 19 that I just barely picked up. I’m exciting to get a gen 4 Glock 19 with to split with my pappy.
Just curious…
Do the new Glocks still require you to pull the trigger in order to disassemble?
It’s one thing I like about my Ruger P-345 over my Glock 17.
Yeah, they still require a trigger pull to decock. I personally don’t mind, but I know a lot of people and police departments do. S&W holds an edge in that area.
Is the weight and width of the gen 4 the same as gen 3?
I don’t have the specs in front of me, but generally yes, same or similar width and weight. Weight will vary slightly depending on which backstrap, but I don’t think anyone would notice the weight difference (less than an ounce).
–Richard
NUGUN -
Sorry I missed your earlier post – yes, take down still requires a trigger pull. To me it is no big deal, but I know it is a concern to many. I thought Glock would come up with an alternative, but I was wrong.
–Richard
I held the new Gen 4 Glocks! OMG in the Gen 3 full size glocks they were to big for me to handle… Not the Gen 4!! I could not tell i was holding G17 i think the handle on the frame is slimmed down a bit in terms of width because it felt perfect in my hand i was amazed it didn’t have the traditional “block” feeling very comfortable i’m thinking of getting one (traded my G19 Gen 3 for a Walther PPS) I get $100 rebate for LE/military and i can get a new one for $430!! Love Glock!
If you are thinking about serious self defense, get a glock but if you want to go shoot objects that dont shoot back there is a wide list to of other pistols to choose from.
If you are thinking about serious self defense, get a glock but if you want to go shoot objects that dont shoot back, there is a wide list to of other pistols to choose from.
Can someone explain why having to pull the trigger of a Glock to disassemble is an issue with some? (I guess these people would never want to own a Ruger Mark III.) Field stripping is very easy, and a true disassembly to clean after 1,000 to 2,000 rounds is fairly easy.
I held a Glock 22 gen4 today. Can’t stop thinking about it. Gotta have it now. The feel was great. It felt like it was made for MY hand!
None of these guns (Glock or S&W) need to have trigger depressed to field strip if you are careful not to pull the slide back more that 1/8 to 1/4 inch before pulling down slide release. That’s why the owner’s manuals do not include trigger pull as a step to field strip.
Hi Bob,
The S&W M&P does not need to have the trigger depressed to disassemble. The Glock does.
The first step to disassembling a Glock is to make sure it is safe. That means you drop the magazine and lock the slide back. Once the slide is locked back, you visually and manually ensure no cartridges are in the pistol. You then release the slide. You must now press the trigger. Once you have done this, you can then field strip the pistol by the method you described.
–Richard
The reason people and adminstration officials DON’T Like the glock pull the trigger to disassemble is that people rack the slide then drop the mag then pull the trigger and BOOM.
Civilians and police do it…
@EmbeddedDude,
WHY would anyone (any competent person) EVER rack the slide FIRST?!and THEN DROP the MAG!!??
NO! NO! No excuses: if you do that you are a fool and are just plain asking for something bad to happen. PEROID
What do people think happens when the slide goes back and then comes back foward with a magazine inserted. Its not magic, that round doent teleport into the chamber. Something has gotta scope it in there. It doesnt load from the muzzle.
IDIOTS GIVE FIREARMS A BAD NAME
If you cant grasp that you shouldnt be a LEO or even own a semi-auto.
*SCOOP*
I have a Gen 4 Mod. 17 with Trijicon night sights. I now carry it daily with Federal HST 124 +P’s in place of my long time carried Gen 3 23C.
My son and I have put well over 500 rounds through the 17 during practice and shooting area tactical matches with several different factory loads. It has been 100% reliable, and has yet to malfunction even once.
Out of the 5 or 6 other Glocks we have owned, only one has malfunctioned; an early first Gen Model 23. That was caused by a “limp wrist” on the second shot out of the box, and I knew it would happen the instant I pulled the trigger.
I’m seriously considering buying a Gen 4 model 19 next week. With the size of this grip without the removable back straps installed, it fits my hands even better than the previous models. Since it does fit better, it’s much easier to shoot (and shoot accurately) with my support hand. That’s a big plus if you carry for work or self defense as I do.
To me, considering a Gen 4 is a lot like when the Jeeps came out in 1987 with square headlights; everyone (especially ME) was totally disgusted. I now have a ’92 with square HL’s sitting in the garage.
At first, I said I’d NEVER buy one of these “junkie plastic” pistols; I said I’d never buy a Jeep without ROUND headlights, and I said I’d NEVER buy a Gen 4. Now, I’ve done all of this and I have no regrets.
I recommend everyone at least go put a Gen 4 in your hand. If you have smaller hands, you can really feel the difference. If you don’t, put one of the two back straps on (and then remove it again when your wife or kids shoot it.) You can change them out in less than one minute (just don’t drop the b. strap pins in the dirt when you change them out)……
Jay,
Thanks for the range report! A Gen 4 Glock 19 is most likely my next purchase. If you pick one up, let us know how you like it.
Richard
Will do Richard!
Thanks for the review!!! Just ordered my Gen4 G19 WITH Trijicon sights for $475 at the LEO shop. LOVE the way this gun feels in my hand! I have always been one of the “I’ll NEVER own one of those Blocks” people, but the minor changes have made the difference for me, and Gen4 G19 will be my primary duty pistol! Will be back with my thoughts after I’ve thrown about 1k rounds or so through her.
Be BLESSED!!!
~~Bob
Does GLOCK make a GEN4 22 with a compensated barrel?
Well, I just relieved myself of $398.20 (plus tax). However, when I got over to the Glock place, I ended up with a model 32 instead of the Gen 4 19 that I’d decided on getting earlier. Don’t get me wrong, the Gen 4 19 DID feel good in my hand, but IMO the grip didn’t feel as obviously different to me as with the comparison of Gen 3′s to Gen 4′s in the model 17.
In the morning, I’ll go shoot an HST in the pool to see if expands more than the others. (Federal HST’s are great. I like them as well as the Gold Dots. A little cheaper too)
The only thing I can possibly relate that to is that the grip of the 17′s is just enough longer that you ride up higher above the lower (and wider) area. With the smaller (or I should say “shorter”) grip of the model 19, 23, and 32′s you can only ride up so high and you will still feel the wider portion of the lower area.
I believe that the whole concept with the G 4′s is a shorter trigger reach, and that wasn’t really a factor with me; it was the overall fit in my hand (the G4 17 is an awesome fit in my hand).
So please note: this is only MY opinion here. I just expected that the Model 19 would have been as obviously different as the 17′s. Since it wasn’t THAT much different in MY hand, I got the .357 instead. (We didn’t have a .357 Sig, but we have that mod 17, a model 23C, and .45 Kimber 1911. I also had to drive 3 hours each way to get it)
I’ll probably carry this 32 most of the time now. The 17 sticks out a little more in the back when I bend over or sit down, the 23C gets dirt, lint, etc in the slide ports, and the 1911 is really too heavy to carry all day with the added weight of two ten round mags.
I took the Trijicons (rear orange, front green) off of the 23 and put them on the 32. I also took the plug out and stuck it in the grip to keep it clean up inside there.
-
Lets take Bob’s excellent advice too: Be BLESSED! And will you Bob and Richard too, let me know how you like your pistols when you get them?
-
I’ll check back on a regular basis…..I’ll also get back and let you know how the 32 shoots
Great info, Jay! I was speaking to a friend recently, and I discovered he has also gone to the .357 Sig in his Glock.
I’d love to see how the HST expands. Drop me an e-mail with some photos of them, and I will post them here for everyone to see.
–Richard
Just bought Glock 19 Gen4. Shot my first Glock 20 years ago, a Glock 17. Fell in love with it then. Finally went out and bought my first gun, the 19 because I have small hands and felt it would be better for Conceal Carry than the 17. I love it!!! Feels great in the hand. I find it shoots accurately. It did jam after shooting 40 rounds on the range, but I was getting tired and probably had a limp wrist at that point. Remember, I have never owned a gun before and am new to shooting. I’m sure with practice I’ll get better and it won’t jam on me or at least not as much.
glocks are really dependable shooters.My next purchase is going to be the Desert Eagle 1911G.
David,
Thanks for dropping by and posting. LEt us know how you like the Desert Eagle when you get it.
Richard
I have been waiting for the gen4 for a while, now, as it happens I can’t afford it (just had a new addition to the fam).I LOVE my G20 I got two years ago though! I just wanted to say to the people who dislike the trigger pull for disassembly, well folks. STUPID HURTS, if you can’t check the firearm before then you shouldn’t be playing with guns
Somebody posted a question earlier that wasn’t answered. Val asked if Glock is making Gen 4 22 with a compensator? Im curious about this too.
Hi Jake,
At this time, Glock is not making a G22 with a compensator. They may in the future, but they are rolling out all of the Gen 4 pistols in the order of popularity (by their sales numbers). So anything used by law enforcement agencies is clearly first, then they will probably work down the line.
Thanks for taking the time to post,
Richard
Another question. I was looking at Glock’s website and I saw that the Gen 4s had a special clip (with a center recess and two notches on either side towards the bottom). Does that mean that these Gen 4s require special clips? Such as being unable to use an extended 22 rd. mag (for Glock 22) from an outside party like glockmeister.
The magazines have extra notches to allow for the magazine release button to be moved from the left side, to the right side of the frame. In an interview with Dennis Teuller, Eric Shelton of the Handgun Podcast was able to determine that the notch on the front of the magazine is for an ambidextrous magazine release (not available in the US).
–Richard
Richard,
By now (July 2011)you undoubtedly know that the ambi release is available in the U.S. It’s a nice feature, but the trigger pull and the grip on the Gen4 22 are what sold me. My last auto was a Colt Commander, which I also loved, but the difference in weight and the feeling of having the pistol firmly gripped (I have bear paws and the large back strap allows me to get a proper combat wedge)is a blessing. And that has always been a problem. Love this gun. only down side is I’m moving back to CA within a year, so I’ve been buying 10rd mags for when the 15′s get mothballed. Don’t love that.
I recently bought a Gen 4 Model 19. I have owned MANY Glocks and I must say that my new model 19 is the best I have ever owned. It’s reliable, accurate, ammo is cheap and plentiful, and it came with three 15 round magazines. These weapons are very easy to clean and work on and the price is always right, whether it be for parts or new purchase. I’m not knocking Sigs or H&K, I’ve had them all…Browing High Power, Smith and Wesson, etc., etc. Recoil is mild and follow up shots are a sinch. Is it as accurate as a Sig P-226? maybe, but doubtful. Is it as reliable as an H$K USP? YES, and maybe more so for half the price!
I can’t wait to hit the range again. If I had a backyard in the country, I’d have my own range, and shoot my 22 gen 4 all day long. Hey NUGUN, hope you like the ruger345, but it can’t compare to glock. Easy to strip,clean,re-assemble,won’t break,doesn’t wear out easily,costs less, and shoots like a banshee on steroids. I was hesitant in trading my gen3 23, but now I am happy as hell with the GEN4, 40 cal Mod22. There is no finer, more reliable 40cal anywhere. I will however say that the Ruger SR9 ( 9mm ) has almost no recoil and is a good conceal weapon,in SR9C, but cost is substantial, and they are only 9mm. My next purchase will be a SIG226, if I can save enough money (I’m retired), so I can alternate my carry guns ie; 22Mag,3913 S&W, 1911 S&W, 1911 Kimber,PPKS380, and my GLOCK22GEN4.I also keep a M&P 15 in the trunk, just in-case.
Hi Val,
I see you are looking at getting a Sig P226. Have you tried the new E2 version? I’ve got one in the safe that I absolutely love. Sig sculpted the backstrap a little bit and installed the short reach trigger standard in these guns. They are very nice. I did a write up on the 9mm version here: Sig Sauer P226 E2.
Take care,
Richard
Richard, Aftersome time searching for an E2Sig , I happened upon a like new glock 17-L and the thought of a sig dissapated with seeing the price tag. This 17L is a dream to shoot, is accurate and of course no muzzel flip.Glocks are such great weapons, I purchased it immediately. Now we’ll all have a merry christmas.
Val,
I’ve got Glocks and Sigs, and I enjoy them both. For sheer utility it is hard to beat the price/reliability combination of the Glocks. But, I still think the Sig is prettier!
Enjoy that 17L. I’ve never shot one, but I imagine it is as easy a shooting gun as one culd make.
-Richard
Hi Richard, I forgot to mention that after buying the 17L, I still have leftover monies to buy a Glock 32C, so Sig is out of the picture–for now. Have a great Thanksgiving. Val.
Richard, Guns can be to pretty to want to shoot them,such as my Kimber classic gold match, in stainless, with rosewood grips. It just sits around and lets me look at it!.
i purchased a glock 19 the gen4, it shoots factory ammo okay but if you shoot alot like i do, dont buy reloads. the reloads jam alot. other than that its a nice gun to shoot.