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Just under a year ago I parted with my Gen 3 glock 19...lost story short needed the money. I did however promise myself I'd buy myself another. Well...that time has come. I was plenty happy with the Gen 3 and know the differences with the Gen4 but have not shot one. Any advice on why I'd want a Gen 4 instead?

I have both gen 3s and gen 4s. The main reason I bought the 4s was because they fit my wife's hand better than the 3s. I really can't tell a difference in how they shoot.

I am extremely biased against the Gen 4 Glock 19, too many problems with the one I owned. The newer guns are supposedly fixed but I will not own a gen 4 9x19 Glock.

I liked the beavertail option since I have beefy hands.

Gen 4s are straightened out.

I concur that the early problems of Gen 4s have been corrected. I own Gen 4 versions of G34, two G17s, two G19s, and one G26. None have had any issues. I never purchased Gen 3s because of their large grip hump. It did not feel comfortable to my hands.

I like the Gen 4s for three reasons:
1- more ergonomic grip (hence less hump)
2- the beaver tail backstrap option, and
3- the better grip texture (gives me more traction on the grip)

All of the above benefits of Gen 4 PLUS the double recoil spring does reduce felt recoil - noticeably if you fire a Gen 3 & Gen 4 side-by-side.

On the plus side for Gen 3, the older Gen 3s still have the better/more durable Austrian-made Tenifer slide and barrel treatment - superior in most knowledgeable opinions to the American-made version. Haven't owned my Gen 4 Glock long enough to know first-hand, but my older Gen 3 Glocks never saw a spec of rust while my USA-made S&W M&Ps will rust if not cared for. Something about the Austrian Tenifer process is illegal in US manufacturing (EPA rules), but I'm fuzzy in the details.

Quick question..... Do any of the changes affect whether holsters for gen 3 pistols will fit the gen 4 guns?

The Annoyed Man wrote:Quick question..... Do any of the changes affect whether holsters for gen 3 pistols will fit the gen 4 guns?

That's a good question. I still have my raven concelament that I used with my Gen 3. I assumed they were they same...

I used a Gen3 holster for the Gen4 I owned, to my knowledge most if not all holsters will work on any generation.

The Annoyed Man wrote:Quick question..... Do any of the changes affect whether holsters for gen 3 pistols will fit the gen 4 guns?

Should be no effect on holster fit.

Upper receiver & recoil spring fit is biggest change ... i.e. Items like dedicated .22LR uppers (Tactical Solutions, Advanced Armament) are NOT interchangeable between Gen. 3 & 4. This is because the new double recoil spring requires more internal space in the slide. & frame .... thus , you can't mount Gen 3 fit slide to Gen 4 frame etc ... but the external dimensions important to holster fit are unchanged

The holsters for Gen 3 and Gen 4 are the same. The exterior dimensions are the same. As for the finish Tennifer has been phased out for both US and Austrian Glocks for a few years now. They're using another process that is very similar. As for issues with the Gen 4s there are still some. Mine that was made in mid January of this year has erratic ejection and I have some brass land on my forearms. Some even shoot brass to the face. However it should be noted that Gen 3s are having the same problems so don't write off Gen 4s based on that. I've heard on forums that the Gen 4s are slightly more accurate than the Gen 3s. I've shot my wife's Gen 3 and my Gen 4 does seem to be a hair more accurate. Either way Gen 3 or 4 you'll be good to go. The Gen 4s also have a larger mag release.