Need glock help. Glock 20: Gen 3 or Gen 4?

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  • Magdump

    Don’t troll me bro!
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    Dec 31, 2013
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    So I wanted to have another double stack pistol in 10 auto and have a choice of gen 3 or 4 Glock 20. $50 difference in price and I’m assuming the 4 is the way to go but don’t have any other reason except that it’s the latest model.
    Can anyone tell me of any advantage either way? Aftermarket availability on later models can be iffy, which may influence my decision. I definitely see myself playing with different op springs and definitely a trigger upgrade.
    Any real world info appreciated.
     

    JBP55

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    Many prefer the Gen 4 pistols due to the improved dual recoil spring, better grip texture, different grip sizes, and ambidextrous mag catch.
     

    pangris1

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    *admittedly I grind off the finger grooves in favor of having the grip textured and am unconcerned with ambi

    ** with the 10mm I was specifically thinking the dual recoil spring may or may not be an improvement but that the single spring had a track record and is easier to tune to your load with Wolff springs and aftermarket rods is/as necessary
     

    jdindadell

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    If 3rd gen it has to be a SF model

    4th gen has better grip feel stock (subjective of course)

    Do you plan to mod it?
     

    Magdump

    Don’t troll me bro!
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    If 3rd gen it has to be a SF model

    4th gen has better grip feel stock (subjective of course)

    Do you plan to mod it?
    Not really planning to mod it, but I am expecting to have to potentially tune it for reliability. I’m reading a few disheartening threads on forums about reliability issues primarily with the gen 4. As I understand it, that model has a different spring set up, a captured twin spring design, so I’m not sure about aftermarket springs being available or if anything intended for the gen 3 will work.
    It also does look like the gen 3 SF is the preferred model for reliability. Some say short frame, some say slim frame, I’m guessing it’s the latter. I don’t expect the deal to be available long so I ordered the gen 3 SF today.

    Thanks for all the quick input guys!
     

    RaleighReloader

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    Not really planning to mod it, but I am expecting to have to potentially tune it for reliability. I’m reading a few disheartening threads on forums about reliability issues primarily with the gen 4.

    I have several Glocks in each of the three current generations (3, 4 and 5), with tens of thousands of rounds through them. I've never had a single issue with my Gen 4 guns, and they're all bone stock. I would be wary of these "reliability" complaints; I suspect these are people looking to "justify" the purchase of various farkles for their gun.

    That said, I prefer the ergonomics of the gen 4 the best. But I think that's just a function of my body geometry.

    Mike
     

    Magdump

    Don’t troll me bro!
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    I have several Glocks in each of the three current generations (3, 4 and 5), with tens of thousands of rounds through them. I've never had a single issue with my Gen 4 guns, and they're all bone stock. I would be wary of these "reliability" complaints; I suspect these are people looking to "justify" the purchase of various farkles for their gun.

    That said, I prefer the ergonomics of the gen 4 the best. But I think that's just a function of my body geometry.

    Mike
    Do you have a gen 4 in 10mm auto?
    The FTF complaints are pretty numerous on the net and it seems to be a pretty common complaint, so I am being wary. Lot of talk about being ammo finicky as well.
     
    Last edited:

    RaleighReloader

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    Do you have a gen 4 in 10mm auto?
    The FTF complaints are pretty numerous on the net and it seems to be a pretty common complaint, so I am being wary. Lot of talk about being ammo finicky as well.

    No, sorry. For whatever reason the 10mm part of your post didn't register in my noodle.

    I had a gen 3 10mm for some time, but it would eat whatever it was fed without complaint. Ditto for my Colt Delta Elite, which has weirdly become one of my favorite guns.

    Mike
     

    Cheesy Lasagna

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    Kennah!
    I have a Gen4 in 10mm.
    Like the grip size much better than the Gen3.
    It’s thinner and narrower; just fits my hand better.
    If you want a bigger grip, use the backstraps.
    Never had a reliability issue and mine is all stock.
     

    rdass623

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    if i had my choice, i would pick the gen 4 due to the ambi mag catch. i prefer a left hand mag release, because i prefer to use my trigger finger to eject the magazine, rather than the repositioning of my hand required to use my thumb. the gen 4/5 texture is also better in my opinion than the gen 3. having carried a g-22 gen 3 model for 15 years, i found it got a little slippery with wet, sweaty hands.
     

    Eagle Eyes

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    Had a gen 3 sf 29 and several gen4‘s. I prefer the gen 4‘s. No malfunctions with my glocks. Reliable like advertised....perfection. Lol. But seriously, If it were me, I’d buy the gen 4

    also. I hear the gen 5 10mms are in the works.
     

    323MAR

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    I agree with the choice of Gen 3. I will admit that I feel that way because all of my Glocks are Gen 3 and before. I simply have not had the urge to buy Gen 4 or 5 yet. My Gen 2 G20 has never malfunctioned. Old FBI target rounds(felt almost like a .22), the old 175gr Sivertips, 180gr FMJ, and a variety of loads from Corbon and Buffalo Bore all worked well.
     

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