Gen 3 or Gen 4

[Dberm118]

I'm not a huge glock person but will be buying a g34 for 3 gun. My question for you experienced glock folks is what gen is better. I understand many people like the adjustable backstraps on the gen 4 but mechanically is either one more reliable or better than the other?

 

Thanks!

[hornetx40]

No the only real difference is in the grip. Go to a shop that has both and play with them. See which one feels better in your grip. You pay a little more for a gen 4 and you get an extra mag. 

[Marshal82]

Gen4 have a tighter barrel lockup..supposedly. I prefer a Gen3 because i don't use the backstraps and it's what I have. Plus to the Gen3 they are normally cheaper esp if buying on the used market. 

[Hans7]

Gen3 for me. When I bought mine there were far fewer aftermarket parts and accessories for the Gen4s compared to the Gen3s. Also, like Marshal said, I don't have the need for changeable back straps cause I remove the finger grooves, undercut and thin most any Glock grip I'm gonna shoot anyways. 

[SCTaylor]

I like the Gen 4 mag release button. Other than that, it's a wash.

[Dberm118]

So if I had the option to get a gen 4 at the $500 dollar range I should do that vs. a gen 3?

[Hans7]

38 minutes ago, Dberm118 said:

So if I had the option to get a gen 4 at the $500 dollar range I should do that vs. a gen 3?

Shooter preference, brother. I say try before you buy so you can be sure what you perform better with, especially if you're gonna be running it in competition. 

[Bidah]

To me, shooter preference.  I much prefer the Gen4 for the beavertail backstraps and the magazine release.  There are some parts differences, however I have not had a problem getting what I needed.

[DreGarciaTAT2]

I definitely prefer the Gen 3's... I don't have a pinpoint reason... I just shoot them better. :-)


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[hceuterpe]

For someone with smaller hands and a lefty.  Gen4 no question.  You can swap the mag release to left ONLY ongen 4. Not gen 3.

I do have to remember though to ask folks if they got a gen3 if they need to borrow mine when theirs goes south. Oops?

[DreGarciaTAT2]

For someone with smaller hands and a lefty.  Gen4 no question.  You can swap the mag release to left ONLY ongen 4. Not gen 3.

I do have to remember though to ask folks if they got a gen3 if they need to borrow mine when theirs goes south. Oops[emoji15]

I don't think there's anything that makes a gen4 more reliable than a gen3...


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[CarlB86]

If you have smaller hands check out a Gen 4. If you have hands too large, then check out a Gen 4 with the massive addon backstraps.

 

Otherwise the Gen 3 aftermarket and support is superior.

[Dr Mitch]

Gen 4, big pro is the backstraps.  Big con is the trigger bar shape is sh!tty garbage at best.

Gen 3 big pros are the trigger bar shape approaches perfection and the after-market factory extended mag release is spectacular.  Only con is no back straps.

[Dberm118]

I think I've pretty much narrowed it down to gen3 34 maybe 35..

stopped into my LGS to check out the 34 and compare it between the 17 as I've had a very hard time deciding on going 4.5 or 5.3". I was also looking at 35/22 .

What are the opinions on going 35 and getting the 9mm conv. barrel since I will be using this for 3 gun I'm not concerned with uspsa legality as it does not pertain to my situation.

By the way the feel of the long slide is really nice and I can see how one could get used to that. especially jumping from a 4" gun.

Thanks for the feedback!!

Edited September 20, 2016 by Dberm118

[stango424]

I would just go wIth a 34 then beings you arent going to shoot uspsa with it

[Marshal82]

If you're going to play in Production get the 34, if you're going to shoot Limited get a 35. I wouldn't recommend a 35 with 9mm conversion if you're serious about competing. I see no reason to have a 17/22 for the sports. 

 

[Dberm118]

Marshal,

 

the 17/22 at 4.5" is another .5" on top of my current platform ( xd service ) which I have noticed a big difference in shooting.. like I said I went into this not liking the comfort of a glock. however I've noticed how much more precise and accurate I am with the platform.

Because I have some grip shaping and stippling experience now, I'm confident I can adapt the glock to my liking so I'm rather set on going 5.3" with the 34 I have lost interest in 17/22 and have pretty much decided on 34. Just keeping an open mind as to the option and versatility of the 35.

Thanks.

[SCTaylor]

Go with the 34, it's more versatile. Perfect for 3 gun and if you want to shoot USPSA you've got two options: a)production (if you follow the rules) or b)limited minor (silly really, but very few rules on modifications)

[36873687]

If u reload the 35 is perfect for minor 3 gun or production uspsa. If u shoot factory ammo go with the 34

[Dberm118]

I did just start reloading but plan to jump to a nicer press. i currently have lee 9mm and .40 dies so i would invest in maintaining both calibers and adding .223/5.56 with whatever set up i end up buying.

 

thanks.

[Honeybooboo]

Gen 3. I have gen 4's but may sell for gen 3's because they have much better triggers. I'm picky about triggers and gen 3's have lighter and crisper triggers all else being equal. They are more reliable too when you start swapping springs because of the geometry. 

[Lior]

My Gen4 G19 has been my most shootable Glock so far. The grip and mag release make a big difference for me.

Mods: Trijcon HD sights, Ghost connector + spring, Gen3 trigger bar, Apex trigger. 

Yesterday I was shooting it better than my CZ75 Tactical Sports (poor range visibility).

Edited September 24, 2016 by Lior

[mlmiller1]

On 9/20/2016 at 1:34 PM, Dberm118 said:

Marshal,

 

the 17/22 at 4.5" is another .5" on top of my current platform ( xd service ) which I have noticed a big difference in shooting.. like I said I went into this not liking the comfort of a glock. however I've noticed how much more precise and accurate I am with the platform.

Because I have some grip shaping and stippling experience now, I'm confident I can adapt the glock to my liking so I'm rather set on going 5.3" with the 34 I have lost interest in 17/22 and have pretty much decided on 34. Just keeping an open mind as to the option and versatility of the 35.

Thanks.

There is no physical difference in shape or size between 34 & 35.  If you dont want to shoot .40, no reason to buy .40 & convert it to 9mm.  

[anbrumm]

It's really personal preference. Myself, I prefer the Gen4. I have to readjust my hands to hit the Gen3 mag release where on the Gen4 I can hit it with no problem.

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[RandyLahey]

Personally, I prefer the Gen 4's for the mag release and the grip even w/out the smaller/larger back strap to me feels better, in stock form anyway.  I haven't messed with stippling. 

I have a G35 gen4 and a G22 Gen3.  The recoil spring in the Gen4 seems much beefier as well. 

However, if you are going to mod up the grip with stippling etc...  then you can just as easily add a Gen4 mag release button while your goofing about and then the Gen differences to me practically vanish.  Recoil springs are cheap and they don't seem to be an issue with earlier gens.  Moving forward though I'll buy Gen4's just to keep things more similar in parts/spares.

I myself was back and forth on G34/35 but I got a decent deal on a police trade like new G35 with night sights and for me even in day light, I pickup the sights a lot better vs the factory glock sights which to me are just atrocious.  My plan was to get a 9mm conversion barrel which I did.  Haven't shot it yet as tbh the g35 shooting reload 40 is about like shooting a smaller gun with hot factory 9.  So since I reload, I just prefer the 40 almost as for whatever reason I tend to shoot it a bit more accurately(mental thing I'm sure).  Both are great, but the 35 u can get a conversion barrel to go to 9mm.  The G34 you can't convert up to a 40.  That's what sold, and the good deal on the police trade with NS.