rowdyb Posted November 14, 2022 Share Posted November 14, 2022 It's been a long time, 2014, since I owned a gen3 Glock. Other than the finger grooves what did we not like about them? I own a handful of gen5 guns currently but no gen 3 or 4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aandabooks Posted November 14, 2022 Share Posted November 14, 2022 To me the Gen 3 is the best of the Glock guns. I must have perfectly average size hands because the finger grooves fit me like it was designed using my hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artemas Posted November 14, 2022 Share Posted November 14, 2022 (edited) finger grooves, crap texture, tiny mag release, and slide bite are what spring to my mind. Oh and the .40s being wholly unsuitable to that version of the Glock. The gen 3's do have better triggers than the gen 4s (about on par with the gen 5s). Edited November 14, 2022 by Artemas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rowdyb Posted November 14, 2022 Author Share Posted November 14, 2022 I do now also remember breaking trigger return springs and locking blocks on mine... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuz Posted November 14, 2022 Share Posted November 14, 2022 11 hours ago, aandabooks said: To me the Gen 3 is the best of the Glock guns. I must have perfectly average size hands because the finger grooves fit me like it was designed using my hand. I agree, I always thought the gen3 was by far the best in every way. The only reason I have switched to Gen5 is because of the ambidextrous slide stop, I’m a lefty, and it makes a huge difference on those few occasions you lose count and run the gun dry. But I much preferred everything else about the gen3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stafford Posted November 14, 2022 Share Posted November 14, 2022 Gen 3 grip texture is a bit slick. Mag release is small and has a sharp, pointy edge that bites your thumb. Grip is thicker than a Gen 4 or 5 without back straps. Removal of the fire control unit is a bit more involved than a Gen 5. Doesn’t come with front serrations. Has the old recoil spring design. No MOS option. No “marksman” barrel. No ambi slide lock. My one Gen 3, a LEO trade in G23 runs great with no issues and I regularly carry it. All of the things I mentioned above are not an issue to me except the sharp edged mag release. If I was buying new and had to pick between a new release Gen 3 or a Gen 5, I would pay the extra $50 or so difference and get the Gen 5. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuz Posted November 14, 2022 Share Posted November 14, 2022 4 hours ago, Stafford said: If I was buying new and had to pick between a new release Gen 3 or a Gen 5, I would pay the extra $50 or so difference and get the Gen 5. I can’t argue with that, but I would NOT get the MOS version. I’d take the $75 saved by getting the standard slide and put that money towards getting the slide milled for the specific optic I planned to use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trebore Posted November 14, 2022 Share Posted November 14, 2022 7 hours ago, Stafford said: My one Gen 3, a LEO trade in G23 runs great with no issues and I regularly carry it. All of the things I mentioned above are not an issue to me except the sharp edged mag release. Easy fix with a nail file or emery board! Just round them off! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CC3D Posted November 14, 2022 Share Posted November 14, 2022 The tiny mag release sticks out way too far and really interferes with my grip. Any time I'd finish shooting a gen 3 I'd have a little raw spot on my support hand palm. That and the crappy, slightly larger grip just makes it less enjoyable to shoot compared to a gen 5 imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yigal Posted November 14, 2022 Share Posted November 14, 2022 I had a 2nd generation and the thing I liked the most about it was that I got it for free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChuckS Posted November 14, 2022 Share Posted November 14, 2022 25 minutes ago, yigal said: I had a 2nd generation and the thing I liked the most about it was that I got it for free. Same reason that I like my G34.3 (ETA: Confession: It really cost me $20 for raffle tickets. It would of cost less but I didn't have any smaller bills when the raffle lady came around) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rowdyb Posted November 14, 2022 Author Share Posted November 14, 2022 Well for fun I ordered an Austrian made 34.3. I'll build it to try and exactly replicate my very first "competition" gun back in 2013. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertson Posted November 15, 2022 Share Posted November 15, 2022 On 11/13/2022 at 4:53 PM, Artemas said: Oh and the .40s being wholly unsuitable to that version of the Glock. Don’t tell Vogel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerTrace Posted November 15, 2022 Share Posted November 15, 2022 When I was really into ZEV, Gen3 guns were all they were building parts for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rowdyb Posted November 15, 2022 Author Share Posted November 15, 2022 (edited) No front serrations. I forgot, as I do love those on my gen 5. I really don't like the placement of the rear sight cut on gen5 g34 guns, that's for sure. Edited November 15, 2022 by rowdyb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfinney Posted November 15, 2022 Share Posted November 15, 2022 Glock magwell opening sucked til Gen 5. Then they became slightly less so annoying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artemas Posted November 15, 2022 Share Posted November 15, 2022 (edited) 9 hours ago, robertson said: Don’t tell Vogel. From what I understand most of the issues where solvable with some spring changes and very specific ammo. Somewhere on PF is a very long thread from a SME LEO about problems with issuing the G22s and G23s on a large scale. edit: found the link, page 5 has the post that I was specifically referring to, but the whole thing is interesting if you are into that. https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?13852-40-S-amp-W-and-Glocks Edited November 15, 2022 by Artemas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NWfront Posted November 15, 2022 Share Posted November 15, 2022 I wanted to shoot Glocks back in the Gen 3 days but slide bite was problem. I picked up a 34 after the 4's added beavertail backstraps but the trigger was never as good as my buddy's 3's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RePete Posted November 25, 2022 Share Posted November 25, 2022 I find that the Gen 3 was the best. I'm still shooting my 34 in stock condition with only the sights changed to Hi Viz f/o. Never had slide bite and the finger grooves don't bother me nor do I have any problems with the extended mag release. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rowdyb Posted November 25, 2022 Author Share Posted November 25, 2022 My trip down memory lane 34.3 will be done today. Really the finger grooves/grip versus a gen 5 are the only things I don't like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Itgma Posted November 26, 2022 Share Posted November 26, 2022 Any real differences I can't notice when shooting in a match environmen at speed. That being said the only reason I prefer the gen5s is I don't like the finger grooves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stafford Posted November 26, 2022 Share Posted November 26, 2022 A co-worker recently got a steal of a deal on a new Gen 3 17 for $320. After shooting it, he found the grip way too thick for his liking and the texture too slick. He now plans on a grip reduction, finger groove removal and stippling. He’ll now be in it for more than he would have paid for a Gen 5 at regular cost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rowdyb Posted November 27, 2022 Author Share Posted November 27, 2022 Near me a gen 5 34 is $740, I paid $620 for a brand new gen 3 34. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slow250 Posted November 27, 2022 Share Posted November 27, 2022 On 11/15/2022 at 7:35 AM, sfinney said: Glock magwell opening sucked til Gen 5. Then they became slightly less so annoying. The Gen 5 was a huge improvement, but the Gen 3 magwell never bothered me until there was something better available. Same with the front serrations. Strange how that goes... The only thing that I had issue with was the lack of beavertail and how I would get a cut on my strong side thumb. If only I would have sorted my grip out rather than using a extended beaver tail I would have shot better earlier. The Gen 3 34 was my first competition gun, but luckily I kept mine. I imagine I always will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RePete Posted November 27, 2022 Share Posted November 27, 2022 On 11/25/2022 at 12:45 PM, rowdyb said: My trip down memory lane 34.3 will be done today. Really the finger grooves/grip versus a gen 5 are the only things I don't like. How did it work out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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