Comparison between Glock 17 Gen 3 and Gen 4 – In 2010 arrival of the fourth generation Glock semiautomatic pistols was announced by the Austrian manufacture as an event worth a celebration
Franco Palamaro
The Armory.com
A 9x19mm 'first generation' Glock 17 semi-automatic pistol
Franco Palamaro
Three Glock 17 generations compared: from left, Gen 2, Gen 3 and Gen 4. Note the thumb shelf, and additional pin on the locking piece introduced in the Gen 3 pistol, and the different texture on the pistol grip plus improved and enlaregd mag release button on the Gen 4
A typical Glock 17 Gen 3 pistol, featuring the accessory rail on the dust cover, the double locking piece pin and the new "ergonomic" design of the pistol grip
The not so successful Gen 3 RTF2 Glock, featuring the very grippable - but abrasive! - new pistol grip texture pattern and the "Fish Gills" on the slide
Franco Palamaro
The new Gen 4 Glock 17 in the foreground the Glock 17 Gen 4, compared with the previous Gen 3 in the back
Thanks to the new interchangeable Backstrap options, and a slimmer pistol grip profile, the Glock Gen 4 can be easily configured to better fit the shooter's hand
Franco Palamaro
We can appreciate, in this picture, the obvious pistol grip size difference between the larger Gen 3, in front, and the Gen 4, in the back
Franco Palamaro
The backstrap is the part of the Glock that has been improved the most from the Gen 4 redesign: sleeker, curvier and it can be custom fitted with various backstrap add ons by the user
Franco Palamaro
The new and improved Ambidextrous Mag release system, featuring an enlarged button
Franco Palamaro
The Gen 4 magazine (on the left), features two symmetric notches for the mag release catch and in the middle, the additional notch for the first and very short-lived Ambidextrous system taken out of production before the introduction of the RTF2
Franco Palamaro
The new texture of the Gen 4 grip panels are made using small, truncated pyramids that provide a secure grip of the handgun in any condition
Franco Palamaro
Glock formalized the "Gen 4" naming custom by engraving it on the left side of the slide
Franco Palamaro
Muzzle ends of a Gen 4, left, and Gen 3, right, Glock 17. Note the different diameters of the recoil spring guide rod
Franco Palamaro
Locking back the slide, it becomes obvious why there is such a noticeable increase in the guide rod diameter
Franco Palamaro
The two recoil springs assemblies compared: the Gen 4, top, is in fact a complex system with two coaxial springs, while the previous models used a simple flat sectioned spring and guide rod
Franco Palamaro
The new recoil spring system required a significant increase in the diameter of the muzzle ring
Franco Palamaro
The protruding element of the Gen 4 trigger bar (in the back), meant to remove the firing pin safety features a "bulge" that is not present in previous versions
Franco Palamaro
The different structure of the two ejectors: the 336 version that is still featured on the Gen 3, rear, and the new 30274, thicker and with a more pronounced curve: the latter is standard on Gen 4 guns but can also be installed on previous models in case of ejection problems
Franco Palamaro
Loaded round presentation to the breech. Note the "in line" feed
Franco Palamaro
Inside the slide, small differences aimed to reduce stress points can be noted
Franco Palamaro
The ejection ports appear identical but have slight differences in internal slide dimensions and machining tolerances
Franco Palamaro
The Gen 4 guns feature the standard Glock adjustable plastic sights. Note the different texturing of the Backstrap surface
Franco Palamaro
The Glock 17 Gen 4 9mm semi-automatic pistol left, compared with a Gen 3 Glock 17 of equal caliber, side-by-side at the range
Franco Palamaro
9mm Glock 17 Gen 4 semi-automatic pistol: right side view
Franco Palamaro
9mm Glock 17 Gen 4 semi-automatic pistol: Left side view
Franco Palamaro
9mm Glock 17 Gen 4 semi-automatic pistol field disassembly. Note the composite, 'captive' spring assembly
Franco Palamaro
9mm Glock 17 Gen 3 semi-automatic pistol: Right side view
Franco Palamaro
9mm Glock 17 Gen 3 semi-automatic pistol: Left side view
Franco Palamaro
9mm Glock 17 Gen 3 semi-automatic pistol field disassembly.
Franco Palamaro
The new 9mm Gen 4 Glock 17 semiautomatic pistol in the foreground, compared with the previous Gen 3 in the back
This advertising is hidden because a third party (Revive AdServer) could potentially collect personal data.Show once.Show advertising permanently.Revoke consent
