[mr_fender]

Hey all,

I'm about to join the Glock family. I've narrowed it down to some version of the G19 with factory night sights. This gun will pull double duty as a target/range and home defense gun, so it must be absolutely reliable. With mixed reviews on the Gen 4's reliability with certain types of ammo, I'm leaning towards a Gen 3. However if the Gen 4's prove themselves or can be corrected (retrofit Gen 3 recoil system maybe), it's not out of the question as I do like the new texture and larger mag release. I've also held but never shot the RTF2 version and liked it too, however I hear it can make your skin a bit raw after many rounds or when holster carrying. Please help me to weigh the pro's and con's of these fine weapons. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[jlw]

I prefer the Gen3. I just don't like the texturing of the RTF, RTF2, or Gen4.

I do like the mag release of the Gen4, but that is the only feature I see as an improvment.

 

[Don Glock]

Gen3.........

 

[__jb]

I have a gen 4 G17 and am very happy with it...

Having said that, I am always an early adopter... If there is something wrong with the 4th gen Glocks, I trust Glock to fix it... They sent me a redesigned recoil spring and mine works perfectly.

Several people here on the forum have 4th gen Glock 19's... they should be able to answer any questions you have about them. 4th gen G19 is my next Glock!

 

[mr_fender]

Thanks for the super fast replies. I've been leaning towards the Gen 3 due to some negative feedback about the Gen 4. I'm sure any issues with the Gen 4 will get ironed out by Glock, but I really don't want to have to deal with anything like that if at all possible. I've become increasingly frustrated with my 1911's reliability issues, so I want to go with something that just plain works no matter what I feed it. The more I learn about glocks, the more I like them. I rented a G19 last week and was able to blow a single ragged 1.5 inch hole from 10 yards away with it having never fired one before. Needless to say, I was extremely impressed. Also for a gun that weighs just a hair over half of what my 1911 does, it didn't really recoil any more or shoot any less smoothly. As much as people yack on and on about the 1911's grip angle, I actually prefer the Glock's angle more. It points more naturally for me and the barrel rides very low in my hand. Anyway, I've been bitten by the Glock bug and will be making a purchase very soon. Thanks again.

 

[Coach.John]

I have to believe there is no wrong choice among these three. I'm a new Glock owner myself. I have a G19 Gen 3 RTF2. I don't carry it (yet) so I can't speak for how it would feel. It is a little 'rough' in my hand, but it doesn't move around in my hand, even in a sweaty indoor range in Florida in the Summer.
As you said: "It just works".* I've tried 5 different brands of ammo, including some Factory re-loads with Zero failures.* I've been shooting quite accuarately with itfrom the very beginning.

 

[mr_fender]

I have to believe there is no wrong choice among these three.

This is exactly my problem. I'm quite sure that I would be very satisfied with any of them, however since one of each is not quite in my budget, I much choose one somehow. Most of the time my Kimber 9mm runs like a dream, but it chokes just often enough for me to lose faith in it as a defensive weapon (hence my recent entry into the world of Glock). Glock's simplicity and reliability are unmatched.

I'm leaning toward the regular gen 3 G19 with night sights, but wanted to see if anyone had any good positives regarding the RTF2 or the gen 4 that would make either a better choice. Here's what I got so far.

Gen 3 - It's what I've shot and really liked. Proven track record.

RTF2 - Same proven design, good grip texture, but could possibly be too aggressive in some situations like concealed carry.

Gen 4 - Good grip texture (not as aggressive as RTF2 but better than regular gen 3) and larger mag release, but possible early production bugs. Reversible mag release and smaller grip size while nice are not really needed since I'm right handed and the gen 3 frame fits me fine. I think it comes with 3 magazines as opposed to the 2 that come with the gen 3's.

 

[Midnightgallery]

Gen 3 ........

 

[TheLaw]

Having bought a Gen 4 G19, I would go with the 3rd Gen if I could do it again. In fact, I did buy a G19c Gen 3 afterwards. My G38 is Gen 3 as well, but that's because they don't make it in a Gen 4 yet. If they did, knowing what I know now, it would still be a Gen 3.

 

[dirtys0uthfl1]

Gen 3 gets my vote too. Who knows, we may be stuck with only Gen 4's eventually.

 

[EdF702]

I'm new to handguns in general and Glocks specifically. I went to my local gun shop to buy a handgun, and after looking at many and getting a feel of them, I chose a G17 gen 4. I chose the G17 because of the way it fit my hand, the general feel of the gun, the price and the Glock reputation for reliability. The state I live in has a 72 hour waiting period, so after choosing and while waiting to get my new gun, what to do? Of course, check out the net to make sure I didn't buy a lemon....
Well, there was sooooo much about the gen 4's and FTE and FTF i started to doubt my purchase. I picked my Glock up on Tuesday, went to Wal Mart and bought (3) different types of "cheap Wal Mart" 115 grain FMJ ammo and took my gun out for a run. I ran one clip each of the (3) different "cheap" brands and guess what? Not one issue! My gen 4 17 worked exactly like I thought it would and I have probably only fired a handgun less than 10 rounds in my life. I have had rifles and shotguns, but never a handgun....
So, I don't know if there is any lesson here, other than buy what you want and trust your own instincts and opinions. The internet is a terrific platform for soap boxing and for 3 days I worried that I had made a mistake buying the latest version of possibly the most popular handgun in the world, because people I didn't know from Adam "said" that there was a problem! Silly me! MY gen 4 is awesome! I like having the latest version of a legend!

 

[VolGrad]

I have both Gen3 and Gen4 G19s. Disclaimer: my Gen3 has been reduced and stippled by Boresight Solutions.

I have worked the Gen3 over pretty hard in a couple of classes and have carried it more than anything else I currently own. It is 100% reliable and I trust it 100%.

I haven't shot the Gen4 enough to say if it will be as reliable over the long haul or not. I have had a couple of stovepipes at the range but can't tell you exactly why. They didn't concern me enough to prevent me from carrying it. The Gen4 is my favorite of the two. I love the texture (more aggressive than Gen3 but not as harsh adn RTF2). I love the grip size with no back strap on it. I shoot it better than the Gen3 and can only attribute that to the better grip feel/size ... for me.

If the Gen3 fits your hand well then get it. Just be sure to feel the Gen4 first. You can definitely tell the difference.

Don't buy a Gen4 for the new recoil spring setup. I can't tell any difference at all. I bought it for the grip.

 

[JonInWA]

If you want a fielded, proven gun considered to be one of the gold standards in a modern combat pistol regarding durability and reliability, go with a Gen 3. If you want a grippier receiver, go with a Gen 3 RTF2.

While I'm quite confident that Glock will sort out the Gen4, if they haven't already, I'm personally disinclined to go for a Gen4 in 9mm, as I view it as leaving a fielded platform for one unproven, providing but incrimental gains (i.e., the larger magazine release and the Gen4 receiver treatment). In 9mm, I prefer to remain with the well proven single-spring recoil spring assembly; while there are clearly benefits for the Gen4 double-nested spring recoil assembly in the .40/.357 platform guns (and quite possibly for the 10mm/.45 GAP and maybe .45 ACP), I doubt that there's a significant advantage/rationale for in in 9mm (other than for the G26, and for other reasons of manufacturing commonality/parts simplification/standardization).

Best, Jon

 

[mr_fender]

Does any know for sure if the RTF2 grip dimensions are the same as the regular gen 3 grip? The RTF2 does feel slightly different, like it is slightly smaller or perhaps profiled a little different. It could just be the texture faking me out. Has anyone actually measured the two?

I do like the way my hand locks onto the RTF2 grip. I know I could always add some grip tape, etc. to the gen 3 grip too, but the RTF2 would have a more polished look without extra stuff stuck on. That said, I've never shot the RTF2, so I'm not sure how it would work out for the long haul. I suppose I could always sand down the RTF2 spikes a little if necessary.

Unfortunately, my range only has the regular gen 3 G19 available for rent, so I can't try all 3.

 

[TXGlockShooter]

All 8 of my Glocks are Gen3.

 

[VolGrad]

Does any know for sure if the RTF2 grip dimensions are the same as the regular gen 3 grip? The RTF2 does feel slightly different, like it is slightly smaller or perhaps profiled a little different. It could just be the texture faking me out.

The dims are the same. The texture is throwing you off.

 

[Tshark]

I have a Gen 4 22 and a few Gen 3's: 22, 23, and a 27. For a while the Gen 4 was starting to become my favorite but the honeymoon is over. I like the Gen 3 better now that the newness of the Gen 4 has worn off. If I were to but a new one today it would by another Gen 3.

 

[fmfdocsci]

My recommendation is go with the Gen3.

I have had too many problems with my G17 Gen4 to recommend the Gen4 to anyone.

My Gen3 G30 and G22 work great.

 

[Don Glock]

Does any know for sure if the RTF2 grip dimensions are the same as the regular gen 3 grip? The RTF2 does feel slightly different, like it is slightly smaller or perhaps profiled a little different. It could just be the texture faking me out. Has anyone actually measured the two?

you are correct sir.

the rtf2 is slightly smaller all the way around the circumference. i traded my gen3 g19 for the g19 rtf2, and have noticed this as well.

 

[js415]

I have a RTF2 that I really like shooting, but I can not wear it during the summer months. The rougher texture rubs too hard on my back.

During the summer I switch back to a plain old Gen3 G19.

Jerry