Glock Gen 4

[grover99]

I have owned more than one Glock in my life and I found that they just did not fit my hand very well. Well I find myself with a case of 357 sig ammo and no gun to shoot the ammo in. The choice of guns are limited to mostly sigs[$$$] or the Glock. Yes I know I can get a Sig 320 but I just don't care for them. My question is does the changeable back strap on the Gen 4 give one a better fit for the hand over the older Glocks

 

[Spokes]

I have two Gen 4's.. I do not use any of the backstraps. Fit my hand better than the Gen. 3's..

 

[Nevada Ed]

Some of the "New" Glocks have a Plastic rear sight now........

just a heads up.

 

[Protected One]

OP. In answer to your question, YES, changing the backstrap does. Question is...will the change be enough to make it feel right in YOUR hand?

Perhaps a trip to the LGS is in order, to have them install a couple so you can try it out.
Let us know how it turns out.

 

[swsig]

Gun manufacturers seem to be giving up on the .357 SIG round for some reason. S&W and H&K have quit making them. Springfield, however, still lists their XD4 as available in .357 SIG, so you might look at that.

I have a P320 compact that I converted from a 9mm to a .357 SIG using a SIG Caliber X-Change kit, and I love it. Shooting 9mm with the P320 was kind of boring. Not so with .357 SIG! It's way more accurate, and of course, makes that cool .357 SIG "Boom!". I hope you find a gun that you like, because it's a great caliber to shoot.

 

[ContinentalOp]

swsig's post reminded me of something. I'm not sure how universal it is, but I believe most guns chambered for .40S&W can be converted to .357Sig with just a barrel swap, and maybe new mags. I don't know what your current inventory has, but if you have a .40 that might be an option for you.

Or, you could get a gun in .40S&W and get the appropriate barrel/mags for it. With the changeover from .40 to 9mm there've been quite a few used LE guns hitting the market in .40. That could be another option.

I can't help with the Gen4 question. My only experience has been with Gen3s. But I would echo the advice to try one if you can.

 

[Mdclinks]

The gen4 without the backstrap will be slightly less deep(length of pull) than the gen3. Most people don't end up using the different backstraps.

 

[SC_Mike]

I found that without the back straps the Gen 4 G19 fits me better than the Gen 3 G19.

That being said I shoot more accurately with the medium back strap on my Gen4/19. As Mdclinks said, its a better" length of pull" for me.

Grips are like shoes, you have to try on several or many pairs to find a good fit.

 

[Wyo]

I have small hands and the Gen 4 grip does fit my hand better without the backstrap than the Gen 3. It’s an individual thing, though. You just have to see how it works for you. As to the 357 SIG, I got a Gen 4 G35 in 40 S&W, then a 357 SIG barrel from Lone Wolf and dropped it in. No other mags or springs required. Works great and that longer barrel really takes advantage of the SIG power. Velocities are well over 1400 fps, almost 1500. It’s a real hoot!

 

[Mahalo_.32]

G32 here and I love it, with that said it took a while to get used to the feel. I have tested the the G32 gen 4 with all 3 backstraps and I prefer the small strap... just need more money now lol.

 

[Smoke]

I use the medium with beaver tail and it fits my hand well.

 

[JJEH]

I have owned more than one Glock in my life and I found that they just did not fit my hand very well. Well I find myself with a case of 357 sig ammo and no gun to shoot the ammo in. The choice of guns are limited to mostly sigs[$$$] or the Glock. Yes I know I can get a Sig 320 but I just don't care for them. My question is does the changeable back strap on the Gen 4 give one a better fit for the hand over the older Glocks

A friend of mine carries the Sig P320 in .357SIG off duty and he loves the gun as well as the cartridge.

I've held the 320 with the medium frame and it fits and feels actually pretty nice. The gun itself is just ugly.

You can either get an older (used or NOS) M&P or a G31 if you prefer full size. And the G32 and G33 if you like compact/subcompact.

One of my distributors offers refurbished Glocks, they save a bit of money.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

I've got several Gen 3 Glocks in 9mm and .40.

I have one Gen 4...a 9mm 26.

By far my favorite in-hand one is the 4th Gen without one of the add on backstraps attached.

If I buy a new Gock it will be a Gen 4.

 

[Valmet]

I don’t use the backstraps but I have friends who swear that the Gen4 with the right backstraps fits their hands perfectly.

 

[Mister X]

I have owned more than one Glock in my life and I found that they just did not fit my hand very well.

My question is does the changeable back strap on the Gen 4 give one a better fit for the hand over the older Glocks

It depends on the individual. Everyone is different. I love the Glock grip angle and the way they fit my hand despite growing up with revolvers and the m1911. All my Glocks are Gen 3. If it was the grip angle that you disliked, I don't think a Gen 4 would make much of a difference, but if it was simply a matter of it being too big, then it probably would. Also keep in mind that different size frames are shaped differently and therefore fit the hand differently due to the backstrap "hump" being located in different places. A lot of people find a standard frame(like a G17) fits their hand well whereas a compact(G19) doesn't and vice-versa. You just need to try them yourself.

 

[JaPes]

My question is does the changeable back strap on the Gen 4 give one a better fit for the hand over the older Glocks

That's a subjective question. To give some frame of reference to my opinion, I am 5'10 with small/medium hands. The most comfortable for me is a Gen4/Gen5 without any add on backtraps installed.

Glock 19 Gen4 / Gen5

• Without any backstraps = Smaller than a Gen3 grip.
• With the medium backstrap (with or without the beaver tail) = Same as Gen3
• With the large backstrap (with or without beavertail) = Too big for my hands.

There are two features to consider between the early production run Gen3, recent production run Gen3, and the Gen4/Gen5. The first is the grip texture. The Gen4/Gen5 have a slightly more aggressive grip texture over the Gen3. The second is trigger. In the later/recent production run Gen3's and all of the Gen4's, Glock put a dimple on the safety plunger disconnector. According to Glock, the dimple was to ensure proper engagement between the disconnector and the striker safety plunger. All it ever did was add a hitch and weight to the trigger.

If you like the Gen3 grip contour and texture, try to find a nice used Gen3. Bonus if it doesn't have the dimple on the safety plunger disconnector. If not, you can buy a G17 trigger w/trigger bar assembly without the dimple for $10.

If you like the smaller grip contour of the Gen4 and Gen5 without backstrap, go Gen5. You'll get all the nice upgrades:

• nDLC slide finish over the standard hot salt bath nitriding treatment.
• Ambi slide stop.
• Recessed crown barrel.
• No finger grooves
• Evolved trigger. No dimple on the safety plunger disconnector, redesigned contour of the striker safety plunger, trigger redesign similar to a Glock43's mechanism.

If I hadn't already fixed my 19 Gen4's trigger and removed the finger grooves, I'd buy the 19 Gen5. I do own a 17 Gen5. My opinion is that the Gen5 trigger is the best out-of-the box trigger from a Glock since the Gen2. I haven't felt the need to tinker with the Gen5 trigger.