Glock Gen 5 - Is it worth changing over?

[Moo Moo]

(I know I'm on the wrong forum but thought I'd ask anyway).

I have an older Glock 17 Gen 3 with NY Trigger, etc set up for IPSC Production. Whilst CZ has ruled the Production Division for some time now, I wanted to stick with Glock as this was what we had issued at work. (Now that I'm retired, not so much, but with my 12 year old getting into the sport, I believe this would be a good platform for him to start on when he's ready for centrefire).

With the new Glock 17 Gen 5's finally hitting Australian shores, I'm not sure if I would be better off upgrading to the new model or not. The change in finger groves does not concern me either way. I'm mainly interested if there is much of a difference in accuracy with this new Target Barrel?

(In Australia, they are sold as Glock 17A. "A" is for the additional barrel length as regular Target Semi Automatics must have a barrel length of 120mm or greater).

Thanks.

 

[ColbyBruce]

I own several Glocks. Gen. 2 17 and two 19’s, Gen. 2 1/2 26, Gen. 3 29, two 31’s, 32 and a Gen. 3 30sf frame with a AA .22 LR kit. If I were you, I believe I would buy an aftermarket barrel for the gun I already own.

 

[Valmet]

I owned a Gen5 19 and parted with it. I’m a die-hard Glock guy and I didn’t like the ambi slide-release as I felt like I had an extra lever hanging off the gun that never got used, the finish wears worse than the other Glocks I own (but it’s supposedly “better”) and I didn’t notice any decided difference with the new “Marksman” barrel. I’ve decided to stick with my Gen2, 3, and 4.

 

[midnighthammer]

Gen 2 and Early Gen 3 glocks used the strong investment cast internals. Mid Gen 3 saw the switch to MIM parts. Also due to environmental regulations, Glock switched to a different process to manufacture their finish. It's not as tough. Not sure when this switchover happened, but there have been different shades of finish over the years. Some more durable than others.

The Gen 2's and 3's are what cemented Glock's reputation for being tough and durable.

I personally like the lack of finger grooves on the Gen 5, but I stick with Gen 2 since they don't have them either.

 

[midnighthammer]

I got a police trade in that came with the New York Trigger. I was able to hit well with it, but didn't care for the heavy pull. It's my understanding that New York police departments put these in the Glocks because the guys were used to heavy double action revolver pulls and were having negligent discharges. This helped them transition.

If your 12 year old isn't used to this heavy pull, why not upgrade the trigger to a lighter and smoother one?

I got a "The Guardian" trigger from Glocktriggers dot com.
It's expertly polished and uses all factory Glock parts. The guy also offers competition triggers too.
The trigger pull is much better that a stock trigger. Still worlds apart from a hammer fired CZ in my opinion.
Or you could just order a factory spring and polish the trigger yourself with some Flitz.

 

[pharmer]

I have a Gen 2 model 17, factory refurbed 25 years ago, marked "MPDC." It is flawless in performance, has a 5# trigger and will hit where you aim it. Only Glock I own and probably ever will. It could use new night sights though. Joe

 

[seldon14]

Best part of gen5 is no grooves. If you like grooves, don't waste the money.

 

[shouldazagged]

If I were looking for a Glock today, I would seek a generation 2
G19, refurbished. I was well pleased with the 2nd generation 19 ad G22 I owned twenty-plus years ago, and I don't care for finger grooves.

 

[cometpx4]

Gen 5 Glock

Yes. I have 2 gen 5 G17’s . Best all around (everything considered- accuracy, reliability, aftermarket support, weight, capacity, power, service life and on and on) combat 9mm on the market today.
I have Berettas, FN 509 Midsize, CZ’s and have owned just about every Glock and every version/gen some 3x over.
They got everything right with the gen 5.

 

[CH4]

I have 26.5 and find it shoots where I point it; don’t know if it’s any better than my other Glocks. However, I do like the factory Ameriglo Bold sights better than any other sights Glock offers.

 

[JaPes]

(I know I'm on the wrong forum but thought I'd ask anyway).

I have an older Glock 17 Gen 3 with NY Trigger, etc set up for IPSC Production.

With the new Glock 17 Gen 5's finally hitting Australian shores, I'm not sure if I would be better off upgrading to the new model or not. The change in finger groves does not concern me either way. I'm mainly interested if there is much of a difference in accuracy with this new Target Barrel?

Hello. I've owned a Gen3. I currently own couple Gen4's and a Gen5. If you're good with finger groove, the Gen3 grip size/contour, and grip texture, then there is no reason to upgrade. Regarding accuracy of the new target barrel with crown, I haven't noticed any difference. IMO, the "new" barrel is to give the impression of a big generational change to induce a new purchase. If I were you, I'd swap out the NY trigger for a standard and you're good to go.

The differences between the previous generations and the Gen5 for me is the amount of modification I have to do to make the trigger feel just right without inducing spongy feel.

Pre Gen5, I will:

• Install a "-" connector
• If a Gen4, swap out the trigger with trigger bar assembly for a Gen3
• Install a reduced power safety plunger spring
• Polish up the trigger bar and the safety plunger

On the Gen5, the trigger mechanism is redesigned. All I have to do is install a one step lighter striker spring.

Now if you need to rationalize the purchase of a new Gen5, ignore everything above. The new Glock target barrel with recessed crown and revised polygonal rifling and the new DLC coating absolutely improve accuracy by leaps and bounds.

 

[Screwball]

Currently... I just have a Gen 3; 30S. Glock (-) connector, smooth trigger, and extended slide release... oh, and the SCD. That is fine for me.

I will be buying another Glock; Gen 5 34 MOS. Like that they closed the slide, and the front finger grooves. We are switching to the 47 in the next year or so, and I would like a similar off duty gun that can squeeze out a little more range.

Also likely picking up a CMMG Banshee, in 9mm and takes Glock magazines. That way, full circle with utilizing those magazines.

 

[SC_Mike]

IMHO there's a huge difference between the Gen 3 and Gen 4. Gen 4 to 5, not so much. I'm sticking with my G19-4.

Again just my opinion, worth exactly what you paid for it.

 

[okiegtrider]

I'd skip it. Not seeing anything in the Gen 5 that my Gen 4 wont do. And I ground the grooves off it ages ago.

 

[Sistema1927]

I recently bought a Blue Label Gen 5 G17. I like it. I already had a Gen 2 G17 and whatever generation the first G26's were. I bought the G19 to fit the space in the middle, and I like it the best of the 3 Glocks.

The only thing that bugged me was the additional cut out on the front of the grip, but new base plates from Pearce remedied that small nit.

 

[dubshooter]

I had a Gen 5 19. I liked the trigger. Grooves neither here nor there.

Sold the Gen 5. I kept locking slide back somehow while shooting. Wasn’t having it.

Back to the Gen 3 19. Also carry Gen 3 17 at work, and have a 43 and now a 48. No issues with any of these.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Have a Glock 43 and a Gen 4 19. I also ground the finger grooves off.

I have shot the Gen 5 once from a rest. I saw no noticeable difference in the trigger or accuracy. That was only one magazine however.

In most hands, the Gen 5 isn’t going to be any more accurate than the Gen 4. It’s a marketing gimmick.

I’m more curious about the Glock 48. Even if it only has a ten round magazine.

 

[waffles]

The 5s are nice. I'm a lefty, don't care about ambi features, but finger grooves can go kick sand. That alone is worth it.

 

[Mdclinks]

The Gen5 has many upgrades over the Gen1-4.
Improvements: removed finger grooves(Gen3&4), flared magwell, ambi slide lock, enlarged magazine release(Gen1-3), recessed barrel crown, faster rate of twist(not sure it's an improvement), DLC slide finish(not tenifer but much more durable than newer finishes), reshaped firing pin block safety plunger(makes the trigger remarkably smoother)

Yes they made improvements but I doubt the barrel will noticeably improve accuracy. Now if Glock would just make front serrations, MOS slide milling and steel sights the standard configuration they'd have a pretty complete gun.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

As an alternative, the current S&W SD9VE does not have Glock stamped on the side, but is pretty good at putting 9mm bullets accurately downrange and training newcomers as well as arming the experienced folks at a fraction of the price.