Glock Gen 5 to be available soon

[MT2008]

Originally Posted by Spartan198

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2...kly+Newsletter

It's basically just the same as their -M series military/LE pistols, though.

Actually, the Gen 5 and the "M" series are not the same, contrary to my expectations (I would have figured that "M" was just an early designation for the FBI's Gen 5 guns before the latter hit the commercial market). I had the chance to handle both versions at a trade show recently, and I asked the Glock rep what's the difference. The "M" series have different barrels and different finishes on most of the parts than the Gen 5. I personally couldn't see any difference other than slide markings, even when I held a -17M and a -17 Gen 5 in each hand, but I trust that the guy knew what he was talking about.

Personally, I'm glad that they finally got rid of the finger grooves (aside from reminding me of the Gen 2s, it simply feels better in my hand), but there are still some things I feel could have been done better. I don't know why they haven't standardized extended slide releases yet, for example - the factory slide releases have always been too small. I'm debating whether to buy a Gen 5 G19, which would be the first G19 I own. (Right now, I have all the other major 9mm variants except the -19.)

Originally Posted by Mazryonh

Does the Gen 5 release mean that Gen 4's production time will be short-lived?

I doubt it; they haven't even stopped producing most of the Gen 3 models yet (which is impressive, when you consider that the Gen 3s have been around since the Clinton White House). Also, I asked if there were plans to introduce the .40-caliber models in Gen 5, and the Glock rep told me probably not yet - because they also got rid of the locking block pin (another throwback to the Gen 2 days), which was primarily added for the .40-caliber and .357 SIG Glocks. So at the very least, they'll have to keep producing Gen 4 Glocks in the larger calibers until they solve the engineering challenges associated with removing the locking block pin on the 9mm Gen 5s.

[Jcordell]

There comes a time in one's life when it just isn't important to buy the next year's model. Unless I have no choice I'm sticking with my G19-gen 4. I can start collecting my full pension on July 1, 2024. I don't see the need for the next variation with only 7 years left. Do I really have to change models....again?

[Spartan198]

Originally Posted by Jcordell

There comes a time in one's life when it just isn't important to buy the next year's model. Unless I have no choice I'm sticking with my G19-gen 4. I can start collecting my full pension on July 1, 2024. I don't see the need for the next variation with only 7 years left. Do I really have to change models....again?

Ultimately, they're both just [insert preferred caliber] pistols and a Gen 5 probably isn't going to be any better or worse than a 3 or 4.

I'm personally too obsessed with the P320 right now to be concerned with another Glock.

[Jcordell]

Originally Posted by Spartan198

Ultimately, they're both just [insert preferred caliber] pistols and a Gen 5 probably isn't going to be any better or worse than a 3 or 4.

I'm personally too obsessed with the P320 right now to be concerned with another Glock.

I get it. The G19 is one of my work-tools. My interest is revolvers. Don't care about the little tweaks that Glock is doing. Hopefully my agency will just leave my gen-4 with me. When the New York Times ran an in-depth article on the old NYPD officers who were still carrying revolvers (December 2004) I thought the old-timers were odd. Well guess what? Thirteen years later I'm older and I get it. I'll stick with what I've been carrying for many years now. Thanks.

[Excalibur]

Since I carry a Glock 19, a "newer" model would interest me, but the Gen 5 is a real bore now that I look deeper into it. I don't like the cut in the front bottom of the grip because I don't strip a stuck mag from there. I pinch the sides of the base plate and pull down. The flared magwell kinda makes it harder to seat flush mags if you don't send it home hard enough.

[S&Wshooter]

I heard a few places that the little grip cut out is annoying

[MT2008]

Originally Posted by S&Wshooter

I heard a few places that the little grip cut out is annoying

Not sure why; the Gen 2s and most Gen 3s had the grip cutout, and it never seemed to bother anybody. It has never bothered me on my G17, which is a Gen 2, though the -17 is also the Glock I shoot least.

I guess I can see how it would be annoying on a shorter grip, like that of a G19, especially for anyone with bigger hands.