Glock Gen Differences - Glock released the Gen 4 line of pistols in early 2010, which addressed some outstanding durability issues and brought some minor changes to the exterior. Some seven years later, the next generation in the Glock range is presented to us. The differences in Gen 5 are equally minor on the surface, but there are some interesting changes that aren't immediately apparent.
I have been using my Gen 5 Glock 19 since the end of August and have put about 4,000 rounds through it since then. I ran it with and without the light rail attached for static accuracy and in dynamic defensive drills out of camouflage. I also spent time taking it apart to get to know the internal changes and problems with swapping parts (because Glocks are fun hobby kits).
Glock Gen Differences
For the most part, the Gen 5 Glock 19 is just a Glock 19, but there are some interesting and odd changes that warrant investigation. There are also some caveats that early buyers should be aware of. I hope to cover most of them here, but keep in mind that these insights come from less than 2 months of use, many times a week. More time can tell more stories.
What's The Difference Between Glock Pistols?
Much of this review addresses Gen 5 differences from previous versions and specific issues for Gen 5 users (carrying, shooting, accessories, etc.). For a more in-depth review of the Glock 19, I recommend reading my Glock 19 Gen 4 review here (“Review: Glock 19 Gen 4 - After 80,000 Rounds”).
Also note that the photos shown in this article do not depict factory-new pistols. Rather, they are photos of someone's guns who use them hard for several days each week. They tend to get beat up a bit.
The first and best reason to consider this pistol is that it is a Glock 19; arguably the best all-purpose pistol ever made. Large enough to be a duty weapon, it offers functional accuracy and substantial magazine capacity while being small and light enough for everyday concealed carry.
Additionally, the excellent reliability record of Glock pistols cannot be ignored. From personal experience I have fired well over 100,000 rounds with Gen 3 and Gen 4 Glock pistols and the only malfunctions I have ever had were due to faulty non-Glock replacement parts and a botched Cerakote job. With standard parts, the Glock pistol works almost flawlessly, even under harsh conditions.
Glock 19 Gen 4 Vs Gen 5
Specifically with the Gen 5, you might consider the new Glock 19 for several compelling reasons. First, the sliding lock lever is now double sided. So if you are left handed, toggle the muzzle release to the right and you have a full left pistol. For those of you who like Glock pistols but don't like finger grooves, the Gen 5 comes with a flat front strap on the grip. No customization required.
The Gen 5 brings little to the shooting experience, with two notable exceptions. The Glock 19 has always been a soft-shooting pistol, easy to handle and has always had an accuracy that exceeds 99.9% of a shooter's ability. New to this experience is the new Gen 5 barrel and flat front grip strap.
Having done a lot of shooting with Gen 3 and 4 Glocks, the lack of a finger is most noticeable to me. I'm used to the grip snuggling up to fill my strong arm and now it feels different. I don't mind the difference, but since the finger grips fit my hand perfectly and I miss them on this gun. I know many people never liked them, so many people will be happy about this change.
The Glock 19 Gen 5 after a muddy wounded wing exercise. He fell to the ground a few dozen times.
Nib G23 Gen 5... Finally!!
The new barrel rifling profile is said to double accuracy at longer ranges (4-inch groups at 50 yards, Glock claims). I'm still not good enough at getting 4" groups at 50 yards, but I found that my groups at 25 yards were much smaller with the Gen 5 compared to my Gen 4 shooting. I can't say for sure, but I assume this is due to the rounder barrel.
The Gen 5 trigger might feel a little better than the Gen 4, but it's subjective and hard for me to say. The Gen 5 trigger assembly is fundamentally different from the Gen 4, which is configured like the Glock 43. It features a "New York" trigger spring that uses a polymer assist spring and a compression spring (rather than an extension spring that hooks the rod to the cross). . ). I tried a 3.5lb plug and felt no difference in print weight at all. So I tried a 2lb fit and got the 4.5lb press I expect in my pistols. Interesting.
Most of the 9mm ammo I run through the pistol is 115 gram slug, but I have cartridges from a selection of Federal Premium 147 gram Hydra-Shok JHP, Speer Gold Dot 124 gram + P GDHP , Federal Premium 124 gram HST JHP and Hornady Shot Critical Defense 115gr and Hornady Critical Duty 135gr ... all with impeccable performance.
I have no experience in about 4,000 laps with my Gen 5 Glock 19. The only noticeable issue I can report is that I felt a slight hesitation at times within the first 1000 rounds when the action was over the first round your magazine. Instead of the standard "chick" sound/feeling as the chute enters the battery, there was a "ka-chunk" at times that felt a little hesitant with the round chamber. This anomaly disappeared after about 1000 rounds and did not affect the performance of the weapon. All rounds chambered and fired.
Glock 17 Gen 4 Vs Gen 5
As with any other Glock pistol, the transition from the trigger guard to the grip on the Gen 5 G19 is quite angular and generally uncomfortable for the strong middle finger while shooting. So I recommend that ALL Glock pistols must have a Dremmel tool on the side and bottom where the trigger guard meets the grip to create a reduced and balanced profile there. That issue aside, the Glock 19 is quite comfortable. There are those who disagree and find that the G19 or any Glock pistol is fine without this minor modification work. With this modification I find the Gen 5 Glock 19 very comfortable. Useless without them. Personally, I would never own a Glock that wasn't set up like that. It would definitely be a nice Gen 6 upgrade.
The Glock 19 is not snappy by any means and the travel is very easy to control. The magazine release position is good and I only have to change my grip a bit to position my medium sized hands to operate it (as I do with all pistols made). Even with Glock's minimalist trigger-lock lever, my grip often interferes with the lever and I occasionally find that the pistol won't open on the last shot of the magazine. This is in no way the fault of the gun. That's all for me
Despite being a compact class, the Glock 19 is larger than others in this class. However, with a good and well-made holster, it can be easily concealed in several places on the belt, waist or outside. I carry a Glock 19 with a light in the appendix position every day and never have a pressure problem.
Note, however, that concealment is largely controlled by the holster and its configuration. Most holsters made for concealed carry are poorly made and are not configured to angle the pistol properly to aid in concealment. Be careful!
Gen 3 Charging Handle
The Glock 19's 15-plus-1 capacity is plenty, especially for compacts. It's no mistake that the Glock 19 sets the standard for size-to-capacity ratio in the pistol world.
The largely unadorned slide of the Gen 5 Glock 19 comes in a black Melonite finish, which is then treated with an nDLC coating. The result is said to be a darker and more durable finish. I like this new finish and the aesthetic it offers. I can't say if it is more durable. However, I can say that repeated drops on gravel in training will scratch the slippery areas and chips in the finish as shown here:
The scratches shown above are from a few dozen repetitions of the wounded wing exercise shown here:
The polymer frame is very similar to the Gen 4, except that the grip is slightly flared on the sides to mimic a magwell (it's just fake) and the finger grooves on the front strap are gone. The Gen 5 has only one pin near the locking block instead of the 2 pins common from previous generations. Perhaps because of this change, the frame is a little wider and a little taller than the Gen 4. The grip structure is identical to the Gen 4 and is workable if you don't have wet or bloody hands (so do sure to stipple your Glock if it's a pistol to carry).
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IF YOU WEAR A GLOCK 19 WITH A LIGHT,
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