Glock Generation Differences - Glock released the Gen 4 pistol line in early 2010, which addressed some caliber-to-frame durability issues and brought some mild external changes. About seven years later, we are presented with the next generation of Glock's range. The Gen 5's differences are just as mild 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 4000 rounds through it. I've run it for static precision and in dynamic defensive drills out of cover, with and without lights attached to the track. I've also spent time with it disassembled, getting to know the internal changes and parts replacement issues (since Glocks are fun hobby kits).
Glock Generation 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 are from less than 2 months of use, several times a week. More time can tell more stories.
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Much of this review will deal with Gen 5 differences from previous versions and Gen-5 specific user issues (to carry, shoot, accessories, etc.). For a more basic review of the Glock 19, I encourage you to read my Glock 19 Gen 4 review here ("Review: Glock 19 Gen 4 - After 80,000 Rounds").
Please note that the images shown in this article do not show factory new pistols. Rather, these are pictures of the guns of someone who uses them hard several days each week. They tend to get a little beat up.
The first and best reason to consider this gun is because it is a Glock 19; arguably the best all-purpose pistol ever made. It is large enough to be a duty rifle and offers functional accuracy and a substantial magazine capacity, while being small and light enough for everyday concealed carry.
Additionally, one cannot ignore the excellent record of reliability offered by Glock pistols. From my own experience, I have fired well over 100,000 rounds through Gen 3 and Gen 4 Glock pistols, and the only malfunctions I have ever experienced were due to failed non-Glock replacement parts and a botched Cerakote job. With stock parts, a Glock pistol is almost flawless in operation, even in difficult conditions.
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Especially for Gen 5, you might want to consider the new Glock 19 for some compelling reasons. First, the sliding lock lever is now double-sided. So if you are a lefty, switch the mag trigger to the right and you have a complete left handed pistol. For those of you who like Glock pistols but not the grip finger grooves, the Gen 5 comes with a flat front strap on the grip. No customization required.
Gen 5 brings very little that's new to the shooting experience, with 2 notable exceptions. The Glock 19 has always been a soft shooting, easy to handle pistol and it has always had an accuracy that will surpass 99.9% of shooters skill. What is new to this experience is brought by the new Gen 5 barrel and the flat front strap on the grip.
After shooting a lot with Gen 3 and 4 Glocks, I find the lack of finger grooves remarkable. I'm used to the grip filling my strong hand, and now it feels different. I don't mind the difference, but if the fingerprints fit my hand perfectly and I miss them on this gun. I know a lot of people never liked her, so a lot of people will be happy with this change.
Glock 19 Gen 5 after some muddy training with "damaged wing". It has fallen to the ground a few dozen times.
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The new rifling profile is said to double accuracy at longer distances (4" groups at 50 yards, Glock claims). I'm not good enough to get 4" groups at 50 yards yet, but I found that my groups at 25 yards was noticeably shorter with the Gen 5 compared to my Gen 4 shooting. I can't say for sure, but I would assume this is due to the more accurate barrel.
The Gen 5 trigger might be a little better feel than the Gen 4, but that's subjective and hard for me to say. The Gen 5 trigger assembly is completely different from the Gen 4, configured like the Glock 43. It has a "New York" trigger spring that uses a polymer spring support and a compression spring (rather than an expansion spring that hooks the rod to the cross-shaped). I tried a 3.5lb connection and felt no pressure-weight difference at all. So I tried a 2lb contact and got the 4.5lb pressure I expect in my guns. Interesting.
Most of the 9mm ammo I've run through the gun is 115gr ball, but I've run rounds from a selection of Federal Premium 147gr Hydra-Shok JHP, Speer Gold Dot 124gr +P GDHP, Federal Premium 124gr HST JHP, Hornady Critical Defense 115 , and Hornady Critical Duty 135gr...all with flawless performance.
I haven't experienced one in ~4000 rounds with my Gen 5 Glock 19. The only notable issue I can report is that during the first 1000 rounds I sometimes felt a slight hesitance that the action the first round of a magazine had. Instead of the standard "chick" sound / feel of the slide going into battery, there was an occasional "ka-chunk" that felt like a slight hesitation with the round chambering. This anomaly disappeared after about 1000 rounds and never affected the rifle's performance. Each round room and fire.
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As with all Glock pistols, the transition from the Gen 5 G19's trigger guard to the grip is quite angular and typically uncomfortable for the strong-handed middle finger when shooting. Therefore, I suggest that EVERY Glock pistol should have a Dremmel tool taken to the side and bottom of the trigger guard junction with the grip to create a smooth rounded and reduced profile there. Other than this issue, the Glock 19 is comfortable enough. There are some who disagree and feel that the G19 is perfectly fine as a Glock pistol without this little modification work. With this modification I find the Gen 5 Glock 19 very comfortable. Without it, useless. I personally would never own a Glock that wasn't modified this way. Would certainly make for a nice Gen 6 upgrade.
The Glock 19 is not fast by any means and it is very easy for one to deal with recoil. The location of the magazine release is good and I only need to change the grip a bit to get my medium hands in position to activate it (as I do on every single pistol made). Even with the Glock's minimalist slide lever, my grip often interferes with the lever, and I find the gun won't snap open on the last round of a magazine from time to time. This is in no way the gun's fault. Everything is me.
Although a compact, the Glock 19 is larger than any in its class. But with a good and well-made holster, it is easily hidden in various positions on your belt, inside the waistband or outside. I carry a Glock 19 every day with the light in the clip position and never have a printing problem.
However, be aware that concealability is largely governed by the holster and its configuration. Most holsters made for concealed carry are poorly made, not configured to angle the gun properly to aid in concealment. Be careful!
Glock 19m (gen5) Fbi Sepc Haro Weapon Systems
The Glock 19's fifteen-plus-one capacity is plenty, especially for a compact. There's no mistaking that the Glock 19 sets the standard for size-to-capacity ratio in the pistol world.
The Gen 5 Glock 19's largely unadorned slide comes in a black Melonite finish that is then treated with an nDLC coating. The result is a darker and, arguably, more durable finish. I really like this new finish and the aesthetic it gives. I can't say if it is more durable. However, I can say that dropping it on gravel multiple times during practice will scrape up the slide and smudge off the target, as seen here:
The scratches shown above came from doing a few dozen repetitions of the "injured wing" exercise, seen here:
The polymer frame is much like the Gen 4, except the grip is slightly flared on the sides to imitate a magwell (it's just imitation) and the fingerprints on the front strap are gone. Gen 5 also has only one pin at the locking block instead of the 2 pins common to newer generations. Perhaps because of this change, the bezel is very slightly wider and very slightly taller than that of the Gen 4. The grip texture is identical to the Gen 4 and can be used unless you have wet or bloody hands (so be sure to point your Glock if it's a carry gun).
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IF YOU CARRY A GLOCK 19 WITH A LIGHT,
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