They both sound overpriced...

It's my personal opinion that any gun made after the Gen3 are inferior guns. That's the Gen3 that's actually an old pre Gen4 gun and not one of the new Gen3s made for certain states.

Glock had a steel process they did to older guns that made them extremely resistant to corrosion. That being the tenifer process. It was different from their finish coating. If you were buying a real Gen3 and didn't care about optics that's the one I'd opt for. Your modern shooter doesn't care about the tenifer process and is happy with whatever finish they give the guns today as long as it has an optics cut.

 

The Gen 5 Glock does not rust. You get following upgrades over Gen3: dual recoil spring assembly, better texture, slide cut for optic, larger reversible mag release, ambi slide lock, redesigned trigger spring, improved firing pin, front slide serrations, slightly flared mag well. There is no reason to buy Gen 3 unless that is all you can purchase like in CA.

 

I agree if you are living in California where a Gen 3 may be what you are limited to, but I'd choose a Gen 5 over a Gen 3 if I had the option. Heck, I'd choose a Gen 4 over a Gen 3. The re-profiled grip on the Gen 4 and Gen 5 alone makes choosing those Gen's worthwhile.

 

The finish on inside is not as resistant to impact wear as that found in Glocks made in mid to late 90s, but I learned to shoot using 3rd generation S&W autos so finish wear does not bother me.

 

Thanks for the reply’s, btw I live in Florida. I almost bought a gen 5 this morning for $620 & then I saw the 10 count magazine….

 

The price is to high for the Gen 3 Glock. My buddy just bought a good used one with only a few hundred rounds by original owner for $380. Granted it was a deal but is the Gen 3 NIB? The Gen 5 you can price out at gun.deals to get a better comparison, agaIn is the Gen 5 NIB? I get you want them but maybe negotiate a better deal. OOD luck.

 

IMO the Gen 5 is a perfectly refined Glock with many tweaks that have been needed for years. That said, I would never buy a 10mm for anything other than a hunting/woods gun and even then I would get the "Big Boy"

GLOCK 40 Gen4 MOS

The G40 Gen4 in MOS Configuration is chambered in 10 mm Auto and combines a long slide and barrel for improved velocity with a high magazine capacity.

us.glock.com

 

There are subtle changes. For example, extractor and recoil assembly are not identical to Gen 4. One thing I read and heard is factory Gen 5 triggers are better. I shot three different samples and didn't feel the difference, perhaps it's just my usual lack of luck.

 

I have XXL hands , and even for Me , the SF variant was a huge difference ( improvement) . So literally between those two , the 5 with small grip do hicky will be more ergonomic.

In general , Gen 3sf is the high point .

 

I have XXL hands and the Gen3 20 is at my max for comfortable shootability. I sold my Gen3 when I got the Gen4. Great gun BUT the Gen4 I have is more ergo on the hand and "stickier" and shoots great. Less recoil (just a bit) than the Gen3 due to the dual recoil spring. Now I do not own a Gen5 20 but I do have Gen3, 4, & 5 of the G21. The Gen5 20 and 21 frames are identical and I believe the recoil assembly is as well.

Gen4 to Gen5 RSA is slightly longer and when shooting the gens side by side you notice the difference. Subtle, but you do feel it. The grip IMO of the Gen5 is ideal for a big frame gun.

I think the Gen3 price is way over the top. I'd go Gen5 without a second thought. If you wan't an excellent shape Gen4 I'll sell you mine and grab a Gen5 no issue! I just don't shoot 10mm enough to have Gen4 and Gen5 otherwise I'd Gen5 and be good to go.

 

If the OP is specifically looking for a 10mm I'd opt for a G40 not the G20. I have both and the G40 shoots much better than my G20 and it is an inherently more accurate pistol with the longer barrel and sight radius. BTW, my G40 is a Gen 4 and it shoots well.

As far as the Gen 3 versus Gen 5, I own both also and can tell you that out of the box a Gen 5 shoots better. Now, take into consideration that that is personal preference. The Gen 5 has a "better" trigger, yes, but is it phenomenally better? No, but it does break less "spongy" than a Gen 3.

A Gen 5's recoil spring also seems to cycle "better" than the single spring Gen 3 recoil spring in the larger calibers (40, 45 and 10mm). The best I can describe it is that it tempers the recoil a bit more.

Most of the differences between Gen's in the Glock lineup come down to personal preference and not so much the difference in the hardware.

 

I've no own opinion or experience but I've a buddy who has a couple of properties in Alaska, including a cabin in the woods. He owns every gun in existence, multiple copies, and keeps abreast on guns in calibers that are popular in the grizz country. The word is that Gen5 is more refined and better shooting handgun but he had some reliability issues and after that found out that others have had them too.

 

...The word is that Gen5 is more refined and better shooting handgun but he had some reliability issues and after that found out that others have had them too.

I have never read of any Gen 5 problem that was not either ammo related or shooter induced. $$ to doughnuts says those Alaskan fellas were probably using "boutique" 200 gr. hardcast ammo which is a SOB to feed properly in a semi-auto.

 

Nitro.45, I prefer blued guns with wood grips, but when it comes to polymer guns I dont look at nothing unless its a Glock or free...

 

Missing out my friend!!
Walther, HK, Sig, Shadow (clone) .........

 

Dave you can’t go wrong buying the Glock. A lot of people don’t like the finger grooves on the Gen 3 but you can even them out with Talon tape to get a better feel for the hand. The Gen 3 guns are workhorses that rarely have issues if ever. They are simple guns to fix and keep running with minimal effort. If the gun was made in Austria you are more than good to go. The only Gen 3 gun I ever saw have any problems was one built here in the good ole USA. I think those issues may have been resolved.
These guys usually have a sale right around now:

TALON Grips | Gun Grips for Pistols, Shotguns, and Rifles

TALON Grips are adhesive backed grips for guns. They are 100% made in the USA and free shipping is available!

talongungrips.com

If the Gen 3 gun you are buying is NIB it may be a CA compliant model with lesser round count mags. That is easy enough to correct. Mags are cheap for those guns as are parts. I have a G30 I have owned for years. It has been 100% reliable and functioning. you can’t go wrong with either and hey it’s Christmas buy it for yourself. The G20 Gen 3 has lots of aftermarket parts bells and whistles to your hearts content if you go that route and are the same frame as the G21 so you can buy a conversion barrel and mag or kit to do other things with and shoot .45 acp too.

 

I’d go with the Gen 5. The grip texture is better, the trigger is better, the magazine release is better, and you have the option of putting a dot on it if you want some day. I have no problems with Gen 3s, though. I like them better if you’re going to modify the trigger, but I stipple them because the grips are too smooth. I hate front slide serrations, but would still go with the Gen 5.

Both are priced too high. If you’re a veteran you can get the blue label deal.

 

Tom, yes I'm a veteran, I was at a LGS and had a few Glocks in a special cabinet only a few qualified for the that discount. Do they give the discount on all models?

 

GLOCK® Blue Label Program - Handguns - Firearms & Ammunition - Products

Default Description

www.gtdist.com

According to this distributor, the Glock 20 Gen 5 is part of the blue label program. It would save you about $150.

 

Theres nothing wrong with any Gen. But I like the way my Gen4 shoots over my Gen3. Probably due to the upgraded recoil spring. I have a G19 in gens 3, 4 and 5.

 

I prefer the Gen 5 for the grip.

 

😖…..wow…….

 

Check it out, so I called my LGS. She had a G20 gen 4 and it was a Blue label unit for $519. Then I asked how much for a gen 5, she said $519...SO I dropped a $100. bill for a deposit when one comes in. Crazy that they'd be the same price.

 

I have had all the Glock 20 generations 1 thru 4
I consider the Gen 4 the best of the Generations. Most of the Modifications done to the Gen 5 were to meet government specifications to be allowed to enter the competition for the Government contracts. All my Glocks function perfectly but when they introduced the new recoil spring that was winner in Gen 4.

 

I like features of Gen 5: factory installed Ameriglo night sights, ambidextrous extended slide lock, rounded safety botton and improved trigger spring. I got a line on G17 MOS with those features, may get it.

 

what about chamber support 3 vs 5?

 

Same loose chamber in Gen 5 and 4
That’s the reason I switched to KKM barrels for my reloads chamber case support and to rid off the Glock bulge in brass.
Since I am full power to Nuclear load I need a heavier than stock recoil spring. I went with GS Pure Tungsten Rod and 22 pound spring in both 10mm and 45 Super when GS introduced them many years ago in Alaska.

 

I don't see reason to throw money away on aftermarket stuff.

And that is precisely what many do, and they end up with the same as the competition already offers as stock. Except now you have over spent.

Same loose chamber in Gen 5 and 4
That’s the reason I switched to KKM barrels

Glock bulge

Not to mention sights and triggers….

 

And that is precisely what many do, and they end up with the same as the competition already offers as stock. Except now you have over spent.


Not to mention sights and triggers….

I Don’t mess with the Glock trigger !
I do replace the plastic firing pin channel sleeve and guide with Stainless steel and add Ghost Turbo Cups. I did switch to a GS Titanium Firing pin and Wolff 6 pound Firing Pin Spring. I added an Apex Utimate Safety pluger. Makes a good shooting pistol for the trail.
Sights replaced Polymer Glock sights front and rear with Glock steel sights on G21 for 45 Super.