By John Farnam
Ft Collins, CO –-(Ammoland.com)- Gen5 Glocks are currently being produced and are now in the pipeline!
Gen5 Glock pistols are available in G17/19 only, at least for now. Other models may follow.
Calibers other than 9mm may never follow!
Most magazines and holsters are backward-compatible with previous G17/19 versions.
There are a number of internal changes with the Gen5, many of them previously introduced with the G42/43.
Internal improvements are designed to reduce wear and parts breakage, and thus increase reliability and extend overall service-life of the pistol.
Externally, the front of the slide has been rounded-off, in order to reduce the “blocky” appearance of previous models.
Commercial version of the Gen5 G17/19 (that you and I will buy) is essentially the same pistol with which Glock is currently supplying the FBI, and other federal agencies.
Glock deserves much credit, once more, for continuing to improve their product! However, previous versions and “generations” of Glocks continue to run just fine. I have several “Gen1″ G17s that I use regularly, and that I’ ve never come close to “wearing out,” nor is it likely I ever will. All my “pre-Gen5″ Glocks, while far from “new,” are still perfectly serviceable, and probably always will be!
Gen5 G17/19s now represent the “State of the Art,” but they do not render all previous Glocks “obsolete,” nor is there any particular reason for most of us to immediately “retire” previous versions and run out and get the Gen5!
Sometime before the end of the year, I’ll start carrying a Gen5 G19. In the interim, I still have complete confidence in my Gen4 G19s, as well (noted above) as my thirty-year-old Gen1 G17s!
/John
About John Farnam & Defense Training International, Inc
As a defensive weapons and tactics instructor John Farnam will urge you, based on your own beliefs, to make up your mind in advance as to what you would do when faced with an imminent and unlawful lethal threat. You should, of course, also decide what preparations you should make in advance, if any. Defense Training International wants to make sure that their students fully understand the physical, legal, psychological, and societal consequences of their actions or inactions.
It is our duty to make you aware of certain unpleasant physical realities intrinsic to the Planet Earth. Mr Farnam is happy to be your counselor and advisor. Visit: www.defense-training.com
When you’ve built a mouse trap that works every time you call on it, the importance of upgrading that mousetrap is lost on the Consumers that use it. My 20 year old Snap-On torque wrench works great but it doesn’t have a digital readout… BFD! New and special may give you the warm fuzzies when you buy it but that doesn’t mean it’s better than what you already own. It’s all about perception, isn’t it? Show me a Glock of any generation and I’ll show you a well made tool that works. That also applies to many other Firearm Manufacturers,… Read more »
My 19/4 runs just fine like my 1. Is this just a gimmick to have loyal glock customers run out and buy the 5. Maybe.
I don’t get their statement about stronger wear parts, to reduce breakage. Really? I have several Glock’s that have thousands of round’s through them, with every brand of ammo available, and never a hiccup, or broken parts, Ever. If Glock wants to make changes that matter, it would be nice to see them come out with extended features, like the take down lug, slide release, and mag release. I have done that to most of mine and its just a few bucks, but makes a big difference to me. I’m not a fan of the shaved back front slide, and… Read more »
I have a Glock 19 gen3. It’s great. Does what a gun should do. All those gen 5 ‘upgrades’ in no way entices me to dump my gen 3 for a gen 5. The only thing in my opinion that will make my Glock 19 gen3 better is better ammo and practice, practice, practice.
If the Gen 1s you have are perfectly fine and the Gen 4 you use for carry is perfectly fine and your article sends a message that all previous versions are great and reliable then why would you say a Gen 5 would be your new carry gun in the future. It’s just you lead us to believe there there is no reason to change from previous versions but then you state your going to change to a Gen 5. Now if it’s just because you want one then I would think it would be prudent to say so.