Glock 26 Gen 3 vs Gen 4

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  • Indyguy5150

    Plinker
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    Jan 4, 2017
    13
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    East Indy
    If not left handed or extremely big or small handed, I would not pay the extra price. I have more than three gen 4 glocks of different sizes and calibers and other than being able to change the grip panels, I personally do not feel a difference in recoil reduction when shooting 9mm and 380 as advertised. Reliability is awesome in my experience with both generations.
     

    tcecil88

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    Nov 18, 2013
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    @ the corner of IN, KY & OH.
    The Gen 4 is more bang for your buck, IMHO. It gives you an extra mag, an extended mag release, a dual recoil spring, and interchangeable backstraps to help it fit your hand better. If you are gonna have just one, get the Gen 4.
    That said, I like the Gen 3 better and is my EDC. The Gen 4 would pinch my hand between the mag and front strap while firing, the Gen 3 does not. :dunno: Dunno why.
    Some ranges have both Gen's for rent, so I would shoot both if possible. As usual, YMMV.
     

    kawtech87

    Grandmaster
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    Nov 17, 2011
    7,100
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    Martinsville
    I chose the Gen 3 because on the Gen 4 I would occasionally accidentally hit the mag release. The Gen 3 mag release is small enough I think it works better for the small frame of the 26. I'd recommend the Gen 3 then add the Vickers mag release if you want a little easier to reach mag release without causing an inadvertent mag change
     

    Twangbanger

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    Oct 9, 2010
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    I chose the Gen 3 because on the Gen 4 I would occasionally accidentally hit the mag release. The Gen 3 mag release is small enough I think it works better for the small frame of the 26. I'd recommend the Gen 3 then add the Vickers mag release if you want a little easier to reach mag release without causing an inadvertent mag change

    I have also experienced that the Gen 4 mag release will release while I'm shooting, with the way my hands grip the gun. Very disconcerting.

    I vote for Gen 3, because I also like the fact you can tailor the length / amount of protrusion of the mag release by substituting the corresponding part from a different model Glock. They are interchangeable, but there are different lengths to account for the different frame widths. It is a cheap part, and you can buy a whole set of them and swap them out until you get it just right. On this particular point, I wish every gun was like that. For example, you can put the .45 one in a 9mm gun, and get an extended mag release for a couple bucks.
     

    WebSnyper

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    Jul 3, 2010
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    The Gen 4 is more bang for your buck, IMHO. It gives you an extra mag, an extended mag release, a dual recoil spring, and interchangeable backstraps to help it fit your hand better. If you are gonna have just one, get the Gen 4.
    That said, I like the Gen 3 better and is my EDC. The Gen 4 would pinch my hand between the mag and front strap while firing, the Gen 3 does not. :dunno: Dunno why.
    Some ranges have both Gen's for rent, so I would shoot both if possible. As usual, YMMV.

    The 26/27's already have a dual recoil spring, regardless of gen.

    Also, on the Gen 4, I prefer to swap to the Vicker's mag release. Nice and rounded.

    On a full size (17 or 22) or a compact (19 or 23), I'd definitely say go Gen 4 (I own both). On the 26, I'm not sure. I own a gen 3 in the 26, but would definitely want to handle a Gen 4, and would be leaning that way unless I came across something I did not like in the Gen 4 in the subcompact.
     

    WebSnyper

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    I have also experienced that the Gen 4 mag release will release while I'm shooting, with the way my hands grip the gun. Very disconcerting.

    I vote for Gen 3, because I also like the fact you can tailor the length / amount of protrusion of the mag release by substituting the corresponding part from a different model Glock. They are interchangeable, but there are different lengths to account for the different frame widths. It is a cheap part, and you can buy a whole set of them and swap them out until you get it just right. On this particular point, I wish every gun was like that. For example, you can put the .45 one in a 9mm gun, and get an extended mag release for a couple bucks.

    You should check out the Vickers mag releases. They make them for both Gen 3 and 4. I have them in both. I really like the ones for the Gen 4 guns.

    I even have one in my 43.
     

    42769vette

    Grandmaster
    Industry Partner
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    52   0   0
    Oct 6, 2008
    15,222
    113
    south of richmond in
    Im not a pistol guro. I never could get accustom to wearing 2 shirts, and the gen 4 texturing rubs me raw. I carried one for the first time last week, and am right back to my 3rd gen.
     

    WebSnyper

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    Im not a pistol guro. I never could get accustom to wearing 2 shirts, and the gen 4 texturing rubs me raw. I carried one for the first time last week, and am right back to my 3rd gen.

    That is a consideration. I carry in a hybrid IWB with a combat cut and don't have any issues, but depending on how you carry and holster type, a Gen 4 could potentially grate on you a bit.
     
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