To me it's one of those instances of if it isn't broke don't fix it!
And the Ambidextrous mag release..The only advantage the Gen4 has is the ability to change the backstrap.
Thus changing the grip size.
The Gen 4 will be good in a few years, I'm sure, but I would buy a gen 3 right now.
I wouldn't hesitate to get a Gen4. Get what feels right in your hands. Every glock after June has the upgraded recoil spring in them so no worrys about which one you have. I just ran all of mine at the last GSSF match with no issues.
I went through the same decision a couple months ago. IMO, you should focus less on the recoil spring and focus more on the "feel" of the pistol, because to me, they felt VERY different. The Gen 3 felt right and the Gen 4 didn't, and comfort makes a big difference in shooting performance
Just out of curiosity, did you try the 4th Gen without the backstrap extension, with the middle one, and then with the large?
With no extension, grip of Gen 4 is smaller than Gen 3. With the middle size backstrap extension, it has the same dimensions as the Gen 3. With the large, it is bigger. I can't tell the difference in grip between the Gen 3 and a Gen 4 with the middle-size extension except for the more aggressive stippling. It comes from the factory with no backstrap extension attatched, so that is how most people feel it at first.
Yep, mid strap is a Gen3 size. And, the texture isn't bad at all especially if wearing an undershirt.yep, I tried the diff straps and the mid was the right size. But it felt so darn rough that I couldn't imagine what my hand would look like after 200 rounds at the range.