Former Army Officer Looks at All Five Generation of Glocks

Origins and Development

It’s a hell of a long road from making curtain rods to some of the most widely respected handguns in the world, but such was the journey taken by Gaston Glock.

Glock, an Austrian businessman and engineer founded Glock Ges.m.b.H in 1963. And yes, in those early days his company did make curtain rods, but they eventually started making knives for the Austrian military.

By the 1970s, the company expanded into additional military products, producing items such as machine gun belt links. The pivotal moment came in the early 1980s when the Austrian Ministry of Defense sought a new service pistol to replace the badly outdated World War II models their soldiers were carrying. 

At the time, Glock was 52 years old and he saw this as an opportunity to grow his business. He had no prior experience in gun design or firearms manufacturing but he did have balls of brass. Glock hired a group of firearms experts and gave them the task of creating the ultimate combat pistol. It took them all of three months to come up with a working prototype of the Glock 17. 

This pistol featured a polymer frame and the Safe Action System, revolutionizing the firearms market. The Safe Action System is pretty ingenious. It consists of three automatic, independently operating mechanical safeties that work sequentially as the trigger is pulled. 

Three Safety Mechanisms

• Trigger Safety: This is a lever incorporated into the trigger itself. It blocks the trigger from moving rearward unless directly depressed along with the trigger.
• Firing Pin Safety: This safety mechanically blocks the firing pin from moving forward in the ready-to-fire condition. It’s only pushed up and disengaged when the trigger is pulled rearward.
• Drop Safety: This involves the trigger bar resting on a safety ramp within the trigger mechanism housing. It prevents the firing pin from moving forward until the trigger is fully pulled.

All three safeties disengage sequentially as the trigger is pulled and automatically reengage when the trigger is released. The system is designed to provide a consistent trigger pull from the first to the last round. It allows the shooter to concentrate fully on shooting without having to disengage or reengage external safeties. Because of these features, the firearm remains safe if dropped and functions in temperatures from -40° to 122°F.

What Operators are Looking for in a Sidearm

At the most basic level, when you pull the trigger, you want it to go “bang”. Operators know if they are using their sidearm in a combat situation something has gone horribly sideways so the need for it to go “bang” is upped by a pucker factor of about ten.

In more basic terms, it’s about reliability. The pistol has to be able to function properly in all manner of harsh environments from desert heat to Arctic frost. There should be minimal (preferably no) jamming. You should be able to cycle rounds smoothly without malfunctions, even with high round counts.

A sidearm should have what we call consistent precision. That is, it should be capable of making accurate shots and both close and intermediate ranges. So should the shooter, for that matter.

It should be easy to maintain and allow for quick cleaning and maintenance in the field, and it should function reliably with minimal upkeep.

Glock lovers say their brand meets all of the criteria above.

Let’s start at the beginning and talk about the first Glocks first: Generation One.

Generation 1 (1982–1987)

The first-generation Glock 17 debuted in 1982, characterized by its polymer frame and a “pebble finish” grip without finger grooves. Early models utilized thinner “pencil barrels” and were shipped in distinctive “Tupperware” cases. These pistols were produced until 1988, establishing Glock’s reputation for durability and simplicity.

The Gen 1 Glock utilized a short recoil-operated locked breech system with a modified Browning cam-lock. Compared with other handguns of the day, it featured fewer moving parts (about 35) enhancing reliability and ease of maintenance.

Gaston Glock’s first pistol passed numerous stringent tests and was adopted for use by the Austrian Army in 1983. The following year it NATO durability tests and as selected by the Norwegian Army.

The success of this first Glock led to the establishment of Glock’s US headquarters in Smyrna in 1985. The company has recently released a Gen 1 classic model which keeps many of the features of the original along with some modern improvements.

Generation 2 (1988–1997)

Introduced in 1988, the second generation brought several enhancements:

• Grip Texture: Checkering was added to the front and rear of the grip for improved handling.
• Caliber Expansion: Glock expanded its lineup to include models chambered in .40 S&W, 10mm Auto, .380 ACP, and .45 ACP.
• Subcompact Models: In 1995, Glock introduced the Glock 26 and Glock 27, catering to the concealed carry market.

These updates addressed user feedback and broadened Glock’s appeal across various shooting disciplines. In the process of doing so, they did not alter the fundamental characteristics that made the original Glock successful. 

Generation 3 (1998–2009)

The Generation 3 (Gen 3) Glock marked a pivotal evolution in Glock pistol design, building upon the success of its predecessors with notable upgrades in both functionality and ergonomics. One of the most significant design modifications was the introduction of the Universal Glock Rail on the frame, allowing users to mount accessories such as lasers and tactical lights. Additional enhancements included thumb rests on both sides of the frame and finger grooves on the front strap, improving the pistol’s handling and user comfort.

Internally, the Gen 3 Glock incorporated several changes aimed at boosting reliability and durability. The extractor was modified to serve as a loaded chamber indicator, offering a visual and tactile way to check if the chamber was loaded. To enhance structural integrity, the locking block was enlarged, and an additional cross pin—known as the locking block pin—was added above the trigger pin to better distribute bolt thrust forces.
The finish and materials also saw an upgrade, with the slide and barrel receiving a refined “Tenifer” treatment. This finish not only improved the pistol’s durability but also gave it a slightly reflective sheen compared to the more matte appearance of earlier generations.

The Gen 3 retained Glock’s hallmark Safe Action System, incorporating three internal safeties: the trigger safety, firing pin safety, and drop safety. The trigger pull weight remained consistent at approximately 5.5 pounds, maintaining the balance between safety and ease of operation.

This generation also saw the expansion of Glock’s model lineup, introducing new models and calibers to meet diverse user preferences. The three-pin frame design, with two pins above the trigger and one at the back, was standardized across all models to accommodate the .40 S&W caliber and improve overall durability.

While the basic grip size stayed similar to the Gen 2, the addition of finger grooves and enhanced texturing provided improved control and ergonomics. However, many parts from the Gen 3 were not interchangeable with previous generations, reflecting the comprehensive design changes.

Widely adopted by law enforcement and civilian users, particularly models like the Glock 17 and Glock 19, the Gen 3 set a high standard for polymer-framed pistols. Its improved ergonomics, enhanced durability, and accessory rail made it a versatile and reliable choice for various applications, cementing its place as a cornerstone in modern firearms history.

Generation 4 (2010–2016)

The Glock Gen 4 marked a significant evolution in the design and functionality of Glock pistols, bringing several notable improvements. One of the standout features is the Modular Backstrap System, which includes interchangeable backstraps in medium and large sizes, allowing users to customize the grip for a more comfortable fit. The frame also received a makeover with a Rough Textured Frame (RTF), enhancing grip traction. Additionally, Glock retained the accessory rail from the Gen 3, providing compatibility for mounting lights and lasers.

The Gen 4’s ergonomic upgrades include a slightly smaller basic grip size, front strap finger grooves, and thumb rests on both sides of the frame, improving overall handling. Functionality was also enhanced with an enlarged and reversible magazine catch, making the pistol more accessible to both left- and right-handed shooters. A dual recoil spring assembly was introduced to reduce felt recoil and extend the service life of the firearm, while a loaded chamber indicator on the extractor allows for quick visual and tactile confirmation of a chambered round.

Gen 4 magazines are uniquely designed with notches on both sides for compatibility with the reversible magazine catch and remain backward compatible with older Glock models. The Gen 4 upgrades were rolled out across various models and calibers, including popular options like the Glock 17 and Glock 19, as well as models chambered in .40 S&W, 10mm Auto, .45 Auto, and .357 SIG. These enhancements, particularly the improved grip texture and dual recoil spring system, provided better handling, reduced recoil, and increased customization, making Gen 4 Glocks a favorite among law enforcement and civilian users alike. Despite the upgrades, the Gen 4 preserved Glock’s hallmark reliability and durability, solidifying its status as a go-to choice in the firearms community.

Generation 5 (2017–Present)

Summing Up

Over the decades, Glock pistols have evolved through five generations, each introducing innovations that have maintained their prominence in the firearms industry. From the pioneering polymer frame of the first generation to the precision enhancements of the fifth, Glock’s evolution underscores a dedication to reliability, user adaptability, and technological advancement.