The Gen 4 17, 22, 19, and 23 feature a dual spring setup. initially the 17 and 22 had the same recoil spring weight and the 17 suffered some reliability issues. They reduced the weight in the 17 springs and the 19 springs. That being said some shooters are still having issues with the Gen 4 19, my wife has one and while the gun was more reliable than not, it had a few issues. We replaced the recoil spring assembly with an aftermarket kit that has the same single spring/weight as the Gen 3 Glock 19 and the gun hasn't had a problem since.

This is good to know. I have a Gen4 for a duty weapon and I've had a few issues with it.

>> We replaced the recoil spring assembly with an aftermarket kit that has the same single spring/weight as the Gen 3 Glock 19 and the gun hasn't had a problem since.<<

Would be interested to know more details here.

Tnx..RUT

Originally Posted by RUT

>> We replaced the recoil spring assembly with an aftermarket kit that has the same single spring/weight as the Gen 3 Glock 19 and the gun hasn't had a problem since.<<

Would be interested to know more details here.

Tnx..RUT

We ordered it from Glockmeister, they just updated their website and I don't see the part but if you call them they'll be able to help you out.

All it is is a direct replacement kit that has a steel rod made to fit the Gen 4 and had the Gen 3 spring weight (other weights available)

Ok, thanks for the info. I was just on their website and noticed no offerings for the Gen4, but I'll give them a call later.

Originally Posted by RUT

Ok, thanks for the info. I was just on their website and noticed no offerings for the Gen4, but I'll give them a call later.

Let me know what you find out.

Originally Posted by mik3gun

Hi guys.

I have been reading before buying my first handgun.. my optiones are mp9 , glock.. but I have read some forums about the new glock gen4 has somes issues. for example, It can jamm frequently for something in the spring.. is this true?

I bought the 17 gen 4 a couple of months ago and had problems. Jammed, then cleared it, shot again and it wouldn't eject. Sent it back to the factory, they fixed it. Shot it once since, but now my confidence in the gun is not where it should be. If I had to do it over again, I probably should have stuck to the tried and true version (pre-17).

I'm still having issues a month after buying it and about 7-800 rounds through it. It's also my duty weapon and this does not make for a good situation. I got in touch with the local Glock rep and they overnighted me a new guide rod assembly to try out. If this doesn't fix it, I'm going to demand a replacement (they don't want to lose LE buyers). Either way, I'm with the above poster. My confidence in the weapon itself has diminished greatly. Even if this new part does seem to fix it.....it just still won't seem right to me (that's how my head works ). I currently have a bid on an XDM45 to replace it as my duty weapon. If it's fixed, I may keep it for off-duty carry, but that's still up for grabs. We shall see what happens!

>>they overnighted me a new guide rod assembly to try out<<

Did they tell you what will be different about the new assembly?

Originally Posted by RUT

>>they overnighted me a new guide rod assembly to try out<<

Did they tell you what will be different about the new assembly?

He made it sound like it's the same Gen4 assembly, just a new one. To be honest, if that's the case, I'm a little doubtful that it will fix the issues. If it does, then that's great. But, like I said above, my confidence in the weapon has diminished big time. I never would've expected these types of issues with a Glock. I've never had problems with them in the past and that's the reason I bought a Glock in the first place!

ETA:



It couldn't be any more "picture-perfect" than that!

>> We replaced the recoil spring assembly with an aftermarket kit that has the same single spring/weight as the Gen 3 Glock 19 and the gun hasn't had a problem since. <<

Just curious as to whether you've considered this "fix" or not? I've only got 100 rounds or so through my Gen 4, and so far so good. However, if it does act up I'll consider trying the above out.

Originally Posted by RUT

>> We replaced the recoil spring assembly with an aftermarket kit that has the same single spring/weight as the Gen 3 Glock 19 and the gun hasn't had a problem since. <<

Just curious as to whether you've considered this "fix" or not? I've only got 100 rounds or so through my Gen 4, and so far so good. However, if it does act up I'll consider trying the above out.

That would be a last resort for me. The way my mind works, I shouldn't have to spend my own money to fix a firearm that should've worked properly in the first place....especially when it's a LE purchase for a duty weapon. If they won't resolve the issue and/or replace the weapon, then I will probably go with the above fix and sell it (if that fixes the issues). Either way, Glock needs to do something about this. It happens every time I'm at the range and even happened multiple times during one of my qualifications for work. I don't feel very confident in the firearm and it sucks since I carry it daily...

Did your troubles start from the get-go or after getting some time on it?

Originally Posted by RUT

Did your troubles start from the get-go or after getting some time on it?

They were there from the start.

Then, I tried to narrow down all of the reasons. I tried multiple different types of ammo, marked magazines, shot with two fingers (limp-wristing) and determined it's something with the gun itself.

Hmmm, maybe I dodged a bullet... so to speak.

Originally Posted by RUT

>> We replaced the recoil spring assembly with an aftermarket kit that has the same single spring/weight as the Gen 3 Glock 19 and the gun hasn't had a problem since. <<

Just curious as to whether you've considered this "fix" or not? I've only got 100 rounds or so through my Gen 4, and so far so good. However, if it does act up I'll consider trying the above out.

I consider it fixed. The gun works with the new spring kit when it didn't work before.

If it was something major I would expect Glock to fix it, but swapping a recoil spring is no biggy to me. Other opinions vary.

I love my Gen 3 G19. It sucks to hear about these gen 4 issues. In my humble opinion they tried to fix something that wasn't broke. I hope you guys get your issues straightened out before your confidence in Glock is lost for good. Good luck.

Originally Posted by SMann

I love my Gen 3 G19. It sucks to hear about these gen 4 issues. In my humble opinion they tried to fix something that wasn't broke. I hope you guys get your issues straightened out before your confidence in Glock is lost for good. Good luck.

In part, yes nothing was "broken" but Glock was loosing some market share to other pistols that feature the removable back straps and when you take into account folks like my wife with small hands while the pre 4th gen Glocks were not broken, they were a non option as she couldn't reach the trigger hardly at all.

I agree that the recoil springs would have been better left alone, but the overall Gen 4 package features some nice changes.

Originally Posted by VAMarine

In part, yes nothing was "broken" but Glock was loosing some market share to other pistols that feature the removable back straps and when you take into account folks like my wife with small hands while the pre 4th gen Glocks were not broken, they were a non option as she couldn't reach the trigger hardly at all.

I agree that the recoil springs would have been better left alone, but the overall Gen 4 package features some nice changes.

I agree that the changes were all for the better, but they should've left the recoil spring assembly alone. Either way, I won my auction for the XDM45 today and the G19 will not be my duty weapon for much longer. If I get it fixed and put a bunch of rounds through it, then I may keep it for off duty.

I'm cleaning my G19 right now so I decided to take a look at the two different RSAs. Aesthetically the look the same. The only difference I see is on the back end of the RSA, the old one has a "0 3" and the new one has a "0 4". I'm not sure if there's any significance to that at all but figured it was worth mentioning.

Hey guys let me throw my 2 cents worth in this discussion. After spending some time looking at a Gen4 22 for use as a duty weapon and having one do something I felt it shouldn't while inspecting it at the local shop(no need to go into details here I already posted on it a while back) I finally decided to wait until I could meet up with the regional LE rep from Glock and ask some questions as well as test fire a few test and evaluation guns.

Not to get off-topic too much but he showed up with a trunk full of Glocks with every model known to man except the .380 and honestly I didn't ask so that may have been there too. He even brought a full auto Gen 4 G18.

Anyways he pulls a G22 box out the trunk, opens it and after removing the magazine and locking the slide back, hands me the pistol. I look and the first thing I see is the thing is filthy. When asked when was the last time it was cleaned, he just smiled at me and told me that he never cleans any of the test and evaluation guns to prove a point. According to him, not one of his test guns has ever malfunctioned. Pretty impressive right! I couldn't make them malfunction either, not that I was trying to but did shoot quite a bit of ammo on Glock's dime.

I had heard about issues with the G17 and asked him about it since there were multiple reasons we were already discussing it as a possible selection for my department. The response I received was that any cheap ammo that is loaded to minimum or close to minimum powder levels(as most cheap target ammo is) will not generate enough pressured to fully cycle the slide because the spring is designed for duty or sd ammo. However, he advised me that the problem could usually be resolved by running 100 rounds or so of +p ammo through the firearm which would break in and help loosen the stiffness of the spring.

Even so, Glock was aware of the mass of complaints and has now changed the spring that comes in the G17. If you look closely on the metal disc part of the the spring/rod assembly, you should see a number on it. I believe the new issue ones is something like 02. However, I am at work atm and will not be taking apart my duty weapon to double check. If you have a problem with your current Gen 4 G17, you should be able to contact Glock and receive this new spring/rod assembly at no charge.

Also I noticed an earlier post by a fellow LEO about his G17 issues on a duty weapon he purchased himself. According to my local Glock LE dealer, you should be able to have that firearm fixed or replaced (other then normal wear and tear) for as long as you own the firearm if you bought it through a Glock LE dealer using the LEO purchase program.

Finally (I get long winded I know hang in there), I ended up buying a Gen 4 G17 about a month ago to use as a duty weapon. At this time I am pretty darn close to 1k rounds and have not had a single issue with it. I have shot nothing but cheap target ammunition including Remington UMC, American Eagle, WBW, Zero, and some Georgia Arms. I actually took it to the academy 2 days ago and used it to shoot a qualification score for firearms instructor school(i go this week yay) and shot the absolute best score I have ever shot on that particular course in my life.

Moral of the story is check your spring/rod assembly and see which one you have. Then either try running some +p ammo through it or call Glock and get the new spring/rod assembly. From then on enjoy and be confident. It won't let you down.

I just picked up a Glock22 Gen4 on Mon(10-11-2010). I like it alot and I plan on carrying it from time to time after I put about 200-300 rds of FMJ and about 30-40rds. of carry ammo(Fed 165grain HST) through it. I have only shot a Mag and a half so far so I got a long way to go

I just got back from a weeks worth of training to become a firearms instructor at our regional academy. I know we shot at least 1k rounds a piece there which brings my round count on my Gen 4 17 up over 1500 rounds. I have still not had a single malfunction. Of the 15 taking the class, 14 carried Glocks and 1 carried a Sig 226. There were several different model Glocks there, 22, 23, 21, 35, 17 and probably more then that. The point is that of all Glocks there, only 2 were Gen 4 pistols. The 17 belonging to me and a 22 another officer brought. I think every gun there had some sort of malfunction during the week with the exception of the 2 Gen 4 pistols.

Still concerned about Gen 4s?

Originally Posted by sbc_pd10

Still concerned about Gen 4s?

Why wouldn't I be? Just because your experiences differ from mine? Mine malfunctions quite often. I have a reason to be concerned as do many others who have these weapons.