As mentioned above, for 9mm calibers ONLY, you will still find 2-pin designs during the early Gen 3 run.
A Gen 3 will feature front strap finger grooves, thumb rest indents at the top of the grip and an accessory rail molded into the dust cover. Some of the larger frame transitional models are quite rare (especially in ported variations)–see for more info.
Glock serial number lookup full#
This started a 3 year period of transition until the full changes reached all models in ’98. It was believed that the grip would be too small for many to hold on to so finger grooves were molded into the front strap to try to increase purchase and stave off rotation due to recoil. The Gen 3 changes actually started with the release of sub-compact models in 1995. This led to some pressure to “innovate” the Glock design to try to keep ahead of the pack.
Glock serial number lookup full size#
All full size frames carried over the mag well relief at the bottom of the front strap.īy the late ’90s, Glock had become a dominant force in the American gun market and other manufactures were scrambling to copy the design. 9mm frames only have two pins from Gen 1 well into the Gen 3 production while all other calibers will have 3 pins. It’s important to note that the number of pins DOES NOT designate generation, as many believe. Gen 2 also saw the introduction of 5 additional calibers and all non-.380/9mm guns were fitted with a second locking block pin to prevent frame cracking from heavier recoil. The clear distinguisher between 1 and 2 for models 17-19 is that checkering was added to the front and back strap as well as the change to the texture of the side panels (deeper than the 1st Gen). To clear things up, if you have a model 20 or higher, you have a Gen 2 Glock even though it’s the first version of that gun made. Many models were introduced in the 2nd Gen line and some consider them to be “1st Gen” because it is the first issue of that particular model. 1st Gens are very rare and many casual observers may not have seen one before. The 2nd Gen is what many novice collectors or even un-informed dealers will refer to as a “Gen 1.” The confusion stems from two factors: 1. All frames had a half-moon mag well relief in the bottom of the front straps except the few 19s that were made. Standard (fixed) sights are also period correct, though the target version will fetch a premium. Most early guns were also fitted with target sights that have come to be called “Weakend Sights” because of their fragility. Very early (pre-US) guns and those designated for European markets do not have a serial number plate in the frame. All guns will have Austrian proof marks, but not consistent placement or number of marks. Several variations exist in magazine, case, and small internal parts as well. Early guns featured a slimmer, stainless steel barrel with parkerized finish being introduced early on (no later than AD prefix) and the barrel wall thickness being increased no later than AN prefix.
It’s a smoother feel compared to later gens and has been deemed the “pebblestone texture” by collectors. The one consistent feature is the grip texture that wraps around the entire grip (no front or back strap checkering). The initial design, while reliable, was still under development. The 1st generation was one of constant change. Thus the hard breaks between generations only designate significant frame revisions, with many parts being interchangeable across two or more, but some changes only lasting through a short run within a generation. Also, 3rd gen guns are still in production due to California’s handgun restrictions so you could have a gen 5 gun that is actually older than your gen 3! The notes on the pics identify the major characteristics that are consistent throughout the generation, but small changes to markings and internal parts can be found at different intervals–and sometimes back and forth–within the same Gen. The pics below will help you clearly identify which generation your Glock is a part of, but note that there is a great deal of overlap as models were transitioned slowly. The nomenclature became so common that Glock followed suit with the release of Gen 4 in 2008 and their promotional literature now highlights earlier Gens in some places.
A very common question for new Glock buyers is “What Gen is my Glock?” Prior to the release of the 4th generation, Glock did not officially recognize any more than model numbers, contributing to the notion that “A Glock is a Glock is a Glock–They’re all the same.” But early collectors noticed the differences and informally settled on three major iterations, or “generations,” by which to classify.
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