Glock Gen5: the new generation
Glock introduces the Generation 5 for the Glock 17 and the Glock 19 pistols! After months of rumors and speculation, the waiting is over: the Glock Gen5 is here
Glock Gen5: the new generation
GUNSweek.com Director Bruno Circi and... the Glock logo
Ever since the FBI announced the adoption of the Glock 17 and Glock 19 pistols back in July 2016, as a replacement for their currently-issued Glock and SIG Sauer .40 caliber handguns, the shooters' community has been abuzz with the rumor of these pistols – purportedly deeply modified if compared with the commercially-available Gen.4 models – sooner or later becoming available for civilian sales.
Thirteen months later, the waiting is over: the Glock 17 and Glock 19 Gen5 semi-automatic pistols are a reality, and will be available commercially starting August 30th. Other models are likely to be made available in the coming months.
The development of the Gen5 Glock pistols combined the standards of high-level performance and reliability with distinctive design enhancements to improve durability, accuracy, and performance.
Glock 19 Gen5 pistol: the Gen5 still share top-notch features with the Gen4 variants, including the Gen4 recoil spring assembly
Glock 17 Gen5 pistol: at least five major changes have been made to the Glock layout in the passage from Gen4 to Gen5
A new barrel rifling pattern is among the telling differences between the Gen4 and Gen5 Glocks
The Gen5 Glock pistols detach themselves from the previous variants by the adoption of a new barrel, dubbed the GMB (Glock Marksman Barrel) that phases out the company's long-standing signature polygon rifling in favour of a new rifling which delivers improved accuracy.
Gen5 Glock barrels also feature a new finish, dubbed the nDLC, which is also applied to the slide and increases protection against corrosion and scratching, as well as improving the ability of the pistol to function in degreased or adverse conditions.
Gen5 Glock pistols also come factory-issued with an ambidextrous slide stop lever that makes it easier for the shooter to quickly, safely and comfortably manipulate the slide either left- or right-handed.
The magazine catch is instead the same found on the Gen.4 Glocks, and is reversible and enlarged towards the rear of the pistol.
All through their 35 years of service, Glock pistols proved themselves reliable in all conditions; Gen.5 pistols seek to further improve that reliability record while making the design even more user-friendly
New and improved magazines will be issued with Glock Gen5 pistols – featuring an orange follower and an enlarged floor plate at the front for faster reload. If the enlarged and reversible magazine catch is set to right-handed use, the Gen5 Glocks remain compatible with earlier generation magazines.
The Glock 19 Gen5 pistols come without finger grooves on the grip, improving their ability to deliver a consistently comfortable grip to a wider range of consumers, regardless of their finger size and whether or not gloves are worn.
Their grip also comes with a flared magazine well with a larger opening, making it easier to funnel a magazine in – particularly in high-stress situations. The RTF (Rough Textured Format) grip checkering of the Gen.4 pistols is retained on the Gen5, enhancing grip traction without being too aggressive.
The slide of the Glock Gen5 pistols is frontally flared for easier holstering
Glock 17 Gen5 pistol
Glock 19 Gen5 pistol
Another feature that Gen5 Glock pistols share with their Gen4 predecessors is the interchangeable backstraps: each Gen5 Glock comes issues with four different backstraps, in two sizes, each one with or without an extended beavertail. The multiple backstrap frame allows the users to change the circumference of the grip to fit their individual hand size.
We at GUNSweek.com can't wait to lay our hands on a Gen5 Glock pistol to provide our readers with an independent and objective insight on the renewed design. In the meanwhile, stay tuned on our pages and on the official Glock website for further informations to be released at the end of August, when the Generation 5 Glocks are slated for release.
Glock Gen5 pistols are rumored to be identical to those adopted by the FBI
Glock Gen5: the new generation
