Disappointed in new gen 4 Glock 17

[NickW]

Don’t know really how to say this without breaking a few eggs so here goes; I am really disappointed in My new gen 4 Glock 17. I have tried every type of factory ammo I can get my hands on and I keep getting FTE (stove pipes) about every 20/30 rounds. So far I’ve put over 800 rds through the thing with no improvement. I called Glock and they are sending me a new spring; however, my confidence is shaken with this pistol, will it be there when I need it? Currently the answer is, NO.

I never had this problem with my M9 or Jericho 941. I guess you spend your money and take your chances.:barf:

[RT]

Do you know if you have the "original "gen 4 recoil spring or the newer "02" recoil spring?
The Gen 4 G17 is known to have problems with weak factory ammo when using the original recoil assembly.

http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread....highlight=Gen4
http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread....highlight=Gen4

[voyager4520]

If you don't have the 02 guide rod you could call Glock and ask them for one, telling them you experience problems with various loads and you'd like to try the new guide rod design. If you call them, ask to speak to the Warranty Service Department. 1 770 - 432 1202(long distance and not toll free)

The 02 guide rod is so called because it has "02" on the metal base of the guide rod.

Jager Products has a single-piece guide rod that replaces the double-piece guide rod, it comes with your choice of 15# or 13# spring. Of all the people who've tried one of these in their Gen4 G17's, I've not heard of a single malfunction with them yet. Somewhat expensive though, $40.
http://www.jagerproducts.com/

[Sturmgewehre]

The Gen 4 17 has been a problem since day one. Glock finally got around to admitting a problem and issued a fix for the gun. But, like the OP says, I simply have no faith in the gun right now. I have a collection of Gen 3 guns that work fine and plan on continuing to use and buy them for the foreseeable future.

Glock has made a number of design mistakes as of late, the most notable being the ambi mag release design of the 21SF. It's almost as if they aren't properly testing new designs before releasing them to the market.

[NickW]

It has the original spring, the Glock rep on the phone said he is sending me a “02” spring. If the new spring does not fix the problem I am taking it back. On principal alone I refuse to spend $40 on an aftermarket part to get my NEW gun to work. I expect nothing but “perfection” from a tool that will be called upon to save my life.

Many thank to all who responded.

[Daryl]

It has the original spring, the Glock rep on the phone said he is sending me a “02” spring. If the new spring does not fix the problem I am taking it back. On principal alone I refuse to spend $40 on an aftermarket part to get my NEW gun to work. I expect nothing but “perfection” from a tool that will be called upon to save my life.

Many thank to all who responded.

I don't blame you for being irritated. I once sold a really nice SA "Micro-Compact" because it kept breaking guide rods. For what that pistol was designed for, that was unacceptable to me.

I just bought a new Gen 3 G23 last month. I almost waited for a Gen 4, but decided to give them a couple of years to "work the bugs out". Besides, I liked the RTF2 grip.

I hope you'll post your results with the new spring. I'm curious to know if it solves your issue.

Daryl

[troy_mclure]

Glock has made a number of design mistakes as of late, the most notable being the ambi mag release design of the 21SF. It's almost as if they aren't properly testing new designs before releasing them to the market.

that's probably because glock has been pretty bunch static since the '80's.
they haven't done much new designs or development.

with all the new polymer designs flooding the market, and many of a more advance design(and thus snapping up more of the market) glock is probably feeling the pressure to "catch back up" with new inovations and features.

[arlover]

glock19 gen 3 sofar i fire +1000 rounds no ftf no fte my choice is gen3

[WESHOOT2]

Eroding market share can cause weirdness in any business.

[Sturmgewehre]

Yeah, you would think with the modest cosmetic updates they've done for the Gen 2 and Gen 3 guns that perhaps all these years Glock was working on a major refresh that was properly tested.

I guess not. To me their Gen 4 seems like a knee-jerk, "OMG we gotta get something done" design that wasn't really all that well thought out.

I expected more from Glock, a lot more.

[longeyes]

You know the rule: Never buy v1.0 of anything.

[carguychris]

Does this problem affect the G19 too?

I know someone who is considering purchasing one, and I'd like to know if I should advise her to wait.

[jokester_143]

probably best to get a gen3 19. that's what i am doing once my funds allow it.

[AustinTX]

Mine worked fine at the range today, but I'm not waiting around to have any problems with the first spring assembly, so I asked Glock to send me the upgraded version.

Glock finally got around to admitting a problem and issued a fix for the gun.

The guy I spoke with didn't admit that there was a problem with anything Glock had produced. With the arrogance you'd expect from Glock, he said that the problem was with all of the people who were shooting weak loads in the gun. I asked for the "upgraded" guide rod, and he interrupted to say that it wasn't considered any sort of "upgrade" by the company, but instead a "courtesy" being offered for those who wouldn't shoot "real" ammo in the gun.

[NickW]

"a "courtesy" being offered for those who wouldn't shoot "real" ammo in the gun"

What BS I had three stove pipes yesterday from one box of NATO ball ammo. I guess thats not "real ammo." One thing I didn't mention before was it also bounces brass off my shooting glasses regularly.

[MilProAkron]

I was looking at the Gen4's today as I'm considering adding another Glock to my collection. I decided to wait a while. now I'm glad I did. I have a Gen3 G19 and it has been flawless thus far as I approach 1500 rounds.

[Officer's Match]

I do like the new texture of the Gen 4's, as well as the larger mag release.

[varoadking]

The Gen 4 G17 is known to have problems with weak factory ammo when using the original recoil assembly.

A very small sample size, with the hysteria caused by just 2 pieces from a single course.

FWIW, I have over 2,200 rounds thru my Gen4 G17 with the original, heavier recoil spring, and it has yet to experience a single failure of any sort.

Sorry the OP is having issues and I'm not saying there aren't others, but to indict the Gen4 G17 en masse would be a mistake...

[IanS]

Most Gen4 G17's seem to be working fine with the heavier dual springs. Just like most Gen3 G22's worked fine before, many even with lights attached. Its not like we can say Gen3 G22's were "defective", they're just not "as reliable" as the Gen4 G22's (esp. with lights attached). Just the same I don't believe Gen4 G17's are "defective" either, they're just not "as reliable" as Gen3 G17's. I think it would be fair to say both Gen3 G22's and Gen4 G17's are reliable enough. Just not as reliable as they could be.

If Glock installed the heavy dual springs only with the Gen4 G22 and not the Gen4 G17, none of this "controversy" would be happening. I suspect we ALL would have been much happier. The G22 gets the fix it needed. And the G17 stays the same. Previous G17's were never thought to be "undersprung" even with +P+ NATO loads. So exactly what are they claiming to improve?

As for the Gen4 G19 its still too early but with the higher slide velocity of the shorter slide the heavier dual springs might work better for the Gen4 G19 than the Gen4 G17. I don't feel as optimistic for the Gen4 G34 which has an even slightly heavier slide than the G17. I hope they will lighten the slide a bit more without weakening the integrity of the slide if they're gonna use the heavier recoil spring.

[COSteve]

Its not like we can say Gen3 G22's were "defective", they're just not "as reliable" as the Gen4 G22's (esp. with lights attached).

Quiet! I don't want my Gen 3 G22 with over 27,000rds without a single failure to hear you and go belly up on me. That's right, not a single failure to feed, fire, or eject and all of those rounds were my reloads to boot.

Also, I have a Gen 3 G20, 21, 22, 23, and 24 and they are all solid, reliable shooters. The Gen 4 Glocks appear to be designed for std and high performance ammo rather than that wimpy stuff many shoot through theirs. None of my pistols (357mag, 40s&w, 45acp, and 10mm) ever see light loads and all function just fine.

[Sturmgewehre]

A very small sample size, with the hysteria caused by just 2 pieces from a single course.

Yeah, I'm sure Glock went through the trouble, time and expense of creating a "02" spring replacement because of two isolated incidents. Man, are they ever responsive!

It's highly unlikely they had a rash of complaints that prompted this update...

[Sturmgewehre]

Larry Vickers made a comment about this 3 months ago.

http://thefiringline.com/forums/show....php?p=4091168

[varoadking]

Yeah, I'm sure Glock went through the trouble, time and expense of creating a "02" spring replacement because of two isolated incidents.

Larry Vickers made a comment about this 3 months ago.

...and therein lies the answer to your own snide remark...

Why are you wound so tight on this deal dood...you have no personal experience with a Gen4 G17...

[troy_mclure]

A very small sample size, with the hysteria caused by just 2 pieces from a single course.

just like all the .40s&w kabooms was just a few guns?

[varoadking]

just like all the .40s&w kabooms was just a few guns?

"All"...do you have a specific number in mind?

No, not the guns...just a few bad reloads.

Y'all put too much emphasis on the internet. You need you get hands-on experience...