Why so many Glock 30s?

abherbitter · May 18, 2013, 11:06 PM

When I was looking for a CCW for EDC I quickly got down to a Glock 30 and a Taurus PT145 Mil. Pro. The key factors being size (I'm 5' 9" and 130lbs after a good meal so a full size gun might as well be open carry on me) and caliber. I eventually decided on the PT145, largely because I've got a wife and son and bills and it costs half as much (and I got it for less than the MSRP, NIB, in THIS market).

One day, when I'm rich and famous, I want to pick up a G30 but I can't really figure out the differences between the G30, the G30 Gen 4, the G30S and the G30SF. I've been on Glock's site and aside from a few tenths of an inch they all seem the same.

Are there real differences or is this just a nice little way for Glock to try and make a few extra bucks? Not that I begrudge a company a good marketing idea or anything.

BarryLee · May 19, 2013, 12:41 AM

Check out this Wikepedia article it does a decent job of explaining the differences between Gen3 and Gen4 as well as the different models.

Ruger45LC · May 19, 2013, 02:12 PM

A regular G30 is a gen3 model with gen3 grip texture. Older versions don't have an accessory rail, newer ones do.

The 30sf is a gen3 and is exactly the same except the grip is slightly thinner back to front so it doesn't feel quite as big. Does have an accessory rail.

The Gen4 30 is basically a G30sf except it's got the gen4 features (different grip texture, ambidextrous and larger mag realease, and optional backstraps). Gen4 Glocks come with 3 mags instead of 2 like gen3 Glocks do.

The 30S is a basically a G36 slide on a G30sf (gen3) frame. Capacity is the same, but the gun is lighter weight because it's got less slide mass. Since it uses the thinner barrel of the G36, G30 barrels (OEM or aftermarket) won't work in the 30S.

That's about it. I have the Gen4 30 and it's great. I've had a regular G30 and a 30sf but I prefer the gen4 30 the most.

Departed402 · May 19, 2013, 09:41 PM

G30 is your typical Glock, and because it's a .45 the grip is large.
G30 Gen4 has standard Gen4 improvements, look them up if you don't know them.
G30SF is basically a Gen3 with a smaller Gen4-like grip, minus the Gen4 texture.
G30S has a slimmer slide, which is a very good thing. I used to carry a G30SF, and it was heavy and thick. Not good carry qualities.

The Glock 30SF was department issue. I likes it and it treated me well, but after a department change I decided to get myself a smaller G26 Gen4 for it's carry friendly qualities.

abherbitter · May 20, 2013, 01:38 AM

Is the slimmer slide on the S really a benefit, considering the body is the same width? I mean you save like 3.5oz but not much on the width. Overall the Gen4 is the slimmest of the G30s because its frame is slimmer.

I wasn't familiar with the upgrades on Gen4 so I did research it, mind letting me know if I've got the information?

More aggressive grip pattern
Smaller grip (with optional, interchangeable enlargements)
Larger magazine releases, which are reversible for ambidextrous use
Copying the age old Taurus Tradition of dual recoil springs

Am I missing anything? Personally I'm sold on the Gen4, if anyone wants to just give me a few hundred bucks...

Departed402 · May 21, 2013, 07:17 AM

I would second your Gen4 Glock 30 idea. I love my Gen4 Glock 26.

May 18, 2013, 11:06 PM	#1
abherbitter Member Join Date: March 11, 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 31	Why so many Glock 30s? When I was looking for a CCW for EDC I quickly got down to a Glock 30 and a Taurus PT145 Mil. Pro. The key factors being size (I'm 5' 9" and 130lbs after a good meal so a full size gun might as well be open carry on me) and caliber. I eventually decided on the PT145, largely because I've got a wife and son and bills and it costs half as much (and I got it for less than the MSRP, NIB, in THIS market). One day, when I'm rich and famous, I want to pick up a G30 but I can't really figure out the differences between the G30, the G30 Gen 4, the G30S and the G30SF. I've been on Glock's site and aside from a few tenths of an inch they all seem the same. Are there real differences or is this just a nice little way for Glock to try and make a few extra bucks? Not that I begrudge a company a good marketing idea or anything.

May 19, 2013, 12:41 AM	#2
BarryLee Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2010 Location: The ATL (OTP) Posts: 3,965	Check out this Wikepedia article it does a decent job of explaining the differences between Gen3 and Gen4 as well as the different models. __________________ A major source of objection to a free economy is precisely that it ... gives people what they want instead of what a particular group thinks they ought to want. Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman

May 19, 2013, 02:12 PM	#3
Ruger45LC Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 769	A regular G30 is a gen3 model with gen3 grip texture. Older versions don't have an accessory rail, newer ones do. The 30sf is a gen3 and is exactly the same except the grip is slightly thinner back to front so it doesn't feel quite as big. Does have an accessory rail. The Gen4 30 is basically a G30sf except it's got the gen4 features (different grip texture, ambidextrous and larger mag realease, and optional backstraps). Gen4 Glocks come with 3 mags instead of 2 like gen3 Glocks do. The 30S is a basically a G36 slide on a G30sf (gen3) frame. Capacity is the same, but the gun is lighter weight because it's got less slide mass. Since it uses the thinner barrel of the G36, G30 barrels (OEM or aftermarket) won't work in the 30S. That's about it. I have the Gen4 30 and it's great. I've had a regular G30 and a 30sf but I prefer the gen4 30 the most.

May 19, 2013, 09:41 PM	#4
Departed402 Senior Member Join Date: September 25, 2009 Location: Midwest Posts: 884	G30 is your typical Glock, and because it's a .45 the grip is large. G30 Gen4 has standard Gen4 improvements, look them up if you don't know them. G30SF is basically a Gen3 with a smaller Gen4-like grip, minus the Gen4 texture. G30S has a slimmer slide, which is a very good thing. I used to carry a G30SF, and it was heavy and thick. Not good carry qualities. The Glock 30SF was department issue. I likes it and it treated me well, but after a department change I decided to get myself a smaller G26 Gen4 for it's carry friendly qualities.

May 20, 2013, 01:38 AM	#5
abherbitter Member Join Date: March 11, 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 31	Is the slimmer slide on the S really a benefit, considering the body is the same width? I mean you save like 3.5oz but not much on the width. Overall the Gen4 is the slimmest of the G30s because its frame is slimmer. I wasn't familiar with the upgrades on Gen4 so I did research it, mind letting me know if I've got the information? More aggressive grip pattern Smaller grip (with optional, interchangeable enlargements) Larger magazine releases, which are reversible for ambidextrous use Copying the age old Taurus Tradition of dual recoil springs Am I missing anything? Personally I'm sold on the Gen4, if anyone wants to just give me a few hundred bucks...

May 21, 2013, 07:17 AM	#6
Departed402 Senior Member Join Date: September 25, 2009 Location: Midwest Posts: 884	I would second your Gen4 Glock 30 idea. I love my Gen4 Glock 26.