Glock SF Guns: any Problems to Look for?

Swifty Morgan · March 11, 2020, 01:30 AM

I'm thinking of getting a full-size Glock to carry around the farm. I notice Glock and retailers seem to be pushing short-frame models. I find regular Glocks comfortable, but I picked up a Glock 20 SF today to see how it felt, and it seemed fine, too.

Are people noticing any problems with these guns, other than the unavoidable Glock ugliness?

DaleA · March 11, 2020, 02:17 PM

If you're interested in the Glock 20 you might find this thread interesting.

https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...0&highlight=sf

I'm pretty sure the short frame (SF) option went away with the Gen 4 Glocks and later...the dealers might be pushing the SF models just because they are the older Gen 3 models.

A friend got the Glock 20 and had a little buyer's remorse that he didn't get the long slide MOS (reflex sight capable) G40. But had he got the G40 I'm pretty sure he would have the same thoughts thinking he should have got the G20. Shrug. Maybe he will wind up getting the other one. Good for me. If I supply the ammo he will let me shoot it. (And I can reload.)

Good luck.

Cheapshooter · March 11, 2020, 03:31 PM

No problems or complaints on my G20 SF. Bought it maybe 10 years ago at Bass Pro because I had a bunch of club points, and gift cards. They had the standard G20, the SF and the G20C (compensated with ported barrel and slide).
The main reason I bought the SF was I could not feel any difference in the grip of the SF, or standard model. But the SF was priced like twenty bucks less. No regrets at all. As for the ported model, from what I found about the recoil of the 10 MM in the Glock 20 SF, it's unnecessary.

Swifty Morgan · March 11, 2020, 05:04 PM

I didn't know the SF was so old. I thought it was a new thing.

The place where I looked at the SF was charging $539, which seems mighty low. Maybe I'll run over and grab it. Seems like there are no disadvantages, and the price is good.

Dan-O · March 12, 2020, 01:33 AM

$539 for a glock isn’t a low price....or a good deal

dogtown tom · March 12, 2020, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Dan-O $539 for a glock isn’t a low price....or a good deal

Really?

Retail MAP on a Glock 30SF is $546, so the OP finding one at $539 IS LOW, so low that the dealer could lose his ability to order Glock product in the future if Glock Inc catches him.

COSteve · March 12, 2020, 02:17 PM

Swifty, if you are looking at a 10mm full size Glock, consider the G40 with the longer 6" slide and barrel. Besides giving you a 30% longer sight radius, the extra 4+ oz of weight at the muzzle makes for a faster and more accurate follow-on shot if needed. Even better, full power 10mm loads come alive with the extra 1.4" of barrel length. (How about my 'nuclear' 165grn loads chrono'd at 1,579fps!!!)

I developed the first 6" longslide Glock 10mm way back in 2004 on a lark. I had bought a German steel slide made for my G21 and picked up a Jarvis 6" 45 barrel and mags in early 2004. Later that year, after some fitment testing using the barrel from my G22 as a mockup, I talked Kevin at KKM Precision into making me a one off, custom 45-10MM conversion barrel for it as Glock had sized the 10mm barrel for the G20 with the G21 45acp in mind. Below is a picture of it right after I got the stainless steel 45-10MM conversion barrel and before I installed it showing 10mm mags and ammo on the left and 45acp mags and ammo on the right.

The G40 would make an outstanding farm pistol as it has the power needed for most anything. I handload both 10mm and .357Mag and my G20L with just full power 165grn loads, not my nuclear ones, produces slightly higher velocities with a heavier, larger diameter bullet than do my full power 158grn .357Mag loads in a 6" S&W 686. Plus, with my mag base extension, I have 17+1 rds of 10mm ready to go vs only 6 rds in my Smith and the total package actually weighs less than the Smith too. Something to consider.

Swifty Morgan · March 12, 2020, 04:25 PM

It's an interesting idea, but the 20 is already pretty bulky. Do they even make a holster for the G40?

I wouldn't want a 10mm if I didn't handload. It's sad to see how weak most store ammo is. I get 1250 fps out of a Glock 29, which is not too bad.

Theohazard · March 13, 2020, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swifty Morgan

I notice Glock and retailers seem to be pushing short-frame models.

SF models came out about 15 years ago. They are special versions of Gen 3 Glocks chambered in 45 ACP and 10mm that have shorter grips front-to-back than regular Gen 3s. There are no SF models other than Gen 3, but if you want the same grip size as a Gen 3 SF model you can get a Gen 4 and not add any grip panels.

Henry400 · March 13, 2020, 11:16 PM

I have a Gen 4 G30SF, and I really like it. One thing I would STRONGLY recommend is that you either upgrade the sights immediately after purchase, or better yet, see if you can find a deal on a G20SF with GNS (Glock Night Sights).

I've been considering a G29SF myself, but I want to find a holster for the G30SF first, then I'll consider picking it up.

Hope this helps

Theohazard · March 13, 2020, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henry400

I have a Gen 4 G30SF

SF models only come in Gen 3.

wild cat mccane · March 14, 2020, 04:23 PM

SF size is the Gen4 without a backstrap.

Correct me if I'm wrong, I won't be offended

I thought the Gen4 without a backstrap is equal to an SF.

Theohazard · March 14, 2020, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wild cat mccane

SF size is the Gen4 without a backstrap.

Correct me if I'm wrong, I won't be offended

I thought the Gen4 without a backstrap is equal to an SF.

Yes, the SF size is the same size as the Gen 4 without a backstrap. But the SF models are all Gen 3s in .45 and 10mm. There are no SF models in any generation but Gen 3.

chrisintexas · March 15, 2020, 01:24 AM

What is the grip size of glock 20 gen 4 without any backstrap? How big is it compared to glock 19 gen 4 without any backstrap?

wild cat mccane · March 15, 2020, 04:14 AM

Feels like a 45 Glock.

Large.

Brit · March 15, 2020, 06:17 AM

My Gen 4 Glock 19, I bought when they first emerged on the market!
Huge mistake! The encapsulated main spring entered the world of Glock, brass in the face. After constant comments from Glock Georgia. "Weak gripping" Remember the dreaded Glock reason? "Limp wristing!" Till better mainspring. Fixed.

Austria finally got it right. In fact, Gaston had Smyrna send me 6 Glock 17 magazines! That stopped the pinching of the off-hand on fast magazine changes, in my IDPA matches. That the 15 round magazines gave me. Thanks.

I holster that Gen 4 each day, in the $13.00 Glock belt slide. It vanishes at 3-30 on my strong side. Totally blemish-free! Looks like the day it came out of the box. Extended slide lock/release. TruGlo night sights. Picked up a smooth trigger somewhere. Austria?

The replacement 43X Nickle slide, green box.
Delivered with Ameriglo night sights. Shot straight to point of aim? Fell out of favour, back to Gen 4 G19! Love that pistol. Federal 147g HST. Not cheap.

dogtown tom · March 15, 2020, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Brit .....I holster that Gen 4 each day, in the $13.00 Glock belt slide....

Quite possibly the cheapest and best holster for any Glock.

MarkCO · March 15, 2020, 02:34 PM

I have, and prefer the G20SF. No problems at all.

Brit · March 16, 2020, 05:13 AM

Dogtown Tom.

I cut the top, till I can feel the extractor, one finger tells me there is a round chambered. Your picture is of the old first-generation model. The one I use.
The latest one is thicker. I will have to have my wife show me how to take a snap of my much-modified carry model. Wearing suspenders tucks the pistol more into the body. They don't issue English men with butts!
I also use a Glock factory Mag. pouch. Also a stretched model (in the sink with lots of very hot water pouring on it, to stretch it, by inserting the steel nose of my Surefire flashlight into it, till it takes the light) a light I use a lot more than the Glock 19! But it sits there just in case.

So on the left side, mag pouch, modified fo light, and a Glock 17 mag. in an unmodified Glock mag pouch. 33 rounds on board. When I think I used to carry a Model ten S&W. Six rounds! A long time ago.

PatientWolf · March 16, 2020, 06:13 AM

Weigh the price against a Gen 4. When you do, keep in mind the Gen4 comes with more mags.

Kevin Rohrer · March 16, 2020, 07:59 AM

Don't leave one in the sun too long as it could melt.

Don't leave it unattended in the kitchen, as your wife might use it as a Jello mold.

Swifty Morgan · March 21, 2020, 09:32 AM

I decided to try the SF. Waited too long and lost the best deal, but didn't pay much more. I didn't really want all that strange accessorizing on the grip.

Theohazard · March 22, 2020, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swifty Morgan

I decided to try the SF. Waited too long and lost the best deal, but didn't pay much more. I didn't really want all that strange accessorizing on the grip.

What grip accessorizing? There are no grip panels on Gen 3 models, and all SF models are Gen 3s.

Swifty Morgan · March 22, 2020, 08:35 PM

I did not want the accessorizing that comes with the generation 4.

dogtown tom · March 23, 2020, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Swifty Morgan I did not want the accessorizing that comes with the generation 4.

FYI....ain't no rule that says someone has to use the grip adapters that come with Gen 4's.

I've had guys hand them to me when they picked up their new Glocks.

March 11, 2020, 01:30 AM	#1
Swifty Morgan Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2018 Location: FL Posts: 634	Glock SF Guns: any Problems to Look for? I'm thinking of getting a full-size Glock to carry around the farm. I notice Glock and retailers seem to be pushing short-frame models. I find regular Glocks comfortable, but I picked up a Glock 20 SF today to see how it felt, and it seemed fine, too. Are people noticing any problems with these guns, other than the unavoidable Glock ugliness? __________________ Selling a gun is like selling a child, without the relief over not having to pay for college The Bill of Rights was written largely to prevent rudeness. Infringement doesn't have to be catastrophic to be intolerable.

March 11, 2020, 03:31 PM	#3
Cheapshooter Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 8,306	No problems or complaints on my G20 SF. Bought it maybe 10 years ago at Bass Pro because I had a bunch of club points, and gift cards. They had the standard G20, the SF and the G20C (compensated with ported barrel and slide). The main reason I bought the SF was I could not feel any difference in the grip of the SF, or standard model. But the SF was priced like twenty bucks less. No regrets at all. As for the ported model, from what I found about the recoil of the 10 MM in the Glock 20 SF, it's unnecessary. Last edited by Cheapshooter; March 12, 2020 at 02:58 PM.

March 11, 2020, 05:04 PM	#4
Swifty Morgan Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2018 Location: FL Posts: 634	I didn't know the SF was so old. I thought it was a new thing. The place where I looked at the SF was charging $539, which seems mighty low. Maybe I'll run over and grab it. Seems like there are no disadvantages, and the price is good. __________________ Selling a gun is like selling a child, without the relief over not having to pay for college The Bill of Rights was written largely to prevent rudeness. Infringement doesn't have to be catastrophic to be intolerable.

March 12, 2020, 04:25 PM	#8
Swifty Morgan Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2018 Location: FL Posts: 634	It's an interesting idea, but the 20 is already pretty bulky. Do they even make a holster for the G40? I wouldn't want a 10mm if I didn't handload. It's sad to see how weak most store ammo is. I get 1250 fps out of a Glock 29, which is not too bad. __________________ Selling a gun is like selling a child, without the relief over not having to pay for college The Bill of Rights was written largely to prevent rudeness. Infringement doesn't have to be catastrophic to be intolerable.

March 15, 2020, 06:17 AM	#16
Brit Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2005 Location: Orlando FL Posts: 1,934	My Gen 4 Glock 19, I bought when they first emerged on the market! Huge mistake! The encapsulated main spring entered the world of Glock, brass in the face. After constant comments from Glock Georgia. "Weak gripping" Remember the dreaded Glock reason? "Limp wristing!" Till better mainspring. Fixed. Austria finally got it right. In fact, Gaston had Smyrna send me 6 Glock 17 magazines! That stopped the pinching of the off-hand on fast magazine changes, in my IDPA matches. That the 15 round magazines gave me. Thanks. I holster that Gen 4 each day, in the $13.00 Glock belt slide. It vanishes at 3-30 on my strong side. Totally blemish-free! Looks like the day it came out of the box. Extended slide lock/release. TruGlo night sights. Picked up a smooth trigger somewhere. Austria? The replacement 43X Nickle slide, green box. Delivered with Ameriglo night sights. Shot straight to point of aim? Fell out of favour, back to Gen 4 G19! Love that pistol. Federal 147g HST. Not cheap. Last edited by Brit; March 15, 2020 at 06:28 AM.

March 11, 2020, 02:17 PM	#2
DaleA Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2002 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 5,384	If you're interested in the Glock 20 you might find this thread interesting. https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...0&highlight=sf I'm pretty sure the short frame (SF) option went away with the Gen 4 Glocks and later...the dealers might be pushing the SF models just because they are the older Gen 3 models. A friend got the Glock 20 and had a little buyer's remorse that he didn't get the long slide MOS (reflex sight capable) G40. But had he got the G40 I'm pretty sure he would have the same thoughts thinking he should have got the G20. Shrug. Maybe he will wind up getting the other one. Good for me. If I supply the ammo he will let me shoot it. (And I can reload.) Good luck.

March 12, 2020, 01:33 AM	#5
Dan-O Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 2011 Location: Northern Colorado Posts: 969	$539 for a glock isn’t a low price....or a good deal

March 12, 2020, 02:17 PM	#7
COSteve Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2009 Posts: 1,344	Swifty, if you are looking at a 10mm full size Glock, consider the G40 with the longer 6" slide and barrel. Besides giving you a 30% longer sight radius, the extra 4+ oz of weight at the muzzle makes for a faster and more accurate follow-on shot if needed. Even better, full power 10mm loads come alive with the extra 1.4" of barrel length. (How about my 'nuclear' 165grn loads chrono'd at 1,579fps!!!) I developed the first 6" longslide Glock 10mm way back in 2004 on a lark. I had bought a German steel slide made for my G21 and picked up a Jarvis 6" 45 barrel and mags in early 2004. Later that year, after some fitment testing using the barrel from my G22 as a mockup, I talked Kevin at KKM Precision into making me a one off, custom 45-10MM conversion barrel for it as Glock had sized the 10mm barrel for the G20 with the G21 45acp in mind. Below is a picture of it right after I got the stainless steel 45-10MM conversion barrel and before I installed it showing 10mm mags and ammo on the left and 45acp mags and ammo on the right. The G40 would make an outstanding farm pistol as it has the power needed for most anything. I handload both 10mm and .357Mag and my G20L with just full power 165grn loads, not my nuclear ones, produces slightly higher velocities with a heavier, larger diameter bullet than do my full power 158grn .357Mag loads in a 6" S&W 686. Plus, with my mag base extension, I have 17+1 rds of 10mm ready to go vs only 6 rds in my Smith and the total package actually weighs less than the Smith too. Something to consider.

March 13, 2020, 11:16 PM	#10
Henry400 Member Join Date: December 16, 2019 Location: Cowtown, USA Posts: 47	I have a Gen 4 G30SF, and I really like it. One thing I would STRONGLY recommend is that you either upgrade the sights immediately after purchase, or better yet, see if you can find a deal on a G20SF with GNS (Glock Night Sights). I've been considering a G29SF myself, but I want to find a holster for the G30SF first, then I'll consider picking it up. Hope this helps

March 14, 2020, 04:23 PM	#12
wild cat mccane Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 3,872	SF size is the Gen4 without a backstrap. Correct me if I'm wrong, I won't be offended I thought the Gen4 without a backstrap is equal to an SF.

March 15, 2020, 01:24 AM	#14
chrisintexas Senior Member Join Date: September 11, 2012 Posts: 388	What is the grip size of glock 20 gen 4 without any backstrap? How big is it compared to glock 19 gen 4 without any backstrap?

March 15, 2020, 04:14 AM	#15
wild cat mccane Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 3,872	Feels like a 45 Glock. Large.

March 15, 2020, 02:34 PM	#18
MarkCO Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 1998 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 4,362	I have, and prefer the G20SF. No problems at all. __________________ Good Shooting, MarkCO www.CarbonArms.us

March 16, 2020, 05:13 AM	#19
Brit Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2005 Location: Orlando FL Posts: 1,934	Dogtown Tom. I cut the top, till I can feel the extractor, one finger tells me there is a round chambered. Your picture is of the old first-generation model. The one I use. The latest one is thicker. I will have to have my wife show me how to take a snap of my much-modified carry model. Wearing suspenders tucks the pistol more into the body. They don't issue English men with butts! I also use a Glock factory Mag. pouch. Also a stretched model (in the sink with lots of very hot water pouring on it, to stretch it, by inserting the steel nose of my Surefire flashlight into it, till it takes the light) a light I use a lot more than the Glock 19! But it sits there just in case. So on the left side, mag pouch, modified fo light, and a Glock 17 mag. in an unmodified Glock mag pouch. 33 rounds on board. When I think I used to carry a Model ten S&W. Six rounds! A long time ago.

March 16, 2020, 06:13 AM	#20
PatientWolf Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Location: NC Posts: 956	Weigh the price against a Gen 4. When you do, keep in mind the Gen4 comes with more mags.

March 16, 2020, 07:59 AM	#21
Kevin Rohrer Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2010 Location: Medina, Ohio Posts: 1,050	Don't leave one in the sun too long as it could melt. Don't leave it unattended in the kitchen, as your wife might use it as a Jello mold. __________________ Member: Orange Gunsite Family, NRA--Life, ARTCA, and American Legion. Caveat Emptor: Cavery Grips/AmericanGripz/Prestige Grips/Stealth Grips from Clayton, NC. He is a scammer

March 21, 2020, 09:32 AM	#22
Swifty Morgan Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2018 Location: FL Posts: 634	I decided to try the SF. Waited too long and lost the best deal, but didn't pay much more. I didn't really want all that strange accessorizing on the grip. __________________ Selling a gun is like selling a child, without the relief over not having to pay for college The Bill of Rights was written largely to prevent rudeness. Infringement doesn't have to be catastrophic to be intolerable.

March 22, 2020, 08:35 PM	#24
Swifty Morgan Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2018 Location: FL Posts: 634	I did not want the accessorizing that comes with the generation 4. __________________ Selling a gun is like selling a child, without the relief over not having to pay for college The Bill of Rights was written largely to prevent rudeness. Infringement doesn't have to be catastrophic to be intolerable.