Fresh Out Of The Box: Generation 4 Glock 20 Review

[Mrgunsngear]

Many devout fans of the 10mm love their Glock 20, myself included. So when I heard the Generation 4 version was released, I jumped at the chance to pick one up. I really like the Gen 4 grip on my other Glocks and I thought it would be especially helpful with the recoil of some hot 10mm rounds. Turns out I was right.

I ordered the gun the day it came out and had it in my paws the next day. I cleaned it, lubricated it to specs, turned the rear sight around (I don't like the Glock sight picture), and patiently waited for the weekend to put some rounds through the beast.

Pros:
-Glock grip angle helps absorb the 10mm recoil (one man's opinion)
-Cost: many other 10mm pistols sell for double what the G20 sells for
-Accuracy: the gun is more accurate than I am
-Positive ejection with both hot and weak loads
-Easy to maintain
-Gen 4 grip surface helps keep a firm grip on the gun, even when your hands are sweating
-Low bore axis helps tame the recoil
-Lots of aftermarket support (holsters, sights, ect....)
-100% reliable so far

Cons:
-new to the market so heavy recoil springs aren't yet available
-the finish isn't the old glossy Glock finish of a few years ago so finish durability is unknown

Heres a video I did to show the firearm in action. I do some shooting, demonstrate the ejection pattern with hot ammo, a 15m group, table top review (with part numbers), and some chronograph testing.

Gen4 G20 Review Video

Chronograph data:

Temp--90 degrees with 80% humidity

Prvi 180gr JHP: 976fps, 381ft/lbs energy
Underwood Ammo 165gr Gold Dot JHP: 1372fps, 689ft/lbs energy

[FlySubCompact]

Good review and I left a comment. I was thinking about one of these for a close range deer gun, but after handling one I found my mitts aint quite big enough to handle it.

[Noreaster]

Good review. I have a Gen 4 G22 & G17 and no problems. I have been considering going back to a G20 for a woods gun.

[hellokitty]

great review i have had the pleasure to shoot an older g20 but prefer the grip and such of the gen4. nice to see they are out and they are good

[RBid]

plouf,

I respect you a lot. Through seeing your posts here, it is evident that you are knowledgeable.

I think that your video review suffers slightly, because you are probably so familiar with firearms that you forget that what is obvious to you may not be obvious to everyone. I'd like to see more explanation and description. Example: "when firing the G20, the recoil feels like it pushes back, more than up. When you shoot hotter loads, you may be surprised that recoil doesn't seem to increase very much", etc. Basically, illustrate what the viewer can expect to experience as an owner.

The fact that you highlighted the ejection pattern demonstrates cognizance of important details. I think that you are very well equipped to paint a detailed picture for new gun people.

I have never fired a 10mm (I bet that's true for many shooters), so I'm curious what it would be like to have to use a G20 for self defense. No eyes, no ears, probably outdoors. Possibly moving, and possibly using a one handed grip.


This isn't intended as a cut down. It's intended to ask for you to share more of your knowledge and experience, sir.

[5RWill]

I get the same effect with my 45 with underwoods 230gr Gold Dots. SOB kicks pretty damn hard versus my reloads.

[The_Shadow]

Thanks for the review, video of the G-20 gen 4 in action!

[Mrgunsngear]

This isn't intended as a cut down. It's intended to ask for you to share more of your knowledge and experience, sir

RBid--that's great feedback, and I'm always looking for ways to impove everything I do. The reason I actually started doing reviews is because all the news shooters I teach always ask the 'which gun should I get?' question and I'm trying to review some products/guns in all types of price ranges & complexity. So, I think you're right here---I may need to add some more basic information.

I try to get as much info in the videos as I can without rambling (I know, I fail this test often...) because I like my information short and to the point.

[RBid]

plouf,

Thank you for reading my post right, sir. I'm not surprised that you did, but it is a credit to you that you did.

I often see reviews that simply list features, or controls. These don't really offer anything that we can't see by looking at Google images. Ambidextrous controls? Everybody talks about them, but nearly controls alone don't make a pistol southpaw friendly. Ejection is arguably even more important, and it gets neglected frequently. Kudos to you for including a visual sampling of that.

Looking forward to more, sir!

[arthury]

I do not see the Gen4 G20 in Glock USA website.
How's that?

[Mrgunsngear]

My old video link doesn't work anymore so here's the new one for those new to the thread:

Gen4 G20 HD Video Review Link

I do not see the Gen4 G20 in Glock USA website.
How's that?

The gun isn't available to the general public yet and won't be until after Shot Show next year. Even then, Glock rarely updates their website so I wouldn't hold your breath

[arthury]

So, yours was an early journalists/gun-writer version?

[Mrgunsngear]

So, yours was an early journalists/gun-writer version?

No, but that would be nice (Glock---are you listening???? ) It was a blue label gun and I follow the news of Blue Label releases pretty closely so I had one pre-ordered before they even came out to ensure I got one.

[10mm4ever]

If I were limited to one handgun, the G20 would be it.

[arthury]

What's the Blue Label program?

[Bart Noir]

A slight bump to this thread.....

...'cause I just bought my first Glock 20 A Gen 3 Short Frame (SF).

Really, it has been home an hour. And I am curious about whether the Gen 4 Glock 20 will have the SF or non-SF frames, or be offered with both. Anybody know the answer?

I have wanted the 20 for years, but the grip angle was not right for me. But the SF variant, which trims off the rear of the grip, also changed the angle at which it fits my hand. And I bought the first one I saw.

So now I get to figure out if I like the sights enough to keep them as-is. And I get to worry about being able to ever again buy a 15-round magazine for it.

Bart Noir

[Tactical Jackalope]

Nice...I have my Blue Label Glock 17

Good review, I've shot a Glock 20 once. I liked the recoil it produced, for the range only. Maybe a woods gun. But I'm in Miami, sooooo.....

[Mrgunsngear]

Really, it has been home an hour. And I am curious about whether the Gen 4 Glock 20 will have the SF or non-SF frames, or be offered with both. Anybody know the answer?

The SF frame dimensions are the same as the Gen4 with no backstraps on it.

Here's my 20C---just adding to the Glock 20 love

[Tactical Jackalope]

^ What camera are you using? I want one just like it.

[Mrgunsngear]

That picture was actually taken with my iphone 4S (HDR settings on). Most of the photos I post here or on my site are take with a Canon SX230 HS which is an awesome awesome camera for the money. My mom's a big photog and she researches cameras like I do guns and she recommended it. She's a total anti-gun communist; if only she knew I use it for gun pics!

[chrisintexas]

is gen4 glock 20 available for public?
what is the point of compensated barrels?
thanks

[Mrgunsngear]

is gen4 glock 20 available for public?
what is the point of compensated barrels?
thanks

Not until after SHOT Show.

I just finished this review of the 20C two days ago. I'll do a write up of it here shortly but the video should answer your questions on the C model:

Glock 20C HD Video Review Link