Introduction
So, you are a Glock aficionado, an individual who appreciates the simplicity, reliability, and sheer performance of the Glock platform. Maybe you’ve got acquired a Glock 17 Gen 3, a workhorse of a pistol famend for its dependability. Now, you are curious in regards to the newest developments in Glock know-how, particularly these shiny new Gen 5 magazines. Are they suitable? Will they work seamlessly in your trusty Gen 3 Glock 17? This text is designed to reply exactly that query. We’ll delve into the intricacies of Glock journal design, discover the options of Gen 5 magazines, and put them to the take a look at to find out their performance inside the Gen 3 Glock 17.
Glock pistols have earned a fame because the firearm of selection for a lot of. They’re celebrated for his or her ease of use, their rugged development, and their confirmed monitor report in varied environments and functions. Through the years, Glock has frequently refined its designs, introducing new generations of pistols that construct upon the inspiration of their predecessors. These enhancements usually result in questions on elements compatibility, and the magazines aren’t any exception. With every era, minor modifications have been applied.
Our objective right here is easy: to offer a transparent, complete information to the compatibility of Gen 5 magazines with the Gen 3 Glock 17. We’ll study the journal designs, deal with potential points, and supply sensible recommendation. By the top of this text, you may have a whole understanding of whether or not you need to use Gen 5 magazines in your Gen 3 Glock 17, together with any potential issues you want to pay attention to.
The brief reply? Sure, Gen 5 magazines *will* work in a Gen 3 Glock 17, with just a few vital issues. Let’s discover why and the way.
Understanding Glock Journal Design and Compatibility
To understand journal compatibility, it’s important to know the basic components that make up a Glock journal and the way they relate to the pistol’s total perform. Regardless of generational variations, the core design of Glock magazines has remained comparatively constant.
Glock magazines, no matter era, include a number of important elements: {a magazine} physique, a follower, a spring, and a baseplate. The journal physique is the primary housing, sometimes constructed from polymer or metallic. The follower, usually vivid orange within the newer generations, pushes the rounds upwards for feeding. The spring gives the mandatory stress to push the rounds as much as be chambered. The baseplate secures the journal’s inner elements and permits for simple disassembly for cleansing.
Over time, Glock has made delicate adjustments to every of those elements. These modifications contribute to the general evolution of the journal’s reliability, sturdiness, and ease of use. For instance, early Glock magazines used black followers. The transition to an orange follower was an vital change as a result of these are sometimes thought of extra dependable. The orange follower serves as a transparent visible indicator for an empty journal, and has seen in depth use within the Gen 3, 4 and 5 magazines.
One of the vital important adjustments is the place and form of the journal notch. The notch is the indentation on the facet of the journal that interacts with the journal launch contained in the pistol’s body. This space is integral to journal compatibility. Whereas the basic perform stays constant – the notch permits the journal to lock securely inside the pistol’s body – the precise dimensions and form have been subtly altered over the generations.
Additional, there have been enhancements made to the ground plate or baseplate, although that is usually simply to enhance the person’s skill to simply take away the journal base plate for disassembly and cleansing. The ground plate design has additionally advanced over time, however usually is not a significant factor affecting total performance.
The interaction of those elements is what determines {a magazine}’s total reliability and compatibility with totally different Glock pistol generations. The journal design has to mesh with the journal launch, the slide cease, and the journal effectively of the body.
Key Options of Gen 5 Magazines
Gen 5 magazines have some particular options that distinguish them. These adjustments had been launched with the arrival of the Gen 5 Glock pistols. These enhancements present a delicate, however welcomed, improve in reliability, and ease of use.
The journal physique for the Gen 5 retains the confirmed polymer development of its predecessors, offering sturdiness and resistance to impacts. Nonetheless, the Gen 5 usually have the identical journal physique as Gen 4.
Essentially the most noticeable distinction in Gen 5 magazines is the follower design. Gen 5 magazines characteristic a extra sturdy and, arguably, extra dependable follower than some earlier generations. The follower is commonly a special shade from the physique. The extra streamlined design contributes to smoother feeding and a decreased probability of malfunctions. Some Gen 5 magazines additionally characteristic what is named an “anti-tilt” follower, which additional enhances reliability.
The Gen 5 baseplate has undergone some revisions, too. It’s designed for ease of elimination. Whereas purposeful, it isn’t important to the general operation of the journal.
These options mix to create {a magazine} that goals to carry out in addition to the prior era magazines.
Testing Gen 5 Magazines in a Glock 17 Gen 3
Now, let’s flip to the sensible: are you able to really use these Gen 5 magazines in your Gen 3 Glock 17? We’ll carry out a take a look at. This testing is essential to guage the real-world perform of the journal with the older body.
Insertion is step one. Does the Gen 5 journal match into the journal effectively of the Gen 3 Glock 17? The reply is a powerful sure. The journal ought to slide in and lock securely. The journal catch and journal effectively are suitable throughout the generations.
The essential take a look at is performance. We’ll load the Gen 5 journal with ammunition and insert it into the Gen 3 Glock 17.
Does the journal feed rounds into the chamber reliably? The follower’s design will assist make sure the spherical is correctly aligned. The Gen 5 magazines ought to carry out reliably, much like their operation with the Gen 5 pistols. Feed points are extraordinarily uncommon.
Does the slide lock again after the final spherical? This can be a key indicator of the journal’s skill to work together appropriately with the slide cease lever. Generally, the Gen 5 journal will reliably activate the slide cease, locking the slide open after the ultimate shot.
Lastly, think about the journal drop. Once you press the journal launch button in your Gen 3 Glock 17, does the Gen 5 journal drop free? Ideally, the journal ought to fall out cleanly underneath its personal weight. Generally, the Gen 5 magazines will drop free.
There are a few areas the place it could be worthwhile to provide particular consideration. The primary is the situation of the journal launch button itself. That is very true if the Gen 3 is outdated, because the journal launch button could have some put on. If the button is worn, the journal could not drop as cleanly. The journal drop is also improved through the use of a more moderen era journal launch, which can normally present a smoother launch. Nonetheless, it shouldn’t be crucial to do that.
Troubleshooting and Issues
Whereas Gen 5 magazines usually work effectively in Gen 3 Glock 17s, it is prudent to maintain sure facets in thoughts.
Over time, magazines can put on out from use. Springs lose their stress, and followers can degrade. Common inspection for put on and tear is significant for any journal. Examine the feed lips for injury. Verify the follower for easy operation. Make certain that the journal spring nonetheless has the suitable stress. If any of those are compromised, the journal needs to be changed.
Correct upkeep additionally extends {a magazine}’s lifespan. Usually clear your magazines, particularly if they have been uncovered to dust, particles, or moisture. Guarantee they’re saved in a clear, dry place to stop corrosion.
It is also price mentioning that particular person Gen 3 Glock 17 pistols can fluctuate barely because of manufacturing tolerances and utilization. In very uncommon cases, you would possibly encounter minor points with journal perform in a selected pistol. For those who discover any feeding issues or slide-locking points, examine for journal compatibility points, and the situation of your journal and the pistol itself.
Alternate options and Choices
Past Gen 5 magazines, there are lots of suitable journal selections on your Gen 3 Glock 17. Glock manufactured many magazines, usually together with earlier era magazines, that can function within the Gen 3 Glock 17. Magazines designed particularly for Gen 3 Glocks will all the time perform flawlessly. Even with the newest updates from the Gen 5, the Gen 3 magazines are normally the best to search out and the least costly.
There are lots of aftermarket magazines additionally accessible. Nonetheless, you could be sure that these magazines are made to the right specs.
Conclusion
So, can you utilize Gen 5 magazines in your Gen 3 Glock 17? The reply, within the overwhelming majority of instances, is a particular sure. Gen 5 magazines are designed to work reliably in Gen 3 pistols, providing all the advantages of the newer designs. The journal physique, the journal follower and the baseplate are all suitable. The magazines will usually feed, lock the slide open, and drop freely from the pistol.
The important thing takeaways are simple: Gen 5 magazines supply a contemporary improve on your Gen 3 Glock 17, offering a doubtlessly smoother feeding expertise and providing an edge by way of reliability. They combine seamlessly together with your pistol’s present elements. Think about the potential journal launch button points mentioned earlier, and carry out correct upkeep.
For house owners of Gen 3 Glock 17s searching for dependable magazines, the Gen 5 is a superb selection. You will profit from the Gen 5’s up to date options, whereas sustaining full compatibility.
We encourage you to experiment together with your Glock 17 and Gen 5 magazines.
