In case you missed it. There were some rumors online about a new Glock. We saw some teasers with the 17M and 19M and while those are for Law Enforcment only, Glock has come out with their latest Gen5 Glock.

What's Different And What's The Same?

At first glance the Gen5 looks like a regular Gen4 Glock. However upon closer inspection it actually more closely resembles a Gen2 Glock with Gen4 features. Like the Gen2 Glock, the Gen5 does not have finger grooves in the front strap. The grip has the Gen4 style grip tecture as well as the Gen4 magazine release. Glock added an ambidextrous slide stop and the  frame does have an accessory rail, something the Gen2 never had. 

Take a look at the bottom of the grip. The leading edge has a semi circular cut out just like the Gen2 Glocks however Glock has molded a flared magwell.

Looking at the photo above, you can see that the Gen5 magazine base plates are different. They are longer. Presumably to facilitate functionality with the finger cut out of the grip.

Glock has also given the Gen5 magazines bright orange followers.

This Gen 5 flyer points out that the Gen5 Glocks will have a new nDLC finish on the slides and the pistols come with a new Marksman barrel which has a new rifling pattern from previous Glocks.

It's What's Inside That Counts

The differences of the Gen5 are not just aesthetic alone. Glock has made sone changes inside the Gen5 pistols.

The slide has been altered for some of the internal changes. The striker safety plunger has been ramped.

The firing pin has been redesigned as well.

These are not the changes to the Gen5 Glock. The internals of the frame are drastically different. Every part of the trigger system is different enough that you cannot use previous Gen Glock parts.

Even the barrel lugs and recoil spring have been changed. The Gen5 G17 barrel lug has been reprofiled so that the G19 and G17 use the same locking block.  So far it seems the G19 can use existing threaded barrels, the Gen5 G17 will not be compatible with exisiting G17 threaded barrels.

The reason for changing the Gen5 Glock 17 is to aid in parts commonality with the G19. This makes it easier for replacement parts to be obtained and inventoried for agencies and commercial armorers. 

The Gen5 Glock is trickling out now to the public. Hopefully we will get one in for a review and see if the changes Glock have made are really worth getting the next generation Glock.