Do you have a Generation 3 Glock 19 and are looking to buy accessories and upgrades for it?
If so, you’re reading the right article.
In the nearly forty years of the Glock 19 pistol’s existence, the company has released five generations of their guns so far. Through it all, the Gen 3 version of this gun has remained the most popular.
In this article, we’ll cover the advantages that the Generation 3 Glock offers and why it’s stood the test of time, and then we’ll dive into the best accessories to get for your Glock 19 Gen 3.
What is the Glock 19 Gen 3?
The ‘Gen 3’ Glocks refer to the, well, third generation variants of this pistol across many different models and calibers.
The original Glock, the Glock 17, was released in 1982. The Glock 19, simply a slightly scaled down version of the 17, was released in 1988.
The Generation 1 Glock 17s were produced from 1982 to 1987. These were the original versions of the Glock and were still largely under development while they were being released to the market.
In 1988, Glock upgraded to the Generation 2. The Gen 2 guns featured an improved magazine, checkering to the front and rear of the grip for better handling, and improved safety features.
By the time the 19 was released, Glock had already moved on from the Generation 1 to the Generation 2. This is why the early Glock 19 pistols are technically Gen 2 models. Nonetheless, the company did produce a few early prototypes of the Gen 1 19. For what it’s worth, these guns are very rare and are considered collectors guns.
In 1998, Glock unveiled the Generation 3 versions of their guns, featuring finger grooves added to the front of the grip, thumb rests on the side of the grip, and an accessory rail under the frame to permit adding lights or lasers. These became the most popular variants of the Glock.
Glock later released the Generation 4 and Generation 5 versions of their guns in 2010 and 2017 respectively, but that’s a story for another day. Even though the Gen 4s and 5s hit the market, several Generation 3 Glock models are still being produced to this day, including the 19.
Best Accessories For Your Glock 19 Gen 3
The reason why Glock is still producing Generation 3 versions of the 19 is for one simple reason: too many people are still loyal to it. This is because many believe that the Gen 3 represents the best version of the Glock 19 and that the new features added to the Gen 4 and 5 versions were unnecessary.
To give you an idea of just how faithful people are to the Gen 3, Glock completely halted production of the Gen 4 in favor of the Gen 5 guns, but has still kept several Gen 3 models in production at the same time.
If you’re reading this article, chances are that you’re one of these people or you just happened to get a Gen 3 Glock without really thinking about it.
Either way, there are several accessories that you’ll want to consider getting for your Gen 3 Glock 19 pistol that can help upgrade it from its original factory configuration.
Barrels
A threaded barrel extends slightly out the front of the 19’s slide and has threads at the end. If you want to add a compensator or a suppressor to your Glock 19, a threaded barrel is a must.
Alternatively, you could consider installing a match-grade barrel on your Gen 3 to improve accuracy. Gen 5 Glock 19s, for comparison, come installed with match grade barrels out of the box. Examples of high quality match grade barrels for the Glock 19 include the Grey Ghost Precision barrel and the L2D Combat Precision Match barrel.
Slip Resistant Grips
Some people have found that the grip on the Gen 3 Glocks can be a bit slippery when wet. To help get around this, you can consider installing aftermarket grips that are more slip-resistant. An example is the Talon grips, which can be installed to the sides of your Glock 19’s grip and will offer your hands greater traction.
Magazines
The standard factory magazine for the Glock 19 Gen 3 holds 15 rounds (or 10 rounds if you live in a state or jurisdiction with capacity restrictions). There are many aftermarket magazines that have an increased capacity, such as the 33-round extended factory magazine or the Taylor Freelance +5 round Magazine Extension.
Extended Magazine Release
Speaking of magazines, you may also want to consider investing in an extended magazine release button for your Glock 19. This will allow you to release your empty magazine and thus reload the gun faster.
Larger Magwell
Another way to speed up the reloading time for your Gen 3 Glock 19 is to widen the magwell of the gun. The magwell is simply the opening at the bottom of the grip that permits the magazine to be loaded into the gun.
Extended Slide Stop Release
Yet another way to quicken your reloading times is with an extended slide stop release. Some people find the standard slide release on the Gen 3 Glocks to be difficult to reach and operate. An extended slide release will be easier to reach and engage. This is especially true for those with smaller hands.
Triggers
Glock pistols are somewhat infamous for having mushy triggers out of the box that leave a bit to be desired. An upgraded trigger can offer a lighter pull and shorter reset. This is why upgrading your Glock 19s trigger is one of the easiest and most straightforward things you can do to improve your shooting experience. Examples include the CMC Flat Trigger, Agency Arms Drop-in Trigger, and the Tyrant Designs ITTS Trigger.
Sights
The factory standard sights are another aspect of the Gen 3 Glock that many people believe leaves a bit to be desired. You can look for aftermarket sights that have larger, colored dots that enable faster target acquisition in low light conditions. Examples include the Rainier Arms Glock Fiber Optic Sight and the Night Fision Glock Tritium Night Sights.
Conclusion
The Glock 19 Gen 3 is a very capable pistol and is designed to run great out of the box. While upgrading the above accessories we’ve gone over today may not be totally necessary, they should nonetheless help to improve your shooting experience.
