SAR 18#6

The model 19 had another feature
change from the 17 to add points towards
those required for importation
into the U.S. The otherwise smooth
trigger of the model 17 was replaced
with a serrated version. All Glock pistols
the size of the model 19 or smaller
were fitted with serrated triggers
for importation, although it’s not uncommon
for their owners to prefer the
smoother trigger and retrofit the parts
since they are interchangeable. Another
key difference between the models
17 and 19 is the geometry of the barrel
lug and matching locking piece inside
the frame. They are positioned differently
which is why barrels are not interchangeable
between the full sized
and compact frames. This distinction
remains in subsequent generations and
models/calibers.
Generation 2 Glock Features
Because the Glock 17 preceded the
Glock 19, there was initially no need to
distinguish the two frames by markings.
In fact, the very first Glock 19 pistols (1st
generation) were actually made from
Glock 17 frames that were trimmed to
accommodate the smaller slide and
magazine. An apparent mold mark on
the left front corner of the trigger guard
was eventually used for a marking location
indicating which frame was being
produced. This subsequent mold
mark consists of a circular cartouche
with the number 17 or 19 depending
on the frame (earlier model 17’s had
no such mark).
As has been described above, the
main change that constitutes the generation
2 models is the retexturing of the
grip surface. This rectangular pattern
grip checkering on the front and back of
the grip is often referred to as “grenade”
checkering. Early generation 2 pistols
were model 17’s and 19’s that retained
the two single line grip cartouches on
the right side, the 17/19 mold marks
on the left, and Austrian proof marks
of the generation 1 models, but not all
had the silver colored serial number
insert plate.
Around 1990 and about half-way
through the two-letter serial number
ranges, Glock started importing the
models 20 (10mm), 21 (.45 ACP), 22,
and 23 (both .40 S&W). By this time,
the Austrian proof marks and the 17/19
mold mark were no longer present. The
models 22 and 23 are essentially the
.40 S&W versions of the 17 and 19 respectively;
however, the more powerful
cartridge forced a design change that
added an additional pin to retain the
locking piece in the frame. Some rare
and early versions of these pistols may
not have had the additional (3rd) pin.
The models 20 and 21 were the first of
the wide frame sizes made to accommodate
the 10mm Auto and .45 ACP
cartridges, respectively. All of these
models are 2nd generation or later with
both locking block pins in their design.
Prior to reaching the end of the
two-letter serial number ranges, a second
line was added to the upper cartouche
on the grip of the pistol which
now read:
MADE IN AUSTRIA
GLOCK, INC., SMYRNA, GA.
Right around the time of the roll
over from two-letter serial numbers to
three-letter series, the internal parts of
the pistol changed from being mostly
black in color to silver. This feature is
not always a reliable one to consider
because older guns receiving factory
or armorer upgrades often have newer
silver colored parts including some
SAR Vol. 18, No. 6 54 Nov., Dec. 2014