Gen 3 or Gen 4 G20 10mm?

[mlk3454]

I am looking to pick up a G20 sooner rather than later. I understand I will have to wait until after the Shot Show to pick up the gen 4 as I dont have the membership or profession to get it sooner. My questions revolve around fit and modifications:

1. I like the feel of the SF model in the gen 3; I understand that the smaller backstrap size is the same for the gen 4s?
2. I plan on using the gun for bow range deer hunting as well as beer protection while backpacking. I will be handloading to the full potential of the round...do I need to upgrade the spring/rod for the gen3? Would the new recoil system of the gen4 be able to take that abuse?
3. I am in NY and am limited to 10 round mags. I may be interested in getting a couple preban mags for practice and or home defense. I have a buddy that has a gen4 G19 and the preban mags fit extremely tight. Is there any word on if this is the norm or do they not fit well or require modification?
4. I am looking to change the sights to at least a green fiber up front and possibly an adjusteable rear (for hunting): any recommendations?
5. As far as upgrades go I know there are a million for the older generations; will they work for the gen 4?

I have searched through this forum and also a couple others and have been overwhelmed with the amount of information with upgrades and accessories. I am looking for opinions based on experience to help. Thanks!

[Savage]

I've handled and fired the mdl 21 sf, and owned a 21 gen3. As far as the feel of the gun goes, I couldn't tell a nickel's worth of difference in my hand. It may feel different to you. Whether that's better or not is for you to decide. The recoil system in the gen 4 is IMO change for the sake of change. I have yet to find, nor have I heard of an advantage over the earlier system. Seems a lot of people are spending money to convert their gen 4s back to the gen 3 recoil system. I have quite a bit of experience with the mdl 20 gen 3, and like it a lot.
If the gen 3 were the same price as the gen 4, I'd still buy the gen 3.I'd bet the mdl 20 will handle all the full power loads you'd want to put through it. With the  +2 extensions you have 18 rds of 10mm in the gun. That should handle about anything on this continent.
You might even consider the mdl 21. With a simple barrel and mag change you could have a pistol chambered in .45acp, 10mm, 357 Sig, .40 S&W, or 9x23. With some spring and buffer changes there's a few more like the .460 Rowlan/ .400 Corbon, and likely a few more I'm not familar with. How's that for versatility? Sights? I'd go for a Dawson adjustable plain black rear and the .115 wide FO. For me it's the best of both worlds in speed and precision.
Savage
 

[mlk3454]

Excellent point with the G21. I do have a 1911 that has probably 50 rounds through it in the last 5 years so I dont forsee any big use for that caliber (I also dont reload .45). As for the 10mm for hunting I have given thought to a 6" barrel to aid in fps but am not sure what kind of chest holster or shoulder holster I could wear outside of a jacket that would protect the protruding barrel from brush and the elements as I dont see hanging that out of the bottom of the holster a smart move for maintaining the efficacy of the equipment.

[Savage]

Seems there's lots of shooters making their own holsters these days. It wouldn't be a big job to make one or have one made that would accomidate the 6" barrel. It's probably ride pretty good in a chest rig, or even a vertical shoulder rig in one of the existing models. The 6" would be great in a hunting gun!
Good Hunting,
Savage

[Lloyd Smale]

as usual colar me differnt. Ive had both and like my sf much better.

[tallpaul]

deer hunting as well as beer protection while backpacking.

That has to be some tough BEER....




Actually I got a standard model 20 3rd gen and I like it even if I wonder if I got the right one... So far I REALLY like it. I got it for all around field/SD use also. I hate to beat a minty smith 29 or similar when for the 425.00 I got a MINTY used model 20 for  will do and even excel in some areas.

[RevJim]

 I've never found a Gen 4 Mod 20, but I did handle a G20 SF a week ago. Still too big and bulky for my taste. I found that my G29SF, with the pinky mag ext and a good set of Ameriglo Operator sights worked swell for field/city, a clay target at 30 steps is a breeze and I hit several (and was minute of coyote on the misses) clay targets at 75 steps! I came awful close to some at 125yds! That was with the Blaser 200 tmj. The DoubleTap 230 completely penetrated a dead hog's head at 3ft and the Buffalo Bore 155 TAC-XP shot through another hog head, but was found under the off side skin, skull was mush inside! I would carry either one in the woods. I have a LW standard size bbl and a 21# non captured Recoil spring. It shoots like a rifle! I found it to be much handier overall, no more difficult to carry than a G23 and it already has a 10 shot magazine. Just some more info for you.    No doubt a G20 is a super pistol, just saying that a G29SF sure surprised the heck out of me!

[tc scout]

One big advantage of the Gen 4's is the mag release which can be reversed for lefties, at least in the 26 that I know of. Don't know if the 20 Gen 4 will have the same feature, I would assume that it would. Maybe some other members might know if this is true.
I have a 26 Gen 3, I like the grip and didn't feel the Gen 4 offered a better grip for me for the price difference.. I also didn't notice much difference between a 20 and a 20SF.
One thing I do have on my 26 that I like very much is Talon grips and Glock + pinky extensions along with Big Dot night sights. This a carry gun and the combo works very well for me.

[simplicity]

I prefer the feel of the gen3's over the 4's I have a normal glock 20. If you want to shoot full house 10mm loads your going to want a heavier recoil spring I went with a 22lbs and haven't had any cycling problems even with normal 40 loads in my conversion barrel.

[mlk3454]

Thanks for all of the info guys it has given me plenty to think about. After the holidays are done I am going to stop in to a few gun shops around me to see what they have so I can figure things out. I wish there was a way to rent and shoot here but I haven't seen anything like that in my area or even a few hours around.

As for the recoil spring I will most likely be shooting full power 10mm but also already load 40 so will most likely get a conversion barrel down the road and shoot those too. What pound spring is stock? I have also read that some springs are better than others, ie flat vs round, open vs captured, polished guide rods vs stock, etc...any info?