USA VS AUSTRIA Made Glocks

[AR-556]

As most of you know, I just recently bought my first ever Glock. It's a USA made Gen4 G17. And, I like it A LOT!
I joined a few Glock websites and they are at odds about which is made better. Some claim the US version has a better coating from the Gen3 back. They state the US version in Gen4 has a newer designed coating that scratches too easy. Some claim that it's too thin, too shiny, and leaves fingerprints on the slide finish. They state it's this way because of the coating used in Austria does not meet the US EPA standards. Do any Glock owners out there know anything about this? Thanks!

[Firefly]

I was told in Glock Armorer that all Glocks get exact same finish and a USA frame Glock is nothing new.

No difference. None.

[AR-556]

I was told in Glock Armorer that all Glocks get exact same finish and a USA frame Glock is nothing new.

No difference. None.

Thank you Firefly.
I compared my new Gen4 to a friends Gen3 and they are as you state, they look/feel the same.

[Dukr]

I have a 21, a 17, a 19, and a 43. All Austrian-made Gen 4. The 17 is about 5 years old, the 21 about 4, the other two, less than a year. The 17, 19, and 43 all have a smooth, matte finish. The 21 has a shinier, orange peel look to it.

DK

[Firefly]

Thank you Firefly.
I compared my new Gen4 to a friends Gen3 and they are as you state, they look/feel the same.

For conversation sake, this comes from the older Generations and they did use a treatment where cyanide style gas was a byproduct. But that was generations ago. That's why some older Gen 1 or Gen 2 Glocks have a slight glossy look to them as opposed to the dull finish now. The older finish isn't 'better' just different and not worth the effort to track down.

I have a Gen 1 G17 and a Gen 2 21 with the glossy look and both pretty much sit and collect dust in lieu of my US made Gen 3 G34 and my Gen 4 G21 which have been more in my rotation. Esp. G21. Its been in the rain and blah blah blah and no issues.

[AR-556]

For conversation sake, this comes from the older Generations and they did use a treatment where cyanide style gas was a byproduct. But that was generations ago. That's why some older Gen 1 or Gen 2 Glocks have a slight glossy look to them as opposed to the dull finish now. The older finish isn't 'better' just different and not worth the effort to track down.

I have a Gen 1 G17 and a Gen 2 21 with the glossy look and both pretty much sit and collect dust in lieu of my US made Gen 3 G34 and my Gen 4 G21 which have been more in my rotation. Esp. G21. Its been in the rain and blah blah blah and no issues.

Really? You have Gen1 G17? I have not seen too many of them. Is it early production? Pics?

[Firefly]

Really? You have Gen1 G17? I have not seen too many of them. Is it early production? Pics?

It's not early production. Not rare. It just has no finger grooves and no little light rail. 2 pin. Pretty basic. I would post pics but I dont feel like digging it out and dont know how to photobucket.

Aside from a few very minor differences, it looks just like a Gen 2.

[Slater]

I've heard that same thing in a conversation at work about Glocks - "They were invented in Austria so I figure their QC must be better"

[KCBRUIN]

I had to look at the three I still own to see where they were made. The fact that I didn't have a clue should say something about how important I think it is. I've owned both and will continue to buy both.

[DirectTo]

I only buy Austrian guns.

See, AUSTRIA is 7 letters. USA is only 3. So the Austrian slide has less mass since 4 more letters are cut into it. I figure the gun was designed that way and I don't want to mess with that delicate balance of slide mass and velocity.


(This is sarcasm before somebody freaks out.) I did check and all of mine are Austrian, but that's more because I've collected more older Gen 2s and 3s than anything else. When I pick up a new one I don't care where it's made.