That 'mujglock' link is for decoding proof mark dates, not serial number prefixes. Some Glocks were made in Austria, and proof marked to be sold in Europe. There were a few times where demand was outpacing supply in the US, and Glock shipped some guns to the US which had originally been made for sale in Europe. Glock Model 19, 9mm Luger caliber, requires an upgrade for the following serial numbers: AN, BP, BR, BV, BW, BX, DL, DM, DN, DP, DR, DS, DT, DV, DW, DX, DY, DZ These pistols may have the potential of the action to malfunction as follows: 1. The slide locking back on a full magazine. Model: 19 Gen 5. Serial Number: BGPG222. Year of Manufacture: 2017-2020. Caliber: 9mmx19. Action Type: Striker Fired Semi-Automatic Pistol. Markings: The left side of the slide is marked with the Glock logo and “19 Gen 5”, “AUSTRIA”, and “9×19”. Where is the serial number on a Glock 23? Right side, directly below the ejection port. Barrel will also be marked with SN. What does a Glock 40 cal handgun serial number start with? No one answer- usually 2-3 letters, and they vary depending on the model. Where can i find a Glock 19 serial number? The barrel, bottom of receiver, and the slide. Glock also made pistols for special occasions and they would have unique serial numbers. At the beginning of Desert Storm, 15 Desert Storm Presentation Glocks with a serial number starting with UD were given to selected persons in the President Bush administration and Department of Defense.

Glock Generations: Detail and Feature Evolution

Aaron Brudenell / 28 August, 2014 / Comments Off on Glock Generations: Detail and Feature Evolution / Features, History, Industry Profiles, Search By Issue, V6N3, Volume 6

According to company literature, the first Glock pistols imported into the U.S. came in January of 1986. These guns had serial numbers beginning with a two letter alpha prefix of “AF” followed by a three digit number. This means for every two letter combination, there were up to 1,000 pistols produced with numbers from 000 to 999. As of this writing, current new production Glock pistols bear serial numbers with a four letter and three number combination, a testament to the brand’s success and longevity over the past quarter century.

Most firearm manufactures who employ sequential serial numbering systems would not guarantee the sequence of numbers exactly matches production order but on the longer time frame they generally follow that trend. That is to say, a firearm bearing the serial number ABC001 may not have been completed prior to the same model numbered ABD001 but it’s a fair assumption that they were made around the same time and that EFG001 came later. Notable exceptions to the standard serial number structure are firearms ordered with specified serial number ranges and formats for law enforcement agencies and commemorative models.

Magazine floor plates are of two distinct types: early versions for the Non-Fully Metal Lined (NFML) magazines and later ones for the Fully Metal Lined (FML) magazines also known as ‘drop-free’ because their greater rigidity causes them to be less likely to stick in the magazine well than their predecessors. The four distinct early versions were originally smooth and then sequentially incorporated a Glock logo, insert button hole, and finally a part number ‘455.’ Later FML floor plates began with a different number ‘3602’ that was eventually omitted.

Using this assumption as a framework, this article will seek to identify changes in individual Glock cosmetic and design features and identify their sequence in the model history. While a strict serial number sequence is an inexact assumption, an accurate time line of importation for serialized firearms can be dated through records available from Glock.

Overview of Glock Generations, Terminology and Associated Models
Because of the nature of the firearms manufacturing industry, terminology can be inexact due to the influence of non-anticipated design changes, marketing language, and customer terminology not originating from the manufacturer. In some cases, this post production vernacular sets the standard for terminology in use by most. This stands to reason given that the number of people buying, using, and writing about the firearms far out numbers those within the company that might otherwise like to control the terminology. This is how distinct Glock generations came to be understood.

Glock pistols are categorized into four distinct generations (with a 4th ultimately being officially acknowledged by the gun’s markings). The first generation guns had a relatively uniform grip texture around the entire handle of the frame behind and below the trigger guard and consisted of the original Glock model 17 and a few scarce early model 19 pistols. The second generation guns had rectangular checkering on the front and back grip surfaces and can safely be counted on to include the models 17 through at least 24.

The NFML (left) and FML (right) magazine floor plates are not interchangeable with each other due to a difference in width of their mounting points.

Third generation guns are described as those with finger grooves superimposed on the front strap checkering and an accessory rail forward of the trigger guard on models large enough to incorporate this feature. The addition of a slight “thumb rest” at the upper edge of the grip is also among these third generation features and this particular feature relates to U.S. importation criteria.

Finally, 4th generation Glock models incorporated rectangular checkering throughout the grip surface, a smaller grip with back strap extensions, a reversible magazine release, and the slide/recoil spring assembly was updated to include a dual spring for all models. The new slide and guide rod assemblies are not back-compatible with earlier models.

While these categories are useful, the details in some cases can muddy the waters. Several models of Glock firearms were made bearing the 3rd generation finger grooves but no associated accessory rail. Guns of this type are rare and typically described as transitional or “Generation 2.5.” For the collector or firearm examiner wishing to evaluate this firearm, it’s safe to say that guns of this type were produced in relatively low numbers and for a short period of time. The early versions of the subcompact Glock 26 and 27 pistols (9mm and .40 S&W) produced around the same time had finger grooves on the front strap of the pistol that were devoid of checkering that eventually appeared on later 3rd generation versions of those models. The slightly larger subcompact models 29 and 30 (10mm and .45 ACP) were always made with the checkered finger grooves but eventually produced with the previously omitted accessory rail. The earlier non-railed versions of the Glock 29 and 30 frames were made for a longer period of time than the early smooth finger grooved versions of the model 26 and 27 frames.

The brief advent of the Glock 21 SF with ambidextrous magazine release required a new magazine design incorporating a cutout on the front face of the magazine wall. All subsequent magazines have incorporated this feature even though the ambidextrous system was short lived.

All models produced during the various generations were made consistently with the features of that generation. For that reason, early models like the Glock 17 will have versions from each of those generations. The Glock model numbers appeared sequentially although some models like the select fire 18 and the .380 models (25 and 28) are less common due to NFA and import restrictions.

Generation 1 Glock Features
The Generation 1 guns are an exclusive club consisting of only the model Glock 17 and a very few of the earliest model Glock 19 pistols. (The Glock 18 is the select fire version of the model 17 and while 1st generation versions exist, because of their rarity and distinct internal geometry they won’t be discussed in this article.) A long-slide version of the 17 known as the 17L was also produced using 1st generation frames but the slides are interchangeable and the frames are indistinguishable with other model 17s. These will be described hereafter as belonging to the standard frame size designed for pistols chambered in 9mm Luger, .357 Sig, .40 S&W, .380 ACP, and eventually the .45 GAP (wide frame guns came later). The model 17 is categorized as a full sized pistol while the 19 is considered to be a compact in size. Both models were almost exclusively chambered for 9mm Luger although a few special exceptions have been known to exist (e.g.-9x21mm in Europe).

The first Glock pistols imported into the U.S. came with serial numbers beginning with a two letters followed by the typical three numbers and a “US” suffix indicating they were for export to the United States. The two characteristic proof mark logos appeared on the frames, slides, and barrels while additional markings, such as a three letter ma

Glock Model 19 Serial Numbers