Glock 30 Gen 5: Reports and Experiences

I just picked up a G30 Gen 5 today. I'm taking it out tomorrow to run 150 rounds of 230gr Speer Lawman through it. I also have some Armscor, but I'm not sure if I should use that as I like to use Lawman or American Eagle because I feel that minimizes the variable of ammo QC as much as possible in vetting reliability.

I did notice that the feedramp isn't as I remember on previous Gen G30s. Anyone with Gen 3/4 G30s, did it look like this?: Attachment 114831

I would be interested in hearing anyone else's report with their Gen 5 G30s as people get them and shoot them. I plan to post updates myself as I shoot it. First thoughts are, I do like the way it feels better than I remember previous Gens feeling. On the larger Glocks I actually like finger grooves, but I think the G30 benefits from not having them. Also, maybe it's just me, but the barrel finish looks more like the one on my Gen 3 and 4's than the usual DLC on the Gen 5's. I could be wrong on that, but that's what it looks like. It has that slightly grayish tint to it instead of the DLC deep black. [Edit: After comparing to my Gen 4's and other Gen 5's, the barrel finish is definitely the one on the Gen 4's and not the nDLC of the Gen 5. Wonder why?]

I'm excited to shoot it and really hope it proves to be reliable without any "new gen" bugs. It would be nice to have a 10rd compact Glock in .45. In my memory I recall the G30 being stunningly accurate and soft shooting for its size. Since I shoot the G21 better than any other pistol, I'm hoping this will follow in its footsteps.

Attachment 114833

That feed ramp looks like a funnel, wide at the bottom and narrows at the mouth of the chamber. My G30 gen4 feed ramp is consistent in width bottom to top. I am photo challenged or I’d send you a pic of my barrel.

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Originally Posted by JAH 3rd

That feed ramp looks like a funnel, wide at the bottom and narrows at the mouth of the chamber. My G30 gen4 feed ramp is consistent in width bottom to top. I am photo challenged or I’d send you a pic of my barrel.

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There are two bevels on the sides of the center, like it's meant to feed from each one like an AR or something. I could be wrong on that though.

Looks like a machining flaw, personally.

The G42 either used to or still does have a weird looking feed ramp like that

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Originally Posted by gtmtnbiker98

Looks like a machining flaw, personally.

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I really don't think so. It's too symmetrical and well done, like on a G42 as Noah said.

Well, I only got to shoot 102 rounds out of the Glock 30 Gen 5 today. I did have a jam on the 100th round. I was loading the 10rd mags that came with it to 9 rounds and it jammed on the second to last round in the magazine, but it looks a bit different from what happened to my Glock 21 Gen 5's. It's more of a normal failure to feed. This was with Speer Lawman 230gr TMJ ammunition. I re-loaded that round back into the magazine and fired the last 2 rounds again without issue. That was all the ammo I had allotted for the G30 Gen 5 today. I did clean out the copper grease beforehand and also did normal lubrication with CLP in accordance with the Glock manual's guidelines.

I also shot 300 more rounds through a new-ish G21 Gen 4 afterwards, without a single issue. Also shot 116rds through my HK45C (38 of which were Federal HST) to test some new 10rd elephant foot mags and likewise, no stoppages.

Here's a couple of pics I took, sorry they're not the greatest: [Note, the PMC in the background is .38 Special. The ammo in the G30 was all entirely Speer Lawman 230gr TMJ]
Attachment 114860
Attachment 114861

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Originally Posted by Noah

The G42 either used to or still does have a weird looking feed ramp like that

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That might make sense, if it's a cartridge-specific feature Glock is using. Aren't the .380 and .45 ACP dimensionally very similar, just one bigger than the other? I remember reading somewhere that rather than a cut down 9mm, it was more accurate to understand the .380 as a scaled down .45 ACP.

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Originally Posted by Elwin

That might make sense, if it's a cartridge-specific feature Glock is using. Aren't the .380 and .45 ACP dimensionally very similar, just one bigger than the other? I remember reading somewhere that rather than a cut down 9mm, it was more accurate to understand the .380 as a scaled down .45 ACP.

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They certainly look the same, just differently scaled (.45 and .380).

I also had the magazine pinching my pinkie between the little lip of the bottom of the grip.

I always wondered why Glock simply didn't mimic the receiver bottom profile to that of the G19/G23. I'm thinking of GJM's comments recently about the G23 kinda trumping a G29/G30 in terms of handling and package size.

Con: I have a Gen5 G23 on/in hand already, and vetted....

Pro: I like the Glock 21, and going with a Gen5 G30 in magazine capacity limited Washington state makes sense....

Since I have the G23 and G21, getting a G30 is more of a "want" than a discernible "need" per se.

I'll see how I do in GSSF this year; if I win a certificate, I can see checking the Gen5 G30 box.

Best, Jon

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Originally Posted by JonInWA

I always wondered why Glock simply didn't mimic the receiver bottom profile to that of the G19/G23. I'm thinking of GJM's comments recently about the G23 kinda trumping a G29/G30 in terms of handling and package size.

Con: I have a Gen5 G23 on/in hand already, and vetted....

Pro: I like the Glock 21, and going with a Gen5 G30 in magazine capacity limited Washington state makes sense....

Since I have the G23 and G21, getting a G30 is more of a "want" than a discernible "need" per se.

I'll see how I do in GSSF this year; if I win a certificate, I can see checking the Gen5 G30 box.

Best, Jon

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The G30 is good for a native 10 round gun.
But it would be even better if it more directly matched the 19/23 with a flush 10 round mag rather than 9 round length with a 10 round extension.

For a "more than 9mm" gun, as much as I prefer 45 to 40 sentimentally, I can see how the 23 would carry and handle better than the 30.

The G30 used to come with a flush 9-rd mag and the extended 10-rd...but the 9-rounder was really 8, because it was a feat of strength to get the 9th in there (and when you did, the mag wouldn't seat). So I guess that was the original thinking, in making the grip shorter.

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Originally Posted by SwampDweller

I also had the magazine pinching my pinkie between the little lip of the bottom of the grip.

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I hate that about both the G36 and the G30 (pinching where mag mates with grip frame)
I actually carry a G30 Gen4 and use the flush fit mags (9 rounders) and shoot with "pinkie under" grip like a G26.

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Originally Posted by TikritTourist

I hate that about both the G36 and the G30 (pinching where mag mates with grip frame)
I actually carry a G30 Gen4 and use the flush fit mags (9 rounders) and shoot with "pinkie under" grip like a G26.

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Actually, the Gen 5 G30 seems to have more of a lip on the front of the grip. I think this contributes to it in my case. I don't get it with a G26.

In any case, shooting the G30 again yesterday, I had a couple more stoppages. Considering it's been happening with my Gen 5 G21s as well, not sure what's going on. Gen 4 .45s have been flawless.

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Originally Posted by SwampDweller

Actually, the Gen 5 G30 seems to have more of a lip on the front of the grip. I think this contributes to it in my case. I don't get it with a G26.

In any case, shooting the G30 again yesterday, I had a couple more stoppages. Considering it's been happening with my Gen 5 G21s as well, not sure what's going on. Gen 4 .45s have been flawless.

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You're having really bad luck with the Gen 5 .45's!

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Originally Posted by Noah

You're having really bad luck with the Gen 5 .45's!

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I know... and its annoying cause I really like the way they shoot. But at this point I'm tired of blowing through .45 to try and vet one only for it to reset the "rounds since last stoppage" count when I have Gen 4s and HK's in .45 that are flawless. Think I'm gonna cut my losses.

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Originally Posted by SwampDweller

...Think I'm gonna cut my losses.

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Thanks for sharing your experiences. They've certainly tamped down my enthusiasm for a 30.5, which, I already knew I didn't need, but for sure had stupid, stupid wantsies.

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Originally Posted by Gun Mutt

Thanks for sharing your experiences. They've certainly tamped down my enthusiasm for a 30.5, which, I already knew I didn't need, but for sure had stupid, stupid wantsies.

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Glad to be able to contribute information, at least that's something good to come out of it. If I do get another G30 it will likely be a Gen 3 SF or Gen 4. Maybe I'll give the Gen 5 G21 and G30 another chance in a few years, but it's another reminder of why I have a personal policy of not buying a new model or generation of firearm for at least a year or more after it comes out.

Any other experiences with the Gen 5 G30? I might be in the market for a G30 pretty soon and kinda like the Gen 5.

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Originally Posted by DLWinner

Any other experiences with the Gen 5 G30? .....

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Same question, I have yet to even see one of these in a LGS case so far. Are they shipping? Anybody else have one?

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Originally Posted by fatdog

Same question, I have yet to even see one of these in a LGS case so far. Are they shipping? Anybody else have one?

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I have one; not much to report, really -- it's a Glock 30. It's fat, soft shooting, reliable, and very accurate. The lack of finger grooves on the front strap is a big improvement; the older gen G30 grooves were very cramped, with not a prayer of thick fingers fitting...