There’s a Gen 1 at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody WY:
There’s a Gen 1 at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody WY:
I didn't like the finger grooves on the 19.4 (which is weird because it doesn't bother me much on the 17/22), so now I have a 19.2 and a 19.5. Neither is ideal for me. 19.2 can't attach a light and 19.5 can't use NY1. They also have that sharp cutout in the front strap. I'm debating getting a 19.4 again and getting a local smith to remove the finger grooves if I can't get used to them.
It’s not weird. The finger groove spacing on the 19 and 17 are not the same. To fit the same number of finger grooves on the shorter grip the reduced spacing, particularly the first groove under the trigger guard.
The cut out was universal on Gen 1,2, and early Gen 3s but it never bothered me.
This^. I can’t use an unmodified Gen 3 or 4 G19 due to the spacing. The spacing on a G26 is about the same as a G17 so I’ve always preferred a G26 over a 3rd or 4th Gen 19. My 2nd Gen 19 is one of the last pistols I’d ever sell and see a lot of carry.
Regardless of Gen, it’s hard to beat a 17/26 combo for meeting just about every black plastic people popper need.
I need to pick up a Gen 5 19, because reasons.
I am presently poor.
So yeah.
I still run Gen3 and 4s.
Don’t blame me. I didn’t vote for that dumb bastard.
I didn't know that the finger groove spacing was different between the Gen 4 19 and 17. I just knew that it felt weird, but I thought maybe the different height of the hump in the back made the front strap grooves feel weird. Good to know I wasn't just imagining things. I might give the 19.4 another chance now that I know a local gunsmith who does a good job removing the finger grooves and texturing the grip.
"If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur."
Disclaimer: I have previously worked in the firearms industry as an engineer. Thoughts and opinions expressed here are mine alone and not those of my prior employers.