Running Gen 3 or 4 Glock Slides on Gen 5 Glocks

People often ask if they can previous generation Glock slides on their Gen 5 Glocks. This video covers what is required to run previous generation slides on the Gen 5 and what the possible drawbacks maybe.
battlereadyarms.com/

[@danielmiller1812]

Tks man, came across your video I'm always tricking out my Glocks, have a 26gen5, so naturally want to build the collection bought a 27gen3complete slide for use on gen5 frame found out I had to switch back plate but haven't test fired so your experience is no problem I f**k around to much with my gun glad to hear it runs find .

[@rinrithy06]

Thank you for sharing sir .

[@iamcondescending]

You could cut a notch on the right side of the slide to allow both slide releases to work.

[@GHXSTGHG]

What about the gen 3 recoil spring ? Plus also how could you fill the empty space at the bottom for a 34 ? Like is there a different adapter ring ?

[@333Kdigital]

Dang good to know. I have a gen 5 26/27 frame with both 26 & 27 gen 5 oem slides and a gen 3 zaffiri precision slide with optic . Imma run that shiz as an edc tomorra😂

[@essray]

How does the trigger feel after the gen 4 swap? Since the plunger design is different

[@karacal1790]

Would you feel 100% carrying this configuration as your EDC?

[@KentuckyReef]

How much does it change the trigger feel?

[@grumpyoldretiredcop8382]

I've just mounted a Gen 4 19 slide on a Gen 5 19 MOS. I found that when hand cycling the slide, the Gen 4 firing pin safety plunger hung up on the raised portion of the Gen 5 trigger housing that holds the firing pin safety in the disengaged position when the slide is to the rear, preventing the slide from moving rearward past that point. A quick trip to the lathe and a bevel on the firing pin safety plunger eliminated that issue. The bevel is a 45 degree cut that ends flush with the bottom surface of the slide when the plunger is installed. I milled the Gen 4 slide plate rather than wait for a Gen 5 that I ordered; having the Gen 5 plate as a pattern made that easy. Once those two issues were taken care of, the Gen 4 19 slide functioned perfectly on the Gen 5 frame.

[@JohnBrown-ly9md]

So could I just run a gen 5 firing pin plunger? In a gen 3/4 slide on gen 5 frame?

[@terrtorry]

Could’ve used the gen 5 parts instead of doing that mill work

[@ThaGodfather360]

Hello, I’m trying to run a gen 3 slide on a nomad defense frame which is a gen 5/ gen 4 hybrid.. I put the gen 5 backplate on and it gets caught up when I rack it back and the trigger doesn’t work without me having to manhandle the slide. Would you know the reasoning for this? Thank you in advance!

[@Noypi]

Im sure you already figured out you must run gen5 safety plunger

[@richardortiz5709]

How did you make it work

[@904duval8]

So its the exact same with gen3 slide?

[@RC-du9nu]

This addresses the gen 4 but what about a gen 5? My gen 3 slides will not make it passed the first set of rails/locking block rails

[@notoriousj.o.e.3961]

You need to use a gen 5 backplate on your gen 3 slide and it'll work my man

[@aegonz121]

What about gen 4 g17 slide and barrel on a gen 5 g17 frame? I know that Glock changed the gen 5 g17 barrel lug slightly. Thanks

[@battlereadyarms3144]

I won't think so due to the barrel lug change. I don't think you will have an issue with a Gen 4 17 slide and a Gen 5 barrel. Next time I got them in I'll look it over, but I know of nothing that would stop it from working.

[@808surferboy3]

Any update to gen4 slide with gen5 barrel on the gen 5 lower?

[@376MCL]

will a 26 gen 5 slide work on a gen 3/4 frame? I've read all you need to do is swap out the rear back plate

[@vTwisted1x]

So you can use Gen 3 or 4 Slides on a Gen 5 Frame. Now another question. Can you use Gen 3-4 Barrel on a Gen 5?

[@antoniomunga]

Yes, I’m running a gen 3 threaded barrel on my gen 5 and it dropped right in.

[@TLouiProductions]

So in this video u have a gen 5 frame with a gen4 slide. Im wondering if I buy a stripped gen4 rmr optic ready and a parts kit. Will I be able to use my gen 5 barrel in the gen 4 slide

[@gastondraco5906]

Only on the 19

[@BlackTongue.]

@@TLouiProductions yes

[@malcolmrivera3366]

​@@antoniomungacan I use my gen 3 G19 complete upper on a 19x frame without any modifications?

[@TLouiProductions]

Will a gen3 slide work on a gen5 frame and the gen 5 barrel?

[@BlackTongue.]

Yes

[@daytonathomas7157]

Do I change the fire pin in my gen 5 so I can shoot out gen 3 upper

[@gabelamb1630]

Yeah u need a gen 3 firing pin ig better late than never lmao

[@ramargate]

How about the barrel?

[@jordanreisinger3587]

Any knowledge on this working on a G26 gen 5 frame?

[@TSAD4EVR]

Did u ever solve this

[@emilmartinez2591]

great video...my question is will a glock gen3 slide fit and function on a glock 45 frame ?

[@dustinherring4146]

Should. Its the same frame as the 19x by and large

[@adamcallahan242]

This is the exact question I came here to get answered. I want to buy a psa dagger and glock 45 frame, but don't know if they're compatible.

[@bradleewitt4048]

@@adamcallahan242 trigger won’t work, you will need a gen 5 connector at least to run a psa trigger shoe. Uppers will fit but will need all gen 5 lower parts

[@bradleewitt4048]

Yes it’ll work

[@thegoat341]

So let me get this straight... so if I have a completely stock g19 gen 5, and I were to get one of your gen 4 slides, it would fit and function completely fine? Please let me know, thanks...

[@12345kylemann]

Also would like clear answer before buying $450 slide

[@elo-matey]

@@12345kylemann Yes. You just need a Gen5 backplate. I've been testing/running a GEN3 slide on a GEN5 frame for a year now. No malfunctions. Runs as any normal Glock should.

[@elo-matey]

Yes. You just need a Gen5 backplate. I've been testing/running a GEN3 slide on a GEN5 frame for a year now. No malfunctions. Runs as any normal Glock should.

[@qualitycxntrol]

@@SGV_Daddy you are supposed to run Gen 3 internals and only swap the backplate to a Gen 5 backplate. Is all.

[@Noypi]

@@elo-matey did you use gen5 internals for gen3 slide?

[@hectorg1192]

I've seen that the g17 gen 5 locking block is in a slightly different position, which would create odd wear or poor contact with the barrel's locking lug. Is this true?

[@dylanholbrook6239]

Use a gen 5 barrel.

[@gacylikesbrutal]

@@dylanholbrook6239 what recoil spring? Gen 3? i cant get the gen 3 slide to work on my gen 5 frame and i have the strike adapter.

[@dylanholbrook6239]

@@gacylikesbrutal did you cut the back of the frame? You need a gen 5 barrel and spring and back plate

[@frankyklevz5202]

What about the Internals can I still use my gen 5 internals

[@elo-matey]

Yes you can run your GEN5 frame internals. The only things you need swap out is the gen3/4 backplate for a GEN5 backplate. You can also get a gen3/4 to GEN5 Slide/Guide Rod adapter plate. This is optional, as the GEN5 frames have a much larger space in the front of the frame. www.strikeindustries.com/si-g-sap.html

[@BlackTongue.]

Is it reliable though? Wpukd you use it for daily carry? Or as your bedside gun?

[@10milliBuddha.]

Depends on you. My gen 3 slide fits and functions flawlessly on my gen 5 19x but when drawing from the holster sometimes the slide will come off the frame smh so I won’t carry it or use it just tried it

[@jaygee2209]

From my understanding this set up requires gen 4 slide internals with gen 5 barrel, gen 5 backplate, and gen 5 recoil assembly?

[@battlereadyarms3144]

If you have a Gen 4 complete slide, the only thing you'd have to change is the back plate. Gen 4 and 5 barrels are the same on the 19 and 45. The 17 however underwent a lug change.

[@yallhatenatediggity3838]

@@battlereadyarms3144 ugh Excellent After hours of searching my question has been answered

[@yangao3699]

​@@battlereadyarms3144 So if you have a g17 gen4 slide you have to use gen5 barrel in order for it to run?

[@jorgegonzalez6319]

@@yangao3699 yes

[@zypnixs289]

Anyone know if a Glock 34 gen4 slide will work on a gen5

[@frescobar5569]

That’s what I’m wondering I want to buy a gen 5 frame because I have a spare glock 34 gen 4 slide

[@baileyosborn8724]

Will gen 5 slide parts work in the gen 3 or do I gotta buy gen 3 slide parts besides the backing plate

[@BlackTongue.]

Should be all gen 3 slide internals except the back plate.

[@briangonzales5121]

What about the big gap in the front that using a Smaller gen 3 creates?

[@BlackTongue.]

Strike Industries has a spacer to fill that void

[@BlackTongue.]

$12

[@DCsGladiator]

@@BlackTongue. do you have a link that you can share?

[@GHXSTGHG]

What about for a glock 34 ?

[@nextlvlroy]

​@@BlackTongue. link?

[@904duval8]

Will the gen 5 barrel and recoil spring guide rod work on gen 3 slide also?????

[@red_stag05]

I don't believe so. I can't confirm tho

[@dackglover7080]

I know this is your aftermarket slide, I assume built to same specs as OEM, so OEM should work the same right?

[@lowandslow24]

Yes. You just need a “complete” upper with the g3 recoil spring assembly with the slide. The g5 back plate works with the g3 slide, it just covers an additional hole.

[@SHOTS-FIRED]

I just tried this with my gen5 19x and my psa dagger (glock gen 3 clone) the slide locked back and trigger functions fine but if i have the slide locked back and barely tap the lefty side of the lock the barrel goes forward. Also while the slide was locked place all i had to do was shake the gun and the barrel went forward

[@oaklavegas8779]

Ok… so I want to do the exact same approach with a G45. What do you mean “the barrel goes forward”? Do you mean the slide?

[@SHOTS-FIRED]

@@oaklavegas8779 yeah sorry i mean the slide. Literally all i had to do was shake the gun while the slide was back or barely tap the slide lock and the slide would go forward

[@CycloneGunworks]

You can use a gen. 3 slide lock lever with gen 5 frame btw

[@red_stag05]

Can you put the slide back on gen 3 frame while leaving on the gen 5 back plate?

[@battlereadyarms3144]

Yes

[@WeaponizedAutismiii]

Now can you do it the other way around? Gen 3 frame on gen 5 slide?

[@TheSBobadilla]

I have the same question

[@robertramirez1019]

Can I run a Glock 19 gen 4 slide on my glock 19x? Idk if the 19x is built different

[@richardbarrattjr6205]

Im pretty sure that's a 19x. And yes you can but I don't recommend it because I'm almost positive that all this voodoo will void your warranty.

[@manuelestrada2321]

Would the glock 19x slide fit/work on the g19 frame gen 3?

[@richardbarrattjr6205]

No

[@brandonb6903]

Which slide is that on your website I really like it.

[@tony21084]

Can I swap one of my gen 5 slides with another polymer gen 5 I have? Both under my name just different serials

[@battlereadyarms3144]

If you own it you can do whatever you want. Serial numbers are really only required on the frame. Swapping parts and slides around doesn't matter at all..

[@slowhoe0087]

Do you think I’ll be good with a Glock 19c slide on an 19x frame ??

[@battlereadyarms3144]

So long as you've got a Gen 5 backplate I don't see why not.

[@dankdc5_]

The ocd in me wants it to have the slide lock on both sides😩

[@JohnDoe-lj7zu]

File it out

[@prestonp6357]

What’s the difference between a gen 3 and a gen 5 backplate?

[@sosilverraider7119]

There’s two shapes on the backplate (rectangles) theyre even on the gen 5, not on the gen 3

[@Atrayedd]

@@sosilverraider7119 Hey so could i use my G17 GEN 3 slide and put it on my G 19X frame ? but i would have too put the 19x backplate onto the GEN 3 G17 slide?

[@justinlong977]

the gen 5 has a different firing pin safety plunger. what about that?

[@thedrod]

This is a huge question I have as well.

[@battlereadyarms3144]

It functions fine, a lot of people running them. This gun in the video is a customers gun that he had been running a while in this configuration and a lot others been running them fine we'll before I made this video.

[@battlereadyarms3144]

@@thedrod Check out my reply.

[@hoopfades8292]

Same. My gen 5 safety plunger is shaped different so it wouldn’t go in!

[@justinlong977]

@@hoopfades8292 I had to run a 4th gen plunger on the 4th gen slide. as well as the firing pin as it is shaped different

[@garysnow3389]

I have a gen 4 Glock 23 will the Gen 5 frame work with the Gen 4 slide.

[@battlereadyarms3144]

It should, make sure to use a Gen 5 backplate

[@yamocruz7734]

Hello, I've been looking at a slide for a g19x, I found one that is gen 5 but its components must be gen 3, I don't know much but can I use the barrel and guide rod with gen 5?

[@battlereadyarms3144]

I'm kinda baffled at why a slide would be made for a Gen 5 but then use Gen 3 parts. That doesn't really make a lot of sense to me. Barrels are interchangeable, but Gen 4-5 use dual capture springs which is much larger than the Gen 3. So if it's cut for a Gen 3 guide rod a Gen 4-5 won't work. If it's cut for a Gen 4-5 guide rod then it'll work with a dual capture spring or a Gen 3 spring with an adapter plate.

[@yamocruz7734]

@@battlereadyarms3144 is a MK ll bullnoese the description say these slides are cut to be compatible with Gen 5 Frames! The right side of the slide does have the recessed edge to allow for the ambidextrous slide release!

[@battlereadyarms3144]

@@yamocruz7734 I personally would avoid it after looking it up. It's using 416 stainless which is an inferior steel to the 17-4 that many others (ourselves) included use. The optic cut has no sort of boss or screw posts. So the optic, unless the optic cut is super tight, will have the force of the reciprocating slide being applied heavily to the screws which can result in them break. Single handed manipulations also will result in the force being largely applied to the screws. To me it just looks like a lot of short cuts. Optic cut is quick and easy to machine. The steel is inferior, it can be cut faster so tooling expenses are reduced since there's less wear on tooling, the slides can be cranked out in mass faster, etc. Will it run? Probably, although you may need a lighter recoil spring, appears a lot of mass is removed. But it just has things about it I personally don't like. Other may not care. And to be clear, I'm not bashing any companies or people who do their slides like this. It's just not the best way to do it. Will it work for most, sure. Most people's guns aren't hard use. Most people shoot a couple times a year and that's it. Just not how I'd do it or recommend doing it, but when we build stuff we build stuff with the expectation it may see hard use, so we want it as bullet proof as possible. Price is consideration but not a main concern here.

[@user-dg1wg9mn8q]

Can you run the older non ambi slide release?

[@battlereadyarms3144]

No, without the third pin in the frame there's nothing to create tension on the spring so your slide catch/release will flop. Some people just trim the right leg off the ambi release.

[@redhood9918]

Would I need to change internals to to put it on my Glock 17 gen 5 slide for it to shoot properly or just gen 5 back plate ?

[@battlereadyarms3144]

17 won't work. Barrel lugs are different. Maybe you could swap to a Gen 3 barrel. But I haven't looked at it to know for sure.

[@redhood9918]

Would I be able to do gen 4 slide and barrel with gen 5 internals or would they have to be gen 4 internals

[@battlereadyarms3144]

@@redhood9918 Gen 5 striker and striker safety are entirely different

[@danielmiller1812]

Will gen 3 or 4 mag run in the gen 5 frame? Tks

[@battlereadyarms3144]

Mags are cross compatible. Only issue one may have is with the 19x. That lip the put on it can be an issue for Gen 5 mags.

[@floydsaulter8130]

Can I use gen5 part on gen3 glock

[@battlereadyarms3144]

Depends on the model of Glock and what parts. But generally no, most parts won't work. Strikers different, trigger she is different, trigger housing different, so on.

[@Zorro_320]

What slide is that

[@RENEGLOPEZ]

that's an agency logo on the slide

[@Will_Of_Gil]

Lefty problems

[@bojackson3923]

Did u function test it?

[@battlereadyarms3144]

It functions.

[@tdkyt46]

If you're left handed you've already got the memory for locking slide left handed. Is a downside it can't be done with these parts but it's the compromise you had to take being left handed in right hand gun world. I'm left handed and it's not hard locking the slide.