I’ve been carrying my G19 since since 2003 and it’s my favorite Glock model overall. A while back va_dinger and I were talking and he made a comment about how a 2nd generation G19 would make the perfect carry gun. After thinking about it I decided to find one and carry it for a little while. I wasn’t concerned with a light rail because I never carry a light attached and I like lack of finger groves (even though the finger groves on the 3rd generation don’t bother me).
Luckily I found one here in Virginia and when I saw it I knew it was something special! First off it is a VERY early 2nd gen having only a two letter prefix. Also you’ll notice that it has the circle 19 on the trigger guard. Glock did this very early on before they decided to make the G22/23 models. It also has all the original Austrian proof markings.
Upon closer inspection I realized it has all the original “black” parts installed!
Well if it was going to be a carry gun I shouldn’t run the black parts since Glock replaced all of those so I replaced just about every internal part with the exception of the locking block, trigger housing unit and mag catch spring. I also installed a Vickers Extended Mag Release and a new Trijicon front sight.
This G19 is in perfect condition and for being 20 years old she shoots great and is going to make a wonderful addition to my collection and a new daily carry companion.
Spot on, the G19 (especially the 2nd gen) makes an excellent carry gun.
Marc,
I’ll check with my notes from class. I just renewed by Glock armorers certification on Wed at the FFX Co Police Academy. But IIRC the pre-EH serial number G19s need a special trigger w/trigger bar. It called a ‘+’ trigger bar. It has a little more sear engagement. If you use a regular trigger bar and not the
+’ trigger bar the pistol can go cyclic or not fire at all. The ‘+’ bar adds more sear engagement between the trigger bar and striker. I’ll check my notes tomorrow at work and give you the part number so that you can get the correct one if you don’t already have it in your gun.
The trigger bars in the the pre-EH guns sit a little lower in the frame if I’m remembering what the instructor said.
GotM4 - Please check your notes and let me know. I have shot a couple hundred rounds since I installed the new trigger, trigger spring and connector and it works just fine. But, I’ll stand by until I hear back from you on this matter. I knew there was a new trigger bar for the G21 but that’s all I’ve heard.
I can’t quite tell from the pic but it appears that your barrel production code might be ATT. If so, it believe it was built in Dec. '88. This would be a first year production G19, actually built in Austria & shipped to the U.S. I have one that was built in Oct. '88 with the serial prefix BX & these are indeed excellent carry pieces.
I know Glock has “upgraded” or changed the black fire control parts with the new ones being nickled. I’ve never found any info as to why they made the changes or what issues, if any, there were with the black parts group.
You might want to replace the spring that bears against the slide take-down latch. The early models were much thinner & have a nasty habit of breakage, resulting in the slide launching from the frame. Your’s also has the 90 degree breech face & extractor. Nice 1st gen Glock!
MX5 - It was indeed built in December 1988 and it did come with all black internals. I have replaced every spring and almost every other part include the slide lock spring. I broke one in my other G19 so I’m well aware of that problem
If we’re talking about the 6 part replacement “upgrade” that Glock came out with mine is below the XK serial number cutoff. The parts were:
Extractor, firing pin, firing pin safety, firing pin safety spring, spring loaded bearing, and trigger bar
I have replaced all of those in accordance with the 1992 “upgrade” but it sounds like GotM4 is thinking about something different, something I’ve never heard of before.
I’ve never been able to find anything that verified why Glock “upgraded” or why there was a real or perceived problem with the black parts. I know mine has the original black parts & it’s the best factory trigger I’ve ever experienced on a Glock. Smooth, crisp for a Glock & very short reset. Other shooters swear this feels like a custom trigger job with aftermarket parts, but it’s all original. I too feel this is an excellent CCW piece & until I find something verifiable about why the parts were changed, or why I should change them, I’m leaving the original black parts inside.
nice setup M4arc, I really like my 2nd gen G19 worked over by gotm4. It’s been my carry/range piece the last few months (crossing over from 1911’s).
I’m using the Vickers mag release, but I’m still having a tough time with mag changes - button seems stiff, and I fumble bad with pressing it enough to drop the mag. I figure some of it is due to me getting used to the gun, but I shouldn’t be having this hard of a time with it :eek: I may just try the OEM extended piece to see if that helps me out at all…
You’re missing the point. If I wanted it done, I’d do it myself. Unless I can see verifiable evidence why I should have the black parts changed-out, I’m leaving them in. With them in place, in this particular G19, it is the best trigger pull & reset I’ve ever seen in any factory stock Glock & it’s better than most customized trigger groups. It resets as close to a 1911 as you can make a Glock reset with the available parts. Why should I change a good thing? It’s not broke & I have yet to see a good reason to fix it. That’s all I’m saying.
I know Glock made this change in parts, but why? What was wrong with the original design?
I know one of the things was wear at the firing pin and firing pin safety area. It would/could burr so bad that the gun would/could go full auto or worse yet not fire eventually with enough rounds through it. The extractor had a relieved area so it would continue to work even when very dirty. The trigger bar and connector was made harder steel or harder temper with a teflon type finish which holds up better in the long run the vertical protrusion was also changes on the newer trigger bars (non-black ones). The extractor spring and spring loaded bearing match the extractor weight and control extractor tension. Some mismatched stuff will work great most of the time, but with a particular type of ammo may not work. It’s best to upgrade…
The G19 is probably the optimal convergence of reliability, portability, size efficiency, and fighting capacity. My first choice. A non-FG/R (“2nd Generation”) sample is especially desirable.
Non-FG/R are experiencing a resurgence in popularity, and can be difficult to find. Good grab.
You can tell if your gun requires the upgrade by first examining the ser#. Pre-EH guns need it. It’s unlikely that yours does, unless someone used pre-EH parts. You can find a write-up with graphics on what’s involved in the upgrade online. The six parts involved are:
Trigger w/ trigger bar
Spring loaded bearing
Firing pin
Firing pin safety and spring
Extractor
Don’t put much value in parts color, as GI has shipped certain dull/dark internals from time to time over many years.
The “+” trigger w/ trigger bar is used to correct insufficient cruciform and striker lug engagement, and is not a part of the 6-part upgrade.
The “voluntary upgrade” came about primarily as a result of Glock failing the DEA frisbee test in which a gun with loaded chamber and empty magazine is literally flung against a wall. All of the drop testing Glock had done in-house involved an empty magazine well, and the presence of the magazine was enough to make the gun discharge.
Just so we’re all clear and putting out consistant information the “6 part upgrade” cutoff for the G19s were all serial numbers up to and including the XK prefix.
The AA-EH “plus” trigger bar is completely separate from the XK - 6 part upgrade.
I’m not sure if I need the “plus” trigger bar yet and I’m waiting for GotM4 to check his armorer notes. I suspect that since I replaced everything with new parts I’m good to go but I’ll wait and see what GotM4 has to say.
That’s pretty slick! I’m wanting one of these for my wife (to shoot, not in trade, so no PMs guys); my father in law has one but I hate to disarm him by taking it.
There’s a guy on a local board in my city selling an early-ish G19, I haven’t heard back from him yet but I’m on it if it’s available…
Also, for you NOVA folks, I saw an early g19 w/ warrens up for sale on the EE this morning FTF only, if someone’s interested. Absolutely no affiliation or endorsement from me, just a heads up!
Update: GotM4 called me this morning when he arrived at work. After checking his notes he confirmed that mine does indeed need the “plus” trigger bar and he went ahead and put one on order for me!
How’s that for service?
I’ll hold off carrying this one just a bit longer until we can get the next trigger bar in and verify the sear engagement.
