Here is a breakdown of the product/SKU numbers found in the upper right corner of the case label. These only appear on pistol cases seen in the U.S., regardless of where they were manufactured. Label formats are different outside the U.S. There are plenty of deviations from this list from Glock, which should be no big surprise. I’ve documented nearly 500 different SKUs just since Glock went to this format with the Gen 3 guns. Note that this is constantly evolving, and I’ve even seen some new info pop up just since the 43X and 48 were announced. If you have a label that has characters other than what is listed here, let me know. I’d love to see a case label and info so I can investigate.

In the sections below, I break down the various characters, using the example SKU of PI2350202T. The bold items are the ones that are most common.

Prefix 1 – PI2350202T

E = US manufactured for export (green label)
F = Federal
G = Rebuilds FET IN (orange label)
M = Military
P = AU manufactured
U = US manufactured for domestic/Canada

Known anomalies are:

The U.S. manufactured Gen 4 17T, with a SKU of PG1050202, which would indicate Austrian manufacture.

Prefix 2 – PI2350202T

2 = SF ES 1913 Rail Military
3 = SF 1913 Rail Military
4 = ES 1913 Rail Military
5 = 1913 Rail Military
7 = SF GR MB
9 = SF 1913 MB
A = Gen5
C = Cutaway
D = Practice
F = SF GR
G = Gen4
H = 21SF RTF2, 30S
I = Fxd or Adj Sight / Gen 3
L = Reset
M = M Series
N = Night sight
R = Rebuilds FET OUT
T = RTF2
X = Crossover (used on the 19X and 43X)

Pistol Model – PI2350202T

This is just the numbers in the model of the pistol. A Glock 17 would be ’17’, as would a 17C, 17TB, 17R, 17P, 17T, 17L, etc. Known anomalies to this logic are:

10 = 19T
12 = 17R
15 = 17T
16 = 17L

Trigger Pull – PI2350202T

2 = 4.5+NY1
3 = 4.5lb
5 = 5.5lb
6 = NY1
7 = NY2
8 = 8lb

Pistol type – PI2350202T

0 = Standard
1 = Standard with lock
2 = Standard C with lock
7 = Green
8 = Green C
9 = Standard C
A = Threaded BBL
B = Flared Magwell/Practice
D = RTF/SP1
F = Flared Magwell
P = M Practice Series
R = M Reset
SL = Silver Line – used on the 43X and 48
T = M T-Series

Sight type – PI2350202T

0 = No sights
1 = Adjustable
2 = Fixed
A or 3 = AmeriGlo sights
4 = Steel Fixed
5 = TALO / Export Lumi.
6 = TNS
7 = GNS
8 = Non-Glock sights

Options – PI2350202T

0 = Standard
1 = XSS
2 = XMC
3 = XSS, XMC
4 = Steel front only
6 = Screw on TNS
7 = Screw on TNS / XSS
M = Maritime Spring cups

Magazine – PI2350202T

0 = 3 10rd mags / LE Domestic
0 = Special mag Config Export
1 = 10rd or less commercial (white label)
2 = LE (blue label)
3 = Hi-Cap / Commercial (red label)
4 = Unique Special Order Export Cerakoted Order Domestic; Distributor exclusive
5 = FBI POW Program
6 = Engraved/Special Serial #’s (Glock U.S.A.)
7 = Engraved/Special Serial #’s (Glock Austria)
8 = Unique Special Orders Domestic
9 = FBI / ATF special configuration
A = Orange follower w/TFP

Unique Identifier – PI2350202T

2 = (no sure, but used on the G48)
A = Orange follower w/TFP
AB = AmeriGlo Bold
AC = AmeriGlo Cowitness
AM = Arabic Manual
B = 15rd 9mm Magazines
BA = 9rd 9mmm Magainzes
BC = (not sure – used on battleworn & slide cuts model by Chattanooga)
BFG = Battle Field Green
BT = Bold TALO
CS = G23 mag w/10 coil spring
CSN = Consecutive Serial #
D = Dark Earth
DE = Dark Earth
EM = Extended Magazines
ESB = Enhanced Signature Barrel
FGR = Finger Groove & Rail
FM = French Manual
FS = Front Serration
GF = Grey Frame
GMB = Glock Marking Barrel
H = Holster
L = Nickel
M = Mag Pouch (also see this on some ‘C’ models)
MB = Mag /Bag Combo
MOS = Modular Optical Sight
MS = Manual Safety
PM = 2+ & 1 Standard mag
PN = 1+ & 1 Standard mag
T = T Pack
TB = Threaded Barrel
TBF = Tactical Brown Frame
U = UID Frame
UTM = Ultimate Training Munitions
X = 4 mags each case

Legend

C = Compensated
ES = External Safety
FET = Federal Excise Tax
GNS = Glock Night Sight
GR = Glock Rail
MB = Ambi Mag Catch
NY = New York
POW = FBI Personally Owned Weapon
RTF = Rough Texture Frame
SF = Short Frame
TNS = Trijicon Night Sight
XMC = Extended Mag Catch
XSS = Extended Slide Stop Lever
XXX = Non-Glock fireamrs
1913 = Piccatiny Rail

UPDATE: By the way – I wrote a quick Excel calculator to break down an entered product SKU. Just enter your SKU in the colored field and hit ENTER. The spreadsheet does use macros, but only for the functionality of the buttons. Download it here.

With the exception of the Glock 19X pistol’s coyote slide, the 43X and 48’s gray slide, Glock only makes guns with black slides. If you see one with a slide of any other color, including NiBX, it’s done after the gun leaves the factory – usually by a distributor who does a special run.

Glock has only ever made color-molded frames in

 

1. black
2. OD (‘Olive Drab’)
3. BFG (‘Battle Field Green’) – exclusive distributor is Amchar in N.Y.
4. FDE (‘Flat Dark Earth’) – exclusive distributor is Lipsey’s in LA
5. gray – exclusive distributor is Lipsey’s in LA
6. red
7. blue
8. coyote (only with the Glock 19X)

Red and blue are only used in training guns (17R, 22P, 17T, etc.). Any other colors (purple, burnt bronze, red & blue, pink, white, Robin’s egg blue, ‘battle worn’, American Flag, dessert sand, etc.) are aftermarket.

If the serial number plate is the same color as the frame and not silver, or the back straps are not the same color as the frame, it’s aftermarket (although some cerakote shops will also do the back straps).

Some gun shops will tell you that these aftermarket guns are factory colors. Best reason I’ve seen for that is because that’s how they receive them. But gun shops get their guns from distributors – who are generally the ones who do these special runs. They don’t typically get them directly from Glock. The gun shop staff just don’t know any better.

As for the differences between Gen 3 and Gen 4 pistols, as a generalization:

Gen 4 pistols have the different grip texture (known technically as “RTF3”), dual spring Recoil Spring Assembly unit (with frame and slide changes to accommodate), larger & reversible mag catch (not ambidextrous as some claim), and four back straps. Gen4 guns are built on the SF frame, resulting in a shorter trigger reach and shorter heel depth than the Gen 3 guns (about 2mm). The SF frames also use a smaller trigger housing mechanism. Gen 4 guns use a “dot” connector instead of the Gen 3 unmarked connector. Gen 4 guns have an updated trigger bar. All Gen 4 guns come with 3 magazines, whereas only the blue label Gen 3 guns came with 3 – white and red label come with 2.

Some Gen 3 models are available in a factory threaded barrel version (to support compensators and silencers). Some Gen 3 and 4 models are available in a factory ported version – although not all models are available in both generations. Some Gen 4 pistols are available in a MOS (“Modular Optic System”) version to support optics. Some Gen 4 pistols are available in a few more factory colors (including Gray, and BFG) than Gen 3 pistols. Both are available in black, FDE, and OD. These are all color molded frames with black slides (the only color Glock makes), trigger, mag catch, slide lock, and slide stop lever. Gen 4 includes color molded back straps. Some Gen 4 guns are available with front slide serrations and extended controls (mag catch, slide stop lever) as well as steel sights.

From a maintenance perspective, the recommended replacement threshold for the Gen 3 recoil spring assembly (RSA) is every 2500-3000 rounds. For the Gen 4, it jumps to every 5000 rounds.

Some will point to the fact that the Gen 3 has been around for years, and thus, is proven. Well, so has the Gen 4. Production on Gen 4 guns began in 2009. I think that’s sufficient time to be considered “proven”.

Some will say the “finish” is different. Glock made a change to the metal treatment process (which is applied to the bare metal, before the finish), starting in 2007 (and that transition was completed in 2010). That original process was known as “Tenifer”. The change to the newer Melonite process caused subsequent guns to have a finish with a slightly different appearance, but a higher HRc rating, which is good. It’s not about the generation of the gun that dictates the finish, but WHEN the gun was manufactured. A Gen 3 gun and a Gen 4 gun both manufactured on the same day will have the same finish.

To see more technical data for each specific model, including both current Gen 3 and Gen 4, see https://us.glock.com/products/all.

This is a living post and will be updated as I get more info.

Here is information about the various roll marks you may see on Glock barrels, slides, and/or frames.

The pentagon indicates polygonal rifling, which all Glocks except the 17M and 19M use. Those two use land & groove rifling (a requirement under the FBI contract). A pentagon without a dot in the middle means the barrel is from grade 5 steel. Pentagon with a dot in the middle indicates grade 6 steel. Neither symbol has anything to do with +P and/or +P+ compatibility. For +P and +P+ info, see https://us.glock.com/customer-service/faq. The Austrian government eventually required the 3D in the oval, which replaced the pentagon symbols. NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) created a 3D ballistics database for research to positively identify bullets fired from specific barrels. The 3D database will help draw positive matches between a fired bullet and the barrel it was fired from. Barrels marked with a 3D are in the database. Ballistic experts can strategically identify the correct source, but it’s not 100% accurate. For more info about the database, see https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2016/07/nist-3d-ballistics-research-database-goes-live. It’s important to note that the evolution of these symbols should not be interpreted as there are issues with the components with previous marks.

The “AT” indicates it was made in Austria. Newer barrels made in Smyrna, GA have a “US” and a little outline of the state of GA.

From 1982 to 1991, Glock 17 pistols were assembled & test fired in Austria. (Later pistols were also assembled and test fired at Glock Inc. in Smyrna, GA.) Those barrels have an eagle roll mark. The eagle with the number 2 in the center is Austria’s coat of arms. The number 2 in the center of the coat of arms means it was proofed at the firing proof house in Vienna, Austria. You’ll also see this mark on frames from the same period.

The ‘NPv’ is the Vienna proof house roll mark for ‘smokeless powder proof for parabellum pistols’. The pistol was tested using a round loaded to at least 130%. Normally, Glock guns are tested with 120% loads. The markings are proof marks and inspectors marks as required on Austrian pistols that they met the 130% requirement. Many of those NPv marked guns have “Glock Inc, Smyrna GA” stamped on the bottom of the trigger guard.

Sometimes, you’ll see three letters after the NPv on Austrian made barrels. Those are date stamps to indicate when the BARREL was test fired (note that does NOT necessarily mean when the pistol was built). Eventually, Glock did away with those three letter codes. Unofficial information I have to decipher those three letter codes that are on the barrel (not the serial number) are:

The first letter is for the month:
E…Jan
L…Feb
N…Mar
B…Apr
S…May
Z…Jun
G…Jul
P…Aug
I…Sep
C…Oct
V…Nov
A…Dec

The last two letters are for the year:
O…0
W…1
K…2
R…3
F…4
M…5
H…6
Y…7
T…8
D…9

For those with the ‘CIP over N’ roll mark, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commission_Internationale_Permanente_pour_l%27Epreuve_des_Armes_%C3%A0_Feu_Portatives and http://www.mdwguns.com/cip.html

Gen 5 pistols have a ‘5’ to the right of the ‘3D’ mark on the barrel. ‘M’ guns have a ‘5M’ to the right of the ‘3D’ mark.

 

When the Army solicited guns for consideration for the next military sidearm, Glock submitted the 19 Modular Handgun System (MHS) pistol. Unfortunately, the Army went with Sig’s pistol. When you look at the Glock MHS pistol in detail, we see the following:

• A full size, G17 length grip, on a G19 frame for 9mm, and a .40 version with a G22 length grip on a G23 frame.
• No finger grooves, similar to the Gen 5 and ‘M’ guns. Same texture as the Gen 4 guns.
• 18 round magazines in FDE. Only the 2nd time we’ve seen FDE mags from Glock.
• Ambidextrous thumb safety.
• Ambidextrous slide stop lever – it appears to be the same part as what’s in the Gen 5 pistols.
• Lanyard hole (I bet it’s part of a butt plug).
• Back to two pins (from three) due to a redesign in the locking block, just like the Gen 5 pistols.
• The rounded snout on the slide – just like the 17M and 19M, and the long slides and subcompacts. That’s always made more sense to me than the regular flat nose we typically see. And apparently, just like the Gen 5 and ‘M’ guns, the frame is NOT beveled to match.
• And, for the first time, Glock Cerakoted a slide.

Also, kinda surprised we don’t see the circular cutout at the bottom of the front strap, like we do on the Gen 5 and ‘M’ models and older generation pistols.

For Glock’s response to losing to Sig, see GAO Denies GLOCK, Inc.’s MHS Pistol Protest.

This is a running list of things I’m actively looking for. This is a a living post and will be updated as needed. If you have any of these items and are looking to part with them, or know where I can obtain them, please contact me. All firearms transactions MUST go through an FFL.

Pistols

These are publicly released pistols that I’m actively looking for. Many are fairly hard to find. I prefer those pistols with original case, including matching case label, and all case contents (loader, brush, rod, lock, correct manual/packet, spent casing, etc.). But I’m willing to discuss any opportunity.

Gen 1

1. Glock 19 Gen 1
2. Glock 17 Gen 1 w/ pencil barrel, prefer ‘AF’ serial number prefix. This MUST include the matching case with correct label and correct manual.
3. Glock 17L Gen 1 (non-ported model)

Gen 2

1. Glock 19C Gen 2
2. Glock 20 Gen 2
3. Glock 21C Gen 2
4. Glock 23C Gen 2
5. Glock 24C Gen 2
6. Glock 29 Gen 2
7. Glock 30 Gen 2
8. Glock 31 Gen 2
9. Glock 32 Gen 2

Gen 2.5

1. Glock 20 Gen 2.5
2. Glock 20CC Gen 2.5
3. Glock 21C Gen 2.5
4. Glock 29 Gen 2.5
5. Glock 30 Gen 2.5
6. Glock 33 Gen 2.5

Gen 3

1. Glock 21TB Gen 3
2. Glock 32C Gen 3

Ported Guns

1. Glock 19C
2. Glock 20C
3. Glock 21C
4. Glock 24C
5. Glock 31C
6. Glock 32C
7. Glock 35C – even though there were only 2 of these made, and they’re both owned by a collector I know, I can always wish, right?

RTF2

1. Glock 21SF RTF2 (no gills)
2. Glock 22C RTF2 (no gills)
3. Glock 22C RTF2
4. Glock 23C RTF2 (no gills)
5. Glock 30 RTF2 FDE
6. Glock 31 RTF2 (no gills)
7. Glock 32 RTF2 (no gills)

Gen 4

1. Glock 21C Gen 4 (European only)
2. Glock 22 Gen 4
3. Glock 22C Gen 4
4. Glock 31C Gen 4 (European only)
5. Glock 41 Gen 4

Gen 5

1. Glock 22 Gen 5 with manual safety (Brazil only)
2. Glock 34 Gen 5
3. Glock 45 Gen 5

M pistols

1. Glock 17M
2. Glock 19M FDE

Misc Pistols including imports

1. Glock Tactical (‘Tactical’ written on the right side of the frame. I believe these were marketed for the Philippines)
2. Glock 17DK/19DK – Danish pistols with extended barrel
3. Glock 23 Apache Instructor Pilot Model
4. G17FTO – Italian pistol with threaded barrel
5. 17MB/19MB/21MB – Ambi mag release pistols from Europe. Not sure if the 21MB is the same 21SF pistol with ambi mag release and picatinny rail that was briefly available here. I suspect not.
6. 17S – G17 with manual safety used in Tanzania, New Zealand, Israel, Pakistan, and South America
7. 17 Pro – produced for Finland, with threaded barrel, maritime spring cups, extended slide stop lever, 4.5lb connector, night sights, +2 mag extensions, and redesigned mag release.
8. 17AO – Australian Gen 3 G17 with threaded barrel, in Olive Drab

Special Purpose / Training Pistols

1. Glock 17 Gen 5 Cutaway
2. Glock 17T UTM Gen 3
3. Glock 17T UTM Gen 4
4. Glock 19 Gen 2 Cutaway
5. Glock 19P Gen 3
6. Glock 19 Gen 5 Cutaway
7. Glock 19T Gen 3 (released 2017, IIRC)
8. Glock 20 Gen 3 Cutaway
9. Glock 21 Gen 3 Cutaway
10. Glock 23P Gen 3
11. Glock 26P
12. Glock 26 Gen 3 Cutaway

Non Factory Commemorative Pistols

1. Glock 19 Talo Premier Gold Edition
2. Glock 23 Talo Premier Gold Edition

Commemorative Pistols

1. Glock 19 & 26 “Defense Set” w/ presentation case or any of the various components
2. Glock 23 & 27 “Defense Set” w/ presentation case or any of the various components
3. Glock 22 FBI “100th Anniversary” w/ presentation case (or without the presentation case, as I now have a case). See Glock 22 FBI 100th Anniversary
4. Glock 23 “Homeland Defender” w/ light
5. Glock 17 “Homeland Defender” w/ light
6. Glock 23 Kiowa Warrior (only 26 made – with USAxxx serial)
7. Glock 19C Gen 3 Operation Enduring Freedom (“OEF-XV11 2011-2012” on the slide)
8. Glock 19 Mariner (minus connector & maritime spring cups & “Mariner” on right side of slide – believe only available in Philippines)
9. Glock 19 Tactical. ‘Tactical’ on the right side of these pistols made for the Philippines.
10. Any of the pistols from the ELP program. I already have one of them, but looking for more. See Hand Engraved And Gold Inlaid Factory Glocks for more info.
11. Any of the 30th anniversary pistols. See A Year of Perfection.
12. Detroit PD marked Glock 23. I have a matching G22 and G27 and would like to complete the set.
13. Glock 17 Gen 3 GSSF 10th Anniversary
14. Glock 19 made for the Vatican
15. Glock 23 Apache Instructor Pilot

Miscellaneous

Here are the various non-pistol items that I’m looking for.

Glock Tactical Lights

1. Glock Tactical Light GTL-11 (light w/ dimmer)
2. Glock Tactical Light GTL-51 (IR light & IR laser)
3. Glock Tactical Light GTL-52 (IR light & IR laser w/ dimmer)

Glock Knives

1. Glock 78 knife – GSSF 25th Anniversary (engraved blade)
2. Glock 78 knife – 40th Anniversary (engraved blade/silver case). See Limited Edition: Glock Knife 78 40th Anniversary
3. Glock 81 knife – Olive Drab – NOT BFG

Accessories/Parts

1. Purple label case – Current gen case with fully intact purple label. Case can be otherwise empty.
2. Orange label case – Current gen case with fully intact orange label. Case can be otherwise empty.
3. Green label case – Current gen case with fully intact green label. Case can be otherwise empty.
4. Orange Glock 17 and 20 training mags. I currently have the orange training mags for the 19, 21, 22, 23. So I’m open to orange training mags in other models not listed here.
5. The original smooth mag loader seen with early Gen 1 pistols
6. Glock warranty card, Form US 003 – 04/88, without any writing in the serial number boxes

Printed Materials

1. Glock Annual magazines. I need the following issues:
   1. None – I now have every issue.
2. Bullet In – this was a magazine sent only to stocking dealers. I’ll take any issues.
3. Glock Armorer’s manuals. Not the aftermarket ones. I need the following:
   1. 1985
   2. 1986
   3. 1987
   4. 1988
   5. 1989
   6. 1990
   7. 1993
   8. 1994
   9. 1995
   10. 1996
   11. 1998
   12. 1999
   13. 2001
   14. 2003
   15. 2004
   16. 2005
   17. 2006
   18. 2007
   19. 2008
   20. 2010
   21. 2011
   22. 2012