Glock G20 Gen4
- Category
- Pistol
- Barrel
- 117 mm
- Weight, empty
- 780 g
- Introduced
- 2012
About
What it is, and why it matters
The Glock G20 Gen4 is a semi-automatic pistol chambered in 10mm Auto, produced by Glock Ges.m.b.H. since 2012. This Austrian-manufactured firearm reflects the engineering traditions and quality standards of its country of origin, designed to meet the demands of both civilian and professional users in a competitive global marketplace. Featuring a 15-round magazine capacity, this pistol offers generous firepower for duty use and home defense. The striker-fired action provides a consistent trigger pull for every shot, simplifying training and reducing the manual of arms - a design philosophy that has become the dominant paradigm in modern defensive handguns. The 4.6-inch barrel provides an excellent balance between sight radius and portability, making it equally suitable for duty carry and recreational shooting. Weighing 780g (27.5 oz) empty, this firearm strikes a practical balance between manageable carry weight and sufficient mass to moderate felt recoil during shooting. The polymer frame construction reduces weight while providing a textured, ergonomic grip surface designed for secure handling in all conditions. This firearm represents its manufacturer's commitment to delivering a well-engineered, reliable product that serves the needs of discerning shooters seeking quality, accuracy, and dependable performance from a proven platform.
The Glock 20 has long been the default recommendation for anyone wanting a semi-automatic pistol for bear country. The Gen4's modular backstrap system was a welcome addition for the big-bore Glock, whose large-frame grip had been a common complaint since 1991. With the ability to customize grip size, the Gen4 made the 10mm Glock accessible to shooters who previously found the original too thick to handle comfortably.
The Glock 20 was originally introduced in 1991 as Glock's first 10mm Auto pistol. The Gen4 variant arrived in 2012 with the modular backstrap system that was particularly welcome on the large-frame G20, as the original grip circumference was notably larger than standard 9mm/.40 Glocks. Weight without magazine is 780g (27.51 oz), with loaded magazine approximately 1130g (39.86 oz). The Gen4 dual recoil spring assembly helps tame the considerable recoil of full-power 10mm loads.
Specification
Everything measured
IdentityWhat it is, who built it and when.
- Manufacturer
- Glock Ges.m.b.H.
- Category
- Pistol
- Country
- Austria
- Status
- In production
- Produced
- 2012
- Variant of
- Generation
DimensionsAs issued, without a magazine or an optic.
- Barrel
- 117 mm
- Overall length
- 205 mm
- Height
- 140 mm
- Width
- 34 mm
- Sight radius
- 172 mm
- Weight, empty
- 780 g
- Weight, loaded
- 1.13 kg
ActionHow it cycles, what trips it, and what feeds it.
- Action
- Short recoil
- Firing mechanism
- Striker fired
- Trigger
- Safe action
- Trigger pull
- 28.0 N
- Capacity
- 15
- Magazine
- Detachable box
MaterialsEach swatch is the material itself, not a colour chosen to stand for it.
- Frame
- Polymer
- Slide
- Steel
- Barrel
- Steel
- Finish
- Tenifer
BallisticsFrom the service cartridge, not a handload.
- Muzzle velocity
- 366 m/s
- Muzzle energy
- 782 J
- Effective range
- 50 m
- Maximum range
- 1500 m
Trajectory
What the round does downrange
Solved from the muzzle figures and the bullet. The dashed rule is the effective range on the record, and the crosses are the steps the solver returned.
Features
What it has
What the record lists as fitted, drawn from the catalogue.
Polymer frame
Safe action trigger
Polygonal rifling
Accessory rail
Modular backstrap system
Dual recoil spring
Rough textured frame
Reversible mag release
Standing
How it compares
Each figure against the firearms of the same type and cartridge that record it, or of the same type where that cartridge has too few. Positions are read to the nearest tenth.
| Measurement | This firearm | Median | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empty weightAmong 31 10mm Auto pistols | 780 g | 936 g | Lighter than about 70% |
| Overall lengthAmong 30 10mm Auto pistols | 205 mm | 204 mm | Longer than about 60% |
| Barrel lengthAmong 31 10mm Auto pistols | 117 mm | 117 mm | Longer than about 60% |
| Magazine capacityAmong 31 10mm Auto pistols | 15 | 10 | Holds more rounds than about 80% |
Its place in the rankings
Answers
Questions about the Glock G20 Gen4
How much does the Glock G20 Gen4 weigh?
The Glock G20 Gen4 weighs 780 g (1.72 lb) empty and 1.13 kg (2.49 lb) loaded. It is the 10th lightest of 31 10mm Auto pistols in the catalogue.
What caliber is the Glock G20 Gen4?
The Glock G20 Gen4 is chambered in 10mm Auto.
How many rounds does the Glock G20 Gen4 hold?
The Glock G20 Gen4 holds 15 rounds, fed from a detachable box magazine.
How long is the Glock G20 Gen4?
The Glock G20 Gen4 is 205 mm (8.07 in) long overall, with a 117 mm (4.61 in) barrel.
Who makes the Glock G20 Gen4?
The Glock G20 Gen4 is made by Glock Ges.m.b.H. (Austria). It was designed by Gaston Glock.
When was the Glock G20 Gen4 introduced?
The Glock G20 Gen4 was introduced in 2012.
How does the Glock G20 Gen4 operate?
The Glock G20 Gen4 uses a short recoil action, and its firing mechanism is striker fired.
Compatibility
Which parts fit this firearm
Studio
Every part that mounts on this, resolved
Not a list the maker typed out: the answer comes from the mounts this firearm exposes and the interface each part needs, so it stays right when either one changes.
- Every part that mounts on any firearm in the catalogue
- Interface standards, platforms and fit overrides
- The same answers through the API and the MCP server
Requires a signed-in GunSpec account on the Studio plan. The answer is computed per part, so it is not part of the public record.
Provenance
What the record holds
Every figure above was taken from one of these pages. The confidence reflects how much of the record came from a page a claim can be checked against.
In service
- FBI
- United States
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- United States
- Danish Armed Forces
- Denmark
Provenance
Confidence in this record
90%
Stockists
Where to buy
Offers link straight to the shop. GunSpec never takes the order.
No shop has listed this firearm yet
Stock and prices come from the shops themselves. If you sell this firearm, you can list it and it appears here.
List a firearmMCP
Ask an assistant about it
The same record, reached the way a person asks for it rather than the way a program does.
Ask GunSpec
Works with
Point an MCP client at GunSpec and it answers from the catalogue rather than from memory. A free key covers the read tools.
API
The call that returns this record
The same fields, in the same units, from the same endpoint the page reads.
curl --request GET \ --url 'https://api.gunspec.io/v1/firearms/glock-g20-gen4' \ --header 'X-API-Key: your_key'{ "id": "glock-g20-gen4", "name": "Glock G20 Gen4", "manufacturer": { "id": "glock", "name": "Glock Ges.m.b.H.", "countryCode": "AT", "foundedYear": 1963, "website": "https://www.glock.com", "logoUrl": null, "description": null, "status": null, "defunctYear": null, "stateOwned": null, "makesFirearms": null, "parentId": null, "predecessorId": null, "createdAt": "2026-02-11 23:44:38", "updatedAt": "2026-02-18 03:43:49", "version": "3082b5f3edc3e54ca4f0993c68dba8c456b4f86e8759e3310ef604da566477d6" }, "category": { "id": "pistol", "name": "Pistol", "description": "Handguns designed to be fired with one or two hands" }, "country_of_origin": "AT", "year_introduced": 2012, "barrel_length_mm": 117, "weight_empty_g": 780, "action_type": "short_recoil"}