What's the difference in Glock generations?

[Ten-32]

My friend has been wanting a Glock 17 for a while, and now she has an opportunity to get a 1st gen Glock 17 for a very reasonable price.

Other than the physical appearance and the absence of an accessory rail, is there anything we should know about 1st gen Glocks?

Thanks a lot!

[camelcluch]

Finger grooves and lower serial numbers.

[nuthead]

Finger grooves and lower serial numbers.

And rails. If I'm not mistaken, the first generation had neither finger grooves nor rails and the third generation has both.

[Blackdog F4i]

pretty much.

some prefer no finger grooves. If you don't need a rail, go for it. It would make a great off-duty gun.

[KenW.]

I have no clue.
How can they improve on "perfection" anyway?
If they were perfect, why different generations?

[Fuzz1028]

I carry an older 23. I like them better without the grooves, but I wish it had the rail.

[ABC144]

The first G17's only had two pins in the frame vs. the three that all models have now. They only added the third pin to simplify the manufacturing process. i.e., 9mm, .40 s&w, and .357 Sig. having the same frames.

[Ten-32]

Helpful info - thanks everyone!

[trickyasafox]

1st gen had the different grip w/o finger grooves, no accessory rail, no thumb recess, pins were different too maybe? not sure

gen 2 grip changes again, and I think they did something to the slide rails on some of the models.

gen 2.5 same grip- now with accessory rail

gen 3- current config

I think- I could be a little off. I know the mags have gone through a bunch of changes too- as have the followers. the big differences were the shape and edges on these, the bodies obviously are the same as any older mag works in any newer firearm, save for the SF models.

[Woofdog]

I've got a G17 1st gen w/a low serial # and don't see any substantial difference with the newer models, other than cosmetic (grooves & rail)