FWIW, I'd do some more research on the significant problems of the serpa holster, esp when there are multiple superior made in USA options.

Second, the issues of the gen4 Glocks are not avoided by buying a new gen3 glock, but rather amplified as Glock in its wisdom is putting those same trouble gen4 parts (extractors primarily) in the new gen3 glocks. if you can find a used gen3 then fine, but if you are buying new, the general consensus is to buy gen 4 (not only for reasons stated above, but also for the fact that as they phase out the gen 3s, the small parts that are not common between the two generations---like the extractors--- will become more and more difficult to find). Furthermore, the issues with the gen 4 were primarily with the 9mm and not the .40....and if this is for females, one: make sure they are ok with the significant "flip" of the .40 over the 9mm and two: the gen4 dual recoil springs will actually help in this regard.

Also, have they actually tried to charge a gen4 and a gen3 and found personally that the gen4 is that much more difficult? I ask because people read a lot and experiment little. I know for myself I can not tell any noticeable difference in charging my gen3 vs my gen 4 glock 19s. Of course, if they have tried then great, go with it. just wanted to make sure that you didn't just throw you money down a path w/o verifying the reasons. Sorry if this comes off harsh, I wrote it up a few minutes ago and then it all got lost prior to posting so I am writing again with a greater sense of urgency and less of a sense of couth. I don't mean to be insulting (if I am coming off that way). Good luck/have fun.


oh and as far as the original question is concerned, I have owned, trijicons, meprolights, and XS big dots. I only buy big-dots for my combat pistols now. Not that they others are bad, just that such is my strong preference. As for lights, I have an x 300 and the streamlight TRL-1. Two things that set the x300 apart are the quick detach (may or may not be an issue) and the fact that it is just a bit thinner. This is more of an issue if you were to mount it at the 12:00 position in front of your front sight on a HD AR as is coming to be rather popular (again, may or may not be an issue). And a BIG +1 to shooting your gun w/ light installed before thinking it will run (both gun and light) just cus the rails mount up.