My Thoughts: Glock 17

[JdePietro]

You cannot talk about handguns without the name Glock making an appearance. Glock is celebrating their 25th anniversary, while they don't have the legacy that Colt, Beretta and S&W enjoy they do have the endorsements of thousands of Police and Federal agencies. If that isn't enough to sway you into your first Glock purchase than there isn't much that would. I think that is enough disclaimer to start giving you my thoughts.

Glock Safe Action Pistols have model numbers that correlate with size and caliber. The Glock 17 was their first design and model. All of the specs can be found here: http://us.glock.com/products/model/g17



Chambered in 9x19mm the pistol is 8.03 in long, 5.43 inches tall and 1.18 inches wide. To some this is considerable in size but its size gives it the longest sight radius and more weight to absorb the recoil of 9mm caliber. For the last 5 years I have carried a 5" 1911 w/rail, a FNP-9, and a 6" S&W Model 29. For the most part I have carried the S&W 1911PD so the 17 is actually smaller and more appealing for me.

I'm going to take a moment and branch out here for a second. Carrying any sidearm requires you to develop a system to facilitate the carrying of that firearm. It is not natural to walk around with a pound or more of steel so people rely on various holster designs and the use of select clothing to make this more comfortable. Most of my daily wear includes a good gun belt, a button down or oversized shirt and pair of jeans sized a little big for the IWB option. Naturally the cooler months make it a bit easier to carry a larger gun but picking out the right fabrics and designs go a long way in the summer months.

With that being said I purchased the 17 knowing full well that I would carry it from time to time. Why would I choose the 17 over the 19? The grip size fits my hands better, the capacity is a big bonus and finally the price point appeals to my frugal side.
I purchased a brand new 3rd Generation Glock 17 for $489. The inspection date on the papers in the box were 1/23/2012. There has been a lot of buzz on the interenet about the 4th gen models but that really didn't play to much into my thought process. I just wanted an unfired NIB Glock that I could evaluate without second guessing what the PO did with the gun.
Overall I feel the gun is well balanced, it has an acceptable trigger pull and it points very well. I feel it shines with a squared off combat stance but I have to make the slightest of effort with a modified weaver stance.
I have medium to large sized palms and shorter fingers but the grip is comparable with most double stack side arms. The trigger has the Glock Safe Action lever. I have very limited experience with Glock but getting used to the trigger isn't as difficult as some make it out to be. For the moment I will be carrying in a Crossbreed Qwik Clip.
http://www.crossbreedholsters.com/QwikClip/tabid/93/List/0/ProductID/5/CategoryID/1/Level/1/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName,ProductName
I highly endorse these holsters. The Supertuk and Qwik Clip make carrying a large gun very comfortable and when the weather gets warm IWB gets real appealing.

Onto the range time!

I loaded the first mag with 15 rounds of American Eagle Brass 115gr FMJ.
Below is the first 15 rounds this gun has ever fired outside of factory testing. All shots fired squared off combat stance at 15 yards.



Dry firing gets you so far. I wasn't really impressed but again, this barrel has zero break in, and I have never shot this before. For a combat gun I'll take it.

I spent some time just putting rounds down range. One handed, left handed, prone and kneeling. Limp wristed a few rounds and the only result was a few black marks in my Miami Dolphins cap from flying empties. Since I couldn't get a jam I decided to use a piece of spent brass to practice a tap and rack drill. It fed the spent brass and ejected it without concern. I was hoping for a double feed or stove pipe but after thee attempts I gave up. The serations on the slide are ample enough and the grip angle is very conducive for these drills. I know its a Glock and they have a reputation for reliability but everyone makes a bad bullet every once in a while and you have to train to deal with it.

After 200 rounds the clouds started rolling in so I finished up my time with a short drill.
At 15 yards I stand facing the target, gun in the holster. On command I draw and fire one shot using only my right hand, then I take a step in a diagonal direction and fire four shots using two hands. The result:



I noticed that all of my groups seems to the left of center. Drawing a shape on the target didn't correct this so either I have to work on my trigger or I need to drift the sights.

Overall I am pleased. This is a great combat focused pistol, the pistol runs and runs well. Its accurate enough for a carry or duty gun and the fit and finish is extremely durable.



Bravo Glock! I don't think I'll be selling my 1911 anytime soon but I have found an economical high capacity semi auto that I will carry on a regular basis.

If you have any questions or comments please share them.

Stay Safe,
DP

[tombogan03884]

Try this, it may help you out.

http://www.piedmontnrainstructors.com/resources/CorrectionChartRight.pdf

They have them for "Lefties" (the good kind, not socialists ) as well.

http://www.piedmontnrainstructors.com/resources/CorrectionChartLeft.pdf


This is the Site I found them at.

http://www.piedmontnrainstructors.com/ShootingInfo.htm

[gunman42782]

I honestly have nothing against Glocks.  Really.  They are not my cup of tea, but I will be the first to say they are among the most reliable of firearms. 

[tombogan03884]

I prefer a single action trigger so I would be very unlikely to buy a Glock.
But that is the only negative I can come up with.

[twyacht]

They simply work. As simple and ugly as they are, they work. My G21, was a steal.....I can know that with Federal HST ammo, it will simply go bang if needed....Can't knock them for that....

I drank the Kool-Aid, on my particular deal, and do not regret it...





It simply is what it is....

Thank you Gaston...

PS,...The 27 rd. stick mags, are also a plus,....

[Sponsor]

[les snyder]

my 17 is a backup for my 34 which is my competition pistol.... I had to add aftermarket sights (Heinie)to both, to get full potential (I'm an old fart and narrow the front sight blades to .090" to get enough light thru the rear sight)... initial learning curve was about 6months of matches to transition from 25+years of 1911s (emphasis on releasing trigger only to disconnect reset point)....it has taken me about 3 years to shoot it to my ability (I did mention old fart)....both pistols are much more accurate with 147 grain bullets at distances past 25 yards... added a butt plug and non captured stainless recoil spring guide to both

[bafsu92]

I prefer a single action trigger so I would be very unlikely to buy a Glock.
But that is the only negative I can come up with.

With a 4.5# factory glock connector and a nice polishing job my Glocks have a trigger pull as good as just about any out of the box sub-$1500 1911. I love 1911's and shoot them quite a bit for fun and competition and shoot Glocks for work and competition. My 17 race gun has as good of a trigger as any 1911 I own but all my other Glocks are done with all factory parts to reduce any liability issues for duty/defensive carry. It's essentially a single action pull, same pull every time, very little take up or over-travel and breaks clean at just under 4# on my Timney scale. I wouldn't want anything lighter in a carry/duty/defense pistol.

[tombogan03884]

With a 4.5# factory glock connector and a nice polishing job my Glocks have a trigger pull as good as just about any out of the box sub-$1500 1911. I love 1911's and shoot them quite a bit for fun and competition and shoot Glocks for work and competition. My 17 race gun has as good of a trigger as any 1911 I own but all my other Glocks are done with all factory parts to reduce any liability issues for duty/defensive carry. It's essentially a single action pull, same pull every time, very little take up or over-travel and breaks clean at just under 4# on my Timney scale. I wouldn't want anything lighter in a carry/duty/defense pistol.

It's not the weight of the pull, it's the length of it .

[JdePietro]

Very nice Glock. 

I think with every platform there is a learning curve but within the discovery of new talents and a new system, new nural pathways are formed and by taking a step outside of my box I feel I will become a better shooter. You never know what or who's gun will win the fight I just want to make sure I'm the one holding it. 

[bafsu92]

It's not the weight of the pull, it's the length of it .

I just don't see much difference in length either. I shoot IDPA with a 1911 and a Glock in the same day and really don't notice any difference. The take up is a small fraction longer, basically just the time it takes to clear the trigger safety but if you use proper trigger control the reset is basically the same. the first non-22 handgun I ever shot was a 1911, I've probably owned over 100 and have at least 10 different variations of them now but if my life is on the line I'm more confident in a $400 Glock 17/19 than I am in any of my 1911's right up to my $3K+ Wilson Combat. In probably 100k rounds through Glock pistols the last 20+ years I've never had a malfunction I couldn't clear and return to battery within 5 seconds. I've had more issues with one 1911 that cost over $2k than I've had with every Glock I've ever touched and I was an active Glock armorer for over 10 years. I'll never give up my 1911's but there really isn't a comparison. One is a work of art and a marvel of engineering for it's time while the other is a tool and a marvel of engineering for it's utter simplicity.