Glock 17 is a popular pistol for concealed carry and law enforcement. It’s also a staple of pop culture, appearing in multiple movies and TV shows. When Gaston Glock first introduced his polymer framed handgun, it provoked outrage from traditionalists who claimed that only steel frames could withstand the rigors of daily use.
Features
Glock 17 delivers a full-sized, fairly ergonomic 9mm pistol at a reasonable price. It’s a popular choice for home defense due to its reliability, and it’s also frequently used in first-person shooter games like Call of Duty, Halo, Far Cry, Counter-Strike and Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six.
The Glock pistol is known for its ease of use and is a favorite of law enforcement officers around the world. Its reliable design has made it the standard firearm issued to federal, state and local police agencies in nearly 50 countries.
The Glock 17 is compatible with a wide variety of accessories and features. It has a range of magwell sizes to accommodate different ammunition types, and it can be equipped with lights, rails and red dot optics. A number of different versions and models are available, including those with dual captured recoil springs. Some are even water-resistant, featuring maritime spring cups with additional openings that allow liquid to flow around them and help prevent corrosion.
Design
The Glock 17 was born out of necessity in the early 1980s. The Austrian military was looking for a new duty pistol to replace their WWII-era Walther P38s. The Glock 17 met all of the military’s criteria and then some. It became the cornerstone of the Glock company.
Many people believe the gun is named for its magazine capacity of 17 rounds. However, that’s not true. The gun is named for Gaston Glock’s 17th patent.
The pistol is a striker-fired semiautomatic chambered in 9x19mm and is used by law enforcement and armies around the world. It is so popular that it was even featured in the third Taken movie as one of Bryan’s guns in his hotel room. Its polymer frame and lack of a manual safety have set it apart as an industry standard. The Glock 17 and its sibling, the Glock 19, are currently the most popular models on the market. Each has its own diehard fanbase.
Reliability
Glock pistols are known for being very reliable. In fact, the Glock 17’s reliability is a large part of why it is one of the most popular handguns for LE and military use.
The Glock’s accuracy is another area that has improved over time. The latest Gen5 models now have a Marksman Barrel, which includes a longer barrel and more precise rifling for better accuracy. However, it is still only as accurate as the shooter, and the gun’s accuracy will depend on a number of factors including sight alignment, trigger pull, breathing and more.
Some shooters find that the Glock trigger can get tiresome after extended firing sessions, or on high round counts where it can start to rub and pinch. Additionally, the slide release can be a little awkward for some shooters. But these issues are easy to address with accessories like stippling, replacement releases and more. And despite these ergonomic complaints, the Glock’s reliable design makes it a great choice for those who need to carry a powerful self-defense handgun.
Training
Glock 17 is a workhorse for police and military, but this popular pistol also makes an excellent choice for personal protection, competition shooting and more. Learn the pros and cons of this versatile handgun from our experts.
The Glock 17R is an inert training version of the pistol, used by law enforcement and military trainers to simulate gun handling without exposing students to the risks of live fire. It uses the same innards as a regular Glock 17, but its bright-blue polymer frame is visually distinct and can be identified by its magazines, which are marked with “Glock Safe Action Training” on the bottom.
The Bottom Lines
Noted Glock expert T.R. Graham goes over the gun in detail, revealing the tricks and tips that years of experience have proven to be effective. He also covers trigger modifications, caliber conversions, accessories and accurizing. This is a must-have for any Glock enthusiast or anyone interested in learning about this remarkable firearm.