G17L or G24?

[postalnut25]

So I have the opportunity to pick up a purely impractical range toy.

I can get either a G17L or a G24. The shop has one of each, and they are the same price.

So the question is, what are your thoughts or experience on either one of the pistols?

Thanks.

 

[dogtown tom]

Get both.

Glock only makes a run of 17L's and 24's about every three years. The value of these long slides will increase as the supply dwindles before the next production run.

I have two 17L's and wish I had bought a 24 as well.

 

[RX-178]

There are aftermarket 9mm barrels to convert the Glock 24 from .40 to 9mm.

As far as I know of, there are no such equivalents to convert the Glock 17L to .40.

I'd say the Glock 24 is the better deal, if you HAD to just pick one.

 

[postalnut25]

Dogtown Tom- I would LOVE to get both, but I don't have that kind of money. This is coming from the slush fund that the wife doesn't know about, so I don't have that kind of cash set aside.

RX 178- I thought about the conversion barrels. I have a G17 and a G22, so I have magazines for both and would only need the conversion barrel. I guess I'll have to shop around and see what the barrels are running.

 

[powder]

I'd go with the 24. I found one (Gen 2) on GunBroker with KKM 7" and comp., with the OEM barrel for 580, with trijicon target sights. The conversion barrels from Storm Lake are expensive, but IMO the best out there. Not sure if KKM Precision makes conversions that are drop in.

 

[EBShooting]

I'd say if you already shoot both calibers, then the 24 would be the best route as it can be converted to 9mm. I have the 17L myself. I too had the choice of either, but since I don't already shoot .40 and don't intend to start, I stuck with the 9mm.

 

[plouffedaddy]

I'd have to disagree that it's impractical. The longer barrel gives you greater velocity; the guns make fantastic HD handguns....

 

[481]

I'd go with the 17L. But then again, I don't shoot much .40 S&W.

 

[postalnut25]

^^^

I have & shoot both calibers. However, my duty & off-duty guns are both 9mm, so I have easier access to cheap (free) 9mm ammo.

Free stuff is a lot more fun to shoot than stuff I have to pay for

 

[481]

^^^
Free stuff is a lot more fun to shoot than stuff I have to pay for

A "universal truth" if ever there was one!

 

[MK11]

I've never been a Glock guy but there is something about the 17L that really appeals to me, even more than the G34. Thanks for the picture.

 

[postalnut25]

^^^

I do agree. There is just something about the G17L/G24 that draws you towards them.

 

[el Godfather]

I agree with D Tom. Get both.
If cash is problem then put one on layaway or move some other run of the mill handgun that you have, since to carry you can buy wolf slide for L as well. Not impractical but in fact very practical. You get range and sd gun in one.
Dont let them go as they are collectors items and excellet shooters.

 

[Manny]

I'll have to disagree with the "purely impractical" aspect, I find my two 17L's so useful & practical they are the core of my SD/HD handguns. The 17L has a history with a number of elite tactical squads. That long slide really helps shoot accurately, especially with iron sights, and the long barrel really gets the most that the 9mm has to offer. The basic frame of the gun is pure G17, one of the greatest combat handguns ever devised.

Regardless, my preference lies with the 9mm 17L just for the economy of shooting the cheaper ammo. My experiance is also that a G24 isn't hard to find at all, the 17L is like hens teeth. I looked locally for over a year before I gave up an bought my first 17L over the internet. Two years later I bought the first 17L I ever found for sale locally as a backup. Good luck with which ever you choose.

 

[918v]

Get the 24 and then a KKM 9mm conversion barrel and then a KKM .40 barrel and then a KKM .357 Sig barrel and a bunch of mags.

 

[postalnut25]

Thanks for the opinions guys. I think I'm leaning towards the 17L. I can only score 100 free rounds a month from my work, so I think that is pushing towards shooting the 9mm gun. It would be strange to go up and get my ammo allotment from work and ask for a caliber that I don't carry at work.

 

[918v]

Do you understand that a conversion barrel allows you to shoot 9 from a 40?

 

[Bobson]

What's the difference between the G17L and the G34? I know the OP didn't ask about the G34, but I'm curious.

 

[918v]

The 34 has half an inch shorter slide and barrel, also has the ugly muzzle end of the subcompacts. The 17L has the standard muzzle.

 

[postalnut25]

I do understand, and I even have a conversion barrel for my G22. However, I just don't use it that much. I'm wondering if I really want to spend the extra $150-$175 for something that won't see much use.

 

[RX-178]

Why wouldn't you consider the 9mm barrel to be your new 'standard' barrel, since 9mm ammo is less expensive to shoot?

 

[918v]

Xactly. And you would have the flexibility to run .40 S&W after you get your OT check.

 

[Jim Watson]

If it is to be a centerfire plinker, get the 17L for cheap to free ammo.

If you mean to take it to USPSA, get the 24 for Major Power Factor in Limited.

 

[postalnut25]

^^^^^^

I'm looking towards it being a plinker.

For gun games, using my duty weapon is the plan. The more trigger time in stressful type situations with the gun I carry at work is probably a better use of time and resources.