Glock 17

[ThomasT]

My BIL came by this morning. First time I have seen him since he went through the Police Academy and is now a police officer in a small town. He was dressed up in his gear and uniform. Of course I wanted to see his pistol. He had started out with a Glock 22 and I thought that was what he had on him. Nope, he traded back the 40 for a Glock 17 Gen5.

What a nice pistol. I liked the way it felt and how solid the build felt in my hand. I have been looking at compact 9s but now I think I have a new gun to chase after. I had thought about the model 19 for a but now think the 17 might be better for my uses.

The prices all seem to be $500+ for a new Gen5. I checked Aim Surplus and at this time they are sold out of used model 17s. I know its an old question but is there a generation that is better or is the new Gen5 the top of the line?

 

[1KPerDay]

Better is relative. Lots of people say the Gen 3 was best. Least problems. Gen 4 supposedly fixed some issues with Gen 3 .40s running WMLs but had initial issues in Gen 4 9mms. They seem to be mostly sorted. Gen 4 has shorter reach to trigger, better grip texture, different trigger housing and disconnector angle, bigger mag release, dual recoil spring system, and interchangeable backstraps. But it retains finger grooves which some despise.

Gen 5 gets “marksman barrel” whatever the hell that actually means, loses finger grooves, and gets Ambi slide stop/release, as well as optic mounting options and forward slide serrations on some models.

and an “upgraded” trigger.
I probably missed some things.

 

[ThomasT]

Better is relative. Lots of people say the Gen 3 was best. Least problems.

I have read that before too. And I have been on the hunt for a Gen3 for a while. I missed one for sale just a few miles away for around $350 IIRC. Aim was out of the Gen3 trade ins. I think I will put myself on the notify me list so I know when more come in. But I have also heard there are no bad Glocks. Just little changes that some liked and some didn't. My bud has a Gen1 I have shot a few times and its a great gun. And surprisingly accurate.

But yes my BILs gun really impressed me. I thought about asking if he could get one of the Blue Box deals on one but I didn't. Not yet.

 

[1KPerDay]

If you liked the one you shot I’d try to one just like the one you shot, personally.

 

[ThomasT]

If you liked the one you shot I’d try to one just like the one you shot, personally.

I shot a Gen1 and I think they have taken one collector status. The few I have seen for sale on GB were priced above everything else. I am on Aims notify me list for the Gen3 when they get some more in. Or I may just get the cash out of the gunfund and go buy a new one or have one sent from Buds.

 

[1KPerDay]

I’d shoot or at the very least handle a Gen 3 before you buy one. The grip is slippery compared to the Gen 5 and it feels larger front to back.

 

[JTQ]

The Gen 5 is probably the best Glock available.

The Gen 3 grip doesn't do it for me - bigger and slicker - and I think a lot of ejection issues that got blamed (outside the early overly sprung G17/G19 Gen 4) solely on Gen 4 guns were also probably issues with the same era Gen 3 guns.

I'd probably buy a Gen 4. The texture and reduced circumference of the Gen 4 (Gen 5 too) is an improvement for me. I'm not sure I can get over 35 years of Glock marketing telling me how superior polygonal rifling is (Gen 5 has the Marksman barrel) and the advantage of minimal controls (Gen 5 has an ambi slide stop, I'm a righty, and I'm not convinced there isn't going to be interference with the trigger bar in the long term). I'm also probably only going to use it as a range blaster, and if that's the case why not get a G34, the open slide is pretty cool, and I wouldn't be limited by rear sights that would need to fit in sight track designed to work with an MOS cutout.

 

[ThomasT]

I liked the size of the grip on the Gen5 I held. I had to look up the G34. I think I will pass on that one. I think I am pretty set on the gen5 17 instead of the 19. I am hoping the Marksman barrel is OK to shoot lead through. I like to shoot hard cast lead through my other 9mm pistols.

 

[uzimon]

17m is what you need

 

[ThomasT]

I looked on the Glock site but didn't see a 17M. What is it?

 

[uzimon]

https://www.recoilweb.com/the-unobtainable-fbi-glock-17m-is-now-obtainable-153654.html

 

[94045]

I looked on the Glock site but didn't see a 17M. What is it?

Predecessor to the Glock Gen 5 developed for the FBI. Basically it's a Gen V without the markings + Ameriglo Agent Night Sights, Extended Ambi Slide Release, Unique rounded FBI Mag Catch.

I personally think the G17 Gen 2 was as good as anything they have built since but I'm sure others will disagree. I don't like the finger groves so that kills the G3 or G4 (17M excepted since I guess technically it isn't a Gen V) to start with unless I want to take a dremel to it.

Yes the Gen 2 is slick but Talon Grips takes care of that.

 

[ThomasT]

94045 thank you for the clarification. I am not familiar with Glock terminology So that was a head scratcher for me. I have owned one Glock many years ago. One chambered in 357 Sig. My bud saw it and had to have it. So I sold it for a mark up without ever shooting it. I didn't even own it for a day. He still has the gun too. He loves it.

I have looked at Glocks in Academy and the finger grooves felt good to me. So thats not an issue. But a slimmer grip and shorter trigger reach is nice. Plus there are just so many extra parts to buy for spares and its record of durability really appeal to me.

 

[uzimon]

The 17m trigger is improved. I know it's as nice as my 17l

 

[94045]

94045 thank you for the clarification. I am not familiar with Glock terminology So that was a head scratcher for me. I have owned one Glock many years ago. One chambered in 357 Sig. My bud saw it and had to have it. So I sold it for a mark up without ever shooting it. I didn't even own it for a day. He still has the gun too. He loves it.

I have looked at Glocks in Academy and the finger grooves felt good to me. So thats not an issue. But a slimmer grip and shorter trigger reach is nice. Plus there are just so many extra parts to buy for spares and its record of durability really appeal to me.

The alternate backstraps for size adjustment are Gen 4 and Gen 5. Do be aware that the finger groove spacing varies between the G19 and G17. The G19 spacing is to narrow for me (I end up on the points) and the G17 is a little wide for me (have to keep my fingers slightly splayed).

Another option might be an unissued police trade in (NIB Condition). My LGS has had these in a G22 Gen 4 with steel night sights for $369.99. Add a 9mm conversion barrel and a couple of G17 magazines and you have spent the same to less money on a new pistol that handles both .40 S&W and 9mm, has the changeable back straps and steel night sights.

 

[94045]

The 17m trigger is improved. I know it's as nice as my 17l

I believe it's the same as a Gen 5 trigger.but I may be mistaken.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Check out the G45. It has become my favorite Glock of all.

 

[94045]

Check out the G45. It has become my favorite Glock of all.

Think updated G19X (G17 based Frame with G19 Based Slide).

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Think updated G19X (G17 based Frame with G19 Based Slide).

There’s a difference in the breach face and the mag well is flared with no cutout at the front of the grip.

 

[94045]

There’s a difference in the breach face and the mag well is flared with no cutout at the front of the grip.

I'm not sure how many current production Gen 5 have the cutout. According to Glock the current base production G19 Gen 5 is the FS and besides the front slide serrations it doesn't have the cutout.

 

[Pat Riot]

Do be aware that the finger groove spacing varies between the G19 and G17. The G19 spacing is to narrow for me (I end up on the points) and the G17 is a little wide for me (have to keep my fingers slightly splayed).

I had a G34 and a G19, both Gen 3. I have big hands and I couldn’t stand the G19 finger grooves. I sold it rather than modify it.

I also sold the 34 but bought another one recently. Love that gun. But, like Gunny, my favorite is my Glock 45. I also had the 19X and I liked the G45 better. I gave the 19X to my son-in-law.
The 17, 34, 45 snd 19X all use the G17 frame. For me that is the one that fits me, finger grooves or not.

If you want a Gen 5 G17 go ahead and get one. You won’t be disappointed. Same goes for the Gen 3 G17. Nothing wrong with either.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

I'm not sure how many current production Gen 5 have the cutout. According to Glock the current base production G19 Gen 5 is the FS and besides the front slide serrations it doesn't have the cutout.

You know that there must be a few members wondering what grove cutout on the breach face we are talking about so, I took some pics this morning.
You can see the cutout across from the extractor.



It to help in better control feeding, and as you can see, holds the round in place.


In this pic you can see the cutout and the new type of firing pin aperture cut in the breach face. All Gen5’s have this new aperture and mark different the older Glocks. This makes identifying cartridge cases fired from a Gen5 very easy.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

This pic will help those not so knowledgeable about Glock frames.
Most people don’t realize that there’s a difference in the size of the finger grove on Gen3 and Gen4 frames. Also the Gen3 RTF frame finger groves are closer to the size of the Gen4.

 

[Pat Riot]

Thank you for those photos Gunny.