Glock 17

Glock 17

The Glock 17 is a 9 mm short recoil–operated, locked-breech semi-automatic pistol that uses a modified Browning cam-lock system adapted from the Hi-Power pistol.

Is a Glock 17 the most reliable handgun?

HIT: Durability. I have been using my first Glock 17 for training and competition for over 15 years. I have somewhere between 25,000 to 30,000 rounds of 9mm FMJ through it. I have done thousands of presentations from the holsterwith it. After 15+ years of use, there is only slight holster wear on the slide. The Tenifer finish on the slide and barrel is very hard and resistant to wear, so you can rest assured your Glock will last, too.

MISS: Sights. The factory sights on the Glock 17 are made of the same material as the frame. While I never had an issue with the sights, I did replace my Glock sights with after-market versions that serve me better.

HIT: Barrel: The barrel used in the Glock 17 is hammer forged and has polygonal rifling. The polygonal rifle’s excellent accuracy results from an increase in bullet-to-barrel contact, which reduces the propellant gases from blowing past the bullet, thereby increasing velocity. The rifling also makes the barrel easy to clean–just remember to use jacketed bullets to maintain a healthy barrel!

HIT: Frame. The frame of the Glock 17 is made of lightweight polymers. The frame is chemical resistant, impact resistant, fairly heat resistant, and to me, seems to reduce noticeable recoil. The frame is also fairly easy to customize with a technique called “stippling.” Stippling is a modification to the surface of the frame in which dots, grooves or other patterns are melted into the plastic, thereby increasing grip friction.

MISS: Sights. The factory sights on the Glock 17 are made of the same material as the frame. While I never had an issue with the sights, I did replace my Glock sights with after-market versions that serve me better.

HIT: Barrel: The barrel used in the Glock 17 is hammer forged and has polygonal rifling. The polygonal rifle’s excellent accuracy results from an increase in bullet-to-barrel contact, which reduces the propellant gases from blowing past the bullet, thereby increasing velocity. The rifling also makes the barrel easy to clean–just remember to use jacketed bullets to maintain a healthy barrel!

HIT: Frame. The frame of the Glock 17 is made of lightweight polymers. The frame is chemical resistant, impact resistant, fairly heat resistant, and to me, seems to reduce noticeable recoil. The frame is also fairly easy to customize with a technique called “stippling.” Stippling is a modification to the surface of the frame in which dots, grooves or other patterns are melted into the plastic, thereby increasing grip friction.

MISS: Ergonomics. Until the introduction of the Generation 4 Glock 17, older variants were known for fairly thick, square grips. The updated Gen 4 frame helped to alleviate some of the issues. For example, Gen 4 models include adjustable back straps to help different sized hands feel more comfortable around the grip. While I feel comfortable with the grip, one of the most common complaints among new users is the grip. Here’s a tip: If you love the gun, but not the grip, consider customizing it to fit your hand. Our gunsmiths can help!

HIT: Trigger. The factory trigger on the Glock 17 is fairly good. There is some slack, or free movement, during the initial part of the trigger press, but once you feel resistance the trigger press is a consistent 5 ½ pounds. There is a definite physical and audible click when the trigger resets. For duty and concealed carry, the factory trigger is more than adequate. For competitive shooters, or shooters with more experience, there are several after-market triggers available which can significantly reduce trigger pull weight.Glock 17

HIT: Safe-Action Trigger Safety. The safety is located within the trigger face of the trigger on all Glock series pistols. If you don’t depress the trigger correctly, the pistol is not going to fire. There are also two internal safeties inside the slide and frame.Glock 17

HIT: Magazines. The Glock factory magazines are very durable. They are not particularly easy to take apart the first time, but once apart they are easy to clean and put back together. I highly recommend sticking to factory magazines for use in Glock pistols. The standard factory magazine for the Glock 17 holds 17 rounds of ammunition.

HIT: Value. The Glock 17 pistols are considered to be in the mid-level price range when compared to a similar pistol from other manufacturers, but they have a proven track record for durability and longevity. I guarantee most you reading this will never see the lifespan of a Glock 17. The value of the pistol will be realized when you are shooting your first Glock 17 twenty plus years later and it is still running like new. I feel mine has gotten smoother with age.