Glock 17
The Glock 17 was the first semi-automatic pistol that Glock produced. This pistol paved the way for many modern designs by showing that a polymer-frame striker-fired pistol could be reliable. Introduced in 1982, the G17 was developed to participate in the Austrian Ministry of Defense pistol trials. The trials’ goal was to replace the aging Walther P38s left over from World War II with a modern design that was safer while maintaining the 9x19 mm Parabellum chambering in a semi-automatic handgun.
Glock assembled a team of handgun experts in the civilian, military, and police spheres in order to develop the pistol they would submit to the trials. Ultimately they came up with a design that used modern synthetic materials (polymers) combined with previously used design features. This resulted in an economically efficient pistol that used proven pistol designs in addition to modern manufacturing practices. The 17th patent for the pistol (from which it derives its name) was submitted to the trial early in 1982.
It was able to pass the testing procedures and was adopted by Austria as the P80 pistol for both the police and the military. This adoption set up the G17 for world wide recognition. It had managed to beat eight other pistol designs from many well known manufacturers such as FN Herstal, Beretta, SIG Sauer, and Heckler & Koch. This led to many European states and the U.S. to consider adopting this new style of pistol. The world was currently testing many different styles of 9mm pistols during the growth of the “Wonder 9” style of handgun. These were pistols chambered in 9 mm with almost double the capacity of a single stack gun and better controllability than other more powerful pistols.
In the middle of it all was the G17. This pistol set the stage for modern handguns designs as we know them. One of the first commercially viable polymer-framed handguns, the G17 and Glock’s other models set the standard for modern self-defense and duty pistols. From capacity to reliability, the G17 set the baseline of performance and many today consider it one of the gold standards of service pistols. This is because it is easy to maintain, less complex than other designs, and is easy to train on. There are no complicated external safeties. Instead, Glock decided to rely on internal safeties and safeties integrated into the trigger to ensure that the gun only went off when the pistol was fired correctly.
As time went on, the G17 and other Glock designs were refined, this meant tweaking the designs and improving the performance of the pistol while removing any problems that arose from long term testing. This has resulted in multiple generations of Glocks. The first generation of Glocks ran from 1982 to 1988 and featured the original non-checkered front strap and pencil barrel. Gen 1 Glocks with this narrower barrel are rare and highly collectible.
Gen 2 Glocks featured the addition of checkering to the grip, an integrated recoil spring assembly, some magazine modifications, and a steel plate with the serial number stamped onto it in the receiver to meet ATF regulations.
Gen 3 Glocks were the first to feature an accessory rail under the pistol. This generation was released in 1998 and now allowed for the addition of tactical lights, lasers, and other compatible attachments. Additionally, a thumb rest and finger grooves were included on the Gen 3 frames. The frames came in a variety of colors including black, flat dark earth, olive drab, and brighter colors (used to indicate training or dummy pistols).
Gen4 Glocks came to the market in 2010 and had the added ability to reverse the magazine catch to accommodate left-handed shooters. This was accompanied by a magazine redesign so the magazine would interact with a magazine catch mount for a left handed shooter. These new designed magazines were compatible with previous generations of Glocks. An interchangeable backstrap was also featured on Gen4 Glocks. This allowed for some tailoring of the grip without having to significantly modify the frame. Dual recoil springs were also made standard on all Gen4 designs which required a widening of the frame to accommodate the newer assembly.
The most recent generation, Gen5, came out in 2017. This featured the removal of the Gen4 finger grooves and included multiple design changes. These included a more durable slide coating, additional slide serrations, and an improved rifling design, referred to as the Glock Marksman Barrel.
The G17 and the G19 were two of the only models to be issued immediately on the release of the 5th generation of Glock pistols.
Glock 17 Standard Features & Specs
The G17 is a short-recoil, locking-breech pistol derived from the locking system found on Browning Hi-Powers. Instead of the Hi-Power’s external hammer/firing pin combination, the G17 features an internal striker that is cocked by the trigger springs in two stages. This design helps prevent negligent discharges, but produces a less-crisp trigger than other designs.
The frame is made from Polymer 2 and is one of the more recognizable aspects of the G17. The other aspect being the square slide design, which made machining the slide easier.
All G17 models can accept double stack magazines and there is even a 10 round compliance magazine for those locations that have a magazine capacity restriction. Other pistol designs, like the G19 can use G17 magazines.
The sights come in three different styles: polymer, steel, and Glock Night Sights (GNS). All but the GNS use a “Ball and cup” sighting system. This style of sight consists of a front sight dot that has to be placed into a squared “U” shaped rear sight. The GNS on the other hand features a traditional tritium three-dot system. On top of this a new alternative has been added to the market, the MOS. The Glock Modular Optics System (MOS) allows you to mount a red dot sight to the gun with the appropriate floor plate.
There are four different plates that match the footprint of your selected optic or optic family. Be sure to order the correct plate, otherwise you will not be able to mount the optic. This design arose from the increased practice of mounting red dots on both competition and defensive handguns. The MOS comes with a protector plate that keeps the milled area covered until you mount your selected optic.
Most new production G17s on the market today are going to be either Gen4 or Gen5. Let’s look at the specific features of these Glock generations.
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Glock 17 Gen4 Features
The fourth generation of G17s feature the modular backstrap system and an enlarged magazine release. The release is reversible to accommodate your dominant hand.
A dual recoil spring assembly has been added to ensure longer term reliability, less felt recoil, and less wear on the gun.
The frame features a rough texture for better grip and finger grooves to guide your hand into the proper grip on the pistol.
Glock 17 Gen5 Features
The fifth generation of Glocks adopted many aftermarket options for G17 upgrades into the factory design.
These include the removal of the finger grooves found on Gen4’s as the grooves did not accommodate as wide a variety of hands and grips. Additionally, back straps with beavertail extensions are also included to help prevent slide-bite on the shooting hand.
The slide levers are now ambidextrous for easier use with either hand. The magazine well is now flared for a faster reload by funneling the magazine into the magazine well.
The coating on the slide has been upgraded to Glock’s nDLC finish to help keep the gun from rusting and to prevent other scratches to the slide. A secondary benefit is that the gun will also run better when it is degreased or in adverse conditions because of this coating. Although it is still recommended to lubricate your G17 if you intend to use it for long periods of time.
Glock also upgraded all standard Gen5 barrels to the Glock Marksman Barrel, increasing the base accuracy of the gun with more efficient rifling.
Price: $499-$699
Models and Variations
The G17 comes in the following variations:
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Glock 17 Gen4
This model features all of the base Gen4 and G17 staples, including the accessory rail, finger grooves, and texturing.
Classified as a full sized handgun, the G17 Gen4 is relatively large, coming very close to 8 inches long and almost 6 inches tall. This allows for better control of the gun since there is more mass to the pistol and more surface area for your hands to contact.
The only serrations on the base Gen4 models are near the rear to aid in manipulating the slide. If there are more serrations on the front of the pistol, these have either been added by the aftermarket or the pistol is not a Gen4 G17.
One of the benefits of the longer slide is that there is a longer sight radius for the pistol. The sight radius (ranging from 6.5 to 6.42 inches) allows for better accuracy when using iron sights. This is because the longer sight radius allows for better sight orientation on the target.
The magazine capacity starts at 17 rounds and can be expanded with the different magazines offered for the gun or with aftermarket base plate extensions.
While it is not the latest version, this G17 is still a capable pistol for both duty and self-defense roles. If you find the grip to be uncomfortable, you can find numerous services that will reduce the grip for you or you can try your hand at it.
Grip modification on a G17, since it does not affect the mechanical functions of the gun, is currently legal and can provide better control of the pistol.
Glock 17 Gen4 specs:
| Attribute | Spec |
|---|---|
| Action : | Semi automatic |
| Caliber: | 9x19 mm/9mm Luger |
| Capacity: | 17, 19, 24, 31, 33 rounds |
| Barrel length: | 4.49 inches |
| Weight loaded: | 32.28 ounces |
| Overall length: | 7.95 inches |
| Overall width: | 1.26 inches inches |
| Slide length: | 7.32 inches |
| Sights: | Polymer, Steel, and GNS |
Popular variations:
- Glock 17 G4 9mm Luger 4.49in FDE Handgun - 17+1 Rounds
- Glock 17 G4 9mm Luger 4.49in Gray/Black Pistol - 10+1 Rounds
- Glock 17 G4 9mm Luger 4.49in FDE/Black Pistol - 10+1 Rounds
Shop: Glock 17 Gen4 pistols
Glock 17 Gen4 MOS
This new version of the Gen4 style of G17 is the same as the standard G17 with one major difference. That difference is the addition of a premilled area to accept red dot sights. This allows you to use the Glock MOS plates to mount things like Trijicon RMR optics, Leupold Delta Points, and optics from Eotech, etc. These plates are not included but a cover plate comes with the gun in order to protect the milled area and screw attachment points.
Mounting and swapping optics with the MOS system can be done with very few tools as long as the appropriate plate is selected for the optic you want to mount.
Like the normal G17, the G17 MOS is marked “Law Enforcement Only” on Glock’s website.
xxxx specs:
| Attribute | Spec |
|---|---|
| Action : | Semi automatic |
| Caliber: | 9x19 mm/9mm Luger |
| Capacity: | 17, 19, 24, 31, 33 |
| Barrel length: | 4.49 inches |
| Weight loaded: | 32.28 ounces |
| Overall length: | 7.95 inches |
| Overall width: | 1.26 inches inches |
| Slide length: | 7.32 inches |
| Sights: | Polymer, Steel, GNS, and MOS System |
Popular variations:
- Glock 17 G4 MOS 9mm Luger 4.49in Black Pistol - 10+1 Rounds
- Glock 17 G4 MOS 9mm Luger 4.49in Black Pistol - 17+1 Rounds
- Glock 17 G4 MOS 9mm Luger 4.49in OD Green/Black Pistol - 17+1 Rounds
Shop: Glock 17 Gen4 Mos pistols
Glock 17 Gen5
The fifth generation of G17s are designed for a wider group of end users. The finger grooves which often fell underneath the user’s fingers have been removed. It was common for end-users to remove these grooves on Gen4’s, so the subtraction of the feature has saved everyone some time. This means a higher grip can be had on the gun without having to worry about an uncomfortable grip. An additional feature that was added was a premade “undercut” to the trigger guard.
Older Glock designs would produce “Glock knuckle,” an instance where the trigger guard would wear on the shooter’s middle finger. This created an area of irritation or a small depression that detracted from the shooting experience. It also forced the hand lower on the gun, impacting the ability to control recoil. Undercuts were another common modification applied to Gen4 frames and its inclusion on Gen5 frames indicates that Glock has been listening to its user base.
All of these features combined with the standard Gen5 upgrades mean that the G17 is now almost entirely ambidextrous as long as the magazine release is set up for the dominant hand. This helps make it easier to have a ready-to-go pistol right out of the box without hours of custom work having to be done to the gun before it is comfortable to use. This makes it great for “One-and-done” purchasers who want a simple pistol to carry. The ability to add a mounted light or laser also adds to the versatility of the Gen5 design.
Glock 17 Gen5 specs:
| Attribute | Spec |
|---|---|
| Action : | Semi automatic |
| Caliber: | 9x19 mm/9mm Luger |
| Capacity: | 17, 19, 24, 31, 33 rounds |
| Barrel length: | 4.49 inches |
| Weight loaded: | 33.33 ounces |
| Overall length: | 7.95 inches |
| Overall width: | 1.26 inches inches |
| Slide length: | 7.32 inches |
| Sights: | Polymer, Steel, and GNS |
Popular variations:
- Glock 17 Gen5 9mm Luger 4.49in Black Pistol – 17+1
- Glock 17 G5 Front Serrations 9mm Luger 4.49in Black Pistol - 10+1 Rounds
- Glock 17 G5 MOS 9mm Luger 4.49in Black nDLC Pistol - 10+1 Rounds
Shop: Glock 17 Gen5 pistols
Glock 17 Gen5 MOS
Building off of the main Gen5 G17, the G17 MOS adds even more modularity to the G17. The addition of the MOS optic system, allows you to purchase an optics ready pistol without the custom milling price tag. However you will still have to purchase the appropriate floor plate in order to take advantage of the MOS milling.
The Glock 17 Gen5 MOS is a great option if you want to work your way up to having a red dot on your pistol or if you already have one and need a pistol to mount it on.
If you are looking for a pistol that needs as little fine tuning as possible to get the most out of it, the Gen5 G17 is the solution when looking for a full sized handgun. It will be heavier than a compact or subcompact option but it makes up for this in reliability, controllability, and modularity.
This gun is perfect if you plan on jumping into the deep end of concealed carry or duty pistols.
Glock 17 Gen5 MOS specs:
| Attribute | Spec |
|---|---|
| Action : | Semi automatic |
| Caliber: | 9x19 mm/9mm Luger |
| Capacity: | 17, 19, 24, 31, 33 rounds |
| Barrel length: | 4.49 inches |
| Weight loaded: | 33.33 ounces |
| Overall length: | 7.95 inches |
| Overall width: | 1.34 inches inches |
| Slide length: | 7.32 inches |
| Sights: | Polymer, Steel, GNS, and MOS |
Popular variations:
- Glock 17 G5 MOS 9mm Luger 4.49in Black nDLC Pistol - 10+1 Rounds
- Glock 17 G5 MOS 9mm Luger 4.49in FDE Pistol - 10+1 Rounds
- Glock 17 G5 MOS 9mm Luger 4.49in FDE Pistol - 17+1 Rounds
Browse: Glock 17 Gen5 MOS pistols
G17 Long Slide
This older variation of the G17 was originally released in 1988 and featured a ported barrel and slide for better control. However, later models would not include the original ports on the G17L. Now the G17 Long Slide is featured as one of the more niche versions of the G17.
The G17 Long Slide features a lighter trigger pull, longer barrel, and longer sight radius to increase the precision of the G17. This was developed before red dot technology was widely available for pistols.
If you want a slightly heavier, precision version of the G17, the G17L fits the bill if you can handle the extra length.
This pistol is almost one and half inches longer than the standard G17. This is great for precision and competitions but can be troublesome for duty or self-defense uses.
Currently there are no MOS versions of the G17L.
G17 Long Slide specs:
| Attribute | Spec |
|---|---|
| Action : | Semi automatic |
| Caliber: | 9x19 mm/9mm Luger |
| Capacity: | 17, 19, 24, 31, 33 rounds |
| Barrel length: | 6.02 inches |
| Weight loaded: | 33.85 ounces |
| Overall length: | 9.53 inches |
| Overall width: | 1.30 inches inches |
| Slide length: | 8.86 inches |
| Sights: | Polymer, Steel, and GNS |