Meet the Glock 17: The Best 9mm Gun on the Planet?

The Glock 17 is trusted by law enforcement professionals and militaries around the world. It was first introduced in the 1980s and remains one of the most successful striker-fired handguns.

I found the Glock 17 to be a reliable, rugged pistol and surprisingly light for its size. It also offers access to a vast range of aftermarket sights, holsters, and other accessories. Yet, it may not fit everyone’s needs.

Glock G17 Overview

The Glock 17 is the original Glock, developed in 1981 and released in 1982. At the time, the 17-round magazine capacity was unmatched for a handgun of its size. It was also the first pistol design to rely heavily on polymers, as Glock was a polymer manufacturer before getting into the firearms industry.

The fifth generation of the Glock 17 was released in 2017. The Gen5 Glock 17 removed the finger grooves from the grip for a more comfortable design for people of varying hand sizes.

The Glock 17 still uses the striker-fired system developed by Glock decades ago. Glock refers to it as the “Safe Action” system.

The design is reliable and easy to maintain. Glock also offers dependable accuracy, making it the go-to weapon for several generations of law enforcement and military officers.

Specifications

Glock G17 Pros and Cons

Pros

Cons

Glock G17 Features

Here is a closer look at some of the features that help make the Glock 17 one of the most popular handguns.

Large Magazine Capacity

The Glock 17 has a 17-round magazine capacity when using a standard magazine. However, you can also purchase high-capacity magazines with up to 33 rounds.

The Glock “Big Stick” magazine is made using the same polymer materials used for shorter magazines. It fits all Gen3, Gen4, and Gen5 Glock 17 pistols.

Full-Size Grip with Removable Backstraps

The Glock 17 is known for its comfortable grip. It has the right length to accommodate people with larger or smaller hands. However, removing the finger grooves on the grip has helped make the latest generation of Glock 17 pistols more accessible.

The grip also has a removable backstrap. You can use thicker or thinner backstraps to achieve the perfect fit for your hand. The thickness of the backstrap changes the trigger reach and length of the trigger pull for greater customization.

Alternatives

Here are a couple of alternative pistols to consider if the Glock 17 does not quite match your needs:

Glock G45 9 mm Pistol

The Glock 45 is a crossover model based on the design of the Glock 17, making it a suitable alternative to the G17. It also uses the shorter slide found on the Glock 19 and fits almost any holster or attachment made for the G19 model, which can give a few more options for accessories compared to the G17.

Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0 Semi-Auto Pistol

The Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0 is an updated version of the M&P striker-fired pistol first released in 2005. As with the Glock pistols, the M&P 2.0 features a polymer grip with a stainless-steel frame. However, the M&P 2.0 is a little more versatile thanks to its selection of grip inserts and the Picatinny rail for sights and other tactical attachments.

Conclusion

The Glock 17 is a trusted choice due to its quality construction and large magazine capacity. Thanks to its popularity, it is also frequently available at low prices.

The Glock 17 is often mocked for its bland appearance, but beneath the rough exterior is a dependable handgun. You may need to pay extra attention to the buildup around the opening on the breech face. However, the Glock G17 remains easy to maintain and should last for life with proper care.

If you want a pistol that you can count on when the need arises, consider ordering a Glock G17 today.