I recently added a Glock 17 to my collection. I know that some swear by them and others don't like them; probably a normal reaction to any single object by a large group of people.
In any event, I thought I'd try it myself.

So I tried some Glockenspiel..play with a glock!

First, I have to say the gun is extremely accurate with the original factory sights (mine is a second generation made about 1993 or so, I guess). At five yards using slow fire techniques one-hole five round groups under an inch and a half were fairly easy to produce.
At longer distances, I was able to maintain fairly tight head shot size groups. In rapid fire, my group tended to wander a bit, though I feel with some trigger time, that will improve as the trigger will take some getting used to.

But, the reset on the trigger is magnificent! I could really feel it when it clicked into position. Now it is not the shortest reset; that honor goes to my Smith 645 and my Walther P99. However, the strenght of the reset, I feel would be a real advantage in an adrenalin dump situation where the niceties and subtleties go out the window. This reset is very easy to detect; the best in that regard of any pistol I have shot.

As for the grip angle question, I experimented with that issue using the traditional bullseye stance and grip I was taught when I shot competition in the Air Force. Aligning my feet, closing my eyes and raising the pistol and only then opening my eyes to see where the sights were. I have to say, each time I did this, the sights were precisely aligned elevation wise and only required a slight adjustment for windage. The grip angle issue does not seem to affect me, for what that is worth.

As for pistol width, double stack magazine pistols are going to be wider than single stack pistols and that is something we just have to live with. That said, I find the flat front strap to be a distinct advantage when gripping the pistol. This may be a result of my grip style.
I learned the bullseye shooter's grip; that is, the pressure of the shooting hand is on the front strap of the pistol, pressing the back strap against the heel of my palm. Neither my fingers nor my thumb apply pressure to the sides of the grip, they just rest there. In a target grip, there is even daylight between the palm and the grip as you can see in the accompanying photograph. This gap I eliminate when using two hands, but I still use no real pressure with the palm against the grips.
When using two hands, the palm of my support hand presses back against the fingers of my shooting hand. The fingers of my support hand are more or less free-floating; they do not grip. Neither hand "squeezes" the grip or perhaps "milks" the grip might be a better way to put it. I do not like a universal squeeze around the grip as I think that allows for more errors in shooting than than it can eliminate. So, with using almost exclusively a front to back grip, the flat strap is, to me at least a distinct advantage.

In any event, I rather like this pistol and I will be shooting it more this week to get used to the trigger. All in all, it seems an excellent gun admirably suited to defensive and even informal bullseye shooting.

Here are some photos of my pistol.


The barrel does not seem to exhibit much wear, and I believe this pistol was virtually unfired when I bought it.

Here is a photo of the "target grip" I was trying to describe above. Notice the opening between the palm and the grip and the free floating thumb.

Great write-up.

I bought my first Glock (a 17) a couple of weeks ago after never having understood why people liked them.

Why the change?

I took a 2 day pistol class about 6 weeks ago (taught by Wayne Dobbs). A guy in our class had a new Glock 17. On the second day of the class after having learned a proper grip after years of shooting with no formal training, I tried his Glock. And then I finally understood why people loved the Glock.

Yes I was shooting well with my 229, but it was simply much more easy to shoot great with the Glock. And the trigger reset is fantastic.

Last week I took my new Glock to a low-light tactical shooting class (BTW - using the NEW TLR-1 with 135 lumens LED - FANTASTIC) and simply totally fell in love with the Glock. With my new 'proper' grip, I shoot really well and the Glock simply makes it easier than my Sigs.

So what did I do? I bought my first Glock (a 17) 2 weeks ago and I just ordered my second Glock a 19 today.

Now I don't think Glocks are perfect, but for the time being my Sigs are going in the back of the safe.

Hi AZ SIG Shooter... Great pistol!! That's a really nice older model, and it looks fantastic!

If you send that pistol to Glock, they'll do all of the upgrades for you (no charge). I don't own this G19 pistol or BAR-STO barrel now (only have a G17 right now), but all of the pistols have the angle cut into the slide along the back right corner of the ejection port area. They would do that to your pistol.



They'll also change out the extractor, all springs, and since that slide has the older finish (flat gray, almost), it'll probably come back with a new paint job.

=)

I'll echo 220ST here and suggest sending that nice old Glock back to the factory for some free upgrades and tweaking. You just can't beat Glock's customer service. They'll fix it all up with the newest parts for no charge and will probably refinish it and send you a bunch of freebies.

I agree with you on Glocks being an easier gun to shoot well. Despite using Sigs for several classes at the Sig Academy as well as the GrayGuns courses, I *still* shoot a Glock faster and more accurately, every time.

Welcome to the dark side I love glocks here are some of mine.




Gerat review Enjoy your new toy

Another convert! Nice!

Enjoy the G17.

Welcome to the darkside!

I've never quite understood what is not to like about a light consistent trigger pull with a positive and fairly short reset.

After years of shooting just about everything out there, I've found my platform and I'm sticking with it. 9mm and 45 ACP Glocks are what I'm comfortable with.

Try a Glock with a set of Heinies or Warren sights when you get a chance. You'll find you enter a whole new realm of possibilities.

I resisted even looking at a Glock for years. I was absolutely certain that "real" guns had metal frames, "normal" grip angles and looked more "classic". One Saturday a few years ago, I had stopped at a local indoor range where I discovered it was "Glock Days". They had Glock reps on site and you could shoot any Glock you wanted as a test drive. I wasn't particularly interested, since I had a range bag full of Sigs to shoot that day. I was friendly with one of the store clerks, and he urged me to try one. I gave him my usual line about "tupperware"not being very interesting, but since it was free, decided to try it. I ended up shooting a G17, 19 and 34. What a revelation. I was able to get comfortable with the grip angle in moments, actually liked the trigger and found that I was as accurate as I was with Sigs that I had owned for years. I was stunned. Needless to say, I walked out of the store that day with a G19. If someone who was absolutely enamored with the classics--1911's, High Powers and Sigs can be "turned" to the dark side, it can happen to most anyone.

I just picked up a 23, first Glock that felt right for me. Ordered Warren Tactical plain rear sight and FO front, 3.5 connector, TI safety plunger, butt plug and a Crossbreed Super Tucker holster. Can't wait to get it together and try it...

So tell me...what would be the advantage of sending the gun back to Glock. It seems to function perfectly as is. I'm just confused on the issue!

Nice looking Gen2. I have 2 Gen 1 17's and they are sweet shooters. Yours is very nice looking example.

I would suggest calling Glock to see if their are any updates you need to have them perform on it. They will do it free of charge. Had both my in and the replaced everything but the frame, barrel, and slide one my G17 and G19

Well... if it's running fine, nothing. If you want the updates (the cut performed on your slide at the ejection port, to get that up to date, and the newer extractor, fresh springs, and probably a new upper paint job) they'll do all of that no charge.

If you don't care about that stuff, and it's running fine... don't sweat it. I just like upgrades to keep things running smooth (just me).

I don't have to tell you you'll love it, sounds like you already do. That trigger reset and grip angle make them the excellent shooters they are.

Gen II 17
Gen III 23

I don't know if its possible but will Glock drill another hole to make AZ SIG Shooter's G17 locking block hold two pins instead of one? (I believe Glock upgraded all Glock models to two pins when they started producing the .40 caliber G22)

Here's my 9mm Glock. The finest fighting pistol since the 1911. edit: (Mark, here's two for ya!!!)

Ian,
I NEVER get tired of seeing that pic

It would still be a 2 pin gun instead of the current three. That's about the only thing they don't do on the upgrades.

220ST,

I have a 2nd gen G22 that I got about a year ago. From the shop I got it from they told me that the old owner put titanium parts and lighted trigger. It runs great and eats up everything I put through it. However, after shooting my friends stock gen 3 G22 really wish my was stock. I dont know what it is but it just felt smoother.

How do I go about sending it to Glock? Should I go to my local dealer? Or should I just call Glock Monday to ask?

Thanks

I'd give them a call Monday, or write up a small note/nice letter that you'd like the pistol looked over, and any and all upgrades performed. Then ship it off.

It would be nice if your FFL could ship it regular old mail (or Priority) for you, so you could save some $$$

Unless your dealer has a Glock Armorer under his employee I doubt he/she could help you. You could pick up one of the many manuals or online guides on how to put your Glock back to stock form yourself. Glocks are one of if not the simplest pistols to work on, parts literally drop in, they're readily available and cheap. If it sounds like something you dont' want to mess with, the best thing would be to send it to Glock. Contact them first before you send it off. You may need an authorization #.

edit: Yes, do what 220ST suggests.

Glock and Springfield Custom. There is nothing better.

I own four Springfield Custom 1911's (three of which are custom built Colts) and five Glocks. Two G19's, two G21SF's, and a G23 for CCW - which was refinished by CCR in gold Cera-Kote for my personal amusement. All nine of those guns wear Heine Slant-Pro sights, black rear with tritium front post.