GLOCK 17 Gen 4 Review
GLOCK is the single most popular manufacturer of handguns in the United States. Thanks to a marketing department that could sell bayonets to millionaires and billionaires, GLOCK’s brick-like semi-automatic pistols are universally recognized, glamorized and immortalized. Just ask 2Pac. Oh wait. I’ve avoided GLOCKs due to their association (in my mind) with Tupperware. After resisting GLOCK’s plastic fantastic siren song for more than a decade I finally decided to see if GLOCKs are all that and a bag of chips. So I asked, and I received and I shot the ever-loving crap out of GLOCK’s standard duty model: the venerable GLOCK 17.
This is the handgun that launched the style [that should have come to be known as] Glockhaus. The gun’s bare bones ballistic minimalism offers no frills, no extraneous machining. Just the things you need and nothing you don’t. It’s the firearms equivalent of Dragnet – just the facts, ma’am.
In that sense, the GLOCK 17 stands in stark contrast to the sexy, stylized look of the Smith & Wesson M&P. Or the Springfield XDm. Or any 1911 on planet Earth. Let’s face it: the GLOCK 17 is ugly. I mean, if the M&P is to guns what Sarai Givaty is to a white tank top, the GLOCK is what Bee Arthur is to the string bikini these days, if you can imagine that. OK, maybe you shouldn’t.
If GLOCK’s detractors could bring themselves to stare at Gorgon’s gun for more than thirty seconds, they’d see that Gaston’s mob have incorporated a ton of well-hidden, well-placed features within the Glockhausian aesthetic. The best of these: the loaded chamber indicator.
On other guns of this type, the loaded chamber indicator is blatantly obvious. The Springfield XD’s sticks up the top of the slide and looks rather jagged. For the Smith & Wesson, it’s an obviously drilled hole in the top of the chamber. GLOCK has smartly hidden its loaded chamber indicator on the extractor, adding a little metal job that’s flush with the slide when empty and angles out when loaded. It’s perfectly placed for a quick trigger finger check, exploiting a pre-existing feature instead of adding a purpose-built part.
Other little things stick out (so to speak) too, indicating intelligent engineering. For example, the chamber in the barrel fits flush and snug to the cutout in the slide, making for a smooth and continuous surface along the top of the gun. While it doesn’t improve accuracy or combat effectiveness, the design feature shows some careful thinking which, one hopes, carries through to the gun’s internal parts.
GLOCK takes a lot of heat for that Perfection motto. It reminds me of legendary football coach Vince Lombardi’s take on the subject: “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.” Judging from the GLOCK 17 G4, the chase is still on.
The G17’s safety action trigger provides a small amount of predictable, uniform slack up to a wall-like breaking point. The break itself is a little mushy. Never mind. The reset’s the thing.
After ignition, the G17’s trigger resets close to the breaking point with a SNICK that can be heard clear across a crowded gun range, ear pro or no. Well almost. But you sure can feel it in your finger and that’s a good thing, allowing rapid, positive and purposeful follow-up shots.
Compared to similar polymer framed pistols, the GLOCK’s go pedal isn’t the worst on offer. It’s not the best, but it certainly isn’t the worst. The 17’s trigger was designed for the masses, balancing safety with accuracy — tilting dramatically towards safety. More advanced shooters can choose from a wide variety of aftermarket trigger parts that will reduce and smooth-out the 17’s 5.5 lbs. trigger pull.
Number two on the list of gripes: grip texture. I get that it’s a duty gun; GLOCK prioritized firearm retention. But the average shooter will find it a tad uncomfortable. Shooters with massive paws (e.g., me) have other issues: the ridges on the front strap of the grip don’t line up with my digits. In Glockland, it’s adapt or die.
Gripe number three: plastic magazines. They’ve proven to be tough as nails and stand up to abuse just as well as any other magazine, but they’re considerably bulkier than their metallic brethren and, historically, their light weight and slightly rougher exterior has kept them from dropping free from the gun when you hit the mag release.
OK, their latest incarnations do drop free. But I’ve seen older mags sticking around where they’re not wanted (the magazine well of your gun) enough to color my opinion.
It’s easy to see why the masses migrate to Gaston’s gizmo. Thanks to the 17’s thick grip, the gun’s relatively low bore axis, its 4.49″ barrel and the fact that the pistol fires the most manageable of “serious” calibers, the 17’s recoil is not an issue. Newbies would find it downright comfortable, even. More experienced shooters will not be surprised to learn I was keeping about a 1 inch group at 15 yards, with one flier out of 5 rounds.
The GLOCK’s positive trigger reset makes it possible to “ride” the trigger and unleash lead at a furious clip. The GLOCK’s much (and I’d say unfairly) maligned factory sights — a “U and dot” style setup — make getting on target and accurately putting rounds downrange as easy as finding a GLOCK hater at a 1911 convention. FTFs? FTEs? As John McEnroe said, are you serious? Whatever else you can say about the G17, whatever was said about early spring issue-related failures, this gun just worked.
But not for me, exactly. I’m not saying the GLOCK 17 is uncomfortable, it’s just not perfectly sized to fit my hand. I’m sure there are people (millions, apparently) for whom a GLOCK is the gun they feel comfortable having and holding in good times and in bad. Anyway, there’s no denying that the GLOCK 17 is a solid shooter that gets the job done in terms of putting rounds downrange where you want ’em.
Despite my gripes, the GLOCK 17 is a downright solid handgun. It’s reliable, built like a friggin’ tank, and has some pretty darn attractive features. It handles well, has tons of aftermarket mods and a booming accessories market to keep new GLOCK owners well stocked with various and sundry add-ons. It works, and for the money it’s a pretty good buy.
Specifications:
Caliber: 9mm Parabellum
Barrel: 4.4″
Overall: 7.7″
Weight: 22.04 oz. empty
Capacity: 17 (factory) / 19 (flush aftermarket) / 33 (lolwut)
Price: $500 retail
Ratings (out of five stars):
Accuracy: * * * *
Somewhere slightly south of Wilson Combat territory, and nowhere near Hi Point land.
Ergonomics (Handling): * * * *
For the most part its pretty good, but the grip just doesn’t do it for me. There are inserts available to change the size of the grip for larger hands. Unfortunately no interchangeable front straps for those finger grooves.
Ergonomics (Firing): * * * *
A bit of mush in the trigger, but overall very enjoyable.
Reliability: * * * * *
There has been video after video of these guns being abused, and lasting throughout the entire ordeal in perfect working order. GLOCK wasn’t about to let me do anything drastic with my loaner, but I take the word of the dozens (hundreds?) of people who have tried to break theirs.
Customization: * * * * *
I’m pretty sure there’s a rail mountable candelabra somewhere designed to work with a GLOCK.
Overall Rating: * * * *
Good? Definitely. Possibly even great. Just not perfect.
a maniac has already been doing this. Look up the youtube channel : SHARK.
I just don’t get what the problem is with your gripes on the grip. I have massive hands. Nearly ten inches from bottom palm to middle finger tip. And I can grip the gun fine. Granted, my pointer finger barely makes it between the trigger and the trigger guard, but still, once it’s in there, I’m a happy shooter. I am six foot eleven, three hundred thirty pounds, and find this gun to be the best I have ever shot.
A Glock review that starts out with a tupperware comparison and continues in to how ugly they are. Oh the creativity, TTAG!
Definitely not “perfect” but shoots better than a Beretta. Swept back grip isn’t for everyone. GlOCK 22 s are junk. Had a 40sw GlOCK and it was the worst gun I’ve ever owned. The 17 is better . New shooters looking for a pistol. Ask you dealer to hold a ruger SR then hold a GlOCK. You’ll like the ruger better.
I started my law enforcement career carrying the issued Smith & Wesson model 10-4, 6 shot revolver then I was issued the Smith & Wesson 9mm, the Smith & Wesson 40 cal. then my department issue the Sig 40 cal. All were great guns.
After being assigned to a federal task force I was issued the Glock Model 17 gen 4. I was reluctant to carry it. I had been on a assessment team in 1985 and voted against the Glock just because it was plastic and ugly. I was afraid it would crack or blow apart. But after 20 years of reliable service and firing it again 20 years later the range I must admit that I impressed with the low recoil, simple construction, weight and reliability. For a duty weapon or concealed carry weapon the Glock is light weigh, reliable, dependable and affordable. I now carry the Glock as my weapon of choice on and off duty and highly recommend it.
If the world ended tomorrow and chaos was everywhere what gun would you have on your side?
I just bought the G17 Gen 4 9mm. What do you recommend to use for ammo for Defense and for Plinking?
What grain works best?
Newbie shooter. Glock recommended by cop I met at Greeley Square walking home from rifle practice. When I told him I was getting my pistol permit in NYC, he said, “Glock.” NRA instructor recommends “standard” rather than “exotic” pistols for newbies. Even though NYC is gun-unfriendly, the cops here seem positive to responsible gun ownership even by women. Who’d a thunk?
Bought a 17 gen 4 and still learning it. I think it is a hard gun to learn on, but that’s what I have. With all the people on this thread complaining about grip too small, for me, the grip is a little too big, so it’s not the most comfortable. As difficult as it is for me to control the shots, I think I am learning and getting better at it. For ammo I got Wolf FMJ 115gr — a little light but cheap, and seems to shoot okay. Would heavier ammo be better?
As the guys said, not perfect. But then, neither am I. BTW, I’m 67.
As a retired 20 year LE officer, 10 on SWAT and FBI/NRA trained LE instructor for over 20 years I always give the same advice when asked what type of handgun to buy: Buy the one that is comfortable in your hand, in a caliber you can shoot accurately and comfortably, that you can understand the operations of; and buy a reliable brand that cops carry. Be it Glock, Sig, Baretta, S&W etc.
That said, I started my career with a S&W 581 revolver. Easy transition when I was issued a Glock 21 four years later and I became a believer. For the reasons stated above. Perfect comfort in my hand, comfortably controlled caliber, easy to understand. I have added the 22,27 and 30S to my personal collection. All fit those requirements.
Bottom line is, with over 250,000 rounds through Glocks, I have never had a failure that I could not honestly attribute to a bad grip or a cheap piece of crap ammo. I have subjected a couple to completely unreasonable abuse and they took it all. So from the reliability aspect, I have never seen anything that can do better.
Ultimately buying a gun is in some ways like buying shoes. Not all shoes feel the same. Feet are all different so not all shoes will fit the same. They will feel different. If a pistol just does not feel good in the hand then find something that does and if it fits the other requirements that be happy with that. So, while I am as big a fan as there is for Glock, when asked what handgun should I buy I can never just say get a Glock. If the Glock feels good to them, great. But if it does not then it is time to try something else on.
Too many lovers and haters get too wrapped up in an emotional position. No need for the fans to get bent when someone says it does not feel good in the hand. On the other hand a lot of closed minded haters never gave them a fair chance. Perhaps their loss. There are enough gun haters out there we need to watch out for to be seriously getting bent out of shape with each other. Call it some friendly chop busting and leave it there.
As for me, Glock all the way.
Be safe, be smart. keep the faith.
I like your well-reasoned and sensible approach to the question. Here in NYC, you cannot even touch a pistol until you are licensed, and then you have a limited time to buy a gun or they cancel the license. So Glock was a good choice for my first gun, but it’s a little big for my hand. Even though I like the Glock very much, I will know how to judge better for the next one. Thanks.
I can’t say I agree with all of the comments about this gun being ugly. When I first started to get interested in handguns, I would have agreed with that sentiment, but I think it’s a matter of taste. It’s grown on me over the years. The Glock, to me, is rather attractive in a sort of industrial-modern design way. The lines are simple and clean. There’s no weird tumor-like bulge anywhere (think Walter PPX grip). The Glock is like if an Ikea designer came up with a gun, but without the gloss-red paint.
Don’t get me wrong. If we’re just talking aesthetics, this doesn’t compare to the classic 1911, a stainless 92FS, or a CZ75. There are even other variations of the “plastic fantastic” I’d take over it (Sig SP2022 comes to mind). But there is something to be said for simple, clean design, especially when it comes with such high levels of function and reliability. If a 1911 is a Corvette, then the Glock is a diesel Volkswagen. It may not be the most exciting thing to look at, but it has its attractive qualities, and it will run forever.
^^^^ what he said.
For owners of older Glocks, the new loaded chamber indicator and the extended slide release are simple upgrades anyone can do.
I will take Bee Arthur if she performs better than Sarai. Most beautiful women I know are just some other guys problem. g17 for the win.
I have just read a heap of comments both for and against, As somebody once said you can’t please all the people all the time. I have owned four Glocks over the last 20 or so years and I would have to say my fav was an older G19. I have just purchased number 5, A G17 gen4,here in Australia it was $945 with only 2 ten shot mags.hopefully the license will come through in the next couple of weeks then I will post a report on how it is going.Chris C.
The People’s Republic of NYC makes carry permits mostly impossible for civilians. Hollow-points banned. NY State SSR nearly as bad. Mail order ammo banned. Crazy magazine laws. Serious shooters get Utah and Florida licenses, plan to move to America.
Prefer the gen3 Glock 17 myself….when I’m not using
my Glock 21 8-] Don’t get wrapped up in the fan boy
stuff…buy what fits your hand or you like! YOU have
to use this thing after all. I have also owned and shot
1911’s and Ruger’s P90. Not a fan boy…
It doesn’t feel good in my hand, it doesn’t fit my hand, the grip angle is funny. WTF talk about a bunch of ass grabbing bastards comparing a glock to a croation POS that sold for $150 at gun shows before Springfield (not the original Springfield) put their logo on it and jacked the price up, gave people extra accessories and a 007 case, making noobes bend over and take it hard. Yeah glocks work.
i don’t know what’s the big deal about glocks having big or bulky grips. I have small hands with short and stubby fingers but I have no problem gripping and shooting my 17 and that’s because I shoot with two hands! THat’s right TWO hands! The last time i went to shoot at the range people were still shooting with two hands. So unless you shoot with one hand, the grips shouldn’t be an issue.
Nick first off. Very fair and honest review on gen4 G 17. Thankyou
Now.as I live in the great state of Florida. Polk County. Or as I call it the Mouse Trap. We have more CCW holders then any other state. We also have some serious crime. Major drug problems. I know this as I work as an armed security officer. One of my posts was in Lakeland at low income housing. There was a major dealing going on in one section. Looked just like a tv show. 3 guys siting out side cars pull up one walks up hand in car then walks back. Next guy walks up hands person in car something. Car drives off. Well people I work for said got to stop. So worked with Lakeland P D. Sector sup great guy. Any way myself 4
patrol guys and k9 unit. First raid on a tuesday nite. No major arrest made. But issued 3 trespass citations, also found them using empty unit as stash house. Got there Buss cell phone. K9 guy smashed it with his boot. So waited a couple days. In mean time property management wanted all empty units in that section cleared. On to Sunday nite. Another raid. This time with a couple more patrol units added. Had a car that was there when it went down. 2 patrol officers had driver and other person in car exit. K9 came in the dog located about $4000.00 in ICE (meth) and 2 firearms (handguns) Meanwhile myself, the sector sup and k9 officer used a 3 man entry team to clear 14 units. My firearm Glock 17 gen 4 The officers firearms Glock 19. Point of all this. My Glock is part of me. Like my right hand. I practice my drill weekly. P B,3,10,15,25 yds. 15 rounds total 150 points possible. Go thru 3 times 450 points possible. Most weeks score 395 low to 435 high. Dam pb gives me trouble. Have put over 3000 rounds thru my 17. All stuff I load. 115grain fmj. Never a single problem. When working carry hp frang. Florida law. I trust my life every week to my Glock. And it seems so do most L E O I don t think about reliability of my Glock I know its there. I do think about is hope my vest works if I am shot. Just some food for the brain to think on. Also most reviews were real However. Some of these guys suffer from rectal cranial infarction.Be safe and keep truth about guns comming.
2000. Glocks were king
2015. Glocks are average
All the traits he mentioned that were positive about glock, almost every major company that produces a striker fired gun now also have. And they look, feel and shoot better. It’s funny no matter how good something is, others will eventually catch up and pass it. Glocks are still really really good guns. But the simple fact there are better striker fired guns now proves that they really aren’t great. And never really were. They were just the only one in the game
I’ve shot tons of guns as an instructor, and out of everything I’ve shot, Glock is the one brand that runs like a tank, no matter dirty it is! It’s a no frills combat handgun with superior reliability, and decent everything else. What more do you need in a sidearm?! LOL
If you dedicate enough time to train on a Glock it will serve you as good or better than any pistol available. I began a law enforcement career in 1993 and became an instructor one year later. The first five years the issued pistol was a Sig 226 9mm. Reliable and accurate with a sweet trigger. When the dept switched to the Glock 22 in 1998, I was training program manager and bitched, cried, complained and hated on the Glock because I didn’t score as well on qualification and Bulls-Eye courses, but was stuck with it. Recognizing it to be a different animal than my familiar guns, I reluctantly shelved the Sig and my 1911s and trained exclusively on the Glock. The lightbulb really came on as our training evolved from double taps and more precision oriented shooting to fast and furious, high round count combat courses. Once you master the proper grip and perfect the technique of keeping the trigger moving you will shoot tight groups as fast as you can pull the trigger. Tens of thousands of rounds later, I still have to work a little harder on the bullseye course, but for anything that is speed oriented the Glock is superior. With the proper training, any reliable brand that you choose will probably be the pistol you shoot best, but for me I cannot ignore the fact that I have never had one single malfunction in any Glock pistol. Keep a little Lube on the rails and it will work all day long. If it doesn’t, either use decent ammo or sell it because you got a fluke, then buy a different one. Thinking the other companies have caught up I have recently owned M&P, PPQ, vp9, CZ, 1911 and still have my Sig, but in my hands the glock outscores them all. If you are willing to adjust your technique to the pistol and train I believe it is the superior design for combat shooting. Lighter, crisper triggers and comfy grips are crutches that will help you shoot better initially but will keep you from shooting your best.
I like GLOCK17 and SIG P226. But I never had them. Because I come from China . Here the private possession of firearms is prohibited . If someone can give me a GLOCK17 or SIG P226 was awesome ! But Chinese police soon I was sent to prison . I must rely on translation software , so please use simple English to communicate with me . Thank you
2016 update on my four Taurus products. 1911, TCP, model 85 & a Heritage 22/22 mag. All have been flawless with an average of 1000 rounds through each. All in stainless except Heritage. Fit & finish is great. Really can’t ask for anymore. I have other ‘high end’ guns too to compare side by side. Taurus saved me a lot of money by building everything in house. Modern methods & Brazillian wages perhaps. I’ve been very pleased. Worth a try. Don’t believe ,the negative hype. Ayoob,Spaulding,Clapp, Smith all speak well of them too. I’m in good company I feel. Ten,six & four years of ownership & use. No problems.
The LaserMax Spartan red and green rail-mounted lasers are advertised as “The First Perfect Fit for Handgun Rails” and retail for $149 (SPS-Green) and $99 (SPS-Red). Street prices are at least $10 less, however my SPS-G was $40 less, so it pays to shop around. Batteries (1/3N size) are $5.45 on the LaserMax site, I ordered two extra when I bought the laser and drop in a new one every six months.
Having found great value in a LaserMax Centerfire red mounted on the front of my Shield’s trigger guard, I was anxious to try a rail-mounted green laser that I could switch between my various range and carry pistols. Note: all pictures show an unloaded CZ P-07 Duty.
Riding on just a small part of a 1913 rail, the unique mounting system of the SPS-G allows for some customization of the reach to the activation paddles on both sides of the device. Here is the laser all the way back against the trigger guard . .
I have had my only Glock, a G17, since 1989. I had it converted from a Gen 2 to a Gen 3 two years ago.
The G17 IS perfection, in my humble opinion.
Maintain the helpful work and bringing in the crowd!
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For the first thirty years of my ownership of my G17, I shot cast bullets (155gr LRN) that I cast myself from a Lee six-cavity mold. 800 FPS was all I needed for competition here in VT/NH. It has been my CCW gun since 1989, being totally reliable. No jams ever.
you have authentic information guys great i like that
WARNING: Glock is not for women.
I was all excited about the Glock — good name, I was able to pull the rail back easily, and I was able to easily take it apart and clean it.
Yesterday I went to the range and the Glock 17 9mm misfired on me EVERY single time. My husband fired it and had no problems and couldn’t see why it wasn’t working for me. We called Glock and they claim the problem is my grip (my husband feels this is a sad explanation as he didn’t see anything wrong with my grip). This is my self-defense gun and I can’t have a gun that is not dependable. I did not have the same problem with the Sig Sauer and none of the other guns I’ve shot have had a jamming problem. This is a design flaw and Glock’s representative hung up when we demanded that they should have a disclaimer warning that this gun misfires if not held exactly right.
A Glock should shoot reliably regardless of who shoots it.
I used to have a t-shirt that showed a Glock and had “COMBAT TUPPERWARE” emblazoned on it. I bought it, along with my first semi-auto handgun – a Glock 19 – back in 1992. The shirt is long gone, and I have retired from check cashing service/armored car service, but I still have that original Glock. And it still functions flawlessly.
Is the spring of the magazine really very stiff and Is the grip confortable?Is the slide easy to rack.Thank You
I’ve been shooting long guns, shotguns, pistols, revolvers, and original Civil War muskets and carbines for over 60 years. Ive owned or own Colts, S&W, Kimber, SIG, Rugers, and others. Never had a Glock until a year ago. Traded my wife’s S&W Shield for a G42 (.380 ACP). She couldn’t rack the slide on the S&W and feared the recoil.
Well, she shoots it well, and easy for her to carry.
Me? I shot her 42 and loved it. So much so that I got a 43 for myself, and then a Gen 5 19.
I shoot these homely little guns better than all the others. Including the 1911s. I do some IDPA and shoot action pistol weekly with a bunch of other geezers at my gun club. Sorry I waited this long to Glockenspiel. The others now remain mostly in the safe.
My 2 cents, Bought a new Gen 3 17L and it jammed 4x in 4 different mags, bought a new G 34 gen 5 I think it was special designed barrel with new rifling to make it more accurate and it shot average, shot the G21 gen 4 45 cal and loved it, shot the G17 Gen 4 and loved it and going to buy another one, shot the 10mm Gen 4 maybe G20 ? and loved it – had very little recoil, just like the G21 45 cal. Sorry for the run-on sentences, lol :>) My brother and many of his friends are Special Forces, Navy Seals and they all swear by them. Although, my cousin did say his friend who is a Jersey Cop hates glocks like many of the other Jersey cops because Glocks jammed a ton for them. They are small for my hands and I added the backstrap to it and still too small. I have large hands but by no means gigantic. They don’t feel good in my hands but the Glock 17 just shot great for me. A buddy who was a green beret and trains other armies around the world now told me to make sure the gun feels great in my hand above all. Sorry but that’s all the wisdom I have to offer. It is a bit contradicting but those are the facts. I do trust Glock for reliability and accuracy but I don’t like how it feels in my hand and I don’t really like the look or feel of them. They feel cheap but in general really seem to perform very well. Thanks for your time, Brooks