GLOCK G17 GEN 4
Posted May 25, 2023
The Glock G17 GEN 4 is one of the most iconic and popular handguns on the market today. It is often used by police, military personnel, and civilians alike. The Glock G17 GEN 4 is the fourth generation of the company's popular line of handguns and offers some of the best features the Glock has to offer. It is reliable and can be utilized in a variety of different situations. In this review, I will discuss the features, specifications, pros and cons, and other factors that make the Glock G17 GEN 4 an excellent choice for a handgun.
Design:
The Glock G17 GEN 4 is a semi-automatic, striker-fired pistol with an ergonomic polymer frame. It features a black matte finished slide, with a variety of textures and contours. The grip features an interchangeable backstrap and the ambidextrous slide release. It also has a reversible magazine release and extended slide stop lever. The frame is designed for comfortable shooting with a low bore axis and interchangeable backstraps allowing the user to customize the grip size.
Build Quality:
The Glock G17 GEN 4 is a durable and reliable handgun. It is constructed of steel and polymer and its slide and barrel are cold hammer-forged and constructed of Tenifer-coated steel. The polymer frame offers excellent grip stability and is durable and lightweight. All the components are designed to last and the frame is impervious to corrosion and weather. The accuracy of the Glock G17 GEN 4 is excellent, with a trigger pull of 5.5 pounds (shorter and smoother than other Glock models) and a short reset. The sights are also of high quality, with fixed factory adjustable sights or optional tritium night sights.
Features:
The Glock G17 GEN 4 has a variety of features that make it an excellent choice for defensive use. It is a lightweight gun at just over 1.5 pounds (unloaded), which makes it easy to carry. It also has a Picatinny rail for accessories such as lasers and lights, and has an audible trigger reset for quick follow-up shots. The Glock G17 GEN 4 also comes with a reversible magazine release for ambidextrous use and an interchangeable backstrap for a more comfortable grip.
Reliability:
The Glock G17 GEN 4 is one of the most reliable handguns on the market. Its simple design allows it to shoot thousands of rounds without jamming and its Tenifer-coated components also provide excellent corrosion and wear resistance. It is designed for quick and easy disassembly and can be field stripped with a few simple steps. The Glock G17 GEN 4 is also extremely accurate, with a 5.5 pound trigger pull and short reset ensuring consistent shots.
Pros and Cons:
The Glock G17 GEN 4 is an excellent choice for a defensive handgun. It is reliable, durable, and lightweight and boasts an impressive array of features. The interchangeable backstrap and reversible magazine release allow for increased comfort and convenience. It is also extremely accurate and its Tenifer-coated components provide excellent corrosion and wear resistance. With all these features, there are some drawbacks to the Glock G17 GEN 4. The pistol is large and bulky and can be difficult to conceal and carry. It can also be difficult to handle for those with smaller hands.
Conclusion:
The Glock G17 GEN 4 is a reliable and durable pistol that offers a variety of features. Its light weight makes it easy to carry and its interchangeable backstrap and reversible magazine release make it even more convenient and comfortable to use. The Glock G17 GEN 4 is also extremely accurate, making it suitable for a variety of different uses. Its simple design also makes it extremely durable and reliable and ensures it can withstand thousands of rounds of use without jamming. The few drawbacks of the Glock G17 GEN 4 should not overshadow its many features or its overall quality construction. For anyone looking for a reliable and versatile handgun, the Glock G17 GEN 4 is an excellent choice.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Reliable and trustworthy: Many professionals carry the GLOCK G17 GEN 4 on the job because it is highly reliable and trustworthy for use in self-defense scenarios.
- Easy to carry: It is relatively lightweight and small enough that it can be comfortably carried in a holster.
- High capacity magazine: The standard magazine for the GLOCK G17 GEN 4 can hold up to 17 rounds of ammo, making it great for multiple-target scenarios.
- High customizability: The GLOCK G17 GEN 4 is designed to be extremely customizable, allowing users to choose from a variety of aftermarket upgrades and modifications.
Cons:
- High Price: The GLOCK G17 GEN 4 is one of the more expensive models on the market, retailing at around $700.
- High recoil: Notorious for its recoil, the GLOCK G17 GEN 4 shoots with more force than other 9mm handguns, making it difficult for inexperienced shooters to manage.
- Low accuracy: Experienced shooters may still find the GLOCK G17 GEN 4 to be underwhelming when it comes to accuracy. Some attribute this to its higher recoil.
- Poor ergonomics: Due to its polymer frame, many find the GLOCK G17 GEN 4 to be somewhat uncomfortable to hold, especially during long shooting sessions.
Who Should Buy
The GLOCK G17 GEN 4 is a 9mm full-size pistol that is perfect for shooters of all skill levels. It's ideal for those who want a reliable, durable, and accurate gun that won’t break the bank. It is an excellent choice for home defense, competition shooting, and law enforcement use.
Who should buy GLOCK G17 GEN 4:
• People with no prior handgun experience who want a reliable, durable, and accurate gun at a good price.
• Experienced shooters who need an affordable, but reliable, compact-sized handgun for concealed carrying.
• Law enforcement officers who need a reliable and accurate sidearm for on-duty use.
Who shouldn’t buy GLOCK G17 GEN 4:
• People looking for a concealed carry gun that is extremely small and lightweight. The G17 will be too bulky for comfortable carrying.
• People who prefer handguns with a manual safety. The G17 does not have one.
• People looking for a gun to shoot target accurately at long distances. The G17 is not designed to shoot accurately at extreme distances.
Comparisons
| Product | Caliber | Magazine Capacity | Barrel Length | Overall Length | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GLOCK G17 Gen 4 | 9mm | 17 Rounds | 4.49" | 7.32" | $479.99 |
| GLOCK G19 Gen 4 | 9mm | 15 Rounds | 4.02" | 6.85" | $479.99 |
| SIG Sauer P320 | 9mm | 17 Rounds | 4.7" | 7.2" | $499.99 |
| CZ 75 SP-01 | 9mm | 18 Rounds | 4.6" | 8.1" | $619.99 |
| Glock G17 Gen 5 | 9mm | 17 Rounds | 4.48" | 7.95" | $549.99 |
Features / Specs
• Caliber: 9x19 mm
• Magazine Capacity: Standard: 17 rounds
• Dimensions:
o Length (Overall): 202mm / 7.95 in
o Slide Length: 186mm / 7.32 in
o Width (Overall): 30.00 mm / 1.18 in
o Slide Width: 25.5mm / 1.00 in
o Height incl. Mag. (Standard): 138mm / 5.43 in
o Line of Sight (Polymer): 153mm / 6.02 in
• Trigger System: Safe Action
• Weight (Unloaded/ Loaded): 625g / 855g
• Barrel Length: 114mm / 4.48 in
• Barrel Rifling: Right Hand, Hexagonal
• Parts: 34
Popular Accessories
- Extra Magazines
- Magazine Loader
- Laser/Light Combos
- Holster
- Grips
- Magazine Extensions
- Rail Adaptors
- Slides
- Recoil Springs
- Sights and Optics
Accuracy
The Glock G17 Gen4 has exceptional accuracy thanks to its cold hammer-forged barrel. This barrel is 3.5 inches long and has polygonal rifling, meaning the bullet will spin as it travels down the barrel resulting in greater velocity and accuracy when firing. The pistol also features an adjustable back strap system that allows you to customize the grip to fit your hand size perfectly. This, in combination with the trigger, which has a quick reset, ensures the pistol can easily be fired with precision. With the right ammo, the G17 Gen4 can remain accurate up to and beyond 50 yards.
