GLOCK G17 GEN 4
Posted May 19, 2023
Glock G17 Gen 4 – Review
I’ve been shooting the Glock G17 Gen 4 now for a few months, and I must say, I’m impressed. The G17 has been a mainstay in the firearms market for many years now, and its enduring popularity is indicative of its innovation. While there are many imitators, none can match the ergonomic design, ease of use, and reliability of Glock’s flagship, the G17 Gen 4.
Design and Ergonomics
The Glock G17 Gen 4 carries over the same platform used since the first model of the gun, and as such, its look and feel are immediately recognizable. It has the same polymer-frame construction, flat-profile slide, and iconic accessories. The trigger guard is enlarged to accommodate large hands, and the grip angle is well-suited for shooting in either stance. Additionally, the Gen 4 model integrates four interchangeable backstraps, allowing you to customize the fit to your hand size and preferences.
One major difference between the G17 Gen 3 and Gen 4 models are the finger grooves on the grip. On the Gen 3, the grooves were quite prominent and immediately distinguishable. However, Glock has now integrated the grooves into the texturing of grip, giving the gun a sleeker, more streamlined look. Additionally, the grip texture itself has been updated, allowing for a more secure grip and better recoil mitigation.
Ease of Use
The Glock G17 Gen 4 is not only easy to use, but also, easy to maintain. The gun’s architecture is simple and intuitive, ensuring that anyone can take it apart and put it back together. Additionally, Glock has made some updates to the gun’s internals. The magazine release is now reversible, making it accessible to both left and right-handed shooters, and the dual-recoil spring assembly has been updated to reduce wear and improve function. The magazine well is also wider and more accessible, making reloading much faster and easier.
Shooting Performance
When it comes to shooting performance, the Glock G17 Gen 4 is top-notch. I’ve been putting this gun through its paces, and I’ve been particularly impressed with its accuracy. Thanks to the new barrel design, the gun is more accurate than ever, with less muzzle flip and faster follow-up shots. The new and improved dual-recoil spring assembly also helps to reduce recoil, making the gun easier to control. Additionally, the sights are bright and easy to use, and the trigger is crisp with limited creep. Under recoil, the gun returns to its original position quickly, making it a great choice for both target shooting and self-defense.
Reliability
The Glock G17 Gen 4 is undoubtedly reliable. The gun is made from robust materials, including the same renowned, Tenifer-coated slide. This robust and durable coating helps to protect the gun from corrosion and wear, ensuring it will last for many years to come. The gun has also been tested in various environments, including a 2,000-round torture test, where it continued to perform with no issues. All in all, this is the perfect gun for those who need a reliable companion in the field.
Conclusion
Offering reliability, performance, and comfort, the Glock G17 Gen 4 is a great choice for any shooter. Combining Glock’s quality construction and innovation with cutting-edge design, the gun is a top choice for self-defense, target shooting, and combat training. It’s easy to use, easy to maintain, and provides superior performance in a package that’s easy to stow away when not in use. If you’re looking for a gun that can do it all, the G17 Gen 4 is the one to get.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
-Highly Reliable: the GLOCK G17 Gen 4 has proven its reliability over the years, as it often passes the U.S. Army's stringent testing procedures. The full-size frame is perfect for a shooter with a larger hand.
-Lightweight: the GLOCK G17 Gen 4 is lightweight, weighing in at just 15 ounces unloaded. This makes it a great option for concealed carry.
-Highly Customizable: the GLOCK G17 Gen 4 offers a range of customization options, such as interchangeable backstraps and sights.
Cons:
-Cost: the GLOCK G17 Gen 4 is more expensive than many other handguns on the market, making it a bigger investment in terms of cost.
-Trigger Safety: the way the trigger safety works on the GLOCK G17 Gen 4 may be deemed too complex for some shooters.
-Trigger Pull: the trigger pull on the GLOCK G17 Gen 4 can be heavy compared to other handguns, making it more difficult for some shooters to accurately fire the gun.
Who Should Buy
GLOCK G17 GEN 4 is an excellent choice for any shooter, from novice to experienced. It is a reliable and simple to use platform that is capable of handling a wide variety of shooting styles and calibers. It features an updated look and technology, making it a great choice for those who are in the market for a quality handgun that is both reasonably priced and reliable.
Those who should not buy GLOCK G17 GEN 4 are those who are looking for more specialized firearms, such as long-range accuracy, competition shooting, or home defense. The G17 GEN 4 may not provide enough to satisfy the needs of these types of shooters. Additionally, those who do not intend to use it as a primary handgun should consider other options due to the lack of customizability of the design.
Comparisons
| Glock G17 GEN 4 | Sig Sauer P320 | Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 | Beretta APX | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caliber | 9mm | 9mm | 9mm | 9mm |
| Capacity | 15+1 | 19+1 | 17+1 | 17+1 |
| Weight (w/o Magazine) | 25.06 oz | 25.8 oz | 24.7 oz | 26.4 oz |
| Length | 7.95" | 7.2" | 7.3" | 7.55" |
| Width | 1.34" | 1.3" | 1.2" | 1.3" |
| Slide Finish | Tenifer | Nitron | Armornite | Bruniton |
| Frame Finish | nDLC | Polymer | Polymer | Polymer |
| Sights | Fixed | SIGLITE | 3-Dot | 3-Dot |
| Grips | Interchangeable | Interchangeable | Interchangeable | Interchangeable |
| Trigger System | Striker Fire | Striker Fire | Striker Fire | Striker Fire |
Features / Specs
-Compact frame pistol chambered in 9x19
-Glock safe action system
-Polymer frame with metal slide
-4.49-inch barrel
-4:1 barrel ratio
-Integral accessory rails
-Right hand twist rifling
-Fixed sights
-Flared magwell
-Standard magazine capacity of 17 rounds
-14+1 round magazine capacity with extended magazine
-Weight: 33.3 ounces
-Overall length: 7.32 inches
-Overall height: 5.43 inches
-Width: 1.18 inches
Popular Accessories
?
- Extended Magazine Release
- Recoil Spring Assembly
- Magwell
- Extended Slide Stop
- Magazine Extensions
- Trigger Kits
- Extended Magazine Base Plates
- Slide Racker
- Extended Magazine Plates
- Sights and Optics
Accuracy
The Glock G17 Gen 4 has been praised for its accuracy. It features improved grip texture that allows for better grip traction and a semi-auto multiple backstops that allow for more accurate target acquisition. It has a longer sight radius than its predecessors that make it easier to get on target. Additionally, the combination of polymer frame, short recoil operation, and cold hammer-forged barrel provide superior accuracy. Thanks to its precision accuracy and durability, the Glock G17 proves to be one of the most reliable handguns on the market. This is why many law enforcement and military personnel choose to carry and use the Glock G17 as a sidearm.
