After looking at the various options I’ve decided to go with the G17 for a general purpose range plinker and HD weapon. I’m a novice to the Glock world but after firing a friend’s G17 (and considering my somewhat limited budget) the G17 seems like a winner.
I’m told that this particular model is one of the more trouble-free Glocks and that new ones are the so-called “3rd Generation” models. Local prices average around $500-520 with one place selling them for $460.
For you G17 owners, have you been satisfied with the performance and reliability of this weapon?
Absolutely! I own six G17’s. You will not be making a bad choice at all with a G17 and it would be a major bonus to pick up a new one for $460. Enjoy it man.
I’m very satisfied with the reliability and performance of my G17s (I own two of them).
I love the fact that the G17 is the original Glock, has proven itself in dozens of reliability test, holds 17 + 1 rounds and has a ton of accessory support.
However I just don’t shoot the G17 as well as I do the G19. Do yourself a favor before you spend your hard earned money and shoot a G19 before you buy. Then decide which one to get first
The reduction gives me the oldest and most trouble free Glock top end and the better feel and more size efficient G19 grip. I shot it quite a bit before making the modifications, but could not be more pleased. Go for it!
I bought my first glock in 1990 and still shoot it to this day. I carried it for my part time law enf. job and armored car duty with no complaints. Super reliable and great firepower,you wont go wrong.
I keep thinking about picking up another handgun, but can’t justify it because my 17 does everything I need it to do fine already. A big plus are the cheap and readily available parts, and the ease with which you can replace them.
Well, went ahead and put one on layaway (as well as a couple extra mags). From the traffic in the store it seems as if everyone’s trying to buy guns and hi-cap mags before the election rolls around.
I know you put one on layway so what I am about to say won’t matter, but if your on a budget, the M&P pistol is a much better value. You can pick up a full size M&P for $399-$427 and S&W is offering a $50 dollar rebate and two free mags!
I also personally believe the M&P to be a better weapon/more reliable weapon (especially if you attach a weapon light to it).
I don’t how we determine that the M&P is a more reliable weapon. It’s only been out two years and you can’t stack it up to a Glock that has been out 21. Besides, the G17 sets the standard in reliability that everything else has to live up to.
There has never been any reports of the G17/G19s failing with a light attached. That only happened in the G22.
Besides, I’ve seen a lot of issues with the M&Ps over on mp-pistol.com. They are having their teething pains which is to be expected with every new design. I love my M&P but there is no way we can say it’s more reliable than the 9mm Glocks.
When you look at the components comprised in both guns, it is easy to make that call. When you talk to an ex-Glock employee, it is easy to make that call. When you read SF’s X300 documentation and it says in it that attaching a weaponlight to a Glock can cause malfunctions, you can make that call.
I have seen G17’s and G19’s malfunction from both a soft grip and from a weapon light attached to it. IMHO, ALL Glocks are suspectable to this issue as their frame has so much flex in it.
The Gen I M&P’s did have their fair share of issues, but the latest gen of M&P’s do not have any issues IMHO. The majority of the problems with the M&P’s are generally always related to a QC issue (not a design flaw like with the Glock). There is a big difference between an employee not doing their job on any particular day and the entire design being suspect.
Again, remember that all my comments from being a long time Glock owner, armorer and dealer.
I am not suggesting that people sell their Glocks and buy an M&P (which is what I did), but new gun buyers need to know what the strengths and negatives are betwee the two weapons.
I think the claims of problematic Glock’s may be a bit overstated recently (note I only speak of 9mm Glocks as the other caliber Glocks DO have too many warts to recommend them). The only pistol I could envision walking into a gun store, making a purchase and walking right out into a gunfight with would be a G17 or G19. Well, maybe an HK also. Obviously this is NOT a good idea and all prudent steps should be taken to reasonably assure that the weapon(s) you choose to trust your life with be tested with the ammo you’ll carry, the accessories you need, etc. The M&P may someday deserve the reputation some are according it now but that day is not here yet. These of course are just my opinions and are based on logic and experience (lots with Glocks, relatively little with M&P’s). However, a top firearms trainer has had numerous M&P’s show up in his courses recently and they have had too many issues for him to recommend. His advice is to steer clear of M&P’s for now. This guy (by my estimate) sees at least 100,000 rounds fired every year, so his opinion on what works, carries a lot of weight with me. He does however fully endorse Glock 9mm’s (after seeing 100’s of thousands of rounds fired through them) because as he says “well, they work”.
