Drawing of a Glock 17 made of wood. Need blueprints for Glock17. Existing modifications produced by Glock

In 1987, specifically for the needs of special forces of the army and police, Glock GmbH created the Glock 18 automatic pistol.

Glock 18 is a modification Glock pistol 17 and is completely identical to it, with the exception of the possibility of automatic fire.

In addition to the main model, a version of the Glock 18 was offered with a barrel extended to 149 mm, protruding beyond the casing-bolt, with an integrated compensator in the form of a group of holes in the upper muzzle.

A Glock 18C model was also created with the standard dimensions of the basic version, but featuring an integrated barrel lift compensator. The compensator in the Glock 18C model is made in the form of a group of holes in the upper muzzle of the barrel, which corresponds to a cutout in the bolt next to the front sight.

The Glock 18 model pistol aroused the interest of military and police structures, but did not gain popularity due to the low efficiency of automatic fire compared to even compact submachine guns.

The automatic operation of the Glock 18 pistol operates according to a short barrel stroke and locking using a protrusion on the barrel that fits into the bolt window for extracting cartridges. The reduction of the trunk is carried out by a figured tide made under the trunk.

The pistol has a striker-fired trigger mechanism, the so-called “Safe Action”, with 3 automatic safeties, including one on the trigger. A feature of the “safe action” trigger is that during the reloading cycle of the pistol, the firing pin is only partially cocked, while it is blocked using an automatic safety lock. The firing pin is re-cocked only when the trigger is pressed, while the firing pin remains blocked from moving forward until the trigger is fully pulled. In this way, it is possible to achieve a uniform force on the trigger from the first to the last shot, which has a positive effect on shooting accuracy. The trigger force is adjusted from 2.5 to 5 kgf by replacing the spring.

The pistol can fire both automatic and single-shot modes. The continuous rate of fire is 1200-1300 rounds per minute. In addition to the fully automatic type of fire, it is possible to produce a Glock 18 model that fires in bursts of 3 shots (but not within the same model).

The pistol bolt is made of precision cast steel and subjected to special treatment to increase corrosion and wear resistance.

In the left rear part of the bolt housing there is a fire mode switch lever, which switches shooting from self-loading mode to automatic.

The barrel, as well as the bolt casing, is treated with a special tenifer coating.

The pistol frame is made of impact-resistant, heat-resistant plastic.

Early releases of the pistol had handles with flat cheeks and grooved front and rear surfaces. Pistols of later releases have recesses for fingers on the front side of the grip and small “shelves” for the thumb on their sides. In addition, guides were installed under the barrel for attaching various accessories (laser designator, flashlight, etc.).

Open-type sighting devices are mounted on the flat upper surface of the bolt casing and include a front sight with a sight installed in dovetail grooves. The front sight is equipped with a luminous dot, and the rectangular slot of the sight is framed by a luminous frame.

The weapon is fed with ammunition from a detachable box magazine with a double-row arrangement of 17 rounds in a checkerboard pattern. Taking into account the possibility of automatic firing, magazines with a capacity of 19 and 33 rounds are also used.

All metal parts of the Glock 18 model pistol are processed using Tennifer technology. As a result of this treatment, the surface to a depth of 0.05 mm acquires a hardness of about 69 Rockwell units (for comparison, the hardness of industrial diamonds is 71-72).

A number of companies have launched the production of additional accessories for pistols of the Glock 18 model, such as a folding stock or a special mount that allows you to use a spare magazine as a front grip for holding.

To ensure that the components of the Glock 18 pistol cannot be used on the frame of the basic Glock 17 pistol (due to the very high unification of pistols in the Glock line), the dimensions of the slide housing guides on the Glock 18 have been slightly changed.

• Weapons » Pistols » Austria
• Mercenary 18001 3

Humanity has always gravitated towards a compact but powerful version of personal weapons, which, in fact, became the glock 17 pistol, created by the Austrian company of the same name. However, what made him legendary Active participation in Hollywood projects, which affected arms sales around the world. Various modifications are still used by the police and intelligence services of NATO countries.

Today we will talk about the founder of this line, the model under the index 17, which included only 34 parts, so a trained fighter could disassemble it without any effort in less than one minute. The weapon is small in size, light in weight, and also practical, because it has the ability to fire underwater.

The history of the creation and development of the Glock pistol

When did the Second end? World War and Austria became an independent state, its newly created army was equipped with pistols of pre-war production - Walther P38 and Colt M1911A1. The police had a worse situation: they received a model produced in the 20s - Walther PP. However, Austria did not fight with anyone and maintained strict neutrality in the Cold War, so they started thinking about modernization only in 1980, when the state organized a competition to create a new pistol that would be available to both police and military personnel.

New option service weapon had to meet the requirements issued by the country's military ministry:

• 9×19 mm Parabellum cartridges;
• the minimum number of cartridges in the magazine is 8 units;
• the gun must be safe, so even if dropped from a height of 2 meters there should not be a spontaneous shot;
• for every thousand shots there should be only 2 misfires;
• interchangeability of parts.

The Glock met or exceeded all of these requirements.

There was a lot of competition, and few expected that the tiny Austrian company, founded back in 1963 under the name Glock, would win. However, she has been involved in this project since 1970, which allowed her to present the optimal version of an automatic pistol. I was also captivated by the fact that the model of this company high performance was 25% cheaper than its competitors. As a result, Glock easily outperformed its competitors, and already in 1983 it was adopted by the Austrian army and police.

However, perhaps if the pistol had been used only in Austria, it would have remained a locally successful option. However, the fact is that the Glock is almost entirely made of high-strength and heat-resistant plastic, so it was used by the screenwriters in the movie “Die Hard 2”. After which these weapons began to be shown in almost all films that were in one way or another related to shootings, which had a very good effect on sales and the overall popularity of the model.

In addition, another surge in popularity was that it began to be used in computer tactical shooters. To this day, Glock remains the symbol of the legendary computer game Counter-Strike.

Pistol design

Structurally, the Glock had several innovations that ultimately made it one of the most popular pistols in the world. First of all, the automation, which was built into the first model, has almost never changed, and all variations are just an increase in the magazine, caliber and barrel length. There is only one exception - the model under the index 18 - it is capable of firing at speeds of up to 1100 rounds per minute, so the internal parts of the sample were changed.

In addition, the automatic safety design is original: it, being combined with the trigger, is removed only when two components of the structure are pressed simultaneously. The clip release button is located on the left side of the pistol, just below the trigger guard. Despite the large magazine volume (in some modifications, such as the glock 20 -13 rounds), the weight still remains one of the smallest in the world. The trigger guard was specially enlarged so that it could be fired with both hands.

Principle of operation

The whole point of how a pistol automatic works is the recoil of the barrel with a short stroke. The designers decided to use the proven, but somewhat modernized Colt-Browning scheme. The essence of the operation of this system is as follows: a tide with an inclined groove is created under the breech of the barrel; it coincides with the guide protrusion of the frame. The Austrian designers made a groove at the required angle, which causes the moving barrel to decline and it disengages from the bolt-casing. After which it stops, as a result of which the shutter rolls back.

Pistol Attachments

On this moment There are two main additions to the Glock 17. The first is a sighting device, which is made of high-strength plastic and installed in special transverse grooves, which we know as a “dovetail”. To fire in low light, the designers added a luminous dot to the front sight and a luminous frame to the rear sight. Since 1988, a special guide element has been installed on the glock, on which a tactical flashlight or laser-type pointer is attached.

In addition, the weapon can be equipped with a silencer. However, only elite units receive this modification without using a glowing frame. There are, of course, custom additions that are made in an artisanal way, and always belong to the pneumatic versions of the weapon. The most popular option of these was the glock under the index 21.

Technical characteristics of the Glock 17 model

Performance characteristics of the first serial glock:

• Type: self-loading;
• Caliber - 9×19 mm Parabellum;
• Barrel length - 114 mm;
• Total length - 186 mm;
• Weight without clip - 0.625 kg;
• Weight with a full magazine - 0.905 kg;
• The standard number of rounds is 17, but can be increased to 33;
• The initial bullet speed is 375 meters per second;
• Maximum sighting range- 50 meters.

In general, in 1980, Glock was one of the best in terms of its characteristics.

Ammunition used

The Glock 17 uses the 9x19 mm Parabellum cartridge, which was developed back in 1902 by the legendary Austrian gunsmith Georg Luger, who used the projectile in his pistol of the same name. After the cartridge was adopted by the German Navy in 1904, it still remains relevant. At the moment, it is of interest not only to the NATO bloc, but also Russian Federation, whose gunsmiths modify the Parabellum.

The design of the ammunition is a shortened cartridge case from 7.65x21 mm Parabellum. So it is shaped not like a bottle, but like a cylinder. The energy of the bullet is enough to seriously injure a person, but not kill him. Therefore, Glock is used by police and special services, who must stop the criminal and not bring the matter to a standstill. fatal outcome. Of course, the cartridge is not enough to penetrate a bulletproof vest, however, the resulting shock wave may well knock a person down.

Other ammunition:

1. Cartridge 10 mm Auto. It was developed specifically for FBI agents, had a caliber of 10.16 mm, was used in modifications under the index 20, 29, 40. It has great destructive power, as a result of which it was necessary to abandon the use of these cartridges when training cadets;
2. The .40 S&W cartridge is quite popular in the USA, created in 1990. The 10.16 mm caliber is essentially an analogue of the 10 mm Auto cartridge, with reduced bullet energy;
3. The Glock 21 used the .45 ACP cartridge, developed at the beginning of the 20th century by Browning. Essentially, it is a modernization of the even older .45 Colt cartridge. Caliber 11.51 mm;
4. Another cartridge developed by Browning, the .380 ACP 9mm, was used in the Glock 25;
5. One of the current modifications under the index 31 used the .357 SIG cartridge, developed in Switzerland, with a caliber of 9 mm.

Until now, Glock is being modernized for various ammunition, which confirms its relevance in the world of weapons.

Glock pistol models

At the moment, the line has grown to enormous proportions, but we will list only the main models:

1. 17L is the very first modification of the main pistol, the only difference being the elongated barrel. Was created in 1988;
2. 18 - a specialized version for firing in bursts;
3. 19 is a more compact model. It has a shortened barrel of 102 mm (the original version was 114 mm). Until 1990, this modification had the Compact designation, which was eventually abandoned;
4. 20 - this sample is distinguished by the fact that it was created specifically for the 10 mm Auto cartridge, and also has an enlarged magazine and a built-in compensator;
5. 21 - it is often thought that this is a special Glock model for 45 caliber, however, the .45 ACP cartridge, contrary to its name, has a caliber of 11.51 mm. The clip is increased to 15 charges;
6. 22 is a model that was specially created to be used by the FBI. This version was created for caliber 40 S&W. Created back in 1990, the model still remains relevant, and at the moment there is no news that they will change the service weapon in this US government agency;
7. 34 is one of the best modifications, which has an elongated barrel and has increased accuracy of fire. In fact, this model was created in Austria specifically in order to be exported. And now the US police are armed with it, in almost all its structures, as well as in Chile and Malaysia;
8. 39 is the penultimate Glock model, which is a shortened and smaller modification of it. In general, there is now a tendency to turn the Glock, which is already a small pistol, into some kind of “ladies’ weapon” of a completely miniature appearance.

Almost all options are goods for export, which are developed to order from other countries.

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Weapons produced by the Austrian company Glock are known throughout the world. Although the company, founded in 1963, is famous for its pistols, it also produces knives and sapper blades. All models of Glock pistols are in constant demand among both military and civilians.

Why are Austrian Glock pistols so popular all over the world?

The incredible popularity of the Glock pistol is due to the fact that all the models produced by this Austrian company are highly reliable and unpretentious, which is quite a rarity among modern Western pistols. The Glock-17 pistol is considered the most popular and reliable, although other models are also quite reliable.

Many world experts in the field of weapons consider Glock pistols to be the most the best pistols in the world, as they have the following characteristics:

• Glock pistols are capable of working in the most difficult conditions;
• The excellent tactical and technical characteristics of these pistols ensure accuracy of both aimed and offhand shooting;
• The safety of Glock pistols is at the highest level due to the design features;
• Safety and comfort of wearing, both small models of pistols and full-size modifications;
• Ease of handling the weapon, including its maintenance;
• High service life of all Glock models;
• Wear resistance of all parts of the gun. The coating of the steel parts of the gun perfectly resists corrosion;
• Quite low cost, although compared to domestic pistols this point is not very relevant.

Glock pistols are excellent military weapons of choice for professional special forces soldiers around the world. The ability to use this pistol with a silencer and the absence of problems during operation made it a favorite weapon for special operations and one of the most beloved among civilian population those countries where carrying short-barreled weapons is permitted. For those people who do not have the opportunity to frequently train with weapons, they need just such an easy-to-use pistol.

There are many different models of Glock pistols, which are intended for both military and police service, and for self-defense. The most popular models of Glock pistols are:

• Glock-17, which brought fame to the Austrian company;
• "Glock-18", which has the ability to fire in bursts. This model was created on the basis of the Glock-17, specifically for the Austrian special forces Cobra;
• The Glock-19 pistol is a more compact model of the Glock-17 pistol. Features a shorter pistol grip and shorter bolt length;
• The Glock 26 pistol is one of the company’s most compact models. It is quite popular among women for self-defense and as a last-resort concealed weapon for various undercover agents.

The popularity of Glock pistols is evidenced by the fact that more than 50 percent of all pistols sold in the United States are Glocks. Pistols from this company are distinguished by stable accuracy, and you don’t even need to shoot them. By purchasing a Glock pistol, you can be sure that it will shoot accurately on target.

Although the performance characteristics of Glock pistols satisfy even the most demanding critics, regarding its appearance The controversy is still raging. The design of Glock pistols is quite interesting, although monotonous. Many modern pistols look more attractive than the ascetic Glocks, the design of which is strictly functional and has only one goal - to make the pistol simple and easy to use.

The Glock pistol does not have a safety lock, and it can be fired immediately after being snatched. At the same time, it is extremely safe, since the shot will only fire when the trigger is fully pressed. Most people who have been able to try Glocks in action usually immediately choose these pistols as their main or backup weapon.

The creation of the Glock-17 pistol

The first Glock-17 pistol was manufactured in 1980. The Glock company, which was founded in 1963, decided to develop a model of its pistol. The company was prompted to take this step by a competition in which a new pistol was selected for the Austrian army. To manufacture this weapon, a group of designers, under the leadership of Gaston Glock, developed drawings of a new pistol. The design of the first Glock was quite unusual - it was the world's first pistol in which the frame, trigger and even the magazine were made of polymer that could withstand heavy loads and temperatures. If rumors are to be believed, Gaston Glock began developing his pistol back in the mid-1970s.

Due to use large quantity plastic polymer, the Glock pistol managed to combine many previously incompatible parameters:

• Light weight, with fairly impressive dimensions;
• Large magazine capacity;
• Safety of use. A Glock -17 pistol can fall from a height of 2 meters onto an iron plate, and a spontaneous shot will not occur.

The barrel locking system was copied from the Sig Sauer P220 pistol. The trigger mechanism was of a simple design, which was copied from another Austrian pistol - the Roth-Steyr M1907. The number 17 in the name of the Glock pistol was not chosen by chance and does not mean the number of cartridges that fit in the magazine, but the number of the patent that was received by Gaston Glock. In 1982, the Glock-17 pistol was adopted by the Austrian police and army.

After some time, the Glock-17 pistol began to be used not only by the Austrian military, but also by special and law enforcement units in Finland and Sweden. The Norwegian Army adopted the Glock-17 in 1986.

The Glock-17 pistol is still in production. Over the years, the Glock pistol has undergone several upgrades. Now the 4th generation of Glock-17 is being produced, which is designated as “Gen 4”. The second generation pistol received a notch on the back and front, which the first generation lacked. This modernization, which began production in 1990, has become more secure in the hand.

The third generation of the Glock pistol received anatomical notches on the front of the handle, as well as notches for the thumbs, which were available on both the right and left. In addition, various additional devices can be attached to the Glock-17 pistol, for which mounting is provided in the front part of the frame.

At the end of the 90s of the 20th century, the Glock-17 pistol entered service with the special forces of the Israeli police. Having seen how effective the Glock pistol was, many units of the Israeli army adopted it into service instead of the Sig Sauer pistols of the P226 and P228 series.

Once Glock pistols began being exported to the United States, they quickly gained popularity. At first, the American police were armed with them, then FBI agents began to use compact Glock pistols. Unlike police officers, FBI employees preferred to use compact models of Glock pistols.

The main performance characteristics of the Glock pistol are as follows:

• Pistol caliber 9mm Parabellum;
• The length of the weapon is 186 mm, with 114 mm per barrel;
• The weight of the pistol without cartridges is 625 g, with cartridges - 905 g;
• The standard magazine holds 17 rounds, although there are options for 10, 19 and 33 rounds.

Operating principles of the Glock pistol

The automatic operation of Glock pistols works on the principle of using recoil when short course gun barrel. The barrel is locked using the breech of the barrel, which enters the cartridge ejection window with its rectangular protrusion. The trigger mechanism in this pistol is striker-type; it is pre-cocked due to the release of the pistol bolt. The final cocking occurs when the trigger is pressed. Although the Glock company calls its pistols self-cocking, in fact this system is a classic single-action trigger mechanism. The additional cocking of the striker is only a successful development that complements the classic trigger without changing its essence.

Although the pistol does not have a safety lever, the length and force of the stroke prevent an accidental shot. The safety of Glock pistols is due to the presence of three independent fuses. This system is called “Safe Action”.

The following devices are used as standard sights on the Glock pistol:

• A rear sight that can move horizontally;
• Front sights with the possibility of vertical adjustment.

All sights are made of plastic, which makes the gun lighter, which is already quite light for its size.

Opportunities for tuning Glock pistols

Currently, there are many companies that manufacture many so-called “spare parts” for tuning firearms. Naturally, for such a popular pistol as the Glock, many different parts and devices are made that help when shooting.

Most often, the following accessories are purchased for Glocks:

• Enlarged magazine latches that prevent the magazine from spontaneously falling out. Sometimes the magazine is removed from the holster and falls out when the gun is removed. Using an enlarged magazine latch allows you to forget about this problem forever;
• The return spring is often replaced, although this replacement is only relevant when using reinforced cartridges. Otherwise, a powerful spring will lead to delays in shots, since the shutter-casing will not open completely;
• Plastic flies are often replaced with steel ones;
• Standard rear sights are also often replaced with more advanced models.

Tuning a Glock pistol is only appropriate when the weapon is used for sport shooting. In this case, the weapon must have ideal settings. For standard combat missions or self-defense, a standard Glock is quite sufficient.

Disadvantages of Glock pistols

Like any, even the most advanced weapon model, the Glock pistol has its drawbacks:

• If you don't pay enough attention to thoroughly cleaning your gun, your Glock pistol can often misfire. Their main cause is the ingress of dirt and sand into the firing pin channel. This problem can be avoided by cleaning your weapon regularly;
• If you hold the gun with an insufficiently strong grip, sometimes the cartridge may be under-fired or distorted;
• Plastic front sights, which were supposed to be reliable, turned out to be not strong enough in practice. They are easily knocked down when accidentally hit from behind. This problem is eliminated by installing a steel front sight;
• The shutter stop is not large enough. Replacing it due to delay bigger size removes this problem;
• The standard magazine latch sometimes leads to spontaneous ejection of the magazine with cartridges. This can also be treated by replacing it with an improved large latch.

The plastic parts of the pistol are quite reliable if you use cartridges recommended by the manufacturer. If more powerful cartridges are used (especially those loaded by hand), the pistol begins to break down, the plastic becomes covered with cracks, which eventually lead to their destruction.

An interesting feature of the Glock pistol is the ability to use it underwater at a depth of up to 3 meters. You can also shoot from under water, and the sound of the shot cannot be heard. Such shooting is often taught to special forces soldiers.

When using standard cartridges, the life of the Glock pistol is amazing. Although it is guaranteed to last 40,000 rounds, testing has shown that the average Glock 17 pistol can withstand about 350,000 rounds. At the same time, the main parts of the pistol remain in working order.

The many skeptics who believe that a plastic pistol cannot be good can be countered by global statistics according to which Glock pistols are widely used by military and civilians around the world.

Glock 17 is the original creation of the Glock small arms company, released for the new needs of the Austrian army in 1979. The main goal was to replace outdated models with a fundamentally new model.

As a result, the Glock 17 turned out to be a very high-quality and easy-to-use development, thereby earning recognition from the Austrian army and many police officers around the world. Also, thanks to its technical characteristics, the pistol has gained great popularity among the civilian population as an excellent means of self-defense.

History of creation

Glock GmbH was founded in 1963 by an engineer named Gaston Glock. The company, based in Austria, manufactured steel and plastic parts. In the 70s, Glock began producing knives, training grenades and other products for the Austrian military.

Thanks to his connections, which Glock maintained and constantly strengthened with the military, he was led to new opportunities. In 1980, he received an official proposal from the Austrian military, which proposed developing a new pistol.

The Army wanted to replace their old World War II models (Walter P38).

The Austrian Ministry of Defense has formulated a list of a number of criteria for a new generation pistol:

1. The design had to be as simple as possible.
2. The pistol was to use NATO standard 9x19mm parabellum cartridges.
3. Magazines should not require any means of loading.
4. Magazines had to have a minimum of eight rounds.
5. The pistol should be comfortable to shoot with both left and right hands.
6. The pistol must be absolutely safe from accidental discharge due to impact from a fall from a height of 2 m onto a steel plate.
7. Disassembly of major parts for maintenance and reassembly must be possible without the use of any tools.
8. Maintenance and cleaning of the gun was carried out without the use of tools.
9. The pistol design must not exceed 58 individual parts (P38 equivalent).
10. Sensors, measuring instruments and precision testing devices should not be necessary for long-term pistol maintenance.
11. The manufacturer was required to provide the Department of Defense with a complete set of engineering drawings. They had to be provided with all the necessary explanations for making a pistol.
12. All components are completely interchangeable between pistols.
13. During the first 10,000 shots, no more than 20 delays were allowed, no matter how minor, which could be eliminated without the use of any tools.
14. After firing 15,000 rounds of standard ammunition, the pistol had to be inspected for wear. The gun will then be used to run an overpressure test bench generating 5,000 bar (500 MPa, 73,000 psi). Normal operating pressure for the 9 mm NATO is estimated at 2,520 bar (252 MPa, 36,500 psi). During this inspection, critical components must continue to function properly and meet specifications or the gun will be rejected.

Gaston Glock had no experience in designing firearms, but nevertheless accepted the order and began creating a new pistol for the Austrian military. Glock assembled a team to pinpoint the features and qualities that made up the perfect pistol.

A few months later, Glock developed a prototype. The company introduced a semi-automatic model no. 17 for approval and review by various committees of the ministry.

The model was so named because it was Glock's 17th patent.

The tests carried out by competing firms were tough and very demanding.

Ultimately, the Austrian Ministry of Defense decided to go with the Glock variant, and the Model 17 became the pistol for the Austrian military. Thus, Mr. Glock and his team became winners in the competition to create a new pistol, ahead of many Austrian and international companies.

Video - history of creation

Since 1982, the Austrian military and police began to use it en masse firearms, and just a few years later the brand spread throughout the world. So, soon after the appearance of the Glock, the Norwegian and Swedish armed forces wanted to adopt it. Today, the army and police in more than 30 countries are armed with this pistol.

Glock generations

Over the years, the Glock 17 has gone through various modifications. Glock users simply gave the nickname "generations". The company itself has since adopted the generational term and also released its latest Glock 17 as “Gen 4,” meaning “generation 4.”

Time list:

• 1982 - Glock releases the Glock No. 17 model. A distinctive feature was the evenly distributed roughness on the handle. This is a model known as Gen 1. About 500 thousand examples were produced.
• 1988 – Gen 2. One significant change is that the recoil spring is now one, rather than two on the Gen 1. The grip is also different, as Glock has added knurls that create vertical and horizontal lines, which greatly improves retention pistol in hand. In the second generation, the pistol was adopted by the FBI, as well as the armies of the Scandinavian countries.
• 1996 – Gen 3. In addition to corrugations, the pistol received the ability to mount tactical flashlights and laser designators. For better grip in the hand, the company made a recess in the upper part of the handle for the thumb.
• 2010 – Gen 4 released. This generation has changed the most in relation to the previous pistols in this line. In the knurled handle, the distance between the points has increased, now there are 25 per square centimeter. This corrugation is called RTF2. The magazine release button has been made larger and more convenient. Same for Glock 17 fourth generation They began to install two springs of different diameters (on one guide rod with a separator between them), instead of one return one. Thus, the company has achieved a reduction in the recoil effect of the pistol when firing and an increase in the survivability of each individual spring.

Specifications

Design features

Most Glock parts are made of high-strength nylon-based polymer. The rest of the pistol is made of steel. The polymer (called polymer-2) in weapons is the invention of Gaston Glock himself. The substance was unconventional when it was first introduced.

Over time, it became clear that Glock knew what it was doing when the company released this revolutionary new pistol. Polymer-2 is a substance that is primarily stable. It is more elastic than most different steel alloys. This substance can withstand very high temperatures, shock and various liquids.

The gun is treated with Tenifer, a substance that is also extremely resistant and is a standard in the firearms industry.

Once the finishing is complete, the gun has a matte gray appearance on its surface, and this is when the final finish is applied to the gun to give it its final look.

Finishing the gun using tenifer technology helps protect the steel parts inside. This means you can even technically fire this weapon underwater. Glock steel parts using the Tenifer treatment are more resistant to corrosion than similar pistol parts that have other finishes or treatments, including Teflon, blue, hard chrome plating or phosphates.

During 2010, Glock switched from the Tenifer nitriding process to a salt bath. After completion of the nitriding process, a black decorative surface is applied. The nitriding treatment will remain, protecting the gun parts, even if the decorative surface wears off. Due to the simplicity and reliability of the design, the gun can be completely disassembled and reassembled and technical inspection can be carried out without improvised means.

When disassembled, the pistol has 33 parts, including the magazine.

The pistol is equipped with a standard magazine for 17 rounds, but if necessary, it is possible to use larger magazines for 19 and 33 rounds.

Thanks to Glock's innovative solutions in the use of polymers, it was possible to significantly reduce the weight of the pistol. For comparison, a 15-round cartridge weighs 950 g unloaded, while the Glock 17 weighs 650 g empty, and 900 g with a full magazine. The pistol is so light that 25% of its total weight is ammunition.

The Glock 17 pistol has earned worldwide fame and respect due to its high reliability of all components and mechanisms. At the end of the 20th century, it was believed that if a pistol can fire up to 40 thousand shots without any problems, then it can be considered wear-resistant and reliable, but the Glock pistol exceeded all expectations, firing up to 350 thousand shots, which is many times higher than the standard indicators. This advantage is due to the widespread use of polymer components and unique barrel production technology patented by Glock.

In parts that are subject to the greatest load, plastic is reinforced with special metal plates.

Steel inserts are inserted into the guide frame along which the shutter casing moves. To implement not complete disassembly pistol (disconnecting the bolt barrel along with the return spring from the frame) there are special latches that are located on the pistol frame, near the trigger guard.

Possible additional gadgets and tuning

The Glock 17 pistol has a wide selection of magazines that have increased ammo capacity and weight for faster magazine removal from the grip chamber, which can save important fractions of a second in critical moments.

One of the most common upgrades to a pistol is the installation of flashlights or laser designators by attaching them to a bar under the barrel. Such devices began to appear in the 3rd generation of Glock pistols. It has become a modern fashion to install a knife rail.

There are several comprehensive tuning models for the Glock line of pistols.

Viridian C5L is a device that includes a flashlight with a power of 110 lumens and a green laser designator, its brightness and clarity is determined by 5 mW. Thanks to this device, you can point out a target at a distance of up to 100 meters during the day and at night up to 1500 meters.

Tactical stock GRL-400, thanks to the stock the pistol will become more comfortable to carry and stable during assault operations. The obvious advantages of this device are as follows:

• increasing accuracy at long distances
• perfectly suited for concealed carry
• folds up easily and quickly
• construction from polymer materials provides the necessary strength.

The stock is compatible with all generations of Glock pistols, except the fourth and other subcompact models.

Tactical body kit Kpos G2. Such a device, weighing almost 1 kg, will make the pistol an excellent weapon for special operations, turning it into a real carbine. This arrangement is used by elite special forces to maximize the intensity and accuracy of fire at medium and short ranges, without significantly increasing the length of the weapon. Advantages of this design:

• durable aluminum frame made from a single sheet;
• fire transfer handle;
• removable flame arrester;
• Easy to remove and install, no additional tools or gun modifications required;
• all parts are on one frame.

Various modifications

The Glock 17 marked the beginning of the development of the entire line of Glock pistols. All models with the symbol “C” on their designation were produced with a recoil compensator.

Thanks to this, it was possible to improve the accuracy of fire and, naturally, reduce recoil.

1. Glock 17L - Model introduced in 1988 with a longer barrel. Used in sports competitions
2. Glock 17C - Model equipped with built-in compensator
3. Glock 17R - Model designed for unloaded shooting practice
4. Glock 17T - Model with a blue body, also intended for training purposes. When shooting, uses blue balls
5. Glock 17A - Model developed for the Australian market to meet local barrel length requirements. The only differences between the Glock 17 and the Glock 17A are that the 17A has a 120mm barrel that protrudes prominently from the frame and a 10-round magazine capacity.
6. Glock 17Pro - special version released only for the Finnish market
7. Glock 17P80 - used by the Norwegian Armed Forces

A distinctive feature of Glock pistols was the ability to shoot underwater. The fire can be conducted without fear for the barrel itself; it does not inflate and, moreover, does not burst. But to be practical, it requires a cross-grooved firing pin to ensure that the primer fires consistently. This problem can also be solved by installing the Spring cups amphibian kit.

The peculiarity is that shooting can be carried out exclusively with the 9 mm Parabellum cartridge. The greatest efficiency of bullet energy is achieved when shooting to a depth of one and a half meters, but the practical threshold is 3 meters. If you shoot at close ranges from under water, you will not hear the sounds of shots.

There is an erroneous stereotype that supposedly due to the widespread use of plastic components in the Glock 17 pistol, it poses a threat to society, since it is not detected by metal detectors. In fact, everything is completely different, because the pistol used many metal parts, weighing a total of 400 grams. Gaston Glock himself dispelled this myth by walking through a metal detector with a pistol, and it was detected in a timely manner.

The second common myth is that supposedly Glock pistols have increased fragility due to the predominance of plastic parts. However, people who claim this simply ignore the fact that in government tests the gun withstood a two-meter drop onto a metal surface.

If the pistol had broken, it would not have been adopted by the Austrian army.

The Glock 17 pistol was included in the Guinness Book of Records as a pistol that passed extremely stringent tests while maintaining full combat capability.

The Glock 17 has the unique ability to fire underwater, in heavy dust, in high humidity, and even after being completely immersed in liquid mud or sand. According to these criteria, it can be compared with a Kalashnikov assault rifle. We can say that the Glock 17 is the Kalashnikov of the pistol world.

Video

Glock 17 (Glock 17) is an Austrian pistol developed by Glock for the needs of the Austrian army. It became the first weapon developed by this company. The resulting model turned out to be quite successful and convenient for use, thanks to which it was later adopted by the Austrian army under the designation P80. Due to its combat qualities and reliability, it has become widespread as a civilian self-defense weapon.

Glock 17 pistol - video

Glock produces modifications of this pistol in various options for different cartridges, for example: 9x19 mm Parabellum Glock 19, .40 S&W - Glock 22, 10 mm Auto - Glock 20, .357 SIG - Glock 31, .45 ACP - Glock 36 and .45 GAP - Glock 37.

A design feature of the pistol is the absence of a safety catch and trigger. The gun is mostly made of high-strength heat-resistant - up to 200 ° C - plastic. This makes the Glock 17 lightweight and extremely durable. The principle of operation is “snatch and shoot”, there is no safety lock, but the shot will not occur without fully pressing the “safe action” trigger. Consists of 33 parts, and incomplete disassembly carried out in seconds.

Story

After the end of World War II, the Austrian armed forces had two main models of pistols in service: the Colt M1911A1 and the Walther P38. The Austrian police were equipped with Walther PP and Walther PPK of military and even pre-war vintage or those produced in the post-war years under license in France. To resolve the current situation, in 1980 it was decided to announce a competition for a new pistol to equip the Austrian police and army.

The following requirements were imposed on the competitors:

Ammunition type: 9x19 mm Parabellum;
- minimum magazine capacity: 8 rounds;
- the ability to control the pistol with the right and left hand;
- quick activation to the firing position (without the need to switch the fuse);
- the ability to assemble and disassemble without special equipment, the number of parts in the gun is no more than 58;
- all parts must be interchangeable within one model without mutual adjustment;
- for 10,000 shots there should be no more than 20 delays;
- the gun must maintain its integrity and functionality as much as possible under external influences and temperature changes;
- maximum safety for the user: the shot should not occur when hitting a steel plate after falling from a height of 2 meters.

Various arms manufacturing companies took part in the struggle for such a promising order. Among them was the then little-known company Glock, founded in 1963 in the town of Deutsch-Wagram, located near Vienna. At that time, the company was engaged in the production and supply of sapper shovels, bayonet knives, belts and various ammunition for the Austrian army. Back in the mid-1970s, Gaston Glock, the founder and owner of the company, set his designers the task of creating the simplest, most effective and reliable pistol possible.

Using existing experience in the use of polymers in the production of weapons, the Glock 17 pistol was created. The fundamental innovation of this model was the widespread use of polymer materials in its design, mainly impact-resistant polyamide was used. In 1982, based on the results of military tests, the Glock 17 pistol was adopted by the Austrian army under the designation P.80. Glock was ordered 25,000 pistols; the production facilities were not ready for such a significant order, so until the full deployment of its own production facilities, subcontractors were involved.

Around the same time, the pistol was presented along with samples from other manufacturers to participate in a competition called “M9” for the rearmament of personal service weapons for officers and non-commissioned officers of all branches of the US armed forces (in the end, the Beretta model won).

Pistols submitted to the M9 competition

Soon after the new pistol arrived in Austrian troops this model has gained significant popularity, which prompted the Glock company to further expand and improve its model range, but the design of the existing models of pistols from this company still retains those successful technical solutions that were first successfully used in the development of the Glock 17 pistol.

The pistol most likely owes its name “Glock 17” to the serial number (No. 17) of the company’s package of technical drawings, which were eventually accepted for production.

Production generations and variants

Today, there are four production generations of the Glock 17. Buyers are offered a choice of third or fourth generation pistols, the same applies to most other Glock models, but some models (Glock 17L, Glock 24, Glock 25, Glock 28, Glock 36, Glock 38, Glock 39, Glock 42, Glock 43) are offered only in the third generation, and some (Glock 40 and Glock 41) only in the fourth.

First generation

Pistols of this generation were produced until 1988, mainly for the Austrian army. They were distinguished by a handle with a uniformly distributed rough texture. In total, about 500,000 copies were produced.

Second generation; second and a half generation

The second generation Glock appeared at the end of 1988, beginning of 1989. On the front and rear surfaces of the handle, they began to make corrugations in the form of small square protrusions forming horizontal and vertical lines, which increased the reliability of holding the pistol in the hand. The same corrugation is also present on the front surface of the trigger guard. Second-generation pistols were adopted by the FBI, Finnish police, and the armies of Norway and the Netherlands. After some time, finger grooves began to be made on the front surface of the handles; this option was designated generation 2.5. Some authors prefer to call this frame early version third generation.

Third generation

The third generation, in addition to corrugation and finger recesses, also received a mount for under-barrel flashlights and laser designators, and in addition an additional (second) pin that secures the locking block (a metal insert in the body with a cross member, which interacts with the figured cutout of the breech lug, leads to its lowering, and as a consequence - disengagement of the barrel from the bolt). This change was made so that the locking block could withstand the recoil of the powerful .357 SIG cartridges that went into production with this generation. Despite the fact that the 9 mm models did not need such a reinforcing pin, they also received one to unify the technological processes. In the upper part of the handle they began to make a recess for the thumb, limited at the bottom by an oblong protrusion.

As an option, third generation pistols are available in RTF2 (Rough Textured Frame) design. The pistol grip in this version is covered with convex dots, which increase the reliability of holding the weapon, including if it is wet. There are 64 points on one square centimeter of the surface of the RTF2 frame. On the other hand, constant wearing a pistol in this design, for example in an underarm holster, leads to accelerated wear of the clothing fabric in contact with the handle. In this regard, RTF2, for all its advantages, is unattractive for professional bodyguards working in expensive suits.

Fourth generation

The fourth generation has the most significant innovations among all existing generations. The handle as standard has an RTF design, but compared to the RTF2 of third-generation pistols, there are larger gaps between the dots - 25 dots per cm², instead of 64 for the RTF, and the dots themselves are larger.

The back of the handle is a separate, replaceable part called the back strap. The minimum size part SF (short frame) is installed as standard; in this case, the distance from the back of the handle to the trigger is 70 mm. The gun comes with two additional parts M (medium) and L (large), which can be installed instead of the standard one. Part M increases the distance to the trigger to 72 mm, L - to 74 mm. Thus, they provide improved grip ergonomics for shooters with longer fingers. To change the part, you need to remove the fastening pin, for which a special tool is provided in the kit.

The magazine release button has become larger and more convenient. It also became possible to move it to the right side (more convenient for left-handed shooters). In this regard, on magazines of fourth-generation pistols, a second window appeared for the latch tooth, on the right side. Magazines from previous generation pistols can be used in fourth generation pistols, but only if the button is installed on the left.

Instead of one return spring, the fourth generation pistols began to install two springs of different diameters (on one guide rod). In this case, the load arising during recoil is distributed more evenly, the survivability of each individual spring increases, and the recoil felt by the shooter is reduced.

Unlike previous generations, the fourth has the corresponding marking on the slide - Glock 17 Gen4.

Design

This type of pistol is a fairly simple and reliable design, consisting of 33 parts and can be disassembled without the help of special equipment.

Automatic pistol

The automatic operation of the Glock 17 pistol works according to the scheme of using recoil with a short barrel stroke. The design used the upgraded Colt-Browning Cam system, which is a modernization of the Browning earring. A lug with an inclined groove is made under the breech of the barrel, coinciding with the guide protrusion of the frame. The groove is made at such an angle that, moving along the protrusion, it forces the moving barrel to decline, due to which the latter disengages from the bolt-casing, and then stops, allowing the bolt to roll back unhindered.

The barrel bore is locked using the descending breech of the barrel, which enters with its rectangular protrusion located above the chamber into the window for ejecting spent cartridges of the bolt-casing. The reduction occurs when the bevel of the lower tide of the breech of the barrel interacts with the protrusion of the frame. After the shot, the bolt, moving backward, bends the disconnector, thereby releasing the rod, which then rises under the action of the rod spring. When the bolt moves forward, the striker hook encounters the rod hook and returns the trigger through the rod to the forward position. In this case, the drummer is pre-cocked. The latest pistols are equipped with an ejector, which also serves as an indicator of the presence of a cartridge in the chamber.

Trigger mechanism

Trigger mechanism(USM) striker type with preliminary partial cocking of the firing pin when the bolt-casing moves back and additional cocking when the trigger is pressed. When you press the trigger, the striker lock is first released, then the sear releases the firing pin, and a shot is fired. The Glock company calls the trigger of this design only self-cocking (DAO). However this system in fact, it is a classic single-action trigger with additional additional cocking of the firing pin.

In Glock pistols, the firing pin is cocked by moving the bolt-casing backwards, and the relatively long travel of the trigger and the force required to cock the firing pin, somewhat greater than that of a conventional single-action trigger, replace a manually controlled safety. To ensure maximum ease of handling when designing this pistol, it was decided to abandon the use of manual safeties; only automatic ones were left, which made it possible to significantly reduce the time interval from the moment the pistol was removed to the moment the fire was opened.

If there are no cartridges, the bolt stop is activated, locking the bolt in the retracted position. The length and force of the stroke in this case prevent an accidental shot in the absence of a safety lever. The trigger pull is 2.5 kg and can be adjusted from 2 to 4 kg. The small force required to pull the trigger allows for increased accuracy of fire even for a poorly trained shooter.

Circuit breakers

The pistol is equipped with three independently operating automatic fuses. Glock called this system Safe Action. The safety lever, which is equipped with the trigger, blocks its movement back and releases it only when the shooter consciously presses it. The automatic firing pin safety makes it impossible for the firing pin to hit the cartridge primer in case of accidental de-cocking of the sear. The trigger rod, with its special protrusion, lifts the safety, which is a cylinder with a groove, and opens the way forward for the striker. The shockproof fuse is a cross-shaped protrusion of the trigger rod that fits into the groove of the bolt-casing. It prevents the combat platoon from falling off the sear during an external strike.

Sights

The sights of Glock pistols, made of plastic, are removable and installed in transverse dovetail grooves, consist of a rear sight with the ability to make horizontal corrections by moving it and a front sight, which can be replaced with another one with a different height for vertical correction. For ease of aiming in low light conditions, there is a luminous dot on the front sight and a luminous frame on the rear sight. The rear sight can be adjustable, but this is not usually used on military models. Since 1988, pistols of this model are in most cases equipped with a special guide for attaching a laser designator (LTS) or tactical flashlight.

Design features

The pistol has a simple and reliable design. When fully disassembled, it consists of 33 parts, including the magazine. Maintenance can be carried out without the use of special equipment using available tools, which greatly facilitates maintenance and repair. Equipped as standard with a 17-round magazine; Can also use magazines with a capacity of 19 and 33 rounds. In addition to the generally accepted design features, the Glock 17 also has a number of specific technical solutions, which were then used in pistols of subsequent models.

Many parts of the pistol were created using polymer materials, including the frame (except for the barrel and bolt casing), which made it possible to reduce the weight of the weapon to 900 g when loaded (for comparison: the weight of a Beretta 92 pistol with a magazine of 15 rounds is 950 g . in an unloaded state). Moreover, the mass of the loaded magazine for the Glock 17 is 250 g, that is, about 25% of the weight is ammunition.

A distinctive feature of Glock pistols is also the high survivability of components and mechanisms. On average, a pistol is considered durable if it can fire about 30-40 thousand rounds, and a Glock 17 can fire 300-350 thousand rounds. This superiority in wear resistance is due to the widespread use of polymer parts and unique barrel production technology patented by Glock.

The outer casing and frame can be made of plastic in various colors. The most famous is the classic black, there is also a Glock 17 in camouflage. In the production of parts subject to the greatest load, plastic is reinforced with metal plates. The guide frames along which the shutter casing moves are reinforced with steel inserts. At the bottom of the frame there is a small metal plate on which the factory serial number of the pistol is stamped. On the pistol frame above the trigger guard on both sides there are latches, when pressed, it becomes possible to partially disassemble the pistol, remove the bolt barrel and the return spring from the frame.

Shooting underwater

An interesting feature of Glock pistols is the ability to fire underwater. In this case, not only there is no rupture, but also no swelling of the barrel. However, for stable firing of the primer, a special firing pin with transverse grooves or a set of Spring cups amfibia is required: a firing pin mainspring with a plastic tray with holes. Available only for pistols chambered for 9 mm Parabellum. However, for underwater shooting without the risk of barrel inflation, it is recommended to use cartridges with full-jacket FMJ bullets. Glock pistols can be fired underwater at a depth of up to three meters. The bullet retains more energy at a distance of up to two meters when fired at a depth of one meter. Shooting at close range from under water is also effective, without the sound of a shot being heard.

Existing modifications produced by Glock

The Glock 17 pistol served as the basis for the entire range of pistols produced by Glock. Glock pistols, which have the index “C” in the model designation, are equipped with a built-in compensator, made in the form of several upward-directed holes located at various intervals in the muzzle of the barrel, and an oblong cutout in the upper part of the bolt casing. The presence of this device made it possible to reduce recoil when firing, which somewhat increased the accuracy of fire.

Currently, the following derivatives of the Glock 17 pistol exist:

Glock 17L- target version of the model with an extended barrel, appeared in 1988.

Glock 17C- a modification equipped with a compensator cut into the barrel and casing.

Glock 17R- version of the pistol for training without cartridges with a red plastic body. Does not allow shooting, but can use practice/laser ammo. The drummer is cocked himself after each release (Reset trigger).

Glock 17T- option with a blue body for training. Shoots markers with paint (Training).

Glock 18\18C- a modification adapted for firing in bursts.

Glock 19\19C- compact model with a short barrel (102 mm). Initially called Glock 17 Compact, since 1990 it acquired its current designation.

Glock 20\20C- modification of the Glock 17 chambered for 10 mm Auto, has a magazine for 15 rounds and a built-in compensator.

Glock 21\21C- modification chambered for .45 ACP cartridge, and therefore has a number of design differences. The profile of the barrel has changed, which has become octagonal with a right-hand thread, and the magazine capacity has been reduced to 13 rounds.

Glock 22\22C- modification chambered for 40 S&W. This model was released in 1990. In May 1997, this model was adopted by the FBI as a service weapon. It is the standard weapon for duty officers.

Glock 23 pistol with tactical flashlight and laser target

Glock 23\23C- a shortened version of the Glock 22, is the standard weapon of operational employees.

Glock 24\24C- a target modification of the Glock 22 with an extended barrel and increased accuracy of fire.

Glock 25- modification of the Glock 22 model chambered for 380 ACP, a compact low-power weapon for civil self-defense. First presented to the general public in 1995.

Glock 26- a compact version of the Glock 17 with a magazine capacity of 10 rounds and a weapon length of 160 mm.

Glock 27- compact modification chambered for .40 S&W. Much like the Glock 26, but has a 9-round magazine due to the slightly thicker ammunition used.

Glock 28- compact modification of Glock 25.

Glock 29- a compact version of the Glock 20 model with a magazine capacity of 10 rounds.

Glock 30\30S- compact version of the Glock 21 model.

Glock 31\31C- modification of the original model chambered for .357 SIG.

Glock 32\32C- a slightly shorter modification of the Glock 31 pistol with a smaller magazine capacity.

Glock 33- a significantly shortened and smaller modification of the Glock 31, positioned as an “ultra-compact pistol.”

Glock 34- a targeted modification of the Glock 17 pistol with an extended barrel and increased accuracy of fire. Presented to the public in 1998.

Glock 35- a targeted modification of the Glock 22 pistol, has increased accuracy of fire, and is specially designed for bench shooting and personnel training. Presented to the public in 1998.

Glock 36- a compact modification of the Glock 21, the magazine capacity is only 6 rounds, due to their single-row arrangement, it is thin, which makes it easier to carry concealedly.

Glock 37- modification of the original model chambered for .45 GAP; Magazine capacity 10 rounds.

Glock 38- a slightly shorter modification of the Glock 37 pistol chambered for the .45 GAP cartridge with a smaller magazine capacity (8 rounds).

Glock 39- a significantly shortened and reduced modification of the Glock 37 chambered for .45 GAP, positioned as an “ultra-compact pistol” (SUBCOMPACT).

Usage

Thanks to its successful design, the pistol has become widespread throughout the world. Various modifications of the Glock 17 pistol are in service with the army and police of more than 30 countries, for example, Austria, Sweden and Norway. The model has been approved by NATO leadership as one of the main models of personal small arms; Glocks of various modifications are in service with the police and intelligence services of the USA, Canada, Mexico, India, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia and many other countries.

This pistol is a typical self-defense weapon. The maximum target firing range is 50 m; effective shooting at such a distance requires good marksmanship training and experience in handling the weapon from which fire is fired. On average, the Glock 17 is most effective at a distance of 20-25 m, due to the fact that even a poorly trained shooter is able to hit a target at such a distance. The initial speed of a bullet fired from a Glock 17 at the muzzle of the barrel is 350-360 m/s. The muzzle energy is about 500 J. These characteristics determine the scope of application of this weapon model.

The energy of a bullet of 350-400 J is quite enough to cause serious injury when hit. The 9mm bullet has a pronounced stopping effect, which allows the shooter to inflict incapacitating, but not fatal, wounds. This quality is especially necessary for police and intelligence officers in cases where it is necessary to stop the target, but there is no need to kill him. In the event that the enemy is protected by body armor, a hit to the chest plate of the armor leads to a strong concussion, and in some cases, to loss of balance, which gives the shooter time to transfer fire to parts of the body not protected by armor.

Glock 17 can be effectively used in almost all climatic zones, with the exception of the Far North and areas with harsh continental climate, in which the air temperature can drop below −40 °C. This is due to his design features. Thanks to the widespread use of polymers, this model is not afraid of high humidity, dust, jungles and tropical forests, which are traditionally dangerous for pistols. But at low temperatures, the plastic frame of the pistol turns from an advantage into a disadvantage due to the increased fragility of the plastic; components and assemblies of the gun fail faster, and without proper regular maintenance with the replacement of plastic components in critical situation the pistol may not be operational.

The muzzle velocity, like all pistols, is relatively low, which limits range effective application 50 m.

In law enforcement, the Glock 17 is used as the main weapon during peacetime patrols.

In the military, the Glock 17 is an additional weapon for officers, and in some cases sergeants. Vehicle crews can also be armed with it. In combat conditions, the Glock 17 is effective for self-defense when it is impossible to use the main weapon.

It is precisely due to the fact that the Glock 17 effectively copes with the assigned tasks in all three main areas of its application that it has become so widespread in the world.

Advantages of the Glock 17 pistol

High resistance to corrosion, thanks to the use of special barrel processing technology patented by Glock and a large number of polymer parts.
- Smooth recoil and high accuracy of fire, thanks to the use of a large number of polymer parts.
- Less weight than pistols of a similar class due to the body and frame of the pistol being made of plastic.
- High wear resistance of components and mechanisms. The barrel allows you to fire 300-350 thousand shots before burning out (for other pistols, on average, this value is 40-50 thousand shots).
- Putting into firing position does not require switching any fuse.
- The possibility of firing in an aquatic environment declared by the manufacturer without damaging the pistol when changing the return spring.
- The gun can be easily disassembled for cleaning and maintenance without the use of special equipment.
- Possibility of using magazines with a large number of cartridges.
- This pistol has a comparatively greater grip angle than other pistols, which makes shooting more comfortable.

Disadvantages of the Glock 17 pistol

There is a possibility that if carried in a pocket for a long time without regular maintenance, small debris may jam the striker stop release lever, which will make it impossible to fire. But, according to some sources, this event is too unlikely to affect the real combat effectiveness of the pistol.
- The bolt guides, which have a small area, wear out quickly, which leads to a gradual deterioration in accuracy and shooting accuracy due to the swinging of the bolt frame.
- Low resistance of important components of the pistol to high rates of fire.
- With prolonged use, microcracks in the plastic almost inevitably appear.
- The standard front sight is too wide and covers the target.
- Like all pistols with a plastic frame, it requires a confident hold of the weapon to ensure the automatic operation.
- The trigger mechanism does not allow re-piercing the cartridge primer if it misfires - you need to jerk the bolt. The disadvantage is conditional, with a small number of cartridges. In general, when shooting, the cause of a misfire is not important - the method of eliminating it is important. If there are cartridges, it is easier to jerk the bolt than to cock an open hammer, not knowing whether the firing pin will puncture the primer of a given cartridge, provided that it did not puncture the first time.
- Due to the use of polymer materials, Glock becomes more fragile at temperatures below −40 °C, which can lead to cracks in the receiver and frame under mechanical stress. At high temperatures - above 200 °C - deformation of the plastic components of the gun may occur. IN technical recommendations The Glock operating temperature range is specified from −40 to 200 °C; using the pistol outside this temperature range may lead to failure of its main components and structural components.

Curious facts

A widely touted feature of the Glock 17 is its ability to fire underwater when equipped with a special reinforced recoil spring. This effect is achieved due to the strength of the barrel and simple and reliable automation that does not use complex systems gas outlet, and replacing the standard return spring with a reinforced one allows you to return the bolt back to the firing position even with a significantly increased resistance of the environment. The practical value of this ability is small - this is due to the fact that in water the energy of a bullet is very quickly extinguished due to the high density of the medium, and the effective firing range does not exceed 1-2 meters. But despite the low effectiveness of the pistol in this situation, the very presence of this ability indicates the high reliability and wear resistance of components and mechanisms, the preservation of the combat effectiveness of the Glock 17 in conditions of any, no matter how high humidity, and even the ability to fire when there is water in the barrel bore , which in many other models of pistols can lead to deformation of the barrel or serious damage to components and parts of the weapon.