Glock 17
Glock Ges.m.b.H. · Pistol · In Production · 1982
Also known as: P80, Pistole 80, L131A1
Overview
The Glock 17 is a semi-automatic pistol chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum, produced by Glock Ges.m.b.H.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 625 g (22.0 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 905 g (31.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 204 mm (8.03") |
| Barrel Length | 114 mm (4.49") |
| Height | 139 mm (5.47") |
| Width | 32 mm (1.26") |
| Sight Radius | 165 mm (6.50") |
| Action Type | Short Recoil |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Safe Action |
| Trigger Pull | 28 N (6.3 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 17 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 375 m/s (1230 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 519 J (383 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 50 m (55 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1800 m (1968 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 250 mm (9.84") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Polymer |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Finish | Tenifer |
Calibers
- 9x19mm Parabellum · primary · 9mm NATO — also known as 9mm Luger, 9mm NATO, 9x19mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Trigger Safety, Firing Pin Safety, Drop Safety
- Features: Polymer Frame, Safe Action Trigger, Hexagonal Rifling, Accessory Rail, Ambidextrous Slide Stop, Textured Grip, Reversible Magazine Release, Striker Fired
Variants
- Glock 17 Gen5 — Generation
- Glock 17L — Competition
- Glock 17C — Compensated
- Glock 17T — Training
- Glock 18 — Select Fire
Service history
Operators
- Austrian Armed Forces · adopted 1982 · as P80
- British Armed Forces · adopted 2013 · as L131A1
- Norwegian Armed Forces · as P80
- Finnish Defence Forces · adopted 2008 · as 9.00 PIST Glock 17
- Swedish Armed Forces
- Dutch Armed Forces · adopted 1994
- Swiss Armed Forces · adopted 2011
- Portuguese Army
- Iraqi Security Forces
- Latvian Military
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- New York Police Department
- Los Angeles Police Department
- New Zealand Police
- Swedish Police Authority
- Norwegian Police Service
- French Special Forces
Conflicts
- War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
- Iraq War (2003-2011)
- Global War on Terror (2001-present)
Production
Estimated total produced: 15,000,000 · Production years: 1982-present
Over 5 million produced by 2007; estimated 10-15 million total across all Glock models by 2020s. Gen1 production (1982-1991) was approximately 115,000 units across models 17, 18, and 19. Initial Austrian military order was 25,000 units. Exact production numbers are not publicly released by Glock.
Origin
Country of origin: Austria
Designer: Gaston Glock
Notes
The name 'Glock 17' refers to it being Gaston Glock's 17th patent, not the magazine capacity, though the coincidence is often noted. The original Gen1 models (1982-1988) had distinctive pebbled grip texture and lacked an accessory rail. Gen2 (late 1980s-1998) added checkered grip panels. Gen3 (1998-2010) introduced finger grooves, thumb rests, and an accessory rail. Gen4 (2010-2017) added modular backstraps and dual recoil spring. The Safe Action trigger system consists of three independent safeties: trigger safety, firing pin safety, and drop safety. Optional magazine capacities include 10, 19, 24, 31, and 33 rounds. Over 5 million Glocks had been produced by 2007, with estimates of 10-15 million total by the 2020s.
Background
Gaston Glock was a curtain rod manufacturer with zero firearms experience when he designed the Glock 17 in his garage workshop. After overhearing Austrian military officers discussing their need for a new pistol in 1980, the 52-year-old engineer spent months studying existing handguns, then created a revolutionary design that beat 8 established firearms manufacturers to win the Austrian military contract in 1982. His outsider perspective led to innovations that industry veterans had never considered.