Glock G17L ammo selection?

[XenopusTex]

I recently purchased a new G17L to compliment the G17 that I had inherited. The G17L seems to be more finicky about what it does and does not like.

One of the first things that I noticed about it was that the weapon did not like the "cheap" ammunition that I could feed through the regular G17. CCI "Blazer Brass" 115gr was barely getting the job done cycling the action. Had cleaned and lubed it within about 1/2hr of purchase, so it should have been good-to-go. Limp wristing wasn't a problem, though it did jam spectacularly when I gave it to a relative to try, who promptly limp wristed it.

Took a box of 9mm NATO loading from Winchester out to the range today. Cycled the weapon fine, and still not sure where the brass from all of the shots wound up. However, I'd rather not run NATO loads through it all the time for practice.

I have a preference for 124gr or heavier bullets in 9mm. Given the nature of my work and seeing cases that come across my desk involving 9mm, can't see using anything in 115gr, unless it's a Barnes bullet. The pistol itself seems to shoot 147gr Ranger SXT very well, along with the NATO, and is all over the map with BH 115gr Barnes and Barnes Tac-XP.

Practice ammo suggestions? Was thinking Speer Lawman 147gr for general practice and 9mm NATO for the "break in".

Carry ammo suggestions? The extra barrel length makes me wonder how well my "standard" non-Barnes-type HST 147gr+P would function. The +P gives more expansion and less penetration out of short barrel weapons, can only imagine that the 6" barrel would add to that issue. Is the G17L something to seriously consider using a 147gr XTP and/or +P in?

 

[Panzerschwein]

Keep in mind 9mm NATO is only mildly "hotter" than standard pressure, and isn't even rated as "+P"... it WILL NOT damage your G17L, even if you shoot it all the time any additional wear vs running standard pressure 124 grain ball would be virtually nonexistent.

The gun might need some breaking in though in general a Glock 9mm of any flavor should run with almost anything you put in it. I'm not totally sure what's going on. I would shoot a few hundred Speer Lawman 147 grainers through it then go back and see if the el cheapo 115 grain stuff will feed.

As for what ammo to use, you are correct that the additional barrel on your pistol will typically make a hollow point expand more and the round will penetrate a bit less than it would from shorter bbls.

I would run the standard pressure Federal HST 147 grain in your gun. That would be a great combo and should perform really well.

 

[XenopusTex]

Ah yes, the elusive HST 147gr non +P. Out here on the Northern Plains, it's as rare as chicken lips. Got the +P via ordering online. Might try some Gold Dot 147gr if I can't find the non +P HST. Barring that, could order some Golden Sabre 147gr if nothing else is available.

I could get the 115 Blazer Brass to feed, the problem was that it worked "just barely," in that the brass did not eject with sufficient velocity to clear parts of the shooter. Was striking me in the chest for example.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Wow that's really weird. My G19 Gen 4 has worked very well with EVERYTHING since day one. It just doesn't complain.

I still vote for breaking the gun in first.

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

Mine eats nothing but Tula/wolf/whatever is cheapest, without a hickup

 

[JDR]

I try & make it a habit to inspect all ammo before I load it into any of my guns. My Gen3 G-17 shoots the Aluminum Case Fed Champion, Perfecta, Prvi Partizan (PPU), and Tula BrassMax ammo very well. My Gen4 G-21 shoots the Tula steel case and Fed Champion aluminum case ammo on a darn near exclusive basis. IMO a "G" that is picky on ammo needs the attention of a Glock armorer, something is not right with the gun, inspected ammo should cycle just fine.

 

[ATLDave]

A 17L has a longer slide. That means more mass to move in recoil. The gun may be short-stroking with the lighter loads. If you're planning to use light loads most of the time, have you considered going to a lighter recoil spring?

 

[wally]

The only time my 17L has choked was when shooting suppressed using 147gr FMJ reloads with the minimum powder charge that'd cycle my RIA 9mm 1911. I upped the charge a tad and all has been well since. The original loads were fine un-suppressed, just needed a bit more gas for the LID device to make up for the extra mass of the can.

The 17L is a bit long with suppressor attached but its very quiet as the longer barrel reduces the "uncorking" pressure when the bullet exits into the can making the suppressor even more effective.

If you load one round in to the magazine and shoot it, does the slide lock back reliably? If not, need either a bit more power in your ammo, or a bit of "break-in" with the gun and magazines.

 

[C0untZer0]

My 17L eats just about everything. The Glock 17 is a NATO pistol and running 124gr "NATO" ammo through it is not going to stress the pistol in ways it wasn't designed to handle.

 

[PO2Hammer]

My 17L ate everything, but my 34 didn't like weak factory ammo.
The best solution IMO is an aftermarket un-captured guide rod and a few springs of various weights to play with. Then you can match the spring to your ammo and shoot whatever you have on hand. Worked great for my 34 when all I could find during a shortage was some lead free ammo with light frangible bullets. IIRC I used a 15 pound ISMI recoil spring for that.