New Glock 17 Gen 4 - Now what?

[1stmarine]

Many thanks for your recommendations. Very nice in deed.

Straight 8 seems like a great option. I think that similar concept to the XS express but possibly even better. It definitely should help with quick acquisition at least for me. Unless I am behind a rifle shooting at moderate or long ranges I am always looking for fast alignment and this seems to be more in line with the concept of pointing vs. aiming that we know is not possible in the defense type of shooting.
So like we do in Skeet and Trap with shotguns we are looking for that 'snowman' to be aligned with the target and that's all we can do so we can focus more on the target and less on the sights. This could provide the brain a similar type of 'ball game' here vs the other sites. Again this is for me. for my type of use. It might different for others.

Cheers.
E.

 

[1stmarine]

Today At the weekly defensive shooting practice I met a fellow that had this set of XS express and they looked really nice. It looks that this and the straight 8 is something worth trying. Anyone seen a substantial advantage of the straight 8? the concept is pretty much the same. The "little snow man" aligned and then focus on the target. I do tactical shooting and last thing I need is 'distracting' sights. I need to catch them strait quickly through peripheral vision.
Thoughts?

 

[DustyVermonter]

I have 4 Glocks and Have not done a single mod to any of them, why? Because I dont need to do that as Glock has had the whole handgun thing figured out for a while now.

Im not saying go modless, just that Glocks arent really lacking anything that I can think of, maybe nite-sites would be a worthwhile mod for a bedside gun but other than that id let it do its Glock thing.

That is the beauty of Glocks, you buy it, open the box, load the mags up with hollow points and then what you have is a totally utilitarian, no frills, no BS defensive tool.

I have many other handguns that I consider to be of high quality, but for me personally, for whatever reason, I feel most confident when carrying and shooting Glock handguns, period.

They shoot well right out of the box and while I wouldnt advise against a few minor mods, I certainly don't think you would really be lacking anything if you chose not to.

I would however advise that you purchase a G20, G26 and a G21 for your G17 as Glocks alone can become lonely and need other Glocks to play with.

One more thing, go buy about 8 or 9 Glock factory 17 rounders and 3 of the Glock factory 33 rounders, if you don't you will wish you had, trust me. Mags and ammo are more crucial than mods as far as I'm concerned, without them you might as well have a bunch of fancy paperweights.

 

[Hedgemeister]

Good call Vermonter. I just picked up a few extra mags. The 33 rounds are hard to find in AZ right now, after the Tucson shooting people rushed to buy them fearing they would be baned. Is 1stmarine hijacking my thread? I have decided to just go with the meprolights. Mostly because I can buy them and have them installed here for $72 and the straight 8s wold be twice as much.

 

[ForumSurfer]

Mostly because I can buy them and have them installed here for $72 and the straight 8s wold be twice as much.

Times are tough, but I can't argue that logic.

FWIW it's worth, curiosity got the better of me and I ordered the straight 8's. Now I have to decide to buy another glock or swap them out and sell my big dot's.

 

[Hedgemeister]

I'm jealous, let us know how they work out.

 

[1stmarine]

DustyVermonter,
Good points. Nobody will argue with that logic. They are one of the most versatile systems you can find. God forbids there is a fight and you are out of ammo and you see a magazine on the floor chances are, it could well be a glock magazine, luckily with your caliber.They are very popular and that's for a reason.

Good advice on mags. Can't have enough of them. Thing big and have options.

What I want is juts a nice "snowman' type sights. That's all I am doing and that's me but nothing else is needed. Again, for me. Looks like the straight 8 is a good one.

Cheers,
E.

 

[DustyVermonter]

I think one of those beavertail grip jobs they do on Glocks over there at www.gripreductions.com are pretty cool to tell you the truth.

I wouldn't mind one of those on my G17.

 

[1stmarine]

DustyVermonter,
Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

Folks might know this already but just in case...

Regarding the texture I got another Glock 19 gen3 with the rough texture finish. They are discontinuing this finish and will sell only to police. That's what I was told by the Glock expert at the gun shop. It might be one of those marketing moves when later they will ask you for a special model (same pistol) but extra dollars for the rough texture. Who knows.

The rough texture is not like the Gen4. It is a Gen3 rough texture they call it. I have both Gen3 and Gen4 pistols and textures and the Gen3, the one they are discontinuing it is amazing for me. It feels like skateboard tape and like superglued to your hand. Not that the Gen4 is not amazing but the Gen3 is really a much more aggressive finish. Some people complain it is sanding their belts and shirts off. lol!

Cheers,
E.

 

[ForumSurfer]

the Gen3 is really a much more aggressive finish. Some people complain it is sanding their belts and shirts off.

I hear that often, too. I have a gen3 RTF2 and I really like the aggressive texture. It doesn't bother me any more so than the aggressive checkering on my 1911 frames and grips. I put another 500 rounds through it last weekend in one session and it didn't cause any discomfort, but others say the texture bothers them after extended shooting sessions. My only dislike is that it tends to snag wool, cotton polo's or similar textures and cause printing when your shirt is jacked up after stooping or bending over to grab something. That's probably just me, though. I don't like really loose fitting clothes so I tend to wear my shirts as form fitting as possible without causing printing.

I handled a gen4 19 today and I really like the feel and texture. I need another glock. I didn't like my first gen4 17 and sold it, I thought I didn't like the gen3 19 rtf2 until it grew on me after a couple 1000 rounds and now I found myself wanting another glock. I've also been looking into gssf events close by and I think I may try that. I'm trying to decide if I want a gen4 19 or a gen4 23. I realize the extra sight radius may be a plus in competition from what I've read, but I simply shoot much better with the 19. Anyone getting gen4 19's or 23's below $500 online? My local gun store that I like to support has each for less than $550. I'll just buy it there if I can't find it online for less than 5. Great group of guys and gals that helped me with advice on my first AR build, so I like throwing money at them if their price is competitive.

 

[1stmarine]

Good call I think. I have Gen 3 for 9mm. It works for me. It is a bit more choppy with the +P+ otherwise it is just perfect.
Gen 4 for the 40cal and 357 sig. It works for me. The spring really takes out the little choppiness with some of the loads. It is marginal but one can appreciate it. Texture is nice too.
My last Gen4 last week was a G23 and it was $550 at the rack. It is a good price I think. I always buy local to support the businesses here so I don't even look online. The other day I got 2K 40 cal rounds and I paid $420 + a few primers and almost the price of the new glock! lol!
Yes the rough texture is like skateboard tape and it might ruin a shirt or two but I love it!

 

[1stmarine]

Thanks Forumsurfer and everyone. I am going to order those 8 sights.

Again, I believe this is not 100% needed. The glocks out the box are already awesome but for some of the things I do, I am looking always for options for faster acquisition so I am going to give them a try.

Also anyone has cut the grip of a G17 or G22 to the size of a G19/G23?
Again this is for a special purpose but I am wondering if anyone has tried or knows how it looks, maybe a picture. I was talking to the glock expert at the local shop and he said he has done a couple but he had no pictures. It is something you have to make sure you want so my idea was to take a G22 gen3 rough texture and try this. I conceal carry this (in .357 SIG) and it sticks out too much on the side.
Thanks again.
E.

 

[1stmarine]

So, after most agree a stock glock is perfectly fine still there are a few things one might one to try, maybe with an older one to fiddle a little. I always thought I keep a couple stock and then fiddle with other two. So regarding the idea to cut off the grip, I was talking to a friend today and we were discussing two options for a 357 sig barrel:

A) Cut the grip in the G22 Gen3 with the rough texture to G23 magazine size and port the barrel and slide in a very specific way (custom porting job).
B) G23 Gen4 and just slide the ported sig barrel. This sticks out but much easier.
The straight eight will also be installed. The advantage is that I can try this option anyway and if I decide to keep it then ok but if not I can go for option A.

Any thoughts, ideas and/or experiences anyone?

Again this is not needed for most folks and something I am considering for me and what I like.