[mullin]

Hello, I live in Tucson (about 10 miles from the shooting) and have decided that I need a better home defense weapon! I've done a LOT of online reading and have 95% decided that the Glock 17 will be the right pistol for me. I have used pistols, rifles, and shotguns many times and have taken a police-sponsored gun safety course, but I'm unfamiliar with the Glock line of pistols which is the reason for this post.

Here's my questions . . . if this is too much for one post, let me know and I'll break it up:

1. I've heard that many semi-auto pistols have a problem with jamming. Will this be a problem with the G17?

2. I see there is both Gen 3 and Gen 4 new G17's on the market . . . which should I be getting and why?

3. Glock's web page shows "semi-auto" as a feature of the G17, which I think means that when I pull the trigger to fire a round, another round is automatically chambered and the hammer is automatically cocked. But, then specs go on to say that the trigger has a 5.5 lb. pull . . . is this right? This seems excessive for a gun that has the hammer cocked and ready to go, but maybe I'm not fully understanding this feature.

4. Since I'm getting this weapon for home defense, should I be thinking about getting night sights or a laser sight? If so, are these available after the sale or are they something that is installed by the manufacturer?

5. Will "dry firing" harm the gun's mechanism?

6. Where's a good place to easily sell my old Winchester 1300 Defender shotgun and my S&W 67 .38 stainless steel revolver?

Thanks in advance!
Bill

 

[Don Glock]

no worries about jamming with the g17. the gen3 g17 works reliably with any 9mm ammo on the market (even hertenberger machinegun ammo), whereas some weak target ammo can cause issues with the gen4. lasers are not necessary, but they can help you with perfect your trigger control at the range. dry firing will not hurt glocks.

 

[TheLaw]

Hello, I live in Tucson (about 10 miles from the shooting) and have decided that I need a better home defense weapon! I've done a LOT of online reading and have 95% decided that the Glock 17 will be the right pistol for me. I have used pistols, rifles, and shotguns many times and have taken a police-sponsored gun safety course, but I'm unfamiliar with the Glock line of pistols which is the reason for this post.

Here's my questions . . . if this is too much for one post, let me know and I'll break it up:

1. I've heard that many semi-auto pistols have a problem with jamming. Will this be a problem with the G17?

2. I see there is both Gen 3 and Gen 4 new G17's on the market . . . which should I be getting and why?

3. Glock's web page shows "semi-auto" as a feature of the G17, which I think means that when I pull the trigger to fire a round, another round is automatically chambered and the hammer is automatically cocked. But, then specs go on to say that the trigger has a 5.5 lb. pull . . . is this right? This seems excessive for a gun that has the hammer cocked and ready to go, but maybe I'm not fully understanding this feature.

4. Since I'm getting this weapon for home defense, should I be thinking about getting night sights or a laser sight? If so, are these available after the sale or are they something that is installed by the manufacturer?

5. Will "dry firing" harm the gun's mechanism?

6. Where's a good place to easily sell my old Winchester 1300 Defender shotgun and my S&W 67 .38 stainless steel revolver?

Thanks in advance!
Bill

I will echo what Don Glock said.

1. There should be no jamming issues with a properly functioning GLOCK.
2. Everyone has their own opinion but I prefer Gen 3 GLOCKs, in all calibers. The best thing you can do is to try to find a range nearby that allow you to rent a firearm and hoot it at their range. This will allow you to check out multiple firearms, possibly even the difference between the Gen 3 and Gen 4 GLOCKs.
3. The GLOCk firearm is a very safe firearm. Keep your finger and any foreign items out of the trigger areas and the firearm will not fire. To give you an , think of the number of Law Enforcement across the country that carry GLOCKs, every day, with no issues. It's is by far, the most popular handgun for Law Enforcement if I'm not mistaken.
4. Night sights are helpful, flash lights are better. Either a light that is mounted to the weapon itself, like a Streamlight TLR-1 (for example) or a hand held light that you keep beside the gun in case of emergencies. For night sights, I recommend Ameriglos. You can search that name on this forum and find plenty of information. There are plenty of other quality night sight manufacturers out there.
5. Dry Firing will not hurt the gun and should be done as often as possible to learn the trigger reset. (Of course make sure the firearm is empty, the ammo is separated by at least several feet, if not a separate room all together and you have tripled checked that the firearm is empty before you start dry firing)
6. I can't help you with a place to sell your other firearms. We have some local websites here in GA but I don't know of any in AZ. We have some AZ members so maybe they can chime in.

There is a #7 in my opinion. If you decide to use a weapon, please make sure you get proper training, including follow-up training for any that you may have already taken. One can never have too much training.

Lastly, if you think there may ever be a chance that you might want to get your carry license and carry this firearm, you might want to look at getting a GLOCK 19, instead of the 17. Same caliber just slightly shorter to make it easier to carry.

Good luck.

 

[Rowdie]

For home defense, keept the shotgun!

 

[TheLaw]

For home defense, keept the shotgun!

Good point. For home defense, a shotgun or rifle will be a better solution in "most"cases.

 

[Don Glock]

Good point. For home defense, a shotgun or rifle will be a better solution in "most"cases.

i've relegated my 12gauge as my last resort, SHTF gun for a couple reasons. a long gun's length makes it easier for a scumbag to grab in the close quarters of your house, and the last thing i want to do is get into wrestling match over a gun. also, that thing is freakin loud! lol

it's just my preference. of course, many folks use AR/shotguns as their first go to gun

 

[mullin]

Lastly, if you think there may ever be a chance that you might want to get your carry license and carry this firearm, you might want to look at getting a GLOCK 19, instead of the 17. Same caliber just slightly shorter to make it easier to carry.

Good tip . . . right now I don't think I'll ever need to carry the weapon, but OTOH who knows what the future might bring? I'll also consider the G19 along with the 17!

- Bill

 

[mullin]

For home defense, a shotgun or rifle will be a better solution in "most"cases.

I agree, but my shotgun has not had the best of care and there isn't a convenient place to store it in the bedroom. All things considered, a good pistol is a better alternative for my situation.

 

[TheLaw]

My first gun will almost always be a handgun, (GLOCK) as that is what I carry whenever I am awake. I will use the handgun to fight my way to a long gun if possible. I have a shotgun (18" barrel) ready for home protection, and I am working on getting an AK for a truck gun.

The home "plan" is that I do what I can to hunker down and protect the family with my handgun, while my wife prepares the shotgun. We all know how plans go sometimes but that is ours.

 

[TheLaw]

Good tip . . . right now I don't think I'll ever need to carry the weapon, but OTOH who knows what the future might bring? I'll also consider the G19 along with the 17!

- Bill

I'll preface my next statement that you should choose to use a firearm in whatever means you are comfortable with, but, keep in mind that criminals and people intent on causing harm won't only come visit you at your house. If you are of legal age, and legal to own a handgun, my personal suggestion would be to get some proper training on how to carry and use a firearm, understand the laws of your local area on when/how you can use your firearm in self defense, get your carry license and carry your firearm.

Either way, your call. Just be safe and practice, practice, practice.

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

No Hammer on a Glock!!
The G17 or G19 would make a good home defense handgun..
Glocks are known for their quality & ability to shoot just about any ammo without problems..
Factory sights + Flashlight or nightsight &/or laser if your inclined?? A Lot of guys spend more on this "Stuff" than what the gun costs plus if you shot $300 worth of ammo threw your gun it will do you more good than the extra laser/nightsights will..
It sounds like your already set up with the M67 S&W & Winchester 1300..
Get what ever you want to get, This makes the most sense to me..
The G19s 3rd Gens cramp my middle finger into the trigger guard, I never had this problem with the 2nd Gen G19s without the finger grooves, But the smaller G26 doesn't??
I like the feel of the 3rd & 4th Generation G17s in my hand..
When you get to the gunstore hold the Glock in your hands & even close your eyes & present the handgun on a target & see if it lines up for "YOU", You won't know without trying all three of the Glocks in your hands, Sounds like your set on a 9mm para Glock, Look at the G26, G19, G17 & G34

 

[Rowdie]

i've relegated my 12gauge as my last resort, SHTF gun for a couple reasons. a long gun's length makes it easier for a scumbag to grab in the close quarters of your house, and the last thing i want to do is get into wrestling match over a gun. also, that thing is freakin loud! lol

it's just my preference. of course, many folks use AR/shotguns as their first go to gun

Several Glock's are my first line of defense by choice. The shotgun is there if it's needed. My thinking is, if the scumbag grabs the long gun, how can your miss?
Just sayin'.

 

[Don Glock]

Several Glock's are my first line of defense by choice. The shotgun is there if it's needed. My thinking is, if the scumbag grabs the long gun, how can your miss?
Just sayin'.

generally, when someone grabs a gun in an attempt to disarm, the aren't pointing the muzzle at themselves lol

 

[Rowdie]

generally, when someone grabs a gun in an attempt to disarm, the aren't pointing the muzzle at themselves lol

If they grab mine, I'm already holding it!

 

[Don Glock]

If they grab mine, I'm already holding it!

let's say you're trying to grab a shotgun away from an assailant--will you be aiming the muzzle at your head? lol no, you'll instantly grab it and point the muzzle away from yourself. it's also very easy to grab a long gun from the side so the muzzle never even points at you at all.

it's not hard for a scumbag to grab your shotgun, when that long barrel is rounding the corner before you are. you can fire off a shot instantly, but if he's grabbing from the side, that won't help and a struggle will ensue. not saying a shotgun/rifle isn't a good choice for HD, it's just not my personal 1st choice. just my take on things

most of my friends that use a rifle for HD actually use those 10inch barrel pistol AR/AK47's for this reason. they're easier/quicker to maneuver with in tight quarters, and harder to grab

 

[TheLaw]

Well, in defense of the shotgun/rifle for home protection, there are ways that one is supposed to handle the firearm to limit these types of scenarios you mention Don G. Of course certain factors play into how well those methods work. Having an 18" barrel is going to work better than trying to use a shotgun with a 28" barrel. Having a sling, and using it properly is going to aid in maintaining control of the weapon, etc.. I am by no means a Shotgun/rifle expert as it relates to home defense but I have seen some training videos on the proper use of long guns in the home and I'd like to take some official training with my long guns one day soon.

 

[voyager4520]

http://genitron.com/Basics/Glock23/P2Glock.html
All Glock pistols function that way.

As to Gen3 vs. Gen4: (all Glocks are pretty much the same, only real differences are size and caliber)

G19 Part 2:

Glocks are generally one of the more reliable semi-autos on the market. So much so that if the gun malfunctions at all, either it's being held wrong, not lubricated properly, something's wrong with it internally, or the ammo being used is too weakly loaded. Some of the Gen4 9mms have had failure to eject issues, so unless the bigger reversible magazine release and smaller grip are deal-breakers for you, I'd go with Gen3. Dry firing for field stripping won't hurt the gun, but for extended dry-firing practice sessions, I'd use a Snap Cap dummy round. You can have the trigger lightened to approximately 4.5 pounds by installing, or having a gunsmith/glock armorer install, a "3.5 connector". It's called 3.5 but it actually brings the trigger pull to 4.5.

 

[mullin]

Voyager4520 - thanks for the outstanding post, lots of interesting information for this newbie!

- Bill

 

[mullin]

After reading a LOT of posts, I finally purchased a new G19 Gen 4, a new G17 Gen 4, and a new Streamlight TLR-1 flashlight - I used my old S&W 67 revolver and my Winchester 1300 Defender shotgun as trade.

I'll report back here after I've tested the new guns at the range.

 

[voyager4520]

Wow congrats!