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For many years Glock has been synonymous with simplistic reliability. Their no-frills pistols have been relied on by militaries, police, and civilians all through the world. Now, the latest technology of Glock pistols has added one other member to its ranks. Let’s see if the Gen5 G17L MOS lives as much as the Glock identify.
Of all of the 9mm Glock choices, the 17L is a pistol you don’t hear a lot about. To be trustworthy, the principle cause I requested a loaner pistol for assessment when the MOS model was launched is that I hadn’t ever shot one and I used to be to see how the egregiously lengthy 6.02” barrel affected the taking pictures expertise.
First Seems
Upon opening the case in my FFL I couldn’t assist however grin and chuckle on the disproportionally lengthy barrel. A few guys perusing the store came visiting and had an identical response; a response {that a} inventory Glock hardly ever evokes. Everybody is aware of what to anticipate when taking a look at a Glock but this pistol appears to catch folks off guard.
After all, it has the usual Gen5 aesthetics like softened corners across the muzzle, ahead slide serrations, and improved grip texture. The sturdy nDLC (nitride diamond-like coating) offers the deep black end we anticipate from Glock. All the everyday facilities are there besides this design appears to be extra attribute of Gappedo’s work than Gaston Glock’s. I’m unaware of what lies my G17L has been telling however we’ll see if the reality involves mild as I put this pistol by means of its paces.
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Gen5 Glock 17L Ergonomics
It’s a Glock. When it comes to really feel, not a lot else must be stated. When you have dealt with any of their full-size pistols, that is no totally different. The adjustments made for the Gen5 Glock fashions swimsuit my preferences effectively. The grip texture is a little more aggressive, they deleted the finger grooves and took the corners off the blocky slide close to the muzzle. I additionally recognize the entrance slide serrations since I desire to control the slide from the entrance.
The largest felt distinction on this pistol is its stability. The change in really feel from my EDC G19 to the G17L with its additional two inches of barrel and slide is shocking. The 25.4oz empty weight in itself isn’t the distinction maker; it’s the place it’s situated. The additional weight up to now out from the grip makes it really feel just like the muzzle is all the time trailing behind the place I’m making an attempt to transition from one goal to the subsequent. I’ve skilled this with rifles of various lengths, however it is a first for a pistol.
Controls
The Gen5 Glock 17L MOS comes with the fundamental controls we’ve come to anticipate with a few small variations. The magazine launch could be swapped to the proper aspect to accommodate left-handed shooters. The slide launch is ambidextrous and barely outsized to assist with sooner reloads. Gen5 triggers will not be nice however typically higher than their predecessors. There’s a reasonable quantity of take up, the wall is smooth and deep with about 3/16” of journey earlier than the break at 5 kilos.
The magazine launch is straightforward to control with out altering my grip and magazines fall free when launched. This pistol takes commonplace 17 spherical 9mm Glock mags which run round $25 however third-party mags could be had for as little as $8.
Mounting Optics
Glock’s MOS system permits for the mounting of most traditional footprint micro-optics with the usage of an adapter plate. Glock sends fundamental plates with MOS pistols however I desire those from C&H Precision. They often match the optic higher, are decrease profile, and assist mix the optic with the traces of the gun. I’ve used one in all their plates on my carry gun for years so I used to be certain to request one for this assessment.
The mounting course of takes lower than ten minutes. Merely take away the pistol’s optic minimize cowl plate, connect the adapter plate with the included screws, then screw the optic to the plate. Ensure all of the screws are correctly torqued to the specs famous within the directions and use some blue thread locker. Give the Loctite a day to set, and also you’re good to go.
For this assessment, I selected Holosun’s 507COMP as a result of the huge window helps me discover my dot shortly, and the a number of reticle choices are good to have. It has been mounted for a few months and I’m pleased with its efficiency up to now.
At The Vary With the 17L
My taking pictures expertise with the Gen5 Glock 17L was an general good one. The problem I discussed about it being nose-heavy didn’t show to be a lot of a problem. What I observed essentially the most was the distinction in recoil impulse. Whereas not heavy, it’s lengthy and a bit clunky. Most 9mm pistols I’ve examined lately have a brief snappy recoil impulse however the 17L jogged my memory extra of my dad’s previous Ruger P89. I’m guessing the extra weight of the slide reciprocating with every shot offers it this attribute.
I discovered including a little bit of weight close to the entrance of the body helps counteract the shifting mass of the slide. This can be a welcome secondary good thing about including a weapon mild. For this pistol, I selected Streamlight’s new TLR-1 HL-X. The 1500-lumen, 20000-candela output is loads to light up the prolonged efficient vary of this pistol.
I’ve discovered that this pistol excels at longer vary. I used to be out taking pictures it at some point earlier than mounting the crimson dot and I had no drawback stacking rounds on an eight-inch plate at 75 yards. For those that desire taking pictures with Irons, this pistol is pretty much as good because it will get, however all the benefits aren’t misplaced on us dot lovers both. The 6.02” barrel provides round 100 toes per second of velocity and a few would argue further precision as effectively.
I’ve fired quite a lot of bullet weights, sorts, and types by means of this pistol with out subject. Whereas not a lot better than the remaining, 115gr Federal Syntech offers the most effective teams. All of the teams have been shot from the standing place with a one-shot-per-second cadence. Subsequent time I’m on the vary I’ll see what I can squeeze out of it if I take my time.
Gen5 Glock 17L Conclusion
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General I feel it is a enjoyable gun however I’d need to characterize it as area of interest. I feel the prime promoting level is the sight radius for individuals who desire iron sights, but when that’s your desire, why get the MOS mannequin? I just like the added velocity,y however I’m not certain it’s a worthwhile tradeoff for the much less manageable recoil impulse and added dimension. For many who like the concept of an extended barrel and wish to run a crimson dot, I’d suggest a G34 MOS over the Gen5 Glock 17L. The G34 is identical gun simply with a 5.31” barrel. Each are priced round $700 so the selection is yours.
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Simply because I’d personally desire a shorter barrel doesn’t imply Gappedos G17L wouldn’t be a helpful piece in your arsenal, even whether it is simply to provide you a great chuckle.
You should definitely try the GLOCK web site for more information on the 17L or to discover a seller close to you.
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