It is hard to imagine for some gun enthusiasts who feel like the Glock has been around forever, and it is equally, if not more so, difficult to see that the original Glock model, the venerable 17, is pushing 40 years old at the turn of the new year. Gaston Glock likely had no idea just how far his polymer-based handgun would go and the far-reaching effects it would have on the gun industry. However, no one will disagree that the Glock 17 blazed a trail into the gun industry unlike anything seen in a very, very long time.

Glock Incorporated lives by the common adage, and one that we have mentioned previously, ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’ Instead, Glock has taken their base model and made small but consistent changes to improve the handgun while staying true to the original model. Since 1982, the Glock 17 has gone through a few changes. Here are those changes in chronological order.

Glock 17 Gen 1 – 1982

The original model, the Glock 17 Gen 1, was as basic as a handgun can be. The original Glock 17 was so basic because there was nothing to compare against it. The original has no stippling, texturing, or even finger grooves. The only group that really took an interest inframe’s this model was the Austrian military, placing an order for 25,000 handguns.

It was also at this time Glock introduced the Glock 18 – the fully automatic model. These exist, but they are incredibly rare and expensive.

Glock 17 Gen 2 – 1988

Glock’s handgun naming could be the company’s only shortcoming. Rather than giving new models a new number, the company changes the generation number. In this case, the Gen 2. Glock, by now certainly turning heads within the gun markets, had made a few upgrades:

• Stippling on the front, backstraps, and trigger guard
• Serial number on a steel plate on the front of the trigger guard (The ATF was particular about the steel plate.)
• A single spring instead of a two-piece spring and tube
• The magazine floor plate and follower were modified slightly

Glock 17 Gen 3 – 1998

Ten years is not a great deal of time in the gun world. Glock, by now, has a firm foothold in the gun industry with shooters, law enforcement, and military alike. The Gen 3 model added the following new features to compliment the previous:

• Accessory rail – the Universal Glock Rail
• Thumb rests on both sides
• Finger grooves on the front of the grip strap
• Modified extractor that doubled as a loaded chamber indicator
• Larger and more reinforced locking block with an extra pin
• Two new colored frames – Olive and FDE

Glock 17 Gen 4 – 2010

We are now 28 years into the Glock being a part of the gun industry, and Ghost Inc. is entering its second decade of providing aftermarket parts for Glock shooters. The new upgrades were:

• Ergonomics and recoil spring assembly saw some fresh upgrades
• The frame’s texture was roughed up even more, the grips checkered and interchangeable backstraps for small-handed shooters.
• Trigger reach was backed down a bit but easily changed back to the Gen 3
• Ambidextrous magazine release
• Dual recoil spring assembly
• Frame and slide modifications for the larger spring assembly
• Magazines with cuts on both sides for the new magazine release (Gen 4 mags work in previous models)
• Gen 4 on the slide

Glock 17 Gen 5 – August 2017

The newest model was originally on in the 17 and 19 versions. Again, most of the upgrades were more on the cosmetic side. The absolute basics of the handgun remained solid and steady. The Gen 5 featured:

• No more finger grooves on the frame
• The slide stop lever is fully ambidextrous
• New finish, the nDLC, nitride diamond-like coating
• Deeper barrel crown
• Half-moon cut on the bottom of the grip frame for removing stuck magazines
• Flared magazine well
• Interior action updates
• Gen 5 on the slide

Where will Glock go next? It is hard to say because most people who shoot the Glock do not think much can be upgraded. However, taking a straight factory Glock 17 and changing a few things with products from Ghost Inc. will make a great functioning handgun a great looking handgun. Check out our connectors, springs and spring kits, and the MOAB (Mother Of All Baseplates).

Keep it in the 10 ring.

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