The Georgia-based gunmaker Glock revealed the newest iteration of the Glock 17 handgun during the National Rifle Association's annual convention over the weekend. What makes the new Glock 17L different from the original design is its long slide and optics-ready configuration.
While a Glock competition pistol isn't groundbreaking, it does expand the Gen 5 line of pistols into new territory. Answering whether or not you need these features, Josh Dorsey, Glock's vice president, said in a statement that his company is "continually in development of new technologies and expanding our product offering."
With its 6.02-inch barrel and 8.86-inch slide, the pistol is ideal for competitive shooting. The added length helps improve shooter accuracy and delivers a higher bullet velocity. Plus, the optics-ready cuts in the slide, which Glock calls the Modular Optics System, allow you to mount kit like a red dot for fast-target acquisition.
During the NRA show, Glock representatives explained that the long slide also gives the pistol a longer sight radius, so it helps you aim without optics. They also said it adds more heft to help mitigate felt recoil so you have greater control over the handgun as you pop off rounds.
Besides the length of the barrel and slide, the most noticeable difference from the standard Glock 17 is weight. On paper, the Glock 17L weighs 25.4 ounces unloaded (and 32.45 ounces with a full magazine), or approximately one ounce more than the standard.
Glock released the fifth generation of its pistols in August 2017, beginning with the popular 9mm Glock 17 and 19 models. The gun company modeled the new generation after a design created for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The FBI updated its duty weapon — from an older Glock design — in 2016.
According to Glock, Gen 5 pistols feature more than 20 design modifications over older designs. These include a Glock Marksmanship Barrel, a new finish, an ambidextrous slide stop, a flared mag-well, and a textured grip. Most notably, though, designers removed the finger grooves from the grip.
Glock 17L Gen 5 MOS Specs
The new Glock 17L MOS pistol. Credit: Glock
- Caliber: 9mm
- Capacity: 17 rounds
- Barrel: 6.02 inches
- Length: 9.45 inches
- Width: 1.34 inches
- Height: 5.47 inches
- Weight: 25.4 ounces (unloaded)
- Trigger Distance: 2.76 inches
