View Full Version : most reliable Gen 3 Glock 17
dgposton
11-13-2012, 20:35
I'm looking at picking up a Gen 3 Glock 17 new. I was wondering if the current production G17's are as reliable as the old G17's of yore.
I have a 2009(?) Gen3 G19, and it is pretty reliable, although I've had occasional failure to ejects, seems it happens every 500-600 rds or so.
I've heard some negative stuff about the new Gen4 Glocks. I'm not planning to get a Gen4 anyway, I just wanted to make sure I don't end up with G17 that came from a bad run of Gen 3's.
Thanks!
My Gen 3 17 hasn't had any failures but I only have about 150 rounds through it. It does like to sling brass at my dome 1-2 times a mag, has a test fire date of August 2012.
The best Glocks are vintage Glocks,JMO. SJ 40
CigarandScotch
11-14-2012, 08:22
There are still some out there NIB from earlier production years. I bought mine new over a year ago and it is from late 2001 (from a friend with his FFL and lots of items just waiting to be sold or traded). Most reliable pistol I have ever owned. I would ask around, and try to find an individual rather than a shop that buys/sells/trades lots of Glocks. It shouldn't be too hard.
dgposton
11-14-2012, 20:42
There are still some out there NIB from earlier production years. I bought mine new over a year ago and it is from late 2001 (from a friend with his FFL and lots of items just waiting to be sold or traded). Most reliable pistol I have ever owned. I would ask around, and try to find an individual rather than a shop that buys/sells/trades lots of Glocks. It shouldn't be too hard.
How are the older ones better? Are there certain years to get and to avoid?
My Glocks are from the mid 2000s and I'm very happy with them.
INEEDMILK
11-14-2012, 21:55
Anything before mid 2010 should be fine. Any serial number preceding PPP.
Fordtough25
11-15-2012, 05:51
My 17 is from mid '09 and it runs great! Love it.
Mine are from late 2009/early 2010 and have been fine also.
Peronally, I won't buy anything past the M** serial number range, particularly in 9mm - for now, at least.
INEEDMILK
11-15-2012, 12:14
Peronally, I won't buy anything past the M** serial number range, particularly in 9mm - for now, at least.
Why M**?
The M** serial range coincides with the date range of 2008-2009.
I have owned several problematic Glocks post-2009. Every Glock I have owned with a pre-M** serial has been without issue, and boringly reliable.
I don't mind 'range-only guns', or 'project guns'. I don't mind tinkering, but that's not what I buy a Glock for. Speaking only for myself, Glocks are used for one thing, and one thing only: A dependable firearm that you can bet your life on - every time.
In my personal experience, the recent production Glocks are simply not as rock-solid as those pre-dating them. Not to say that Glock cannot or has not started producing weapons of that stature again - but for my money, I will look purchase an older Glock over a newer one every time. Why? Because I KNOW it will work as intended.
This is not to imply that the majority of new Glocks don't function just fine - most of them do.
I currently own a Gen4 G21 that is possibly my favorite Glock of all... but I will certainly go with something I know for sure over a maybe/maybe not situation any day of the week. Hope this helps clear things up a bit.
INEEDMILK
11-15-2012, 13:43
What were some problems you ran into in the post-M** Glock line?
What changed post-M**?
I always thought that the problems started in mid 2010 when Glock switched to the cheapass MIM stuff.
Got mine this past Sept 6th...DOM of July 2012..It is awesome..!! I wanted a new Gen 3 G17 because the other five Glocks I own are all Gen 3's...New in the box...$479.00
The M** serial range coincides with the date range of 2008-2009.
I have owned several problematic Glocks post-2009. Every Glock I have owned with a pre-M** serial has been without isuue, and boringly reliable.
I don't mind 'range-only guns', or 'project guns'. I don't mind tinkering, but that's not what I buy a Glock for. Speaking only for myself, Glocks are used for one thing, and one thing only: A dependable firearm that you can bet your life on - every time.
In my personal experience, the recent production Glocks are simply not as rock-solid as those pre-dating them. Not to say that Glock cannot or has not started producing weapons of that stature again - but for my money, I will look purchase an older Glock over a newer one every time. Why? Because I KNOW it will work as intended.
This is not to imply that the majority of new Glocks don't function just fine - most of them do.
I currently own a Gen4 G21 that is possibly my favorite Glock of all... but I will certainly go with something I know for sure over a maybe/maybe not situation any day of the week. Hope this helps clear things up a bit.I am not even that trusting of Glock.
I know for myself I am not interested in any product Glock produced after 12/06 which coincides with serial number prefix KSC,then their is the E serial number range frame recall exception.
Their is much useful information in the serial number research project.
http://www.glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1287557
SJ 40
What were some problems you ran into in the post-M** Glock line?
BTF & FTE mostly.
What changed post-M**?
For the technical answer, I suppose you would have to ask Glock. All I can tell you is that identical models (We'll use G19s as an example) behaved differently.
It's not so much a 'magical date' when Glocks started having problems, it's just a personal guideline that I use for myself.
I always thought that the problems started in mid 2010 when Glock switched to the cheapass MIM stuff.
I'm sure you are correct about the MIM stuff. I am unsure of the actual date of the switch from investment cast blocks, pins, and extractors, but I tend to err on the side of caution when it comes to these things. The M** is just a general rule for me - nothing concrete, nor is it a hard, fast rule. Early M** are 2008, late are 2009. I tend to not want anything past 2008 if I can help it. That being said, I have had some late M** series guns that worked just fine as well. Problems started for me with N** serials. YMMV.
G17 and G26 USA made and 100% reliable, no brass to the head also!
Bobbyhill
11-21-2012, 15:05
* I bought my G19RTF gen3 a few months ago. PB* series. Austrian made. Test fire date of November 2009. 1.500 rounds with no issues. Mostly pretty weak reloads that I use for competition. My G26 gen3 has a PC* series with same test fire date, November 2009. Great gun and no issues. Eats all kind of ammo. I also have a G23 gen4 PW* series Austrian made. Test fire date of July 2010. This gun gives me the occasional BTF and a few erratic ejections to the left. It does not bother me that much though. It has the 0-3 RSA, I am thinking of upgrading the RSA to the 0-3-3 RSA and see if it gets better. If not I will get an old non dipped extractor. So I tend to believe that most of the ejection problems started out sometimes in 2010. So series number before PP* seems, at least based on my experience, to be working very good. Maybe it would be an idea to start a new thread to find out around what series number the ejection problems gen3 and gen4 were manufactured.
HKLovingIT
11-21-2012, 18:36
Peronally, I won't buy anything past the M** serial number range, particularly in 9mm - for now, at least.
Me too.
All my "new" G17s Gen 3s will be H-L from now on, or Gen 2s. I'm a sucker for a clean looking Gen 2.
Me too.
All my "new" G17s Gen 3s will be H-L from now on, or Gen 2s. I'm a sucker for a clean looking Gen 2.One would be hard pressed to beat a decent Gen 2, the Glocks that made Glock what it once was. SJ 40
I know for myself I am not interested in any product Glock produced after 12/06...
You must be a relative Glock newbie.
Over the past 2.5 decades Glock has had to iron out many many different issues.
Your hokey pre-2006 theory is the biggest load of unscientific crap I've ever read. It shows you haven't spent much trigger time with Glocks throughout their evolution.
JMHO.
You must be a relative Glock newbie.
Over the past 2.5 decades Glock has had to iron out many many different issues.
Your hokey pre-2006 theory is the biggest load of unscientific crap I've ever read. It shows you haven't spent much trigger time with Glocks throughout their evolution.
JMHO.Ya I'm a newbie to Glocks the first Glock I purchased was in 1987. Yes Glock like any other manufacturing company has had their problems.
We both have our theories, I know that all of my Glocks pre 12/06 function with as close to what is humanly possible, Perfection. SJ 40
vBulletin® v3.8.7, Copyright ©2000-2013, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.