17L for the wife....

[EtdBob]

Hey y'all, first post here!

Well, I went and bought a 17L for my wife for Christmas.

Boy, is she gonna be surprised christmas morning!!
The hard part is resisting the temptation to shoot the heck out of it before I give it to her...;)

Now, I'm mostly a revolver fan myself, and carry a Ruger Security Six 4" .357 in town and wear a Ruger .44 Bisley about the homestead.
My wife has a number of smallish autos that she carries about town on the rare occasions when she leaves the homestead, but nothing bigger for field use.
She is a crack shot with my Bisley, and not bad with a rifle, but doesn't have a decent sized belt pistol.

This means that when she is back in the woods about our homestead she isn't armed. Can't carry a rifle and do chores, and that Bisley is just to durn heavy to carry for her.

She has been bugging me for a decent field holster for her favorite carry gun - A 5" Colt .32 auto made in 1911!
~fnt~ -
Yeah, I'll make her a holster for it, but I'm also gonna take the opportunity to give her a real pistol!

She likes autos far more than she likes revolvers, and doesn't like recoil. That Colt of hers is a real pip-squeak and has just about nonexistent sights to boot!

I hope that she takes a real shine to that 17L.
I have! And I haven't even shot it yet!
It is light weight compared to a Ruger Bisley ( O.K., so EVERYTHING is light weight compared to one of those things, including some boat anchors... ;P )or a 1911,
it should be a real ***** cat to shoot,
Should be nice and quiet with little if any muzzle blast,
should be real accurate and has good sights;
And the long barrel gives the 9mm a bit more push.

Oh yeah, it also holds enough ammo to shoot all week and is reliable as heck. What's not to like?

So, here is where you guys can help me out, can anyone recommend some good holsters?
She has recently expressed a desire for a drop leg holster.
Something to wear about the homestead, and while backpacking ( here a drop leg is essential so it doesn't interfere with the pack hip belt ) and horse riding.
Any ideas?

I'll thinking of also picking up a Fobus Roto holster, paddle style. I'm not worried about the fit of a Fobus, because I figure the extra length will just stick out the bottom.
I recon the 17L would be a hoot to tote cross draw, and maybe even work out carried horizontaly at the small of yer back. The roto holster will let us try out any angle we want.

[HAMMERHEAD]

One thing about the 17L is that the recoil is the same as a 17. Butch weighed the slides from each and they are the same weight.
I installed an extended tungsten recoil rod and a 15 pound recoil spring, and I didn't realize how much it helped untill I removed it. My 17L was kinda' snappy again. It is a great field pistol though. It manages to keep up with my Sigs at 50 yards, and it's reliable even after a dip in the snow recently.
Holsters are few and far between though.
Blade Tech makes a thigh rig for it.
I was considering a Cen-Dex low boy holster for a G-34, and letting it hang out the bottom. A low riding holster with a speed cut is critical for normal strong side carry. Drawing a 17L from the Glock belt slide is very difficult, and I'm tall. For anyone under 6', it might be impossible.
Cross draw may be a good comprimise.
Let us know what you find.

[ColoradoGlocker]

.

[EtdBob]

Hammerhead, I just ordered that Blade tech holster, I'll let ya know how it works out!!

can you tell me more about the recoil spring and rod you put in?

I can understand a heavier recoil spring, but what is the benefits of a tungsten recoil rod?

Where can I get such parts?
Could I get 'em before Christmas?
Can I install 'em myself?
Will I have to pawn my favorite rifle to pay for 'em?

So many question!
I'm new to Glocks so any info would be appreciated.

If I can set this pistol up for minimal felt recoil I know my wife will shoot all the more, and that's a good thing.

She has even told me in the past that she would really love a a silenced pistol, and would shoot it a great deal!

It can be quite difficult to get ones "better half" to put in the range time needed to become really proficient, and living on a remote homestead she really could use a good easy to shoot and carry yet effective belt pistol.

The good news is she told me just yesterday that she wants to break out the rifles this weekend, she said she needs the practice.
She's seen some dogs driving moose across our homestead. the dogs need to be shot, and she wants more venison in the freezer.

[HAMMERHEAD]

The extended tungsten guide rod adds a significant amount ot weight in the frame up high. This helps temper recoil a little.
The 15 pound recoil spring is actually two pounds below the standard weight of 17. I'm not sure if the spring is reducing recoil or not, but Matt at CGR has written some articles on the subject:
http://www.custom-glock.com/glocktech.html
I order some of my parts from CGR, some, like the guide rod and springs from topglock:
http://www.topglock.com/catalog/recoil.htm.
These parts are easily installed youself.
On my 17L, I have Heinie straight eight night sights from CGR, a standard mag release, standard 5.5 pound connector for a heavier, crisper trigger pull, and the guide rod/spring setup from TopGlock.
Glock is about the only brand of pistol where you can easily change/replace parts yourself with nothing more than a small punch.

[EtdBob]

Effects of a lighter spring:

Recoil is transferred to the shooter in a shorter duration of time because the slide is moving at a higher velocity. This is often perceived as less recoil and reduced muzzle flip.

With a lighter spring the shooter also has less force to counteract, or you don’t have to work as hard. This usually reduces muzzle flip.

Less force to counteract reduces the odds of producing a limp wrist style jam.

A lighter spring will result is reduced muzzle dip when the slide closes keeping sights steadier and on target for a faster follow-up shot.

Light springs are particularly helpful to smaller shooters like children, women or anyone else having trouble keeping their wrists locked. :

Well, I'll be darned. I always thought that a heavier spring reduced felt recoil by slowing down the slide, not the other way around!!

A faster moving slide means less felt recoil???

Anyway, the total energy deliverd to the shooters hand must be the same with both springs, isn't it?
The recoil energy developed by the ammo is still the same.

Huh, Oh well, I'll certainly take your word for it Hammerhead. They are not expensive parts.

One more question though;
At CGR I see no parts for the 17L.

At Topglock I see a listing for a non-captive tungsten guide rod for the 17L,
but no captive rod, which I would prefer.

Also, they do not list a recoil spring for the 17L.
Does the 17L use the same springs as the standard 17?


Thanks again for all the info - This is gonna be one trick pistol.
Sounds like it will dang near shoot itself!
:cool:

[HAMMERHEAD]

Spring weights and stock spring assemblies for 17L's and 17's are the same.
Pretty much any part for the 17 will fit the 17L, like sights, springs, connectors etc...
You can use the captured guide rods for the 17, but they will not be as heavy as the extended, non-captice rods. The extended non-captive rods are very easy to use because they're so much longer than a standard one.
I think the weight of the guide rod is more important than the spring weight in recoil reduction. I would recomend the extended, non-captive tungsten rod for your needs, they are plenty easy to use and maximize weight up high.
http://www.glockfaq.com/

[EtdBob]

I e-mailed TopGlock and they confirmed that the springs are he same, but they said they don't make a capitve guide rod for the 17L anyway, "Due to the design of the slide".

Thanks for all the help guys!

I'll let ya know how the gun shoots after Christmas!

[Doobaru]

Congrats to your wife on the 17L, and congrats to you for having a cool wife.

I also have a 17L that is perfectly box stock and I absolutely love it. Accuracy is great, recoil is slight, and follow-ups are quick.

I would say just get a good pair of sights like Heinie or just good ole Mepros NS unless you plan on competing.

I have fought off the urge to start messin with the internals of my Glocks, but they all run reliably and I am prone to fixing things when they aren't broke just to realized that stock was best.

Now you just need some 31 rd mags and a whole bunch of WWB value packs and you are set.

17L is the most UNDERRATED Glock IMHO.

[EtdBob]

Doobaru -
Thanks - I think my gal is cool too! :)

I love it when she wears those BDU pants and an olive drab tank top - Which is her favorite outfit at home!;a

Ahem, anyway, I was lookin' at some of those 32 rounders inna gun shop the other day!

I dunno, I think I might get tired of pulling the trigger and need a brake before I emptied one of those things!

My wife likes autos, but i'm a revolver shooter myself.
17 rounds already is a bit overwhelming to me!

Yeah, I probably should just leave the thing stock, but I did order that fancy spring and recoil guide.

We'll see how it works out.

I dunno guys - I just may have to get one myself when we can afford another.

I checked - That 17L fits in the "fanny" pack I carry my 4" .357 about the town in, and empty anyway, it weighs less!

[Doobaru]

If you were looking into a longslide for yourself, may I recommend the G34?

The G34 has many uses and is a very accurate pistol once the Glock trigger is learned and mastered.

My G34 is mostly my house defense pistol with an X200 surefire and a spare 31 rd mag if need be. But it is probably my favorite to go to the range and let out a little aggression or trying to hit decent groups at 25 yards.

Of all my Glocks the G19 is still my fav since it was my first gun and the overall balance and size is the way a compact should be.

Sold other caliber handguns (S&W 340PD, G36) and replaced them with a G17L and G34 and could not be any happier.

To have a wife in BDU's with a gun.......I need to go be by myself for a little while;)

[epsylum]

As for the 17 and 17L slide weight. Yeah they are the saem due to the L having that hole cut in the top of the slide.

Now ColoradoGlockers 20/21L has a beefy longslide on it becasue it's not factory and allows him to shoot hotdog 10mm loads with a fairly light spring (17# IIRC).

As for the gift part, I am sure she will like it. I mean what's not to like?

;)

[DIXIE DUCK]

for you, a 34;)

[Apprentice]

EtBob,
I'm dying to hear about the unwrapping! Please post a first range report. The 17L is special!

[EtdBob]

Yes, she likes it!

She opened it up first thing saturday morning. Couldn't wait till Christmas. She had no idea what it was.
Such an expensive gift is a real rarety with us, and she was quite surprised!

She figured out how to strip the weapon and load the magazines while I cooked breakfast and tried not to burn everything by spending to much time looking over her shoulder.

We still haven't recived the Bladetech drop leg holster I orderd, so she played arpound with the Fobus roto paddle.

Seems like in takes a come-along to get the gun out of that silly thing! ;P

After breakfast I was in the outhouse, ah, taking care of business when I heard BANG!..BANGBANG! Certainly got my attention!

She was in the front yard shooting some cans.
When I walked up to here she smiled and said "Did I get your attention? You do that to me all the time!"

OK, note to self, when she is in the shower or the outhouse, tell her I'm gonna be shooting something before I haul off and blast away....

Well, she emptied a box of FMJ. She let me shoot it only five times! Awww, I'm gonna have to buy my own if I want to shoot one it seems. :)

I noticed it shot high, but she will not let me sight it in for her yet.

One surprise - When she slammed in a fresh mag ( and she really belted it in to ) the slide would run forward without using the slide stop. Did this every time.
Do all new Glocks do this?

All in all we were both very impressed with the Glock 17L.

We spent the weekend driving around to various houses up in the mountains playing care taker and feeding animals for folks who were away for the holidays.
My wife carried the glock the whole time, just shoved down in her pants.

Yes, the chamber was empty!

She said it was quite comfortable carried that way, even with it behind her back when she was sitting in the car.

With a fleece lined jean jacket on, I could not tell she had it with her.

When I got home from work monday, she had it on as she cooked dinner, cross draw in the Fobus holster.
She said she'd tried it out in what must have been ten different positions and still wasn't happy with the Fobus, but she could now draw it without the come-along.

So, that's some progress anyway.

I imagine the Bladetech drop holster will work out much better, and possibly some sort of in the pants holster for out and about.
I'm surprised she is carrying as much as she is.
Her usuall carry is a Colt 1903 .32 ACP.

This means she really does like it!

It's light enough that carrying it isn't difficult at all.

That Glock with a full 17 round mag is lighter than my 4" Ruger Securty Six .357! ( my carry gun )

It's just not fair....

[HAMMERHEAD]

You're a lucky man.

[Rusty Guns]

EtdBob & Wife
Conrats to you for having a wife that likes to carry and shoot too.
Congrats to her on her new pistol.
The 17L is a great pistol. What the Heck It's a Glock. Nuf Said.
I recently got a 17L to shoot pins with, does a great job.
For now I'm down here in Florida, but hope to get back to the Texas Hill Country Soon. Then I will be able to get out and about in the hills on a Horse again.
But now I'll have a 17L or a G24 with me. That will be a lot different than a single action wheel gun.
Rusty

[mitchshrader]

learn to reload her some Very Accurate spanking warm rounds.

a hubby what reloads her fave round is liable to get good performance ratings and regular meals. ;f

[Rusty Guns]

EtdBob
Well we are a week into the new year, and Two weeks into the New Glock. How are things with the "Pistol Pakin Wife?" Has enough of the new worn off that she lets you shoot it sometimes? Have you found a good holster for it yet? Are you going to have to get you one too? How is the guide rod working out?
All kinds of questions, let us know how things are working out.

Still Lots Of Sunshine Here in Florida. :cool: :cool:

Rusty :cool:

[Apprentice]

Great to hear!!! There will be more soonn me thinks.

[EtdBob]

So many questions!:)

Has enough of the new worn off that she lets you shoot it sometimes?
Nope, not yet!:(

Have you found a good holster for it yet?
Nope. We finally got the Bladetech drop holster. My wife was very excited!
She immediately strapped it on and carried the G17l like that all day. The interesting part is we were in town that day! ;P

We went to a friends house for dinner in town and had to park on the street. My wife didn't blink an eye about strutting around with that pistol on her thigh.

It was dark, and no one seemed to notice - ;Q

Since then, her enthusiasm for it has waned a bit.
No real reason, but maybe this holster is probably a bit complicated for my wife - But I'm sure she'll make more use of it out in the woods in the future though.
I'm making her a holster that I think will be the winner.

How is the guide rod working out?
Haven't put it in yet. Kinda scared off by the report of it being dented. We were gonna put the pistol to a comparison test this weekend, and I was planning on doing some rifle work as well - My wife and I wanted to play "Shoot and Scoot" But the weather hasn't been cooperating much.

It has warmed way up, and it rained all weekend long!
We got six inches of saturated slush on the ground outside now.
Sheesh - Must be all that Global warming thing ya read about!

In W.W.II they used to land and park military aircraft on the local lakes, and drive fuel trucks right out to 'em on the ice.
These days, we can't even go ice skating!

So, we stayed inside and goofed off - Read books, the wife quilted, and I made holsters. I made a pancake for a Suhr 38H ( I'm wearing it now under a vest - so far nobody at work has noticed it ) and started a nice single loop Austin for the G17l.

Are you going to have to get you one too?
I think I may indeed be heading in that direction some day.
I have always wanted the two of us to carry similar pistols, and to reduce the caliber's we stock to an absolute minimum.

However, due to financial considerations and the fact that I'm already well heeled with a Security Six, this is a low priority.
To durn many other things that need to be taken care of first don't ya know. If I get a new gun before I get a new windshield in my car I know my priorities are messed up.;)

[Rusty Guns]

Well Bob the last report was you were making a holster for the wife.
How has that worked out?
Is she letting you shoot it yet? The 17L that is.
You said something about several inches of "Ice & Slush" on the ground. I am not real sure what you are talking about.
Down here it will be in the 70's today.
The only time "Ice" is on the ground is if someone spills a drink.
The only "Slushe" comes from 7-11, in a machine.

Well gotta go for now.
Tell that "Pistol Packin Momma" Hi from down south.

Rusty :cool:

[Rusty Guns]

Well Bob Don't know where the inland Empire is, but it must be cold.
You last said something about shlushe on the ground.
I don't remember what that is.
The weather man said today was going to be the hotest day of the week, it was 74. We are going to get one cold front after another, all week. It will be in the 50's at night and 60's in the daytime, with a cold front in each day. How can you do anything with weather like that. "I Wouldn't Dream of Picking on You Poor Souls up North."
;z ;c ;c ;z "Pop-A-Top Again!! The only time I see Ice on the ground is if some one spills a drink.
How did the holster you were making for the "Pistol Pakin Momma" work out? Wish my wife would like shooting half as much as I do.
She has a little 5 shot S&W snub nose in her van. Shoots it about once every two years. Shoots those 5 and puts in 5 more.
Oh well she doesn't complain about how much I shoot.
She says I shoot enough for both of us.

Rusty:cool: