First Handgun Questions

[THE YALE]

About to purchase my first handgun. I have settled on the Glock 17 but I have some questions.

-Pros and Cons between 17 and 17C
-Best ammo to use and break it in with
-Nights sights or no night sights (If yes what brand do you like and why)
-Upgrades? (plan on adding the OEM extended slide release and Vicker's extended mag release)

I appreciate any help and passed along knowledge because I am a fairly younger shooter and new to Cal Guns but love it.

[HighLander51]

-Pros and Cons between 17 and 17C
You don't need a ported gun in 9mm, the G17 is fine. The recoil is minimal.

-Best ammo to use and break it in with
Glocks don't need 'break in' Any good quality ammo, WW, RP, Federal, etc, not lead reloads for a newbie.

-Nights sights or no night sights (If yes what brand do you like and why)
Night sights are only an advantage under low light, not no light, and no advantage at the range, Trijicons are the brightest.

-Upgrades? (plan on adding the OEM extended slide release and Vicker's extended mag release)
No, get the G21 mag release, about $3, it is extended in the G17. Get a 3.5lb connector instead of the extended slide stop. And get Heine or Dawson Precision sights.

Spend the rest on ammo, good belt, good holster, and mag pouches. If you have any money left over, get electric ears. Take shooting lessons from a reputable source.

[tacticalcity]

Con of the C is night blindness. Fire it at night and your vision goes dumb.

Night sights are most usefull not a night, but during the twilight hours of dusk and dawn where looking one way you're looking at a darkening night and the other results in a super bright sun in your eyes. Your eyes are constantly shifting between night and day and really struggling to do their job. The glowing sights make it so you can pick them up right away, speeding you up considerably, regardless of whether your eyes are fully adjusted to the proper light left at that exact moment. As a cop working swing or early am shifts how they feel about night sights. They will sing their praises.

You don't need any upgrades at all, other than maybe night sights. If you could reach your magazine release without having to adjust your grip you would accidentally and continually drop your magazines while shooting. Even with an extended magazine release, you won't be able to reach it. Likewise, you don't need to be able to reach your slide stop either, as you should be using your support side hand to work the slide instead. Gross motor skills vs. fine motor skills. Gross motor skills work not matter how much the adrenaline has you shaking and shivering, fine motor skills go out the window. That said, if you really want those things then add them. I have them on my Gen 2 Glock 17. Not because I need them, but because I already owned the parts so why not?

Ammo. Doesn't really matter provided it is a quality brand name ammo. Most malfunctions and every Kaboom I have ever seen has been entirely ammo related. So by factory new and a reliable brand name. Even that is no quarentee you won't have issues. Some guns just don't like certain brands of ammo. So buy a few boxes of different brand name ammo. Make not of which you shot best, and which feed the best. Then stick with it.

[JMP]

if it is your first gun, no need to upgrade it yet. take it shooting for a while, then see what you want. if you have friends with guns, see what they have and try out their toys first.

[Oceanbob]

Welcome..!

Get a stock G17.
Run it in stock form for 1000 rounds then make the decision on night sights.
No need for an extended mag release.
Really, no need for an extended slide release, but no big deal if you get one.
A 3.5 (really a 4.5) connector after shooting skills are polished, might be fun.

The weapon doesn't need any break in. The only handguns I can think of that need slide movement to run 100% are certain Kahrs, Ed Browns etc.

Glocks are ready for war out of the box.


You've make a good choice for a first weapon. The GLOCK 17 is a baseline, always ugly, always reliable, always your friend kinda weapon. I will never sell mine.

[Fractured]

My first was a g17. I have 1000 rnds through it before i did anything. That includes 4 strips and cleans. Spend the money on extra mags, cleaning supplies and a mag loader (lula is what i use)

I have-
Extended slide stop
Pearce plug
Talon grips
X300

I am going to get a ss guide rod and some new sights (non night, heine probably) then it will be my perfect hd/nitestand rig and i will move onto other firearms and try to get as accurate as possible with it!

Me and the gf are going to shoot it now!

[Fractured]

Oh yeah here is a pic brand new out of the box for inspiration.

[joe321]

I recommend an AR-15 as an accessory.