View Full Version : Thoughts on the Glock 17 RTF?
My FFL got a couple in, has anyone put a significant number of rounds through one? I'd like to know the difference in feel between these and a regular Gen 3 17 when shooting. I already have a Gen 2 17, a Gen 3 17, and a 17C, so I don't really need one, but I kinda want one.
I played with a G22 RTF at a local store. It definitely has a more positive feel to it than a standard model. And you get better control over the weapon if someone tries a weapon take away, or so it was demonstrated.
That's all the experience I have with one.
just seems like its gonna give a guy some blisters till the sandpaper-fine stippling wears off.
my take, after playing with one
Basically what I want to know is, with the rough texture, is it going to be comfortable enough to put a decent number of rounds through for training? I'm in the process of upgrading my current Glocks to the NY1/3.5 w/ Warren sights setup, I don't shoot the 17C (it was custom painted by a friend who has passed), and I'd like to keep the Gen 3 17 bone stock as a teaching gun. So I'm looking for another Gen 3 17 for use as a possible future duty gun, etc. and I want to know if the RTF is worth the extra cost.
varoadking
07-10-09, 06:33
I find the texture to be more aggressive than it need be on the backstrap of my G22RTF2...
I find the texture to be more aggressive than it need be on the backstrap of my G22RTF2...
How many rounds have you put through it so far? How do your hands feel after a 200 round session?
I have the G22 RTF and love it. I have ran it through some Combat Pistol Courses and have about 800 rounds through it. I have not had any problems, blisters, scrapes from the grip. Of course my hands are kind of rough, I work out with Kettlebells with no gloves. I really like the grip as the finger grooves are not as "enhanced" like they are with a regular Glock, so the grip actually fits my hands. Since getting it, I have tried shooting a buddy's G19 and G17 (both regulars) and neither grip fits my hands. I am waiting for Glock to come out with a G19 or G23 in the RTF.
I'm underwhelmed by the RTF's. Seems like Glocks meager attempt to improve their ergo's in response to much more ergonomic pistols like the M&P's. Also according to Combat handguns people with big hands and high thumbs grip have found the new slide serrations to not feel very good in recoil.
The Dumb Gun Collector
07-10-09, 10:08
If I don't sell off my Glocks I would like to get my old 17 reframed with the RTF. That way I could keep the old-style serrations.
Why don't you send your 17 to Boresight Solutions and have him texture it? I am sure the texture will be much more ergonomic and visually more appealing.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/KevH/P1010292-1.jpg
I'll take some pics of my G17 RTF tonight or tomorrow and post them up. I've got somewhere in the neighborhood of 900 rounds through the gun since picking it up a few weeks ago, and have had no issues with the grip texture so far. Buddy of mine also has one and his hands are getting chewed up a bit. All depends on how sensitive your hands are, but after a few 200 and 300 round range sessions, I haven't noticed any damage to my hands or discomfort. Not sure I follow why the definitely ugly slide serrations should come into play during recoil.
From my gun store handling of a couple of RTF 22's I'd love to have one in the 17 flavor. The grip is very positive but I also very much like the 20 lpi checking on my TRP. I hold the belief that the funky looking scalloped slide serrations actually gave me a more positive grasp on the slide. I am theorizing that the curve which seemed to "fit" my thumb created more surface/bearing area friction-wise. Just a theory.
The other day I was shooting one of my 17's out in temps in the high 90's with high humidity and sweating like a hog. The stock 17 felt pretty squirmy and I'd like to try the same with the RTF.
woodandsteel
07-10-09, 14:41
If I don't sell off my Glocks I would like to get my old 17 reframed with the RTF. That way I could keep the old-style serrations.
That is what I don't like about the RTF. I wish that they didn't change to slide serrations. The new style seems to be less user friendly to me. By that, I mean that my hand tends to slide over the new serrations as compared to the older style.
With that being said, I have never fired the new RTF, only held it in the gunstore. And, I should note, that when Glock switched from the Generation 2 frame, to the Generation 3 frame, I was just as unhappy. But, I did eventually get used to it.
I guess I am just slow to accept change.
I like it alot I have 3m floor tape on my other glks already for traction
I don't like the slide serrations, but I'm not too worried about them, since I use the slide stop. I think I'm going to give it a try. I like the boresight solutions treatment, but I don't like the turnaround. I'm an impulse buyer.
varoadking
07-10-09, 18:41
How many rounds have you put through it so far? How do your hands feel after a 200 round session?
200 rounds is enough to start becoming unpleasant...not the side panels - just the backstrap...
I promised I'd put up some pics of my G17 RTF and finally got around to snapping a few photos tonight. Poor lighting and poorer camera skills are to blame for the shots below. I purchased the gun late last month and since then have put 1260 rounds through the weapon, with all courses of fire starting from the gun holstered and concealed under a t-shirt. Range sessions have been a number of drills, most under timed conditions, and have gone as follows:
1. 100 rounds - 3 failure to feed malfunctions. Haven't figured out the cause yet. Magazines were not the factory included mags, but with 5 range duty factory Glock 17 mags that function fine in my G34. Gun was cleaned and lubed prior to first session.
2. 250 rounds - no failures, gun ran fine. Largest single round count of all sessions and my hands felt fine and no abrasions to my palm from the texture.
3. 200 rounds - no issues, no discomfort.
4. 100 rounds - same as above.
5. 170 rounds - same as above.
6. 200 rounds - same as above.
7. 110 rounds - same as above.
8. 130 rounds - same as above.
Texture isn't for everyone, but for me I haven't had any issues with it and certainly no discomfort. All of my other guns have had the grips modified and textured. Only thing I feel inclined to do to the gun is to undercut the trigger guard, but even the finger grooves don't feel that bad on this gun for some reason. Hate the serrations like most everyone else who has seen the RTF guns. After a couple hundred rounds, you can see where dead skin is collecting in the textured area, a sign that the texture definitely grabs. Cleans out just fine with a brush (you won't see them in these pics as I cleaned the gun prior to taking the pics). Running a rag across the grip results in the rag getting hung up on the "barbs" that give the grip its texture.
The gun with a TLR-1 light fits perfectly in a Raven Concealment Light holster that I originally ordered for a G34/35 and TLR-1 combo. Same holster also works for my G19 with TLR-1 and Lone Wolf threaded barrel. I'll give it another 500 rounds or so before feeling comfortable enough with its performance to declare it carry ready, but I'm not anticipating any problems on that front. Just need to run the factory mags to see if the FTF's experienced are mag related, or can be traced to my 9mm range ammo of choice.
http://www.pbase.com/ashinoyu/image/114902144/large.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/ashinoyu/image/114902147/large.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/ashinoyu/image/114902148/large.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/ashinoyu/image/114902155/large.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/ashinoyu/image/114902158/large.jpg
Size comparison, from top to bottom: G19, G17 RTF, G34:
http://www.pbase.com/ashinoyu/image/114902231/large.jpg
Glock offers a pistol with the old style slide and the RTF frame for LE but I am not sure that option was available to the civilian market. I just attended a Glock armorer's school in May and they told me that the PD could order them as such.
Sure wish they'd make that option available to the general public. I don't normally get hung up on how a weapon looks, but in this case I've had to make an exception. Seeing the treatment for the first time at SHOT this year, my immediate question to the Glock rep was "you guys aren't planning on sticking with these serrations are you?" Guy said he wasn't sure, but it looks like Glock is pushing ahead.
I presume that the G22 RTF is not only a cosmetic change but a secret attempt to correct the G22 jamming issues, with minor frame strengthening. Glock went to the Gen three frame to correct the G19 problems. It seems very suspicious that the G22RTF comes out at the height of G22 issues with lights mounted. Glock has proven to me thier ability to cover up and deny issues of reliability.
scj, not sure what you're talking about, but assume you have evidence to back this up? I'm not a Glock defender, but I'm also not in the business of speculation.
If you shoot high thumbs and/or have big hands I when the slide recoils it can scrape you fingers or hands. According to the Combat Handguns article and to a few people I know who have shot the 22 RTF. I have not shot one myself but I shoot high thumbs and have apelike hands so it caught my attention. But I have no personal experience of this.
Not sure I follow why the definitely ugly slide serrations should come into play during recoil.
I promised I'd put up some pics of my G17 RTF and finally got around to snapping a few photos tonight.
The gun with a TLR-1 light fits perfectly in a Raven Concealment Light holster that I originally ordered for a G34/35 and TLR-1 combo. Same holster also works for my G19 with TLR-1 and Lone Wolf threaded barrel.
Great post! Thanks. Those Raven Concealment holsters are the shit aren't they? I have 8 or 9 of them and am ordering more. It's pretty hard to stand out in the sea of Kydex/plastic holsters but Raven has done quite well.
Well, my quest for a 2nd gen 19 just started to annoy me, so I think I might grab another 2nd gen 17 for a teaching gun instead.
ETA: That was a great post, civilian, and exactly the kind of info I was looking for. Much appreciated.
scj, not sure what you're talking about, but assume you have evidence to back this up? I'm not a Glock defender, but I'm also not in the business of speculation.
I do not have one drop of evidence. Has Glock ever admitted to the phase three problem, the G19 firing when the slide is dropped,requiring the six part upgrade or the G22 jamming issues.
www.thegunzone.com/glock/hhnj.html
www.thegunzone.com/glock/upgrade-faq.html
www.thegunzone.com/glock/extractors.html
www.thegunzone.com/glock/phase3.html
www.thegunzone.com/glock/problems2004.html
I presume that the G22 RTF is not only a cosmetic change but a secret attempt to correct the G22 jamming issues
http://www.connect-dots.com/Poofs/chewbacca.jpg
If Glock knows how to fix the G22/light issue, they could just as easily make changes to the standard frame. Otherwise, you're suggesting that they'll continue to make one version of the G22 that they know has a problem, and another version which doesn't.
http://www.connect-dots.com/Poofs/chewbacca.jpg
If Glock knows how to fix the G22/light issue, they could just as easily make changes to the standard frame. Otherwise, you're suggesting that they'll continue to make one version of the G22 that they know has a problem, and another version which doesn't.
I never though of that, I guess my observation may be and probably is incorrect.
just seems like its gonna give a guy some blisters till the sandpaper-fine stippling wears off.
Single tear;)
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