Glock 17 is a popular model among the Glock models. It has proved valuable over the years due to its affordability and efficiency.
If you are thinking of buying a G17, you need to carefully consider the Glock 17 magazine capacity. It can be stressful realizing that you bought the wrong pistol when you had the opportunity to exercise your due diligence.
In this article, we will learn about the Glock 17 magazine capacity. We will also learn about other Glock magazines' capabilities and why the capacity of magazines matters.
Let's get started!
What Is the Glock 17 Magazine Capacity?
The standard Glock 17 magazine has 17 rounds of 9mm ammunition capacity. Notably, the number 17 does not denote the capacity but is a sheer coincidence. Other Glock pistol designs have magazine capacities that do not match their model numbers.
The 15 Round Glock 17 Magazine.
In jurisdictions where there are magazine-capacity restrictions, Glock pistol holders have an opportunity to access a reduced-capacity magazine of 15 rounds.
The 15-round Glock magazine is designed to be a full-length Glock 17; however, the internal feeders prevent loading over 15 rounds. So, the advantage is that you can still load 17 rounds if you are in a jurisdiction that does not restrict the magazine to a 15-round capacity.
Other companies also make extended magazines for Glock 17 to meet Glock's quality and standards. For example, some magazines fit all double-stack 9mm models, including G17, G18, G19, G26, G34, G19x, and G45 pistols for the extended magazine release.
Can Glock 17 Hold a 10-Round Magazine?
There are specially designed 10-round magazines for Glock 17 for jurisdictions where the magazine capacity is ten rounds. You can buy one for Glocks' standard-sized pistols like .357 SIG or .40 Smith & Wesson.
About Glock 17
Glock pistols are named after the manufacturer of the Austrian pistol, Gaston Glock. Glock 17 pistol was the first to be created of all the Glock pistol models in 1982. Ever since the Glock model invention, they have become trusted globally.
Glocks are reliable, easy, quick, and highly precise in critical situations.
Let's look at some of its characteristics:
Valuable
Glocks are of high durability. They can serve you for a long time despite their affordable prices and still give the best service.
Grip Width
For most Glock pistols, you will enjoy a solid, firm grip that offers a comfortable recoil control. Depending on the size of your palm, there is always a suitable Glock pistol for you.
However, if you use Glock pistols with a small width, it can be stressful. You may feel uncomfortable and struggle to control the gun during a shooting.
Advantages of Glock 17 over Glock 19
In most jurisdictions, the pistol's magazine capacity is capped at 15 rounds. Someone may wonder why you would still want to buy the Glock 17 with a capacity of 17 rounds and not the 15 rounds Glock 19.
The Glock 17 is the original Glock pistol with outstanding benefits over its prodigy. Here are some reasons:
- Size -Glock 17 provides a better grip than G19. If you have large hands, this is the deal for you.
- Sight radius - The sight radius of the Glock 17 offers better precision for shooting over short distances.
- Barrel length - The length of a G17 is longer. The velocity of 9mm ammunition seems to be much faster when shooting using this pistol than Glock 19.
- Glock 17 is affordable despite its outstanding capabilities.
Are Glock 17 and 19 Magazines the Same?
There are differences between the G17 and G19 magazines. Firstly, Glock 17 magazine holds 17 rounds of ammunition while Glock 19 holds 15 rounds.
Glock 17 magazine is incompatible with Glock 19. Glock 19 can use factory magazines from the G17, 18, and 26 magazines.
Glock 17 cartridges are 9x19 mm, with a barrel length of 114mm, and are 186 mm (7.32 in) long. G17 has 625g (22 ounces) when unloaded.
Glock 19 uses 9x19mm cartridges, has a 102mm (4.01 inches) barrel length, and is 174 mm(6.85 inches) long. Glock 19 weighs 595g (21 ounces) when fully loaded.
Glock 19 is a more compact model of G17; the components of the two are interchangeable except for some parts like the slide lock spring, frame, the slide, etc.
Why Does Magazine Capacity Matter?
The capacity of your Glock magazine matters in what you do with the rounds. Glock semi-automatic pistols are efficient in reliability, durability, magazine release, etc.
Different Glock-designed magazines suit different needs—for example, hunting, military and law enforcement, or home defence. So when you need a pistol for one of these needs, it's essential to know the magazine capacity to plan your magazine release.
You can buy magazines in firearms shops in capacities of 15-30. However, there are restrictive measures on how many you can have at a time.
Having many rounds in your pistol may increase the ability of a rogue person, like a criminal, to kill or injure many people. A small number of rounds limits a berserk person from needlessly injuring innocent individuals.
A shooter who has magazines with few rounds will take time reloading their gun. The period they are reloading may help people to escape from the scene. It also gives law enforcement time to intervene.
A shooter with many rounds in their pistol may kill or injure many people since people will not have time to escape or give authorities a space to intervene.
Having many rounds also increases the crime rate. They give thieves a chance to harass citizens and increase rates of homicide cases. Unlimited rounds mean that a thief will go about killing any time they feel like killing because they have the means. Restricting magazine capacity reduces gun violence.
Glock Magazines Capacities
Glock pistols are reputable for their efficiency. They are popular for their durability, pricing, and convenience of use.
The various Glock pistol designs also have different specifications, including magazine capacities. Different magazine capacities may have a bearing on why you hold the gun. That is why it's crucial to know the various capacities of these great pistols if you are thinking of buying one.
We have already looked at the magazine capacity of the original Glock- G17.
Now, here is an in-depth look into other different Glock pistols and their magazine capacities.
Glock 18
Glock 18 is a unique Glock pistol because it is a reserve for the military and other special forces. It uses a 33-round magazine. The Glock 18 standard magazine is inconcealable as it extends beyond the pistol grip.
Glock 19 and Glock 19X
The Glock 19 is a full-size 9mm service pistol with a 15-round standard magazine capacity. G19 is a subcompact version of G17 and was introduced in 1988.
Glock 19 X does not accept a standard G19 magazine. You have to use it with a Glock 17 magazine.
Glock 20 and G40
Both Glock 20 and Glock 40 use a 15-round magazine. G20 is a full-size handgun with a 10mm chamber auto powerhouse, while the G40 is its long slide variant.
Glock 21
The Glock 21 has a 13-round magazine capacity and is a .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun. Glock introduced the G21 in 1990.
Glock 22
Glock 22 holds a 15 rounds magazine and uses a .40 Smith & Wesson cartridge. It can also use G16 and G22 extended magazines.
Glock 23
Glock 23 is the compact variant of the Glock 22 and has a magazine capacity of 13 rounds of .40 Smith & Wesson. G23 can also use G14, G15, G16, and G22 magazines.
Glock 26
Glock introduced the G26 in 1994, and it became their first concealed subcompact pistol. G26 holds a double stack of 10 round magazines. It is a semi-automatic 9mm pistol.
Glock 29
Glock 29 is a subcompact Glock variant of the G20. It holds a 10mm round magazine.
Glock 31
Glock 31 has a 15 round magazine of .357 SIG. G31 is a robust semi-automatic compared with other Glock pistols.
Glock 30
Glock 30 has a capacity of 10 rounds of .45-caliber ammunition packed in a double-stack magazine.
Glock 32
G32 is a compact variant of Glock 31 and is similar to a G23 in its use of a .357 SIG derived from the .40 Smith & Wesson. The magazine of a Glock 32 has a capacity of 13 rounds. It is also compatible with G14, G15, and G16 magazines.
Glock 36
Glock 36 is another subcompact and uses .45 caliber ammunition. It has a single stack magazine that holds six rounds, making it a light pistol.
Glock 42
Glock 42 holds a magazine capacity of 6 rounds of .380 caliber ammunition and features a locked-breech action.
It is a subcompact concealed carry pistol similar but smaller in width than a Glock 26.
Glock 43
Glock 43 'Slimline' has the same magazine capacity of 6 rounds of .380 caliber ammunition with G42. It is a subcompact concealed carry pistol with less grip width than a Glock 26 by a fifth inch.
Glock unveiled G43 as a remedy for the big width of the Glock 26.
Glock 43X and Glock 43X MOS
Glock 43 X holds a single-stack 10-round magazine of 9mm caliber. It has a longer grip and width than Glock 43. Glock 43 X can also use a G48 magazine.
Glock 43 X MOS is similar to a Glock 43 X but features a cut slide for red dot sights.
Glock 45 and Glock 45 MOS
Glock 45 features the same magazine capacity as a Glock 17, that is, 17 rounds. It also has similarities with a Glock 19 X as it uses a 9mm caliber.
Glock 45 MOS is the same as Glock 45 but has a cut slide for red dot sights. It has a single stack magazine of 10 rounds capacity.
Glock 48
The G48, a slimline 9mm semi-automatic pistol, is fed from a 10-round magazine.
Glock 44
The G44, Glock’s compact rimfire pistol, is chambered in a .22 long rifle. Its load-assist magazine holds 10 rounds. This 44 mag pistol offers the centerfire shooter a low-cost training tool for familiarization with firing and range practice. It’s also helpful in teaching pistol marksmanship to new shooters.
The Bottom Line
Glock 17 is a full-sized gun and can be used for different purposes. It has a magazine capacity of 17 rounds. Glock provides a unique magazine of 15 rounds for jurisdictions where there are restrictive measures on the number of rounds to 15 or 10.