G17 Slides

How to Choose the Right Slide for Your Glock 17

Buying a-grade G17 slide for your Glock is one step in the personal expression of owning your favorite pistol. If you’re looking to upgrade for competitive accuracy or better recoil control, or you simply want to make your pistol look and feel the best it can, knowing what to look for in G17 slide specifications is key to getting what you need.

Consider Your Glock Generation

One of the first things to look at when deciding upon purchasing a Glock 17 slide is what type of frame you have: Gen 3, Gen 4, or Gen 5. From generation to generation, Glock made some changes to the system, both externally and internally, which means a slide made for one generation may or may not fit another. For example, the recoil spring assembly is different in the Gen 3 and Gen 4 variants. For those with a Gen 3 G17, choosing a slide rebuilt around a Gen 4 frame won’t work, and vice versa. Ensuring that the Glock 17 slide parts you select fit your pistol model will prevent potential failures and streamline the process.

Optic-Ready and RMR Cut Slides

For a shooter wanting to start out on their future path to enhanced precision aiming (or for the competitor or tactician) with a more traditional and industry standard G17, having an optic-ready slide features a cut (or opening) where the Triton RMR red dot and others will fit to start you on your way; you can mount any optic of your choice to your sights in rapid time. A novice or expert shooter who has a child or grandchild who wants to enter into the sport of competitive shooting might also appreciate the easier, smoother rear view bevel and the less complex front viewport. A custom-ordered Glock 17 slide kit has the potential for more uniform and reliable results. So, what are you waiting for?

Material and Finish Options

The material and finish of your part impact both the function as well and the look of your gun. Stainless steel is a great material and comes standard in models such as the G17. Stainless steel slides are extremely strong and also highly resistant to corrosion. Polymer slides are also available but typically lighter as well.

Finishes are typically either Cerakote or anodized coatings to add wear protection and provide custom color options. Cerakote provides a coating that is wear-resistant and is available in a wide number of customized color design schemes. The anodised finish is light in weight and can be durable, and a thin layer on the surface provides a protective coating. It can be combined with a PVD coating to give a black, olive drab, or light blue color finish. Alternatively, it can be applied with nothing additional to provide a silver finish.

Enhanced Features and Upgrades

There are many Glock 17 slides that have been upgraded, which can make your shooting experience better. Many front and rear slide serrations help grip the slide when manipulating it quickly in fast-paced situations. Some parts have slide porting or slide windows, which helps take a little bit of weight off and also helps the gun cool down quicker when empty magazine changes are needed, which usually happens quite frequently. Ported slides help a little with recoil making your Glock a bit more manageable while stringing fast shots quickly, and slide windows just look cool and aggressive.

Want to elevate your Glock 17? Swapping out your factory slide for aftermarket machined steel or titanium parts can improve the firearm’s overall performance and appearance. Whether you desire improved optics compatibility, the ultimate recoil reduction, or more design freedom in your gun upgrades, selecting the right G17 slide will be next level. Keep in your slide and the various materials available before purchasing parts.