This pistol appeared in 1983, winning a contract to supply the Austrian Army. Since then it has become enormously popular with police officers, particularly in the U.S.A. and has also seen military adoption in several other countries.
It is a self-cocking automatic using a locked breech relying on the Browning tilting barrel. It is about 40% plastic. There are two varient models; the 17L with a longer (153mm) barrel, giving an overall length of 225mm and a weight of 666g. The 19 is the same but in 'compact' form, barrel 102mm, overall 174mm, weight 595g.
Cartridge 9mm Parabellum
Dimensions
Length o/a: 185mm (7.28in)
Barrel: 114mm (4.5in)
Weight: 620g (21.8oz)
Rifling: hexagonal, rh
Magazine Capacity: 17 rounds
Markings
'GLOCK 17 AUSTRIA 9X19' on left hand side of slide. Serial no. on right hand side of slide.
Safety
There are no manual safety devices; a trigger safety bar protrudes from the trigger face and is automatically pressed in when taking pressure on the
trigger. This unlocks an internal safety device, and further pressure on the
trigger cocks the striker and then releases it.