[graycrait]

I would like to talk to other folks who have cut a G17 grip to G19 length.

Craig in Clarksville, TN

 

[keyser]

No offense and not to hijack your thread as I have never done this, but why would this be beneficial??? The 19 is pretty darned accurate as it is, is the 17 that much more accurate as you would rather chop that and keep the longer barrel?

 

[Atlas]

There was a thread a couple months ago where a member here had done a fine job of chopping his G-17 grip and posted his step-by-step procedure for doing so.


Some folks want to carry a G-17 but prefer the shorter grip length of concealment.


I'm considering doing this only because I have an old G-17 that had a gazillion rounds through it when I bought it (for very little money).
Last year I acquired a new G-19.

I'm planning to buy a Mech-Tech carbine conversion to install on the G-17.
I have a boxful of new G-19 mags (got 'em for $19 each days before the election) and if I chop the G-17's grip I can carry the carbine on the G-17 frame and the G-19 on my hip while using the same mags (G-19 or G-17 mags) for both.

 

[Carver]

I have done this on a few (G35, G17, all chopped to G23/19) size. All have come out flawless, and fantastic... I love the end result. No real loss in grip size (still get all fingers on, easily).

Measure 3 times, cut once... a bit generous, and file down bit by bit as needed. Very easy. If you are doing a grip reduction at the same time... you can build in a nice feed ramp to boot.

 

[graycrait]

I've done quite a bit of cutting and shaping of Glock frames the past few months. I have mostly worked on G21s, G17s, G19s and only 2 26's. I got an extra 17, have a CCF steel frame, want to get a LWD frame, and have radically altered the grip and frame on my CCW G19. I took a G17 frame measured it against a spare G19 I have and cut the grip of the G17 to G19 length. Took about 15 minutes start to finish. I like the feel as it stands right now. Not only is it an ergonomic issue with me, but it is a fast/secure grip shooting issue. I like having the gun come up to a fast level point, with the bore axis as low as possible. I want the gun to be easy & fast/secure to handle one-handed left or right-handed. Acraglas, woodburning pen, dremel, two bench grinders and a drill press have been helpful.

Back to the G17 cut to G19 grip length. The remaining bit of hump on the G17 will likely have to go, but I think I'll just shave the Glock "grip pimples" off on the real to see how the gun rests in the hand. One thing I haven't done to this frame yet (already cut the finger grooves off) is to cut up into the rear of the trigger guard where your second finger goes to get a higher hold and drop the muzzle down a bit. One thing interesting is that simply cutting a G17 frame drops the barrel a bit due to the fact that the Glock hump that remains on the cut G17 is much smaller than how a stock G19 hump hits your hand.

I also like to extend and cut a trigger finger "groove," on both sides of the frame, so that the trigger finger has a different than stock reach to trigger. Along with that I usually remove material from the top of the trigger area where your trigger finger slides into as it comes down on the trigger.

I am not interested in arguing about the utility of keeping a Glock stock and adapting to it. I have one stock Glock G17 to use as a training gun for other purposes. Stock is OK and great for some people.

I am interested in knowing what other folks have done to their Glock frames and why? I am not interested in criticizing the idea or the work. I just want to see what other folks are doing in this area to expand on what I am learning.

Thanks,

Craig in Clarksville, TN

 

[BuckyP]

No offense and not to hijack your thread as I have never done this, but why would this be beneficial??? The 19 is pretty darned accurate as it is, is the 17 that much more accurate as you would rather chop that and keep the longer barrel?

Personally, I just don't like the way the 19 feels in the hand. The finger groves are more cramped than the 19s. Also, the hump is a little higher. I've often considered trying this myself, but my patience level with these kind of things isn't high enough.

Here is a recent thread on this:
http://www.glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=925271

 

[BamaTrooper]

No offense and not to hijack your thread as I have never done this, but why would this be beneficial??? The 19 is pretty darned accurate as it is, is the 17 that much more accurate as you would rather chop that and keep the longer barrel?

The longer slide combined with shorter grip might hold the pistol in a little closer on IWB carry compared to a normal 19.

 

[Pierre!]

You may wish to check out LoneWolf Dist 19L and 19XL kits. Basically, you add a longer slide, barrel, and dustcover to an existing receiver. If you have the G19, you simply put that with the G19L barrel, G19L slide, and dustcover extension and viole! Long Slide, short grip!

Why? When concealment is desired, the longer barrel combined with a short grip helps to stabilize the carry pistol. Reducing the round count in the grip reduces weight while the long slide/barrel acts as a stabilizer. Think of a sailboat with an extended keel...

The G26/19 is my FAVORITE carry pistol - G19 slide on a G26 body seems to be the perfect blend for me. I have almost got what I need together for the G19L.

The other thing to keep in mind - LoneWolf system can use your existing G17 or G34 slides for these projects if you like. It may be a good idea to give them a call when putting this together.

So - If you have the $$$ it's the best way to get what you want, and retain the re-sale value of the pistol. Now if you DO NOT have a G19 in your stable... I guess you would be stuck in that case.

HTH

 

[Pierre!]

Ahhh - Seeing as how you have already joined our ranks of polymer hackers (grin) you need to search up the user Bowtie and his G30 "grip reduction"

He used heat to reshape the backstrap. I haven't pulled out the cahonies to do it yet, but it makes total sense...

Search that info up, and see if it helps you out.

HTH

PS - Love my G26/19 pistol...

 

[Atlas]

Ahhh - Seeing as how you have already joined our ranks of polymer hackers (grin) you need to search up the user Bowtie and his G30 "grip reduction"

He used heat to reshape the backstrap. I haven't pulled out the cahonies to do it yet, but it makes total sense...

Search that info up, and see if it helps you out.

HTH

PS - Love my G26/19 pistol...

Where my G-36 fits my little-girl-sized hands perfectly, my G-19 is a bit much, and I'm very tempted to try the backstrap reshape with heat.
I plan to do it, but I'll have to take a deep breath first.
I've read that several members here have done this with a candle flame.
I think I'll try a heat-gun.

 

[Pierre!]

I plan to do it, but I'll have to take a deep breath first.
I've read that several members here have done this with a candle flame.
I think I'll try a heat-gun.

Well, that is where I get stuck... right after the deep breath!!! (grin)

The Chop Job on the 19 came out GREAT, but the way it left the hump is my only issue... and that is where the heat job comes in...

Just got to suck it up and git er done... (he said talking to himself)

Good Luck, and you KNOW you need to post pics when you are done... Don't you...

Merry Christmass

 

[DJ Niner]

The G17 in my avatar has been shortened to G19 length. It is the second Glock from the left in this photo (G34, shortened G17, G32C, G26):

I'm very happy with it. When I chopped it down, I also altered the hump slightly to fit my hand better, and added a rounded cavity plug to help prevent the sharp rear corner of the mag from "printing" through a thin cover garment.

I prefer the balance, added velocity and sight radius of the G17 over the G19, and the longer barrel/slide is no problem for concealment as it ends up inside my waistband anyway.

 

[johnb847]

I have a gen2 g17 sitting in front of me with the line drawn in pencil to show where to cut. My concern is that it will take out the entire bevel to the mag well. How does this effect reloading? Has anyone recut the bevel? How?

 

[LLL]

The G17 in my avatar has been shortened to G19 length. It is the second Glock from the left in this photo (G34, shortened G17, G32C, G26):

I'm very happy with it. When I chopped it down, I also altered the hump slightly to fit my hand better, and added a rounded cavity plug to help prevent the sharp rear corner of the mag from "printing" through a thin cover garment.

I prefer the balance, added velocity and sight radius of the G17 over the G19, and the longer barrel/slide is no problem for concealment as it ends up inside my waistband anyway.

+1 and love the lineup. I was a glock grip hater for a long time, once I payed and had it done correctly, its my first gun in my the line up.
LLL

 

[1911master]

I am going to bring this back to the top. I dont have pics but I just cut my Glock 22 to 23 since I have both I really wanted to have just one set of magazines to keep track of. I was scared to start cutting but once I started it really did work very smooth. I will say it is not a professional job but looks good to me and it didnt cost 75 to 100 to have done. I will tell anyone just to take their time and go slow. Jim

 

[rob m]

OK, so when you chop the grip down form a 17 to 19 can you still use it for IDPA?

 

[TexasPOff]

It seems to be gaining more popularity as of late. I have have been doing more and more of them in the shop. There is more to it than just cutting a half inch off the bottom. There is quite a bit of work involved to get the grip looking like it wasn't hacked off. Just little tricks you learn along the way help you out. Having originals of what you chop help as you can side by side the grip and magwell area to get the correct look. Here are two G17 that I cut to G19 length.

Close shot of the magwell, you have to put the bevel back in it or you will not be able to feed magazines smoothly. TXPO

 

[BuckyP]

Very nice work. Have you ever left the back strap extended to have the mags flush fit like they do on a G27? I would think that would give a little more grip without sacrificing concealability. :dunno:

 

[Scw76]

I would like to talk to other folks who have cut a G17 grip to G19 length.

Craig in Clarksville, TN

Old thread. But I just picked a a gen 3 17 with a flush to the bottom g19 mag in it. I love it . So much I may trip down my g45 to have the best g19 grip