Look, we aren’t going to tell you that there’s any severe shortcoming with your favorite Glock pistol, or even any specific component.
There are plenty of reasons that Glock pistols like the G17 and G19 are among the most popular handguns in America. They are reliable, consistent, easy to operate and feature minimal and intuitive controls, and since many Glock handguns feed from double-stack mags, they offer expanded firepower.
But could they be better? Absolutely - and we’re going to start with your Glock slide. Here are some compelling arguments that it just might be the best Glock upgrade you could possibly make.
What’s Wrong with Your Glock Slide?
Again, let’s disclaim that your Glock slide, from the factory, is perfectly serviceable. It’s a simple, straightforward part and will offer reliable, smooth cycling. Some Glock slides even feature a modular optic system (Glock calls it an MOS) that makes it easier to add optics like red dot sights.
But let’s just take at your G17 for a second - there are better aftermarket alternatives out there for your Glock 17 slide. Take, for instance, our G17-compatible “Constable” kit, which is actually not just a slide but a whole system.
There are numerous reasons that this kit represents a superior alternative to your stock Glock 17 slide. Here are just some of the more salient ones.
First, this kit is lightweight. It features precision-machined cut outs along the front of the slide near the muzzle which substantially reduce weight, specifically the portion of the gun’s mass referred to as reciprocating mass.
By lightening the weight of the slide two things can be accomplished. One is that cycling speed will probably experience a boost. The other is that, by reducing reciprocating mass, felt recoil will be lower.
Now let’s piggyback off the concept of reducing recoil for a moment. This Glock-compatible slide kit also comes with a compensator. Adding a compensator to your Glock pistol is one of the single most impactful functional upgrades you can make.
This is because compensators (also called muzzle brakes when added to rifles) are muzzle devices that alter how gasses are vented at the muzzle. The effect of this is that they can reduce felt recoil by as much as 50% without adversely affecting shot power.
With lower recoil also comes diminished muzzle jump, which means you will in turn likely be able to make faster, more accurate, more confident follow up shots. It also means you’ll likely be able to shoot longer with less fatigue.
This slide also features an RMR-cut which is compatible with RMR and RMR-pattern optics, so if you want to add a red dot sight to your Glock slide, then this is a solid option that will offer a lot of flexibility.
This Glock-compatible slide kit is also made to a high standard of quality, made from 416R stainless steel and treated with a DLC finish that is extremely wear and corrosion-resistant, streamlining maintenance and enabling easier cleaning.
All in all, this slide kit can help reduce recoil, improve handling, and boost the expandability of the platform. For more information on model and generational compatibility, check out our “Constable” G17 complete slide kit via the previous link.
While You’re at It…
While this Glock-compatible slide kit comes with a recoil spring and guide rod, if you’re looking for another effective way to reduce recoil and improve handling, get a heavier tungsten guide rod for your Glock.
Glocks come with stock polymer guide rods, which, though they are lightweight and corrosion resistant, are not ideal in terms of recoil reduction.
This is because the guide rod is a component of a static mass - the part of the gun that does not move during firing. Whereas you want to reduce reciprocating mass (such as the Glock slide) to reduce recoil, you want to increase static mass.
Therefore, the heavier the guide rod, the more it will absorb recoil. Also, the guide rod strategically adds mass near the muzzle, helping to further reduce muzzle jump and stabilize the gun.
One more impactful upgrade you can make is to replace the Glock trigger. If you’re not a fan of the stock trigger, upgrading it can have a big effect on how confidently and accurately you shoot.
Explore Glock-Compatible Parts Here
While the side kit mentioned here is a potentially excellent option for a Glock 17 slide upgrade, it is only one of the many great upgrades we offer here, including ported slides and barrels that can further reduce recoil in the manner described in this article. Take a look through our full collection of pistol slide upgrades, many of which are suitable as Glock slide replacements or alternatives, and get in touch with us Sales@MCSGearup.com if you have any questions about model or compatibility.