First Impressions
It can be said that the Glock 17 is the pistol that revolutionized the modern handgun. Introduced in the early 1980s, it helped launch the striker-fired pistol phenomenon and quickly became one of the most widely used service pistols in the world.
The Gen6 version sticks closely to that proven formula. You still get a full-size frame with a 4.5-inch barrel, simple internal design, and the familiar Glock controls.
But when you pick it up, the grip immediately feels different. That change alone stands out as the biggest improvement in the new generation. The frame is no longer as boxy as older Glocks and now features a more sculpted shape with subtle palmswells. Palmswells allow more of your hand to contact the gun, which translates to better control during recoil.
The new texture is also excellent. Glock calls it the RTF 6 texture, and it’s noticeably more aggressive than previous generations while still comfortable. It provides excellent traction without feeling overly sharp.
Another improvement is that the texture extends higher up the grip. This gives the support hand more surface area to lock onto during a proper two-handed grip.
More Features
Glock also added “accelerator pads,” which function like built-in thumb shelves or gas pedals. These allow the shooter to apply downward pressure with the support-hand thumb to help control recoil. They sit slightly low on the frame, which requires you to cant your wrist a bit to use them effectively, resembling the style used by champion shooter Robert Vogel. In practice, they do help with recoil management.
The beavertail has also been extended slightly, allowing the shooter’s hand to sit higher on the gun, which can further improve recoil control. Glock includes new backstrap shapes as well, allowing shooters to adjust the grip angle and feel to better match their hands.
Another welcome improvement is the larger undercut on the trigger guard. Many Glock shooters are familiar with what’s commonly called “Glock finger,” where the bottom of the trigger guard rubs against the knuckle of the middle finger during extended shooting sessions. I’ve experienced that before with older models, but the deeper undercut on the Gen6 appears to reduce that issue. During my testing, I didn’t experience any discomfort.
The controls are fully ambidextrous, and the pistol includes a flared magazine well to speed up reloads.
New Optics System
One of the biggest updates on the Gen6 is the new Optic Ready System. Glock moved away from the previous MOS mounting setup and introduced a new system that uses a polymer adapter plate seated inside the optic cut.
This design allows the optic to sit lower on the slide than the older MOS system. The polymer plate is designed to compress slightly when tightened, similar to how a crush washer works. That compression helps lock the optic into place.
The pistol ships with three adapter plates to accommodate different optic footprints. Some early reports have noted minor movement in the polymer plates, and several aftermarket manufacturers have already begun producing aluminum replacements. I did not experience any issues with my optic holding zero during testing.
Trigger
The trigger is one area where I hoped Glock would introduce more significant improvements. The trigger shoe is now flatter, which makes the pull feel slightly better, but the overall feel remains very much like a traditional Glock trigger.
You still get the familiar springy, somewhat twangy break. Glock lists the trigger pull weight at around 5-6 pounds. Compared to some of the newer striker-fired triggers on the market today, it simply doesn’t compete.
For me, the trigger is the biggest disappointment of the Gen6.
Osight XR Optic
To test the new ORS, I paired an Osight XR with the G17. The XR is a rugged, enclosed duty optic that uses the popular RMR footprint and has a few unique features.
The internal battery is rated for approximately 50,000 hours (five years) of runtime. When it runs low, instead of replacing the battery, the optic can be recharged using the magnetic protective cover that doubles as a charger. The cover itself contains enough power for five additional charges, bringing the total potential runtime to roughly 324,000 hours, or more than 37 years.
The XR also offers multiple reticle options. In addition to the typical dot, circle, and circle-dot reticles, users can choose between a 2-MOA or 6-MOA dot. That flexibility allows shooters to prioritize either precision or speed depending on their preference.
The XR includes a built-in pop-up rear sight that deploys with the press of a button to co-witness the front sight. When not in use, it remains concealed within the optic body.
Blade-Tech Holster
Because the G17 is a duty-oriented pistol, I paired it with a duty-style holster for testing. The Blade-Tech Valor is an active retention holster, meaning it does not rely solely on friction to hold the firearm but uses a locking mechanism to secure the gun in place. This feature is useful for law enforcement and competitive shooters, providing added security during physical confrontations and movement-heavy stages of competition.
The Valor is available in three levels of retention. I tested the Level 1 version, which requires the shooter to activate a thumb latch before drawing. The release mechanism is intuitive and quick to use. The holster itself feels extremely durable and capable of handling hard use.
Plus, the holster is light agnostic. It accommodates most pistol lights – or no light at all – without interfering with the holster’s function. Overall, the Valor proved to be a solid and secure duty holster. I didn’t notice any significant reduction in draw speed, and the added retention provides peace of mind during movement.
Range Testing
At the range, the Gen6 performed exactly as expected of a Glock. Reliability was flawless. I did not experience a single malfunction during my testing. Accuracy was solid, and I was able to produce respectable groups with consistent hits at 15 yards.
More importantly, the pistol proved easy to shoot quickly. The improved grip shape and aggressive texture help keep the gun under control during recoil. Transitions between targets felt smooth and natural, and the gun tracked well during rapid fire.
Glock also returned to a single recoil spring system in the Gen6, which the company says should produce a softer shooting experience. I couldn’t feel a dramatic difference compared to previous models. It still feels like a Glock, which many shooters will consider a good thing.
Final Thoughts
I’ve always liked Glocks. They’ve consistently shot well for me, and the Gen6 feels like a natural evolution of the platform. The improved grip alone makes the pistol more comfortable and easier to shoot. It transitions well, tracks predictably during recoil, and allows fast, accurate shooting. Despite a few minor criticisms, there is nothing fundamentally wrong with the Gen6. It works exactly as you would expect a Glock to work.
If you don’t already own a Glock, the Gen6 is an easy recommendation. If you currently own an older Glock, the improvements may be significant enough to justify an upgrade.
On the other hand, if you’ve already customized an older Glock with modifications such as stippling and an aftermarket trigger, the Gen6 may feel less necessary. In many ways, the Gen6 is essentially a factory-upgraded Glock that incorporates many of the modifications buyers often add themselves.
That may be exactly what many shooters want.
Dave Luu
Dave Luu is a certified instructor and range officer who also founded and managed a national shooting league. Active in the shooting sports since 1999 and involved in the firearms industry since 2017, he brings decades of experience to his work as a writer and content creator. Dave balances his passion for firearms with his full-time career as an attorney supporting the U.S. Department of Justice.
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