Need help picking a used glock

[gethuntin]

Hi there. I am thinking of purchasing my first semi auto pistol and honeslty dont know a whole lot about them. I can get a 17 or 21 for $325 as Law Enforcment trade in at a gun shop. Is this a good price? And what are some notable differences between the two models. Is the 21 a newer model? They are in 9mm and 40's by the way. I plan on using it for plinking and personal protection.
Thanks in Advance.

[Savage]

First, welcome aboard! The Glock 17 is the fullsize 9mm pistol. It was the first Glock introduced in this country. Great 9mm pistol. Plenty of factory and aftermarket parts available at reasonable prices. Simple to repair and maintain. Of course that goes for all Glocks. The Glock 21 is the largest frame Glock. It's chambered in .45acp. Some find the grip on the 21 to be a bit large for their hand. For plinking and protection the 17 is the better choice due to ammo cost and availability. I would advise against buying an older model (2 pin). The 3 pin upgrade came in the gen II guns if memory serves. $325 for a generation II or III Glock is a good price. Word to the wise: buy all the normal capacity magazines you can afford to go with your Glock.
You won't be disappointed.
Savage

[gethuntin]

thank you very much for the detailed summary. Unfortunately i was wrong on the model. One is the 17 and the other is a glock 22. So anthing i should know about the glock 22?
Could someone clarify on the pins? Is this the amount of pins holding it together framework etc. And how can you ell between the different gererations?

[Savage]

The 22 is the same frame size as the 17. Conversion barrels are available for the mdl 22 to allow it to shoot 9mm with just a barrel and mag change. So, the 22 might be a bit more versatile. Just forward of the slide catch there should be two pins thru the frame. They pass thru the internal locking block. The older generation models only had one. The second gen models also have molded finger grooves on the grip frame. One of the older models might serve you well, but I prefer the extra rigidity of the extra frame pin. I shoot my Glocks a lot. It would help to do a search on Glock generations online before you buy to make sure you are getting what you want.
Savage



Picture added to clarify.

[JeffG]

I'll Second that, make sure you know what generation you are looking at....an old Glock shoots just fine, but make sure that's what you want.

[Oldshooter]

New or old generation, a civilian owner will more than likely never wear one out. Even a used one that has had thousands of rounds thru it. From My experience! Personally I'd buy which ever for $325. and like was said before buy some mags as well!

[Noreaster]

Glocks are awesome. The police-trade ins are awesome deals if they have been refurb by Glock. If it's just the gun shop direct trade in, (not refurbed by glock,) there are still good ones mixed in. For cheaper shooting and general purpose I like the 9mm, just my 2 cents.

[Tonk]

Gethuntin......I like the 10mm, 45acp and 40cal in that order for a CCW tool ok. If the 21 fits your hand great, however if not, get the 40cal that simple. I am NOT a big fan of the 9mm even with so called self-defense ammo.