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2020-02-02

Glock17 Gen5: French Army’s Gun of Choice

The French Army recently announced that a new semi-automatic pistol, the 5th generation Glock 17, that comes with a set of accessories and equipment, would be replacing the semi automatic pistols MAS G1 and MAC 50.

A minimum quantity of 83,000 pistols will be distributed in Army regiments between 2020-2022, making it the new standard handgun. Additionally, several types of ammunition and protective cases will be transferred over the next three years. The pistols underwent stringent testing by the French STAT (Section Technique de l’Armée de Terre), according to Glock. Under supervision of the DGA (Direction générale de l’armement), the entities made sure the selected pistols and holsters fit the high standard of military requirements due to the high operational employment of the French forces.

Despite stiff competition, Glock 17 handguns serve with diverse forces such as the British Armed Forces, the Swedish Armed Forces, Austrian Armed Forces, Indian Special Forces, the Iraqi military, the Saudi military, Tunisian Ministry of Defence, Kuwaiti ministry of Defence, just to name a few. The Glock 17 outfits dozens of armies and hundreds of police forces worldwide.

Increased Accuracy

The 9 mm calibre, 5th generation Glock 17 is a proven, reliable, safe, modular and ergonomic weapon. The new frame design of the Glock 17 Gen5 removed the finger grooves for more versatility, but still allows it to easily customise its grip by using different back straps. The slide has the Glock hard-surface finish nDLC in non-reflective black. The company’s nDLC provides tougher, more durable protection than previously used finish. The nDLC finish increases protection against corrosion and scratching and improves the ability of the pistol to function in adverse conditions.

It comes with front serrations (FS), which provide an additional tactile surface choice when manipulating the slide giving the operator positive traction even with wet or sweaty hands. The ambidextrous slide stop lever makes it easier for gun owners to quickly, safely and comfortably manipulate the slide whether they are left-handed or right-handed. This new design offers the advantage for professional users to do a fast press check before and after firing. The user may grip the slide by the front serrations with the weak hand and move it to the rear until a clear view of the chamber is possible in order to ensure that a round is properly chambered. When done correctly the hand gets nowhere near the muzzle of the pistol.

Every Glock Gen5 pistol model allows the user to change the circumference of the grip to fit the individual hand size and comes with two sizes of backstraps in two different shapes.

The backstraps are easily changed and secured to the frame with a single pin offering the following options: a short frame (SF) version, a medium (M) and a large (L) version. The medium and the large version can be chosen with or without beavertail. The beavertail backstraps keeps large hands clear of the slide. The short frame (SF) version without any backstrap mounted still remains a complete fully functional frame. Its dimensions are smaller than previous generations.

The flared mag-well of the frame give the user more speed during reloading when fractions of a second matter. Every G17 Gen5 features the match-grade Glock Marksman Barrel (GMB) delivering increased accuracy with polygonal rifling and an improved barrel crown. The company’s Safe Action System provides a consistent trigger pull from the first to the last round.

The three automatic, independently operating mechanical safeties are built into the fire control system of the pistol. Every Glock pistol comes with: Trigger safety, Firing pin safety and Drop safety.

All three safeties disengage sequentially as the trigger is pulled. They automatically reengage when the trigger is released. The orange follower allows the shooter to clearly see if there are any rounds left in the magazine or not.

The magazine catch of the Gen5 frame is reversible and enlarged towards the rear of the pistol. The reversible magazine catch is more user-friendly to the shooter’s reach and allows them to switch the catch to the left or right side of the pistol. Mounting rails in front of the trigger guard allow mounting accessories such as tactical lights and lasers. The durable and lightweight polymer frame absorbs recoil due to the dampening characteristics of the polymer. Loaded chamber indicator (visible and palpable indicator) as part of the extractor shows whether there is a cartridge in the chamber.

The French DGA selected a number of all possible candidates to proceed to the following phase.

The try-outs were composed of a series of stringent tests to asses both the reliability and user-friendliness of the offered pistols and accessories, in particular with a minimum expected lifetime of 26.350 rounds.

“This award follows several Armies in Europe and throughout the World. The importance of the programme is underlined by the fact that it will equip all French troops both regular but also special operations with Glock pistols. We are very proud and honoured to deliver our high-quality Safe Action pistols, as well as excellent and reliable accessories to the French military”, said Richard Flür, International Sales Director at Glock.

Throughout this great challenge, Glock GmbH is accompanied by “Armurerie de la Bourse”, Glock’s partner for military markets in France.

The first G17 Gen5 pistols and accessories are to be distributed to the French troops within the first months of 2020.

Reference Text/Photo:www.glock.com, www.defense.gouv.fr

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