View Full Version : Anybody have a G17 with a grip shortened to 19 size?
mcantar18c
06-20-2014, 07:25
I'm looking for first-hand impressions. I really want to swap my 19 for a 17 and chop it down, but I haven't been able to talk to anybody that's actually done it or has one.
I haven't chopped one yet, I have a G17/22 that I really want to cut down. I can't decide if I want to go to a G19/23 or all the way to a G26/27. I have done some online research and most just go down one size. My Glocks are in nice condition so I'm kind of holding out for an abused one to modify. I have seen a G34/35 cut down to G26/27 size, that seems a little extreme. I would even consider cutting a G20/21 down to hold G29/30 mags. One good reason to cut down a G17 is so you could at least buy G19 mags rather than the 10 rounders. I am considering cutting down my Kel Tec Sub2000 from G17 mags to G19 just for mag availability. Keep us informed on any progress you make, love to see a finished product as well.
A 17/19 is my daily carry piece. I really dig it. Also have a 34/19 and it shoots nice as well. Helps since I have a pile of 15rd G19 mags. Also fits my hand and conceals better.
Of course since that made my 19 obsolete, I cut it to 26 length.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v495/rupert42/Guns/slide1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v495/rupert42/Guns/glockschopped.jpg
hurley842002
06-20-2014, 08:30
A 17/19 is my daily carry piece. I really dig it. Also have a 34/19 and it shoots nice as well. Helps since I have a pile of 15rd G19 mags. Also fits my hand and conceals better.
Of course since that made my 19 obsolete, I cut it to 26 length.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v495/rupert42/Guns/slide1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v495/rupert42/Guns/glockschopped.jpg
Any reason you didn't stipple over the severed Glock logo on the 19?
Not really. I stippled it back when it was a whole G19, and haven't gone back over it since I chopped it. Left the logo unstippled on it for reasons I cannot recall.
Any reason you didn't stipple over the severed Glock logo on the 19?
I am going to guess and say that it was stippled before it was cut down.
Not really. I stippled it back when it was a whole G19, and haven't gone back over it since I chopped it. Left the logo unstippled on it for reasons I cannot recall.
I am going to guess and say that it was stippled before it was cut down.
I was right. Slow, but right. [Coffee]
Yup, you got it!
This is all leaving out the best part of doing Glock chop jobs:
severed Glock
The potential for terrible, terrible jokes.
hurley842002
06-20-2014, 08:39
I'm looking for first-hand impressions. I really want to swap my 19 for a 17 and chop it down, but I haven't been able to talk to anybody that's actually done it or has one.
I don't have any first hand impressions, but you must ask yourself, is an extra half inch of barrel length and sight picture worth it? The only true advantage I could see in chopping a G17, is if you only had a Glock 17, and you wanted better conceal ability and mag versatility, which you already have both with the 19. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you need to justify your reasoning, just a couple questions I'd pose. It's your gun, have fun with it!
mcantar18c
06-20-2014, 09:20
I don't have any first hand impressions, but you must ask yourself, is an extra half inch of barrel length and sight picture worth it? The only true advantage I could see in chopping a G17, is if you only had a Glock 17, and you wanted better conceal ability and mag versatility, which you already have both with the 19. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you need to justify your reasoning, just a couple questions I'd pose. It's your gun, have fun with it!
Because I can, I suppose. I've been concealing full size and commander size 1911s, so the slide length isn't an issue for me, and if I can get just a bit more barrel length/sight radius/weight at the muzzle/etc. then why not?
Plus, I'm planning on heavily modifying the grip anyway even if I keep the 19... chopping a little bit off the bottom isn't much more work.
hurley842002
06-20-2014, 09:53
Because I can, I suppose. I've been concealing full size and commander size 1911s, so the slide length isn't an issue for me, and if I can get just a bit more barrel length/sight radius/weight at the muzzle/etc. then why not?
Plus, I'm planning on heavily modifying the grip anyway even if I keep the 19... chopping a little bit off the bottom isn't much more work.
I guess if longer slides are what you are used to and comfortable with, then a 17 chop may be for you. Like I said, you certainly don't have to justify it, just have fun with it.
mcantar18c
06-21-2014, 16:43
Well, I went out back and shot it today, and I'm actually pretty impressed with how smooth it runs. I also polished the feed ramp and all the trigger components. Then I was at a tac shop earlier and they had a pretty sweet machine shop out back, and one thing led to another, and now I can't take it back to the gun store even if I want it to. Which I don't.
First mod, something easy and simple to get myself past the fact that I'm cutting up a brand new gun...
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/22/8ysejaru.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/22/8apyqeze.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/22/e2ydygy3.jpg
Next up... undercut the trigger, round off the trigger guard, fill the grip with resin and spend some time with the belt sander
What are we looking at in the pictures?
I'm assuming the cut to strip the mag out
mcantar18c
06-21-2014, 17:20
Yup, the semi-circle cut into the grip. If a mag doesn't want to drop free for some reason, it allows for a better grip on the mag. Mostly I like the way it looks and it was a good way to kill time.
Oh got it. It looked factory to me, which is a compliment to the job that you did.
mcantar18c
06-21-2014, 17:47
Thanks! The right tools make all the difference... using a dremel doing one side at a time probably wouldn't have turned out nearly as clean. It's a really basic modification, but I'm really happy with it.
Good shit! I do the scallop cuts on my chop jobs, but mine aren't as aggressive as yours.
mcantar18c
06-21-2014, 19:12
Rat, what size bit do you use? Or rather, how do you do it? I'm still toying with the idea of widening the scallop a little bit.
And yeah I didn't plan on going that deep, but every so often I'd back the bit off and insert a mag and grab it, and just kept going until it felt right and this is what I ended up with.
Oh I just took one of those circular dremel sander things and dug into it until I had some scallops. My method is much less exact than yours.
mcantar18c
06-21-2014, 19:27
Yeah, I'm trying to avoid using a dremel on this one... I'm worried I'll end up taking too big of a chunk out somewhere.
hurley842002
06-21-2014, 20:50
Yeah, I'm trying to avoid using a dremel on this one... I'm worried I'll end up taking too big of a chunk out somewhere.
That's probably a good idea, I know you from NAXJA lol, just messin bro. Looks good man, looking forward to seeing progress. I did some minor grip work on my Gen 3 26, but the texture on my Gen 4 23 suits me just fine, who knows tho, maybe you will inspire me.
Is there anyway to cut the grip down on a 17 so it will hold 19 mags but keep to rest of the grip in place?
mcantar18c
06-21-2014, 21:58
Hey, I learned a lot about where not to cut up a Jeep in those days lol.
Doc, how do you mean? Like leaving the front and back of the grip intact?
hurley842002
06-21-2014, 22:01
Hey, I learned a lot about where not to cut up a Jeep in those days lol.
Doc, how do you mean? Like leaving the front and back of the grip intact?
Lol, it was already cut up for you (you know which one I'm talking about lol).
mcantar18c
06-21-2014, 22:19
Lol, it was already cut up for you (you know which one I'm talking about lol).
Ha, yeah. To this day I'm still amazed it held together for a few hundred miles through the Rockies. And then fell apart turning into a parking space after driving a mile the next day.
Hey, I learned a lot about where not to cut up a Jeep in those days lol.
Doc, how do you mean? Like leaving the front and back of the grip intact?
Yeah, maybe I'm missing what glock mag looks like right now since I don't have one in front of me. I was just wondering it was possible. However, cutting an inch off the bottom altogether wouldn't be so bad since that is what it looks like Glock did to make the 19. (an inch off the barrel too)
mcantar18c
06-21-2014, 22:35
Hmm... it might be possible if you found a really slim base plate for your mags, but I don't think it'd work out too well.
Also, and I could be wrong on this, but I think the swell on the bottom of the grip is higher (in relation to a chopped 17) and IIRC the finger grooves are spaced a little differently.
mcantar18c
06-22-2014, 23:36
So while trying to decide on which resin/epoxy to use, I figured I'd give the heat method a shot. If it works, I don't need the resin, and if it doesn't, I can still do it the other way. I used a 3 wick candle as the heat source, and a mag stuffed with sponges and then frozen to preserve the magwell. I used a glass table top and a small vise to form it, and repeated the heat/form process 7 or 8 times. I didn't quite get the profile I'm looking for, so tomorrow I'll try it again with a heat gun and if that doesn't get it where I want I'll do the resin. I had to refreeze the magazine at one point, and used that time to partially smooth out the finger grooves... I'll probably end up taking more off before stippling it.
You can see the factory grip profile on the area where the larger backstraps snap on to...
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/23/ydaqeper.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/23/jehanuja.jpg
Mick-Boy
06-23-2014, 01:11
Hate to be the guy who brings up old shit but you already started a thread on this (https://www.ar-15.co/threads/107147-Cutting-stippling-a-G17-grip-to-19-size).
mcantar18c
06-23-2014, 04:02
Damn Mick, you've got a way better memory than I do. I don't remember that at all.
Haha, and I posted some of the same pictures there too.
I just got another G17 in a trade that I'll be chopping soon as well.
mcantar18c
06-23-2014, 22:36
Massaged a little more out of the backstrap, got the angle just about where I want it but it's still too square. Heat gun worked way better than the candle, but you gotta be more careful about not melting the gun. I'm gonna hit it again with the heat gun tomorrow, see if I can't round out the corners of the backstrap. I also undercut the trigger guard a little.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/24/evyby7av.jpg
mcantar18c
06-30-2014, 19:39
Flattened out the backstrap to a point I'm happy with. Also removed the lower finger groove, undercut the trigger guard, rounded the front of the trigger guard, and scalloped out a groove for the trigger finger on the right side. Tools involved were Lohman Sight Vise to hold the frame, an exacto knife, a chainsaw file, a couple flat files, and 60 grit and 180 grit sandpaper.
Now I just gotta clean up the lines a little bit and stipple it.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/01/huvedavy.jpg
hurley842002
06-30-2014, 21:23
Very nice Mason, I actually like that quite a bit.
mcantar18c
06-30-2014, 22:12
Thanks! The trigger guard isn't as thin as it looks where I undercut it, it looks really thin in the pic.
mcantar18c
07-05-2014, 17:28
Well I broke out the sandpaper and made a blank canvas for the stippling...
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/06/y7ehuvu7.jpg
Then I took a soldering iron with a flat tip and used some of the plastic shavings from scalloping out the trigger finger grooves and filled in the lanyard hole cause I don't like that crap.
(Ok, so I started the stippling before I thought of this.)
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/06/bydeby2e.jpg
And here's the result...
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/06/7y5e3a8a.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/06/yqazuty6.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/06/ete9u2yh.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/06/9eva5ute.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/06/uqyja6y6.jpg
Very nice! I just cut another G17, but I'm gonna wait until it gets its full slew of upgrades before getting some pics. (Vickers mag release, Trijicon HD sights.)
Very nice work. Looks good.
Just to add some more ideas for Glock frame modifications, I stumbled across this website. I really like the swirl pattern stippling.
http://www.tacticalshooting.com/glock-customizing/
And here we go, second Mullet One-Seven job complete (stolen from Kyle Defoor via a recent FB post - business up front, party in the back.)
In addition to the front and back straps being stippled, I also stippled the left side thumb rest area because a) it's blocked from my body by the holster and b) it's where the meatiest part of the left hand goes when I'm using a regular two handed grip.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v495/rupert42/Guns/m17.jpg
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