My Gen 2 G17, post mod

[Troublco]

At SA Friday's urging, I'm posting the results of my G17 project. I got this G17 in a trade after I got the Glock bug. I already had a Gen 3 G20, which I have heavily modified, but I stopped short of stippling the grip on the G20. I put the rubber DecalGrips on it, but a friend of mine wound up with a stippled G17 in a deal he did and I liked it so much that when the opportunity presented itself I acquired a G17 of my own.

So, after acquiring the G17 I went through and gave it a fairly thorough operational check. It was fine, although for some reason the trigger safety liked to extend a bit too far and gave the trigger an odd feel. Nothing that was any sort of a concern, though.

So I stripped that sucker to the bare frame and cleaned everything, inspected the locking block and other internals to include the extractor and striker along with associated springs, plungers, etc. I got a few parts from a buddy who has a bunch from when he was a gunsmith, ordered a few others, and got busy.

First I took the bare frame and decided where I wanted it stippled; and then used some blue masking tape to lay out the boundaries. I used a 30 watt pencil type soldering iron with a decent point. I think I'd rather use a 25 watt, the 30 was a little much. Let me tell you, it was really hard to put that iron to that frame the first time! Once I got past that, I outlined the area I wanted to stipple with the iron and then started filling those areas in. I didn't stipple where my thumb would rest, on either side, even though this gun doesn't have the thumbrest. I didn't see the need to stipple there; I like it better this way. I will admit, it isn't quite as nice a stippling job as I would have liked but it's functional and doesn't look bad. I'm not terribly happy with the right side; I think some of the "stipples" are too big and don't quite blend in. Still, not too bad for a first effort, I think. I found that I wound up with some sharp points, I think because the iron was a bit too much. So I thought about it for a moment, and wound up smoothing the sharp points with a carefully applied propane torch of the variety used for plumbing repairs. Worked like a charm. My daughter sat watching me the whole time.

Then I put it back together, putting the new parts in as I went. I installed a new trigger (smooth) assembly, a new return spring, a factory extended mag release, a factory extended slide release, a Lone Wolf aluminum slide cover in black, a front night sight, and a rear ghost ring sight (not a night sight), and a Pearce grip plug.

I only had to adjust the rear sight a little bit and it was on. What a blast! I never liked the G17 before this because I had a hard time keeping hold on the gun. But I really like this one! A buddy of mine has been talking about possibly trading me a Gen2 G21 for a couple things I don't have much use for anymore, and I'm giving it some serious consideration!

And yes, that is an empty magazine in place for photo purposes only.

[kidicarus13]

I'm sure it's very functional but I couldn't do it. How do you like your ghost ring sight?

[SA Friday]

I've seen lots of stippling jobs, and yours is just as good as what the pros are doing.

[Troublco]

I'm sure it's very functional but I couldn't do it. How do you like your ghost ring sight?

I love it. I have a set of ghost ring night sights on my G20, and when I happened across this ghost ring in my buddy's bin I jumped on it. I can acquire the sight picture very quickly. You sacrifice some accuracy, but they weren't designed to be target sights. They're great with a decent front night sight or big white dot front. I'm probably going to put a set on my XD 45.

I've seen lots of stippling jobs, and yours is just as good as what the pros are doing.

Well, thank you. I suppose you always know the flaws in a job you do yourself. I think I could do a bit better on the next one, this was the first one I've done. A little fine tuning, like the heat range of the iron and so on.

[hobowh]

looks good

[Troublco]

looks good

Look familiar?