Glock handguns are some of the most popular on the market because they offer impressive customization options and versatility. Whether you have a Glock 17 Gen 3 or a newer Gen 4 or Gen 5, one of the easiest gun parts to upgrade is the slide. A new Glock 17 slide can provide many advantages over the factory one. For example, you can get a Glock 17 slide with an RMR cut to allow you to mount a red dot sight or switch to a different material, such as polymer or stainless steel. This alters the weight of your handgun and lets you tune it to your exact needs. Here are answers to some common questions about Glock 17 slides to help you figure out what you need.![]()
While the two handguns are similar, the Glock 19 and Glock 17 slides are not the same, and they are not interchangeable. Even though the frames are nearly identical, the Glock 19 has different barrel lugs. Additionally, depending on which generation of the Glock 17 you have, it may have a slightly longer barrel and slide.
This answer is a little tricky. If you have a Glock 22 and buy an entire Glock 17 slide assembly for the same generation, including the barrel, recoil spring, and extractor, you can easily swap the slide. This converts the weapon to 9 mm and essentially creates a full-size Glock 9 mm. However, this only works if you replace the entire upper portion. You cannot just put a Glock 17 slide on a Glock 22 without changing the other parts.
As long as they are made for the same generation of Glock 17, they are interchangeable. For example, any aftermarket Gen 3 Glock 17 slide will work on any Gen 3 Glock 17. However, you may run into issues if you try to put a Gen 4 Glock 17 slide on a Gen 3 Glock 17, as it may not fit properly.
We have a wide variety of Glock 17 slides and other weapon parts available here at Optics Planet. Check out the Glock 17 slides from some of our top brands, including TRYBE Defense, Strike Industries, and Live Free Armory.