The Glock 17 is a famous pistol, and it started the current trend of polymer-frame combat handguns. A 17-shot 9mm, it holds more rounds in a standard magazine than its competitors, and it's accurate, reliable, and lightweight. The Glock uses a simplified double action system which is neither double action nor single action. It's not single action in the respect that when you pull the trigger, you are cocking the striker before releasing it, and it's not a true double action in that when you pull the trigger and release the striker, the weapon is uncocked and you can't pull the trigger again (unless you're actually firing it, in which case it cocks itself automatically, but only partially since you still have to finish cocking it by pulling the trigger). The Glock started some controversy in anti-gun circles who claimed it was a "plastic gun" and it could pass through airport security. However, the Glock has more than a pound of steel on it and will set off even the cheapest metal detector, and it will of course show up on X-ray examinations. Even an all-plastic Airsoft will show up on X-ray. At any rate, Tokyo Marui has recreated this ubiquitous service pistol splendidly.

Appearance

  I'm almost getting tired of saying this, but as usual, TM has done a great job on the outward appearances of this pistol. The frame is textured like an original Glock, the trigger has Glock's own "trigger safety" built in, the takedown lever, mag catch, and slide stop all look proper, and all the proofmarks look authentic. The only real problem I have with the Glock is that the front part of the frame (ahead of the trigger guard) is shaped unusually. It bulges out a bit and just doesn't look right. The magazine is designed after a real Glock mag, and looks fine.

Function

  The Glock seems to be one of the more powerful spring Airsoft pistols. The slide spring is stiff so cocking may be difficult until you get used to it. The action is smooth and the trigger pull feels similar to a real Glock's, though perhaps a bit heavier. The magazine fits perfectly, although if you remove a loaded magazine from the gun sometimes it will let a single BB loose which will fall out after the magazine. The rattling BB can be problematic if stealth is the name of your game.The Glock feels good (even though I don't particularly like the grip angle on a Glock) and it points naturally if I make a conscious effort to remember that I'm using a Glock and I remember to tip the muzzle down a bit. With practice, or if you're used to a Glock, this will not be a problem. The front of the frame which bulges out slightly as described before can interfere with the mounting of accessories if they're supposed to fit flush with the frame of a real Glock. I have a Tasco Laserpoint mount for the Glock and it wouldn't fit due to the unusual shape of TM's frame. The trigger safety is the only external safety a real Glock has. It's been reproduced faithfully here, and works just like the real thing. Basically, you just have to pull the trigger properly. TM has incorporated an "actual" safety into their design. On a real Glock where the takedown lever is, TM has installed a safety. It looks just like the takedown lever and operates the same way. It's not very convenient for use as a real safety, especially in a combat environment where your weapon may need to be made ready on short notice. But then again, what are you doing using the safety in a combat environment, anyway? One of the basic rules of gun handling: Do not trust the safety. If you want to make your weapon "safe", unload it - even then, always treat it like it was loaded.

Accuracy

  This is where TM's Glock 17 excels. This has to be one of the most accurate out-of-the-box spring-powered Airsoft handguns out there. It shot about an inch low of the point of aim at seven yards, but let's talk about a tight group.This pistol is an excellent performer, and would probably work well as a mid-range weapon even in outdoor tournaments. It's certainly adequate for any indoor or other close-range work. It's even good for casual target practice, since you're most likely going to hit what you aim at.

Overall Impressions

  Tokyo Marui's Glock 17 spring powered Airsoft is an excellent choice for those on an Airsoft budget. Heck, even for those without such financial limitations, it's still an excellent choice due to its power and accuracy. And you never have to worry about recharging the gas or swapping batteries during a firefight... I personally have a problem with it simply because I'm not a Glock fan and the pistol doesn't quite point properly for me, but as I said before, with practice this can be overcome.

The more I use the Glock 17, the more I find it's suited to instinctual aiming, at least in my hands. Being a Sig user in real life and not liking Glocks because of the grip angle, if I want to aim using the sights I pull the weapon up to eye level, and with a Sig the sights are dead on. With a Glock however, when I do this the muzzle is pointed upward, almost guaranteeing that I'll miss. However, I decided to use that fact to my advantage. I bring the pistol up instead of to eye level, to about shoulder level. I let the Glock's natural up-angle in my hands do its thing, and all I have to do is point the pistol left or right and it's dead on. I've been quick drawing-acquiring-firing like this for about an hour now with TM's Glock 17 and I can nail a 3x5 card at seven yards every time no problem. This would probably provide faster snap-shots than with a Sig, and considering the poor accuracy of the Airsoft Sigs I've tested compared to the TM Glock 17, I may just switch to the Glock as my main choice in spring handguns. But don't tell anybody I said that - I've got a certain reputation to uphold.