Building Your Perfect Glock 17 with a Build Kit from 3CR Tactical
Note: some of the information and products listed in this blog post may have been discontinued since this was first published.
When it comes to customizing your firearm, nothing beats the satisfaction of building your own Glock 17. Whether you’re a seasoned gunsmith or a DIY enthusiast, a Glock 17 build kit from 3CR Tactical provides everything you need to assemble a high-performance handgun tailored to your preferences. In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of using a build kit, the components included, and tips for assembling your Glock 17.
Why Choose a Glock 17 Build Kit?
Personalization and Customization
A Glock 17 build kit allows you to personalize your firearm to meet your specific needs and preferences. From selecting the slide and barrel to choosing the perfect trigger and sights, every component can be tailored to your liking. This level of customization ensures that your Glock 17 will be unique and perfectly suited to your shooting style.
Cost-Effective
Building your own Glock 17 can be more cost-effective than purchasing a pre-assembled firearm. By selecting individual components and assembling them yourself, you can avoid the markup associated with factory-built models. Additionally, you can choose to upgrade certain parts over time, spreading out the cost of your custom build.
Learning Experience
Assembling a Glock 17 from a build kit provides a valuable learning experience. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of how your firearm operates, which can be beneficial for maintenance and troubleshooting. Plus, the hands-on experience of building your own gun can be incredibly rewarding.
Components of a Glock 17 Build Kit
A comprehensive Glock 17 build kit from 3CR Tactical typically includes the following components:
Slide
The slide is a critical component of your Glock 17, housing the firing pin, extractor, and sights. Build kits offer a variety of slide options, from standard factory-style slides to custom designs with enhanced features such as optic cuts and aggressive serrations.
Barrel
The barrel is another essential part of your build. Build kits often include match-grade barrels made from high-quality materials like 416R stainless steel. These barrels are designed for improved accuracy and longevity.
Frame
While some build kits come with a polymer frame, others may require you to source your own. Frames can be customized with stippling and grip modifications for enhanced control and comfort.
Lower Parts Kit
A lower parts kit (LPK) includes all the small components needed to complete the frame, such as the trigger assembly, magazine release, and slide lock. These parts are essential for the proper function of your Glock 17.
Upper Parts Kit
An upper parts kit (UPK) contains the components required to complete the slide assembly, including the firing pin, extractor, and recoil spring. These parts ensure reliable cycling and firing.
Sights
Build kits often include a set of sights, but you can also choose to upgrade to night sights or red dot optics for improved targeting and visibility.
Tips for Assembling Your Glock 17
Gather the Right Tools
Before you start assembling your Glock 17, make sure you have the necessary tools on hand. Common tools include a Glock armorer’s tool, punch set, bench block, and a small hammer. Having the right tools will make the assembly process smoother and more efficient.
Follow a Detailed Guide
If you’re new to building firearms, it’s helpful to follow a detailed assembly guide or watch instructional videos. These resources can provide step-by-step instructions and tips to ensure that your build is successful.
Take Your Time
Building a Glock 17 requires patience and attention to detail. Take your time with each step, and double-check your work to avoid any mistakes. Rushing through the assembly process can lead to issues with the firearm’s function and safety.
Test Functionality
Once your Glock 17 is fully assembled, perform a function check to ensure that all components are working correctly. This includes checking the trigger, slide movement, and safety mechanisms. If everything functions as expected, your custom Glock 17 is ready for the range.
Here are the major pieces to our Polymer80 Glock 17 kit that you can build with simple hand tools to produce a fully functional pistol in a few hours. Our list does not include sights or magazines. Add your own sights based on your needs and magazines based on your state’s regulations.
So if you’ve gotten this far and saw the total above, you’re probably wondering WTF? This was supposed to be a build list for under $500. This is some bait-and-switch ish. It’s true that if you purchase these components individually, you’re looking at a shade north of $500, which is normally in the range of LEO turn-in OEM Glock territory. We do however offer a complete builder’s bundle for less than $500. Check out the link below.
- Polymer80 Glock 17 Complete Builder’s Kit with RMR Cut Slide and Threaded Stainless Steel Barrel – $464.29
So for under $500 nets you a Glock 17 clone, with a threaded barrel, premium part kits and an RMR cut slide. All of which are non-standard on OEM Glocks (see where we get the better-than-basic from?).
If that’s still a lot of cash to plunk down in one sitting, my wife would kill me if I did that, then you can still pick up the major components in bundles over time, or snipe individual components from the above list to piece together a build.
Here are some smaller build kits we offer that will get you to the same spot
Disclaimer: All products described above are trademarked by their respective manufacturers. Some states do not allow us to ship frame kits (looking at you NJ). Threaded barrels are restricted in some states. Please be aware of your local laws before ordering. We accept no responsibility for orders shipping to states with these restrictions. We cannot accept returns on Polymer80 frames. Please contact Polymer80 directly for warranty replacements.
Update:
Note: these products are no longer offered.
Polymer80 has recently released it’s own kit with all parts and a magazine to build a fully functional pistol. We usually carry these and can’t recommend them enough. Check out the linls below: