A new decade means a new service pistol. That’s what’s happening for the French Military, as the Ministry of Defense has recently selected the fifth-generation GLOCK 17 to accompany soldiers into battle. During 2020, 60,000 new pistols will be distributed to French military personnel.
WHY THE GLOCK 17
GLOCK firearms were developed in Austria and marketed to military and law enforcement agencies worldwide.
The GLOCK 17 will replace the PAMAS G1 (Pistolet Automatique de la Manufacture d’Armes de Saint-Étienne), a modified Beretta 92 licensed to the French arms manufacturer GIAT. The pistol was put into service in 1989.
The French military chose GLOCK due to its proven reliability, safety, modularity, and ergonomics (une arme éprouvée, fiable, sûre, modulaire et ergonomique). The pistol has ambidextrous controls, allowing it to be used by both right-handed and left-handed shooters.
The French GLOCKs will have the standard GMB (Glock Marksman Barrel) for “added precision.”
However, I currently own a GLOCK 17 from the previous 4th generation. According to GLOCK, 35 new and upgraded parts were for the 5th generation. The most apparent is that the 5th generation GLOCK 17 removes the molded finger grooves on the hand grip. There are also different night signs, an ambidextrous slide stop, and a more durable finish coated onto the weapon.
.png)
My Gen 4 GLOCK 17 with the finger grooves
ADDITIONAL STATS
The GLOCK 17 that the French military is switching to will have magazines capable of firing 17 rounds. The barrel length is 4.5 inches, and the weapon weighs 700 grams.
While the U.S. military contemplated GLOCK to replace its Berettas, it instead went with the Sig Sauer P320.
FRENCH THOUGHTS
From what I’ve seen, French people are happy for the switch however some lament that France is not capable of creating their own modular pistol.
“A renowned weapon. Nonetheless, it’s a shame that in France, we no longer produce these types of weapons.”
“A very good gun, GLOCK is always reliable.”
“Way better than the PAMAS (prior French service pistol).”
For more news and info about the French military, whether historical or present, check out our French Military page.
Any comments can be left below, no subscription required.
