Glock 17 vs Smith & Wesson Model 686

1982–Present

1980–Present

12,000,000+ units (estimated worldwide across all generations and variants)

~2,500,000 estimated

204 mm (8.03 in)

228 mm (9.0 in) with 4" barrel, 191 mm (7.5 in) with 2.5" barrel

114 mm (4.49 in)

101.6 mm (4.0 in) standard, 63.5 mm (2.5 in) compact variant

625 g (1.38 lb) empty, 905 g (1.99 lb) loaded

1.05 kg (2.3 lb) empty, 1.13 kg (2.5 lb) with 4" barrel; 0.94 kg (2.1 lb) empty with 2.5" barrel

17 rounds standard; 19, 24, 31, 33, 45 round options available

6 rounds (standard), compatible with .38 Special cartridges of the same capacity

Short recoil, locked breech, striker-fired with Safe Action trigger system (trigger safety, firing pin safety, drop safety)

Double‑action revolver, transfer‑bar safety, internal lockup with a single‑action trigger pull when cocked manually

Consistent ~2.5 kg (5.5 lb) pull, single‑stage Safe Action trigger

Double‑action trigger with a 5‑6 lb pull; single‑action pull approximately 3‑4 lb when hammer is manually cocked

Fixed polymer front post, fixed polymer rear notch; optional tritium night sights or aftermarket rail‑mounted optics

Adjustable rear sight (windage and elevation) and a fixed front blade; some models equipped with three‑dot tritium night sights