re: Glock 17 or Glock 19

Get a Ruger Security 9 for half the price. Spend the rest on a few hundred rounds of ammo, 2 spare mags, and range time. Glocks are good guns, with an almost unmatched following in the secondary market in terms of accessories and options. But there are a lot of pistols that are just as reliable for a cheaper price tag. The Security 9 feels better in the hand, has an outstanding trigger, forward slide serations, and can often be found for less than $325.