Glock 17 vs 34 with option of Glock 19

[wmu12071]

I have been carrying a Glock 19 for a long time because of my tactical energy storage device (belly). I made myself a deal that if I lost enough weight to carry a full sized Glock without terrible printing I would buy one. Being that I have a few glock AIWB holster around the house I cut the bottom out of one to try my Father's Glock 34. It actually went quite well.

Here is the question, is the Glock 34 worth the extra money and buying a new holster over a Glock 17? Should I even bother with a full size? I have started just running 17 round mags in my G19 anyway. Last option is way a few week or a month and be another gen 5 beta tester.

[TCFD273]

I run a holster for a G17 and interchange between the 17 and the 19.

Ive never carried a 34 appendix, plenty of people do it though. In a self defense scenario, I don't know how much benefit you would see using a 34 vs 17 though.


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[oldtexan]

I have been carrying a Glock 19 for a long time because of my tactical energy storage device (belly). I made myself a deal that if I lost enough weight to carry a full sized Glock without terrible printing I would buy one. Being that I have a few glock AIWB holster around the house I cut the bottom out of one to try my Father's Glock 34. It actually went quite well.

Here is the question, is the Glock 34 worth the extra money and buying a new holster over a Glock 17? Should I even bother with a full size? I have started just running 17 round mags in my G19 anyway. Last option is way a few week or a month and be another gen 5 beta tester.

I used to carry a G34 at 3-4 ish o'clock IWB. I tried a G17 and found that I seemed to be able to make transitions from target to target faster and more confidently than with the 34; the 17 would stop when and where I wanted it to, the 34 not so much. The muzzle of the 34, compared to that of the 17, seemed to wallow around a bit, if that makes any sense. I now have gotten rid of both my 34s and have replaced them with 17s, and am very satisfied all-around. I don't recall seeing a difference in shot-to-shot on the same target with the 34 vs. 17. I have noticed that when reholstering the 34 I had to be much more careful to avoid muzzling myself than when reholstering the 17.

[Sigfan26]

I never found a huge difference between the 17 and the 34 as far as shooting and carrying (carried both AIWB). Unless you find you shoot the 34 noticeably better, I'd just stick with a 17.

[I922sParkCir]

I've carried the 34 in a Dara AIWB holster and with the Raven Vanguard Gen 2. It's great for standing, but sitting can be uncomfortable. The slide hits right between the thigh and testicles, and has caused some soreness after prolonged sitting.

I carried this way for an 800 mile road trip on a motorcycle. I will never do that again. There was pinching between sensitive areas and the tank.

I've chronographed the 19 and the 34 with several different types of ammo, and I found the velocity difference to be about 20-30 feet per second.

I find the the longer sight radius allows me to be more precise with the 34 but the shorter sight radius on the 19 "feels" faster. I haven't compared with a shot timer, so I don't have hard data on that.

The 34 for is a great handling gun. Recoil is super soft and muzzle flip is greatly reduced. If you are standing and walking most of the time I don't see an issue. If you are sitting for long periods of time then the discomfort may outweigh the slight velocity and sight radius increase.

You can always have both setups and change what you use depending on the situation. Sounds like you'll have earned it.

[60167]

I'm a big fan of long slide Glocks. I carry a 22 or 35 in a 35 holster. I find the accuracy improvement to be worth the longer length. I carry my 35 aiwb in a Zorn Wraith holster. I'm 5'11 200 and it works great.

[Wondering Beard]

Calling Mr_White .

[Mr_White]

I have been carrying a Glock 19 for a long time because of my tactical energy storage device (belly). I made myself a deal that if I lost enough weight to carry a full sized Glock without terrible printing I would buy one. Being that I have a few glock AIWB holster around the house I cut the bottom out of one to try my Father's Glock 34. It actually went quite well.

Here is the question, is the Glock 34 worth the extra money and buying a new holster over a Glock 17? Should I even bother with a full size? I have started just running 17 round mags in my G19 anyway. Last option is way a few week or a month and be another gen 5 beta tester.

It took me quite a while to appreciate the G34 over the G17, but eventually I did. The 17 is great though, as is the 19, and there are plenty of people who judge themselves to be better off with a 19 rather than 17, or 17 rather than 34. I think you would have to try them all, probably over a period of time, to figure it out how it's going to shake out for you. The good news is that I don't really think you can go wrong with any of those guns. A G34-length holster, even if you carry a 19 or 17 in it, can help make it harder for the gun to point directly at your body when carried in the AIWB position. So that might be worthwhile if it works for you, no matter which of the guns you end up going with.

[TCFD273]

It took me quite a while to appreciate the G34 over the G17, but eventually I did. The 17 is great though, as is the 19, and there are plenty of people who judge themselves to be better off with a 19 rather than 17, or 17 rather than 34. I think you would have to try them all, probably over a period of time, to figure it out how it's going to shake out for you. The good news is that I don't really think you can go wrong with any of those guns. A G34-length holster, even if you carry a 19 or 17 in it, can help make it harder for the gun to point directly at your body when carried in the AIWB position. So that might be worthwhile if it works for you, no matter which of the guns you end up going with.

I've never thought about the fact that a 34 would make it harder for the gun to be pointed directly at your body.




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[Mr_White]

I've never thought about the fact that a 34 would make it harder for the gun to be pointed directly at your body.




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The effect even happens just with a longer holster body, even if a shorter gun is in it (26 in a 34-length holster.)

[M2CattleCo]

I carry my 34 at about 3:30. I'm too short waisted to Aiwb it.

I really like the 34 over the 17 and 19, like the 17L over the 34.

[TCFD273]

The effect even happens just with a longer holster body, even if a shorter gun is in it (26 in a 34-length holster.)

That's why I prefer to use my 17 holster for my 19

I'll have to pick up a 34 holster and give it a shot


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[Kyle Reese]

I voted;

Mods here are shit. :cool:

[BJJ]

I just changed from carrying a 19 off duty to a 17. I am much more comfortable with the full size grip.

I used to have a G35 that I really liked but stupidly sold. I am considering picking up a G34. I figure since I like the 17 so much the 34 will be more better.

I'd be curious to hear what Gio thinks about the OP's question.

[wmu12071]

Well, this hasn't made things any easier... Gen 5s aren't that far out I suppose I should wait to see what it offers at the least.

[spinmove_]

Well, this hasn't made things any easier... Gen 5s aren't that far out I suppose I should wait to see what it offers at the least.

I think your take away from this should be that you're just going to have to find what works best for you. I know that's not the answer you want to hear, but it's kind of the truth.

You could always just buy a 17 and a 34 and then sell off whichever one doesn't work for you towards another copy of one that does.


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[psalms144.1]

So, here are my thoughts. I have all of the listed options, except the Gen5 (obviously). I carry the G19 90% of the time. The other 10% (off work/around the house) it's a G26 or G43. The G17 is my dedicated nightstand pistol with a WML, the G34 is a play gun.

For ME, the G19 is the largest pistol I can carry concealed under my daily work/out and about off duty/church clothes. For ME, the level of effort in wardrobe and holster changes required to carry the G17 isn't worth the squeeze. In the winter, I can get away with the bigger pistols, but still carry the G19, because that's what I'm most familiar with.

For those who can comfortably conceal the 17/34 on a daily basis, I would never suggest they "down gun" to the 19.

[Gio]

For ME, the G19 is the largest pistol I can carry concealed under my daily work/out and about off duty/church clothes. For ME, the level of effort in wardrobe and holster changes required to carry the G17 isn't worth the squeeze. In the winter, I can get away with the bigger pistols, but still carry the G19, because that's what I'm most familiar with.

For those who can comfortably conceal the 17/34 on a daily basis, I would never suggest they "down gun" to the 19.

This describes me pretty well too. I can't conceal a 17 size grip to my satisfaction on a regular basis, so I typically carry a 19. That said, I don't think there is any measurable statistical difference in how I shoot a 19 vs a 17/34 unless I'm wearing gloves, so I don't feel I'm at a disadvantage.

To answer the OP's question I would wait until the gen5 is out to see what I is. If it's identical to the M guns or at least uses the same fire control parts, I would go with the gen5.

[Cory]

When I carry, it's a Glock 17 AWIB in a Glock 34 holster from JMCK. The wingclaw 2.5 works well for me.

I don't own a G34, but every time I get to shoot one I feel like it points easier for me. Eventually I might pick one up, but at the moment I'm going to expand else where. When I do pick up a 34 I already have a holster for it, and I know it's going to be comfortable. I would get the 34 in your shoes. If you don't like it, you can just pick up a 17 slide. I really prefer the full size grips.

-Cory

[GJM]

A consideration, is the 34 may require higher power factor ammo to run reliably. Not a problem with "duty" ammo, but possibly with some practice ammo. All things considered, I find the 17 more reliable than a 34, and the 34 softer shooting than a 17. Probably not surprising since the 17 was the original design, and considerable work was done with slide mass and balance during the development process of the 17.

[JBP55]

A consideration, is the 34 may require higher power factor ammo to run reliably. Not a problem with "duty" ammo, but possibly with some practice ammo. All things considered, I find the 17 more reliable than a 34, and the 34 softer shooting than a 17. Probably not surprising since the 17 was the original design, and considerable work was done with slide mass and balance during the development process of the 17.

I use quality ammunition and never had an issue with a G17 or G34.

[ST911]

A consideration, is the 34 may require higher power factor ammo to run reliably. Not a problem with "duty" ammo, but possibly with some practice ammo.

Sidenote on this: I've seen and experienced that, but found the gen4 G34s to be far more tolerant than the earlier variants.

[JTQ]

Sidenote on this: I've seen and experienced that, but found the gen4 G34s to be far more tolerant than the earlier variants.

I don't have experience with any generation G34, but I would have bet the Gen 4 gun would have been the one to present problems due to the dual recoil spring that was probably initially optimized for the .40 S&W G35.

[GJM]

I don't have experience with any generation G34, but I would have bet the Gen 4 gun would have been the one to present problems due to the dual recoil spring that was probably initially optimized for the .40 S&W G35.

I have seen it on multiple Gen 3 and 4 Glock 34 pistols, compared to the same ammo running in a G17 just fine.

[Clusterfrack]

I've never used an OEM recoil spring in a G34...

[MGW]

I've never used an OEM recoil spring in a G34...

What do you like instead?

[Clusterfrack]

What do you like instead?

Sorry. That was unnecessarily cryptic. I got interrupted before finishing. I use my G4 G34s for gaming, not carry. So I use a Jager steel guiderod and pick the recoil spring that works with my load. For carry (G4 G19, 17, 26, 43) I use OEM and have no issues.

[MGW]

Sorry. That was unnecessarily cryptic. I got interrupted before finishing. I use my G4 G34s for gaming, not carry. So I use a Jager steel guiderod and pick the recoil spring that works with my load. For carry (G4 G19, 17, 26, 43) I use OEM and have no issues.

I'm new to 34's. What load is working for you and recoil spring?

I'm currently using 124 TC Blue Bullets over 4.0 of 231. I forget OAL at the moment. Not supper accurate out of the 34 so I'm looking for something different. Also, I get a little bit of dip as the slide closes so it has me wanting to look at a lighter recoil spring. I'm leaning toward a 13#.

[Clusterfrack]

When I was shooting a G34 in USPSA Production, I used:
SNS 147 gr coated round nose
3.3 VV N320
Federal primers
COL 1.150"

I like a very soft recoil spring that --as you mention--reduces muzzle dive after the slide cycles. I used 13# ISMI springs.

Note that N320 is really expensive. You can get a similar load for half the cost using Nobel Sport Prima V.

[pastaslinger]

A consideration, is the 34 may require higher power factor ammo to run reliably. Not a problem with "duty" ammo, but possibly with some practice ammo. All things considered, I find the 17 more reliable than a 34, and the 34 softer shooting than a 17. Probably not surprising since the 17 was the original design, and considerable work was done with slide mass and balance during the development process of the 17.

Not true due to slide weight being about the same plus it shouldn't be that big an issue regardless.

[GJM]

Not true due to slide weight being about the same plus it shouldn't be that big an issue regardless.

What part is not true?

Certainly the original Glock was a 17, and there are varying prototypes as Gaston Glock worked with slide weight and distribution to optimize function.

There is a difference between the weight "being about the same" and being the same, since Glock shows a .70 ounce empty weight difference between the two models. There is also a difference in the weight distribution, since the slides are different lengths.

Most importantly, I have observed this over many years of my wife and I shooting about a dozen model 34 pistols and more than a dozen model 17 pistols, with a wide range of power factor ammo, factory and reloads. Confirmed it by the experience of others I know.

I would be interested in whether your comments are theoretical or based on shooting a wide range of power factor ammo through multiple model 17 and 34 pistols.

[pastaslinger]

What part is not true?

Certainly the original Glock was a 17, and there are varying prototypes as Gaston Glock worked with slide weight and distribution to optimize function.

There is a difference between the weight "being about the same" and being the same, since Glock shows a .70 ounce empty weight difference between the two models. There is also a difference in the weight distribution, since the slides are different lengths.

Most importantly, I have observed this over many years of my wife and I shooting about a dozen model 34 pistols and more than a dozen model 17 pistols, with a wide range of power factor ammo, factory and reloads. Confirmed it by the experience of others I know.

I would be interested in whether your comments are theoretical or based on shooting a wide range of power factor ammo through multiple model 17 and 34 pistols.

As you said, there is a < 1 oz difference between the two, consider that this is the same order of magnitude change as switching from plastic sights to steel sights.

[Clusterfrack]

It's more complicated than just the mass of the slide. The lockup geometry is different, as is the recoil impulse.

[pastaslinger]

It's more complicated than just the mass of the slide. The lockup geometry is different, as is the recoil impulse.

How is the lockup geometry different, they use literally the same locking parts unlike 17 vs 19 vs 26

[SilentSc0rch]

The effect even happens just with a longer holster body, even if a shorter gun is in it (26 in a 34-length holster.)

I discovered this when I decided to start carrying an X300 on my pistol of choice (G19, PPQ, P10C) and was very pleasantly surprised.

[Clusterfrack]

How is the lockup geometry different, they use literally the same locking parts unlike 17 vs 19 vs 26

Put them side by side, pull the slides back, and you can see how the barrel length difference causes the angle of the barrel to be different.

[pastaslinger]

Put them side by side, pull the slides back, and you can see how the barrel length difference causes the angle of the barrel to be different.

That is only apparent when the pistols are completely out of battery so does it really matter? To me that isn't part of lockup, and the locking blocks are the same part regardless.