I would only need two if I decided upon another 19 that wasn't a Gen5. While a factor, I am not going to have it be the deciding one.
I carry my issued G4 G23 OWB in a Glock sport combat belt slide holster and IWB in a Galco Summer Comfort when my back can tolerate it. This is against bare skin daily when off duty. No issues and the rough texture and reduced grip size without the back strap has spoiled me against my G2 and G3 guns shooting wise. I am on the list at my local cop shop for a G5 G19 with Ameriglos.
Last edited by deputyG23; 09-24-2017 at 07:25 AM.
That's a tough call. Sounds like you're doing well with your G19, so a spare "duplicate" makes sense - train with one, carry the other. On the flip side, you have a carry gun covered, so the G17 might make more sense for a trainer and dedicated light-bearing HD pistol. You might also find that, given your size, you can readily conceal the G17 - which could change your mind on what your carry gun should be.
In either case, I'd get the Gen5 in whichever flavor you chose - they sound like they're a good bet! WRT spare parts, less the barrel, frame and slide, a complete rebuild kit for a GLOCK costs about $50 - so it's not a huge investment to have parts that don't interchange...
If you just want more to hang on to, Option 3 is to get extended baseplates for the 19 you have already. Don't know if that'll effect the balance more than you like when you're carrying though. If it does, you're better off just getting the 17 so the weight of the slide offsets the weight of the grip.
Sounds like you just want a new gun though.
The only parts that don't interchange on your glock 19 and 26 are the barrels, slides and recoil springs. All of the small parts are the same.
And, you can use the glock 19 magazines, and even barrel in the 26, but not the other way around.
Thanks. I was unaware the small parts were the same. Helps lean me toward the 17. I have some X-grips for my 26 with 19 mags. That was a factor getting that combination. We all know what will happen, I'll love the 17, be able to conceal carry it and then look to trade in my 19 for a 17. This will cost me $1500. Kind of like when my wife said we're only going to repaint the kitchen. Weeks later, the whole downstairs was redone.
I enjoy having all the sizes available (17/19/26/43). You never know when a particular outfit or travel situation calls for a particular size, and having identical sights and triggers across all size brackets makes it a lot easier to focus on fundamentals.
As to the 17 vs the 19, while I prefer the way the 19 feels in my hands, I shoot them almost identically.
Last edited by LockedBreech; 09-24-2017 at 04:15 PM.
State Government Attorney | Beretta, Glock, CZ & S&W Fan
For what it is worth, I am not a big guy at 5'9" 190, but I carry a G17 off duty and have no issues concealing it and a reload. I much prefer the grip of the 17 and my palm and little finger hangs off of a 19. If you are comfortable with the 17 and prefer the grip, I say get it and drive on.