Glock 17 or 34 as all around Secondary Weapon

sundance435 · #1 10-22-08, 14:27

I am leaning towards purchasing a Glock 34 as my all-around gun. However, I can't get over the idea that I may be sacrificing long term reliability because of the open area at the end of the slide. I have owned, shot, or carried almost all of Glock's different models (with the exception of the .380's), but I find myself always coming back to one of the 9mms.

I am not and probably never will be a hard operator on any of my weapons, but it's not out of this world to think that there may be a situation where my gun could fall in the mud/sand/take your pick of whatever could cause problems for the gun. I am thinking about getting back into law enforcement, so this gun may be a duty gun, if the department allows it.

What do you all think? Any thoughts on decreased reliability with the open area on the slide?

**M4arc** · #2 10-22-08, 15:02

What is your primary weapon?

If it's a G19 then I would say get the G17. If you buy G17 holsters they will work with the G19 as well so it will be easier to standardize.

Joe Mamma · #3 10-22-08, 15:11

I can't really comment on the exposed slide/reliability issue.

I'm not sure what makes you want a G34 over a G17. But, if it's a longer sight radius, I can tell you that most people who I know and who have picked a G34 over a G17 (for that reason) have found that the difference is often not noticeable. Were they faced with the same decision again, they would probably go with a G17 (just because it's cheaper).

If I were in your situation, I'd go with a G17.

Joe Mamma

Beat Trash · #4 10-22-08, 15:23

I owned a Glock 17 and Glock 34, (as well as a few G 19's, I like the G19, a lot). I sold the G34.

I really didn't shoot the G34 any better than the G17. My shot to shot recovery time was the same between both guns.

While the open slide might not be an issue, it was always in the back of my mind as potential issue. I decided life is too short to spend it worrying about such things.

I will most likely pick up another G17.

G34Shooter · #5 10-22-08, 15:32

You can have both

GlockWRX · #6 10-22-08, 15:36

Although I am currently having an affair with an HK45, I still love my G17. When shooting the G34 I always felt that it cycled slower than the G17. Almost as if it was sluggish or something.

As far as dirt in the slide, I wouldn't worry about it so much. If you drop a G34 in the dirt or mud, I think the level of precaution would be the same for a G34 or a G17. Clear it, disassemble it, get the guck out, reassemble, reload, carry on. Think of the IF statements you are stringing together: IF I am in a gunfight, and IF I am using my pistol (where is my rifle?), and IF I drop my pistol, and IF the ground is covered in dirt/mud that can get in my pistol, and IF I drop my pistol in such a way as to get dirt/mud in it, and IF the dirt/mud causes my pistol to malf, and IF I need my pistol again right away, then I am really and truly humped. If all of that comes true, a cutout in the slide is the least of your worries.

For an all around gun I would pick between the G19 and G17. The grips are slightly different between the two, so go with what you like best. If you are going to leave a light on the gun 24/7, then a G34 isn't a bad deal. It's going to be big and bulky anyway, why not get a little more velocity out of the deal.

sff70 · #7 10-22-08, 16:23

IMO, the G19 is the best all around Glock. The shorter grip is an advantage for CCW.

Have yet to hear of the hole in the slide in a G34 or G35 causing any problem whatsoever.

Shotdown · #8 10-22-08, 17:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by sff70

IMO, the G19 is the best all around Glock. The shorter grip is an advantage for CCW.

Have yet to hear of the hole in the slide in a G34 or G35 causing any problem whatsoever.

Neither have I.

BB01 · #9 10-22-08, 17:46

I like the way the 34 tracks in recoil a little more than the 17. Other than that, not much difference. You will probably have an easier time finding duty holsters for the 17. I would get the 17/19, in your situation....then the 34.

Paul45 · #10 10-22-08, 19:33

I currently have The 34, the 17, the 19 and the 26. Another 34 I had went thru over 100,000 rounds before I had an issue with the slide - Glock replaced it. I like the 17 better than the 34. It moves from target to target quicker plus it I don't over shoot (move past) the target.
My personal forced ranking would be 19, 17, 26,34. There is nothing the 34 can do that the 17 can't do. The slightly longer sight radius may be of benefit if you shoot real long range but it not that great.
My personal vote for a full size 9mm Glock would be the 17 - for a do evrything 9mm it would be the 19

SethB · #11 10-22-08, 20:04

The longer sight radius manifests itself most prominently in the appearance of the front sight.

It looks thinner than it is.

LOKNLOD · #12 10-22-08, 21:44

For pure shooting I like the 34 better than the 17. Not that there's anything wrong with the 17, but I shoot my 34 a little better. I recently let my 17 go because it was redundant with my 34.

For if "all around" includes concealment, then the 19 would be my first choice.

Gutshot John · #13 10-22-08, 22:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOKNLOD

For pure shooting I like the 34 better than the 17. Not that there's anything wrong with the 17, but I shoot my 34 a little better. I recently let my 17 go because it was redundant with my 34.

For if "all around" includes concealment, then the 19 would be my first choice.

Exactly.

I own and love all three, the 34 shoots the best and I would probably still fight with it if I didn't have to carry concealed.

If I had to carry concealed a 19 is a better way to go. Any difference in accuracy between the 19 and 17 is negligible. IMO sight radius is an overrated concern. Likewise the open slide is probably not a big deal.

I do like two extra rounds and if I was thinking an SHTF scenario, having an extra 17 slide lying around would ease my peace of mind.

With its trigger, I doubt the department would authorize a 34, but I could be wrong. The 17 is an excellent choice for a carry gun.

LOKNLOD · #14 10-22-08, 22:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gutshot John

Exactly.
I own and love all three, the 34 shoots the best and I would probably still fight with it if I didn't have to carry concealed.

Bingo, my carry gun is a 19, but my battle belt is setup to run my 34 w/ light.

uscbigdawg · #15 10-23-08, 00:05

My carry gun is a G19C. Got rid of the 17 when I got my 34. It lives in the trunk of the car and it's what I use in classes.

After dropping the recoil spring on the G34 and cleaning up the trigger a little bit, it's definitely a shooter. I'll throw some Tru-Grip on it and it'll be done (a buddy put on a set of Henie's and a FO front for me).

Either way you're going to be fine, but of the two, I just like the 34 better.

Rich

#16 10-23-08, 02:28

Add me to the list of people who prefer the handling of the G17 over the G34.

JTR · #17 10-23-08, 04:29

I love my G34 and G35, they're great guns and have never give me any problems. I've only ever used them for matches or plinking at the range though. Never used them as a carry piece.

Maybe just me, but the G17 isn't my favorite Glock. Maybe it's just "too bland."

To that end, the G19 sees much more trigger time (not as much as the G34).

If you're looking for one Glock to do it all, I think the G19 is your gun. If you're shooting in a bunch of different matches and only want one gun... G17. If you're able to spread yourself out a bit and can afford two.... G19 and G34.

Robb Jensen · #18 10-23-08, 07:58

I've shot thousands of rounds with both the G17 and the G34 and I find the G17 just as accurate but easier to shoot at speed vs the G34. For really long distance accuracy the G34 is a little nicer. The only realistic benefit I see with the G34 over the G17 for competition is that you can load the ammo a little slower to for a very soft shooting minor power factor load, but it seems that it takes forever to cycle (just one of those things I notice when shooting subsonic 9mm ammo). And with that I've shot just over 15K rounds of very minor power factor 147gr 9mm and I actually now prefer full power 115gr FMJ ammo, I like the gun to cycle very fast I prefer the sights to lift and settle back down very quickly.

uscbigdawg · #19 10-23-08, 11:18

Running a 13# spring in my G34 with medium PF loads and it's awesome. Just a tip.

Rich

Skintop911 · #20 10-23-08, 11:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by sundance435

What do you all think? Any thoughts on decreased reliability with the open area on the slide?

Non-issue except at environmental and use extremes.

Size efficiency: G19
Standard: G17
No Problem: G34

Keep it stock, and fed with domestically produced, quality manufacture, SAAMI specification ammunition for best outcomes.