View Full Version : Glock 34- Really that practical? Or a 17?
OK, so I've own and shot a 34 several years ago. I shot used it exclusively for shooting IDPA. I sold it to buy a house. Several years later, with a career and bank account, the IDPA bug bit me again. Right now I am shooting a 1911, but I don't reload and ammunition is killing me. I want to move to a 9mm and am fully invested with 10+ G17 Magazines(I owned a 19 and recently sold it as my hands are huge and the flush fit magazines pinched them on the reload.)
So what say you, Handguns-Semi Auto gurus? I'm stuck on the idea of paying a premium for a 34 and not being able to do much else with it. It is long and cumbersome for me in anywhere but a match setting. I think the 17 could actually be used elsewhere. I will be doubling down with this as a bedside gun as well, and it will have a light on it, probably the X300U I already have. I want to get the 17 and call it a day, but I don't know if it would really be to my detriment in a match with longer shots. Then again, there's a guy in my club who wipes the floor with everyone shooting a 19.
I'll probably end up with both as I have a Comptac 34/5 Holster already. :|
If you're running an X300U, the overall length with light is the same between a G17 or G34. Get the 34. I carry a Roland which is G34 length without issue.
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If you're running an X300U, the overall length with light is the same between a G17 or G34. Get the 34. I carry a Roland which is G34 length without issue.
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This is a valid point. And a 34 with a tact light does have a certain je ne sais pas about it. That said, I know some who will decry the 34 as a carry or defensive weapon because the open top of the slide could allow ingress of dirt or debris and cause a malf. Take that for what you will. I carry a 19, and have a 17 as my bedside gun, though I do carry it on occasion. Am currently eyeing it for a little bit of a make over, new sights to replace the close to 10 year old Trijicons, a magwell, thinking of grabbing one of the magpul ones when they hit the market as a testing bed, maybe a few other small things. Also looking at starting to shoot some IDPA or USPSA locally with a friend and may run it in that too. It an idea at least. Personally, for most of my needs I'd stick with the 17, though I do kind of want a 17L and I do find myself eyeing 34s for a regular basis, so who the hell knows.
Personally, I'd say flip a coin, you'll probably end up with both. Another option, if one is inclined, get a 34 or a 17 and then get a full slide for the other swap back and forth between them as you wish. Again, it is an idea.
You say you want to "get the 17 and call it a day." So get the 17...and call it a day.
But I shot my most recent pistol match with a 26, so "winning" isn't on my list of priorities. If it's on yours, all that's left to consider is the very slight edge the 34 will provide is worth the extra bucks.
LowSpeed_HighDrag
05-01-17, 21:27
I literally bought a Glock 34 today, ordered a RCS Freya Magwell off of Ebay, and an X300U from Impact Weapons Components. I shot only 150 rounds through it at the range today, but found it to be a great and natural shooter. I carry a 1911 on duty, but plan to eventually replace it with a Glock 34 and standard X300 setup.
I have a Glock 43 for ccw, I'll never carry this 34 concealed. If I did not use a WML, then I'd just get a 17. However; with a 17 a WML is going to extend past the barrel, and you might as well get some extra barrel length to make up for the waste of space.
If your doing that, why not get a 17 and try a comp? You could do a 17"Roland plus size".
Wait, how'd you sell a handgun to buy a house!?
Wait, how'd you sell a handgun to buy a house!?
I'm assuming the sky is falling panic after SH and some poor dumb SOB who thought Glocks were going to be banned and were actually not made of polymer but gold. But, I do had that question.
Shoot both and see which one you shoot best with. I like my 17 and shoot it more often than my 34. Just to muddy the water I am seriously considering buying a 34 MOS
I'm assuming the sky is falling panic after SH and some poor dumb SOB who thought Glocks were going to be banned and were actually not made of polymer but gold. But, I do had that question.
Every little bit counts with a down payment.
I had a similar dilemma and went with the 17. I may get a 34 down the road, but the 17 is a nice size.
My vote is get the 17 and don't think twice. Add the 34 as a competition gun down the road if you want it.
MOLON AABE
05-01-17, 23:43
Or.... open door number three.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170502/cf89c9abc33b26f26403a59a43764cb6.jpg
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I really like the 34 over the 17, I think it looks better and feels better in the hand with a different balance point. But I am really starting to rethink pistol sizes.
Traditionally I liked longer barreled revolvers and pistols, 6 " revolvers over 4". This was due to better ballistic performance and longer sight radius.
However today ammo performs better in shorter barreled guns than in the past, and due to older eyes more and more my pistols are getting RMR for sights.
I'm lucky to have a large enough frame that I carry a 34 with x300 IWB every day. I chose it, after buying the 17 first as I prefer the flatter feel to the recoil and a weighty muzzle.
In my observation debris such as dirt or lint entering the cutout on the slide aren't much of a concern with the working parts being located elsewhere in the gun. Unless you're talking about large particles like that could interrupt the recoil spring.
The 17 would be more comfortable, but what matters for me is what happens when the gun isn't bolstered. Ymmv
Or.... open door number three.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170502/cf89c9abc33b26f26403a59a43764cb6.jpg
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You can even share holsters. The dude stated he had too large of hands for his 19 and sold it. I've got big hands myself and a freya solved it.
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Wait, how'd you sell a handgun to buy a house!?
I'm assuming the sky is falling panic after SH and some poor dumb SOB who thought Glocks were going to be banned and were actually not made of polymer but gold. But, I do had that question.
You generally have to have some cash at closing.
You generally have to have some cash at closing.
Yeah, when you're not competing it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to have a competition rig sitting around while you're scraping up closing costs 1 year out of college.
A couple of side notes:
1. I will not be mounting a brake on the end of it or doing a "Roland" deal or whatever.
2. My main question is does anyone think there is are distinct enough competitive advantages to the 34 to warrant the price difference and cumbersome size vs the 17?
You generally have to have some cash at closing.
I think we know that. It just that the $400 that most used glocks go for baring felony pricing, wouldn't seem to make a huge difference to me. Then again, the way my finances work tend to be different then many and I don't know what size or priced house the OP bought. I've known a few buying foreclosures on the cheap that the cost of the Glock would probably have been enough down.
MSparks909
05-02-17, 11:26
Yeah, when you're not competing it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to have a competition rig sitting around while you're scraping up closing costs 1 year out of college.
A couple of side notes:
1. I will not be mounting a brake on the end of it or doing a "Roland" deal or whatever.
2. My main question is does anyone think there is are distinct enough competitive advantages to the 34 to warrant the price difference and cumbersome size vs the 17?
I don't think there's a distinct competitive advantage between a 17 and a 34. I have a 17 G4 and a 34 G4 set up identically; both have TTI sights, TTI trigger connectors, stock magazine releases, stock slide releases (removed the factory extended from the 34), and Jager guide rods/13# recoil springs. The sight picture on the 34 is slightly tighter due to the extended slide length. I think the 17 cycles a little faster and returns to target faster for my eyes. Idk if you reload but you could low to a slightly lower powder charge and make the same PF as the 17 due to the longer barrel.
But for what you're asking flip a coin. A 17 certainly will not handicap you in IDPA or any other competition.
WickedWillis
05-02-17, 11:42
I personally am looking at setting up a G34 for HD when funds allow in a few months, so personally I would go with the 34. I still love the G17, and I carry a 19 every day, but I really enjoyed shooting every G34 I have ever fired.
Sounds like a 17 would be the happy median you are looking for between your previously owned 19 and 34.
Imho, you will not be at a disadvantage shooting an idpa match with having a 17 vs 34. I don't feel like idpa has targets at that great of distances anyway.
Rayrevolver
05-02-17, 14:10
Door #4: G26
I started IDPA with a G26 and IWB. Got a lot of crap for it, but I did well enough as a noob and it's a damn laser beam. Use the G17 mags and you won't get pinched. And you have something you can conceal.
http://dailycaller.com/2014/06/02/massad-ayoob-are-long-barreled-handguns-more-accurate/
...but yeah, I do own and have been shooting a G34 for the games. The only place I notice a difference is when I go cyclic, seems to shoot flatter. That said I haven't touched the G26 in years. Might shoot it at the next match and see if I am "remembering" correctly.
In my hands, the 34 is flatter at speed... that's the only advantage I come up with.
Think of the G34 as Glock's 92FS. That puts a lot in perspective. My go to Glock 9mm is a 34.
It sounds kinda dumb but I like it for the same reason I do 20" ARs, I like the longer sight radius.
LowSpeed_HighDrag
05-02-17, 20:45
So far, having owned:
Gen 3 G34
Gen 4 G17
Gen 3 G19
Gen 3 G26
Gen 4 G43
My favorite of the bunch is the Glock 34. Shooting it is really enjoyable, which is strange for a 1911 guy to say. It is the SAME length as my 1911, feels like it weighs about the same, and holds alot more. STRANGELY enough, I shoot it a little better than my custom MARS 1911. I certainly suppose you could get something lodged in the slide port, but that seems to be the only downside to me.
I have both. I plan to compete so the 34 would give me an advantage over the 17. No plan to carry either. I have the 19 MOS for EDC.
I love my 34 MOS. Right now it's just a range gun. The trigger is smoother, out of the box. But I replaced it with an Overwatch Precision Trigger and bar.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170503/b793d2d231feca7aeed16b63602c6693.jpg
As for the 17, I installed Suppressor sights on it. I'll probably get a threaded barrel, too.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170503/954638d0e1fc81adf5a9ff0baa6549ec.jpg
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Never said what else you would be using it for. The 34 is better for what you did say.
Ya lost me at "G34s are long and cumbersome".....they are the same size as a full size 1911.
I like them both. If I was using a light I'd get the G34. I like the narrowing slide shape at the nose of the G34 for slightly easier holstering as well. The barrel may be little long for certain seating positions.
Either way I'd chop the grip to G19 length if I was going to carry it. (I'd like to see pics of a G34/35 chopped to G19 grip length)
And I might. I really prefer the g17/G34 grip diameter to that of my old G19. (They are narrower at the top)
Ya lost me at "G34s are long and cumbersome".....they are the same size as a full size 1911.
I don't carry a full size 1911 for that very reason as well. Those are my own personal feelings on the two for EDC.
Gary1911A1
05-03-17, 15:35
Just buy the 34 and then later on when you can afford it buy a 17 Upper too.
I made this decision about a year ago and bought the 17 thinking I would carry it often. If I had to do it again I would get the 34 as mine mostly serves as a HD/Range gun.
Why not get the 34 its the same length as the X300 ultra anyway?
sierra 223
05-03-17, 20:32
I carry a 17 on and off duty and I carry anytime I leave the house. I have a 19 but much prefer the 17, I have only held a 34, never shot one. I do believe I would like the 34 though.
As far as the open slide making it more unreliable? Not sure if I buy into that, people claim the Beretta is more reliable because of open slide.
LowSpeed_HighDrag
05-03-17, 21:04
Sorry for the cell phone pics...
34 with x300u:
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f198/glockfire/20170503_183509-01-01_zpsuvtyqppa.jpeg (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/glockfire/media/20170503_183509-01-01_zpsuvtyqppa.jpeg.html)
34 size reference next to 1911:
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f198/glockfire/20170503_183735-01_zpsjryw50pq.jpeg (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/glockfire/media/20170503_183735-01_zpsjryw50pq.jpeg.html)
A 34 is what? 1/2" longer than a G17? 1/2 an inch cumbersome? I guess that's what you tell your wife.
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Just buy the 34 and then later on when you can afford it buy a 17 Upper too.
Or get a 17 and then get a 34 upper.
Or get a 17 and then get a 34 upper.
One might argue the 34 has a better trigger for OP's application.
LowSpeed_HighDrag
05-04-17, 08:36
Or get a 17 and then get a 34 upper.
With complete slides costing near as much as a new pistol, I'd say buy the one you need first, and when money allows it buy the pistol you want.
...As far as the open slide making it more unreliable? Not sure if I buy into that, people claim the Beretta is more reliable because of open slide.
Well...
There is a difference between an "open slide" and having an extra opening in the slide. I personally don't think it's a major issue, but Ken Hackathorn (who certainly knows more than me) has stated that he's not a fan of this "feature."
sierra 223
05-04-17, 21:30
Agreed, not sure if it is an issue or not. I know some in the know think it is a design flaw as far as reliability in dirty environments go.
An experiment would be interesting if someone was so inclined. G34 vs G17 vs Beretta.
matthepanther
05-05-17, 18:11
If you are not carrying then there is no doubt in my mind that the 34 is the right choice
There is a difference between an "open slide" and having an extra opening in the slide. I personally don't think it's a major issue, but Ken Hackathorn (who certainly knows more than me) has stated that he's not a fan of this "feature."
I've yet to see anyone post about someone having issues with a 34/35/17L because something got in the opening in the slide, and there's no shortage of LEOs rocking 34s and 35s.
Unless Ken is posting actual evidence of failures caused by intrusion through the opening, his opinion is just that and worth no more than anyone else's in this instance. Almost like Glock actually thought about what they were doing.
I've yet to see anyone post about someone having issues with a 34/35/17L because something got in the opening in the slide, and there's no shortage of LEOs rocking 34s and 35s.
Unless Ken is posting actual evidence of failures caused by intrusion through the opening, his opinion is just that and worth no more than anyone else's in this instance. Almost like Glock actually thought about what they were doing.
If anyone searches back there was a fairly long thread on this very topic that I think Grant started. In the end it's a non issue
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I used a G34 daily for both uniformed and concealed carry in all manner of dress. The 34 was as easy as the 17, with the caveat that some shirt bottoms needed just a little extra length. Not as much for the added muzzle but for the extra holster material overall (3:00 OWB). I switched back the 17 when actual comparison data and accountable shooting failed to show any meaningful improvement with the 34. I also didn't care for the greater muzzle oscillation I was experiencing with the 34.
The G34 ran through thousands of rounds in classes, matches, and vigorous training without malfunction.
I've yet to see anyone post about someone having issues with a 34/35/17L because something got in the opening in the slide, and there's no shortage of LEOs rocking 34s and 35s.
Unless Ken is posting actual evidence of failures caused by intrusion through the opening, his opinion is just that and worth no more than anyone else's in this instance. Almost like Glock actually thought about what they were doing.
Which means you and I are in agreement. I only cited Ken because my opinion has no empirical basis and does not align with other, possibly more expert, opinions.
But we're heading down a rabbit hole. The primary purpose of my post was to point out that the slides of the Beretta 92 and Glock 34 are functionally different.
G34 all day ever day. I have never ever thought of buying a G17. The next step down is to a G19
T
Get the 34. I teach at at the local academy and we use 17's. I'm not a fan of the 17 but the 34 I like.
Dan
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