School me on the Glock 17L & 34.

[Straight Shooter]

Gents..I HAVE used the search button here, and elsewhere. If Ive missed it, please forgive.
My questions today concern the 17L & 34 Glocks. Never seen a 17L, and only handled a 34. Ill just list my questions numerically, and yall can answer any of them you can. And I really appreciate your help/info.
1. What parts are "extended" on either gun? Mag release, slide lock, ect.
2. Either have a mag funnel/guide on magwell?
3. Trigger pull on either gun...the same or lighter than a standard 17/19?
4. What night sights would yall recommend for defense/target/completion shooting?
5. What is the ballistic advantage of either over a G17?
6.Are the recoil spring guide rods poly or steel?
7. What spring rates are recommended for either?
8.Does one model have an advantage/dis-advantage over the other?
9. What mods are commonly done to either, besides sights?
10. Do either model suffer from the current maladies some Glocks are experiencing, like my 17, poor ejection/extraction ect?
11. Do they still make either in Gen 3 or are they all Gen 4 now?
I may have more questions soon, but for now this is all. All answers appreciated!!

[Palmguy]

Frames are identical to G17 (no extended funnel, etc).
G34 comes with extended slide stop/release and extended mag release.
Gen3 G34 comes with either the standard connector or the minus connector. Most commercial guns (non blue label) should have the minus connector (lighter trigger pull).
Gen3 guns have the same poly guide rod/recoil spring that the G17 uses.

[sadmin]

I own both, I answered what I could below your questions.

Gents..I HAVE used the search button here, and elsewhere. If Ive missed it, please forgive.
My questions today concern the 17L & 34 Glocks. Never seen a 17L, and only handled a 34. Ill just list my questions numerically, and yall can answer any of them you can. And I really appreciate your help/info.
1. What parts are "extended" on either gun? Mag release, slide lock, ect.
2. Either have a mag funnel/guide on magwell?
no
3. Trigger pull on either gun...the same or lighter than a standard 17/19?
3.5 I think, ill confirm when I get home; which is lighter than 17&19 I own both
4. What night sights would yall recommend for defense/target/completion shooting?
I like a fiber front for comp. and some sort of black rear with a trij. front
5. What is the ballistic advantage of either over a G17?
Not sure here, though the 17&34 difference is pretty minimal
6.Are the recoil spring guide rods poly or steel?
poly
7. What spring rates are recommended for either?
8.Does one model have an advantage/dis-advantage over the other?
17L wont work for IDPA, its too long. Its really just a hobby gun IMO. The 34 would be the choice.
9. What mods are commonly done to either, besides sights?
on 34, grip tape. done.
10. Do either model suffer from the current maladies some Glocks are experiencing, like my 17, poor ejection/extraction ect?
Not on either of my gen3s.
11. Do they still make either in Gen 3 or are they all Gen 4 now?
I think 17L is gen 3 only.
I may have more questions soon, but for now this is all. All answers appreciated!!

[Straight Shooter]

WOW... great answers right off the bat. THANKS! Keep em coming please.

[samuse]

I've gone back and forth between a 17 and 34 in competition and outshot myself every time with a 19.

I had a new 17L in '09 and it was BTF one. We didn't realize it then, but it definitely suffered from all of the current problems.

[Straight Shooter]

samuse-
If you HAD to pick one..which would it be and why?

[Big A]

They are both the same except for barrel/slide length. The 34 complies with the rules for IDPA and the 17L does not. They both have the "-" connector.

Back around July I was at my LGS and I asked about a Gen4 34 and they said they got one in and sold it that same day so I didn't actually see it to confirm they exsist. They do a ton of business and move a lot of Glocks

I have a 17L that I have yet to shoot because I've been using my ammo and range time with my 19 and 17 to focus on my skills and not just plinking. Had it about a year and a half. I bought it because I had never seen one and heard they were really rare. A few weeks after the same store had about twelve 17L's and 24's in their case.

[sadmin]

Ill answer that question as well just for another data point.

If I had zero glocks and wanted one to carry & compete with, IDPA in my situation as USPSA isnt close proximity wise, it would be a 19.

If I had a 19 and was choosing between a 17 & 34 to compete with and use as a HD/all around hip gun; I would choose a 17.

If I wanted to take IDPA seriously and money was a non-issue, I would get the 34.

Thats my rookie .02. FWIW, I shoot my 19 more than anything and enjoy using it in IDPA as well.

[Straight Shooter]

sadmin-
You don't sound like no rookie to me...thank you much for the info!
The 19...Ive some time with them, and do like them, but all my life Ive loved full sized, or long barreled guns. LOVE my 17, it aint going nowhere. Im just itching for a long Glock, hell I cant explain it no better than that.

[sadmin]

Understand completely, Im the same way. Definately the 34 then, tons more holster options. I wear mine when im at my folks ranch where the meth labs are tucked deep in the east texas woods.