I use a lone wolf solid top slide to deal with this issue.
I think the 34 is great as a dedicated light gun, this is how I keep use it. I keep a sure fire x300 on mine. If you are adding extra length with the light I see no reason not to match it with longer site radius and barrel.
In the Hackathorne class I took Ken recounted a story of a friend working undercover who had a 34 and had a penny or dime fall in the opening and jam the gun up.
I converted a ful size .357 sig Glock 31 to the solid top lone wolf 34 with a factory Glock barrel. Awesome gun! A factory 34 is not something I would use for defensive reasons.
I’ve had brass land in/on top of the front cutout on the slide numerous times. The gun just kicked it off itself after the next shot so not a big deal.
There are numerous G34s and G35s serving in LE successfully. Debris collection in the slide gap is on the list of possibilities, but it’s problem potential is usually overstated.
Deliberate experimentation on this issue is instructive.
Ya, we do carry the same points of view on things (even if we do not know it). Hackathorn always told me that he thought poorly of the 34 for defensive work and his reasons made sense. Then I read (like everyone else on the forum) LAV’s opinion. So two of the best minds in the combat world think it is a poor choice. Hmm, is that a clue??
I think we know Glock dosent recomend it for duty because of lawyers. People also point out that Glock call’s it a slide lock, but then also make a factory extended slide lock for some crazy reason.
The question I always want to ask is why?? What does the 34 give you that a 17 or 17L won’t??? If you say accuracy, there isn’t enough there to warrant the penalty. If you say capacity, that isn’t true either. If you say trigger pull weight, that can be addressed with ONE part changed out.
Yesterday, I was taking out a large & heavy bag of trash. It had long loops for the draw strings. As I lifted it up (chest level) to throw it into the dumpster, the loop hooked around my Glock. As I threw the trash bag, my Glock went sailing across the road and slid to a stop. There were little rocks and debris all around it. If that had been a 34/35, how many rocks would have gotten into that channel??
Common sense dictated that I do a full function check of the gun, but what if that had been in a fight? How much time would I have had to check and clean out the gun???
So for me, this gun simply doesn’t make any sense for defensive use (as the risks out way the reward).
Grant for me that’s a simple answer to a simple question. I choose the 34 for the sight radius my eyes aren’t as good as they use to be so the sight radius on the 34 lets me get a sight picture a little faster than a 17. Now don’t get me wrong I also carry another 17 on my entry vest. Accuracy from a 34 to a 17 is pretty much the same until you start taking long shots 50 yards plus and also what type of ammo are you shooting out of it as well and even at those distances both pistols in the hands of a good shooter or operator will have similar groups. Just my .02 cents worth.
Take ECQC from SouthNarc and you’ll see in a hurry how possible of an issue this can be (I.e. two people wrestling over a gun on the ground). I carry an XD and am now looking to pin the grip safety because of this. I used to think there’s no reason debris could get in there and block it… after ECQC I have changed my mind on that issue, and it applies even more so to the gaping slot in the g34/35
We did a drill with LAV many years ago where you had to drag a wounded person back behind cover. We saw dirt, sticks, etc inside of guns, sights, mags, pouches, etc, etc. Doing this a few times will make you change a lot of things in regards to gun and gear setups.
Exactly. I kind of consider it a “you don’t know what you don’t know” kind of thing. Putting your gear AND yourself through the paces will reveal a lot… such as how possible it is for crap to get into your gun, and how horrible it can affect it when you need it
Grant your not rude at all. I understand your point 100% most of the time when we are training I spend so much time teaching and preparing correcting our rookie and cocky operators
That when I want to use the clock we get a callout and there goes our day.
I’ve carried a 35 for the last eight years as a duty weapon (plain clothes) and as my secondary in a SWAT role. For me it’s simple, I shoot it better, especially at distance, and my PD allows me to carry it. Prior to Glocks I carried 1911’s so maintenance was considerably easier. As for speed I am actually a little faster with my 23 on CSAT drills etc. but for me past 20 yards the wheels start to come off using the smaller gun. I am truly envious of guys that shoot lights out with a 19.
As for debris and what not causing a malfunction I could see it but it has never happened to me in several thousands of rounds and multiple classes. Bottom line guns are for sending bullets where you want them to go. I personally do this better with a 35. YMMV and so on an so forth.
Seem like people are dropping contrary clues to your clue. That’s a clue that clues maybe tinged with personal bias. There’s a difference between “this one time a dime magically caused the pistol to malfuction"and " M&P 9s have a wide spread accuracy problem”. Frequency is important.
Take ECQC from SouthNarc and you’ll see in a hurry how possible of an issue this can be (I.e. two people wrestling over a gun on the ground). I carry an XD and am now looking to pin the grip safety because of this. I used to think there’s no reason debris could get in there and block it… after ECQC I have changed my mind on that issue, and it applies even more so to the gaping slot in the g34/35
Not my “clues.” People that have a far more experience with firearms and combat give me the clues. From a pure common sense look, it doesn’t make sense to shoot one over a G17 and no one (to date) has shown proof (timed drills) that the 34/35 gives them a real advantage.
Many of the people that say “haven’t had an issue” haven’t spent much (or any) time wrestling in gravel, mud, etc.
If you “think” you know better, drive on (your life, not mine).