Glock 34 -- Somebody Convince Me

[Paul]

I am switching to a new weapon for work. My choices are a Glock 17 or a Glock 34. My first thought is to go with the 17... Bit more standard and so on, but I like some things about the 34.

I'm curious, for those of you that actually own them or have shot them, what advantages, if any, it has (to you) over a 17.

Thanks!

[Pinnacle]

You arent going to find a proper holster for a G34 if you are doing what I think that you are doing wiht it. It is a great gun period...

I would chose the G17 - I have been shooting the same one since 1992!

[Paul]

You arent going to find a proper holster for a G34 if you are doing what I think that you are doing wiht it.

That's a consideration. Safariland does make a number of duty holsters (both belt and leg) for the 34 though.

To clarify, my main reason for considering a 34 is that I'm going to go back to use a weapon mounted light. On a 17, it extends past the end of the slide. On a 34, it will sit more or less flush with the end of the slide. My thought is that if I have a light on there, I might as well had a longer slide... Won't add to the draw length and so on.

[Bitter Bastard]

I really like the longer sight radius of the 34 over a 17. It makes it much easier to shoot in my opinion. A friend also has a 34 and he has a light on it. Shooting a 34 with light attached is very easy. The muzzle just stays put and followup shots are quick. I'd always recommend a 34 over a 17 unless there is a good reason that extra 1" or so is going to matter.

Of course, neither is a 1911...

[MrVvrroomm]

I own both, I'd go with the 17

[Paul]

I own both, I'd go with the 17

Reason?

[MrVvrroomm]

I own both, I'd go with the 17

Reason?

Better balanced pistol to me. I shoot my standard slides better than my long slides.

[MissouriDave]

I own both the 17 and 34, 35 and others

They are both fine guns and are pretty closely matched IMO. I prefer the 34 over the 17 for a couple reasons. I like the longer sight radius for sure. I like the balance better than the 17 and I like the open cut in the slide that lets all the goober snot out. It may let more stuff in, but it has a good way to get out. I have a TLR1 and a M3X and it behaves well with both - and the ends match up.

The down side is less holster options, but if you like the Safariland offerings that is not an issue.

It is definitely a personal preference choice. If I never owned a 17 again, it wouldn't be a big deal. I still would have my 5" bbl. Glocks. I am sure you will continue to see preferences going both ways.

[Hammer99...]

I have a gen3 34 and 35. I had a 17 for years. I let it go to a forum member.

I loved both guns and really didn't shoot one better then the other. However, once you start getting out past 15 yards or so the 34 does become easier to get accurate hits with. Minute changes in sight alignment are more obvious with the longer sight radius.

I had the both. I ditched the 17 and kept the 34... I would do the same again...

[timwarner]

I have a 17/34 and a 22/35. In both cases I prefer the 34 and 35 over the smaller counterparts. They seem to handle better for me.

The sight radius is one thing, but I don't think it really helps all that much. I have switched between 22/35 at various USPSA events and neither seems to get a picture faster than the other. The recoil impulse feels different on a 34/35 than the smaller counterparts, to me.

[Cuda66]

I have a G34 wtih a Surefire X300 attached that is my "bump in the night" pistol. The end of the light is pretty much even with the end of the frame, and the extra weight does really nice things to the controllability of the pistol; the muzzle barely rises.

But, to be fair, I'll have to try it out on the G17, to see if it runs as well...been shooting 1911's pretty much exclusively lately...

[Squib Joe]

17L!

[Countryfried Frank]

To clarify, my main reason for considering a 34 is that I'm going to go back to use a weapon mounted light. On a 17, it extends past the end of the slide. On a 34, it will sit more or less flush with the end of the slide. My thought is that if I have a light on there, I might as well had a longer slide... Won't add to the draw length and so on.

If your primary reason to lean towards the 34 is because the barrel is as long as TODAYs light then consider how long yesterdays light was and how long tomorrows light is likely to be. Electronics only get smaller, cheaper and more powerful.

[farmerj]

17.

34 has a ported barrel. OK maybe for competition, but not for carry. just my .02

[Squib Joe]

34 has a ported barrel.

Nope.