Glock 34 -- Somebody Convince Me

[Paul]

One concern I have about the 34 is the adjustable rear sights. On a defensive pistol I prefer the more durable fixed sights.

Either one would be getting Trijicon night sights.

[RobD]

One concern I have about the 34 is the adjustable rear sights. On a defensive pistol I prefer the more durable fixed sights.

My 34 came with fixed sites... (the rear site fell out at the Farnam class though... not quite designed for slide racking...)

[Hammer99...]

One concern I have about the 34 is the adjustable rear sights. On a defensive pistol I prefer the more durable fixed sights.

Other than that, I see no reason not to carry a G34 over the G17, particularly if concealment is not an issue. Even then, with an IWB holster and/or proper outer garments, the extra barrel length shouldn't be a problem.

I'm a total Glock fanboy but lets face it. Standard Glock sights in any flavor are crap. And to tell you the truth I like the fact that I can just throw them out. That way I can install sights of my choice....

[MissouriDave]

Trijicon HD sights are great. Stock Glock plastic sights are not for sure.

With the 34, the barrel length will be the same approx. as the end of the light. So there is no increased length to pull the firearm out of the holster. The extra barrel length will yield higher velocities. With those higher velocities comes greater bullet expansion, usually considered a good thing.

A reference for some testing: http://www.firearmstactical.com/ammo_data/9mm.htm.

Why not gain the extra velocity and sight radius? The 34 is as easy to carry as the 17. The light will need less cleaning, and will experience less stress due to being under the barrel instead of sticking out and receiving a direct hit from the shock wave of the superheated gasses hitting the cooler air. It might save a few bulbs.?

[dleong]

I opted for the Hi-Viz front sight and LPA target adjustable rear sight on my G34:





The stock plastic adjustable rear sight was unusable for target work as the adjustments were excessively coarse (one click of elevation adjustment would move the POI at 25 yards about 2") and its discontinuous top edge proved a visual distraction that hindered target acquisition. When replacing the rear sight, the factory sight could be removed with just finger pressure!

The current sight set-up, together with some trigger tweaks (2 lb. break with zero overtravel), has helped me realize this firearm's true accuracy potential (sub-2" groups at 25 yards with my subsonic handloads).

[timwarner]

Farmer, a 34C is ported. As Paul said:

The top of the slide is cut out to drive weight and achieve better balance, but the barrel is not ported.

It's cut out to make the slide weigh the same as the slide on a 17, so that the same recoil spring may be used.

Where can I get a 34C?

[MissouriDave]

Lone Wolf has the 34C.

[timwarner]

replacement barrel does not a 34C make.

[MissouriDave]

MyBad.

Edit:

Forgot that the 34 shot so good Glock decided they didn't need a "C" version.

[rtk]

I had a 34 and sold it. I prefer the 17 as I can get it out of the the holster a bit quicker.

YMMV.

[MissouriDave]

I don't think I'm buying in on getting a 34 with a light out of the holster faster than a 17 with a light. Maybe I am wrong.

[rtk]

I don't think I'm buying in on getting a 34 with a light out of the holster faster than a 17 with a light. Maybe I am wrong.

I bought the 34 for IDPA (no light) and found that I could do just as well or better with the 17 (no light). I try to shoot what I carry....17 (no light) or 19 (no light), I won't go anything smaller in frame size.

[Pinnacle]

replacement barrel does not a 34C make.

Ummm yeah it does.

[Erik_Pakieser]

One concern I have about the 34 is the adjustable rear sights. On a defensive pistol I prefer the more durable fixed sights.

My 34 came with fixed sites... (the rear site fell out at the Farnam class though... not quite designed for slide racking...)

Thanks for point that out, I've only seen them with adjustable sights, and assumed they came that way.

[Consummate]

I definitely like my 34 more than my 17, or 19.