A happy problem

[fanchisimo]

Hello Lassies and Laddies,

My story is such that I've always wanted to like Glocks, their reputation for reliability, parts availability, and I can make dirty jokes because of what it rhymes with. About a year ago, I bought myself a Police trade-in Glock 22. I was horrible with it. My groups were humungous, I couldn't hit the bullseye at 7 yards, I brought great shame to myself. Hari Kari was considered. I figured Glocks just weren't for me as much as I wanted to like them.

Fast forward to this past Friday when I went shooting with my friend and his Brother-in-law who owns a Gen 3 Glock 19. My groups were tight and at a faster pace than any of my other pistols. MY HOPE WAS RESTORED!!! So I am now in the market for a Glock. Thing is, and this is the problem, I can't decide between a 17 and a 19. For what I want it for (Home defense, range work, and maybe competition someday) the 17 would be better suited.

However, it is the same frame as the 22 so I don't want the same problem to manifest. I am at an impasse but I have some time. I joined the GSSF and am now awaiting my coupon.

So should I go for the 17 or 19, what do you guys think?

 

[F-111 John]

Between the G17 and the G19, I'd choose the Glock 19 without a doubt.

That being said, my only Glock is a 26. Santa is bringing a Glock 42 to my wife, but shhhh, don't tell her!

 

[Frank44]

I like the 19 and 23 size Glocks. They feel different in the hand to me and I shoot them well. You only lose two rounds, 15+1 and 13+1 for the 19 and 23. To me, a person used to carrying revolvers, that's plenty of firepower. I'd say try the 17 and see if you shoot it as well. I think the 19 is a better choice as an all around pistol and the 17 would have an edge at the range, but only if you shoot it well. The same goes for the 23 and 22.

 

[tarosean]

17 if competition is in the cards..

 

[Normandy]

I have medium sized hands, and the G19 (I have two) is perfect for me. Considering enlarging the front strap area where my middle finger crowds the trigger guard. Other than that, they are both awesome pistols. What's a couple of rounds difference going to mean in the overall scheme of things?

 

[BSA1]

Buy the one you can get the best price on. I would be inclined to get the Model 17 since carry is not a consideration.

 

[fanchisimo]

BSA, they are gonna be the same price with the GSSF coupon. $425. Capacity is irrelevant because you can throw some 17-round mags in a 19 and take care of that concern. I just really don't want to get the 17 and then have the same results as the 22. Lol.

 

[Teachu2]

Of course, the answer is the G34.

 

[Telekinesis]

I'd choose the 19. I used to have a 17 and while I could shoot it well, the gun just never felt right in my hand. The 19 seems to fit much better and is a nice compromise in size between something small enough to conceal (if you ever decided to in the future) and something that is easy to get good grip on.

FWIW almost all of my pistols (apart from one dedicated suppressor host) are "compact" in the Glock 19 size range. I just find that size fits me better, so my recommendation is biased in that regard.

 

[jhb]

I own a 19, but I prefer the 17. You cant go wrong with either. Course i really prefer the 20......but that's me.

 

[fanchisimo]

If I were to get a Glock 17, do you think it would be hard to trade for a 19? If it wasn't that hard, I'd probably just go for the 17 and if poor shooting results it's no real loss.

 

[RON in PA]

I'll bet that your poor shooting with the 22 was more due to it being chambered for the .40 S&W. 9MM pistols are easier to shoot well. I seriously doubt that you will find that much of a difference between the 17 and 19.

 

[fanchisimo]

That would explain why when I was shooting at a faster pace shots my group was horrible, but not when I was doing slow, aimed fire.

 

[Teachu2]

I have several 9mm Glocks - 17L, 19, 26, 34. There is not a "bad" one in the bunch. I shoot the 34 the most accurately in GSSF Indoor matches, The 17L most accurately when time is not a factor, and the 26 by far the fastest. The 19 isn't tops in any category, but is more accurate than the 26, faster than the 17L, more concealable than the 34, and the one I'd probably keep if I could only have one Glock.

I find the balance on the 19/23 more to my liking than the 17L. I do not own a 17 or 22 to compare them to. The 26 is a hoot - it shoots far more accurately than it ought to and is the fastest of the bunch in my hands. YMMV.

 

[fanchisimo]

Yeah, it's weird how a subcompact pistol can shoot so well. My EDC is the pistol I've always been the best with... at least until the 19 I fired.

 

[Steve C]

Bought my Gen 2 Glock 19 in 1989 and have never wished for a different one. Its been my most shot and main defense handgun for the last 25 yrs. Have added night sights which for a defense pistol is a good addition. It has been a durable handgun without problems firing all kinds of ammo from standard to +P+ pressure.

The Glock is a great tool, not pretty, not attractive compared to my steel and wood guns, just something to use for its intended purpose.

If you get the 19 you should be happy with it. I think of it as a "right size" handgun. Not too small to compromise handling, not too big to be hard to conceal. It has plenty of firepower with 15 rounds of ammo in the magazine, and practically impervious to corrosion from perspiration or weather.

 

[JDR]

Rent a 17 & a 19 shoot 100 rounds of the same 9mm ammo through each & compare the targets to see which one groups the best for you. I would choose my own Gen3 17 but if you like the way the 19 shoots, then that is the right choice.

 

[fanchisimo]

WOOT!!! My coupon came in, much faster than I anticipated.

I have decided to use it for either a 17 or a 34.

If it doesn't work out, you all are to blame. If it does, I made a great call.

If I went for the 34, would it being less common than the 17 cause any problems in the future as far as parts or anything else?

 

[allaroundhunter]

I shoot a 34 competitively... Parts are in abundance. Most of them are the range is used in the other 9mm Glocks. RSA, barrel and sights are, of course, exceptions.

In stock configuration I shoot my Glock 19 much better than the 34. But with the modifications made to my 34 it is definitely a shooter.

 

[heyjoe]

if you can, try out a glock 26. i actually am more accurate with that than the other glock 9mm's. i have read and heard others saying the same.

 

[Spats McGee]

I have no experience with the G17. However, I've had & carried a G19 for about 18 months & it's really great as a jack-of-all-trades gun. Small enough to conceal, large enough to shoot well.

 

[Zerodefect]

GET THE 19! Hopefully I'm not too late.

The 19/23/32/38 Glock compact frames have a weird combination of shapes that are insanely perfect for many shooters. The compacts don't have that huge palm swell like the fullsize Glocks. With a little trigger work, it's one of the best fighting pistols of all time, IMO.

If you have the same hands, then yes, the fullsize G17/G22 just won't shoot as well.

I'd also recommend the gen 4 because, IMO, it has a better texture. Feel free to try the 23. The 19 really isn't that much softer due to the lightweight nature of Glocks.

 

[fanchisimo]

No zero, you're not too late. Lol.

That's what I'm wondering. It's too bad you can't put a 17 or 34 slide on a 19 frame. I think that would be awesome.

 

[allaroundhunter]

No zero, you're not too late. Lol.

That's what I'm wondering. It's too bad you can't put a 17 or 34 slide on a 19 frame. I think that would be awesome.

There are some people who will work over a G17 frame for you to give it G19 dimensions. Glock 19 mags will even be flush fitting afterwards.

 

[Zerodefect]

I think Lone Wolf offers a long slide for the 19/23/32/38's.

But I prefer the mid size models sight radius. The longer models my be easier at long range, but they seem slower for the 1st shot and going target to target. So I wouldn't even bother with a long slide. I'm hitting Gatoraid bottles at 35 yards anyways. Can't complain about that.