Glock 19 vs Glock 17 for CCW

[lpsharp88]

Why don't more people carry a full frame Glock? Below is the length, height, width, and loaded weight for a Glock 19 and a Glock 17.
Glock 19
Length:7.36 in
Height:5.04 in
Width:1.18 in
Weight (Loaded):30.16 oz

Glock 17
Length:8.03 in
Height:5.43 in
Width:1.18 in
Weight (Loaded):32.10 oz

All of these numbers came from the Glock website, so feel free to check them if you wish. My question is, does an extra .67 inches in length, .39 inches in height, and 1.94 ounces really make that big of a deal for CCW?

 

[Inebriated]

They do make a difference for me. I can carry my 19 under a t-shirt, and keep it concealed. My 21 (same height) will poke out at the grip, if I don't have a light jacket. I also have to watch how I move with the 21, where the 19 will stay concealed no matter how I'm moving.

Now, how you carry will depend on your body.

 

[trickyasafox]

For me it did not- sold my G23, but the G17 is still in the safe. Also sold my commander 1911. Mid-size guns don't lend themselves (in my case) to significantly easy carry to justify any degradation in shootability. Still have officer sized guns, would still consider a baby glock- but no more middle range stuff for me.

 

[Soldiernurse]

Don't own a G17. My G19 & Walther PPQ is the max size I will CCW.

So, yes it makes a difference

BTW, I too OIF.

 

[777TRUTH]

The differences between the G17's and G19's measurement on paper are pretty small but in actual carry it is a huge difference for a slim guy like me.

The G19 and G26 are no problem though.

 

[TAKtical]

I carry a 17 or a full size 1911 under a tshirt. A good holster helps. I wear one size bigger shirt and usually dark colors. I shoot full size pistols better than compacts so I wouldnt consider carrying anything else. Also, a good forward cant helps conceal a larger grip and the grip is what will print. You wouldnt believe how many people request a non canted holster.

 

[ku4hx]

I own a Gen2 17, a Gen3 19, a Gen3 26 and a Gen4 19 purchased in that order. I'm a big guy (275 lbs.) and even for me the 17 was just a mite too big to be "optimum". Then I got the Gen3 19 and my daughter claimed it ... OK fine. So I tried the 26 and it was great! But with my rather large mitts it just never felt "optimum". The I got the Gen4 19 and it not only felt "optimum" it felt perfect to me.

The moral of the story is we're all different and to some of us a grain of sand in our shoe feels like a boulder. Some people are just more sensitive to certain things than others and that's all part of being an individual.

If one prefers the full size G17 then that's what one should have and carry.

 

[CDW4ME]

The grip on a 19 fills my hand, do not need or want any more.

The extra .43 (or whatever) of height the 17 has over the 19 is another .xx" of potential printing if carried strong side IWB, would require ____ to compensate.
(If you are picky about any printing like me.)

Measurements don't always reflect the real world practical difference, a Glock 26 is about 1/2" shorter in the slide than a 19; that 1/2" extra on the 19 is very noticeable if you attempt IWB appendix carry.

 

[Dreamliner787]

Not that big of a difference between G26 vs. G19, but I feel that there's a big difference between EDC G19 vs. G17. G19 is my EDC.

 

[tarosean]

really make that big of a deal for CCW?

For two whole rounds gained. Yeah its too much of a difference in the hand/hip.

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

I just had a customer in yesterday debating those exact guns. After shooting them from our rental case, he decided on the Glock 19. His reason was because it fit his hand (and his wife's hand) better than the G17. The other deciding factor was because it would be used for concealed carry and they feld the G17 was a tad too big. She was petite/small framed and would have a hard time concealing the G17. I told them the G19 would still be a challenge but with the right holster, it's possible.

 

[2wheels]

The short answer is what's on paper may or may not equate to how it works for the individual in real life.

Whatever the gun, Glock 17 vs 19, 1911 Gov. vs Commander, etc. Sometimes that tiny difference in size or weight makes a huge difference in how easy the gun is to conceal. It really depends on the individual and how they carry.

I can tell you from my own experience, the difference between carrying a full sized Government model 1911 and a Commander style 1911 is a big one! Cutting 3/4" off that barrel makes a world of difference for me.

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

Inside-the-Waistband, the differences are pretty big deals, at least to me.

 

[orionengnr]

I could never get comfortable carrying/concealing the G23/G19.
I am pretty sure that trying a taller, longer, heavier one would not be a solution.

 

[mljdeckard]

Not to me. I always carry full-size guns.

But that's not to say everyone else should too. But I roll my eyes when people say 'you can't carry _____ because it's too big" OF COURSE you can.

 

[mljdeckard]

Double-tap

 

[amprecon]

I have big mitts and I shoot the 19 better than the 17, but I shoot the 21 better than any of them, go figure.

 

[TAKtical]

Inside-the-Waistband, the differences are pretty big deals, at least to me.

Why would it make a difference IWB? Every 9, 40, 357sig glock are the same width. The difference is the grip and barrel length. One is covered by the pants and the other is covered by the shirt.

 

[12131]

Why would it make a difference IWB? Every 9, 40, 357sig glock are the same width. The difference is the grip and barrel length. One is covered by the pants and the other is covered by the shirt.

Why do you think what applies to you also applies to other folks? Everyone has his or her own unique body habitus, clothing preferences, plus environmental differences.
Then, little differences in grip and barrel length on paper translate into huge deal in real life carry, as already mentioned.

 

[hentown]

Why don't more people carry a full frame Glock?

Because some people know who's buried in Grant's tomb!

 

[Infidel4life11]

Carrying front IWB. I could carry my 19 wearing shorts and a tank without issues. My 17 really didnt inprint a whole lot more but it was enough for me to wear a bigger shirt. With it being cold I've been using custom made Kydex holsters on my hip with my M&P9 threaded barrel TLR1 and 6 shot mag extension which is huge size wise but I'm wearing a jacket most of the time.

 

[coalman]

Why don't more people carry a full frame Glock? ... My question is, does an extra .67 inches in length, .39 inches in height, and 1.94 ounces really make that big of a deal for CCW?

Larger guns are larger. Smaller guns are smaller. It's easier to carry smaller guns. It makes a difference, and the smaller you are the bigger the difference. Regardless, think in percentages.

 

[leadchucker]

I always thought a G17 would be too bulky to try to conceal. I recently acquired a G17 due to an offer I couldn't refuse. (I'm sure we have all experienced those )

Surprisingly, it fits almost perfectly in my Galco Tuck n Go that I bought for my G36. When it's tucked under my shirt, I definitely know it's there, but it's not uncomfortable, and it really doesn't show.

 

[mgmorden]

Never trust numbers on a paper as to whether or not something will be comfortable to carry. Tiny differences in measurements often greatly affect carryability.

 

[tcj]

All depends upon your body, your clothing and how you wear the gun.

I can comfortably carry my G17 IWB in a Minataur (Comp-Tac).