Glock G17 vs G19 for defence

Status
Not open for further replies.
M

mondocomputerman

Member
Joined
Jan 9, 2004
Messages
572
Location
Kansas City
Glock G17 vs G19 for defense

I have seriously considered getting a G19 once I save up enough money. I'm now thinking about the G17 after reading some of the posts on this board. I originally thought the 19 would conceal easier, but was wanting some advice if there is really that much difference in size. Is the 17 easier to shoot because it has a longer sight radius and heavier (less recoil) I want something my wife can shoot easily. Any advice or opinions are greatly appreciated.
 
Last edited:
The G17 is harder to conceal. I love the G19, and think it is one of the most size efficient pistols out there, assuming you are willing to buy some hi cap mags for it.


If you are mainly wanting a CCW piece and you dont plan on buying hi caps, I might go with the G26 instead, though. I would mainly base the decision on whether or not I was going to get hi cap mags.
 
I have a g17 that I love.....but in retrospect I should've gotten th 19 or 26 so I could use it for CCW......I've shot both the 19 and 26 and at reasonable self defense distances,they're plenty accurate...IMO:cool:
 
Is that for de-fence at the north end of the pasture, or de-fence at the south end? Oh, defense! OK, I get it. :D

If those are the two choices (i.e. you've decided on a 9mm Glock), the G19 is obviously easier to conceal since it's the compact model.

If it's for your bedside table I think the G17 is the better choice however.

You mentioned your wife wants to shoot it, too. Mine likes the G26 because she has small hands.

Anyway, with all that said, it sounds like the G19 fits your stated requirements best.

Have fun!
ChickenHawk
 
I've had a couple of each and prefer the G19 for it's size.

Recoil feels the same for both the G17 and G19. Both are equally comfortable to shoot.

The slightly shorter sight radius hasn't effected my shooting in any way. Subjectively, the G19 (3rd generation) just feels better in my hand.

Larry
 
I don't have alot of time on the 19, but that frame-size is my favorite in the Glocks. 19/23, etc.

- Gabe
 
17 and 19 are effectively the same gun, choose which ever fits in your hand better. If you are going to CCW it, then the 19 is definitely a better choice. I would imagine most people new to Glocks would barely be able to tell a difference if they werent side by side, they seem to shoot the same. I had a G26 at one point, and I could shoot it more accurately than my G17 for some reason, FWIW(not much)....
 
Is there any noticable difference in muzzle velocity from the longer barrel than the compact? I wouldn't think that such a small difference would make a difference.
 
I can honestly say that from a recoil point of view, if there's any difference between the 17 and the 19, it's pretty hard to tell. As far as sight radius goes... how far are you planning on shooting defensively? Most sources tell us that most shootings take place at a range of less than seven feet... not yards, but feet! There is no aiming going on at those distances. I can honestly say that I don't think there's a significant difference between the guns shooting quicker than one round per second at 25 yards.

As for concealability, the 19 has to be better than the 17, if only marginally. I'd personally be really tempted to go with the 26. You can use a flush magazine in the holster and the extended mag/grip for range work etc...

Velocity differences between the G17 and the G19? Sure... a little bit. But I really don't think enough to warrant a change in carry ammo or anything like that... Certainly not like comparing a 6" 38 Special vs a 2" snub. The Ranger 127 Gr +P+ drops about 40 fps. Standard pressure Ranger 147 Gr drop about 20 fps. Corbon 115 Gr +Ps drop about 50 to 60 fps. All according to ammolab.com He also commented that from a G19, all rounds tested in '9mm Group 1a' were within 40 fps of the factory spec.

Basically, I'd go with the G26 for best concealability and use the extenstions for range work... still a very managable gun, recoil-wise. The G19 if you want greater capacity and a bit more velocity. I'd personally only pick the G17 if it was a duty weapon to be carried openly.
 
I have a 3rd generation G17 and my brother has a 3rd generation G19. They are both great but I like his more. The slightly smaller size is nicer in the hands and it conceals better.

To ME.....the G19 shoots better. I'm selling my G17. If I ever buy another glock it will be the G19 size (but not 9mm so probably the 32)

Just my 2 cents
 
Go with the 19. Nice compact size that will hold more than enough rounds with the correct magazine. IMO, the 17, like the Beretta 92, is an overly large platform for the 9mm.
 
I like the feel of the 17 better, They are both concealed in the same fashion, so I really don't think it matters much as long as you use a good holster. The 17 shoots better for me. I like the 19, but the 17 seems more versatile.
 
For carry I'd go with the 19. If you wanted a range gun, I'd go with the 34 over the 17 unless you absolutely wanted the 17.
 
I'll go against the tide, I carry and prefer a 17. I can shoot it quicker, more effectively, any gun for that matter if there is enough frame for me to get my whole huge hands on. If the shorter grip of the 19 will make / allow you to carry it more often, get that. Personally I sold my little guns to make sure I only carry full size. :D Rent and shoot both, decide.
 
I carry a Glock 19 every day; sometimes as a primary weapon, sometimes as a back up. The 19 is very concealable and easy to shoot. In the backup role it goes into a Lou Alessi Ankle Rig and it simply disappears. I don't know of another handgun you can wear on your ankle that will carry 16+1 rounds of 9mm. My spare mags are Glock 17 mags.

Either will do fine for you as long as you dress correctly.

Chickenhawk, yes, it's "defence" not all of us were born in Texas. lol :D
 
One difference between the Glock 19 and Glock 17 is the size of the finger notch directly below the trigger guard. That finger notch is a little smaller on the G19. Interestingly, the G26 has the same size notch as the G17.

I find the G17 more comfortable to hold and shoot but I certainly appreciate the efficient size of the G19.

Rich
 
I always thought of the G19 as a compromise size between a G17 and a really small 9mm. The G26, although a great little pistol is every bit as thick as a G19 and G17. So I have a G17 for the range, a G19 for everyday, and a Kahr MK9 for something really small.

I prefer shooting the G17, in fact it is a pleasure to plink with, and the MK9 (and especially the PM9) is very concealable, but if you were going to go with one pistol, compromise and get the G19.

Glock really needs to consider a 9mm as thin as the Kahr I think. A Glock the size of a K9 or MK9 would really be something!
 
If you already have the pre-ban mags, go ahead and get the 19. I'm not a Glock guy, but I've yet to hear of anyone who likes Glocks who doesn't like the 19. It seems to fit a lot of people's hands very well. I don't see where the 17 would have any advantage over the 19 for your purposes and it would actually have some disadvantages, not the least of which would be the expense of getting more pre ban mags.
 
I find no use for mid-size guns. If you need a cover garment then you can carry a full size. If you can't wear a cover garment, you need a sub-compact pocket gun.

Of course, if it feels better to you or you shoot it better, go for whatever you like.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

J
  • Locked
G17 & G19
Replies
5
Views
463
possum
P
M
  • Locked
Glock 19 more concealable than Glock 17 wheres the logic in this?
Replies
13
Views
1K
Island Beretta
I
T
  • Locked
  • Poll
Have Glock 26 - Do I Add G17 or G19?
2 3
Replies
60
Views
6K
TrailWolf
T
M
  • Locked
Some help regarding my next purchase (G19 vs G17 vs Shield)
2
Replies
44
Views
2K
JohnBiltz
J
Wanderling
  • Locked
If considering first Glock... don't make my mistake
2 3
Replies
51
Views
5K
tacxted
T
Back
Top