Glock questions G34 vs G17

[socalbeachbum]

does anyone know if the slide weights are close to the same between the G34 and G17?

I am considering a build using as light a recoil spring as I can. I'm thinking the geometry of the G34 vs the G17 makes it more likely to function well as the barrel may tilt to a slightly shallower angle compared to the G17. This point might be irrelevant, and testing may be the only way to find out.

My purpose it having an easier to cock glock. But I don't want to sacrifice reliability. I run lighter recoil springs in my Beretta 96 Vertec, 92A1, and Ruger P85 with much success. I had a G17 with Wolff 10 lbs. spring and it functioned pretty well but not perfect, and I sold it prematurely, should have kept working with it. Now have the urge for another Glock.

Arthritis has weakened my hands, this is my reason. I may also work with an XD9 5" that is on it's way to me soon.

 

[1KPerDay]

https://www.glocktalk.com/threads/glock-slide-weight-chart.1615919/

not sure how reliable that chart is but it says the G34 gen 4 at least is roughly .3 oz heavier than the gen 4 G17. Gen 3 G34 numbers not available there.

Have you considered a slide racker?

 

[Zerodefect]

Just rack off of your holster. Haven't had a real malf or a need to rack, other than training, a Glock in 20 years. Also check your technique. Most older shooters with arth are still using the obsolete sling shot technique.

I think the 34 would be better than a 17. And you can go a bit lighter on the recoil spring. Often, the 34 and 35 come with the same spring, which is fine for .40, a bit much for 9mm.

 

[socalbeachbum]

thanks zero. and yes, I slingshot. have for years. an old dog might be able to learn a new trick though.

 

[socalbeachbum]

and a slim slide racker could help

 

[1KPerDay]

thanks zero. and yes, I slingshot. have for years. an old dog might be able to learn a new trick though.

racking the slide with your weak hand palm on one side of the slide and your fingers on the other may solve your problem. particularly with arthritic fingers, this allows larger muscle groups to do the squeezing.

Grip with weak hand, push forward with strong hand, release weak hand.

 

[1KPerDay]

Like this

 

[socalbeachbum]

1k, thanks. video shows how to do it right. I've tried this with my 92A1 and not kept my flesh away from the breech and gotten 'bit' between the Beretta exposed barrel and breech face. I need to practice this. I certainly notice how many 'tactical' pistols put serrations at the front of the slide. Might be great for a Glock. But a Beretta 92/96 has no meat there just a barrel hanging out in the breeze.

 

[1KPerDay]

Yeah, Berettas with the safety on the slide are a special case. Gotta be mindful of the safety/decockers. I've unintentionally put my 92FS on safe during a course of fire. I wish Beretta would go back to the frame mounted safety.

Some Beretta users make use of the curved portion at the front of the slide to rack it, but it's a bit close to the muzzle for my comfort.

 

[socalbeachbum]

I'm not putting my hand at the front of the muzzle. My 96 Vertec is a decocker G model and probably I'll convert the 92A1 to G type also. I have also a Jericho coming to me that should run well with an 8 lb spring. My Berettas run 9 lbs and the Ruger is 8 lbs. The XD 5" will try to run with 9 lbs and see how that goes.

 

[grampajack]

I had a Glock 35 and the slide was about the same weight as a standard length slide in my hands. There's a cutout above the barrel that reduces the weight.

I also looked into getting a 34 upper for a 17, and the locking blocks for both were the same, thus I would venture to guess that the cam angle might be the same for both, or at least the difference might be negligible. You would have to look at both barrels and see if the locking lugs are machined differently, or if one is simply a longer version of the other. I believe you can actually use a 34 barrel in a 17 even.

 

[L-2]

G34gen3 slide: 14.1 oz. (this has a Kensight adjustable rear sight which is likely heavier then the fixed sights on the other slides weighed)
G17gen3 slide: 12.8 oz.

G34Gen4 slide: 13.2 oz.
G17Gen4 slide: 12.8 oz.

 

[socalbeachbum]

thanks L-2. so the G34 slide could stand a bit lightening. maybe.