Is the Glock 19 generally preferred to the 17?

[quickcanary]

Due in part to the help of the members on this forum, I decided to purchase a Glock for my first pistol. There were basically two key factors that led to my decision: one was because most agree that Glock makes a very good 9mm pistol that is easy to take down and can take a lot of abuse; the other was price. I was able to order a Glock for $460 shipped through the group buy when a local gun shop wanted $540 for a preowned G19. Some of you may remember that I was also interested in a Sig, but ultimately I couldn't justify paying so much more for one. I don't know what is up with the pricing around here, but the local stores were quoting me $650 and up for most of their preowned 226/229s. After a quick search through the FS/FT forums I was able to find much more reasonable pricing on those models, but my dealers expressed very little interest in helping me acquire a gun that way if they were able to sell me the same model at their normal markup. I'm not sure if that's standard or what, but I finally found one that was willing to help me obtain a Glock through the group buy (he didn't have any in stock at the time).

Anyway, enough background info...I have already sent the MO and initially planned on going with the 19 simply because it seems like it's a more popular choice. However, after reading about sight distance and manageability of follow-up shots with guns that have longer barrels, I wonder if I should consider the 17. I've personally held the 17 and 26, but haven't found anyone around here with a 19 yet (aside from the stores which were closed when I stopped by). I checked the technical data on Glock's site and the 19 really doesn't appear to be that much smaller -- roughly half an inch in terms of barrel length and sight distance.

I guess my questions are, would the 17 be appreciably more accurate? Enough that I should consider it over the 19? OTOH, would the 19 be more suitable as a carry weapon over the 17 (or would one typically just go for the 26 for a personal carry 9mm?).

Like I said, if I let it go I should be the proud new owner of a 19 in about a week and a half. There's probably still time to change my mind though, so I thought I'd ask if anyone thinks the 17 would be a better choice.

 

[RNB65]

I prefer the 17. I used to buy compact pistols, but recently I've found that I prefer the weight and balance of the full-size pistols. My last three handgun purchases were a 1911, a CZ SP01, and a Glock 17.

 

[10-Ring]

For me, being in CA, I prefer the 19 over the 17, mostly because I can't buy mags to take advantage of the 17's capacity (since both are 10 round mags only) and I shoot the 19 just as well.

 

[quickcanary]

Well, my uncle has a 17 and it felt good in my hands. The thought hit me today that I might be better off going with a full size pistol for range duty and instead of going with the 19 now, just getting a compact when I want to start carrying. I wasn't sure if the 19 was small enough to consider as a carry weapon...but as I said, if you can carry the 19, the 17 looks to be just a tad larger so I wasn't sure if the difference was that great in reality.

10-Ring, the higher capacity mags are another advantage of the 17 that I forgot to mention in my OP. High cap mags aren't an issue around here so I'd be fine with either.

 

[glockman19]

Congratulations. You will be very happy with your decision.

 

[ftierson]

I picked up my first Glocks in 1991, including a Glock 21 and a Glock 17...

My brother picked up a Glock 19 about five years later.

I have been very happy with both the G21 and the G17, but the one thing that I didn't like as much about the early G17 was the swell on the back of the grip that didn't fit my hand too well. It actually swells just enough to feel slightly uncomfortable in my hand. I didn't really even notice it until I held my brother's G19, which didn't have the swell and fit my hand better...

A few months ago, I decided to pick up a G19 too...

Since I know that there have been a number of changes in the Glocks over the years (finger grooves added to the grip front strap, among other things), I decided to visit a local store and hold both before ordering the G19...

Low and behold, what I found was that the current G17 grip feels perfect in my hand and the current G19 grip doesn't (the G19 being too short and the butt of the grip feeling slightly uncomfortable).

So, instead of adding a G19, I'm going to get another (current) G17...

Having said all this, I could still live with a G19 if I had to...

But I don't (have to)...

For what it's worth...

By the way, I should also mention that the current Taurus PT 24/7 PRO guns, the Beretta PX4 and the Steyr M9-A1 all feel really wonderful in my hand, too...



Forrest

 

[vnepilot]

It really depends on the person and your hands, definately shoot a 19 and a 17 side by side before you buy. For me I actually shoot a GLOCK 19 more accurate and faster than I can a 17.

 

[MS .45]

I decided on the Glock 17. I already had a 26 and I wanted a true full size 9mm. I have not been disappointed. That being said I would like to have the 19 some day, and maybe the 34, oh and a 21..........

 

[Surefire]

To me the palm swell on the G17 and G19 feel different.

The G19 grip to me is about as good of a grip that I can find on a Glock. The G17 grip does not feel right to me. YMMV

To me, if they made a Glock 30 that was similar to the G19 in feel, it would be the perfect Glock. I love .45 ACP, but I don't like the chopped grip of the G30...

 

[legion3]

Glock 19 for me and a 26 for good measure...17 is a great full size gun but I am not in the market for a full size gun...

 

[grimjaw]

I settled on a G19 after going through a few other 9mm carry choices. It was a compromise. For about half the year where I live, clothing choices make it easy to conceal the G19. The G17 trigger is the same, both guns point the same for me. I have smaller hands than some, and the G19 fits well.

I thought about getting a G17 as a "house gun" or for situations when I might open carry, but then I thought I might as well go with something in .357SIG. Then I thought, why not just go with .357 Magnum 180gr in a 6" revolver and to heck with the shell chuckers?

jm

 

[possum]

i like the 19 the best, for some reason i like guns that size like the glock 19, xd service model etc. the great thing about the 19 is the fact that you can conceal it yet use it for almost every other application that a handgun might be needed for.

 

[ny32182]

I went with the 19 because I planned to carry it, and the 19 is the perfect size for carry for me. I personally find the 26 to be uncomfortably small, and the 17 bigger than it needs to be for carry purposes.

 

[Jenrick]

I find most people who put a minimum of planning and get a halfway decent holster can carry a G17 as easily as G19. Shoot I carry a G34.

However find what's most comfortable and that you shoot the best.

-Jenrick

 

[Steve C]

I bought my Glock 19 some 18 years ago and haven't regretted it once. Most people actually shoot the 19 better than the 17. Its small enough to conceal and large enough to provide a good grip and sight radius. I've shot the smaller 26 and the larger 19, neither has any appeal for me.

 

[LoadedDrum]

I had a 17, in retrospect, I wish I bought a 19 because it is better for carry and they make grip extenders when you just have to have an extra 2 rounds.

 

[CountGlockula]

Great choice. Honestly, I bet you'll end up owning both 19 and 17.

I own a Glock 35 with a long barrel and it's super accurate. But I've also shot a G22 that's also accurate.

Just get familiar with your G19 and later purchase the 17. At least you have use for concealed carry with the 19.

Welcome to the Glock side!

 

[Onmilo]

I now own two Glock Model 26 pistols., a Model 34 and a Model 19.
A Glock 17 was the very first Glock I ever fired.
Never felt compelled to own one yet.
I like the Model 19 best of all of them.

 

[JDGray]

Just got back from the range, and my Brother and I both shot my 19 better than his 17. No explaination other than my gun has different sights. We were shooting at golfballs, and after a few misses, I picked up my CZ75 and started hitting. He said I was cheating But again, the sights are smaller and eaiser to hit accurately.

 

[jlh26oo]

for carry, generally yes. though i prefer the 17/34.

 

[Glockman17366]

I have a 17 and a 19C. I'd bought both used (the 17 was originally a 17L).
The 19 feels better in my hand and is my second most frequently carried handgun. All around usage, the 19 is probably the better choice.
Either gun conceals quite well under a sports jacket.

I'd go to a range that rents guns...see which one fits you better.

 

[Edmond]

I was also interested in a Sig, but ultimately I couldn't justify paying so much more for one. I don't know what is up with the pricing around here, but the local stores were quoting me $650 and up for most of their preowned 226/229s.

Wow, those prices are closer to new guns than used ones.

I like the G19 over the G17 for the size. I'm a small guy, 5'7", 135 lbs. I don't have a G19 but I've shot and worked on many of them. It's the most popular firearm at my job (PI Agency). Everyone carries a G19 with the exception of 2 guys who carry the G17. I carry my P2K 9mm.

IMO, I think the G19 is one of the finest 9mm handguns in the world.

As for the Sig pricing, yes, it does cost more. But shoot a Sig and you'll be closer to justifying the extra cost. Don't forget that Sig has a CPO (Certified Pre-Owned) program where they sell inspected/warrantied for 1 year used guns in the $500-$550 neighborhood.

Check out: www.ordnanceoutsellers.com and www.scpfirearms.com for those CPO's.

 

[Croyance]

I don't think what other people prefer should be too much of a concern. Looking at the reasons given might be more enlightening.
I prefer the G34 if concealment is not a concern. Longer sight radius. Even softer recoil - not much of a concern with 9x19, but that means even less adjustment to get my sight picture back.

 

[Retro]

Be as wicked as it may, one must have marveled at the amount of damage and devastation a G19 can do.

 

[Piedmont Plinker]

Hmm- I remeber reading somewhere that the G19 could not fire underwater. Is that true?
Oh yeah, the NYPD issues the G19s. Never really figured out why, when the gun with the longer barrel and more capacity would make more sense than a snubbie for belt carry.