I shot my first action pistol competition on Saturday and now I'm hooked! I shot my glock 19 that is my carry gun and did pretty well with it. But now I need something better. I wanna stick with glock because I'm use to the trigger and I can easily work on them. I can't make up my mind between a Glock 34 and 17. I would appreciate any help to decide between the two.
New gun for action pistol competitions
- Thread starter drew2500
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Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
While the answer might seem simplistic, Eddie's question is pretty good.
If this is your first action match, your performance is most likely to improve by spending the $5-600 on ammo and match fees, rather than a new pistol. The G19 will do just fine for you until you're at least up in the "Expert" or "B" classifications. Might want to get a set of Warren sights for it (fiber optics), and perhaps an aftermarket connector, but what you most need is training and practice, not equipment upgrades.
IMH(but experienced)O
If this is your first action match, your performance is most likely to improve by spending the $5-600 on ammo and match fees, rather than a new pistol. The G19 will do just fine for you until you're at least up in the "Expert" or "B" classifications. Might want to get a set of Warren sights for it (fiber optics), and perhaps an aftermarket connector, but what you most need is training and practice, not equipment upgrades.
IMH(but experienced)O
ny32182
Member
G34 is what you will want to get eventually, but Sam is right.
Thanks for the help. I love my 19, I placed 4th out of 20 with it. I was thinking the longer sight radius would help me be a lil more accurate and the extra weight would help lessen recoil a lil. I was able to shoot pretty fast but my second shot would be off.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
4th out of 20 in your first outing? Wow!
What kind of competition was this? IDPA, USPSA, or a local home-grown type match?
What kind of competition was this? IDPA, USPSA, or a local home-grown type match?
ny32182
Member
If the second shot is off it is because you are not seeing the sights the same way on the second shot.
The 34 will be a little better than the 19 for competition due to longer sight radius, slighly more weight further out, larger frame will be slightly better for most men, plus with a dedicated competition gun you can set up spring rates, etc, for your match ammo and not worry about how it might impact your carry gun with that ammo. But as far as handling I did exactly the same thing for quite a while (carry a 19, start competition with the 19, then eventually get a 34 dedicated to competition) and have zero regrets about that. The 34 and the 19 handle exactly the same; you can even cannibalize many of the small parts if you ever have to.
The 34 will be a little better than the 19 for competition due to longer sight radius, slighly more weight further out, larger frame will be slightly better for most men, plus with a dedicated competition gun you can set up spring rates, etc, for your match ammo and not worry about how it might impact your carry gun with that ammo. But as far as handling I did exactly the same thing for quite a while (carry a 19, start competition with the 19, then eventually get a 34 dedicated to competition) and have zero regrets about that. The 34 and the 19 handle exactly the same; you can even cannibalize many of the small parts if you ever have to.
It was basically a home grown match we have every month at the gun club but it is similar to uspsa from what they said.
That's the main reason I wanted a gun, dedicated for target and competition. I plan on experimenting with the springs and connector. I put a ghost tactical 5.0 in the 19 so I would like to change out the connector in a new gun to get a sweet trigger.
That's the main reason I wanted a gun, dedicated for target and competition. I plan on experimenting with the springs and connector. I put a ghost tactical 5.0 in the 19 so I would like to change out the connector in a new gun to get a sweet trigger.
LiveLife
Member
Drew, if improving your match score is your primary objective, before you spend a lot of money on another pistol and replacement parts, I would chew on what Sam suggested first as he gave you good advise. Also, if the gun club is using the same USPSA divisions, you maybe restricted on what you can do to your pistol whether you start out with Production or Limited/Limited 10.Sam1911 said:
Why wait on buying a match pistol? Because you may end up with 40S&W to shoot major power factor instead of 9mm minor power factor.
If your "home grown" match uses USPSA scoring for match stages and you intend on staying with 9mm, faster stage times will trump slight improvement in accuracy. It's the way USPSA scoring is set.
Match shooting is fun/highly addictive and you may quickly find yourself wanting to shoot USPSA matches and if/when that happens, you may want to consider shooting 40S&W over 9mm to be more competitive.
My path has been roughly the same. I shot IDPA off and on for years with a variety of guns, then about 2 years ago decided to go Glock for the price point, the fact that I could be my own armorer, and that I shot them well. When I had extra money, I bought myself a G34, lightened/smoothed the trigger pull, stippled the grip, and it's now my dedicated competition gun. It's a joy to shoot, wonderful for teaching new shooters, and I like the way the trigger came out.
While I wouldn't want to alter an HD weapon's trigger, I feel that the disparity in the G34 and G19 is insignificant enough that I'm not negatively impacted in defensive training by shooting the G34 more often.
Has it made me better? I couldn't really say. After surgery earlier this year I had more time to practice, which is likely what's improved my scores. But the G34 is fun, and owning it motivates me to take care of it, know it inside and out, and shoot more often than I might otherwise.
mgmorden
Member
I'd get the Glock 34. Competition equipment is generally about going as far as you can go within the rules, and the Glock 34 is the king Glock for USPSA Production or IDPA SSP. A Glock 17 is only really appropriate if you want to shoot traditional IPSC Production or GSSF Civilian.
I use a Glock 17 as my backup gun, with a S&W M&P 9L (5" barrel) as my main gun, and I can definitely notice the extra 0.5" of barrel. The Glock 34 gives yet another 0.32" on top of that.
I actually did much the same thing. My first match was shot with my Ruger P95 and I loved it, but ended up immediately purchasing my M&P as a more proper competition gun. That was about 15 months ago and I've not regretted getting a competition specific gun at all.
I use a Glock 17 as my backup gun, with a S&W M&P 9L (5" barrel) as my main gun, and I can definitely notice the extra 0.5" of barrel. The Glock 34 gives yet another 0.32" on top of that.
I actually did much the same thing. My first match was shot with my Ruger P95 and I loved it, but ended up immediately purchasing my M&P as a more proper competition gun. That was about 15 months ago and I've not regretted getting a competition specific gun at all.
Thanks for all the input. I've decided on going ahead and getting the 34 gen 4. I have it on order and will be picking it up next week. I'm very excited about it an will be putting a lot of rounds thru it soon. I'm already set up for reloading 9mm so that's why I wanted to stick with the 9.
Jed Carter
Member
G34 my first USPSA pistol and still my favorite, it was also my first
glock now I have 5. Just don't bring the G19 mags to the match like I did.
glock now I have 5. Just don't bring the G19 mags to the match like I did.
mgmorden
Member
I run orange base plates on my competition mags. Easy to spot which ones are mine and they stick out pretty nice on the ground so its nearly impossible to lose them
.BTW - which range you shooting at?
coolluke01
Member
I started with the 17 and then traded and bought the 34. I really like the Gen 4's
I'm looking to get a Zev trigger this winter for next year. I put a Zev connector on this last summer and it made a huge difference.
I have a feeling there is no end in sight for upgrades and mods for these guns. I think some warren Sevgney sights are in order as well. And springs, and magwell... oh boy!
I'm looking to get a Zev trigger this winter for next year. I put a Zev connector on this last summer and it made a huge difference.
I have a feeling there is no end in sight for upgrades and mods for these guns. I think some warren Sevgney sights are in order as well. And springs, and magwell... oh boy!
mgmorden
Member
Cool. Just wondering. I wonder why they don't just go official with USPSA affiliation. That range is about 2.5 hours away from me - I'd drive that for a real match with a classifier but not for a local rules match.
Mid-carolina Rifle Club in Columbia is actually hosting their monthly USPSA match this Saturday. Not sure how far of a drive that is for you but they put on a great match.
chris in va
Member
It's been my experience a longer sight radius makes it more difficult to pick up the front sight in the heat of competition. I do much better with my P01 with fiber front sight than I did with the 75bd.
marv
Member
FWIW When I was doing USPSA I shot my G19 better than my G34.
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