What does the G19 have that the g17 doesn't??

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InnerVision

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I've never understood why so many people prefer the g19 over the 17 full size..I keep reading about how it's the "best 9mm ever"..

I'm getting ready to purchase either a 17 or a 22 (to have the option to convert to 9mm)..

So..my way of thinking is that the g19 seems to be a great gun, but not anywhere near the top of the list to conceal carry...so why not just get a full size for greater accuracy/sight distance with regards to Glock??

I realize that it can be a decent ccw, but it is fairly fat and there are other choices out there that probably work better..

So..basically..why would you choose a mid size Glock over a full??
 
If you're going to completely rule out CCW and want a longer sight radius, then there's nothing impractical about a G34, either. Why stop at the G17?

For me, I like the G19, because it's big enough for me to get a full, comfortable grip without any extra hanging out the bottom. It's long enough to give a good sight radius and muzzle velocity. And bonus. It'll take G17 mags. Good luck trying to fit G19 mags in your G17. :)

It's not all about CCW, either. I have a 6" revolver and a 3" revolver. I don't CCW either one, but the 3" gun does HD duty. It's just handier. A longer barrel (and grip, to some extent) makes the gun easier for an attacker to disarm you, and it's slower to swing around, especially with one hand. A longer barrel is also slower to clear leather, unless you routinely carry in an open front quickdraw rig.
 
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I have a G19, don't have the 17.
In terms of conceal carry usually the smaller the gun, the easier it is to conceal. You should keep in mind that it may be easy for you to conceal a 17, a 19, or for that matter, an Abrahms Tank (that's tongue-in-cheek). Other people have maybe a different experience. Some peoples' body type makes concealment easy while others' make it harder. These second types may have a greater appreciation for smaller guns.
Also, how one dresses will affect this -- and that means heavier winter clothes may mean one thing while light summer clothes may make it harder. Even a Glock 19 may then become a bit ...."large."
I have nothing against the G17. It might have been that I'd bought one when I was looking for the G19 I wound up with.... but I just glommed onto the 19, found I liked it overall just for it's simplicity and size and bought it.
I suppose if it had been the 17 I'd "seen first" then that's what I would have wound up with.
Either Glock is a terrific choice in the world of Glock. ;)
 
I have the 19 and 17. If I could only keep one it would for sure be the g19.
I'm just as accurate with the 19 as I am the 17. The 19 feels better in the hand and is easily concealed iwb with a galco king tuk holster.
With stock magezines you are only gaining two shots out of a 17 over the 19. You can put a plus 2 on the 19 if you chose to. Or you can just use the 17 mags in the 19.
To me personaly the gen3 glock 19 with trijicon night sights is the perfect pistol.
 
I've had three G17s over the years, but they just never felt as comfortable in the hand as the G19. Plus the G17 gives up the visual balance of the G34's longer slide. I just don't find the G17 as useful as the G19...I don't think the G26 offers anything over the G19 either
 
I like the two extremes. I have and sometimes carry a g34 however I've settled on a g26 with 19 mags as my ccw

I've owned em all and the real answer is glock doesn't make an impractical 9mm

posted via mobile device.
 
G19 is just the right size: not too big, not too small, just right.

That said, I sold mine for a Walter PPQ. It's even moreso just right.
 
I really like the Glock 17 full size. However, I always lean towards the Glock 19 because of its conceal-ability factor. Rest its the same pistol as the 17.

I think people pick Glock 19 over 17 for this very reason. It fits multiple role with same reliability and durability standard.
 
Glock's compact pistols fit hands VERY well for most people. Their full-sized ones not as much, or at least not as "perfectly." Additionally, you can shoot the 17's mags in the 19, not losing any capacity. You really only lose a tad in accuracy. So, if it's for carry then there is really no benefit to the 17.
 
It's the Goldilocks mentality. G26 is too small and 10+1 just isn't enough. G17 is too big and 17+1 is overkill. You get the idea. People lean toward mediocrity. :evil:

<I'm just having fun with y'all G19 fanboys, btw!>
 
I have a couple 17's, a 19, 32, 23, and a couple 22's as well as a 21 and I shoot the compacts better, they carry/conceal better. I'm on the hunt for a couple of the subcompact models to give them a try but personally the size of the compacts is really Glock Perfection.
 
For me I started with a Glock 27 (subcompact). It worked fine but didn't fit my hand. I handled many other glocks and found that the Glock 19 fit my hand the best out of all of them. The backstrap is higher on the G19 vs. the G17 so medium handed folks like myself maintain a better grip with the G19. Nothing wrong with the G17, it just didn't fit me right.
 
Rented both at a range and shot the g19 much better. Might be the balance or just how I happen to shoot.


The g23 is the same size as g19 but in .40sw which can be converted to 9mm or .375sig with replacement barrels


Edit-Also most handguns are more accurate that most shooters are, the longer barrel just really gives you a better sight radius
 
For concealed wear, Compacts beat Full Size.

The real difference is in the profile and size of the butt, which is the most difficult feature (with all handguns) to successfully cover without printing through clothing.

The shorter muzzle is an added benefit for more easily covered holstering and comfort when bending over, during seated wear, etc.

I carried a 17 CCW under a suit coat for several years right after they first hit US shores (1985). A joy to carry in terms of weight, but actually a more pronounced grip print than with a 5" Government Model 1911. The G17 is a duty sized pistol and there is no perfect way to hide the long fat grip under the drape of cloth fabric.

When the 19 & 23 came out, I ditched the 17 & 22... and I never looked back. Just an easier package to hide.

No different than the concept that gave us Commander sized 1911s half a century ago. Same need...same solution. Bob-tailed butts are also an answer to the problem.

You can carry a CCW 17 or 22, just not as concealed as the smaller models. For open carry or home defense, I'd go with the full sized models every time. Max capacity, max grip surface, and max sight radius = an arguably more effective weapon.
 
I have and regularly shoot a 26, 19, 17C and a 17L.

The 26 is short, fat and ugly but is the best for concealed carry.
The 17L is long, fat and ugly and is the best range toy one could want.

If I could only have one Glock it would be the 19......best and worst of both worlds.;)
 
I love the G19.

I will be buying a G17, however, because I want to start competing in GSSF events. The G17 is the better option for competitive shooting.
 
So..basically..why would you choose a mid size Glock over a full??
Click to expand...
Just for the foot print when packing. I had a G19, G17, and a G34. The only one I kept was the 19 when I quit shooting GSSF.
 
>> I sold mine for a Walter PPQ<<

Great gun.... I shot one today. Were I to be in the market for another 9mm that just might be my choice.
 
Small difference in fame height and OAL between the G-19 and G-17 but for concealed carry every fraction of an inch counts.
 
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