I shoot a g19 gen 4 in local practical competitions, whether it be USPSA/IDPA/Steel Challenege.
I shoot it relatively well, I know I can improve but am struggling with college to make dedicated efforts to get to the range. I am just as fast as guys with a g34 or g17 at Steel shoots, but when the distance gets stretched out I have to take a little more time.
I like the idea of shooting what I carry on a regular basis, to keep a consistent firearm frame of mind (if that makes sense).
I’m going to buy another glock, either a 19 or 17. My gut right now says to stick with the 19, have one dedicated to games and one for carry, set up essentially the same, maybe different sights being the only difference.
But my questions are
Is there a noticeable difference in shooting a 19 to a 17 with distance and speed considered?
With the consistency of carry and gaming in mind, will the difference of size between the two make a difference enough to cause issue?
With the above in mind, (I hate to ask these types of questions) What would you do, buy the 17 or stick with the 19?
If money is tight keep shooting the G19. I shoot a G19 more accurately and faster to 20yds. Where a 17 or 34 helps is if you’re shooting wimpy handloads just barely making power factor you can get them faster than they would do out of a 19. Or if you’re making shots over 25yds a lot. My fastest plate rack run ever at a GSSF Match was using a Glock 26.
I would suggest finding some 124g to try in your G19. My G19 and G17 shoot it more accurately than the 115g I have shot. You can get 124g American Eagle for not much more than 115g.
For me, the primary advantage to a longer sight radius is the ability to instantly read the relationship of the bore to the target face at speed with misaligned sights. Of course, the longer radius also makes it easier for older eyes to see and align the sights in the first place. I also find it easier to call the shot with a little longer radius.
There is plenty of difference between a G19 and a G34 to warrant a change. For me, the nod goes to the G17 over the G19, but only you know if there is any advantage at all to be gained by going with the G17, by considering where you are in your learning and skill development curve, etc. Good luck with whatever you decide.
I’ve done well with my G19 in both IDPA and GSSF; what I lose in sight radius compared to my G17 and (especially) G34, I gain in natural, instinctive index to the gun. While overall I probably do best with my G34, I certainly wouldn’t feel handicapped in the least using the G19-especially if it’s your real-world carry gun.
When I won a Glock in GSSF last year, after much deliberation I chose to get another G19, setting it up identically to my G34 (minus connector and NY1 spring) so that I can use them in the same match (i.e., GSSF) with basically the same triggerpull characteristics.
This is the answer I most frequently encounter by high level competitive shooters.
I personally shoot a G17 better, but have had some very good performances with my 19.
Thanks for the responses fellas. I’m trying to find a 17 now, just to give it a little run through, see how it differs from the 19 for me.
I just have this feeling that I’m going to stick with the 19, to keep my support equipment cheap, already have an IWB and two OWB kydex, one with light one with no light.
I personally like the way my G19 tracks better than my 17 or my 34 BUT the 34 has the least amount of muzzle climb with factory loads.
Muzzle climb can be over come with good technique as well as hand and forearm strength so an observation like the above is going to be shooter dependent.
I also like the way i transition between targets with the 19 versus the longer guns. The shorter gun is more “pointable” for me but the longer sight radius does have an accuracy benefit past 20 yards. It is a trade off.
The real reason to switch from the 19 to the 17 or 34 would be the magwell. I believe the magwell on the full size frame is almost 20% larger than the G19 due to the flare. This is a pretty significant increase and makes reloading the gun significantly easier.
Other than that, unless you’re hand loading it doesnt make a difference so shoot what you WANT to shoot, be as competitive as you can and rock on. Unless you’re already a master class shooter and you’re attempting to get grandmaster rank, hardware will have very little over all effect on your performance.
You are NOT limited by shooting a G19.
Conversely, shooting handloads out of a G34 is like cheating. (subjective observation)
One other thing to think about is that with a Glock, you are also NOT affecting your overall performance on the platform by going between a 19 or a 34. It makes very little difference as the triggers SHOULD be the same between guns.
I will never understand the guy running around with an 18 ounce, borderline full auto trigger in his “game” gun and then a 7 pound - connector, NY1 spring carry setup. It makes no sense to me when you could be rocking 4.5 pound triggers in both with the exact same characteristics.
No matter which pistol you choose, spend a couple of hundred bucks on ammo testing. Some Glocks will shoot Load A into 3" at 25 yards, but Load B into 6". You may have to test a dozen or more loads to see what shoots best, but it’s a smart way to improve your performance without modifying the gun in any way.
You won’t notice it up close, but it starts to matter as ranges get longer.
Yes, the (-) is the most prudent way to improve your trigger pull. It makes a lot of sense to set up all of your guns the same way, so I have them in all of my Glocks, including my EDC, and I’m not alone in that.
Bear in mind the ammo issue when you shoot a G17 this weekend. Try it with duty-grade defense ammo if you really want to see what it can do. That stuff outshoots FMJ every time, and will make you humble.
Thanks for the headsup and info on the ‘-’ connector, I will certainly look into that.
The problem I have with ammo is that whichever pistol I buy will only see target practice ammo, as it will be a high volume gun, and I can’t afford to shoot duty-grade ammo at a high volume.
I have an inventory right now of 2500+ of 9mm 115 gr fmj, for gaming and practice. Not a lot of ammo, by most standards, but for a college kid trying to shoot as often as possible I have to go with what makes sense financially.
The stuff I have on hand will do ~5" groups at 25 yards with my g19 from a bench and open up only slightly more when shooting offhand at a steady pace (not race, but not bullseye pace).
That’s acceptable by my learning curve, maybe not by some or even most here, but it works. I don’t get all A or -0 hits, but if I do my part I know where they are gonna hit, unless of course I throw a shot, then it’s always down and left, working on that too.
Again I appreciate all the input, especially Okie John, thanks man.
If it makes you feel any better, Mike Hughes from Top Shot and the creator of the SIRT pistol is currently shooting a Gen 4 G19 and rocking some serious face with it.
Two thoughts:
The guys who are winning are doing it with longer guns.
But,
I never go to a Match without a backup gun. Sights get loose, parts get lost, guns go down, even Glocks.
My CCW pistol becomes my Match pistol. All the mags holsters etc are interchangeable 1911 Colts.
You are already invested in a Glock 19 holster mags etc so it makes cost sense that your backup would be the same.
After college you might get the bug to shoot Limited and if you want to sell your 19, the $ loss would be minor. (yes, you can use your Glock 19 to shoot in Limited Minor )
As others have said there is nothing wrong with showing up at Steel, or USPSA with a Glock 19.
In my opinion and as someone already mentioned, the increased sight radius is the main thing you’re giving up by shooting the 19. Either another 19 or a 17 would be good and I believe having the same basic trigger and feel is a good idea.
I went through a similar process a few years ago. I had a G-19 that I had started shooting IDPA with, about the time we got CCW here. My wife wanted a handgun she could shoot too and she liked it better than the 17. Enter the 19. I got to shooting IDPA and USPSA with it and never really feel at a disadvantage. Last year ago my son expressed an interest in shooting some matches. After looking at all the magazines and holsters I already had I ended up buying another G-19. Just my thought but I figured I now have two concealable handguns with complete interchangeability that just happens to get used at the occasional match. Besides, my wife started wanting her 19 back.
Now I must add that I personally am not so much interested in my ranking but look at it as a convenient and fun way to practice drawing, moving, reloading and such. While I‘m not in the winner’s circle I usually fall in the lower part of the top ½. Certainly good enough for my purposes. However your purposes may, and likely will be different from mine. Just my 2 cents worth and good luck.
I believe Robb mentioned this already but the reason why the top shooters are using longer guns is because they ALL shoot reloads.
When you’re pushing the limits of your equipment, every advantage counts. You cannot shoot the same power ammunition out of a G19 as you can out of a G34 due to the difference in velocity attributed to barrel length.
When you shoot the 17 this weekend you may find it points higher for you than your 19 or at least that has been my experience. Make sure you take your 19 along so you can try some drills with each. See if you can also get a timer or download one to your IPhone if you have one. Good luck with whatever one you decide to get.