The G34 and G19 both feel better balanced to me than the G17. Same is true for G23 and G35. Having said that I would agree the G17 is pretty much the perfect do it all pistol. I like the G19 for carry but the grip is really too small for my apelike hands. I often carry a G17 without issue.
My GL-19 for my CCW. Now I’am still deciding on the GL-17L or GL-34. The 17L only gets produce so often. So I’am sort of leaning that way right now.
I compete in USPSA production with a Glock 34 and I carry a glock 19. Personally I see ZERO difference between the two with respect to reliability. They are both as mechanically reliable as I think a machine can be made. Yes…given enough time and stress ANYTHING can fail, but having said that, In the many thousands of rounds that I have pushed through both pistols I can say I’ve probably had fewer than 10 malfunctions in the past couple of years, and I shoot alot =)
I have personally not found any issues with the ports on the glock 34, I really wouldn’t worry about it, I think you will find very little functional (reliability) difference between the 34 and the 17. I however really really like the extended sight radius. I find it makes it much easier to shoot accurately and shot recovery for me is very quick with no noticeable difference with the standard full size models, if you’re not convinced watch dave sevigney with a G34, he’s amazing!
I’ve owned the 22, 23,19 and 34, and it is an absolute statistal tie between the glock 19 and the 34. I defiantely shoot the 34 the most accurately and the best, but if I could only have one it’d be the glock 19. I love being able to train and compete with one gun, and having those skills transfer over to my carry gun =) same manual of arms, trigger, grip angle…whats not to like.
for me, I can definately see the difference when it comes to sight radius…pick what works for you! you can’t go wrong with a glock 9mm IMO
jerry
I find I shoot the G17 just as well as the G34. I’ll take the concealability of the 17 and the ease of draw any day over the 34.
Those are my exact thoughts. Plus a lot more holster selection for the G17 (duty holsters).
I’m on board with a few others here - I prefer the 17 over the 34 and I have shot both extensively. There is no objective differences between the two [for me] other than a higher velocity with the same round. The sight radius thing might benefit some shooters but I find it adds nothing to my shooting. Even out to 50yards the G17 will duplicate anything the 34 can do… The best glock group I’ve ever shot with a glock at 50 was with a G17…