Suppressors Glock 17 vs. Glock 34

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Denn1911

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#1
Although I'm a 1911 guy, I've started shooting my Glock 17 more in IDPA. Now that I'm using my Glock 17 more often, I notice that there are plenty of Glock 34's being used. I shoot my G17 well, but I'm wondering if a Glock 34 would produce increased results. With the increased barrel and slide length, I can see the benefit of a longer sight radius. I've been told that the longer slide would result in slower drawing and slower slide cycling for follow-up shots.

I'm interested in your experience with the Glock 34. Is it worth it?
 
#2
Re: Glock 17 vs. Glock 34

I have both the 34 and the 17 and have shot a fair bit of IDPA although not recently. I'm not convinced that the extra slide length makes a noticeable difference. The lighter trigger that the 34 comes with helped me a little with my scores. Other then that, the single biggest improvement on any glock is a good set of sights. I run the Sevigny sights on my 34 and ameriglo operators on my 17. I like the operators, but the Sevigny sights on the 34 are much faster and more precise for me during IDPA.

One other thing... A portion of the top of the slide on the 34 is opened up, exposing the barrel. I always assumed (risky i know) that this was mainly to get the weight of the slide down. I don't think it cycles any slower then a 17.
 
#3
Re: Glock 17 vs. Glock 34

Look closely and see if the 34 will put you in a different classification than the 17. I dont know much about IDPA but I do think that there are different classes between the two pistols.

Dont quote me on that but I think that the 34 would put you into the competition class against all the competition shooters, where the 17 keeps you in the more of a "regular guy" class.
 
#4
Re: Glock 17 vs. Glock 34

Get the 35 and then you can get the aftermarket 9mm barrel and have a 9mm and a .40 cal.

I run the 35 for USPSA and 3 gun matches and it comes in handy.

It all depends on what game you are playing.

As for slower draw and slower cycling doubtful.
 
#5
Re: Glock 17 vs. Glock 34

I shoot a G34 in 3 gun, defensive pistol, combat pistol. Like the longer sight radius, have never noticed that a longer slide made it cycle slower or slowed my draw from the holster.

I also have G17's and have put the 3.5 lb trigger in them too. I'd shoot either and don't really see/feel a difference in them.

Like said before - it might bump you to a different classification so check on that and make sure that is what you'd want to do.
I used to shoot the G35 to put me in major catagory but I noticed the recoil more using the .40 - the reduced recoil of the 9mm puts my sights back on target faster.
 
#6
Re: Glock 17 vs. Glock 34

I you shoot USPSA production and want to shoot limited as well buy a 35, shoot 40 making major power factor for limited, and shoot 40 making MINOR power factor for production. There is no advantage to shooting 40 major in production since it is all scored as minor power factor.

You cant shoot a 9mm conversion barrel in a 35 and still shoot production in USPSA, but you can shoot soft soft 40 loads in a 35 and make minimum power factor.

It is actually pretty common for guys to shoot 40 minor in Production and then 40 major in limited and run basically the same pistol between the two except for a few differences like mags and such.
 
#7
Re: Glock 17 vs. Glock 34

34 and 17 are both SSP class as they come from the factory. Upgraded sights do not effect that. However if you changed trigger in 17 to the 34 trigger that would move it to ESP. Pretty sure a 35 with 9mm barrel would also be ESP.
 
#8
Re: Glock 17 vs. Glock 34

Love my 34 for IPSC, only shoot in the production class with the thought that I'm not going to be packing an open gun for carry.
.
I dont get to matches as much as i would like but if your good enough to notice a time difference because of slide length ya outta be able to squeeze the shots off quick enuf an make up the time.
 
#10
Re: Glock 17 vs. Glock 34

Great advise everyone. Although I usually compete with what I carry, I plan on using this pistol for competition only. Right now, I compete in IDPA. Eventually, I'd like to try my hand in USPSA also.

Based on your comments, I'm glad to hear that the slower slide/draw comment that I originally heard was false.
 
#11
Re: Glock 17 vs. Glock 34

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NOMAD</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Get the 35 and then you can get the aftermarket 9mm barrel and have a 9mm and a .40 cal.

I run the 35 for USPSA and 3 gun matches and it comes in handy.

It all depends on what game you are playing.

As for slower draw and slower cycling doubtful. </div></div>

Cannot use a conversion barrel in IDPA at all, and not legal for USPSA production division.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Outsydlooknin75</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I you shoot USPSA production and want to shoot limited as well buy a 35, shoot 40 making major power factor for limited, and shoot 40 making MINOR power factor for production. There is no advantage to shooting 40 major in production since it is all scored as minor power factor.

You cant shoot a 9mm conversion barrel in a 35 and still shoot production in USPSA, but you can shoot soft soft 40 loads in a 35 and make minimum power factor.

It is actually pretty common for guys to shoot 40 minor in Production and then 40 major in limited and run basically the same pistol between the two except for a few differences like mags and such. </div></div>

I think that you'd be better off just shooting one load. Trying to shoot the same gun minor one day and major the next would probably cause some serious timing issues.
 
#12
Re: Glock 17 vs. Glock 34

I prefer the Glock 9mm to the 40 caliber for the simple reason that as the magazine depletes during a string of fire the 40 caliber gun seems to recoil more and more forcing me to slow down rather than speed up. The 9mm seems to remain more consistent thruout. Between the 17 and 34 I like the 34 best.
 
#13
Re: Glock 17 vs. Glock 34

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Downzero</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NOMAD</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Get the 35 and then you can get the aftermarket 9mm barrel and have a 9mm and a .40 cal.

I run the 35 for USPSA and 3 gun matches and it comes in handy.

It all depends on what game you are playing.

As for slower draw and slower cycling doubtful. </div></div>

Cannot use a conversion barrel in IDPA at all, and not legal for USPSA production division.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Outsydlooknin75</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I you shoot USPSA production and want to shoot limited as well buy a 35, shoot 40 making major power factor for limited, and shoot 40 making MINOR power factor for production. There is no advantage to shooting 40 major in production since it is all scored as minor power factor.

You cant shoot a 9mm conversion barrel in a 35 and still shoot production in USPSA, but you can shoot soft soft 40 loads in a 35 and make minimum power factor.

It is actually pretty common for guys to shoot 40 minor in Production and then 40 major in limited and run basically the same pistol between the two except for a few differences like mags and such. </div></div>

I think that you'd be better off just shooting one load. Trying to shoot the same gun minor one day and major the next would probably cause some serious timing issues. </div></div>

Change your recoil springs to adjust the timing ...... I need to respring my 19 to a lighter recoil spring to change the timing on it.
 
#14
Re: Glock 17 vs. Glock 34

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Outsydlooknin75</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Downzero</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NOMAD</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Get the 35 and then you can get the aftermarket 9mm barrel and have a 9mm and a .40 cal.

I run the 35 for USPSA and 3 gun matches and it comes in handy.

It all depends on what game you are playing.

As for slower draw and slower cycling doubtful. </div></div>

Cannot use a conversion barrel in IDPA at all, and not legal for USPSA production division.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Outsydlooknin75</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I you shoot USPSA production and want to shoot limited as well buy a 35, shoot 40 making major power factor for limited, and shoot 40 making MINOR power factor for production. There is no advantage to shooting 40 major in production since it is all scored as minor power factor.

You cant shoot a 9mm conversion barrel in a 35 and still shoot production in USPSA, but you can shoot soft soft 40 loads in a 35 and make minimum power factor.

It is actually pretty common for guys to shoot 40 minor in Production and then 40 major in limited and run basically the same pistol between the two except for a few differences like mags and such. </div></div>

I think that you'd be better off just shooting one load. Trying to shoot the same gun minor one day and major the next would probably cause some serious timing issues. </div></div>

Change your recoil springs to adjust the timing ...... I need to respring my 19 to a lighter recoil spring to change the timing on it. </div></div>

Changing your recoil spring is a good start, but a major gun will still feel very different than a minor gun.

Even my limited gun feels a LOT snappier than my single stack, and they're only 7 ounces apart in weight.
 
#15
Re: Glock 17 vs. Glock 34

I traveled down to the Carolina Cup IDPA match and shot my Glock 17 yesterday. By far, the most common pistol used was the Glock 34. Maybe I didn't notice in past matches up my way, but they are everywhere...lol. I appreciate everyone's thoughts here. I ordered a G34 before I left, and I should have it by next Monday. It will be a dedicated match pistol but will share time with my 1911, which I also carry.
 
#16
Re: Glock 17 vs. Glock 34

Changing a 17 trigger to a 34 trigger doesn't move you to ESP. I shoot a G19 with LWD trigger stop, glockworx 2 lb trigger and wolf springs and its still SSP .. just can't have any EXTERNALLY VISABLE modifications like a fulcrum trigger kit.

That being said.. since you already have the 17 i'd take the money you would use to get a 34 and buy good sights, trigger work, and more practice. Remeber its the indian not the arrow.
 
#19
Re: Glock 17 vs. Glock 34

I'm still waiting for my sponsorship to pull through from Hi-Point. I figure they produce a mediocre product and I'm a mediocre shooter so it's a win win situation. I’d like to be good enough some day to show up to a regional or state level match and run a Hi-Point (or similar P.O.S. pistol) and still remain competitive. Hell it would be fun just to see the facial expressions on some of the shooters. Just look for me, sporting the Hi-Point T-shirt (because Polo shirts are way too fancy), and my Hi-Point ball cap. LOL

We’ve all seen shooters at matches running Infinity, STi, Wilson, and other high end pistols (awesome CDI factor). These are all excellent tools/weapons, but even the worst shooter is not going to make that infinity run like it was built to. I can own a Ferrari, but it doesn’t make me a race car driver (although I could probably pull some skirt a lot easier). Now you put that tool in the right hands and they can drive that gun to the finish line.

The shooter has to evaluate his/her skill level and determine how much they want to spend on their gear.

Back to the original question, I had a new G17 sitting in my safe for a month and came across a buddy of mine looking for one. So I offered to trade it, and he traded a slightly used G34 for it. I put some Warren Tactical Sevigney sights on it and have been using it for SSP (IDPA), ESP (IDPA), and Production (USPSA). It’s been a great gun and it handles and balances really close to my G35 (minus the recoil of course).

I never really thought about running a .40 minor load through the 35. I’d like to try that and see how that works out. I need to start reloading pistol calibers.

I always say "Rock out with the Glock out!" 17 or 34 can't go wrong with either, slight edge to the 34 for sight radius.
 
#22
Re: Glock 17 vs. Glock 34

The best trigger kits are from Charlie Vanek.

Or you can buy a 3.5 connector and some reduced power springs and do some polishing and have almost the same thing.
 
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