Glock 17 Vs 34: What's the Difference?

The Glock 17 and 34 are two highly reliable pistols that have withstood the test of time. The G17 was the first model produced by Gaston Glock in the early 1980s. Its release and success inspired a range of striker-fired pistols. Over time, many variations of the G17 came out, and one of the most loved ones was the Glock 34. Today, both of these guns are the favorites of shooters.

However, if you want to make a choice between them, it's difficult to do so without a detailed Glock 17 vs 34 comparison. We'll explain every minute difference between these pistols so your decision is easy to make.

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Size Differences Between the Glock 17 and 34

The Glock 17 is the quintessential service pistol when you examine its dimensions. It has the standard slide and barrel length and a magazine capacity of between 17 and 33 rounds.

The Glock 34, which is made for competitive shooters, is the definition of a full-sized handgun. Only the heights of the two guns are the same. The overall length differs because of the longer barrel in the G34. This affects the performance, accuracy, and intended use of the gun.

Glock 17 vs 34 Ergonomics

The ergonomics and functional design of both the Glock 34 and 17 Gen 5 are great. The G34 has an anti-slip texture, a bigger trigger guard, and a comfortable grip. The longer slide and barrel length enhances the sight radius and allows you to shoot accurately.

This gun can fit comfortably in the hands of all sizes and gives no issues when manipulating slide releases. Moreover, both the slide lock and slide release in the Gen 5 G 34 are ambidextrous, allowing you to use the pistol easily. Another positive feature is the light trigger pull, which helps in shooting comfortably.

The Glock 17 Gen 5 has a flared magazine well for quick magazine changes. The Glock Marksman barrel has no finger grooves, and the tapered muzzle end of the gun's slide makes re-holstering easier. The ambidextrous slide-stop lever meets the needs of the left and right-handed operators.

Both these Glocks have orange-follower mags. It facilitates quick identification when the pistol's slide is locked open, and the magazine is empty. The lightweight Glock 17 is more suited for concealed-carry and self-defense. You can use it more easily than the Glock 34 in high-stress situations. However, if you need an ergonomically perfect option for competition shooting where accuracy matters the most, the Glock 34 will be ideal.

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Glock 17 vs 34 Slide and Barrel

Slide and barrel length are sources of major differences between the G17 and the G34. The barrel length of the Glock 34, which is 5.31 inches is more than the Glock 17, which is 4.49 inches. The Glock 17's slide is 7.32 inches, while the G34’s slide is 8.15 inches long.

Longer barrels give more velocity, which means smaller groups and the bullet reaching the target faster. The Glock 34's longer barrel thus makes it more accurate than the Glock 17. The longer slide makes the Glock 34 heavier at the barrel end, decreasing recoil and muzzle flip.

These slight differences in the slide and barrel dimensions make the G34 aligned with the needs of those who engage in IPSC and shooting sports.

Differences in Safety and Trigger

The Gen 5 Glock 34 and 17 pistols are a result of many small changes that make them highly precise. They both have strong safety mechanisms and improved trigger controls. The GLOCK's patented Safe Action System includes three safeties: the firing pin, drop, and trigger safety. All these work in a sequence to move the trigger.

The Gen 5 Glock 17 trigger has a smooth pull and a predictable reset for quick follow-up shots. Its 5.4-pound trigger pull weight allows for better shooting.

The Glock 34's crisp trigger pull and short reset also lead to quick and accurate follow-up shots. The 5.4-pound trigger pull weight makes it an ideal firearm to shoot under stress.

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Sight Comparison

The Glock 34 and 17 come equipped with factory sights, which are not known to be great. However, the Glock 34 MOS (Modular Optics System) has adjustable U-shaped white rear sights. This helps the user capitalize on its longer slide and enhanced trigger control.

The G34 MOS also has a fixed white dot front sight. Even without an optic mounted, sighting it on target is easy. Still, these sights do not compare to the brilliance of aftermarket sights like XS Sights. If you want to use a red dot, Trijicon HD XR Night Sight Set is the best option. They also remove the need for iron sights.

The Glock 17 comes with a fixed polymer sight, which has a ramped front sight and a notched rear sight. They have white contrast elements for an increased target acquisition rate. It is also available with AmeriGlo night sights. This is a good factory upgrade as it increases the speed on target, particularly in a defensive situation.

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Glock 17 vs 34 Accuracy and Recoil

The Glock 34 is decisively a more accurate gun than the Glock 17 for competitive shooting. It's because of the extended barrel, slide dimensions, and the elongated distance between sights. Moreover, you can mount your preferred optic, like Trijicon RMR, to enhance the accuracy of your shots at different yards.

Also, the greater weight of the Glock 34 helps with recoil management and keeps the muzzle flat. Apart from that, the duel recoil spring and low bore aix of the pistol allow you to keep the sights on a flat plane and produce quick follow-up shots.

The Glock 17 is quite suitable for self-defense and range shooting. It is accurate and reliable despite being fed with ammo of various brands. The AmeriGlo sights improve shooting accuracy, and you can achieve fast headshots at 25 yards.

In order to increase the visibility of your target, you can mount a red dot. The recoil of this pistol is moderate because of its full size and substantial grip. You may perceive it to be higher if you are not used to handling pistols with light polymer frames.

Suitability for Concealed Carry

Neither the Glock 17 nor the Glock 34 is more suited for concealed carry. They both are full-sized handguns designed for open carrying. They prioritize capacity, accuracy, and ease of shooting at the expense of their size and weight.

Moreover, if you are short, the G17 and G34 will be harder to conceal. Between them, the Glock 34, with its .82 inches longer barrel than the Glock 17, is tougher to disguise. A good OWB holster purpose-built for your full-sized Glock is the best carrying option.

Which One to Choose? Glock 17 or Glock 34

The Glock 34 is a long-slide variant of the Glock 17. The extra barrel and slide length make the ammunition travel faster and also help with recoil management. This is why the Glock 34 is preferred over the Glock 17 for competition shooting that demands precise shots. However, if you want to carry the Glock concealed, always prefer the Glock 17. Besides the increased barrel and slide, there is practically no major difference between these guns. You can test them out yourself and decide the optimal option according to how the gun fits and feels in your hand.