The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: garand4life on January 01, 2014, 02:35:13 PM
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I'm torn between a Glock 17 and 34 for use in competition. Mostly IDPA but in my area most of the competitions aren't sanctioned matches but more practical shooting competitions open to the local gun clubs. They seem to be mostly IDPA styled or similar to IPSC.
I shoot and carry a Glock 26 or 19 so am really debating if I really need the 34 or if a 17 is typically adequate. I have handled a 17 a bit but the 34 seems to add a bit of purpose built flair.
Thoughts?
Go 17 or is it really worth the hassle of tracking down a 34? Is the 5.5" barrel a negative in any way?
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For my 2 cents, I say the 17 is better! Not exact comparisons but I draw or shoot faster with the 17 than the 34. Of course I used a Gen 3 34 my first year in USPSA, and a 17 Gen 4 in my third year, so not all may be equal. Most of our targets are within 15 yards, and the shorter slide seems to be faster for me. If you have to take alot of long or partial cover shots, the longer sight radius may help you out.
Either way shouldn't be more than a few % difference in your stage points.
Addict
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That's how I was leaning. I'm glad some one can speak from experience with both. The 34 in my area is hard to find and even online more than what I'd like to invest at this stage.
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I've never done IPSC. Sounds like fun.
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THe extra length can make a huge diffrence in your accuracy. no real diffrence in the gun( infact short barrels tend to be more accurate do to less deflection by vibration.) balance is also huge, if it points better for you, you will be faster.
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I'm hearing that there is a different trigger configuration in the 34. I haven't heard what difference there is, only that it has a 'better' trigger. Any ideas?
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BEtter trigger is very subjective.. Even stock classes allow trigger work so its really meaningless.
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IDPA is more about run what ya brung so I lean to using what I carry. That being said, I shoot a carry gun and then reshoot ,if time allows, one of my other guns so they see some use also. USPSA is more competition vs carry except Production. The longer sr is said to be better and I won't argue that. On another forum I frequent you can ask the same question and get anything from "Any excuse to buy a new gun" to "I can't tell the difference between the 17 and 34"! Haven't a clue what would be best for you since what your shooting is a cross between the two.
FWIW
Richard
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The only stock guns i have ever seen at idpa was from leos.
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I shoot a G34 for USPSA competition, but it was set up for 3 gun...it points better than my G17 and has an edge in accuracy at longer distances ( the AMU guys at Ft Benning like to shoot pistols out to 35yards)... which ever you choose, look at 147 grain bullets when you work on groups at 25 yards or farther... for competition you will want one of the lighter competition triggers, and definitely better sights...I like the Gen3 as I play with recoil springs and use a stainless guide rod... the JP extended mag release button is not legal in Production which is a 10 round class...so I shoot Limited Class Minor caliber...I switched to the Glock platform about 7 years ago after shooting a 1911 in .45 for about 25 years for USPSA...regards Les L747
Heinie Slant Pro rear and Dawson .245" front, .090" wide for old eyes...
(http://i825.photobucket.com/albums/zz180/LesSnyder/DSC00256.jpg) (http://s825.photobucket.com/user/LesSnyder/media/DSC00256.jpg.html)
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17x2=34 so the 34 must be twice as good. ;D
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I have a glock 35, and installed an Edge competition trigger. Installation was easy, and it works very well. The 35 is supposed to have a 3.5# trigger, but it was not any where near that.
I got the trigger from Glocktriggers.com. Nicely polished, and very smooth with the trigger pull.
The trigger measures a very crisp 3# with a trigger gauge. It is adjustable with the reset.
Everyone that has a glock, and shoots my pistol, says they want one. The trigger stroke is shorter, and the reset very short.
You just remove the old trigger group by removing a couple of pins, and just drop in the unit. The final adjustment is done with an allen wrench, and the directions are complete, with no head scratching.
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i bet they are not happy when they buy a stock one :p
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I own both and out of the box there's not that much difference. Sure either one can be "fixed" up. In GSSF matches I generally shoot better scores with the 17. Of course it has fiber optic sights while the 34 is stock.
Two thoughts: The 17 is more in keeping with with the spirit of IDPA. If you ever want to shoot GSSF amateur division the 34 isn't allowed.
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Just got back from the range with my G-17 Gen. 1
50 rounds at 15 yards.
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They shoot no doubt about it. Pretty good target.
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Need tune up for a GSSF match this July here in Indiana. ;D
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I have shot a G17, G19, and G34 in USPSA and IDPA. My assessment is shoot the one that is most comfortable to you. Either one will do fine for IDPA. The only additional consideration I would take into account is the sights. Some sight setups don't work too well in competition shooting environments, but this comes back to how much dry fire/live fire practice you do with that system.
Before you spend any money, take your carry gun out to the IDPA match and shoot it there for a few matches. Then you will be able to get a better gauge of what you need for competition.
Good luck!
George
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I have both and really like the 34 at competition, longer sight radius and extra velocity are a plus. The 34 does come with a lighter trigger pull, but in actuality it needs as much help as the other models, I smooth my own internals, and having the 3.5lb connector stock saves a few bucks. I really like the Warren/Sevigny iron sights, and as odd as this might sound, you can put your 34 top end on your 19 lower, the only reason I mention it is you can put up optics on the 34 frame, for shooting open class , then put top end on the 19 frame for limited. I did that with my 17 and it worked out well. I hope this information was confusing enough good luck.
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As a median average it's whatever pistol size you are most familiar with that's going to do well for you.
I've often thought about this very topic while waiting for my turn on the line. The conclusion I've reached is that Glock compact frames can be made to shoot well; and, yes, they do seem to be a little faster out of the holster; but so what?
Glock standard frames shoot and handle well too. I, myself, prefer to use a G-21 (power factor!); and I've no compelling reason to change. Sometimes I use a G-19; and, yes, I've got to be a little more careful about pointing the muzzle, watching the front sight, and pulling the trigger than I do while I'm using the G-21. It does take a little more care, and a little more concentration to skillfully handle a compact frame.
A few years ago one of the finest pistol shots I know switched to a long slide Model 35. Why did he do it? He did it because it's the longer shots that he's going to beat the rest of the group with. Several other competitors have a similiar ability to hit at and inside 12-15 yards in the same way that he does. It's only on the 15 yard + plus targets that he can really pull away from everybody else. Hence, the G-35!
Glock G-34's and G-35's use a (nominal) '3.5#' trigger connector which does yield a somewhat lower CUMULATIVE trigger pull. What a, '3.5#' connector will NOT do is yield an actual 3.5 lbs. trigger. Whenever you want to determine a Glock's actual trigger pull several other factors need to be taken into consideration besides only the connector's cantilevered top angle; e.g.: trigger spring, recoil spring, and striker spring weights. The connector angle, itself, is not going to give you a specific trigger pull weight.
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Conagher45, do you think they will have a GSSF match this year since there was not one last year in Indy?
Just picked up another Gen 3 17. Looking forward to getting out to the range with it.
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Thoughts? Go 17 or is it really worth the hassle of tracking down a 34? Is the 5.5" barrel a negative in any way?
Davidson's has both Glock 34 Gen-3, and 34 Gen-4 guns in stock. Just go to "Gun Genie", punch in your Zip Code, and it will show dealers within 25 miles of your home that you can pick it up at, who deal with Davidson's. You'll have it within 2 days, and it will come with a Lifetime Free Replacement Warranty as well. You can shop for the best price with the click of a mouse. Pretty hard to beat.
https://www.galleryofguns.com/genie/default.aspx?pg=list&mfg=Glock&mdl=34&cat=All&type=All&cal=All&fin=&sit=&inv=Y&zipcode=85307