- Alfred Mendoza
- April 17, 2024
Table of Contents
Primary Differences Between Glock 34 & Glock 17?
The difference between the two Glocks is their design as either one works excellent as a home defense gun. However, G34 features a long barrel at 5.31 inches, making it suitable for open carry and shooting competition. Consequently, you’ll notice approximately 7.5 inches extended sight radius.
Yet, the smaller size of the 8.03×1.26×5.47 inches G17 might work best for you if you’re looking for a full-sized pistol for concealed carry. Besides, some also buy a G17 to use when competing.
Read next: Best Shooting Belt for Competition
Specification Chart
Glock 17
- Brand: Glock
- Height: 5.47 inches
- Weight (empty mag): 24.87 oz
- Length: 8.03 inches
- Trigger: Striker-fired
- Barrel: 4.49 inches
- Calibers: 9mm Luger
- Capacities: 17/19/24/31/33 rounds
Glock 34
- Brand: Glock
- Height: 5.47 inches
- Weight (empty mag): 25.93 oz
- Length: 8.82 inches
- Trigger: Striker-fired
- Barrel: 5.31 inches
- Calibers: 9mm Luger
- Capacities: 17/19/24/31/33 rounds
Detailed Comparison
Glock 34 & Glock 17 Pricing
Regardless of the gun generation you are going to buy, the 17 is more affordable vs Glock 34. For budget-conscious gun owners, you could get even up to a hundred dollar savings. Besides, if you want to have a better performance, you can utilize that extra bucks for practice ammunition when going on the range at any time.
For other popular handguns, check out this Sig Sauer P365 vs P320 article here.
Design & Ergonomics
In essence, the Glocks have the same frame but with different slides and barrels. G17 has a shorter slide of 7.32 inches compared to the 8.15 inches of the other gun. The G17 has a shorter length as well.
Based on our research, many users used to complain about the uncomfortable carry handle of the earlier versions of the G17. Now, the Gen4 models come with adjustable backstraps for good ergonomics.
Ammunition - Glock 17 vs 34
As reflected on the specs chart, you can get a standard magazine capacity of 17 rounds with extended mags of up to 33 on both guns. Like several other guns, Glock only recommends jacketed ammo for both.
On the G17, we found that the best ammo has velocities between 975 fps to 1350 fps across various bullet weights. Yet, G34 could get you a little extra speed vs Glock 17, which would allow better expansion and penetration.
Looking for magazines? Check out the best 458 SOCOM magazines here.
Trigger
The two guns are striker-fired, which would give you the same consistent pull, with a trigger distance of 2.83 inches. Even so, G17’s 6.29lb trigger pull is a bit heavier than that of the 5.4lb pull of the other.
For us, a lighter trigger pull is greater, so we could focus more on aiming without thinking if it shoots. Nonetheless, we noticed that both triggers are gritty, although both only need a higher round count to make it softer.
Glock 17 & Glock 34 Safety
All Glock guns include its signature Safe Action System built into its trigger. It contains three automatic and independently-operating safeties: trigger safety, firing pin safety, and drop safety.
But other than this, Glock designed the handguns without any external safety features. Overall, it’s a draw for both guns in terms of safety. Learn how to disassemble a Glock mag here.
Sights
G17 comes with a white dot front sight and a U-notch fixed rear sight. Whereas, the competition handgun has an adjustable rear sight and offers a longer sight radius, giving it an advantage on accuracy.
Likewise, if you’re a Glock fan, you’ll know that their standard plastic sights are probably among the most common things that handgun owners don’t like. Still, you can get away with this one by changing your Glock sights with aftermarket night sights.
Glock 34 & 17 Accuracy
Glock 17 Pros & Cons
PROS
- More affordable
- Slim and lighter weight
- Full-sized concealed carry
- Strong aftermarket support
- Adjustable backstraps for new models
CONS
- Gritty trigger
- No external safety features
Glock 34 Pros & Cons
PROS
- Lighter trigger pull
- A little extra velocity
- Great accuracy
- Longer slide and barrel
- Better chance of ammo expansion & penetration
CONS
- Slightly more expensive
- Some older versions have fixed sights
Glock 17 or Glock 34? We Choose…
Between the Glock 17 or 34, we choose Glock 34. Glock built them with the same frame, technology, and internal safeties. However, its barrel’s size and slide, radius sight, and additional velocity offer various advantages, especially in competitions.
Those who own this gun boast about the expansion and penetrating power of its ammunition as well as the fast and accurate target acquisition.Yet, if you only want to get defense pistols that might best fit your budget, there’s nothing much that a G17 can’t do.
If you want another great read, here’s our CMMG barrel review.
Our #1 Recommendation
Glock 34
- Great hand ergonomics
- Consistent, lighter trigger pull
- Suitable for open carry and competitions
- Has elongated sight radius
I’m not sure how old this article is but you listed one of the speeds as 134 fps. I’m guessing you meant to say 1340 fps.
You’re right. Thanks for catching that. Update made.
have a Glock 17 pistol and recently got an aftermarket Glock 34 Custom Slide for versitility. Ive been told that the longer 34 slide is interchangeable with the 17, and should should function the same since the frame and intrernal parts are the same. However, I took it to the range and the pistol wouldn’t fire with the 34 slide. My question: is there adifferent component required (ie; connector, extractor, or trigger) for the 34 to fire properly on a Glock 17 frame?
My Glock 17 frame slide and frame are Gen 3, as is my Glock 34 slide.