17 vs 19

[Caribouriver]

If I have any money left after Christmas (doubtful- 4 grown kids), I was going to get a Glock just to have one and to have something in 9mm. And cheaper to practice with than .45 ACP. Good used or new. I was in a gun store recently and stood them both up (barrels up) on the counter. I was surprised to see that the 17 was only about a half inch longer than the 19 with a slightly longer grip. Both about the same price new. I plan to see if I can rent one or both at LAX range to see how they "feel". Those of you that have owned these long term surely have valuable owner experience. Is it a toss up between the 17 and 19? CCW is pretty much out of the question where I live so recoil and accuracy would be more important to me than concealment. Thanks for your advice.

[BunnySlayer]

I have owned and shot both. If concealment and carry are not an issue, the full size (17) is easier to shoot, having a longer sight radius and longer barrel and more weight. If you will be carrying it a lot, the 19 is the better choice.

[billybob_jcv]

[frank8097]

personal preference

[Fishslayer]

personal preference

This. They definitely have different feel, imo.

FWIW I shot the 19 better, but it was a privately owned one with a worked trigger. The 17 was a rental.

I think a 19 might have better resale value, if that's important. Everybody seems to want the 19. I could be totally talking out my burro on that one...

[emsp]

17C (what I have)

[esartori]

I have shot both, I have big hands, I liked the 17 more. YMMV

[cindynles]

I own both and shoot both well. I bought the 19 first and found it was just a bit short for me and the finger groves are just a little too close together for me (my 14 year old son says the 19 fits him perfectly). The 17 fits my hand perfectly, I added a Pearce grip extender to some of the 19 mags and it works great. They shoot the same for me and they cost the same so your best bet to hold both of them in the gun store and see which one feels better in your hand.

Side by side:


The 19 in my chubby hand:


The 19 in my chubby hand with a Pearce grip extender:

[Striker]

If I have any money left after Christmas (doubtful- 4 grown kids), I was going to get a Glock just to have one and to have something in 9mm. And cheaper to practice with than .45 ACP. Good used or new. I was in a gun store recently and stood them both up (barrels up) on the counter. I was surprised to see that the 17 was only about a half inch longer than the 19 with a slightly longer grip. Both about the same price new. I plan to see if I can rent one or both at LAX range to see how they "feel". Those of you that have owned these long term surely have valuable owner experience. Is it a toss up between the 17 and 19? CCW is pretty much out of the question where I live so recoil and accuracy would be more important to me than concealment. Thanks for your advice.

First, I would say shoot the 17 and 19 a lot before deciding. I've used both pistols and like them both, but if concealment is not an issue I would choose the 17 or a 34. I tend to run them a little better and a little faster when I'm working moving drills. Standing static at a range, I find both the 17 and the 34 to be a little more accurate for me than the 19, but not by a lot. If I needed a concealment gun in a warm weather environment, I would choose the 26 with the mag extension. Some will say that they don't think there is a lot of difference in concealability between the 19 and 26, but I think every little bit helps. As I said though, I like the 19 as well. It feels a need and does a great job of doing it. To me, something of a compromise between the 17 and 26. Nothing wrong with that.

[CK_32]

OP in your post the 17 is the way to go. Simple as that.

But like you said go feel them and try them. I shot well with the 19 as I did with the 17 before I bought one (17). But I didnt like how my left hand went under the gun instead of over the grip like the 17. My gf loved the 19 because it was perfect for her smaller hands. Both great guns but I think the 17 is all around better than the 19 just due to the sight radius round capacity and the longer grip. The only plus to the 19 is the CCW factor IMO.

I say go 17 but again go shoot both like you said because you might not like something about the 17. There are plenty of guys who love the 19 over the 17. Everyone is different.

Good luck.

[jyo]

The trend nowadays is toward slightly more compact pistols---I fully support this trend finding the compact versions more handy to pack and carry while losing virtually nothing in the shooting part. I am not personally a Glock fan, but have shot many since they first came out in the mid-80s---the Glock 19 is perhaps the most balanced of their entire line.

[Dead*Reckoned]

I have a 19 and could never imagine getting a 17, it hards fits my hand. I have fricken huge paws, but the 17 still feels like a brick. Choose what works for you, though make sure you try them both out.

[MrExel17]

+1 for the 17

[VictorFranko]

I own both and shoot both at IDPA.
For whatever reason, I shoot the 19 better than the 17.
I have heard others say the same thing.
All I have come up with for a reason is that maybe, subconsciously, knowing the 19 has a shorter sight radius, I concentrate more.

[supersonic]

I have owned and shot both. If concealment and carry are not an issue, the full size (17) is easier to shoot, having a longer sight radius and longer barrel and more weight. If you will be carrying it a lot, the 19 is the better choice.

I agree with this. I will emphasize only if concealabilty is of paramount importance. The 17 is way more comfortable to shoot and is more apt to putting all the rounds where you are pointing it. The G19, while very nice, has a tendency - like all compact Glocks - to "pinch" the side of your middle finger that touches the triggerguard when firing. This is due to the tighter-fitting quarters on the 19's grip, as opposed to the 17's which is spread out evenly so that your fingers aren't smashed together. YMMV, as I have large hands.