Full vs Compact Handguns

[Edwood]

If you're not going to CCW, then it's going to be more of a personal choice. Generally speaking, the bigger and heavier the gun, the better it will handle recoil. But ergonomics and your grip on the gun can effect your aim, along with rapid follow up.

[drunktank]

The grip is slightly different between the two. For me, a G19 fit better than a 17 so I went that route (gen3). I know some other 19/23 owners who feel the same. Bigger is not always better.

[jeffafa]

Glocks are weird, they have a strange grip angle. If you are new to Glocks you should try to rent both. For example, a 17 feels weird to me and I can't shoot one worth beans. However, a 19 feels much more normal and I can shoot them much better than a 17.

I'm the opposite - I shoot my 17 better than a 19. I have big hands and even with my Gen 4 I prefer the medium backstrap to mimic the size of my Gen 3.
I had the opportunity to shoot a 19, 17, and 34 side by side and there was a difference in felt recoil between the 3 with the 19 being the snappiest and the 34 being the softest as expected.

[missiontrails]

I don't carry, therefore compacts are a waste of my time and money. I don't have one compelling reason to invest in something less than full size. If I lived in a free state, I'm sure my position would change.