Glock 17L or G34 Gen 4 ?

[VoxVeritasVita]

Which one do you prefer and why? I have been wanting a G34 Gen 4 but when I was at Zev Tech - Glockworx getting work done on my G19 Gen 4 they said the G17L was the better choice.

[Gutshot Gary]

You got a recommendation from one of the best aftermarket Glock companies in the business and instead of listening to them you came to CalGuns to ask that question?

I haven't been here that long but have you SEEN the quality of threads on here?

[WASR10]

Well, I'm a Gen 3 kinda guy. But I'm not really sure what the difference is, exactly, between a 17L and a 34. I've never held a 17L, but the 34 is an excellent shooter. Its on my list for a target gun.

[Rob32]

Im not a glock expert, but i dont know if the 17L has interchangeable backstraps. The gen 4 does. It also has the new grip style on it. ( again, I dont think the 17L does) . If you ever want to change up the size or prefer the feel of the gen 4 then go with that. If it doesnt matter and functionality wise, the 17L is really better, then I would go with that. Gutshot Gary does have a point though. Zev Tech should know what they are doing.

[AP2]

17L looks a little goofy IMO. has a longer barrel than the 34 by an inch or so and sight radius is longer for better accuracy.

[uhlan1]

If you are going to compete the 17L is not Production or IDPA legal

[VoxVeritasVita]

Geez Gutshot Gary.....first let me welcome you to CalGuns, but I don't understand your hostility. CalGuns is a fantastic friendly forum where us members are fortunate to post and reach out to other members for opinions, advice and mostly personal experience with a personal perspective to their opinion to reach my own decision. I have a fantastic relationship with Glockworx with tremendous respect for them, but again, I'm just trying to get other opinions.

[WASR10]

Geez Gutshot Gary.....first let me welcome you to CalGuns, but I don't understand your hostility. CalGuns is a fantastic friendly forum where us members are fortunate to post and reach out to other members for opinions, advice and mostly personal experience with a personal perspective to their opinion to reach my own decision. I have a fantastic relationship with Glockworx with tremendous respect for them, but again, I'm just trying to get other opinions.

Wise thing to do, IMO.

[Gutshot Gary]

Geez Gutshot Gary.....first let me welcome you to CalGuns, but I don't understand your hostility. CalGuns is a fantastic friendly forum where us members are fortunate to post and reach out to other members for opinions, advice and mostly personal experience with a personal perspective to their opinion to reach my own decision. I have a fantastic relationship with Glockworx with tremendous respect for them, but again, I'm just trying to get other opinions.

Sorry, I suppose threads like this http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=955170 gave me poor perspective.

[SDM44]

Get a G34 (or G17), put a 17L barrel in it and presto, you have a poorman's 17L


On a more serious note....

The slide on the G34 is beveled on the front to make drawing & holstering smoother.
17L is not legal in some IDPA or Production classes.
17L increased barrel length does give you some extra velocity for your rounds (lots of vids on youtube showing this).
Both use the same frame & mags (same as any G17). Difference is the slide.
Both have approx 4.5 lb triggers. G34 has the ext slide stop & mag release.
G34 comes with adjustable rear sights (still plastic)
17L is more rare, but only offered in a Gen 3 frame.
G34 comes in a Gen 4 frame & slide, and in FDE if that matters.... but you could put a 17L slide onto an OD or FDE Gen 3 G17 frame.
Both have good resale values. 17L is more rare, but I've seen people wanting the 34's more often.

Basically, the G34 is setup as a competition gun, since that's what its main use is for it. The 17L is a good target gun and is fun to shoot, but is in it's own class.

[JDW67]

SDM44,

Can you put a Gen 3 34 slide on a Gen 4 17 frame?

TIA

[TacticalChihuahua]

You got a recommendation from one of the best aftermarket Glock companies in the business and instead of listening to them you came to CalGuns to ask that question?

I haven't been here that long but have you SEEN the quality of threads on here?

This^

I have had Alec at Zev work on one of my glocks and he is a genius. He is a fan of the 17 and I like the 17L because it is more rare too. Also longer barrel so if you are going for a comp or speed gun then do it to the fullest!

[Leethe4th]

Which one do you prefer and why? I have been wanting a G34 Gen 4 but when I was at Zev Tech - Glockworx getting work done on my G19 Gen 4 they said the G17L was the better choice.

I have a both a G34 and G17L gen 3 (in addition to bunch of other Glocks). The frames are the same as the G17, only the slide and barrel length changes. They come with the extended slide stop, which I replace with a standard one, and the OEM G21 mag release, so called extended mag release. The G17L is not legal for IDPA standard divisions and in USPSA, it is legal for Limited (+140mm mag ext), Limited 10 (10 rounds in mag) and Open (+170mm mag ext) but all would be scored as minor. You will not find a G17L as easy as finding a G34. However, if you get a G17, you can put a G34/G17L upper on that, several companies make aftermarket slides and barrels. The cycle timing is slower for the G34 than the G17, and even slower for the G17L. You could try running a G17L as Open Major 9mm, but it will have a pretty short life. My advice, get a G17 instead.

[REDdawn6]

G34

[mabilis_matulis]

Plus one on G34..