Glock 17 vs Glock 19
- Thread starter gaseousclay
- Start date
larryf1952
New member
For me, I much prefer the G19. The 17 is a nice gun, but it's just a little too long in both the grip and barrel to make it a gun that I'd want to carry or use every day. By contrast, the slightly smaller 19 just feels better in my hand. It's the right size, top and bottom, has nice balance and it still has 15 rounds in the mag.
In my particular case, I have a 3rd Gen G19 (and its equivalent in 40, a 4th Gen G23), and I am the rare bird that loves the way the gun feels in my hand and the way that it points. I have a long hand and fingers, so I can get a full wrap around that big grip and have a full finger on the trigger. I can shoot very, very well with it, even with the OEM sights and trigger.
I should also say that I own Gen 1 M&P's in 9, 40 and 45. They all have Apex trigger parts in them. They are excellent guns, too, and I really don't have a definite preference for either the Glock or the Smiths.
In my particular case, I have a 3rd Gen G19 (and its equivalent in 40, a 4th Gen G23), and I am the rare bird that loves the way the gun feels in my hand and the way that it points. I have a long hand and fingers, so I can get a full wrap around that big grip and have a full finger on the trigger. I can shoot very, very well with it, even with the OEM sights and trigger.
I should also say that I own Gen 1 M&P's in 9, 40 and 45. They all have Apex trigger parts in them. They are excellent guns, too, and I really don't have a definite preference for either the Glock or the Smiths.
Read, why one officer carries 145 rounds. Very good article
lee n. field
New member
Mmmm, OK. Thoughts...
Glocks take longer magazines quite happily. And the 19's grip is already large.
It's a 9mm. Recoil is minimal in the 19. And the weight of the 17 really isn't that much more.
lee n. field
New member
I hear this a lot. I don't think it's applicable to regular non-LEO carrying for personal security.
The guy is carrying 3 fifty round boxes worth of ammo around, on his person, at all times. I'll bet that gets old.
Also, the "I always carry 150 rounds on me" guy is a cop. Different mission, different rules, from the rest of us. Part of his job is to pursue criminals, which is what he was doing during the incident that caused him to embrace the "hail of 9mm lead" strategy.
If Joe Citizen were to follow that advice, and be involved in a self defense shooting, can you imagine what the legal review in the aftermath would be like?
Also see here.
There is no need to get a Glock 17 when you have a S&W M&P 9 Compact M2.0 (who thought that was a good name?).
All you have to do is get a few M&P 17 round mags and factory spacers. You now have S&W's equivalent of a Glock 45.
You're going to dislike the grip texture for carry. You can wear a t-shirt underneath your outer garment. But, the texture is really bad for concealed carry.
If you just want another gun, then there is much to be said about getting another M&P and a few extra 17 round mags with spacers.
All you have to do is get a few M&P 17 round mags and factory spacers. You now have S&W's equivalent of a Glock 45.
You're going to dislike the grip texture for carry. You can wear a t-shirt underneath your outer garment. But, the texture is really bad for concealed carry.
If you just want another gun, then there is much to be said about getting another M&P and a few extra 17 round mags with spacers.
I have both and I prefer the 17 over the 19, but really prefer the 22 in 40 caliber to either of the nines. One gun I don't own but have shot some, is the 19X which has the 17 grip.
Personally, I would get the 19X over the 19 because I do like the longer grip better, and it comes with better sights. I carry concealed usually in inside the waste band holsters, so the longer barrel of the 17 and 22 are not an issue for me, and actually serves to keep the gun from tilting outward at the handle.
And for me I find the larger guns blend in better then the smaller 19 which seems to project a more pronounced bump under cover garments. But that's just me. I will probably never buy another 19, as the one I own just sets in the back of the safe.
Personally, I would get the 19X over the 19 because I do like the longer grip better, and it comes with better sights. I carry concealed usually in inside the waste band holsters, so the longer barrel of the 17 and 22 are not an issue for me, and actually serves to keep the gun from tilting outward at the handle.
And for me I find the larger guns blend in better then the smaller 19 which seems to project a more pronounced bump under cover garments. But that's just me. I will probably never buy another 19, as the one I own just sets in the back of the safe.
I have a G17 for home defense. It's a Gen2 and has been used for home defense since new. I have 17 and 19 round magazines for it and it has night sights.
I have large hands and prefer a full size gun since I don't carry it. I have a G26 for a CCW and a P3AT for pocket carry. A G19 for me would be my choice for a do-it-all gun.
PatientWolf
New member
Full disclosure; I do not own a 17.
That being said, I would throw another option at you…
A 19 with a few 17 mags with X-grips to fill extend the grip makes a nice solution. Yes, it means buying extra parts, but you have the flexibility of CCW with the option of 17-19 rounds with a continuous grip.
That being said, I would throw another option at you…
A 19 with a few 17 mags with X-grips to fill extend the grip makes a nice solution. Yes, it means buying extra parts, but you have the flexibility of CCW with the option of 17-19 rounds with a continuous grip.
I think the 19x would also be good considerations. The OPs concerns as Best I can tell are the following
home defense use - any of these would be an adequate option.
grip size-is really person preference. The OP should go to a gun shop and handle them, If possible shoot them to compare.
magazine capacity- is somewhat of a moot point when considering home defense use. Magazine size is only really a consideration when trying to conceal the firearm. With either gun you can easily use the 17rnd, 33rnd factory mags, or one of the promag 50rnd drums, although I cant say as I would recommend the drum. Also since you don't have to carry the spare magazines around you can have as many as you want and again size is not an issue.
recoil control - to some degree does have to do with the weight of the firearm and the grip size. However I believe that even reasonably good technique plays more of factor than the difference between the sizes.
Lastly 2 issues I don't believe I were addressed. night sights and lights. I have had guns with and without night sights and with and without lights. If it is a nigh, which is roughly half of a day, you will want both. Trying to find a light switch in the dark while holding a gun is not something I want to do. It also illuminates you as well as the other person. A light directs that light away from you and at the other person making you harder to see. also with a light you might get an outline of the front sight, but the tritium dots help a lot when you are running a light. My eyes pick them up a lot faster then the sights themselves. the light will also add a few ounces out by the muzzle to help with recoil control.
home defense use - any of these would be an adequate option.
grip size-is really person preference. The OP should go to a gun shop and handle them, If possible shoot them to compare.
magazine capacity- is somewhat of a moot point when considering home defense use. Magazine size is only really a consideration when trying to conceal the firearm. With either gun you can easily use the 17rnd, 33rnd factory mags, or one of the promag 50rnd drums, although I cant say as I would recommend the drum. Also since you don't have to carry the spare magazines around you can have as many as you want and again size is not an issue.
recoil control - to some degree does have to do with the weight of the firearm and the grip size. However I believe that even reasonably good technique plays more of factor than the difference between the sizes.
Lastly 2 issues I don't believe I were addressed. night sights and lights. I have had guns with and without night sights and with and without lights. If it is a nigh, which is roughly half of a day, you will want both. Trying to find a light switch in the dark while holding a gun is not something I want to do. It also illuminates you as well as the other person. A light directs that light away from you and at the other person making you harder to see. also with a light you might get an outline of the front sight, but the tritium dots help a lot when you are running a light. My eyes pick them up a lot faster then the sights themselves. the light will also add a few ounces out by the muzzle to help with recoil control.
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gaseousclay
New member
Thx for the feedback everyone. Think I’ll stop by the LGS and handle both before deciding
Captains1911
New member
Shane Tuttle
Staff
With Glock threads having the dubious honor of going downhill faster than most, they're normally closed along with infractions given. Honestly, I should continue the tradition.
Instead, here's what I'm doing:
1.Spend time deleting/editing off-topic posts
2. Keeping the thread open....for the moment.
3. Allow a leap of faith the affected members have the smarts to take the hint to knock it off without any further need of moderation.
Catch my drift?
Fantastic.
Good talk.
Instead, here's what I'm doing:
1.Spend time deleting/editing off-topic posts
2. Keeping the thread open....for the moment.
3. Allow a leap of faith the affected members have the smarts to take the hint to knock it off without any further need of moderation.
Catch my drift?
Fantastic.
Good talk.
wild cat mccane
New member
I don't have either. Only handguns I haven't/don't own. But I am growing really tired of constant generation updates from other brands, so I'm considering the same question.
What I've read, strangely, is most people say that are more accurate with the G19 BECAUSE of the grip difference. Is that true? I don't know.
I think the G19 is a better option.
HOWEVER. Since the G48 is a thinner G19 with same capacity...If you forgo all other mag interchangeability...is the G48 better than the G19 and G17? I don't know, but I am having this pre purchase argument with my credit card right now.
Why you would need a compact barrel with a full size grip? Certainly not for concealed carry.
What I've read, strangely, is most people say that are more accurate with the G19 BECAUSE of the grip difference. Is that true? I don't know.
I think the G19 is a better option.
HOWEVER. Since the G48 is a thinner G19 with same capacity...If you forgo all other mag interchangeability...is the G48 better than the G19 and G17? I don't know, but I am having this pre purchase argument with my credit card right now.
Why you would need a compact barrel with a full size grip? Certainly not for concealed carry.
The G48 is a single stack with a 10 round magazine that's why it's slimmer.