Switching to the Dark Side - Glock 19 or 17?

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Dragline45

New member
I have always had a bad taste in my mouth when it came to Glock's, and admittedly most of that comes from the Glock fanboys. But since I live in Massachusetts and my pickings for guns with pre-ban mags are limited, Glock is one of the best choices. While they don't feel as great in my hands as some other pistols you know what they say, beggars cant be choosers, so Glock it is.

I don't have a whole lot of experience with the 17 but have shot the 19 extensively. I keep hearing people complain about the hump on the 17, is this as much of an issue with the Gen 4's and replaceable backstraps as it was with earlier models? I won't be carrying either very often if at all so the smaller size of the 19 isn't really a huge plus.

So let's hear it, why do you prefer one over the other? Have you experienced that you are more accurate with one over the other, is one more reliable, does one handle recoil better than the other?
 
I like the 19 better. I gave my son the 17 when he moved out. I don't shoot the 17 a bit better and if limited to 10 rounds can't see having the bigger gun. The hump is a non-issue to me.
 
For me, the 17 just feels better in the hand. If the 19 felt as good or better, I would go 19. The 2 extra rounds don't really matter to me.. the 17 just feels good.
 
if limited to 10 rounds can't see having the bigger gun. The hump is a non-issue to me.
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I can get 15rd and 17rd pre ban mags pretty easily, but they run $50 a piece on average, and some people ask as high as $70-100, pretty crazy considering they go for $25 new. I already have a couple preban 15rd Glock 19 mags put aside, but I can easily trade them for 17rd 17 mags here in MA if I went that route.

For me, the 17 just feels better in the hand. If the 19 felt as good or better, I would go 19. The 2 extra rounds don't really matter to me.. the 17 just feels good.
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I really need to find someone with a 17 since it's been a while that I shot one. While the +2 extra capcity doesn't mean much to me either, if I decide to throw a light on the gun I hear that it can cause problems with the shorter slide on the 19.
 
I have little experience with the G17, but I like my Gen 4 G19 very, very much. It's in that "Goldilocks" category of pistols: Not too big, not too small, but just right.
 
I'm kind of the opposite of Uncle Malice on this choice - the bump on the 17 hits me in the wrong spot and feels awkward. The decision is all about comfort though, and very likely governed more by hand size than anything else. You are on the right track to seek an opportunity to shoot one of each before making up your mind. I would bet that if you consider your hands to be large you will like the 17 better, and if you think your hands are more medium to small size, you will probably prefer the 19. But take the "probably" out before you spend your money.
 
I have both, and prefer the 17. The 19's grip is cramped to me. Ive carried both, and there is really little difference between them. I normally carry the 17, and have no issues doing so.

I just put my 17 against my 19, and I really dont see any difference in the profile of the back straps/"humps", other than the 19's tails off quicker. The 17's is just a little longer. Both point the same fro me, and really dont feel any difference that way, other than the 19 just feels cramped.
 
It really matters little what others may think, since it only matters how each one feels in your hand

Get the one you like
 
They both suck hard ergonomically, just in slightly different ways. I'd look for anything else name brand that has the ability to take full-cap mags and buy those mags for cash, in person, out of state.
 
I never had an interest in Glock until the Gen4. (I'm a lefty and much prefer being able to reverse the mag release.) I have a Gen4 G17. I don't notice a hump and never paid attention to the earlier generations due to the reason above, so I'm not exactly sure what you are referring to. But my guess is that you would find a comfortable configuration with being able to try the various backstraps.

So I agree with trying to get your hands around examples of each. But being that you already have some G19 mags, that's probably what I would go with.
 
They both suck hard ergonomically, just in slightly different ways. I'd look for anything else name brand that has the ability to take full-cap mags and buy those mags for cash, in person, out of state.
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As much as that's an option you can get royally screwed in this state getting caught with what they call post-ban mags. The chances of ever getting caught with them are slim, but when the outcome is major fines, possible jail time, and getting my license revoked for life, than risk isn't really worth it when I still have access to pre-bans. I already have a Beretta M9A1 which I have a few pre-ban 15rd mags for, but the ergonomics on that gun isn't any better than Glock's. Pretty much the most common handguns in this state you can get pre-bans for are Beretta 92/M9's, Sig 229's/226's, Glock's, and Ruger P-series.

Before anyone says move, if the choice is unlimited access to high capacity mags, or being close to my family and friends, ill choose the later.

All that aside I am going to have to track down a 17 and try it out again and bring my buddy along with his 19 so I can compare the two.
 
What about going down to the 26? They are great guns, that shoot just as easy as their bigger siblings, and can be bigger themselves if need be, with a simple mag change. 10 rounds as they come.
 
What about going down to the 26? They are great guns, that shoot just as easy as their bigger siblings, and can be bigger themselves if need be, with a simple mag change. 10 rounds as they come.
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Ehh, really looking for a full size HD/Duty gun. I have a Shield 9mm so the 26 would never see carry use and isn't ideal for much else.
 
Do you have a chance to buy a pre ban Glock in MA? The prices are unbelievable and you'll be buying a Gen 2. S&W M&P and Sig classic series are on the approved list you'll still be paying less than a pre ban Glock.
 
Do you have a chance to buy a pre ban Glock in MA? The prices are unbelievable and you'll be buying a Gen 2. S&W M&P and Sig classic series are on the approved list you'll still be paying less than a pre ban Glock.
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That's a common misconception, I can walk into several shops in MA and buy brand new gen 3 or 4 Glock's for not much more than they sell out of state depending on the shop.

For those who don't know for a handgun to sell in MA they need to be submitted for approval and make the roster. Glock's are on the roster, though the attorney general came around and said they are unsuitable for sale due to the lack of a loaded chamber indicator, even though they have a bit of paint on the extractor that sticks out when loaded, similar to Sig's and Beretta's. Just another case of the AG in MA trying to ban "scary" guns. Even with what the AG said, they are still perfectly legal to sell, and despite the pressure from the AG's office, several shops still sell them but for a markup since they know many shops wont. The AG's office is actually being sued right now because of it.
 
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It really matters little what others may think, since it only matters how each one feels in your hand
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This. You really need to get them in your hands and determine for yourself. Even in MA there are ranges that you can rent the two, such as Original Bob's in Salisbury.
 
I was never a Glock fan but my son-in-law is a fanatic. Instead of a Glock, I bought the closest thing I could find and it is much cheaper. The S & W sd9ve is almost identically sized to the 19. According to people who are familiar with both, the S & W is much better ergonomically but it has a heavier trigger. I have been very pleased with my $289.99 purchase.
 
This. You really need to get them in your hands and determine for yourself. Even in MA there are ranges that you can rent the two, such as Original Bob's in Salisbury.
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My buddy who has a 19 said his brother who is an LEO is issued a Glock 22, so when he gets a chance I am going to go over and compare the two and maybe get a chance to shoot them side by side. Even though the 22 is a .40 it's better than nothing.
 
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