Sidearms & Scatterguns Glock 34 & 17

[Cold_Bore_88]

I currently own a Gen 4 G17. It has been a great pistol but I wish it had some more length to it. I have looked at the G34 but I noticed it has a cut out on the slide. Would this introduce any functioning issues not found in the G17? I am guessing it would be more susceptible to dirt, grime, etc. If they had a solid top slide of the G34, I would switch in a heartbeat. I found some aftermarket solid tops but they are all Gen 3. I also looked into a longer slide for my 17 but no such luck yet. Any advice?

 

[Mike_Honcho]

What are you doing with it? Austere enviro? OWB / thigh rig? Extended vacation? Yeah, probably not the best choice.

Carry / duty in the good ol U S of A - great blaster.

I have 17s and a 34. I even like my 34 slide on my chopped 17 frame. I carry either in RCS Vanguard 2 up front, or IWB in a Sparks VM2.

 

[sawgunner2001]

IMO, nothing wrong with the cut-out on top of the G34. Now, if you plan on deploying with it into harm's way, into a harsh climate, and never plan on cleaning it, I might suggest otherwise. But other than that, it's been a good gun for me so far. And I'm not religious about cleaning it, either.

 

[K_4c]

I've got 10.5 k down the tube on my G34 (gen 3) with only 2 FTF in that entire time (happen to be mag related).

The sight radius of the 34 is a positive.... but the slide speed of 17 cycles faster... personally, I shoot both the same. I had to try both and nether one has left my side the last 5 years.

 

[bkw1911]

I use the 34 in uspsa. Started with a 17 but the 34 is much faster for getting your sight picture. No the cut on top wont affect reliability. All solid slide would be pretty heavy and cylcle sluggish. My extractor blew out at about 5k though. Thats a standard glock extractor on all 9s no matter the size tho so could happen to any. Just upgrade the sights only and you should be good. Most 34s you here that dont work run aftermarket guiderods, spings, triggers etc. Fwiw tho id get a gen 3 34. Dont mess with the dual recoil spring on a 9. And if you do compete youll want the ghost rocket trigger connector which I haven't seen fit a gen4.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

 

[koz]

I wouldn't hesitate to use the G34 for combat. I've seen G35's used even in the worst brown-outs with no issues.

 

[matthias]

I owned a 17L for a few years and put many thousands of rounds through it. never had an issue with the cut out on the slide. only thing I did find out is if you get 34 sights for the 17L the rear portion of the front sight will show its ass because the cut out is longer front to back on the 17L.

 

[Double-edged]

And if you do compete youll want the ghost rocket trigger connector which I haven't seen fit a gen4.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

I run Ghost Connectors in all of my Gen4 9mm Glocks, a 17, a 19, and a 34. What is the problem with them not fitting?

 

[bkw1911]

Thats good to know. I tried one in a gen 4 when they 1st came out and so did a couple other guys at my club and they wouldn't fit right with the shorter frame. They sat at a slightly different angle and would bind. One gen4 we got to work but the trigger was stuck around 8lbs even with spring changes.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

 

[kansas]

I run G 34 in competition and shot hundreds of rounds through it this last year with no cleaning. A couple of the ranges have that fine silt that gets into everything and still have never had a malfunction. It was obvious at the end of the season when I cleaned guns that I had waited too long but the G34 ran without a hitch. I've changed the recoil spring and guide rod, put a 2.5 lb disconnect in it but the gun eats anything, even filthy dirty. I'd trust my life to it. Same goes with my two G17s.

 

[Rob01]

Have had a 17 since 1988 and a 34 for about 3 years now and both just plain run. No functioning problems using the 34 in IDPA, USPSA or 3 gun. Ran it dirty and wet.

 

[wnroscoe]

I purchased a Gen4 34 because I thought the extended sight radius and supposedly tricked out trigger and sights would matter. I trained with it and ran it for a while but was never sold on it 100%. The trigger as issued was OK but, I did get front site twitch during dry fire practice. I re-placed the trigger with a Glock Worx trigger and changed the FP spring. That helped / eliminated the front sight twitch but gave me a few light strikes. I re-installed the issued FP spring and light strikes went away but, the trigger was back at 5#'s.

They're good pistols but, to be honest, it was no more accurate than my Gen3 19 or the G17's I've messed with. I sold it and moved on. Would I purchase another one knowing what I know now, no. Others I know have also moved to the G19/17 or G23/22 and away from the G34/35's.

The cut out is to help lighten the slide to make it run quicker, it'll be a non-issue as far as reliability goes. With a few tweaks, modifications and additions it'll make a nice race gun but, the G17 is no slouch. Good luck.

 

[jdknotts1]

If you're going to go 34/35 route, go with the 35. For an extra $120 you can get a conversion barrel for it and shoot both 9 and 40. The cut out on the slide is to reduce the weight down to the equivalent of the G17. It will not "cycle faster". Lengthen the slide and you are adding weight. So the cut-out will allow it to cycle the same as a G17. I haven't weighed either one, but I'm pretty sure this is the theory behind it.

 

[Cold_Bore_88]

I purchased a Gen4 34 because I thought the extended sight radius and supposedly tricked out trigger and sights would matter. I trained with it and ran it for a while but was never sold on it 100%. The trigger as issued was OK but, I did get front site twitch during dry fire practice. I re-placed the trigger with a Glock Worx trigger and changed the FP spring. That helped / eliminated the front sight twitch but gave me a few light strikes. I re-installed the issued FP spring and light strikes went away but, the trigger was back at 5#'s.

They're good pistols but, to be honest, it was no more accurate than my Gen3 19 or the G17's I've messed with. I sold it and moved on. Would I purchase another one knowing what I know now, no. Others I know have also moved to the G19/17 or G23/22 and away from the G34/35's.

The cut out is to help lighten the slide to make it run quicker, it'll be a non-issue as far as reliability goes. With a few tweaks, modifications and additions it'll make a nice race gun but, the G17 is no slouch. Good luck.

You have truly answered my question. I should have been more clear. I am happy with my 17 but I was wondering if the 34 was worth the switch. I appreciate the insight. Thanks everybody.

I am not a fan of the .40. For some reason I have never liked it. I stick with the 9mm and .45.

 

[427Cobra]

Glock controls slide speed by weight and spring tension, since the 17 34 17L 22 24 35 all use the same recoil spring, slide weight must be controlled buy milling out the tops of the slides, I have zero reliability concerns, as far as 40 goes I perfer it over 9mm, but I shoot 40 minor, which is a 180grn pill going 725fps, recoil is less than 9mm shooting the same power factor.

 

[tomcfc11]

Glock did the cutout on the 34 to keep the same weight as a 17 slide for function. I have both and don't think the 34 would be an issue. The 34 shoots a bit faster for me but I carry a 19 due to the fact I can clear the holster faster. Depends on what your intended use is. For a shooting sport pistol the 34 is hard to beat. You can always buy the 34, need to complete your glock collection!