Glock 17 and 19 have reigned supreme as the best handguns for American military professionals and civilians. Both have a wide variety of use cases, including self-defense, competition shooting, training, and recreation. This makes deciding between the two a fairly challenging task. A comprehensive Glock 17 vs. 19 comparison is the best way to uncover key differences and facilitate an informed decision.
In this blog, we'll explore the specific features and functionalities of both pistols. By the end, you'll be able to decide which model is worth your investment.
Glock 17 Vs 19 - Size
The size of both pistols differs significantly. Glock 17 is a full-sized pistol designed for open carry. It was the originally designed pistol by Glock, so it has a bigger frame. Contrarily, the Glock 19 is a compact version of the 17. Consider it as an advanced variant of Glock 17 designed to meet the needs of a smaller pistol for shooters.
The Gen 4 Model 17 has a 7.32-inch slide length and a 4.49-inch barrel length. The Glock 19 has a slide length of 6.85 inches. Its barrel length is 4.02 inches.
In addition, the Glock 17 has a 5.47-inch frame, while the 19 has a shorter 5.04-inch frame. The total width of the grip, width across controls, and trigger reach of both 17 and 19 pistols are the same.
Differences in Weight Between Glock 17 and 19
There's a four-ounce difference in weight between both pistols. Glock 17 weighs 24.87 ounces, while 19 weighs 21.16. Further, Glock 17's weight with an empty mag is 25, and that of 19 is 23.9 ounces. If you consider the weight with a full magazine, the Glock 17 stands at 32.4 ounces, while the Glock 19 is 29.4 ounces.
Back in 1982, the Glock 17 was prized for being lightweight and rugged. But with time, there arose a need for more compact guns which could be carried concealed. Thus, the emergence of Glock 19 was a manifestation of this desire.
Glock 17 Vs. 19 in Terms of Accuracy
Both pistols have shown outstanding results in accuracy tests. Glock 17's longer barrel and the resultant sight radius give a higher bullet velocity. It performs much better than Glock 19 at 25 meters when locked in a vise. But in the actual world, shooting usually takes place at a target that is about 15 yards away. In such a case, there are hardly any differences in accuracy between the models.
G17 Gen 5 has the most acceptable accuracy at distances of 5, 7, 10, 15, and 20 yards. Glock 19 is designed to be a highly reliable pistol, but this reliability comes from the loose tolerances built into it. This implies that G19 is not exactly the weapon of choice for pinpoint accuracy. It just has some small variations in accuracy when you shoot from longer distances (25 – 100 yards) compared to G17.
Recoil Differences Between Glock 17 and 19
Weights exert an influence over the recoil absorption. So, it goes without saying that Glock 17 is more controllable under recoil. G17 is a short-recoil-operated gun that utilizes the force or power of the slide recoil to cycle the action. Its longer barrel and slide places more weight forward. This aids in lowering the muzzle flip and felt recoil.
The recoil increases when a pistol becomes lighter. The same is the case with Glock 19. Still, there are no significant differences. The recoil energy produced from fully loaded G19 and 17 with 9mm Luger ammo varies by just .25 ft/lbs.
Differences in Concealability Between G 17 and G19
Glock 19 is the ultimate concealed-carry weapon. The additional barrel and slide length of G17 makes concealability challenging. It also has a larger grip because it holds 17 rounds. We have already talked about the variations in weight between the pistols. The weight advantage of G19 makes it ideal for discreet carry compared to G17.
Still, if you want to prevent your Glock 17 from showing too much, we recommend investing in a good leather holster customized to the specifications of your gun.
Grip Variations Between Glock 17 and 19
If you draw both guns one at a time using a holster in the appendix position, you won't find any differences in the ease of gripping. There are no variations in the circumference of the grips between the two pistols. However, G17 is taller than G19. So, there is more real estate in its grip. It is an advantage for those with larger hands but not necessarily for shooters with small hands. If you have small hands, you may feel more comfortable gripping the compact G19.
Today, the Gen5 grips of both pistols have undergone massive changes in terms of texture, shape, and girth. The changed ergonomics make them ideal to shoot at the range. In order to make an informed choice, you should test both the pistols yourself.
Comparison of Magazine Capacity
The magazine capacity of Glock 17 is 17 rounds. Glock 19 has a standard capacity of 15 rounds. The extra size and weight of G17 allow it to carry two more rounds than G19. However, today, many manufacturers offer different magazines for G17 and 19. They can hold 17, 24, 31, and 33 rounds and sometimes more than that.
In addition, you can tailor the gun with an extended magazine and equip it with the capability to serve your task. This minimizes the differences in the magazine capacity of both handguns.
Aftermarket Upgrades and Customization Options
Aftermarket and customization options enhance the function, style, and performance of handguns according to the specific needs of gun owners. Both the Glock models support many upgrades and accessories, such as tailored slides, extended controls, grips, and triggers. Red dot sights can be mounted on both guns. Also, the pistols are compatible with White Dot/GNS/Ameriglo sights.
To combat recoil and muzzle flip on G17, you can install a compensator. Moreover, you can upgrade the polymer guide rods of G17 with models built from tungsten or steel billet. If you want an improvement in the gun's ergonomics, install an extended mag release and mag well. Similarly, the Glock 19 is also highly customizable. You can get match barrels made using stainless steel for a tighter fit inside the slide or fluted barrels for weight reduction. Aftermarket triggers range from adjustable, flat-faced, and competition triggers. You may use any of them according to your needs.
Final Verdict on Glock 17 Vs 19
Glock 17 is favored for its larger capacity and accuracy, which are essential for competition shooting. It is also ideal as an open-carry weapon. Glock 19 is a compact pistol best suited for everyday concealed carry. Its standard capacity is sufficient for personal protection needs, and its shorter length and grip make it comfortable, especially for those with small hands. Although both models have extensive customization options available, the diversity is greater with G19. So, you can tailor it more as a weapon that serves your specific needs quite well.
Ultimately, both G19 and G17 are highly reliable and performance-oriented pistols. Your decision should be based on a careful consideration of their features and a knowledge of how well they align with your needs.
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