The GLOCK 34 Gen4 highly-accurate handgun has earned the title of one of the competitive IPSC and other sports shooting pistols. On the contrary, the Glock 19 semi-automatic pistol is specially designed for the military and police forces.
Both are widely popular Glock models, but factors like the overall size, capacity, sight, slide & barrel length indicate notable differences between these two.
Often consumers ask what makes the difference between the G34 and G19 to choose one over another. Therefore, continue reading this article to learn each feature that makes the disparity.
Quick Comparison Table Glock 34 Vs. Glock 19:
Let’s check out the difference between these two guns through their specs-
| Specification | Glock 34 | Glock 19 |
| Overall Length | 224 mm | 8.82 inches | 187 mm | 7.36 inches |
| Barrel Length | 135 mm | 5.31 inches | 102 mm | 4.02 inches |
| Caliber | 9x19mm | 9x19mm |
| Magazine Capacity | Standard: 17 Optional:19/24/31/33 | Standard: 15 Optional:17/19/24/31/33 |
| Weight | 655 g|23.10 oz (without magazine), 735 g|25.93 oz (with empty magazine), 945 g|33.33 oz (with loaded magazine) | 600 g|21.16 oz (without magazine), 670 g|23.63 oz (with empty magazine), 855 g | 30.16 oz (with loaded magazine) |
| Slide Length | 207 mm | 8.15 inches | 174 mm | 6.85 inches |
| Overall Width | 33 mm | 1.30 inches | 32 mm | 1.26 inches |
| Height incl.Mag. | 139 mm | 5.47 inches | 128 mm | 5.04 inches |
| Slide Width | 25,5 mm | 1.0 inches | 25,5 mm | 1.0 inches |
What Is the Difference Between Glock 34 and 19 Based on Features?
Let’s check out the difference between these guns through their specs-
Feature 1: Specificity & Versatility
The Glock 34 version has a nice long slide and offers a good full-size grip as well as a long sight radius. The G34 is a big unwieldy pistol but gives extra accuracy that is perfect for specific roles like use in competition shooting, target practice, or WRO (go-to war guns).
On the other hand, the Glock 19 semi-compact pistol is a potential weapon for concealed carry purposes and perfect for professionals to carry on duty as police do.
That means the Glock 19 can easily overlap the role of the Glock 34 because G19 is more of a duty gun and can hold 17 up to 33 rounds of capacity similar to the G34. Also, the G19 can be a backup concealed carry, console gun, or simple home defense security gun. Therefore, the Glock 19 is more versatile than the 34 version.
Feature 2: More Accuracy with Softer Reduced Recoil
Since the Glock 34 comes with a longer barrel, it will likely deliver better accuracy. Also, due to that extended long barrel, it is a bit heavier to use as a typically concealed gun, but it also helps to reduce recoil. This mass appearance makes it easier to control with soft recoil.
The Glock 19 is absolutely perfect as a concealed or backup concealed weapon, but its shorter barrel makes it less accurate. Also, its grip angle, low bore axis, and polymer frame help to reduce felt recoil but might be slightly less perfect than the G 34.
However, both pistols are good in recoil handling even though one is smaller and the other falls into the larger gun category. If you prefer more accuracy from your handgun, the Glock 34 will be better than the G19.
Feature 3: Improved Handing, Easier Sight Recovery & Concealability
Since the Glock 34 is a bit longer and significantly heavier than any decent concealed carry weapon, it might not be an ideal option for self-defense. But the improved handling and more effortless sight recovery make it more appealing for rapid shooting. Also, bigger size means more space to get a better grip.
On the other hand, the Glock 19 will be perfect keeping as a self-defense weapon because of its compact small appearance and lightweight. The handling and sight recovery might be slightly less than the G34. Some users are more comfortable holding small guns rather than bigger ones. So, they won’t feel any discomfort getting a better hold on this gun.
If you are looking for a lightweight concealed carry gun for self-defense, G19 will be your ideal pick, but if you need a gun to use for multiple purposes and weight is not a big issue for you, G34 can be a better option.
Feature 4: Little Spongy Trigger Pull Vs. Lightweight Trigger Setup
The Glock 34 trigger is not bad, but it is not outstanding and the trigger will work like an average 9mm gun will do. But Glock 34 gun’s trigger excels in its reset where you will notice short, loud, and tactile trigger reset. The trigger pull of the 34 models is a little spongy, but it does not directly affect accuracy.
Reversely, the Glock 19 features a striker-fired trigger design that makes it easier to engage with the gun accurately. The G19 features a light trigger pull with a positive and short trigger reset setup. Its trigger design makes shooting competition or rapid practice shooting very easy and quick.
Therefore, if you compare the trigger design of these two Glock models, the Glock 19 will be the clear winner due to its advance and user-friendly trigger pulling & reset setup.
Feature 3: More Opportunities for Ammunition Expansion and Penetration
Since the Glock 34 is a bigger gun with a longer barrel and slide length, it has more chance of Ammo expansion and penetration because a longer barrel produces higher velocity.
On the contrary, due to the shorter barrel and slide length of the Glock 19, the barrel cannot produce higher velocity and results in less chance of ammunition expansion as well as penetration.
That means the Glock 34 surely has the advantage of its extra longer slide and barrel lengths to create more opportunities for better Ammo expansion and penetration.
Glock 34 or Glock19- Which One to Choose?
The Glock 34 and 19 pistols are excellently designed, versatile, reliable, and not expensive. Even though both can serve multiple purposes, one might seem more appealing to them than the other based on individual users’ preferences.
The Glock 34 is ideally suitable for target shooting, practice shooting, and use in shooting competitions or war.
Therefore, if your purpose falls into any of those categories, you can pick it without any doubt.
However, due to its compact, tiny appearance and lightweight, it directly falls into the concealed carry gun and is perfect to use as a self-defense, home security, and duty pistol.
Thus, if you are interested in a multi-purpose concealed weapon, you can pick the Glock 19 without a second thought.
If you compare the accuracy, you might get slightly better accuracy with the G34 since it has a longer slide and barrel.
You will get a better grip with the bigger space of putting all your three fingers and feel more control over the gun. But some gun users are trained or more used to handling smaller guns, so the little grip space of the G19 will not bother them.
Some are more like huge gun collectors or prefer to collect all the best options available in the market, and they should keep both of these guns in their stock because both are incredible weapons.
Thus, the final decision will highly depend on your need and preference to claim which one is better among them.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Will my Glock 19 fire if I accidentally drop it?
Generally, it will not because the G19 is designed with a trigger safety to prevent it from firing when accidentally dropped. But if the trigger somehow moves in the forward position when the pistol is loaded, it might fire up.
How far can the Glock 19 shoot?
According to Glock manual declaration, the maximum effective range of the G19 is 50 m.
Which Gen of Glock 34 is the best?
Due to its nicer finish and smooth shooting capacity, the Glock 34 Gen 5 has been considered the best.
How many bullets can my Glock 19 hold with an extended clip?
The original clip of Glock 19 can hold a standard 15 magazine capacity, but you can get up to 33 rounds capacity on your G19 with an extended clip.
Should I clean & lubricate my Glock 19 after every use?
Yes, you should and it should be cleaned at least once a month.
Summary:
Both Glock 34 and 19 can serve multiple purposes. But if you compare their flexibility, ability, and capacity, you will discover that they are individually better for distinct purposes.
Based on their individual features or characteristics, one can easily find out what makes them different and why they need to think thoroughly before making the final decision. However, all the potential differences between Glock 34 and 19 are already explained in detail earlier.
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