[Zerosupport]

17 x300 RMR hd and chassis

 

[Jason D]

I love the 34, but longer barrels can get unwieldy in close quarters. I'd opt for the 17 out of the two listed, or if carry was something to consider down the road, a G19. With a Glock 19 you get 15+1 in a free state, but can also use Glock 17 mags in it so you can have 17 round spares.

Unless you want long. Then go with the 17L

 

[Jarhead Al]

S

17 x300 RMR hd and chassis

Since, he doesn't own any guns (yet), he might need that explained.

 

[SpringerTGO]

As others have said, both choices are great and you really can't go wrong with either. Chances are it won't be your last firearm purchase because needs and wants change. Get what suits you best today. A slight difference in length, weight, or whatever won't make a bit of difference for home defense.
If you get a carry permit consider it another opportunity to buy another handgun.

 

[happie2shoot]

There are many good reliable guns, the P series Rugers is
one we trust fully, most of them have a manual safety, only
for you all that can remember to flip it off in time of need.

If you get a glock and you only want one gun, or two,,,
I would think about a g35, 22, 23, 31,,, NOT a 9mm.

With a Glock in the 40 or 357 sig you have many
more options if ammo gets hard to find, and it will,
also will work for things like hunting,,,

For 40.00 you can get a conversion barrel to shoot the 9mm,
all my glocks have conversion barrels to shoot 9mm,
would/do trust them for HD and or carry, you must prove
them, also must prove any new gun with new ammo.

Don't limit yourself to only one caliber, especially one
like the 9mm.

The older gun people know this from thirty years experience.

Here are some barrels we have tested, probably around twenty ,
and many others that cost much more.

Swenson Conversion Barrel Glock 22 40 S&W to 9mm Luger 1 16 Twist SS

Swenson Conversion Barrel Glock 23 40 S&W to 9mm Luger 1 16 Twist SS

Best replacement Glock 22 Barrels | Bear Creek Arsenal

Once again, until you prove the conversion barrels, only use
it for low cost practic, use only the OEM 40/357 sig barrel HD.

Get with a shooter that really knows something about shooting,
he will help you a lot.

You can get a good used g22 for aorund 280.00, got one
for each member in the famly, with the extra 9mm barrel.

 

[Borg Warner]

I have not owned a gun and would like to purchase a home defense pistol. I will only use iron sights. Reliability is very important to me which is why I am looking at Glock

some say the 34 would be better because of the longer sight radius and slightly less recoil.

Is there an advantage to the 17 for first time gun owner for home defense.

what would you recommend?

For home defense where concealability is not an issue the longer barrel might offer a slight advantage in terms of sight radius although some people shoot a G19 or even a G26 better than a G17 but there's also a potential gain in velocity with a longer barrel. But as far as recoil, neither of those full size 9mm's have any significant recoil worth mentioning.

It all depends on which gun you can shoot best and how well you can shoot, and that all depends on how much time you're willing to spend developing your marksmanship skills and how much money you're willing to spend on ammo. And at a minimum, if you've never shot a Glock before you need to fire at least 500 rounds to become skilled with the Glock trigger.

Resist any tempation to "Improve" the factory trigger. It will improve as you learn how to use it, focusing primarily on sight reaquisition as you fire the gun. That way, by not tinkering with the trigger, your Glock will remain 100% reliable.

 

[warbow150]

I have not owned a gun and would like to purchase a home defense pistol.

what would you recommend?

Boiled down to it, they’re basically the same gun, especially for a beginner. Neither will do anything the other won’t. Pick the one you like and go forth.

For what it’s worth, both are excellent choices for your requirements.

 

[weisse52]

My preference for HD and range is a MOS G34.

Coming from carrying a 1911 a G34 is no bigger and very much lighter so that is personal experience for me.
I would suggest taking a look at a G47. Same size as a G17 but has the MOS option. ( yes… I know the G17 has some options for this as well. Just hard to find).

Maybe it’s me. But when I add a light it balances better with the longer barrel. YMMV

But either is fine.

 

[biscut53]

I have a few 17's and a Gen5 34 with no front serrations. THe 34 is my least favorite gun. Just a personal bias. I shoot it well and its great but I don't like the longer site radius. Love the 17 and kinda 19 but I have 2XL hands so grip of 19 is a tad short. Fell in love with G45!!!! TO me that is ideal size. THe only gun I like more is Shadow Systems version of the G45 and the 23X I had to make myself as Glock could give 2 "F's."

 

[John Hammer]

A Gen 4 Glock 34 has been my nightstand / home defense pistol for over 10 years.

As others have mentioned, either will server you well, but my prejudice is towards the 34. It's easily my favorite Glock and the one I'm most accurate and proficient with. So it get's my vote and recommendation for you.

 

[sparky-kb]

If you're going to put a Surefire X300 or similar on it you might as well go with the 34 since the light is going to stick out anyways. The 34 is basically flush with an X300 Ultra.

I carried this gun for years and it also pulled nightstand duty.

That said, you can't go wrong between the 17 and 34 for your use case. See which one you shoot best at a rental range if you can and go with that one!

 

[biscut53]

A Gen 4 Glock 34 has been my nightstand / home defense pistol for over 10 years.

As others have mentioned, either will server you well, but my prejudice is towards the 34. It's easily my favorite Glock and the one I'm most accurate and proficient with. So it get's my vote and recommendation for you.

I differ with you, but OP, John's advice is no better/worse than mine. Difference between 17 & 34 is likely to be dependent upon which one you shoot more and adjust too.

 

[Parry]

Like most have said, choose a 17 between the two. But consider a 19, because I never think that it is the wrong choice.

 

[40/45]

I have not owned a gun and would like to purchase a home defense pistol. I will only use iron sights. Reliability is very important to me which is why I am looking at Glock

some say the 34 would be better because of the longer sight radius and slightly less recoil.

Is there an advantage to the 17 for first time gun owner for home defense.

what would you recommend?

.45 ACP

 

[sparky-kb]

.45 ACP

A new gun owner is going to need to shoot a lot to become proficient with a handgun. .45 ACP ammo is going to be much more expensive to do that with compared to 9mm.

 

[Glolt20-91]

Of the OP's two choices, I'd pick the 17, in part because should you take a class, there's an abundance of belt holsters to choose from. Not knowing your state laws, a holstered 17 may be considered as open carry and not concealed when traveling by vehicle.

Personal preference for me is the 19X, full size grip, metal night sights and maritime plunger...fording streams during a hike, lanyard for times when it's dropped, fall.

 

[Hwar]

Of the two, G17. Slightly lighter, easy to shoot, and holsters are very easy to find, esp if you want to add a light.

If you are flexible in model and the grip fits you, the G19 is a phenomenal choice with the added bonus of easier to conceal.

I have about 60k rounds through the G17 and about 8k through the 19. Both are excellent pistols. The G34 just never filled a niche I needed.

 

[Glolt20-91]

.45 ACP

I'm carrying a 45auto/45 Super, not a good caliber choice for first time shooters.

 

[40/45]

I'm carrying a 45auto/45 Super, not a good caliber choice for first time shooters.

Yeah I get it. I started younger. The .45 ain’t no big deal.

 

[cciman]

17 is more practical. 19 is even better, as you can use it for carry.

1st time gun owner means you need some training. Get trained no matter what gun you own. Take classes (not the conceal carry type). Knowing how to use it is more important than what you use.