I bought a G17.5MOS and wouldn't consider anything larger for home defense, if anything I'd say the G19 is ideal as you'd likely use it in smaller spaces. That said, I added a 43x and it's next to the bed at night and am comfortable with either one.

 

I would try to go to a range and rent both of them if that is possible and see which one you shoot the best . If that is not possible , get the one that feels best in your hands . There will be no difference in reliability and accuracy between them is probably minimal, especially for a new shooter . I went with a gen5 34 . Also consider the 47 , I have heard that it is a little softer shooting and some claim to be their most accurate shooting Glock .

 

Either one would be fine. First gun, between the two I'd get the 17. It's less expensive and easier to carry if you get your CCW.

Most importantly if it's your first gun and you've not had any training, get some training. Knowing how to handle a firearm safely should be your number one concern.

ETA. What @redrick. said I'd look at the 47 if I was starting out.

 

17. The 17 is more flexible and the 34 offers you no advantage at all.

The only time I would ever choose a 34 over a 17 is if I need long range accuracy - I borrowed my wife's once to win a couple of police matches that went out to 50 yards and didn't require speed. The longer sight radius helps low-speed accuracy.

But I don't need to shoot 50 yards in my house, so I would be much better served with a gun that is shorter and handier and easier to holster and conceal, if I want.

 

Either will work. Pick the one you like the most.

 

Either will work. Pick the one you shoot better.

FIFY

 

Unless you’re shooting very long distances, I think the argument about sight radius is often overstated. You really can‘t go wrong with either gun. They share the same frame and internal parts. I prefer the G17 to the G34 and I own several of both guns in a various generations. The G17 has better balance to me and the sights settle on target slightly faster with less disturbance as the gun goes back into battery. A lot of folks prefer the G34 and the one advantage you’ll get with the longer barrel is a bit more velocity, which may matter to you in a self defense gun. The G34 ships with a GLOCK OEM “-“ connector, so the trigger pull weight will be 0.5-1.0# lighter than the G17. The feel of the minus connector appeals to some, like me, but is too “mushy” for others because the wall in the trigger is less pronounced.

Go to the gun store and handle both of them to see what you prefer. You can’t go wrong with either and the differences in shooting them is minimal.

 

The 17 would be the more versatile of the two. But I would go with a 19.

 

This ^^^
G17 or G19
Not a G34 unless you are target shooting.

 

G17, 500 rounds and few hours with competent instructor.

 

As long as you are looking, I would look at the whole family of choices, i.e. you have the G45, G17, G47 and G34. They all have the same grip and capacity, but each one handles a little differently. For me, I have become a big, big fan of the G45. Since I have all of them, I can say that the G45 handles the best, in my opinion.

 

For me, I have become a big, big fan of the G45. Since I have all of them, I can say that the G45 handles the best, in my opinion.

My choice as well. I'm a big fan of my G17, G19, and G34, but I've gravitated to my G45 for home defense. Remarkably balanced.

 

Of the two choices, I would recommend the 17 simply because it would be easier to find a case/safe/holster to store it in for HD.

I would like to toss out an alternative however for your consideration. If it has to be a Glock, check out a Glock 26. A Glock 26 will shoot pretty much the same as it's bigger brothers, particularly at typical HD shooting distances. Additionally, a G26 will take the same mags as it's bigger brothers. So you could easily use the G26 with a G17 mag. There is a product called the 'Xgrip' that would fill up the extra space. That way you have a 17+1 capacity pistol for HD but also have a smaller and more easily carried pistol should you chose to carry it as well. Many people have the same pistol for EDC and HD.

Just a thought

 

Here is an example of the Xgrip I mentioned above.

This is what it looks like;

Before I switched my off-duty carry pistol to Sig I carried a G26 with a G19 mag and Xgrip. It effectively turns your G26 into a G17 or G19 depending on the size Xgrip you buy.

 

I've got G26(1 gen3; 1 gen5); G43, G19gen5 (2 each); G17gen5; G34gen4. They all work. By BOTH, then come back and tell us if a G17 or G34 works better or worse for your needs.

If no optic is ever used, fine, as it'd be another personal choice to try or not.

At one time, I was probably most accurate with my G34 out of all my handguns I owned, regardless of caliber, brand, and model. More accuracy certainly can't hurt, but each person is different and may shoot a given G17 equally well to a G34, at a given distance.

 

Definitely doesn’t matter. Between any of the Gen 3-5 9mm double stack Glocks, just get whichever one you like the most or can get the easiest/ cheapest. If someone told me my house gun had to be a 34, 17, 19, 45, 47, etc I wouldn’t lose a wink of sleep over which one. I have a 34 and a 26 right now, but I could swap the 34 for a 19, 45, 17, 47, or 49 and it would do the same thing!

 

Here's a pic of my 34.
It does not matter if you get a 34, or a 17, or a 19, or a 26. They are all essentially identical, with only a fraction on an inch separating them. And they are only a few hundred bucks. It's not a major life decision.
People focus on the equipment, because it's easier to buy or modify than it is to be dedicated to the learning process.
What's important is that you actually learn how to use one safely and shoot it well.

 

@redrick makes a good point regarding the G47. If you’re considering the G17, the G47 will give you the same profile and then if you decide later that you want an optic you’ll also have that option with the G47. Similarly, if you find the GLOCK brand to be to your liking, the G47 has parts compatibility with the G19. If you decide to buy a G19 Gen 5 later, you could swap the slides/frames between the guns and have a G19, G45, G47, and G49 configuration.

 

Others have you covered. I'd not rule out the G19. Lots of people use this as primary and duty weapon. You give up 2 rounds and it saves a decent amount of size. Still as capable as the 17.

I have a 17 and 26. Generally the 26 has a 15rnd mag and one of the X-Grips or fillers from above but can be run small the flush. If I had only pistol it would be a G19 all day every day. BTW I shoot them all equally as do many here. The G26 can hold it's own against a G17/19 to 25 yards. I'd trust my life to all of them and no issues fielding one in a gun fight.

Good luck. Gun safety first and quality training. Good holster. Learn to draw, reload, manipulate for malfunctions and fire under stress. Also the best practice is dry fire - easiest way to improve by far.

 

17 x300 RMR hd and chassis

 

S

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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."

 

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.

 

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.