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!

 

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

 

.45 ACP

 

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

 

.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.

 

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.

Was there ever a financial limit posted by OP? Nope. So why would you make that giant leap for someone you likely do not know?

 

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.

 

Another vote for the 19X. Already comes with night sights and same grip as G17.

 

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.

 

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.

 

You can't go wrong with either one. Personally I would consider the G19 because it's a little more versatile if you decide to later carry.

I'd also strongly urge you to get an MOS version. If you never use an optic you aren't out much extra. But if you decide you may want to try an optic sometime down the road it's an option.

 

34 gets my vote but either one is great.

 

34 all day (and night)!

 

Knowing what I know about guns, I recommend finding a gun range to rent some Glocks. I would try the 26 with a pinkie extension a G19, The G17, and the G34. Of your two choices you really can’t go wrong. But I would choose The 19 (it’s not called the starter Glock for nothing)?

 

The Glock 17 is the original Glock size and caliber, although it is now in its 5th generation. It's hard to go wrong with that. It's probably the most likely pistol in the world to work well out-of-the-box. It was designed to win military contracts that required a simple, decent handgun that required a minimum of training time and resources to keep running. All the other Glocks are variations to suit the market. For a first pistol, go with the 17, buy a bunch of practice ammunition, take a safety and shooting course, and then work on the basics. Slow fire. Leave the ninja stuff and the caliber wars to internet keyboard commandos. When you get to where slow-fire is very accurate and boring, then start throwing in some speed. Never forget you are morally and legally responsible for every round you send downrange, whether it is at a shooting range or in your home in defense of life. You'll probably want some basic 115 grain hollowpoints when the time comes to keep the gun loaded for defensive use. They are less likely to overpenetrate.

Let us know how it all turns out.

 

Another option outside of the two the OP listed. The Glock 49 isn't a bad choice. Gives you the longer 17 length barrel and slide with the shorter G19 grip. A short grip G47 if you will. Should you want more capacity, you can either add a +2 base plate onto the 15 round (G19) mags. Or you can use the G17 mags along with the aforementioned X-Grip sleeve if you don't want a gap. Food for thought at the very least.

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/glock-g49-mos-semi-auto-pistol

 

I actually had no idea this 9mm variant existed. A ways back lots of guys used to chop their G17 grips for similar configuration. Saw it less when AIWB carry became a thing. Nice of Glock to just offer it.

Obviously I don't keep up with latest and greatest (I'm an Indian > Arrow type) but this fills a niche for the G17 dedicated crew for sure.

 

If it is strictly for Home Defense (and hopefully eventually some IDPA or USPSA competition matches to improve your skills), I would go with the 34. If you might eventually use the same firearm for EDC, I would go with the 17. As many others have already said, you will be pleased with either choice.

 

I've owned both the 17 and 34 in the past but have settled on G19 as my EDC. It's compact enough for daily use as well as home defense. I carry a flush fit 15rd magazine and a spare with a Strike Industries EMP +5 base pad. That gives me a total of 36rds.

 

They will all do the job if you practice to do yours. Have all here and of the full sized Glocks, I'd go G34 or G45 as both of those work better than any G17 or G19 has, for me. Would go so far as to say that the G26 also does better for me personally than G17 or G19. So great to have so many good choices.

 

My 2 cents... any advantage one has over the other will be so negligible in a home defense situation that it just doesnt matter enough to worry about. I would just get the one I like and call it a day.

 

Welcome to GT.

My suggestion is go take a basic class from a reputable range that has rentals. Shoot a few before you buy.

That will put you ahead of many of the folks giving you "advice." Best of luck!

 

Another option for HD and every day carry,

Sale Price: $279.95
AimSurplus, LLC

LEO Trade-In GLOCK 23 GEN 3 .40S&W Handgun


BCA Glock 32 .357 Replacement Barrel|THREADED/UNBRANDED

9mm Conversion Barrel for Glock 23 | Threaded Barrel

9mm Conversion Barrel for Glock 23

 

The only issue is what you save in the cost of the gun will eventually be overcome by the difference in the cost of ammo.

 

Glock 17 is the Glock pistol I recommend. If you are familiar with semi autos you might want to consider a revolver or a da sa semi auto. If you plan to become familiar with semi autos then go for the Glock 17.

 

Either will work fine. G17 will be cheaper, G34 will be more flush with lights and give you a little more velocity.

 

BTW Aim also has LEO Gen 3 Glock 17 trade ins. Above was 40 but similar deal in 9mm.

AimSurplus, LLC

 

BTW Aim also has LEO Gen 3 Glock 17 trade ins. Above was 40 but similar deal in 9mm.

I'm loathe to suggest a used firearm to any new shooter. Last thing a new shooter needs is a potential problem with a used gun and no warranty as a backup. Even a new Glock is pretty cheap all things considered.

 

As others have mentioned, if you are able to handle and shoot a couple of models before you buy, your decision will be easier. You are on the right track though, a 9mm Glock is an excellent first gun and a great home defense handgun.

 

I didn't think holster availability was his concern for home defense gun.

Start with the Glock Sport/Combat holster and any double stack 9 mm Glock will fit it.
(G17 is the easy button).

 

Most of us can load the glock mag, some can't,
maybe a glock is not a good option.

 

There’s a tool for that , Uplula . You have a good imagination and can read a lot into the OP .

 

We know very little about the OP

OP said a little about some glocks

That's why I tried to stick to what little they did ask about. Granted I did eventually throw out another 9mm Glock option. But until they come back and give us more. It's all we got.