No I would not have both of them I would choose one or the other based on which one is right for me.

 

The difference is the 17L is about 3/4" longer.

 

The difference is the 17L is about 3/4" longer.

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The 17L is the guy your girlfriend told you not to worry about.

 

I have a few G34s and a G17L. I sold a couple of the G17Ls I owned and kept one just to have in my collection. I prefer the G34, as the G17L feels a bit cartoonish to me. The G17L is certainly a soft shooting gun, but I think the G34 is better for competition and general use as it transitions better between targets, in my view.

There have been plenty of G17Ls available in Gun Broker lately and there are rumors of Lipsey’s doing a Gen 5 version, which others have posted in GT.

 

If I had my way, Glock would make a G26 with a 17L slide.

 

You get a little length (giggity), but that's about it. I have wanted a 17L since I first saw one years ago, and it just never happened. They were always made in batches and over priced when you finally saw them anywhere. I settled for a Glock 34. Both guns have the 3.5 pound connector, and while the 17L has the length (giggity), the 34 is ready to go out of the box with and adjustable sight for those of us still using irons.

I never felt any regret from settling for the 34. Glock's recent spurt of 17Ls has reinvigorated my interest in the gun, so I ordered one. They are going to be releasing the gen 5 17L MOS soon so that might be the one to wait for should you want an optic ready gun.

 

Have fun shopping for holsters

 

I loathe handguns with barrels over 4 inches with some exception to the metal framed 1911/P226/M9 and revolvers of course.

Full size + polymer guns are gross.

That said, since the G34 is obscenely large as is, might as well go all the way and get the G17L which is admittedly a really cool gun.

Also,

G24 > G17L.

 

danmit !!!! now I want a 17L....

 

I know, every time I see a 17L thread, I get the same urge. It could be a thread about sights for a 17L, an aftermarket barrel for one, etc.

 

Having owned both, the G34 is a more balanced pistol.
Once you get over the cool factor of the 17L it is meh.

 

^^^^^^THIS^^^^^

Drove a hundred miles to pick up a 17L, never saw or held one. Big mistake IMHO, by the time I got home I had it listed on Armslist. The only handgun I've purchased that had no use. Now the G40 on the other hand has multiple uses. Keep the 34 is the best of a 9 handgun, maximizing velocity and somewhat practical for a carry option.

 

I have owned 2 G34s and 1 G17L. I miss the G17L. It's long, sleek, pushes out 9mm at a higher velocity, soft shooting, and most importantly, it's badass.

Unfortunately, double-stack Glocks don't fit my hands well at all, but I am considering a Gen 5 version.

 

The G34 is my favorite, most accurate and best balanced of all the Glocks. I would have bought the G17L long ago but hate the antiquated top slide cut out look. For me, it’s the enhanced balance and muzzle rise mitigation that’s the greatest benefit.

 

I’ve still never really seen the point of the 17L from a performance stand point. It’s not really a competition gun that fits into current divisions in action pistol. I doubt the bullseye crowd is interested vs other center fire options, not sure anyone would use as a woods gun/hunting. So is it just collectors that want the full Glock lineup?

 

It was designed to be a competition gun and it served that purpose well, perhaps too well. It’s success led in part to the updated rules in competitive shooting that resulted in changes to the dimensions of “the box” and the G17L was no longer approved for use in USPSA or IDPA matches.

 

I would have gotten a 34 except for one thing. I am not a fan of the rounded front of slide. I prefer the 17L / 24 square front of slide.

 

If you have a G34, don't bother with a G17L. The G34 is perfectly balanced, and is my favorite Glock to shoot. The G17L is kinda nose-heavy, and doesn't point as naturally as the G34.

My G17L is 20 years old, and only has a couple hundred rounds thru it.

 

I'm pretty happy with what I've read in this thread as I've just ordered my first Glock, a 34, that I intend to use in IDPA. A friend let me put a few dozen rounds through his 34 and other than getting accustom to the angle of the grip and the trigger I liked it. I may shoot some matches with it before deciding if I'll put a RD on it but I'm already looking for a good deal on a 507 Comp. I like the big window on it.

First Glock but decades of experience with a Colt Model 70 1911 .45 ACP.

 

The G34 is a good gun that will serve you well in competition(s).

 

17L doesn’t fit in a lot of boxes that are requirements for major shooting sports. Most of them actually designed the boxes around Glock guns, the 34 being the biggest allowed. For what it’s worth, the 34 is my favorite Glock.

 

17L doesn’t fit in a lot of boxes that are requirements for major shooting sports. Most of them actually designed the boxes around Glock guns, the 34 being the biggest allowed.

Well, then...they need a bigger box.

 

Wearing the 17L AIWB will score dates.

 

Takes notes...

 

Although the late Stephen A. Camp was known as an aficionado of the Browning Hi Power, as an LEO handgun instructor he learned to master Glocks and other pistols. He wrote two articles on the 17L, and they were what made me jump at the chance to get mine some years ago. He preferred the 17L to the 34.

I like the way my early 17L handles and points. Because I seldom get to a range, I do a lot of dry firing, and the trigger is now very smooth. The gun did need a little skateboard tape for its Gen 1 grip. I've handled the 34 and I think I would be happy with it if buying new. Holsters are indeed, harder to find. I have two: a Hogue Powerspeed Retention and a Safariland GLS (Grip Locking System). Both work just fine.

Just me, but I have no problem with not being able to mount a light or optical sight.

I guess it's because I used to be a revolver guy, but I find the comments about the length of the gun a little amusing. For me, it points like a revolver. Its overall length is only a fraction of an inch over that of most current four-inch barreled wheelguns. As I get older, I appreciate the lighter weight, the longer sight radius (eye fixed with cataract surgery!), and the easy racking. Less noise and fuss. Someone recently posted 17L chrono results with the military's new M1152 load and got 1370-something with its 115 gr. flat-point FMJ. I've shot some Underwood +p (not the hotter stuff), 124-gr. and it was ridiculously easy to shoot. While I am realistic about how long this old decrepit guy would last, I find the thought experiment of a TEOTWAWKI one-gun interesting. The 17L would beat out my lovely old Browning High Power when the zombie hoards came over the hill!

You can't go wrong with either the 34 or the 17L, in my opinion.

P.S. I'm very glad someone has kept Stephen's site up, and I believe his books can still be purchased. He was a real gentleman of gun writers. Here's a link to the first of the 17L articles:

Shooting the Glock 17L

 

34 you can pretty much get in any flavor you would like. The 34 might not have been produced if the 17L didn't get banned from some competitions. If you are going to be doing competitions probably 34 if not either one would do fine. I have been picking 17Ls up as I come across them if you think you would like a 17L might get one soon if you can find one in store new because the recent batch is starting to dry up.

I also Have a question does anyone know how many were made in the last batch?