{"id":720,"date":"2019-07-30T07:58:58","date_gmt":"2019-07-30T07:58:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ammoman.com\/blog\/?p=720"},"modified":"2021-05-10T18:05:12","modified_gmt":"2021-05-10T18:05:12","slug":"glock-17-versus-glock-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ammoman.com\/blog\/glock-17-versus-glock-19\/","title":{"rendered":"Glock 17 vs Glock 19"},"content":{"rendered":"

Glock 17 Versus Glock 19: Which Works Best For You?\u00a0<\/span><\/h1>\n

We often hear the word \u201crevolutionary\u201d attached to new products in the firearms world. Yet, the number of guns that actually revolutionize the gun industry is quite low. <\/span><\/p>\n

When Glock introduced the G17, it truly changed everything we thought we knew about guns. The company quickly followed up with its smaller sibling, the Glock 19. There are some subtle (and not-so subtle) differences between the two guns. In this post, we’ll take a look at them and see how they stack up against one another.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Gaston Glock designed the Glock Model 17 in the early 80’s to be a contender as the Austrian army’s new 9mm service pistol. It wasn\u2019t the first production gun to use a polymer frame <\/span>(that honor belongs to the H&K VP70<\/span><\/a>), nor was it <\/span>the first pistol to use a striker-fired action<\/span><\/a>. The Glock 17’s genius was in how it took those elements and combined them into a simple, easy-to-maintain gun that was both lightweight and accurate.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Model 19 was the third gun Glock produced. (The Model 18 is a version of the Model 17 designed for an Austrian counter-terrorism unit with an option for fully automatic fire). It takes all the Glock 17’s functionality and features and shrinks them down slightly, making for a more compact gun that is easier to carry.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What Are The Differences Between the Glock 17 and Glock 19?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"What<\/a>As we mentioned, Glock originally designed the Model 17l for the Austrian army. <\/span>As such, it was meant to be worn by soldiers in the field. Its accuracy, ruggedness, and light weight made it an attractive option for people. But many shooters needed a slightly smaller pistol.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

So, Glock quickly rolled out the Model 19 to fill the demand for such a gun.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Over the years, Glock updated the design of their pistols.\u00a0 They added features like textured grips and finger grooves for a better grip, as well as interchangeable back straps for a better fit in your hand. In the latest Gen 5 models, they\u2019ve also changed the internal mechanism slightly. For our comparison, we looked at the Gen 4 Model 17 and Model 19. Both have proven to be consistent, reliable performers for civilians, military, and law enforcement.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Size Comparison: G<\/span>lock 17 vs Glock 19 <\/span><\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/a>In your hand, there are few differences between the Glock 17 and the Glock 19. The guns feel essentially the same, although the Model 19 has a slightly shorter grip. <\/span><\/p>\n

The two guns are the same width (1.26 inches) and the same distance from the back of the slide to the ejection port. Both the Gen 4 Model 17 and the Model 19 feature interchangeable back straps, although the Model 17’s back straps will not fit the Model 19, and vice versa. The Glock 19 in our photos is my own personal Model 19. It has a back strap with a small extension up near the slide, which is different than what the Model 17 is using.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The height of the two pistols is also different. The Glock 17’s standard magazine holds 17 rounds, while the Glock 19’s standard magazine holds 15 rounds. At 5.47 inches, the Model 17 has a frame that is taller by just under half an inch than the Model 19\u2019s 5.04 inches. The Model 17 weighs 32.3 ounces unloaded. The smaller Model 19 weighs 23.6 ounces.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Barrel and slide length are where we see the biggest difference between the Glock 17 and the Glock 19. The Gen 4 Model 17 has a slide length of 7.32 inches and a barrel length of 4.49 inches. The Glock 19 has a slide length of 6.85 inches and a barrel length of 4.02 inches.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Because of the different barrel and slide lengths, the recoil springs are not interchangeable between the two. However, all the fire control parts in the frame can be swapped between the two guns.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Range Comparison<\/span><\/h3>\n

We tested the Glock 17 and the Glock 19 for accuracy using three commonly available brands of 9mm ammunition: <\/span><\/p>\n