{"id":7763,"date":"2021-08-12T18:35:58","date_gmt":"2021-08-12T18:35:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/?p=7763"},"modified":"2025-10-07T18:28:19","modified_gmt":"2025-10-07T18:28:19","slug":"glock-17-vs-glock-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/glock-17-vs-glock-19\/","title":{"rendered":"Glock 17 vs Glock 19"},"content":{"rendered":"

Deciding to get a Glock is the easy part. Deciding which Glock to get between the Glock 17 vs Glock 19, can be a bit trickier.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Glock 17 and Glock 19 are two of the most popular pistols on the market today. The two guns are nearly identical (the G19 and G17 share many of the exact same parts), which can make deciding between the two almost impossible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019re going to examine these two popular polymer-framed pistols so you can make a more informed decision about which one is right for you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Is the Glock 17 or 19 Better?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The answer depends on who you ask.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Firing
The Glock 17 is a popular pistol for law enforcement.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Glock 17 is responsible for initiating the polymer pistol revolution and may be the most popular pistol ever produced (Sorry, 1911!). There are currently more G17s in use around the world than any other handgun. The pistol has seen service with the Norwegian, Swiss, German, French, Russian, British, and Swedish Armed Forces. It is also the preferred duty weapon for law enforcement agencies worldwide. <\/span><\/p>\n

In the United States, more G19s are sold each year than any other handgun. This is quite an accomplishment considering the G17 is more widely used by law enforcement agencies in the country. Most Glock 19s sold in the US go to the civilian market, with this pistol being insanely popular for concealed carry.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s also worth noting that the Glock 19 is the sidearm currently used by US Navy SEALs, MARSOC, and Army Rangers<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"The
The Glock 19 is the best-selling pistol in the United States.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What makes these Glock pistols so popular? Some would argue it\u2019s simply effective marketing. And while that may be true to an extent, no company can maintain Glock\u2019s share of the market for long with snappy advertising campaigns alone. Performance, reliability, affordability, and ergonomics have definitely helped earn Glock\u2019s sweetheart status among American shooters.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Glock 17 vs Glock 19: Specs<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Glock<\/p>\n

Before we dive into the intangibles, let\u2019s compare the technical specifications of these two handguns.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
<\/td>Glock 17 (Gen 4)<\/th>Glock 19 (Gen 4)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Length<\/td>7.95 inches<\/td>7.28 inches<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Height<\/td>5.47 inches<\/td>5.04 inches<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Width<\/td>1.26 inches<\/td>1.26 inches<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight<\/td>24.87 oz. (32.28 loaded)<\/td>23.63 oz. (30.16 loaded)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sight Radius<\/td>6.5 inches<\/td>6.02 inches<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Barrel Length<\/td>4.49 inches<\/td>4.02 inches<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Magazine Capacity<\/td>17 standard (19, 33 available)<\/td>15 standard (17, 19, 33 available)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

The biggest differences between the G17 and G19 on paper is size and magazine capacity.\u00a0Glock 17 barrels<\/a> and grip are both almost half an inch longer than Glock 19 barrels<\/a> and grips.\u00a0 The G17\u2019s longer grip leaves room for a slightly longer magazine that holds an extra two cartridges of 9x19mm ammunition.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Accuracy<\/span><\/h2>\n

Technically, the Glock 17\u2019s longer barrel and sight radius should give it an advantage in accuracy. When locked in a vise, the G17 does perform infinitesimally better at 25 meters than the G19.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, 25 meters is much farther than the average real-world shooting scenario. At normal engagement distances, even skilled shooters will be hard-pressed to notice a difference, and only if they are allowed to take calm, carefully aimed shots. Since that\u2019s unlikely to happen in a combat or self-defense situation, the accuracy difference between the two pistols practically disappears anywhere except maybe the gun range.<\/span><\/p>\n

Recoil<\/span><\/h2>\n

With slightly more weight than the G19, the Glock 17 should have an advantage in the recoil department, too. However, those extra two ounces aren\u2019t really enough to absorb much recoil. Plug some numbers into a recoil calculator, and you\u2019ll find the recoil energy generated from a G19 and a G17, both fully loaded with identical 9mm Luger ammo<\/a>, only differs by .25 ft\/lbs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The bottom line: Both pistols produce minimal recoil that is fairly easy for even recoil-sensitive shooters to handle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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