Buy Glock 34 or 35?

[Half Loaded]

Before I go off to my local fun shop and plunk down my money, I thought I would make one more stop here. I have read some very helpful info in this forum so far. I asked this question in the general forum yesterday, but realized I should have probably asked it here...

I have owned/shot Glocks in .40, 9mm, 10mm, and .357. All great.

I am going to buy a G34 or G35. The main purpose will be range and practical shooting competition (although I have no experience in formal competition yet outside of informal local ones).

I understand that the 34 will be cheaper to shoot and faster on multiple shots due to less recoil (in competition) than the 35.

I also understand that in some competitions, the 35 will be needed to make "major" and so it will allow broader participation in different types of events. Because of my lack of experience in competition, it is hard to assess the relative value of scoring major vs. relative ease of shooting in the 9mm.

With the 35, I could get a lone wolf conversion barrel to 9mm for about 100 bucks (for range use only because conversion barrels are not allowed in some competitions). This would allow cheaper range time, but not in the match caliber.

I do NOT currently reload and likely will not in the forseeable future. I buy Blazer brass, WWB, maybe GA Arms in the future for range work. Whatever is cheap!

I really don't shoot a lot now, but buy guns for the long haul (who knows what the future holds?).

And so, here I am...asking for adivice from the gallery. Which one would you buy, and am I missing any considerations here?

P.S. What did we do before the internet? :dunno:

[BuckyP]

Before I go off to my local fun shop and plunk down my money, I thought I would make one more stop here. I have read some very helpful info in this forum so far. I asked this question in the general forum yesterday, but realized I should have probably asked it here...

I have owned/shot Glocks in .40, 9mm, 10mm, and .357. All great.

I am going to buy a G34 or G35. The main purpose will be range and practical shooting competition (although I have no experience in formal competition yet outside of informal local ones).

I understand that the 34 will be cheaper to shoot and faster on multiple shots due to less recoil (in competition) than the 35.

I also understand that in some competitions, the 35 will be needed to make "major" and so it will allow broader participation in different types of events. Because of my lack of experience in competition, it is hard to assess the relative value of scoring major vs. relative ease of shooting in the 9mm.

With the 35, I could get a lone wolf conversion barrel to 9mm for about 100 bucks (for range use only because conversion barrels are not allowed in some competitions). This would allow cheaper range time, but not in the match caliber.

I do NOT currently reload and likely will not in the forseeable future. I buy Blazer brass, WWB, maybe GA Arms in the future for range work. Whatever is cheap!

I really don't shoot a lot now, but buy guns for the long haul (who knows what the future holds?).

And so, here I am...asking for adivice from the gallery. Which one would you buy, and am I missing any considerations here?

P.S. What did we do before the internet? :dunno:

If you are just getting started, and do not reload, I highly recommend the G34. Shoot the divisions that only allow minor, such as USPSA/IPSC Production and IDPA SSP. Shooting minor will help develop your skill, with less recoil. Also, cheaper ammo means more shooting. Shooting in these divisions will put you on equal footing with the others equipment wise. If you shoot L-10 or Limited, you will be at disadvantage even if you do shoot a G35 Major, against 1911 widebody guns.

If you do want to shoot Limited, shoot minor anyway with the G34 and enjoy a 2 to 3 round capacity advantage.

[Jim Watson]

I'd get the 34.
If you shoot IDPA either caliber would go in SSP or ESP where there is no major-minor distinction at all; 9mm is plenty.

If you shoot USPSA(IPSC) Production, EVERYTHING scores as minor; there is no advantage to a major caliber.
If you want to get into Limited at a later date, you will have the excuse to buy a new gun because there are few if any people who can shoot minor fast and accurately enough to make up for the lesser scoring potential.

[Tiel Raptor]

I had the G35 adn it was a great duty weapon. But I wished I got a G34 for the games.

+1 on all the above postings.

Tiel

[mpolans]

This has been discussed several times; you can do a search.

However, owning a 35, a Lonewolf conversion barrel, and reloading, I kind of wish I'd gone with a 34 since I shoot 9x19 more than .40 in IPSC Production, Limited (minor) and IPDA ESP.

[FourtyFive]

Get the 34. Cheaper ammo lets you shoot more. Production and SSP will keep you busy. After you have been competing for a while you will have a better idea of which direction you want to head in (limited, open, etc.) Believe it or not the cost of the gun is actually fairly small (in the shooting sports) compared with everything else that allows you to shoot and improve.

[Half Loaded]

Picked up a new 34 today. Thanks for all advice. :)

[bisdak]

Congrats! Welcome to the club.

[sidewinder6]

:wavey:Congrats! Welcome to the club.

Exactly. Good choice.

[norton]

I own a 35.
If you are not a reloader, I would also suggest the 34.
Looks like you made a good choice.