Deciding between the G17 and G19

[Geister]

Thinking about either the G17 or the G19 for a carry gun. Is the reduced size of the G19 really worth the two extra rounds I get from the G17? I mean the G17 is pretty concealable itself, right?

[Oldskoolfan]

What feels more comfortable to you? What are you going to do with it? If it is just concealed carry, then I would get the Glock 19. However the Glock 17 is very concealable if you dress right. It all depends on how you dress.

[kelsitone]

I'm 6', 200# and I can conceal a G17 with a bit of effort. But, I can conceal a G19 with little to no effort.

If you're a big guy and live up north, you could probably conceal a G17 without having to dress around the gun too much. But, if you're a smaller person in the south, you'll have a bit harder time trying to conceal a G17, generally.

Here are some comparison pics of a G26, a G19, and a G17.

http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/9199/261917sxslur5.jpg

http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/6099/261917bsla2.jpg

http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/2581/261917bfbp4.jpg

http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/7122/261917babe0.jpg

http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/1551/g19lg17rbb8.jpg

And, yes, I know there's something on the table. It's candle wax. Why someone needs an entire cabinet full of candles, I'll never understand. Now, if they needed an entire safe full of guns, I'd understand that.

[Kernellinux]

G19 I love mine and wouldn't trade it for the world. Played with a 17 but it seems like the 19 was made for CCW.

[steveksux]

The 17 doesn't look much larger, but the butt does stick out more, harder to conceal. Can be done if you wear baggy shirts, or your chest is still larger than your waist so your shirts drape over it. But you have to dress around the gun more, no doubt. Maybe not significantly harder.

I don't think 16 rounds in a g19 is insufficient compared to the 18 rounds you can carry in a g17. You can always carry extra magazines. 16 is very very likely to be much more than you need. If 16 isn't enough, the odds of 18 being enough are very very slim. If 16 isn't enough, you need another magazine, not a G17 vs a G19

Its a close call either way. I'm very happy with the G19.

Randy

[ICARRY2]

I opted for the G19. It is very easy for me to conceal. I don't think the extra rounds are worth the extra size or weight of the G17. At least for me.

[passive101]

Both are large guns. The glock 19 has a shorter slide and has a shorter grip.

The Glock 17 is a duty gun. The glock 19 is also a duty size gun, but smaller.
If you don't live in a hot place all the time you could do the 19 pretty easily.

[Habu]

It really comes down to whatever you SHOOT best, and whatever you feel like you can conceal effectively with the way YOU dress. Basically up to you. Either is a good choice.

I'm concealing a G17 right now, it's hot, just an untucked shirt. No problem at all.

[LittleRedToyota]

i also have no problem concealing a g17 under just a t-shirt (6'0" 215lbs 36" waist)...so that's what i carry...not so much for the extra rounds, but because i find bigger guns easier to shoot quickly and accurately.

[vafish]

I'm 5'7", 195 lbs, 36" waist, 48" chest.

I can conceal a G17 under an un-tucked t-shirt pretty easy. Occasionally you see a slight bulge. The G19 is a little easier to conceal.

[Patronus]

Here are some comparison pics of a G26, a G19, and a G17.

Those are excellent visual comparisons of the three sizes. Thanks a bunch. I saved them for future reference.

Ounce for ounce, and inch for inch, the G19 is the way to go, IMHO. It conceals more easily yet still provides a home for your pinky finger.

That said, if you've shot both side-by-side (one at a time, that is :tongueout: ) and have found that you shoot the G17 that much better, then that may be best.

If you haven't done such a comparison, you might consider buying a used G17/G19 -- whichever you choose. If you decide you want something else, then you haven't taken the new-gun-value bath; instead, you can just turn around and sell it for what you bought it for. Heck, you could even buy 2 used Glocks, do the comparison, and then sell the one you don't want. (This is assuming you have $800-900 lying around, waiting to be spent.)

[magiaaron]

Excellent pictures! Thanks for doing those!

-magiaaron

[d3athp3nguin]

A G17 can be concealed, but it wasn't designed to be. The G19 is designed more for concealment, and the difference is definitely noticeable. I have tried CC-ing both, and as a skinny lad I always needed an extra layer of clothing to help conceal the G17.

Tip: If you go with the G19, buy ccw holsters that have an open end, so that if you decide to go fullsize you can still use the same holsters.

[ContractSoldier]

I like the Glock 19 myself.

[EdMan63]

I like the G19 as well. More options as far as concealment IMHO

[JASV.17]

I'm 5'7 180lbs. I carry a 17 in CTAC at 9:00 no problem at all. Just yesterday I ran errands with my wife all day in just shorts and a t-shirt. She never noticed.

Bend at the knees, not at the waist.

[lastevolution]

A Glock 19, unless you need XXXL sized gloves.
Then carry a G17.

[Aeroscoper]

I have a full sized G31 that I'm thinking about having a grip reduction done to. Imagine a 17 slide on a 19 frame....ooooohhh...

If you're a traditionalist and don't like monkeying around with classics, stick to the 19, the compacts are perfect combination of concealment and firepower imo.

Keith

[Dukeboy01]

I say go with the G19. You can always make the grip longer with a G17 magazine equipped with a $5 magazine sleeve. If you need to make it more concealable then you can use the regular G19 mags. You can always make a G19 (or G26) bigger with just a magazine swap. You can't make a G17 smaller without a hacksaw.

[Saltcreek]

Go G19. I carried a Department issued C17 for several years in uniform. Went to plain clothes and the G17 was difficult to carry without a lot of fuss. Went to a Dept issue G19 which I got to keep for free on retirement. If you get a G17 you will find yourself leaving it at home and wishing for the G19. I think this is even more likely for a civilian who wasn't used to carrying a gun for 25 years every day of his life for a living. Ever notice how cops walk a little different with arms out some? comes from carrying all that stuff around the waist (equipment, not the donuts :).)

[Bren]

Thinking about either the G17 or the G19 for a carry gun. Is the reduced size of the G19 really worth the two extra rounds I get from the G17? I mean the G17 is pretty concealable itself, right?

I can't see where the 2 extra rounds would be worth the extra size. I'd pick the 19 as the max size for concealment.

[bstock]

I also vote g19, i carry mine 10-15hrs a day everyday in a mtac at about 4 oclock. i am 5'10" 175lbs 44" chest and 34"waist. it always conceals with just a tshirt, even a pretty snug one at that.

[literaltrance]

Bend at the knees, not at the waist.

ABSOLUTELY! I found myself doing this naturally once I started carrying. Bending over just pokes the grip of the gun out (if you carry on the side anyways).

Nothing will print more than bending over at the hip. However, if you squat, your body is poised just as if you were standing from the waist up. This is ideal when carrying.

In regards to the topic at hand, G19 over G17 for me, no question. Much easier to conceal, lighter weight, plenty of rounds (can anyone think of a real concealed carry scenario where 15 rounds isn't going to cut it?), and very little, if any, loss of accuracy.

[jlrjhr]

G17 with grip reduction to accept G19 mags. Very easy to do a professional looking job yourself and you then have the best of both worlds. Longer slide, barrel, and sight radius with the easier to conceal compact size grip.

Guns are made to be customized. Make it fit your intended use.

[sebecman]

my .02 cents is go with the 26. if you want to you can add the mag extender making the grip the same size as the 19...

[GeorgiaGlocker]

Before I purchased my first Glock I went to the range and rented both the 19 and 17. After it was all said and done I purchased the 19. I prefer the compacts and sub-compacts over the full size Glocks and I have never looked back. I would suggest you do the same and decide which feels the best in your hand. I personally feel the full size Glocks are harder to conceal.

[Bozz]

G19 all the way. Best of both worlds. Long enough sight radius to be accurate, and more easily concealable for MOST people.

Bozz

[defensive.edge]

i say get the best of both worlds ... get the g17 and have the grip chopped to take g19 mags by cope at southwest shooting authority:
http://photos.recreationalloser.com/albums/userpics/10002/normal_chopped-grip-1.jpg (http://photos.recreationalloser.com/albums/userpics/10002/chopped-grip-1.jpg)

[garebel]

I say go with the G19. You can always make the grip longer with a G17 magazine equipped with a $5 magazine sleeve. If you need to make it more concealable then you can use the regular G19 mags. You can always make a G19 (or G26) bigger with just a magazine swap. You can't make a G17 smaller without a hacksaw.

:goodpost:

Good advice indeed. I did exactly that with a couple of 23 mags for my 27. Works perfectly and looks great when I want more capacity.

[jamaicanj]

I'm 6', 200# and I can conceal a G17 with a bit of effort. But, I can conceal a G19 with little to no effort.

If you're a big guy and live up north, you could probably conceal a G17 without having to dress around the gun too much. But, if you're a smaller person in the south, you'll have a bit harder time trying to conceal a G17, generally.

Here are some comparison pics of a G26, a G19, and a G17.

http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/9199/261917sxslur5.jpg

http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/6099/261917bsla2.jpg

http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/2581/261917bfbp4.jpg

http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/7122/261917babe0.jpg

http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/1551/g19lg17rbb8.jpg

And, yes, I know there's something on the table. It's candle wax. Why someone needs an entire cabinet full of candles, I'll never understand. Now, if they needed an entire safe full of guns, I'd understand that.

Thanks for the pic comparison.

[Jason D]

I have alway been a fan of the G17. I have a second and a third generation gun. I never thought much about the smaller framed guns.

My Sisters boyfriend carries a G19, with laser grips. I got to play with it last summer, and confess to really liking it. If I were going to buy another Glock to carry, it would be a G19.

[StoneRaven]

The Glock 19 is a MUST HAVE pistol. Get it and you will not be dissapointed...you may decide you want a 17 later.

[garebel]

The Glock 19 is a MUST HAVE pistol. Get it and you will not be dissapointed...you may decide you want a 17 later.

The 19 is without a doubt an all around gem of a pistol!

Can I ask ...what is your main purpose for this pistol?
If concealability is priority number one, you might even think about the 26...you can always use a 19 mag with a sleeve (they look fine and work fine too) if you need more capacity, and the smaller frame makes it even more concealable. Just a thought ;).

[Elmer Fudd]

I bought a G17, later bought a G19 for the wife. After firing hers I bought one for myself, then a couple more. It just feels better in my hands, which are fairly large. I would like to trade the G17 for another G19 just to standardize. The grip chop looks like an interesting option.

I carry my G19 in an IWB holster with a G19 mag. It conceals well on me with a tucked shirt bloused out a little and a velcro belt with v-clips. I carry a G17 mag for a reload in an IWB mag holster. Two extra rounds, but the real reason is that the longer length makes it easier to dig out in a hurry.

[adaman04]

G91 gets my vote.

[DocwithGlock]

G91 gets my vote.

Is that the new 9mm for dislexic glockers, or is it the left handed G19?

[GMAN40]

Yes the G19 is a better CCW gun. But the G17 can be concealed as well. It all depends on your build and clothing. Either will be a good choice.