Glock 34 Vs Glock 17: What is the Difference?

Scenario	Choose Glock 34	Choose Glock 17
Competition Shooting	✅	❌
Daily Concealed Carry	❌	✅
Home Defense	✅	✅
Optic-Ready Platform	✅ (MOS standard)	✅ (MOS optional)
Tight Budget	❌ (~$600+)	✅ (~$500)
Holster Compatibility	Limited (long slide)	Broad selection

 

Glock 17 vs Glock 34: Which Is Better for Concealed Carry, Competition, Home Defense, or Duty Use?

Choosing between the Glock 17 and the Glock 34 depends on how you intend to use the handgun. Both are full-size 9mm pistols from Glock’s striker-fired lineup, and while they share a frame, they are optimized for very different applications.

Below is a deep breakdown based on real-world use cases and shooting needs.

Concealed Carry: Glock 17 Is the More Practical Choice

If you're asking, "Which Glock is better for concealed carry?", the Glock 17 offers better concealability and more holster options. The Glock 34 is simply too long for most people to conceal effectively under regular clothing.

Why the Glock 17 is better for concealed carry:

• Shorter overall length (7.95 inches) makes it easier to conceal under shirts, jackets, or light outerwear.
• More holster-friendly: The Glock 17 fits nearly every major inside-the-waistband (IWB) holster, including modular systems like the Alien Gear Cloak Tuck 3.5 and the Photon series.
• More comfortable for all-day wear: Slightly lighter and less prone to printing under clothing.
• Ideal for appendix or strong-side carry: The Glock 17 balances concealment and shootability.

The Glock 34, on the other hand, has an extended 5.31-inch barrel and an overall length of 8.82 inches, which adds bulk and makes it challenging to conceal, especially for appendix carry or smaller body types.

For concealed carry, the Glock 17 is clearly the more practical and versatile option.

Competition Use (USPSA, IDPA, IPSC): Glock 34 Dominates

The Glock 34 was designed with competition in mind. Its longer slide, extended barrel, and lighter trigger make it a favorite among shooters in USPSA, IDPA, and IPSC divisions.

Why the Glock 34 is better for competition shooting:

• Longer sight radius (~7.5 inches) offers improved aiming precision, especially at speed.
• Lighter factory trigger (around 4.5 pounds with a “minus” connector) allows for quicker, more controlled follow-up shots.
• MOS-ready for optics: Glock 34 Gen5 MOS includes mounting plates for red dots like the Trijicon RMR, Holosun 507C, and others.
• Heavier slide reduces muzzle flip for faster target transitions.
• Used in Production, Carry Optics, and Limited divisions depending on setup and accessories.

The Glock 17 can be used in competition, particularly in Production Division, but it lacks the out-of-the-box features and enhancements that give the Glock 34 an edge.

The Glock 34 is better suited for competitive shooting disciplines where accuracy and speed are critical.

Home Defense: Both Are Excellent, with Slight Differences

When comparing the Glock 17 vs Glock 34 for home defense, both offer reliability, capacity, and ease of use. However, there are subtle distinctions that may influence your decision.

Why the Glock 17 may be preferred:

• Faster to deploy in confined spaces due to shorter length.
• More practical for storage in bedside or quick-access safes.
• Lighter and slightly quicker to draw, especially in low-light conditions.

Why the Glock 34 might be a better choice:

• Improved ballistics from the longer barrel can enhance performance of some 9mm defensive loads.
• Enhanced accuracy may help in scenarios requiring longer-distance engagements.
• MOS compatibility allows for red dot sights, which can be faster to acquire in high-stress situations.
• Pairs well with weapon lights and extended magazines.

Both pistols are excellent for home defense. Choose the Glock 17 for simplicity and ease of storage. Choose the Glock 34 if you want to build a fully accessorized home-defense firearm with optics and lights.

Open Carry and Duty Use: Glock 34 Offers More Accuracy

If you’re looking at open carry or uniformed duty use, the Glock 34 offers a few advantages over the Glock 17 that can make a real difference in training and real-world deployment.

Why the Glock 34 is better for duty and open carry:

• Superior accuracy with longer barrel and sight radius.
• Ideal for optic-equipped setups, making it useful for officers or security professionals who want red dots or suppressor-height sights.
• Better balance with a duty holster such as the Alien Gear Rapid Force or Safariland ALS OWB setups.
• Preferred by tactical units and SWAT teams for qualification scoring and sight tracking.

When the Glock 17 makes sense:

• Still in use by hundreds of law enforcement agencies worldwide.
• Slightly easier to carry in seated positions or patrol vehicles.
• Better suited for smaller-framed officers or those seeking a lower-profile firearm.
• Conclusion: Both are solid duty guns. The Glock 34 shines in accuracy and sight upgrades, while the Glock 17 offers easier handling in dynamic, mobile situations.

Use Case	Best Option	Rationale
Concealed Carry (IWB/AIWB)	Glock 17	More compact, holster-friendly, and easier to conceal
Open Carry / Duty Carry	Glock 34	Enhanced accuracy, ideal for optics and duty holsters
Competition (USPSA, IDPA)	Glock 34	Longer slide, lighter trigger, factory-tuned for accuracy
Home Defense	Either	Glock 17 for simplicity; Glock 34 for optic/light compatibility
First Firearm / Training Use	Glock 17	Balanced size, affordable, and easy to operate
Budget Considerations	Glock 17	Typically $80–$120 less expensive than the Glock 34
Accessory Builds	Glock 34	Better optics support, slide length suits red dot shooters

 

Frequently Asked Questions: Glock 17 vs Glock 34

What is the main difference between the Glock 17 and Glock 34?

The biggest difference is the slide and barrel length. The Glock 34 features a 5.31-inch barrel and extended slide, making it better for competition shooting due to improved accuracy and sight radius. The Glock 17 has a shorter 4.49-inch barrel, which makes it more suitable for concealed carry and general-purpose use. Both pistols use the same frame and magazines.

Is the Glock 34 more accurate than the Glock 17?

Yes, generally speaking. The Glock 34 has a longer sight radius and barrel, which contributes to greater mechanical accuracy, especially at longer distances. It's favored by competitive shooters who need fast, accurate follow-up shots. However, for most defensive scenarios, the real-world difference in accuracy is minimal.

Can you conceal carry a Glock 34?

Technically, yes — but it’s not ideal. The Glock 34 is a full-size pistol with a long slide, which makes it harder to conceal under regular clothing. Its size also makes it uncomfortable for appendix or IWB carry for many users. The Glock 17 is a more practical option for concealed carry due to its shorter overall length.

Which Glock is better for beginners, the 17 or the 34?

For first-time handgun owners, the Glock 17 is the better choice. It’s easier to carry, more affordable, and still offers excellent capacity and shootability. The Glock 34 is better suited for users who already know they want a competition-ready pistol or plan to shoot primarily at the range.

Can the Glock 17 and Glock 34 use the same magazines?

Yes, both pistols are chambered in 9mm and share the same magazine design. The standard magazine holds 17 rounds, but they can also accept extended magazines with 19, 24, 31, or even 33 rounds. Magazine compatibility is a strong point of the Glock platform.

Is the Glock 34 better for duty or tactical use?

The Glock 34 is often preferred in tactical and duty roles that allow open carry. It performs well with optics, lights, and suppressor-height sights, and its longer slide aids in qualification scoring and target tracking. However, many law enforcement agencies still issue the Glock 17 due to its balance between size and performance.

Is there a difference in recoil between Glock 17 and Glock 34?

Yes, slightly. The Glock 34 has a longer, heavier slide that helps reduce felt recoil and muzzle flip. This allows for faster follow-up shots in rapid-fire situations. For defensive use, the recoil difference is minimal, but in competition settings, that reduction in muzzle rise can be helpful.

How much more does a Glock 34 cost compared to a Glock 17?

On average, the Glock 34 costs about $80 to $120 more than the Glock 17. While Glock does not publish official MSRPs, real-world pricing typically places the Glock 17 around $500–$550 and the Glock 34 closer to $600–$650, depending on the generation and MOS package.

Can both Glock 17 and Glock 34 support red dot sights?

Yes. Both pistols are available in MOS (Modular Optic System) variants, which allow mounting of micro red dot sights like the Trijicon RMR, Holosun 507C, or Leupold DeltaPoint Pro. The Glock 34 Gen5 MOS comes optics-ready by default, while the Glock 17 requires the MOS model for red dot compatibility.

Which is better for home defense: Glock 17 or Glock 34?

Both pistols are excellent choices for home defense. The Glock 17 is more compact and easier to handle in close quarters, while the Glock 34 offers enhanced accuracy and is ideal for users who want to mount optics and lights. Your setup and storage method will help determine which is better for your needs.

Glock 17 or Glock 34 – Which One Should You Choose?

Both the Glock 17 and Glock 34 are outstanding examples of what Glock does best: durable, reliable, striker-fired 9mm pistols built for real-world use. However, their strengths shine in different areas.

If you're looking for a handgun for daily carry, training, or home defense, the Glock 17 offers a near-perfect balance of size, performance, and cost. It's more compact, easier to conceal, and supported by an enormous aftermarket of holsters and upgrades.

On the other hand, if you need a firearm for competitive shooting, open carry, or duty use where accuracy and optics-readiness are priorities, the Glock 34 is engineered to deliver enhanced control and performance under pressure.

Your intended use should always be the deciding factor. There's no "better Glock" — only the one that fits your needs, your holster, and your environment.