The Glock 17 and Glock 19 are two of the most popular handguns in America. Both are immensely popular among law enforcement agencies while also being some of the most popular guns owned by private citizens. These pistols are also very popular with citizens for self-defense, home defense, and training and practice. There are some differences between the two, and which one is right for you will come down to examining your use case, and some personal preference.
To compare the Glock 17 vs. the Glock 19, we will look at the big differentiators, including size and weight. These factors bring about different pros and cons of each pistol, as well as accuracy, recoil, and magazine capacity. As experts in the tactical space, we know the areas where each of these pistols shines and can offer the best purchase recommendations. Not to spoil the ending of this article, but the truth is it’s really hard to go wrong with either of these pistols. With that said, let’s start by comparing the differences between these two guns.
Differentiators
According to GLOCK Inc, the main differences between the Glock 17 and the Glock 19 are size and weight. The Glock 17, Glocks’ first commercially viable model, is a full-sized pistol, suitable for uniformed duty. The barrel of the G17 is 4.49 inches, the overall slide length is 7.32 inches, and the overall length is just under eight inches. The grip is longer than the Glock 19’s for an overall height of 5.47 inches.
The Glock 19, Glock’s second commercially-available pistol, is designed as a more compact pistol. Essentially it is a Glock 17 with a bit of length trimmed off the slide/barrel and the grip frame. But exactly how much smaller is this gun, and what kind of difference does that size make? The barrel is 4.01 inches long, the slide length is 6.85 inches, and the overall length is just a hair over 7.25 inches. The grip is also shorter for an overall height of barely over 5 inches.
Let’s compare the two head-to-head: the Glock 19 is roughly three-quarters of an inch shorter in slide than the Glock 17, and not quite half an inch shorter in height. These numbers and barrel lengths may seem small, but small differences can make a big impact when carrying a gun day in and day out. Most other dimensions, including overall width and trigger reach, are identical. There is a slight weight difference, however: the Glock 17 weighs 24.87 ounces compared to just 21.16 for the smaller G19. That’s almost a four-ounce difference, which is pretty significant.
Size and weight aren’t the only factors to consider. You also have to take into account how these guns fit your hand, your lifestyle, the impact a larger, heavier gun has on accuracy and recoil, and how these factors interact with your intended use case.
Recoil
The Glock 17 has a slight advantage in regards to recoil, for several reasons. First, it is heavier by 3.7 ounces. That additional almost quarter of a pound soaks up some recoil. Much of that weight is also contained in the extra steel of the slide and barrel, placing it forward, in an optimal place to reduce muzzle flip. Second, the Glock 17 has a slightly longer grip. For those with exceptionally larger hands, this may provide slightly more grip surface.
In reality, the recoil difference is very small and negligible to most shooters. Both the Glock 17 and Glock 19 are chambered in the light-recoiling 9mm. Both have a grip large enough to accommodate all fingers on both hands. With the modern recoil system on the new Gen Glocks, both are pleasant to shoot again and again.
Accuracy
Glock pistols are known for yielding good accuracy because of their polygonal rifling. Newer Gen Glocks have the Glock Marksman Barrel, which enhances barrel rifling for even greater accuracy. Both the Glock 17 and G19 are capable of excellent accuracy. Any accuracy differences between the two are likely to be unnoticed by the shooter. Expert shooters may see better performance out of the Glock 17, but for the majority of shooters, the same amount of accuracy will be experienced.
Increased accuracy can be partially attributed to the Glock 17’s longer barrel. This provides a slight boost in muzzle velocity, but the real help in accuracy is from the additional slide length. The longer slide provides a longer sight radius, the distance between the front and rear sight. This makes aiming more precise and reduces the angle of errors in perfect alignment. Furthermore, by adding additional weight, the G17 is easier to hold steady at arm’s length than lighter ones.
For maximum accuracy, the Glock 17 is nominally the winner, but this is probably not the huge achievement it is cracked up to be. Both pistols are probably more accurate than most shooters shooting them, and the Glock 19’s accuracy works for all practical purposes. So let’s look at another difference: magazine capacity.
Magazine Capacity
Both of these pistols are chambered in the popular 9x19mm NATO cartridge. Capacity is similar in these guns, but not exactly the same. The Glock 17 holds 17 rounds of 9mm in its magazine and an additional round in the chamber. Importantly this is not why it’s called the Glock 17; it just happened to be Gaston Glock’s 17th prototype of the pistol, making the magazine capacity matchup just a happy coincidence.
The Glock 19 has a slightly smaller magazine capacity of 15 rounds, plus one in the chamber. Again, though, this isn’t as big a difference as it would seem. Because the Glock 19 can also use Glock 17 magazines, the capacity equates to that of the Glock 17. The downside is that this makes the G19’s grip as long as the G17’s. The upside is that it allows you to carry the compact platform, but load it up to the bigger capacity as needed.
Pros and Cons of Glock 17
Let’s look at the pros of the larger Glock 17. First, it is larger and provides slightly better control. There is a reason most uniformed law enforcement officers carry this as their service pistol rather than the smaller Glock 19: the larger grip, extra weight, and two additional rounds of magazine capacity do make an additive difference. They give the gun slightly better accuracy, recoil slightly less, and provide greater magazine capacity.
Now the cons. The Glock 17 is harder to conceal. The extra barrel and slide length make the gun hang down further past the beltline. This can be visible under the hem of a shirt or jacket, or uncomfortable in an appendix holster. The additional weight is another factor that should not be ignored; the lighter the gun, the more comfortable it will be to carry.
Pros and Cons of Glock 19
The biggest pro of the Glock 19 is its size difference. With its shorter barrel/slide assembly, and shorter grip frame, it is easier to conceal. However, it also retains a perfectly usable grip, excellent magazine capacity, and a long enough barrel to yield outstanding terminal performance with modern hollow-point ammunition. Another benefit is the Glock 19 is one of America’s most popular pistols, and holster/accessory options exceed the selection for the Glock 17.
The cons, likewise, are fairly few. The Glock 19 holds two fewer rounds, but this is a natural tradeoff of the shorter magazine. The shorter sight radius may yield slightly less accuracy, but the difference is only apparent in the most skilled of hands. And recoil is slightly snappier with the smaller, lighter Glock 19, but again, neither the G17 nor G19 is punishing to shoot.
Deciding Which is Best for You
So which Glock model is better? It depends on how you want to use your pistol. If you are looking for a concealed carry pistol, the Glock 19’s smaller size, and lighter weight are probably the way to go. It’s just an easier gun to carry. If you are looking for a home defense gun, the Glock 17's longer grip and extra rounds are beneficial. Of course, the ideal answer would be to buy both – that way you have an instant backup in the unlikely event that one pistol is down for maintenance.
Either way, these are two of the top pistols in the world. They are tough, reliable, accurate, user-friendly, and an overall excellent choice. Either one will serve you admirably. Regardless of which you choose, you can make it even better by adding a barrel from Ballistic Advantage. Designed to meet the demands of discerning shooters, Ballistic Advantage's new line of pistol barrels incorporates cutting-edge advancements and meticulous craftsmanship. Crafted from 416R stainless steel, these barrels deliver exceptional durability, reduced recoil, and enhanced muzzle control, enabling shooters to achieve improved accuracy for optimal shooting performance.
And don’t forget to turn to Ballistic Advantage when it comes to the ultimate in AR parts, as well. We build and stock the best parts in the industry including barrels, receivers, internal parts, magazines, and more.