Glock 17 Gen 5 Vs. Glock 19 Gen 5 | Which Glock is Best For You?

It’s hard to know how many pistols they have sold as of today, but we know that in 2014, the number was over 10 million pistols sold worldwide!

There’s a reason that everyone loves Glock pistols, especially the Glock 17 and Glock 19. I’m willing to bet that there are tens of thousands of our readers that have had both a G19 and G17.

I have owned both and still carry my Glock 19 Gen 5 in my rotation of CCWs.

There’s always a debate with my LEO friends and family about which Glock is better; the G17 or G19? To me, this conversation is like asking who is better, Michael Jordan or LeBron James?

The answer to both questions is: it’s all about your preference. If you like a more versatile gun, I’d go with the Glock 19, but I’ve found the long slide on the G17 helps me shoot better at ranges longer than 40 yards.

I know 0.5" doesn’t sound like a lot, but the added length of the Glock 17 line of sight is easier and quicker to line up on your target, especially with night sights.

The G19 is the little brother of the G17 with a 0.67" shorter overall length and just under a half-inch shorter slide. However, this perceived weakness makes the G19 versatile while losing very little capability.

Even before I researched for this blog, I knew that there is probably no way anyone can definitively say one of those models is better than the other. Instead, I thought of a different debate we could have for the two pistols. A better comparison would be how each pistol would perform in different scenarios.

For example, which Glock is better as a CCW? Which Glock is a better home defense choice? Which Glock has a better mag capacity? My goal is to help lead you to your purpose for the Glock and understand which Glock will give you what you’re looking for. Good luck!

Glock 9mm Pistols

Even with avid Glock lovers, it’s difficult to keep up with all the models and exactly what they look like. We’ve been fortunate enough to have some of the highest-viewed Glock blogs online with our Glock 43X and Glock 26 blogs. We have a good idea of what each Glock looks like, but it’s still tough for those of us who write about them every day. The table below should give everyone a better understanding of the size and look of each of the Glock 9mm pistols.

Glock 9mm Pistols	Glock Models	Glock Pistol Images
Standard	G17
Compact	G19
Compact	G45
Compact Slimline	G48
Subcompact	G26
Subcompact	G43
Subcompact Slimline	G43X
Competition	G34

Glock 17 Gen 5

The Glock 17 is the best full-size striker-fired 9mm pistol across the planet because of the success of the G17L pistol, tried-and-true reliability, and accuracy. A Glock 17L features a 6.02" marksman barrel and an 8.86" slide to provide the range and control for competition shooting. The standard G17 Gen 5 features fingerless grips for the customization of each shooter’s hand size and positioning.

I was speaking with my brother (sheriff’s deputy) and he made a good point about not liking the Gen 5 grips over the Gen 4 G17. For me, it allows me to get a higher grip for my smaller hands to control easier.

For my brother, the finger grooves give him the confidence as an LEO to draw quickly and ensure he follows proper mechanics for target acquisition. My brother also prefers the tighter grip he can get with the finger grooves versus the Gen 5 model.

The best thing about Glock besides the legendary reliability and performance is the number of after-market upgrades. A Gen 5 Glock 17 doesn’t need any upgrades, but you could still optimize your effectiveness and capability by using a nice tactical holster and adding a grip-activated laser attachment underneath the barrel.

Specs

Glock 19 Gen 5

The Glock 19 didn’t just become the world’s bestselling gun overnight, it took a few years for everyone to grasp the significance of a modern CCW with the reliability, accuracy, and durability of a full-size open-carry pistol. I think what really sent the G19 into space like a Tesla Roadster is the thousands of custom features to choose from. There are dozens of companies that sell Glock upgrades and customizations, such as Bastion, Lone Wolf distributions, and Crimson Trace.

From my experience, the Glock 19 Gen 5 is the perfect pistol for my hand size and shooting style. It has the same natural ergonomics as the G17, but has a shorter height, slide, and weighs 3 ounces less than a loaded G17.

One of the biggest differences is the ability to conceal the G19 better than the G17. There are some great holster options from companies, such as Safariland, We The People Holsters, and a newer company called Rounded. Each of these companies sells great CCW holsters for the Glock 19 and Glock 17.

Specs

The more gear and equipment that I get to try for my job, the pickier I’ve become about what I’ll wear and what I won’t. I suppose this is to be expected when someone gets to see and/wear holsters from dozens of companies. However, if someone said I had to give an answer on the most comfortable and practical holster I’ve worn, it’s the Safariland Model 637 ALS Concealment Holster.

The Safariland Model 637 is perfect for me as at 5’9" because the holster sits higher on my hip and out of the way of my leg. I’ve worn many leg holsters while in Iraq and during my time as an LEO and never found one more comfortable than a high-riding belt loop holster. When wearing this holster, I’m able to bend to either side and not expose my holster. I don’t feel like it ever pinches me if I’m sitting, walking, or running.

For the thousands who’ve worn Safariland holsters, you know how the soft molding against your skin conforms to your body. The KYDEX outer shell is perfect for the elements and the ALS locking retention system makes me feel safer.

Knowing that the holster automatically locks into place without me having to flip up a hood or slide a lever is very reassuring. The ALS will help a lot of new gun owners who are carrying for the first time work on fundamentals of safety with the assist from the technology in Safariland holsters.

Which Glock Pistols Fit The Safariland Model 637 Concealed Carry Holster?

For those who haven’t held or shot a Glock 19X yet, it’s the perfect compromise if you’re torn between the G19 and G17. After reading this blog, you might think, I wish I could get the Glock 17 frame with the shorter Glock 19 slide. It’s a little heavier than the Glock 19, but lighter than Glock 17 and features the same Glock Marksman’s barrel as the Glock 19 Gen 5.

Overall, the Glock 19X is a great alternative for those who find themselves in the fringe and cannot decide between the 2 pistols. However, if I’m being honest, I think Glock missed the mark by not drilling and tapping the standard Glock 19X slide.

Specs:

Which Gen 5 Glock Would I Recommend?

What is the Best Glock Magazine For Home-Defense?

Glock isn’t just known to have the most reliable pistol on the planet, but they’re also known to have many magazine capacities to choose from. Obviously, you wouldn’t ever try to carry a 33-round mag as a CCW, but for home defense, it’s unbeatable.

Everything I learned as a .50 gunner in OIF is fire superiority wins gunfights. My home defense gun is my Mossberg 500 12 gauge loaded with 00 buckshot. However, if you’re wanting to use a pistol, a Glock 17 or 19 with a 33-round mag gives you the fire superiority to fight off multiple attackers without worrying about your bullet count.

Glock G17 Magazine 9mm 33/rds

$36.99

at Natchez Shooting Supplies

VIEW DETAILS

Prices accurate at time of writing

Best Glock 17/19 Gun Cleaning Kit

I understand that it’s widely known that Glocks don’t need to be cleaned as often as most other pistols. However, I know many Glock owners who never clean their guns outside of their annual maintenance. I try to educate as many people as possible, but cleaning your gun after every use will ensure your Glock lasts longer and performs more reliably and accurately.

I often think about gun cleaning the way I do about laundry; some people hate and do it out of necessity, while others receive intrinsic value in cleaning. I’m weird and a little awkward, but I love cleaning my guns and I love doing laundry. Even though Glock ships a cleaning rod for your barrels, they don’t make specific cleaning kits that go with each gun.

The best tool for all of my 9mm pistols is the Tipton Nope Rope. I’m able to use the Nope Rope after every cleaning with quickness and ease, with a little help from my bore solvent. Even if you didn’t want an entire kit, using a Nope Rope with bore solvent is helluva a lot better than doing nothing at all.

Conclusion

Choosing a pistol is much harder today than it has been at any other point in our history. There are thousands of pistols to choose from in calibers including,  .380 ACP, 9mm, .38 Special, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP, just to name a few. With somewhere close to 15 million guns sold, the Glock 17 and Glock 19 are two of the most popular pistols on the planet.

The reason Glock is so sought after is its incredible reputation for reliability, dependability, performance, and natural ergonomics, which makes it easier to keep in line with a natural pistol grip.

Although both guns are similar, their difference in overall length, weight, height, and barrel length make each pistol unique. For example, it’s much easier to conceal a Glock 19 than concealing a Glock 17 for smaller guys, like myself.

We hope you’ve learned enough to make the best decision for you and wish you luck in the future.