Of the many handgun manufacturers around the world, few hold the legendary status that has been achieved by GLOCK. Founded in 1982, GLOCK has become one of the most notable pistol manufacturers in the world, crafting handguns that have seen widespread use by global Military and Law Enforcement agencies, as well as civilian enthusiasts.
Although GLOCK’s handgun lineup features many prominent options, two of their most notable semi-automatic pistol models are the GLOCK 19 (G19) and GLOCK 17 (G17). Both are incredibly iconic pistols, renowned for their simplicity and efficacy across multiple applications like self-defense, competition, duty, and recreational shooting.
Because of their popularity, there’re often debates amongst enthusiasts that question which of the two is the better pistol. So, should you go with the G19, or the G17? Follow along as we break down the differences and advantages of each pistol.
Why GLOCK Pistols are Popular
Before we get too far into the specific differences between the G19 and G17, it’s important to highlight why GLOCK pistols are so popular.
GLOCK pistols are designed to be simple and easy to use. Unlike many handguns, GLOCK pistols don’t have a manual safety lever, with them instead featuring a built-in trigger safety, requiring a deliberate trigger pull to operate. Additionally, though the size and caliber of these handguns varies, the manual of arms is essentially the same across all GLOCK pistols—once you learn how to operate one GLOCK, you’ll already be familiar with the rest. In addition to their simple manual of arms, GLOCK pistols are easy to disassemble too. We go over this at length in our guide, “How to Disassemble a GLOCK”.
Individual customization is another key factor that adds to the allure of GLOCK pistols. There’s an expansive lineup of top-tier GLOCK-compatible components that can enhance the capabilities, look, and feel of your pistol. For instance, there are several GLOCK compatible slides available from manufacturers like ZEV Technologies, Zaffiri Precision, and Grey Ghost Precision, to name a few. Additionally, there’s an equally wide assortment of trigger options, slide releases, and other components available as well.
GLOCK 19 vs. 17: Key Differences
Now that you know why exactly GLOCK pistols are so popular, we can go over two of the most prominent models available in GLOCK’s lineup.
Size, Capacity, and Caliber
Both the G19 and G17 are chambered in 9mm and share a similar functionality, but they have some differences that distinguish them, with one of the most notable being their respective sizes. The G19 is a compact double stack pistol with a 4.02-inch barrel, and a 15+1-round magazine capacity. In contrast, the G17 is a full-size pistol, coming with a longer 4.5-inch barrel, as well as a greater 17+1-round capacity.
Like how some manufacturers produce a compact, carry, and full-size variant of the same pistol, you can think of the G19 and G17 as the same pistol offered in two separate sizes. So, despite their differences in capacity and barrel length, they use the same controls and trigger design, and they both come with a dedicated accessory rail under the barrel for mounting lights or laser units, further enhancing their versatility.
Best option for Concealed Carry and Defense?
At their core, both the G19 and G17 are regarded by many as some of the best self-defense handgun options available. That said, it’s important to recognize that their respective designs lend themselves to different applications and needs.
Generally, compact pistols like the G19 are preferred as they’re easier to concealed carry. A common misconception about concealed carrying is that a longer barrel hinders a pistol’s overall concealability. Practically speaking, it’s the grip that’s hardest to conceal since it juts out to the side when your pistol is secured in a holster, potentially printing (showing through clothing). The G19, with its smaller grip size, is particularly well suited for concealed carry. When paired with the right GLOCK compatible holster and clothing, it can easily and comfortably be concealed for EDC purposes.
The G17, on the other hand, isn’t as easy to conceal due to its larger grip/frame size. Granted, your ability to conceal a firearm is largely dependent on several factors such as your stature, clothing, and holster setup. That said, the G17, and other comparably sized pistols, typically aren’t the main pick for concealed carry for many enthusiasts. It is, however, a more than effective choice for home defense. Its greater ammo capacity and extra grip space make it a solid home defense pistol. Plus, its longer slide also provides you with a longer sight radius which minimizes the risk of sight deflection, giving it an edge when greater precision is needed, like in competitive shooting disciplines.
At the end of the day though, both the G19 and G17 can be incredibly effective for both concealed carry and home defense. Choosing between one or the other comes down to your personal needs and preferences. For some, the G19 might be the perfect size to concealed carry, while others may be able to better conceal the G17 comfortably. As such, it’s all a matter of finding the right balance between comfort and usability.
Lastly, for women, both options could still be uncomfortable to conceal, even with the G19’s smaller frame size. GLOCK offers a multitude of slim-line pistols such as the G43x and G48 that could be a better fit. Our guide on the top-rated women’s handguns goes in-depth on both, as well as some other solid options to consider.
Price Differences
If you’re wondering, “How much is a GLOCK pistol?”, they can vary in price depending on the model and package. G19 and G17 pistols often hover around the same price, ranging from as little as around $400 to upwards of $700+. Each of these pistols are offered in different configurations that come pre-equipped with different iron sight options, finishes, and optics like mini-reflex sights. Additionally, there are multiple GLOCK generations, with Gen 4 and Gen 5 GLOCK pistols currently being in production. Gen 4 models generally hover at the lower end of the cost spectrum, while Gen 5 pistols can vary across the complete range. GLOCK Pistols pre-equipped with red dot sights aren’t as common to find, but when in stock, they usually cost over $1,000+.
There are ways to get these firearms at a discount though. GLOCK’s Blue Label Program allows Military, Law Enforcement Officers, and other select service members to buy their firearms at a discount. Additionally, members of the GLOCK Sport Shooting Foundation, or GSSF, receive similar discounts, being allotted one discounted pistol per calendar year. We recommend checking out the GLOCK website for more info on both programs.
GLOCK MOS
A pistol’s performance can be greatly enhanced by an optic, so it’s common to see enthusiasts running various pistol red dot and mini-reflex sights on their handguns. However, to run these optics, your pistol’s slide must be milled out to accept them.
Enter GLOCK’s Modular Optic System (MOS). The Modular Optic System was developed to make GLOCK pistols compatible with different optics and their mounting footprints. Not all optics have the same mounting footprint, with optics like the Trijicon RMR and Holosun HS507C-X2 both using the RMR footprint, while the SIG ROMEO2 and EOTech EFLX use a Leupold Delta Point Pro footprint. To accommodate all these mounting footprints, GLOCK includes a series of MOS plates that are compatible with various optic platforms.
There are several GLOCK pistol models that come in an MOS configuration, with the G19 being one of them. Currently, the G17 is only available in an MOS configuration for Law Enforcement personnel only. We mentioned earlier how there are several optic-ready GLOCK compatible pistol slides available for both the G19 and G17, but going this route can be expensive since you’d need to buy both the handgun and the slide, which can cost upwards of $350+ in some cases. While the G17 isn’t available in an MOS configuration, the newer GLOCK 47 is.
The GLOCK 47 is one of GLOCK’s recent additions to their lineup that handles like the G17 and has MOS variants. The G47’s frame is the same size as the G19x, utilizing a shorter dust cover to make it compatible with both G47 and G19/19x slide assemblies. In its standard configuration, both its slide and barrel length are the same as the G17’s, so it’s a great option for those wanting something like the G17, but with optics compatibility without needing an aftermarket slide assembly.
Conclusion
Despite the release of countless new handgun models, the GLOCK 19 and GLOCK 17 have remained as some of the industry’s most sought-after pistol models. Renowned for their reliability, they’re a solid choice for everything from personal defense to duty and competition. While there’re often debates as to which is best, they each have their own strengths.
If concealed carry is your primary concern, the G19 is one of the go-to pistols to consider. With its compact size and 15-round capacity, it doesn’t compromise on concealability or round capacity. If size isn’t as much of a constraint, the G17 is a solid pick with a larger 17-round capacity that’s particularly well-suited for everything from personal defense to competition and duty use.
Ultimately, both pistols, as well as GLOCK’s other handguns, are meticulously crafted to offer a similar manual of arms, rugged reliability, and a near-endless degree of aftermarket customization. If you’re still on the fence about which pistol is the one you should go with, we recommend checking out our guide on the best optic-ready 9mm pistols to see what else is available.
