The Glock 17 and the Glock 19 are both similar handguns, but they each have unique strengths and weaknesses compared to one another. My in-depth review can help you decide which is right for you.
FYI, prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing.
Glocks have become iconic over time as a reliable and efficient weapon for personal protection. The G-17 and G-19 are among the most popular models, and for good reason, but anyone new to the subject of firearms might have a hard time deciding which suits them better.
While they do have plenty of similarities, there are some factors that set them apart. Let’s break it all down and compare the Glock 17 and the Glock 19 strengths and weaknesses.
And if you're just a beginner, get a pellet Glock first: $169.99 & FREE Returns
Weight and Size
When it comes to deciding on a handgun that works for you, you’re going to want to make sure that you’re actually comfortable holding it and handling it.
There are a few key differences between the Glock 17 and the Glock 19 in terms of weight and size, making them definitely feel quite different in hand.
The 19 is smaller and considered a compact pistol while the 17 is a bit larger and categorized as having a standard size. The main difference comes from the length. The 17 has an overall length of 8.03 inches and weighs about 22 ounces, while the 19 has an overall length of 7.36 inches and weighs about 21 ounces.
Magazine Capacity
Another important factor in deciding on which Glock is best for your everyday carry needs is the magazine capacity.
There isn’t a major difference between the two, but it is enough to potentially sway your decision. The larger 17 naturally has a slightly larger magazine capacity at 17 (how fitting!) rounds compared to the 19’s capacity of 15 rounds. For most everyday carry purposes, 15 rounds should be just fine, but the extra two rounds of the 17 could make you feel a bit more comfortable and secure.
If that’s a feeling that you value, you may want to go with the 17, just based on the magazine capacity.
Accuracy
While the Glock 17’s length means that it is a bit heavier, there is also a pretty serious benefit that comes with the increased size.
The Glock 17 has a line of sight of 6.5 inches compared to 6.02 inches on the 19. This results in a nice increase in accuracy for the 17 compared to the 19.
Ultimately, however, both guns are known for being quite accurate. You also shouldn’t just assume that you will be a better shot with the 17 than the 19. If you’re used to smaller weapons, you may be able to aim more accurately with the 19.
Amount of Recoil
Any new shooter is bound to be a bit surprised by how much recoil a pistol has. With that being said, both the Glock 17 and the Glock 19 are well-known for being quite gentle.
Most users don’t report a significant difference between the recoil of the two guns, but it’s always possible that you would notice more felt recoil with one of these pistols than the other.
I suggest that you try firing both before settling on one, so you can figure out which has the amount of recoil that feels better to you. It’s always going to be in your favor to test a gun before buying it.
Price
Price is definitely a factor when deciding which gun to purchase, but you don’t need to worry about that when it comes to choosing between the Glock 17 and Glock 19.
Why is that?
They both retail for the exact same price! In a sense, this might make your decision much simpler. In another sense, it might make it a bit more complicated. If you were hoping for price to make the final decision for you, you’re out of luck. However, both weapons are quite affordable, and that is one of the reasons why they have enjoyed such an enduring popularity.
Ease of Concealment
While the specs may not be too different between the Glock 17 and the Glock 19, they are different enough to the point where one is definitely easier to conceal than the other.
The 19’s smaller size makes it a much more popular gun among the concealed carry crowd. While you can definitely still keep the 17 inconspicuous, it’s more of a challenge.
If your main goal is to conceal your weapon, it makes sense to go with the 19 off of size alone. The 19’s shorter length and smaller grips have given it a reputation as the perfect concealed carry pistol.
Optics and Other Add-ons
Both the Glock 17 and the Glock 19 are able to use more or less the same add-ons and optics. There are plenty of options for both, and many people are starting to outfit their Glocks with optics these days. But this once again raises the question of whether you are going to concealed carry or not.
Once you start introducing add-ons to the Glock 17, the chances of you successfully concealing it go down quite a bit. So if you’re hoping to use an optic attachment on your weapon, just keep in mind that the 17 becomes less of a viable concealed option.
Magazine Versatility
One final point that may prove useful to you when deciding on whether you want to go with the Glock 17 or the Glock 19 is magazine versatility.
This is likely only going to matter to a niche crowd, but it’s worth mentioning nonetheless. The Glock 17 features a magazine that can be used in both the 17 and the 19. The 19’s magazine, however, does not work with the 17.
So in terms of sheer magazine versatility, the 17 has a slight edge over the 19. It’s unlikely that this will ever come into play, but it’s one reason why the 17 is preferred by some.
And if you're just a beginner, get a pellet Glock first: $169.99 & FREE Returns