Glock 17 Vs 19: Tested And Reviewed By A CCW Instructor
- Gary Anderson
- Jan 23
- 7 min read
Updated: Nov 20
What is the difference between Glock 17 and 19? Each has unique strengths and weaknesses, and I hope my review will 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 Glock 17 and Glock 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. For other Glocks, check out my compact pistols review.
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 25 ounces, while the 19 has an overall length of 7.36 inches and weighs about 23.6 ounces.
The slide on the Glock 19 is half an inch shorter, and the grip is also about half an inch shorter. The width of the slide, grip, and magazines is the same. One great thing about the shorter grip length is that the longer magazines will fit and function in the G19. G19 mags will function in the G17 but sit a little shorter in the grip. With the G17 having a longer slide, it will weigh a little more, and if the magazine holds more ammo, that will increase the weight as well. Another point, with the G17, standard capacity is 17 rounds. However, many Glock shooters also run 19- and 33-round mags in both (and other) models.
The Glock 17 is a military gun designed as a sidearm, mounted on a heavy-duty belt, and can be strapped to the thigh to keep it in place. The G17 on a police or security duty belt is a bit big, as sitting in a car seat can get a little tricky at times. So the G19 was later introduced as a compact version of the G17 for civilian concealed carry, as well as for law enforcement and military personnel. There is no way for me to check that against the entire Glock world, but having carried both, this seems to be the standard feedback.
When it comes to holstering, remember you'd need a higher ride for the G17, since it has a longer slide and barrel. That's why the G19 is preferred by people seeking easier concealment. Also, remember you have more options with the G19. Dave McGillivray discusses it in our best concealed carry holsters article.
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. And remember, G19 can accept G17 magazines but will leave a gap.
If that’s a feeling that you value, you may want to go with the 17, just based on the magazine capacity. And if you need some practice, consider starting with a Glock 17 replica.
Accuracy
When the question of accuracy comes into play, some pros may tell folks that a longer barrel equals more accuracy. While the Glock 17’s length means that it is a bit heavier, there is no serious benefit to the increased size. Actually, it only helps shooters aim better and shoot a bit more consistently.
Moreover, it would have some bearing when comparing 2 or 3 inch barrels to 6 or 7 inch ones. But in our case, the tiny, half inch difference is not enough to really matter. The standard off-the-shelf Glock will shoot qualification right out of the box, no problems.
The Glock 17 has a sight radius of 6.5 inches compared to 6.02 inches on the 19. For most shooters, this doesn't increase accuracy.
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?
Although actual prices tend to fluctuate, the prices of the G17 and G19 are roughly similar. 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. Street prices vary, but both weapons are quite affordable, and that is one of the reasons why they have enjoyed such an enduring popularity. For really cheap options, the only thing I can recommend is a replica, like one of those air pistols.
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
Glock 17 MOS and Glock 19 MOS models support optics, and use more or less the same optics and add-ons. 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.
With the wide, square slide in the new MOS models, Glocks come ready to mount a red dot sight. Adding a red dot sight to a Glock has been the greatest-selling custom pistol I make and put on the market. Since the gun is a full-size handgun, with a red dot, it can fit in most modern holsters, so you can easily get a custom RDS-cut one.
Now, what about muzzles? The 19 with a muzzle brake will be longer at the front, but it would still have a short grip and slide than the 17. I'm referring to this because I want to mention that this brake can reduce the rise of the muzzle and make the shooting feel extra sweet and soft.
Now onto the best part, in my absolutely not-humble opinion: the ability to add serious amounts of light and laser to the rail under the frame. I had a Glock 17 that didn't have the rail built in, probably a Generation 2. I got rid of that one when the 80 percent Glock-style frames came onto the market, and I could build a Glock 17-style (notice the need to say that way) and mount the light and laser combo under the frame. I carry this when I am in the back woods on the RZRs or just out in the woods for whatever I need to be there. With the light on the frame, I will never have a shoot-or-don't shoot due to light in the brush and shadows before dark.
The thing I always add to any Glock or Glock-style pistol in my shop is the fiber-optic sights, and with suppressors becoming more popular, I always add the suppressor-height sights. The red dot sight will co-witness the higher sights, and the whole gun becomes a homogeneous machine.
And if you already got a Glock 17 or 19 and you need magazine speedloader, I'd go for a quality one, like the ETS 9mm loader, which is the fastest and most effective, in my opinion. But the Ludex will do the job as well.
Final Takeaway
The upgrades I just talked about will work on both the G17 and G19, and both will be ready to work perfectly for great-grandkids to shoot. All it needs is some Prolix when shooting at the range - clean and lube at the same time. How can it get any better? To clean this machine takes about 30 seconds to set up when you get used to it, and 10 minutes maximum to clean, then reassemble. And I am sure I don't need to say it, but I am going to make sure there are no bullets in the gun at all when operating and assembling the Glock.
So, let's sum things up. With the Glock 19 weighing less, some people claim it's easier to carry all day. However, on a full-duty belt, I find the difference barely noticeable. Many people in my world have bought the G19 to use for concealed carry. The description is a compact model, so everyone automatically considers this CCW ready. The truth is, it's still a little on the big side for proper concealment.
Unless you are built like me, with this much area to conceal a pistol, it's a bit easier. Someone very tiny or thin may want to think a little longer about this model. On the flipside, the G17 with its longer grip and larger frame is easier for new shooters to control, and those features make a difference when it comes to comfort and accuracy. And, don't forget that with the G17 you got two more rounds in the mag. The bottom line is, it's all about your preference.
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