Do I want a 34? - AR15.COM

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Posted: 12/16/2020 11:39:11 AM EDT

My friend dropped off a Gen 3 34 yesterday for my evaluation. He wants to sell it and I'm looking for a larger Glock than my 43. I'm Glock stupid so I don't know the pluses and minuses to
this gun and would like some feedback from anyone willing to get it.

The gun itself looks to be in great condition, no sings of wear, all stock. There is no place to attach an optic, just factory sights. It comes with 3 mags and a Serpa holster in pristine condition. I'd replace that with a safariland.

Neither of us is sure what it is worth. I have been looking at Springfield XDMs to complement my others but this one is "off the books" as it's FTF.

Is replacing the signts on this model with fiber or tritium possible? Are there known issues with this model? It's slightly longer than my 4.5 XDM so I don't really mind the size as I'm not going to CCW it probably just a woods carry or home defense gun.

Thanks for any feedback.

Posted: 12/16/2020 11:45:13 AM EDT

[#1]

Pros are the long sight radius if you don't use a dot and the slide is already lightened so you don't need to mess with weird ammo or spring weights for competitions. It's a decent gun if you like long slides. It looks huge but it's about the same as a 1911 with more capacity and a shitty grip angle.

I have a 17 that I actually want to trade for a 34. But that's a flux build and I want a little better ballistics.

Posted: 12/16/2020 11:49:10 AM EDT

[#2]

Turn it into a really flat shooter with a compensated barrel since it already has that big window. Win win.

Posted: 12/16/2020 11:51:46 AM EDT

[#3]

Replacing sights on a Glock is easy and there’s a bunch of choices. It’s a great weapon.

Posted: 12/16/2020 12:20:08 PM EDT

[#4]

I walked out the back door and put 10 into a 20 yard plate. Shoots decent I can see the grip angle getting some used to but not a huge difference in what I’ve been shooting. Bonus it fits nicely in my long slide Safariland GLS I was using for the IWI Jericho once I removed the guard spacer.
I think I can get it for $500

Posted: 12/16/2020 12:21:20 PM EDT

[#5]

You can't go wrong with a 19, 17, or 34.

I kind of want to get a 34. I just don't want to pay $750 for one like I'm currently seeing for sale.

Posted: 12/16/2020 12:55:08 PM EDT

[#6]

If you like the G34 and you're not shooting competition,
you'll love the G17L. You can mill the slide on that 34 for
optic. The 34 replaced the 17L for competition due to
rule changes. Their both fun guns. 17L is my choice for fun
gun.

Posted: 12/16/2020 1:04:24 PM EDT

[#7]

34 is awesome and a good to compliment the 43.

I see the 17 and 34 as interchangeable.

An X300 is flush with the end of a 34 and is just proper.

Posted: 12/16/2020 1:17:11 PM EDT

[#8]

Lots of good advice here, saying I go the iron sight upgrade instead of milling the slide, what would you guys recommend?
Looking at several now.

Posted: 12/16/2020 1:30:24 PM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:
Lots of good advice here, saying I go the iron sight upgrade instead of milling the slide, what would you guys recommend?
Looking at several now.

View Quote

Use the sights it has and put upgrade money towards a RMR slide.

Posted: 12/16/2020 2:15:45 PM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
Lots of good advice here, saying I go the iron sight upgrade instead of milling the slide, what would you guys recommend?
Looking at several now.

View Quote

Just watch for sales. Anything steel. I put meprolights on all my Glocks.

Posted: 12/16/2020 2:56:51 PM EDT

[#11]

I really like a black rear and fiber optic front.

10-8 for u-notch, Redback One or Heinie for square notch.

A good low pro combo I like and have on my carry 17s is an Ameriglo Defoor rear with a Dawson fiber optic front.

Posted: 12/16/2020 4:19:19 PM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:
You can't go wrong with a 19, 17, or 34.

I kind of want to get a 34. I just don't want to pay $750 for one like I'm currently seeing for sale.

View Quote

Agreed...

I got my G34 NIB from my local guy for 600...

One of my coworkers from a previous job called me today on lunch and was looking for one of the three... For some reason, he bought a S&W when he really wanted a G17. Now he is not happy with as he can't hit shit and still wants a G17...

Too be fair, I'm 99.9% sure its his shooting, not the S&W... So, I might see if I can pick it up at a fair price.

Posted: 12/16/2020 5:46:59 PM EDT

[#13]

If he can’t hit with an M&P he’ll really miss with a Glock.

Easy to shoot they are not.

Posted: 12/16/2020 6:12:53 PM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:
If he can't hit with an M&P he'll really miss with a Glock.

Easy to shoot they are not.

View Quote

Not sure what you mean by, "Easy to shoot they are not"... Maybe just ribbing... :)
I've got 6 (had 8) Glocks in various calibers and models. I've always though they were easy to shoot and boringly reliable.

He has shot my G17 and G34 a few times and I would not call him an awesome shot by any means, but he does alright.
Not sure why he is having issues with the S&W, but I'm sure its him. Not the gun.
I recommended him to take a paid pistol class and he says he did.

So, I'll have him come down soon and I'll shoot the S&W to see how it does, let him run mags though the Glocks to see how he is doing there, then get him back on his S&W and see if I can coach him some.
I've helped several new shooters, go from not being able to hit big man sized target to keeping them all in the head/face.
I do know he needs a lot more trigger time and guidance from someone who is a decent shooter.

If I can't get him corrected on the S&W, I'll take him to my local guy and get him a trade in on his S&W towards a Glock, like he wants.

Posted: 12/16/2020 6:20:23 PM EDT

[#15]

I love my Glock 34. No optics on my 34, I have Ameriglo Idot Pro's for irons.

Posted: 12/16/2020 7:39:58 PM EDT

[#16]

I have ameriglo hackathorns on my 34. It's been tweaked a little bit but nothing radical. It's a super sweet shooter and my go-to "game gun". The only reason I'd get rid of my g34 is to replace it with a gen 4 g34 (mine is a gen 3). The gen4's fit my little girly hands better.

Posted: 12/16/2020 7:55:37 PM EDT

[#17]

I have Dawson fiber optics on mine. It’s a great shooter. I need to put more rounds through it.

Posted: 12/16/2020 8:42:21 PM EDT

[#18]

I've got a 34.3 that I put a Flux brace on; I really like the set up. Once I've put away enough money I'll put a red dot sight on it.

Posted: 12/17/2020 12:53:13 AM EDT

[#19]

I have a 34 Gen 3 with Trijicons and the old Robar backstrap modification.

They are great home defense guns, though many will argue there are newer designs that completely outclass the ol' 34. It's either an early 80s or late 90s design, depending on your perspective.

Even though it's the original, I find the 17 to be a neither fish nor fowl design now. It's a bit big for all-season CCW and the 34, at least from the factory, is superior for non-CCW uses. I do CCW mine in the winter.

If you get a wire hair up there to make some changes later, only the 1911 has a bigger aftermarket base, and it's harder to self-service.

Posted: 12/17/2020 1:03:10 AM EDT

[#20]

I routinely carry a G34.4 at work in the cooler months... outstanding balance

Posted: 12/17/2020 1:10:33 AM EDT

[#21]

34 is a great gun

I have a Gen 3 35 I've had since 2006.

Posted: 12/17/2020 9:57:16 PM EDT

[#22]

Quote History

Quoted:
I have Dawson fiber optics on mine. It’s a great shooter. I need to put more rounds through it.

View Quote

I'm leaning towards those, thanks for the heads up. I am ordering a Fisher XL sight pusher to replace the sights on my old XD and XDM as well.

You guys are a wealth of information and I really appreciate it.

Posted: 12/17/2020 10:11:35 PM EDT

[#23]

yes!

Posted: 12/17/2020 10:24:19 PM EDT

[#24]

The 34 is my absolute favorite followed by the 17L. I have Trijicon hd sights on all 9 of my Glocks. My son absolutely hates my sights and sticks with factory on his.

Posted: 12/18/2020 7:56:34 AM EDT

[#25]

Glock vs. Glock. Comparison shooting sizes.

https://www.ar15.com/forums/Handguns/Shooting-the-34-19-26-with-XGrip-and-26-Flat-Base-10-20-30-40-Yard-Comparisons-Photos-Re-linked/13-182642/

Posted: 12/18/2020 8:35:04 AM EDT

[#26]

Quote History

Quoted:
If he can’t hit with an M&P he’ll really miss with a Glock.

Easy to shoot they are not.

View Quote

Lol, bs.

Posted: 12/18/2020 9:34:14 AM EDT

[#27]

34 is a winner and is a joy to shoot. Great to have a gun that’s similar in size to a 1911, but weighs less with a full 17 round mag than the 1911 does empty.

Whether you keep it stock or trick it out, I doubt you’ll be disappointed

Posted: 1/20/2021 10:13:47 AM EDT

[#28]

Update to thread: I wound up purchasing the pistol from my bud. It is nicely accurate. I had a Safariland GLS holster for an IWI .40 that fits it perfectly, but went ahead and ordered a Safariland ALS concealment with belt loop to snap on my battle belt or hunting belt when tracking deer or whatever.

My daughter is 16 and was trying it out to see if she liked it better than her 43. She started doing one handed press checks and mag swaps (it was verified empty) and for some odd reason, the gun fits her better than the 43. She likes the extended releases and the weaker springs. She can't rack my XD or XDM easily and the 43 isn't easy to drop the slide catch.

Anyway, looks like a keeper. 40 yard shots on a small steel target shows it's reliable. I've looked at the different sight upgrades, but I'm ok with the factory originals for now. I've tried right and left handed pocket, belt, and shoe racks on the rear sight and it's adequate for an emergency for now.

Posted: 1/20/2021 11:05:50 AM EDT

[#29]

34 probably my fave glock.

Posted: 1/21/2021 2:06:51 AM EDT

[#30]

did OP get the 34?

sounds like he did.

love my 34. i got hackahorn sights, which are good but i'm gonna eventually upgrade. my fav glock sights are trijicon HDs.

just gotta find what you like and roll with it, whether it's FO or tritium.

Posted: 1/21/2021 2:10:05 AM EDT

[#31]

FTF is even more a bonus these days.

Posted: 1/21/2021 6:44:47 PM EDT

[#32]

Quote History

Quoted:
did OP get the 34?

sounds like he did.

love my 34. i got hackahorn sights, which are good but i'm gonna eventually upgrade. my fav glock sights are trijicon HDs.

just gotta find what you like and roll with it, whether it's FO or tritium.

View Quote

OP did.

Posted: 1/22/2021 8:17:58 PM EDT

[#33]

The 34 is fun in a recover tactical brace too.

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Posted: 1/23/2021 10:51:17 AM EDT

[#34]

Quote History

Quoted:
The 34 is fun in a recover tactical brace too. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/196752/D7C55C52-0F10-4C2C-B79B-C67B54291938_jpe-1792070.JPG

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What in tarnation?

I've seen some of the CAA kits and others, does that make them a SBR or are they still a pistol?

Posted: 1/23/2021 11:58:28 AM EDT

[#35]

I won a Polymer 80 940CL frame in a drawing. I already have a few of those frames build with G17 slides so this one is getting a G34 slide. I like the 940CL frame and wish Glock would make the same thing, it uses G19 mags and either G17 or G34 slides.

Posted: 1/26/2021 10:47:13 AM EDT

[#36]

Quote History

Quoted:

What in tarnation?

I've seen some of the CAA kits and others, does that make them a SBR or are they still a pistol?

View Quote

It’s a pistol.

Posted: 1/26/2021 11:05:20 AM EDT

[#37]

I’ve said it before and will say it again. A 34 and 26 make the perfect Glock collection. Hope you made the right call, OP.

Unsolicited picture of my Gen 5 when it was new. I love this thing. Although, there’s not a generation them I haven’t owned or wouldn’t own again.

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