Glock 34 Gen 4 owners only please.

[Ozzieman]

Glock 34 Gen 4 owners only please.
I’m thinking about a new Glock. I have a 26 which I think is the best Glock that they make but I want a long barrel and the 34 looks interesting.
Talk me into it please.

[Valerko]

I have a 35. Only reason I got it , instead of 34 was ability to convert it to 9,.357 sig and 10mm. Believe it's almost as gun as 34
To be honest , I have other guns I like more. Glock sith in the closet with a light on as HD gun

[TunnelRat]

One thing I would note. Make sure you handle it first if you haven't. The hump is much more pronounced on the fullsize Glocks as opposed to the sub compacts.

[pilpens]

I have a 34 (approx 300 rounds old). If you do not have a specific need for the 34, I would consider a 17 or a 19.
A 19 feels better in my hands because of the less pronounce hump found on the full size grip. During the panic buying, I could not find a 17 nor a 19. So I got a 34. Very good pistol but 19 is the most practical in my opinion.
I enjoy the 34 but if I had to do it over, I will probably get a 19 and be just as satisfied.
I will probably get a 19 later.

[SteelChickenShooter]

Best use for a 34 is competition. I had an older 34, forced to sell, then replaced it with a gen 4 later when I had spendable cash again. I had Warren Tactical sights on it, and that's when I started getting good scores. Wouldn't use it as a carry gun though. Have not fired the new one yet and I don't participate in various pistol competitions anymore. My present application for it is long range accuracy in case a coyote appears. I have a light on it. I never cared for the factory sights and found Sevigney sights better for steel & paper challenges and Warren Tactical better for scenarios like IDPA. I had the Sevigney sights on a Glock model 17L. If you compete in shooting matches, the 34 is fine. If not, then another model could be better. The model 34 is longer than you really need for self defense and since it's a bit larger, it does not conceal as well.

[Mrgunsngear]

I've got one and it's been 100% from the jump. My wife claimed it as 'hers' and uses it as her nightstand gun now

[hlds54]

1911

[Ruger45LC]

I prefer the 34/35 to the 17/22. The 34/35 is the same length as a full size Govt. 1911 and they shoot great. I don't have a Gen4 34 but do have a Gen4 35 and it's a favorite for sure.

The practical-tactical 34/35 have the same grip as the 17/22 but with the added advantage of a longer sight radius, longer barrel for increased velocity and an overall higher cool factor IMHO.

They're perfect for the range, competition, being kept loaded as a home defense weapon and can even be carried quite easily if you wanted to.

[Ozzieman]

1911, since I already have 5 1911’s two of them Kimber and an old gold cup, don’t need any more.
“Don’t need any more” did I actually say that, wash my mouth out with soap.
I don’t want a 19 or a 17 because I want a Glock that’s the same size as a full sized 1911.
The main reason for this gun is competition the range that I belong to has numerous action pistol competitions each month. I’m getting into it but I want a gun with more rounds. I have a lot of experience with Glocks and the 34 sounds right.
I have several other guns that I could use but the guns are double action and the trigger pulls in single are too long.
The Hump on the back strap. I have read about it but haven’t handled one yet. I do like the comments that I have heard about the replaceable back strap where one has a duck tail.
Thanks for the helpful comments.

[bamaranger]

I bought a G34-gen4 two or three months ago, specifically to shoot in local
IDPA matches. There were Gen3's in the shop as well, but I choose the gen4.

Talk you into it huh? Well the gen4 should come with 3 hicap mags, that's a plus these days as mags are a bit scarce and expensive. Add a holster and mag carrier and you are ready to compete.

The gen 4's have a new and more complex dual recoil spring assembly which has been higly criticized but has not gven me a bit of trouble. Glock claims it will increase durability and reduce felt recoil. My load is a 115 FMJ at just under 1200 fps ( a tad mild) and the pistol has been stone cold reliable. I like the fact that the recoil assembly in now all metal, and did not care for the polymer stock recoil spring guide, despite reputation.

I shoot the G34 better than my boys G17 primarily because I can see the sights better on the longer barrel, the front sight is a bit farther out and closer to where my 50+ eyes start focusing like they used to. The longer barrel does not seem to slow my draw or presentation from the Glock sport/concealment holster a bit. The 5.25 barrel consistently chrono's the 115 FMJ load about 50 fps faster than the boys G17. The longer tube requires a bit of attention to the length of the cover garment I use for concealment.

Overall the G34 is the same dimension as a Colt Gov't Model 1911. It holds 17+1 and is a ton lighter. I can reload and shoot 9mm cheaper than .45 ACP, as the smaller slugs are a good bit less expensive. (jacketed v. jacketed bullets) I can shoot 9mm faster than .45 auto, but that does not help my ranking, as so can everybody else! As a rule I can post better scores with the G34 as opposed to my duty P220, if I don't do stupid stuff (which I accel at!).

The stock trigger is OK but not as smooth as the boys G17 with a Scherer 3.5 connecter in it. The new Gen4 match triggers are said to be 4.5lb but mine goes to 5.0+. There is a noticable stack 2/3 way back, which allows one to prep the trigger, if you are sharp enough. I am not and wish it would not stack, but its there and I need to try and learn it. The G17 with the Scherer and the G20 with a 3.5 Ghost do not have the stack feeling and are lighter and smoother all the way through. But, the more I shoot the G34-4, the better it is getting. I have done a poormans trigger job, and a 3.5 connector does not really help either. The trigger on the g4's is a frequent gripe.

What sold me on the gen 4 was the changeable grip. I liked the larger, oversize grip panel. There are 3 possible configurations, and the large one is my current favorite. The small arrangement is to small, and the standard panel still seems a bit crowded. I broke the silly factory punch that you need to swap them, but finding a suitable metal one was no big deal.

Glock changed the mag release as well and it does not project from the frame as far as earlier comp models. It does have more surface area, but does not stick out as far. For me, I like it. The new arrangement offers more purchase than the older standard service models, but does not project as far out as the earlier true comp models. I have seen the early comp models get depressed and a mag dumped permaturely during a match, and certainly would not want same to happen in a confrontation. To me the new mag release is playing toward the tactical side of things, not to big to get tripped accidently. But a bit bigger than the old service model.

Finally, I priced the new G34-4 against its direct competitor, the 5.25 Springfield (XDM?). Locally, the G34 was cheaper.

I like mine a bunch, but the dang kid is still out shooting me!!!!!!!!!

[allaroundhunter]

I bought my G34 about a month ago and have shot it in about 5 matches so far. I love it, especially after I replaced the springs and added a V4 connector. I would honestly recommend one over a Glock 17 because it really doesn't not give up anything to the 17,while giving more benefits.

What are you wanting the gun for? If you are wanting it just for a range gun then I think you'll enjoy it, but it is also a very good defensive weapon.

[blfuller]

I have a 35 Gen 4 and I mainly went that route because of the ability to change calibers, as another has mentioned, by simply swapping the barrel for the .357 SIG and barrel and mag for 9mm. I like mine with the exception of the factory sight. I have replaced the factory with the Heinie ledge serrated.

[Ozzieman]

I want it for competition.
For HD I have my 26 with g17 MAGS.
Bamaranger, I want to personally thank you for all the info and time you took to write it. Your information is exactly what I was looking for.
And thank everyone else for your input.
We have one of our 4 big gun shows a year this weekend and if I seen one at a decent price I will post photos.

[allaroundhunter]

If you want it for competition you will also want to add new sights (Dawson makes some great ones), and then a competition spring kit, Glockworx striker, and a V4 connector. In my opinion, at least.

[blfuller]

Also the new beavertail backstraps are now available directly from Glock, $16 plus shipping. Comes with a full set if your Glock gen 4 only came with the standard backstraps. Glock p/n 30818.

[Chinny33]

its one of the most widely used competition guns out there. IDPA, USPSA, SSC, 3-gun.

I use it peronally for IDPA, USPSA & 3-Gun.

I did gut the entire trigger mech, springs, and sights.

[Eppie]

I have seven Glocks and two are G34s. One for the car the other for the bedroom. They are my favorite "business" pistols. Although I do have a soft spot for 1911s too. It's a Glock so it doesn't jam and it goes "boom" every time you pull the trigger.

I put on a fiber optic front sight on one of them and like it a lot. May do the other sometime. They do come with 3 mags. The extra 1/2" barrel over a G17 makes it just a little easier to aim. A loaded G34 weighs 6 ounce less than an unloaded 1911. When it's out in front of you it makes a difference, unless you've got a lot of upper body strength.

IMO the G34 is the overall best handgun out there for shooting. I don't share your fondness for the G26. I had one but sold it. I do like the compacts (G19 and G23) but don't really care for the subcompact Glocks. Just a personal preference.

[Ozzieman]

A local GS has one for 680$
Going to go look at it tommarow.

[bamaranger]

Oh yeah, the g4's have a slightly different grip texture, and I like that too. The boy's early G17 is pretty slick, and in the heat, sweat, a tad of gun oil, the dang early g17 is hard to hold onto. It is pretty common to see early Glocks that are shot in comp w/ skate tape on them. The new texture fixes that.

The factory Glock comp sights are widely criticized, but we're still shooting them. Lots of guys in our crew are shooting FO's.

Hope you like it if you buy and I'm betting you will.

[the duck of death]

I have 3 Glock 34s, what does that tell you?

[Ozzieman]

Well, long story short, yes he had one for 680$.
Where are the mags?
You only get one with the gun but I have more for sale for 50$ each.
Where are the extra back straps for the Gen 4?
They don’t come with the gun but I have them for sale.
Need I say more?

[Eppie]

Ozzieman I feel your pain. It's horrible times to be buying guns now, but this too shall pass.

Here's one that you can buy or bid on it.

[allaroundhunter]

If he is a dealer for Glock then you should report his to their customer service.... He won't be getting support from them anymore.

[wild cat mccane]

Walther is coming out with a 5" PPQ.

Everyone seems to think the PPQ has a better grip and trigger than glock. It will come with a 17+1 mag too.

So, I would wait.

[allaroundhunter]

Originally Posted by wild cat mccane

Walther is coming out with a 5" PPQ.

Everyone seems to think the PPQ has a better grip and trigger than glock. It will come with a 17+1 mag too.

So, I would wait.

Some people also think the M&P has a better grip and also uses 17 round magazines, but as of yet everyone has stayed in topic helping the OP with comments on the G34....

If he likes the G34, then he likes it. I don't think the PPQ will ever catch up to it in popularity, or aftermarket parts. These same aftermarket parts make the Glock a better competition pistol than the PPQ, so I see no reason for the OP to consider the Walther.