I (also) want a GLOCK 34. Opinions?
 

Yes I'm saving up for a Python, but I am doing very well and will probably be able to get a Model 34 by the summer as well. I carry a GLOCK 19 and a GLOCK 26 on duty. While I'm not a GLOCK nut the design has impressed me and I shoot it well. The Model 34 has caught my fancy. I like long barreled "target" oriented handguns. The 34 seems to fit that description fairly well.

Well anyway I don't know anybody with experience with the 34 and I'm wary of the fanboys over on the GLOCK forum. Acolytes scare me. ;)

Probably still going to get one but I'd like to hear from those who have shot and used one. Even if your history is with the Model 35. Thanks.

I've heard nothing but good things about it. Go for it

A range I used to frequent in Texas had a G34 for rental (a pretty well-used one, too). One of my friends rented it, and I got to fire a few rounds. It seems like a good choice, though personally, I'd rather just have a standard G17 or a G19.

the longer sight length will help make you more accurate with the pistol and the longer cut slide helps alot with the balance. The trigger is a little hard to get use to because its about two pounds lighter. It is also nice that they extend the mag release but you'll have to be more picky on holsters. Glock actually put a slide release on this model so thats cool. If i was to buy another 9mm it would be the 34.

I like long barreled handguns and I've always been fascinated with longslide pistols. Especially since I first saw The Terminator in high school and Arnold was running around with that longslide 45 and that massive old laser.

Longslide pistols are nice, but tend to be front-heavy, and this is especially true of polymer-framed pistols. Personally, I'd stick to a metal-framed pistol if you want a longslide.

One thing I can tell you for sure: Don't get a Glock 17L, even though they (usually) sell for cheaper than G34s. That gun is notoriously unbalanced, which is why the G34 was introduced to replace it.

2 pounds sounds insanely light for a trigger, i personally prefer 4-5 for just about everthing.

I thought the reason they made the Glock 34 was so it would be short enough for competition shooting, something the 17L was not. Even so, that does mean that the 17L is longer, and therefore has more metal farther out, and therefore would probably be unbalanced.

IPSC only changed the rules on barrel length/overall length much later. At the time the G17L was introduced, it met their requirements (6" barrel, 8.9" overall length). I'm sure you are right that the G34's length was dictated by the new rules, but my understanding is that it was on the drawing board beforehand, for the reason I mentioned.

Well I'll probably still get a G34 and see how I like it. It interests me and I will be getting it just to shoot it/own it. It won't be a duty pistol. That's what my G19 is for. Which by the way I have to say the G19 had impressed me. I was more or less neutral about it, but it's been over four years since my department went to issuing GLOCKS and I have to admit that the 19 has won me over. It's an easy pistol to maintain,operate and it shoots well. Hey what more can you ask of a handgun that you take to work? It's a good tool I guess.

What was issued before the glock?

beretta 92fs i think

Before my department began issuing GLOCK pistols we could carry any approved pistol as long as it was in 9mm, 40 S&W or 45acp. I carried a SIG-Sauer P220 at first then went to the SIG-Sauer P245. Most of us carried Berettas, GLOCKS, Sigs and Rugers. There were a few H&K USP's, Springfields, S&W, 1911's and Browning Hi-Powers as well.

In the fall of 2006 admin decided that it was better to go to a single caliber and a single issue handgun. So the GLOCK 21 was picked. Those of us who were employed with the department before the transition were authorized to carry the G19 if we wished.

Anyone hired after the transition doesen't get a choice. It's the G21 or nothing else. We are now issuing the G21SF and we will probably issue the G21 4th Generation when it is readily available.

I am one of five officers (to include the Chief) who have opted for the G19.

Detectives are authorized to carry the G30 when in plain clothes. They have to purchase the G30 with their own money and they are issued a G21 for their duty belt.

For ammo we issue Federal 45acp +P 230 grain HST and Federal 9mm +P 124 grain HST for the pistols.

Only those officers on the department TRT (i.e. SWAT) are authorized to carry lights on their GLOCKS. They have to purchase the special holsters with their own money.

That's a whole hel;l of a lot better than Beaumont PD's policy of "buy all your own shit (guns and holsters), but no Magnums or anything below 9mm", which is why duty guns range from shitty no name guns to high dollar 1911's

Yes in many ways my department is pretty good to work for. The holster, belt, handcuffs and vest are all purchased. If you decide later on to get another vest, more magazines, a newer holster ect we get $700.00 every January. I usually use the money to get some ammo for shooting and uniform clothing and boots.

My holster is finally where I want it in terms of wear and I really don't want to break in a new holster. The Safariland Level III security holster can be a real bear whne it's brand new. Many hours spent working with it before I'm happy. But I am looking at a new belt. The belt tends to get pretty chewed up after a few years.

Isn't the belt ungodly heavy when fully loaded?

Yeah, back problems are common among police officers, every teacher ive had said if your a patrol officer, then you need to work out a lot for your back.

I can see why departments may want to standardize a caliber, but not a gun. They say its to share mags in a firefight, but odds are if you run out of your ammo, your partner has too. And if you shoot 3-4 magazines, you should be using a rifle or shotgn for this fight. Besides, I know some people shoot one type of gun better than another. So if you cnat shoot crapwith a glock and shoot expert with a sig, then you should carry the later. Some departments in my have a approved list, where you pick one, and have a set budget (one officer said he was given 1000 to buy gun, belt, gear.)

In Houston officers are issued the P226, but everyone carries a Glock for some reason. In Beaumont I think you have to pay for your own stuff with your own money

I like the G19, too (it's the only Glock I would really love to own someday).

k9870

I go to a chiropracter on a consistent basis and I work out. It helps. I also stopped running. Instead I walk, ride the bicycle, stair machine, eliptical ect. Running just tore me up. Too much impact on my lower back. So now I'm one of those cops who does not chase the bad guy. Hell even when I was twenty I wasn't that fast of a runner. I'm 42 now.

The decision to go to a standard handgun wasn't mine. I don't know the reason behind it. It was never explained to me. However as a firearms instructor I have found that most of our new officers (many who have experience with rifles/shotguns, but little to none with handguns) pick up the GLOCK pretty fast. Also it's very easy to figure out what they are doing wrong since we are all on the same sheet of music.

And our new officers want to be cops so they're motivatd to learn how to shoot the G21. It's just the way it is.

The belt is probably be why I could never be a cop. I already suck at running, and the belt would make it worse. It's fucked up how ya'll are expected to chase people while carrying all that gear

Well fortunately there always seems to be a couple 23 or 24 year old cops around when a foot pursuit is required. They're like Golden Retrievers.

They should issue older officers shotguns loaded with rubber rounds so they can just pop anyone who runs. New shotguns and rubber bullets will cost a whole helluva lot less that medical bills for shit like heart attacks

At least you have the SF, the standard is real thick for anyone without xxxl sized hands.

Some officers i see have a harness that goes over shoulders and suspends the belt, but it looks goofy. I have a strong back and work out, but im not carrying a duty rig around either. Im going into LE though so ill know eventually.

The same gun thing has been said to be so an officer can use anothers when they run out of ammo but it sounds rediculous to me.

Some of the agencies up in Washington state use the harness that you're talking about. I'd like to, but I don't see it happening anytime soon.

How much do you think your belt weighs fully loaded? I know belts change depending on gear used and materials, like a nylon belt as opposed to leather, polymer or metal flashlight, etc.

It's not too bad. Perhaps between eight and ten pounds? I'll have to weigh it. The vest is heavy and hot. Which isn't too bad this time of year, but it's not much fun in the middle of the summer. I basically spend all summer and much of the fall sweating and constantly damp. And I'm in southwestern Idaho.

I don't know how the cops in the southeastern U.S. or Arizona, Las Vegas, and Southern California do it.

They probably change t shirts 6 times a day.

Sit in the car all day, taser anyone who even looks like they are going to run

:D:cool:

That's the ticket