Today at the gun club, I really didn't feel comfortable with the G19. I felt like it was too short. The side of my pinky felt like it was getting caught in between the grip and the magazine. The outside of my second knuckle hurt from being pressed who hard against the trigger guard. And, the fingers just didn't seem to sit well in the groove of the G19.

I looked at a G17 after I finished and that full size handle definitely seemed to fit better. My fingers lined up with the grooves. I didn't feel like I had my knuckles crushed and turning red and white pushed up against the trigger guard. I have no idea if I would be more accurate with this model over the G19. I'll need to rent one and see how it goes, but the G19 just felt too short for me. That's one reason I don't like the 26 as much. When I held it, my pinky was on the underside of the magazine and I just didn't feel like I had good control of the gun.

Has anyone else experienced this? Do you think there is a significant difference between the 19 and the 17? Is what I seem to be experiencing normal? I'm not a huge guy, I'm 6'2 and weigh about 185 with normal size hands.

Thanks!

Hey Rodeman:
I have the 40 equivalents of both guns so I think I can speak on this for you. My G23 is perfect for me and I shoot it well, however my G22 feels better in my hand and the recoil isn't as "sharp". If I had to choose just one, I would choose the G22 or in your case, the G17. It is just about the best all around auto on the planet!
Jonathan

Thanks guys. TheLaw, you referenced the index finger cramped against the trigger guard but I think you meant the middle finger because the sales man said they had a gunsmith who could remove some of the trigger guard exactly as you described. So I think I understand what you are referencing.

I've not shot anything but the G19 but I felt like it had sharp recoil, so it will be interesting to see if the G17 is any different. A lot of this if from being the first time I've shot in forever too, I'm sure.

I have a G23 which is my carry gun and is equivalant to the G19. It fits my hands well and I love to shoot it. I also have the G17 and that is a blast to shoot! It does "feel better" in my hand but I'm comfortable with either gun. I have practiced a lot with both so I'm used to them. G17 is a great gun for a first gun.

I have a g17 and a g26 and yes I agree that the G17 would be a more comfortable grip. I cannot explain though why I have more accuracy with the G26. I thought it was just me but after googling around it seems people are actually surprised with the accuracy of compact pistols of glock. I added pearce grips on my gen 4 g26 and it has improved although it will ocassionally snap at you. I learned how toadjust thru it by practice and though I will have an occassional snap, it is rare and tolerable. I find the baby glocks comfortable to carry and accurate and do not mind the inconvenience.

I like the Gen. 1 & 2 frames without the fingergrooves myself, as my hand fits those frames better. I have Gen. 2 Glock 17, 19, & 22; Gen. 2.5 Glock 26's, Gen. 3 32. My 31 is also a Gen. 3, as is the Glock 19 I gave my son. The Glock 17 I gave him was a Gen. 2 but the frame was replaced with a Gen. 3 type.