Let me know, I owned a g17 and g19 gen3 at one time. They re gone, interested in the 34 for all around use pestcontrol,target,plinking,self defense,and outdoor on the ranch carry gun,in a factory glock $15 holster,high and tight,I like that cheap holster. A little concerned about the open slide and debris with outdoor work. This will not be a conceled carry gun. Talk to me thanks.

__________________
Take it easy. Chris

You have glock experience, so that is probably your best guidance. I have 2 glocks -both Gen 3. My bet is that the G34 is a fine weapon. May also want to check the g forums. Fellow S&W owners - be kind now.

That's why I posted it where I did my friend,I also post on GlockForum and Ruger forum as well. I enjoy handguns just not a fan of smith autos,now wheel guns smith is where my heart is at. Many closet glock owners on here I'm sure.

__________________
Take it easy. Chris

Some of us aren't in the closet. I've owned two Glock 17s, a 21 and a 36. Liked all of them but the 21 was a little big in the frame for my hand. Only have two Glock 19s now. Great guns and fun to shoot.

As you can see here Compare Pistols | GLOCK USA

The only real difference is the recoil spring, backstraps, and grip texture.

I like the Gen 4 guns. The new grip texture works well but it's not too aggressive. And the backstraps allow you to customize the grip to what you like.

The longer sight radius will be a great benefit.

If you carry it in a decent holster, I wouldn't worry about stuff getting into the slide. You should check in daily anyway as with all guns.

__________________
Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

The problem with the Gen 4 guns is frame rail cracking an MIM parts. Not that MIM parts are the problem, but the gun was designed around forged and machined parts, the MIM's are an afterthought, by bean counters.

__________________
Captain Dave Funk

Never heard this before. Which calibers and what parts are MIM?

__________________
Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

Glock has moved into MIM for locking blocks, extractors, and strikers.... I believe they started in 09ish, but could be mistaken..... As many have said previously, properly engineered MIM is a strong part (look at Kimbers success rate), and the cost savings vs forged is enormous (MIM is even cheaper than investment cast).

Don't get me wrong, my favorite guns are steel steel steel, most made before the mid sixties, but the cost of that production today would see gun prices that people simply would not pay..... (example a nice Khar vs mini Glock)

Whether we like it or not, MIM is the way of the future.... I was a doubter also, but >9000 rds later in my kjmber ultra carry have me MUCH more concerned about my choice of a aluminum frame.... those MIM parts seem fine to me... in a Md29 cylinder, maybe not so much, but minor parts, no biggie.

Gen 4 Glocks differ with the grip, a double recoil spring instead of single in the Gen 3's and they have had a lot of extractor issues but there is a better extractor available from APEX. I used to have a Gen 3 26 and sold it to buy a M&P 9mm 4.25". Haven't looked back. Shot a friend's Gen 3 19 at the range last weekend and remembered how ugly it is looking down that square slide and how cheap they feel. YMMV

If you run across a G17L (in either new or old versions), consider that as well for "around-the-ranch" duties. I have an early one and really like it. It balances well and the sight radius is the same as a six-inch barreled revolver, but in a much handier gun. More velocity, obviously. A good nine load really starts moving out in the longslide Glocks. More protective field holsters are easy to find for the 34, but rarer for the 17L. I have a Hogue Powerspeed Retention for my 17L and I really like it. The same model fits the 34. Links to the late Stephen A. Camp's two articles on the 17L, results for the 34 would be similar (I think).
Shooting the Glock 17L
Shooting the Glock 17L

I have a gen 4, 34. I also use and love the Glock holsters. They work perfectly. My 34 has been flawless and is very accurate. For your use I would also be concerned with the open slide. I would get a 17 if it was me.

The incremental size between 17 and 34 is negligible. Keep an eye out for a 17L. A 17L sounds like it will suit your needs perfectly.

__________________
-John

It's ugly and goes bang every time.

I still prefer Gen 3 for various reasons. Also, more holsters, etc., available for G17.

Of those mentioned, and for the use you specifiy, I would pick the G17.

IMO, the G17 is hard to beat for all carry and use.