Glock Model 34 Generation Five 9mm ‘Worth the Price’

By Bob Campbell

The Glock 17 in 9mm is among the most successful service pistols in history, being the parent platform of the compact Glock 19 and sub-compact Glock 26 concealed carry handguns.

Glock also offered a long slide version of the Glock 17. The Glock 17L was a popular handgun in many ways. While it featured a six-inch barrel the Glock remained relatively light. This handgun was used by competitors and special teams. In one instance a few states away a team went in against an armed individual holding several children hostage. The point man took aim with his Glock 17L across a long room and fired. He placed three 9mm bullets in the offender’s cranium saving the children.

The Glock 34 MOS is shown with its various plates for mounting red dot sights.

In some forms of competition, the 17L fell afoul of match rules specifying length, so the Glock 34 with a shorter 5.3-inch barrel was introduced. The Glock 34 has been a successful pistol. While not as popular as the Glock 17 or Glock 19 the Glock 34 is a steady number with those that appreciate the performance of a long slide handgun.

I have fired the new Generation 5 Glock extensively. I find the balance of the Glock 34 excellent. Most polymer frame handguns have a light slide balance that limits fast handling without a great deal of acclimation. The Glock 34 has a neutral balance not dissimilar to the 1911 Government Model. The result is a handgun that is well suited to competition shooting.

I enjoy firing the pistol on the range, and I do not find the Glock 34 too large for concealed carry under covering garments. (I use a J M Custom Kydex IWB holster.) After all it is little longer than the Colt Government Model I have carried for some time. At 30 ounces the pistol isn’t heavy.

The Glock 34 is easy to control and offers good combat accuracy.

I have fired the Glock 34 9mm and Glock 35 .40 extensively.

Recently Glock introduced the fifth generation Glock pistol. The improved version is well worth its price. While I sometimes cling to older handguns in this case the improvements certainly merit anyone’s consideration. The Glock’s Generation 5 grip treatment makes for good abrasion and adhesion. The Generation 5 model eliminates the Generation 4 finger grooves. Even in long practice sessions the pistol remains comfortable while maintaining a good grip.

This Glock 34 is fitted with TruGlo’s combat light.

The new Glock features several internal changes. Glock Gen 4 trigger parts, including aftermarket accessory triggers, will not fit the Gen 5. Trigger compression is tighter than the previous Glock; consistent and controllable. The new model also features an ambidextrous slide lock. This makes the Gen 5 Glock left hand friendly and the new design slide lock works well during speed loads.

The JM Custom Kydex inside the waistband holsters allows concerning even the long slide Glock 34.

Additionally, the Glock 34 points well. As a six-inch barrel revolver or a long slide 1911 comes on target easily so does the Glock 34.  Practical accuracy is exceptional. It is no mean feat to strike man sized targets at 100 yards. With a high velocity loading such as the Black Hills 115 grain +P hold on the neck and you will get a hit at exceptional handgun range. Firing at this range is something of a stunt but enjoyable as well.

Part of the reason the new Generation 5 handguns are more accurate than previous versions is the Marksman barrel. This barrel features a modified form of rifling. The Marksman barrel is well fitted. Compared to older Glock pistols the Generation 5 features a tighter fit without any effect on reliability.

Excellent results were realized firing from the barricade firing position.

I have fired the pistol extensively in close range combat drills. If you were called upon to draw and use the handgun inside a vehicle, or to draw the piece as you exit a vehicle, there is a chance of banging the barrel on the door frame or steering wheel if you have not practiced with the longer slide. It depends on how comfortable you are with the long slide pistol and how much you feel the additional weight, barrel length and sight radius improve practical accuracy.

For some shooters the Glock 34 will be a great choice for all around use. It features an accessory rail for mounting a combat light or laser. This makes for a superior home defense option. The shooter may even add a Glock 33-round magazine to obtain an excellent reserve of firepower. The pistol is comfortable to fire and use, even during extended sessions.

Compared to a Colt Government Model the Glock 34 is lighter but longer.

The Glock 34 may be used in competition or informal target practice. As for absolute accuracy the pistol is capable of five shot groups of 2.0-2.5 inches at 25 yards from a solid bench rest firing position.

Glock 34 users also have the option of mounting a red dot sight. A top plate on the slide is removable and four plates for different types of red dot sights are available. The plates do not fit every sight but most of the top rated red dot sights are covered.

The factory supplied adjustable sights are excellent for target shooting and competition. Since my Glock 34 is more likely to see use in home defense and outdoors use I added a set of night sights. The TruGlo night sights are an excellent all around choice for the Glock and arguably among the best self-luminous iron sights available.