Glock 17 vs. Glock 19: Price, Size, and Which to Buy in 2025
The Glock 17 and Glock 19 are the two most popular handguns on r/gundeals — and the two most common "which one?" questions in every gun forum. The answer depends on one thing: are you going to carry it?
The Short Answer
- Glock 19 if you'll ever carry concealed. It does everything the 17 does in a slightly smaller package.
- Glock 17 if it's a range/nightstand gun only. The longer grip is more comfortable for big hands and high round counts.
Both shoot identically. Both are equally reliable. The price difference is negligible.
Price Comparison: Glock 17 vs. 19
The prices are virtually identical. Both Gen 5 models run $449-549 at retail. On r/gundeals, both regularly drop to the $399-429 range. Under $399 for either is a strong buy.
Size Comparison
| Glock 17 | Glock 19 | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Length | 8.03" | 7.36" | 0.67" shorter |
| Height | 5.47" | 5.04" | 0.43" shorter |
| Barrel | 4.49" | 4.02" | 0.47" shorter |
| Weight (loaded) | 32.12 oz | 30.16 oz | 2 oz lighter |
| Capacity | 17+1 | 15+1 | 2 fewer rounds |
The G19 is about 0.7" shorter in length and 0.4" shorter in grip height. That half-inch of grip is what makes the concealment difference — the grip prints through clothing, not the barrel.
Which Gen 5 MOS Version?
Both guns come in MOS (Modular Optic System) variants with a factory optic cut. This is what we recommend for either gun — adding a red dot later means buying a new slide or paying for milling. Spend the extra $50-80 upfront.
- Glock 17 Gen 5 MOS: Usually $50-80 more than the standard model. Great with a Holosun 509T or Trijicon RMR.
- Glock 19 Gen 5 MOS: Same premium. The most versatile handgun you can buy — carry, range, home defense, competition.
Magazine Compatibility
One underrated advantage of the Glock 19: it takes Glock 17 magazines. A G19 with a G17 mag gives you 17+1 rounds with a small baseplate extension. The reverse doesn't work — G19 mags are too short for the G17 frame.
This means the G19 owner effectively has two capacity options: 15-round flush mags for carry, 17-round mags for home defense. The G17 owner is stuck with 17-round mags either way.
Our Recommendation
Buy the Glock 19 unless you have a specific reason not to. It conceals better, takes G17 mags when you want more capacity, and the shooting experience is nearly identical. The G17 is "better" in the same way a full-size sedan is "better" than a compact — marginally more comfortable, but less practical in more situations.
Track prices for both:
More Glock guides: Best First Gun · Glock 48 Price Guide · Best Glock Triggers
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