Glock 34 Review: Glock 9mm XL

Is the Glock 17 just too small for you? If so, maybe the Glock 34 is for you. The Glock 34 is the XL of Glock 9mms and today we’re taking the big boy for a spin and giving it a full Glock 34 review.

I reviewed this gun several years back, but after spending more time with it and putting a hundred rounds through it, my thoughts on it have shifted. So, let’s dive into this updated Glock 34 review and see what’s new.

Why the 34? 

The Glock 17 is a solid firearm, but sometimes you need more. It is already a large gun. Why would anyone go bigger? Well, a longer slide and barrel offer real advantages.The Glock 17 uses a 4.49-inch barrel. That works for most tasks. The Glock 34 uses a longer 5.31-inch barrel. That extra length serves a specific purpose.

The .82-inch difference creates a longer sight radius. This leads to better control and less muzzle rise. The added weight at the front keeps the gun flat during rapid fire. One downside is the added bulk. The longer slide can be slower to draw from a holster. It also makes the weapon harder to conceal for daily carry.

If we jump to the top of the slide, the longer barrel, and longer slide increase your sight radius. A longer sight radius makes it easier to shoot a firearm accurately. We also get a little extra velocity, but not a significant amount. In an age of optics, the sight radius doesn’t matter all that much, but if you’re rocking irons then you get the full benefit.

The Glock 34 mainly appeals to the competitive market. The extra control and longer sight radius provide a slight edge. These small gains in speed and accuracy win matches. Glock built the 34 to fit strict size rules. It works for USPSA Production and IDPA Stock Service divisions. Since it is a Glock, it is easy to customize. You can add accessories to fit any division you choose.

You can add an optic, a compensator, a magwell, and so much more. You can go from carry optics to open class easily thanks to that famous Glock aftermarket.

Outside of the competitive market, the Glock 34 makes a fine-duty pistol. It’s a bit larger than most, but from a duty perspective, that’s not a big deal. The grip design matches the 17, and the polymer frame keeps the weapon light and easy on the belt. Outside of duty and competition, it would be a great choice for home defense. Easy to control, accurate guns tend to excel everywhere, where concealment isn’t a requirement. 

It’s a big gun made for big gun things, and in that realm, it does well. 

Glock 34 Features

1 5.31-inch barrel 

2 Optic’s Ready Model Available

3 7.56 Inch Sight Radius

4 Accessory Rail 

Glock 34 Models

This particular pistol we’re reviewing also has a MOS version. Here’s the lineup:

Glock 34 Review – Our Take

You know the Glock 17 and 19. You think you know what’s coming. What’s another .82 inches of slide, right? Wrong. You feel that extra length the second you break the shot. The muzzle rise vanishes. The recoil softens. It’s a night-and-day difference you’ll notice immediately. Compared to smaller guns, the slide feels a bit slow,and as the long slide resets to the closed position, you feel a bit ofdip.

A full-sized 9mm is already easy to manage. Push it to the G34’s dimensions, and it becomes a cheat code. You’ll start throwing lead, and a grin will hit your face before the first mag is empty. It’s smooth, fast, and simple to handle. You can hand this to a first-time shooter without a second thought.

The stock trigger? It’s meh. Not a disaster, but definitely not a masterpiece. It’s the definition of average. I’ve learned that it doesn’t really matter all that much, your grip matters more than your trigger pull. But the reset is where the magic happens. It’s short, audible, and clicks right against your finger. The pull feels a bit spongy, sure, but it won’t kill your groups.

The G34 is the gun that finally made sight radius click for me. Tight groups come easy. Doing it at speed comes even easier. That long slide makes it a breeze to track your sights and get them back on target instantly. I can back up to 25 yards and ring a 10-inch gong standing off-hand all day long.

Glock sights suck durability-wise, but do okay for just pure shooting. I’d still replace them with something a little more practical, but they work in getting 9mm projectiles into paper targets just fine. 

The Boring Part 

Glock mastered the mass production of the polymer frame pistol with a simplistic design. In the gun, simple is often good and simple means reliable. Glocks are reliable. They are reliable when filthy dirty, reliable in the mud, reliable in sand, just plain reliable. Something about the design ensures total reliability with good ammo, bad ammo, defensive ammo, and even niche low recoil ammo. 

It’s tough to get a Glock to fail, and the ole Glock 34 doesn’t stray from that reputation. Pull the trigger, and if a round’s chambered, it will go bang, extract, eject, and then feed another round. Police and military contracts are evident enough for Glock reliability. In the competitive circuit, reliability matters, and a jam or failure of any kind will add seconds to the clock and dunk a good run. 

It should go without saying it matters in duty and defensive use. A bad time on a run sucks, but getting shot trying to clear a malfunction might just be a little worse. The Glock 34 doesn’t tap out, or falter, even when used, abused, and ignored. 

Touchy Feely 

Glock ergonomics are a lot like their triggers. It’s all competent and capable by all means. No major flaws, but it could be better. The magazine release could be a little longer, and the slide release could also be a bit bigger. The grip feels a bit like a 2×4, and ye olde Glock knuckle is present on this gun. The ergonomics won’t impress, but they won’t hold you back. 

The Glock series is the Honda Civic of guns. No one stops to say, “Hey, nice Civic,” but the Civic gets you where you need to go. The Glock 34 doesn’t pull out any impressive moves but works nonetheless. 

Where you will feel good is in the pocketbook. The Glock 34 presents a competition-sized firearm at a competitive price point. A lot of competition-ready guns come chock-full of great features but also pack a high price point. The Glock 34 comes rather plain and allows the shooter to customize as you go. 

The Glock 34 provides an accurate, easy shooting gun that’s dead to rights reliable, all at a great price point. 

So, as you can see from this Glock 34 review, I feel as though it is very accurate and reliable for the price point. However, I would suggest upgrading your glock sights. But once you do that, you’ve got an excellent option. Now, while this isn’t listed as one of my best 9mm pistols, it did definitely make the list. So, be sure to check that out and see where it ranks.

Glock 34 Review Pros and Cons 

The Glock 34 exemplifies the Glock pistol. It might keep the ho-hum ergonomics, but in every other category, it excels. 

Glock 34 – FAQs

Does the Glock 34 come with an extended mag release?

No, the standard Glock 34 doesn’t include an extended magazine release. However, you can easily customize your Glock with aftermarket options for enhanced ergonomics and quicker reloads.

Can I replace the rear sight and front sight on my Glock 34?

Yes, both the rear sight and front sight of the Glock 34 are replaceable. Upgrading these sights can improve your aiming accuracy and sight picture alignment. Many aftermarket options are available, including fiber optic, tritium, and adjustable sights, allowing you to customize your Glock 34 to suit your preferences and shooting style.

Does the Glock 34 come with finger grooves on the grip?

The Glock 34 doesn’t feature finger grooves on the grip. If you’re looking for a more customized grip feel, aftermarket options like grip sleeves are available to tailor the handgun to your preferences.

Is the Glock 34 suitable for competitive shooting?

Yes, if you’re into competitive shooting, you’ll find the Glock 34 quite suitable. Its longer slide, improved control, and extended sight radius make it a favorite among competitive shooters, helping you achieve greater speed and accuracy during matches.

Glock 34 Ammo

Glock 34 Starter Pack

If you’ve decided to pick up the Glock 34, or found another firearm that suits your needs, there are some bare essentials you’re going to need to pick up in order to maximize its potential and your safety regardless of if it’s your first firearm or not.

• Gun Cleaning Kit: Otis All Caliber Elite Range Box on Amazon or build your own personalized cleaning kit with premium components.
• Shooting Glasses: All it takes is one piece of rogue hot brass, and you’ll learn the importance of shooting glasses. But not all glasses are built the same. See our recommendations for the Best Shooting Glasses.
• Hearing Protection: Firing a gun without wearing proper ear pro can be very dangerous and detrimental to your hearing. Find out the best hearing protection for you in our full length review.
• Storage: Check our our article on the Best Biometric Gun Safes
• Targets – If you’re wanting a great resource for shooting practice or zeroing your optics on your optics rifle or pistol, download our FREE Sighting in Targets below.

Upgrades and Accessories

Glock 34 Accessories

1. Do-All Outdoors Steel Resetting Target		Rated For . 38 – . 44 Caliber Pistols High Visibility Targets Reset Without Walking Down Range	Check Amazon
2. 100 Round Ammo Box		100 Round Capacity Scuff-resistant textured surface Snap lock latch	Check Amazon
3. Pineworld Biometric Gun Safe		Reliable Biometric Scanner Sturdy and Well Built Cheaper Than Most Biometrics	Check Amazon
4. Decibullz Custom Molded Earplugs		Great In-Ear option Custom molded – super easy and comfortable NRR: 31	Check Amazon

Caring for your Glock 34

It’s critical not only to keep your guns secure, but also to understand how to care for your firearms properly. We’ve located a fantastic video below on this subject.

Important Links and Manuals

• Glock 34 Manual
• Glock Adjustable Rear Sight
• Glock Parts Order Form
• Preventative Maintenance Instructions