Great Gun… replace the sights…
I shoot a Glock 34 in IDPA and USPSA competition. I love the gun. It feels great in my hand, it has a light trigger (3.5 lbs), a long sight radius, is very accurate, and very reliable.
One big drawback I’ve found is that the rear adjustable sight does not hold it’s zero. After a few hundred rounds, even in the course of a single practice session, I’ll notice my shots impacting higher and higher from my point of aim.
Shifty!
Sure enough, I check the zero and it’s up 4 inches or more. So I re-zero. This cost me in a recent IDPA match where the sights went out and I missed a series of headshots that pretty much blew my chances that match. When I checked after the match, my zero was out by 6 inches.
Other shooters I know that shoot the Glock 34 report similar problems. I’ve ordered a Dawson Precision Rear and Fiberoptic Front site to replace it. With luck it will come before my next match…
Some will recommend getting fixed sights, zeroing them (something you hope the gunsmith gets right!) and sticking with them. That requires a consistent load, which I haven’t settled on yet.
So for now, my fingers are crossed that the Dawson sights arrive in time and hold their zero.
March 1st, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Why is it going out of whack? You arent firing hot loads. Is it the fact that they are adjustable, and therefore tend to move?
March 1st, 2009 at 6:41 pm
adjustable of poor design. Lots of draws/reholstering. And hundreds and hundreds of shots.
March 10th, 2009 at 10:14 pm
I shoot limited in USPSA, but am thinking of shooting production for awhile. I am very interested in the Glock 34 and will definitely get the Dawson sites. The question I have is: Does the Glock 34 come with a 3.5 lb trigger? If not can you recommend a good Glock gunsmith? Also, would a match barrel, such as a KKM be worth the extra cost.
Thanks
March 10th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
Hank,
The 34 does have a 3.5 lb triger. It is pretty good. There are different rockers you can put in it to have a shorter return. They don’t require a gunsmith, you just have to have a Glock punch to take it down a bit farter than normal field stripping.
I’m shooting quite well with the Dawson sites. They’ve held through about 600 rounds with the same zero and the fiber optic is super easy to pick up when indexing the gun.
Match barrel…. I don’t know. It seems pretty accurate aeady to me. 1″ or so at 25 yards. I reguarly get the same holes overlapping when I shoot slow fire.
One thing you will want to consier is a different recoil spring. It comes with a 13 pounder. An 11 pounder may help it cycle faster and shoot smoother – varying with what load you shoot.
Good luck! I love the 34.
If in Utah come shoot with us at http://www.southernutahpistol.com
April 20th, 2010 at 5:34 pm
when i got my new glock 34 i immediately took off the factory adjustable site and replaced it with a new glock factory rear fixed site…
it helps that i own the glock rear site tool.
matthew
April 23rd, 2010 at 11:35 am
Great review. I agree with the the G34 adjustable sights being junk. I am considering the Dawsons (017-013 rear and 019-005 front). Are there any issues with clearing the holster? Any pictures with the DP would be appreciated.
April 23rd, 2010 at 11:40 am
On some holsters you will hit the front site. Comp-Tac, BladeTech and Blackhawk holsters work fine, they have a little site groove it slides in.
I shoot a KyTac custom holster (Kydex) in IDPA – very nice. And I also like Center of Mass holsters as well.
Stock Uncle Mike and other less competition supportive gear will hang up the taller front site.
April 23rd, 2010 at 11:41 am
and btw: I zeroed the Dawson sites once, and 8 or 9000 rounds later, same zero. no troubles.
I just reset the sites a couple weeks ago, more to keep people from bugging me about what a crappy job I did the first time (-:
October 14th, 2011 at 3:15 pm
Regarding holsters that allow the front sight to clear:
I use a Fobus for IDPA shooting with my G 34 and I am very happy with it. Optics Planet sells them at a very good price. The cant is adjustable and you do not have to remember to push anything on the holster before drawing because it come out quickly but also provides secure retention. The sight tunnel allows clearance for my fiber optic front sight. The holster was designed for the Israeli military. Having worked with Israeli miliary and civilian security personel I have always been impressed with their “no nonsense” approach to security and weapony.
November 15th, 2011 at 2:50 pm
The rear sights on my new G 34 Gen 4 was terrible – wouldn’t hold a position (used a cam) and couldn’t even adjust enough to reach the target – low by 12″. Replaced with Dawson adjustable. Front dropped in easily, but the rear needed filing. FYI, there is a nice little precision file set at Lowes that did the trick. Came with a tiny triangular file that worked well keeping the dovetail at the precast angle. About $20 and easy to do yourself. Don’t hire a Gunsmith do it! All’s well now.
November 15th, 2011 at 8:55 pm
I’ve had a number of folks encounter this issue. I’m surprised Glock doesn’t fix it. I guess they figure most people will replace it no matter how good a sight they put on it.