Glock 34 - KSC

I have reviewed a number of KSC Glocks before. One of my first GBBs was a select fire G18C and I struggled with another one, trying to get it to operate properly with a metal slide and barrel. I've also owned a couple of 19s (A KWA with a metal slide, which worked and a KSC which died after just 5 rounds in my ownership) an a battered by perfectly usable 17.

Skirmishers and Practical Pistol shooters, alike, swear by the KSC Glock range (and their close relatives, the KWAs), mainly for their simplicity, affordability and availability of both repair and upgrade parts. Personally, I've always been a bit ambivalent about the Glocks.

However, and despite whatever it may say about parts of my psyche, I have always fancied a long barrelled Glock 34. As with my 17 and second 18C, this was picked up cheaply (and not complete - it lacked a front sight) from the forums. The sight was easily replaced, via an order with Den Trinity, in Hong Kong.

In the Box

The previous owner told me the gun came in a 'plain grey cardboard box, to replace the original which was, presumably, lost'. It turned out that the box it came in was a KWA G19 box turned inside out, so there was the usual polystyrene base to the box, which held the gun securely.

Normally, you'd get a manual, loader, a hop-up adjuster and some BBs, but all my box contained was a G34. That was fine, none of the other items are critical.

First Impressions

The 34 is noticeably longer than the 17/18C and much bigger than the 19, in both dimensions.

All the standard Glock features (few markings, few controls, no brightwork) are present on the G34. It really is just a long slided 17, although in the real steel world there is an even longer G17L for specialist target work (replicated by Tokyo Marui in spring pistol form for airsoft enthusiasts).

Aside from the open top to the slide, the most noticeable difference between this Glock and the others I have reviewed is that it appears to be very heavy. The frame looks like a standard 17 frame, so the additional weight must be in the slide - more on that later.

The 34's frame is pretty much standard KSC 17, with the slightly shiny black finish (not as shiny under natural light as these shots make it appear, though) and full Glock trademarks on the grip.

Closer Look

Glock's own website describes the 34 as a 'Tactical Practical' handgun. Practical refers to the sport of Practical Shooting, which involves engaging person sized targets around a range, rather than bull's-eyes from a fixed point. This element is shown by the adjustable rear sight (unique to airsoft Glocks, I believe) and the extended magazine release (for quick mag changes), as well as the 5.5" barrel, which aids accuracy and power on the real thing (and probably the airsoft version to a degree).

The frame, as already mentioned, is standard Glock 17 sized, so all the clever stuff of the 34 is in the slide. A previous owner had painted the markings of this gun white (a common affectation on Glocks real and airsoft) and I think it works quite well.

The slide itself is made of a heavier weight material than other KSC Glock slides I have seen. Alone (with the blow back mechanism) it weighs 120g (Around 30% of the mag-less weight of 445g). It also has that slight cold to the touch feel of the KSC heavyweight material. The total weight of the gun is greater than the, admittedly smaller, KWA Glock 19, complete with its metal slide and barrel

Markings on the 34 are more impressive than the smaller Glock. The grip bears a correct Glock logo (on the left hand side). On the right side of the grip is "MADE IN AUSTRIA"/"GLOCK INC., SMYRNA, G.A." at the top and "U.S. Pat. 4.534.889"/"4.825.744 4.893.546" lower down.

On the slide, the left side bears a large Glock logo near the front, with, from front to rear, 34 AUSTRIA and 9x19 behind it.

The other side of the slide has a small Glock logo just behind the ejection port and "CKS947" in AND below the ejection port. There is a tiny Glock logo on the chamber cover, too, and the top of the chamber cover is marked 9x19.

Under the front of the frame is the rail, with a small shiny metal plate bearing the serial number "CKS947US".

On this particular gun, the recoil rod is metal, but, as it was not new, I cannot say if that is usual for this model. The loading ramp is plastic, as on a 17/18C.

Shooting Impressions

Click on image for bigger version in separate window.

Carrying out my standard 5m/6 round, off hand test, the Glock 34 recorded an impressive grouping, with all 6 rounds in a 1.5 inch (4 CM) diameter. The best 5 of these were grouped within 3.5CM of each other and the whole grouping was impressively clustered near the middle of the target.

Over 10 shots, the KSC Glock 34 averaged 326fps (using Cybergun winter gas) indoors (around 30C - it was a hot day!).

I carried out a trigger pull weight test on this gun and it produce a figure of 880g (31.0 ounces), a medium weight trigger pull.

Take Down

Take down on a KSC Glock is very, very simple.
On the 34, as with the 17, 19 or 26, drop the magazine and then push the disassembly catches (on either side of the frame, over the trigger) down. The slide, barrel and recoil rod will then push forward off the frame.
The recoil rod can be removed by pushing it gently forward and down and then back. The barrel should be slid forward and down, once clear of the nozzle.

Conclusions

Overall, the Glock 34 is my favourite amongst the Glocks I have reviewed.

I do, I admit, like guns with longer barrels and prefer the size of the 17/18C grip, which the 34 shares. However the distinctive look and added solidity of the slide appeal, too and the accuracy is better than other Glocks I have reviewed.

If you want a Glock, but fancy something a bit different from the 19, everyone and his dog carries, look at the 34.

Weight : 760g

Realism : ****
Quality : ****
Power : *****
Accuracy : ****

Real Steel link at World Guns