The Ultimate "One & Done" SHTF/CCW Dilemma from Turkey. G19.5 vs G17.5 vs Canik? Need Brutal Engineering Facts + Fit Check Photo.
Posted by anre1z@reddit | Firearms | View on Reddit | 7 comments
Hello everyone.
I live in Turkey. The world is getting incredibly chaotic right now (Middle East, Ukraine-Russia, terrorism), and my country is also highly prone to massive earthquakes, which historically bring severe security vacuums, looting, etc.
Because of this, I want to buy a handgun to protect my life and my family, but also something to accompany me in my favorite hobby: shooting at the range.
My Stats & Fit: I am 6'2" (1.87m) and 225 lbs (102kg). My hands are medium-sized with thin fingers. During my previous range trips, I shot a Canik TP9 Elite-S Combat (which is roughly G19 sized) and a full-metal Sarsılmaz K12 Sport. Honestly, I didn't feel any negative difference between them regarding comfort, grip, or trigger feel. (See attached photo of me gripping the Canik – it fits my hand perfectly without my pinky dangling). Honestly, at the range, I don't care about hitting dead-center paper as much as I love the smell of gunpowder, the mechanical recoil, and the sweet sound of brass hitting the floor.
1- WHAT I EXACTLY WANT FROM THIS GUN: A- Ultimate Reliability. B- High Quality & Craftsmanship (I mean the quality of the polymer, steel, and heat treatment. Not a $10,000 handmade custom 1911). C- Extreme Durability and Toughness. D- Long Lifespan. E- Eats any ammo in any environment/condition. F- A gun that simply DOES NOT BREAK or snap parts (especially the barrel, slide, and frame).
The Bureaucratic Nightmare (Why I need your help): We are not in the US. Finding spare parts and gunsmiths here is incredibly hard and expensive. Because I can only realistically buy ONE gun, this has to be my "Do-All" / "SHTF" / "One and Done" pistol. I have OCD about durability, and I need to bond with my gun. If a main component breaks, I will lose trust and hate the gun. In Turkey, the Barrel, Slide, and Frame are serialized, legally restricted balistic parts. If one breaks, you cannot just buy a replacement. The bureaucratic nightmare to get permission for a factory repair is so long that the gun is basically dead. So, I cannot afford for this gun to break. Also, aftermarket support is equally non-existent for almost all brands here, so Glock and Canik are on the same playing field regarding accessory availability.
2- WHERE IT WILL BE USED: 99% Range use. But that 1% is for the absolute worst-case scenarios: civil unrest, terrorism, roadblocks, earthquakes, total logistics failure, or being stranded in nature. I am getting a "possession" permit (concealed carry permits are insanely expensive and restricted here). So it will mostly be Home-to-Range. BUT, because it's my ONLY gun, I must plan for the future.
I somewhat align with the "Grey Man" philosophy, though I don't have a strict doctrine. I believe being concealed and low-profile during a crisis is vital. I am a big guy, and I need your expertise on this.
My mindset (The Car Analogy): I'm single. I could buy a 2-seater Porsche Cayman. But what if one day I need to evacuate my parents and siblings? So, a Porsche 911, Audi RS7, or C63 AMG makes more sense. Also, if I drive in the city but occasionally visit a village with bad roads, does a massive Ford F-150 make sense? Or is an Audi Q3/A4 a much smarter choice?
3- MY OPTIONS:
- Glock: G19, G17, G45, G19X, G49, G21
- Canik: TP9 SF Mete
4- MY FEARS & QUESTIONS: My initial decision was the Glock 19 Gen 5. But I'll be honest, AI and certain forums completely messed with my head. People claim: "The G17 is less stressed, has a longer parts life, is the 'original' optimized system, handles accessories better, has a longer barrel for velocity, and the G19's tilting barrel angle creates more stress and micro-cracks."
I am a software engineer, not a mechanical engineer. These claims trigger my "is this bad?" OCD. Please answer these 10 questions neutrally and purely based on engineering facts:
- Did the locking block/barrel lug geometry become identical for both the G17 and G19 in Gen 5?
- Physics-wise, does the lighter slide of the G19 extract weak ammo better than the heavier G17 slide?
- Does the G17 Gen 5 actually run "less stressed" with a longer lifespan than the G19 Gen 5?
- Does the G17 Gen 5 handle accessories (Lights, Suppressors, Comps) significantly better than the G19 Gen 5?
- "The G17 Gen 5 is the original system, so it is inherently better optimized than the G19 Gen 5." Is this statement true?
- Are micro-cracks and premature parts wear actually less common in the G17 Gen 5 compared to the G19 Gen 5?
- Based on my context, rate my best option out of 10 and explain why.
- Is the G19 Gen 5 considered more "fragile" than the G17 Gen 5 in any way?
- What is the actual difference between the barrel locking angle of the G17.5 and G19.5, and does it realistically matter?
- The "Thickness" Question: I notice the Glock's "nose ring" (recoil spring abutment/dust cover) and internal parts look thinner compared to other brands. Some brands have much thicker slides and polymer frames. Does Glock's thinner profile mean it will break faster, or is it a weakness?
Summary: 99% of the time, I'll be at the range doing double-taps and Mozambique drills for fun. 1% of the time is for when the world ends. I am not John Wick, Rambo, the Punisher, or law enforcement. I have no desire to shoot anyone. Frankly, I am terrified of the legal consequences and prison.
What should I bet my life and wallet on?
[Attached: Photo of me gripping a G19-sized Canik]
Feisty-Tadpole-5127@reddit
BRUTAL ENGINEERING FACTS RAAAAWRRR
Diligent-Parfait-236@reddit
Yes, the lug became identical in gen 5 (19 spec). But even before the tilt geometry was identical. There's half an inch more room on the dust cover but the single cross slot is the same so anything that fits one will fit both, lights will just stick out farther. Everything about stress sounds like nonsense, these are the most common guns on the planet with high volume shooters and they don't crack.
If your hand fits fine on a compact and you plan on maybe having to carry it then I would lean towards the compact. There's no reason to get a larger grip, so the 45/19x are dumb, but a longer barrel does have benefits if you aren't concerned about a bit more weight so the 49 is appealing.
I love caniks, but they do develop problems longer term, they're notably larger than other guns their size, and I personally see the nice trigger as a liability for carry. One of the minor but consistent problems is that the magazine feed lips cut into the inside of the magwell on insertion and after around 2000 rounds the magazines will no longer drop free, this is easily fixed with a file or sandpaper to knock down the raised areas but it will keep coming back every 500-1000 rounds.
anre1z@reddit (OP)
This is exactly the brutal honesty and engineering perspective I was looking for. Thank you. Knowing that the locking block/lug geometry is identical in Gen 5 completely kills my OCD about the G19 being more 'fragile' or under more stress. It’s crazy how internet rumors twist things. Also, that Canik magwell issue is exactly the kind of constant maintenance nightmare I want to avoid. If I have to file down my only SHTF gun every 1,000 rounds, I will literally lose my mind and hate the gun. Since my hands fit the compact grip perfectly and I absolutely need that CCW capability for my 'Grey Man' rule, you just cemented the G19.5 for me. Really appreciate the breakdown man.
Diligent-Parfait-236@reddit
Some people prefer guns that don't drop mags free for what it's worth, it's a lot easier to retain them. But they do come drop free and their big niche is competition where having to pull the mag by hand is a significant drawback.
anre1z@reddit (OP)
That makes a lot of sense from a tactical retention standpoint! But knowing it’s caused by unintended polymer wear rather than a design feature definitely triggers my OCD, haha. Since I need this to be my absolute 'zero-worry' SHTF gun without needing to file things down, I'll steer clear of that issue. Seriously, thanks for the insight, you really helped me confidently narrow it down to the G19.
Ecstatic-Part-1984@reddit
I would get the Glock.
G19 Gen 5 is not more "fragile" than the G17 Gen 5 in any way.
The G17 is marginally more shootable IMHO.
If there is any chance you will want to carry the pistol concealed, get the G19.
Otherwise, get the one that fits your hand better
anre1z@reddit (OP)
Haha, you absolutely caught me on the hearing protection! I usually double up (plugs + muffs), but sometimes that sweet brass sound still bleeds through the electronic muffs! :) Seriously though, I really appreciate the straight answer on the fragility myth. It's insane how some internet forums make you believe a G19 will shatter into pieces after 5k rounds while a G17 will survive a nuclear blast. Given that my hands fit the compact frame and the fact that I might need to conceal carry it in a SHTF situation, you're right. G19 is the only logical path. Thanks for putting my mind at ease.