Shooting for competitions, whether they’re IDPA, three-gun, or USPSA events, all require a different kind of handgun to do your best. While your regular self-defense handgun is fine for its purpose, when you’re running a course full of targets at 20 to 25 yard ranges, you’ll find you need a handgun that’s designed for longer distances and faster follow-up shots. This is really where the Glock 34 starts to shine.
Chambered just like the popular Glock 17 in 9mm, the Glock 34 takes the platform you’re familiar with, adds a slightly longer barrel, and cuts the trigger pull down a pound. The result? Quicker, more accurate rounds, even at distance. While the longer slide makes concealing the Glock 34 a bit harder than a 17, the 34 is still an incredibly robust handgun, and a familiar feel for fans of one of the most popular handgun brands in the world.
*** For other Glock holster options (besides just the 34), here are some good choices for all Glock models.
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The Best Holster for Glock 34
Because in many competition leagues won’t let you start gun in hand, you still have to carry your G34 in something. Below, we’ve got a great selection of some of our favorites.
1. Blade Tech Industries Revolution Belt Holster
- Fits Glock 34/35
- For Right Hand
- Black in color
Right off the bat, this Glock 34 holster from Blade Tech fits all the specs for competition; a concealable belt holster that retains the weapon enough for normal tasks. It’s no surprise that this holster is already IDPA approved right off the shelf, perfect for first-time competitors who aren’t sure their traditional holster will pass. Of course, just being approved for competition isn’t enough, especially if you want a holster that you can use for a long, long time without trouble, and the Blade Tech really distinguishes itself with the little details.
First off, there’s no excess bulk; it’s a proprietary Kydex polymer body that’s streamlined, molded to the Glock 34, and cut in such a way that, once the buzzer sounds, you can already be putting your handgun on target even before it completely clears the holster.
As for retention, you’ve got a level 1 retention setup and an adjustable tension screw. While this may be a problem for everyday carry, especially for security professionals who have to deal with people at arm’s length, it’s incredibly useful for competition shooting; just grab and go without worrying about additional locks.
The holster has a three-position adjustable cant, great for everyday carriers who like to put the barrel of their handgun behind the grip (FBI cant) or in front of it (Muzzle-forward carry). After all, with a few exceptions, you can usually carry on your belt however you like, and relearning your draw for competitions can be a bit of a pain. It’s customizable, simple, and ready to compete right out of the box, so the Blade Tech Revolution series holster is a solid choice for novices and pros alike.
2. Fobus Standard Holster
- fobus evolution holster glock
- lightweight 2 oz
- one piece holster body construction
- steel reinforcedrivet attachment system and protective sight channel
- Our holsters are designed for a quick decisive draw that should be performed while the holster is firmly in place.
One real advantage about the Glock 34; if you’re already using a Glock 17, a lot of your gear can carry over. Such is the case with the Fobus Standard holster, and naturally, it rings all the same bells for all the same reasons in competition. Tough polymer body? Check. Slim design? Check. Passive retention adjusted with a screw to ensure your draw always feels the same? Check again.
Having a holster that you can use for both your carry handgun and your competition handgun is a real boon because practice in each helps the other.
As more and more pistol competitions try to replicate the real environments and conditions for defensive handgun scenarios, using the same holster for both and making sure your draw always feels the same in both situations just makes you better prepared all across the board.
To that end, a robust holster like the Fobus is perfect; it’s strong enough for everyday carry, yet also precise enough to give you a reliable grip and draw when you’re competing. If you’ve ever even entertained the idea of shooting in an IDPA competition, it’s well worth your time to look into the Fobus Evolution series.
3. Blade Tech OWB Holster Dropped and Offset
- High impact and abrasion resistant
- Robust polymer plastic material
- Easy re-holstering
- Will not collapse
- Hand crafted in the U.S.A.
While this is the exact same holster as the Blade Tech holster above, the real difference is the drop and offset mount. Like the name suggests, it drops drops the holster a bit from your belt and gives it a slight cant outward, making the handgun easier to grip. Rather than just letting it hang loose, the holster is mounted on a solid piece of polymer, keeping it securely in place slightly away from your body.
While this may seem like a slight change, it does in fact have its benefits. As a compromise between a straight belt holster and a drop-leg setup, your handgun hangs just low enough that you can draw more naturally. For competition, it can mean a split-second advantage; your handgun now hangs closer to your hand’s natural resting length, so you don’t have to reach up as far to find your holster.
For defensive purposes, in addition to the split second’s worth of time saved, you also don’t risk telegraphing your draw nearly as badly to an attacker; the more you have to exaggerate reaching up to your belt, the more obvious your draw looks, and the more time your attacker will have to figure out what’s happening.
In addition, women may have an easier time drawing a handgun (especially cross-drawing) that isn’t pressed up against their body, and anybody with longer arms may find the extra drop a bit more natural to them as well.
You will trade off a bit of concealability with this holster, but the comfort, especially for competitions, is well worth it. When you need to get an incredibly fast draw, it helps not to have to fight your holster to do so.
4. Fierce Defender IWB Holster
- Thick .08 Kydex material that is strong, durable, and molded specifically for your weapon
- Fully covers trigger and backside of gun, providing safety and protection from sweat
- Adjustable Retention so you can get the perfect fit
- Flared opening allows for easy re-holstering
- Tuckable Clip allows you the option of tucking your shirt in over the holster
IWB holsters have to strike a good balance between securing your handgun and being comfortable enough to wear for long stretches. To that end, Fierce Defender’s IWB holster line actually does a respectable job. Holding your Glock 34 in place is a solid Kydex holster that is secured to your pants with spring steel clips, making sure that normal wear and tear don’t affect the holster’s performance.
Holding your Glock 34 to your body is a single piece of top grain leather, trimmed on the edges and finished on both sides for extra comfort.
Definitely durable, comfortable, and ready right out of the box, the Fierce Defender IWB line does what it needs to do, and doesn’t waste your time with anything it doesn’t. As a competition holster, any IWB holster is going to have its ups and downs.
On one hand, IDPA competitions require that your handgun be concealed before the event starts, while on the other, an OWB holster does make retrieving your Glock 34 much easier. Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer to this one, but rather a complex formula of body size, types of clothing, and personal taste. If you’re already familiar with using an IWB holster, however, you’ll find that this Fierce Defender model will feel comfortably familiar in competition shooting.
5. Orpaz Glock Thumb Release Holster
- The Paddle Attachment is designed for detectives to easily remove the holster, and to prevent the holster from being pulled up and away when the handgun is drawn
- Custom molded with Nylon 6 Polymer and combat tested, it is strong, elastic and highly resistant to abrasion and chemicals.
- Thumb Lock & Release mechanism that provides you with quick access and level 2 retention
- Fully adjustable with a M5 Allen key (included) for retention and rotation
- Made in Israel by a veteran of the Israeli police SWAT unit
The word of the day with the Orpaz holster is “adjustable”; you’ve got an incredible freedom of movement with this model that you just don’t get on other holsters. With a full 360 degree rotation radius, you can not only set your cant, but you can set it at the precise angle you want.
And while you think that full 360 degree adjustment would mean a weaker hold, the Orpaz decided to use redundant screws to make sure your Glock stayed at the right angle; one screw tightens the handgun into position, while the second screw secures the first, making sure that even in the event of a loose mounting screw, the holster will still stay more or less in position.
Further improving the adjustability of this holster is the unique back plate that can be used as both a paddle holster and a belt holster without the need to use tools. This way, you don’t have to dress for your handgun, choosing instead to wear what you want whenever you want and still be protected.
Aside from its adjustability, the Orpaz performs just like a good level 2 retention holster should. Rather than the push-button release with your index finger, like on the Serpa system, however, the Orpaz opts instead for a push-button release with the thumb. Simply reach down to draw, press your thumb into the button, and retrieve your handgun.
The all-polymer construction keeps the Glock 34 holster sturdy, while the tension screw helps you keep a comfortable resistance in your draw. Far from being a “cheap” holster, the Orpaz actually brings quite a lot to the table that both new shooters and old pros can really enjoy.
Glock 34 Accessories
Competition handguns usually have more than just stock parts under the hood. While these can be suited to a personal taste, or simply a style thing, we’ve got a few pieces here that we think will help out anyone looking to upgrade.
Heavy Tungsten Guide Rod
Unavailable at Amazon currently.
When you fire two or three shots in rapid succession, you’ll notice that the muzzle on any gun will start to climb, putting successive shots more and more off target. While you can re-adjust your sight between quick shots, it can take time you don’t want to waste in a close competition.
Fortunately, you can ease this muzzle flip with a heavier guide rod and a stronger spring, both of which come in this tool-less drop-in aftermarket setup. The extra weight of the tungsten (versus the factory plastic) helps slow the climb, and the heavier spring eases the recoil, both of which help you keep on target during rapid-fire scenarios.
Pick one up, drop it in, and make it work for you; after all, the half-second you save may mean the difference between first and second place.
Whether you’re looking for a Glock 34 holster to shoot competitively, or you just want something for personal carry, we are confident you’ll find something you like in each and every one of these holsters; after all, finding the best Glock 34 holster for you is, first and foremost, a matter of personal preference. Take some time, browse around, and see what works best for you.