Tactical and competitive shooting are two very different worlds. If you approach one like the other you will make mistakes. In one, those mistakes will cost you time and points. The other could cost you your life. There is nothing tactical about competitive shooting. It is a game and nothing more. I know there is a lot of satire on this site, but from one shooter to another, you need to recognize the difference.
From a tactical standpoint the 19 is a solid option. Competitivly speaking, the 34 is a better option. I have a tricked out 34 for competition, so I can feel like John Wick and pewpew really fast. I carry a 19 and train with it with a different mindset than I do with the 34. If all you can afford is one or the other, go with the 19.
If you maintain that mindset, then great. Keep in mind a lot of competition shooters are running light triggers, drop leg holsters with zero retention (unless you are looking at 3-gun, then a retention holster proves to be valuable), and modifications that are not practical for a carry weapon (extended mags, side charging handle on 1911, with a massive RDS). Fortunately, there are some modifications that are practical for both worlds. Trijicon, Vortex, and Holosun make popular RDS for pistols, and USPSA has a division for it. There are plenty of components that can be upgraded. First things first, I like to swap out the sights, the mag release, and the slide release on all my Glocks. I'm running Dawson cowitness on my 34 with a Vortex Viper, and Trijicon HDs on my 19. I like the Vickers mag release and slide release because they are more pronounced and easier to manipulate than the stock components. I added a tungsten guide rod to my 34, and I have a TLR-2s for my 19 when I open carry. Polished the triggers in both. Swapped the connector in the 34, and the springs to reduce trigger pull. For my 34, I have a drop leg holster with level 2 retention (thumb drive by Blade Tech) and a slight offset, because I too wanted to maintain some level of practical training when I compete.
If I were in your shoes, I would consider the G19.5 MOS. Depending on your budget, you can hold off on the RDS, but try to get some decent sights. Glock sites are garbage, and if you are consistently training you will start to notice the stock sights wearing down. If you are going to compete with it, you typically cannot run a light mounted, but most local matches don't care. Hell, I've ran an MP5A5 in PCC before and no one complained. I like the added weight from the tungsten guide rod, so it might suit you as well. If you are wanting to maintain an element of self-defense training, I highly recommend running a AIWB holster. I run a Stealthgear USA AWIB holster for my 19. They have comfortable holsters with a sidecar for a second mag. You will still need additional mag pouches to compete, but typically you will not be carrying a separate mag pouch during your normal routine. Above all of this, just buy ammo and shoot, and/or dry-fire training. Pair this with a Pact 3 or Competition Electronics Shot Timer, and you are good to go. Cut out some scaled down USPSA targets to train with in the house. This is probably more info than you cared for, but here it is. If you have any other questions, I'd be happy to share my two cents.
Most local matches are fine with letting you run anything, from a AIWB ccw setup to my warbelt and chest rig. The additional stress from competing on a clock is great practice over just training by yourself. I don't own a gun that I haven't ran a match with, its a great way to vet your gear on a limited round count. If you can find 2 gun matches, a tactically-minded setup will compete just as well as a gaming rig until you start placing among the state-level sponsored shooters. It's fun to run my 100% reliable M&P against tricked-out 2011's that often choke on their powder-puff reloads. A Safariland ALS holster with a nub mod is just as fast as an open kydek 'gun perch' if you train. AIWB is crazy fast too if you know what you're doing.
Tactical and competitive shooting are two very different worlds. If you approach one like the other you will make mistakes. In one, those mistakes will cost you time and points. The other could cost you your life. There is nothing tactical about competitive shooting. It is a game and nothing more. I know there is a lot of satire on this site, but from one shooter to another, you need to recognize the difference.
From a tactical standpoint the 19 is a solid option. Competitivly speaking, the 34 is a better option. I have a tricked out 34 for competition, so I can feel like John Wick and pewpew really fast. I carry a 19 and train with it with a different mindset than I do with the 34. If all you can afford is one or the other, go with the 19.
If you maintain that mindset, then great. Keep in mind a lot of competition shooters are running light triggers, drop leg holsters with zero retention (unless you are looking at 3-gun, then a retention holster proves to be valuable), and modifications that are not practical for a carry weapon (extended mags, side charging handle on 1911, with a massive RDS). Fortunately, there are some modifications that are practical for both worlds. Trijicon, Vortex, and Holosun make popular RDS for pistols, and USPSA has a division for it. There are plenty of components that can be upgraded. First things first, I like to swap out the sights, the mag release, and the slide release on all my Glocks. I'm running Dawson cowitness on my 34 with a Vortex Viper, and Trijicon HDs on my 19. I like the Vickers mag release and slide release because they are more pronounced and easier to manipulate than the stock components. I added a tungsten guide rod to my 34, and I have a TLR-2s for my 19 when I open carry. Polished the triggers in both. Swapped the connector in the 34, and the springs to reduce trigger pull. For my 34, I have a drop leg holster with level 2 retention (thumb drive by Blade Tech) and a slight offset, because I too wanted to maintain some level of practical training when I compete.
If I were in your shoes, I would consider the G19.5 MOS. Depending on your budget, you can hold off on the RDS, but try to get some decent sights. Glock sites are garbage, and if you are consistently training you will start to notice the stock sights wearing down. If you are going to compete with it, you typically cannot run a light mounted, but most local matches don't care. Hell, I've ran an MP5A5 in PCC before and no one complained. I like the added weight from the tungsten guide rod, so it might suit you as well. If you are wanting to maintain an element of self-defense training, I highly recommend running a AIWB holster. I run a Stealthgear USA AWIB holster for my 19. They have comfortable holsters with a sidecar for a second mag. You will still need additional mag pouches to compete, but typically you will not be carrying a separate mag pouch during your normal routine. Above all of this, just buy ammo and shoot, and/or dry-fire training. Pair this with a Pact 3 or Competition Electronics Shot Timer, and you are good to go. Cut out some scaled down USPSA targets to train with in the house. This is probably more info than you cared for, but here it is. If you have any other questions, I'd be happy to share my two cents.
Most local matches are fine with letting you run anything, from a AIWB ccw setup to my warbelt and chest rig. The additional stress from competing on a clock is great practice over just training by yourself. I don't own a gun that I haven't ran a match with, its a great way to vet your gear on a limited round count. If you can find 2 gun matches, a tactically-minded setup will compete just as well as a gaming rig until you start placing among the state-level sponsored shooters. It's fun to run my 100% reliable M&P against tricked-out 2011's that often choke on their powder-puff reloads. A Safariland ALS holster with a nub mod is just as fast as an open kydek 'gun perch' if you train. AIWB is crazy fast too if you know what you're doing.