Glock 19 or 26

[Bennies]

I carry a glock 23 and sometimes my 19 in a super tuck. It is funny you ask this because i was trying my father in laws 27 in my holster just yesterday deciding if i wanted to add it to my wish list due to its smaller size. I tried it on with my crossbreed belt and super tuck and the only difference i saw was with a little printing bending over. The handle of my 23 obviously prints just a tad more than it did with the 27. The longer handle was the only thing that made and noticeable difference with the 23 in. I decided i am going to just stick with my 23. More rounds and actually easier to draw because it just had more handle to rap around and get that firm grip. Plus that super tuck hides my 23/19 so well even in shorts and a t-shirt it really did not make enough difference to buy the 27. So i put the money towards a new dog today instead.

[d strokes]

Both are easily concealable if you have the proper gear (i.e. a gun belt and a decent holster).

I can carry both my 19 and 26 without no problems. I prefer the 19 because of the longer barrel and it holds 5 more rounds.

Get a quality gun belt and a crossbreed supertuck and you will do fine with either one.

If you don't think you can handle the 19, then start with the 26.

[A-R]

I have both of the larger-caliber cousins - Glock 23 & 27 (.40-cal) and carry them both. Previous comments are correct that there is little practical difference between the two, especially if carried in a quality holster (Crossbreed, M-TAC etc) with a quality stiff gun belt (Beltman, 5.11 Tactical etc). You really can't go long with either, so determine how you plan to carry and make certain the gun you pick fits your hands well and you shoot it well. If you're strictly carrying on the belt with a cover garmint, get the mid-size. If you might occassionally carry it in a pocket or tucked, consider the Baby Glock.

Here are the slight differences:

"Mid-size" Glock (G19, G23, G32)

Pro:

• more rounds
• more grip surface for a more secure draw from concealment
• longer barrel & sight picture for very slight improvement in accuracy (at least in theory, I actually shoot my G27 and G23 equally)
• Gen 3 or newer has light rail attachment up front for use as a bedside table gun.

Con:

• heavier with more rounds in the mag
• longer grip might print or poke out a bit more
• bit harder to carry "tucked", but still very possible with right clothing

sub-compact "Baby" Glock (G26, G27, G33)

Pro:

• easier to conceal
• is a borderline pocket gun with a very high quality pocket holster and large pockets (like those found on cargo pants/shorts)
• fewer rounds make it lighter
• can accept any Glock mag of same caliber all the way up to the 30+ round mags originally intended for the Glock 18 full auto pistol
• more versatility over all
• easier to carry "tucked" because of shorter grip but also the shorter barrel & slide don't buldge as much under your beltline (and important and often overlooked facet of carrying "tucked")

Cons:

• the grip just does not fit some hands
• grip is short enough to make a solid draw from concealment more difficult without some practice
• shorter sight picture/barrel length
• no light rail attachment up front
• fewer rounds, unless you carry a longer mag in the gun (thus negating the benefit of the shorter grip for concealment)

[Ol Zeke]

You can allways do what I did and get one of each...

I do carry the 26 more, especially in the summer, but the 19 is only slightly larger and does weigh a little more.

If you can afford it, I would recomend the M-TAC Minotaur over the CB Super Tuck. It's more comfortable (for me) and it seems to adjust more readily. I just sold my Super Tuck to a friend.

Welcome.

[Quahog]

I found the Pearce grip extensions help a lot with getting a better handle on the baby Glocks. They cost about $6-9 per extension and they add just enough so you can get your whole hand around the Glock's grip.

[RPB]

"Grip" on a 26 is the same size and shape as the "grip" on a 17 if you use a 17 mag and a mag spacer (for 17 to 20 rounds with extensions)

"Grip" on a 26 is the same size and shape as the "grip" on a 19 if you use a 19 mag and a mag spacer (for 15 to 18 rounds with extension)

"Grip" on a 26 is the same size and shape as the "grip" on a 26 if you use a 26 mag and only a bit more if you add a +3 Pearce extension so you have 13 rounds.

In the 26 you can always use longer mags and mag spacers or grip extenders, and still have the option of the short 10 rd 26 grip for an ankle carry if desired. Whereas with a 19 you would need a saw to cut the grip shorter.

Around the house, my 26 uses a Glock 17 Mag with a spacer so the grip is the same size, shape and length as a 17 ... except I put a +3 grip extension on it for 20 rounds (+1 chambered = 21


26 just gives more options; I keep my 33 round mags in the car and nearby, in case 21 isn't enough.

(I haven't been able to conceal it with the 33 round mag in the 26, so after I run out of the 16 to 21 rounds, I have to reach in a pocket for another 20 ... else grab the 33 off the floorboard or from the closet or drawer.)

[A-R]

I have found the spacers leave something to be desired - namely comfort. They always bite my fingers when shooting. The Pearc extensions work well and I use one on my G27's main carry mag. But I actually just carry a G23 spare mag and I like shooting the G27 better with a G23 mag and no spacer than with a spacer. This is also helpful because I can grab the same spare mag/pouch whether I'm carrying G27 or G23 that day.

[RPB]

I've tried AG spacers, and 2 other brands .... only one did I like BEST, but I forget the brand offhand ... it's the one with more texture.

I also tried various brands of extensions, I didn't care for Sherear at all, only 2 rounds and clunky, didn't care for others, and Glock's is ok but clunky .... Pearce +2 or +3 are the best.

I stippled my extensions and spacers myself too with the soldering iron.... mainly just the front and where fingertips are... did the same on the glock where fingertips are.

[KahrGuy]

I have found the spacers leave something to be desired - namely comfort. They always bite my fingers when shooting. The Pearc extensions work well and I use one on my G27's main carry mag. But I actually just carry a G23 spare mag and I like shooting the G27 better with a G23 mag and no spacer than with a spacer. This is also helpful because I can grab the same spare mag/pouch whether I'm carrying G27 or G23 that day.

GT Dist has some special mags w/grips that literally make the grip of 26/27 identical to 19/23 - same exact finger grippers, material, everything - VERY NICE. I didn't purchase since I'm 100% comfortable & happy with the factory G26 mag, but held a G26 with this storemade deal and was simply amazed with the outcome. To me, other than accessory rail, there was absolutely no "practical" need to have the G19 over the G26. As with you, I'm just as accurate (if not more likely due to practice/preference) with the G26 Baby.

I need to figure out how to sell my G19 now - always nervous about selling weapons... Normally just trade them into dealer, but the only replacement I'd consider is the Kahr PM9 - and I'll only buy it from GT Dist, which will definitely take me to the cleaners on the G19 if I traded it! Glocks are probably the absolute worst to trade in there due to their awesome pricing agreements with manufacturer.

Anyway, hoping OP strongly considers sub-compact due to versatility & concealment comfort. There will be a pretty big difference, any way you slice it, between LCP carry & Baby Glock carry.

[03Lightningrocks]

I found the Pearce grip extensions help a lot with getting a better handle on the baby Glocks. They cost about $6-9 per extension and they add just enough so you can get your whole hand around the Glock's grip.

glock22.gif

[Abraham]

I carry a Glock 19 year round.

No, it's not as comfortable or as easy to conceal as a 26 - no question, but I prefer the grip of the 19 and feel comfortable with the rounds capacity.

[AggieLCP]

Seems like both are very popular. I have to say I'm leaning towards the 19 since my LCP has deep concealment and pocket carry covered. Might sell the CZ and let the 19 also be the home gun. I always wanted a light for my nightstand gun, but didnt have that option on the CZ since it doesnt have a rail. I guess I need to spend some more time at the shop holding the two Glocks.

[RPB]

26 is just much more versatile than a 19, unless you HAVE TO HAVE a rail.

By the way, as far as the Mag spacers ... SOFT RUBBER ones are available too, if you don't like the hard plastic
Both are available at CheaperThanDirt
(I prefer hard plastic, but here's the RUBBER one for austinrealtor who said that their hard plastic one pinched... you might like it better than the hard plastic one)
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/GRIP150-1.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Only $9.99 for 3 of them.

SOFT RUBBER SPACER on a Glock 19 mag in a Glock 26


This is the type setup I carry, so the slide is shorter than my 19, so it's easier to sit , get in/out of car/dinner table/desk chair etc due to the 26's shorter slide.

So I still have the grip of a 19, and Capcity of a 19, but the shorter 26 slide length for more comfort.
Actually I put an extended barrel on, so it's a 19 sized barrel too ... but the shorter slide is better IMHO, and I own both the 26 and 19

My 26 with a 19 barrel, 19 sized grip and 19 mag capacity, is easier to conceal and more comfortable than my 19 ... because the blocky clunky slide is shorter.

(I've owned almost every caliber+model Glock ever made except the .380 and model 18 and the model 36)

As I've said before, I own both, I"ve owned about 12 Model 19s, sold all but one. I got my 19 in 1989 had all the standard plus not-required upgrades (low light tactical sights, laser, recoil reducing mercury filled guide rod etc) ... I'd trade it for another STOCK 26 in a heartbeat if anyone wants to though.... having both, my 26 just gets carried more, and that's what a "carry gun" is for. So, probably going to get a second 26 as a BUG (BackUp Gun) with a 13 round mag (10+Pearce +3 extension) to supplement my 26 with the 19 mag/spacer+19 barrel.

I've experimented and my 26 carries well at 3:00 on the hip, the stock 26 BUG can fit SOB (Small Of Back) quite well, so my spare 20 round mags (Glock 17 mags with Pearce +3 extensions) with spacers mags can fit either, if a situation arose where I needed to use the spare mag(s).

So I can COMFORTABLY carry 70 rounds of ammo ... 16 (15+1 chambered) + 14 (13+1 chambered) [+ 20 +20 two spare mags] = 70 rounds.... if I felt the need to, but really I may leave the two spare mags at home or in the car and just carry the 2 Glock 26s for a total of 30 rounds when using my leather+kydex IWB holsters. (My "Tuck This 2" holsters have mag holders built in that are handy and help round out my beltline around the holster/pistol, so I usually carry spare mags with them for additional comfort and concealment)

http://www.pearcegrip.com/glock27.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Shown below - Model PG-2733 +2 Extension for 12 rounds+1 chambered=13 (left)) - and Model PG-39 +3 Extension (for 13 rounds+1 Chambered=14 (right))

[BrianSW99]

I carry the 19 and have no problem concealing it with a Crossbreed Supertuck. I went with the 19 because I like all my fingers being on the grip. The main advantage I see of the 26 is the shorter grip which should help with printing, but if you add the grip extension you're not any better off in that regard than the 19. I haven't had any comfort problems with the slide length of the 19.

[RPB]

I carry the 19 and have no problem concealing it with a Crossbreed Supertuck. I went with the 19 because I like all my fingers being on the grip. The main advantage I see of the 26 is the shorter grip which should help with printing, but if you add the grip extension you're not any better off in that regard than the 19. I haven't had any comfort problems with the slide length of the 19.

The main advantage of a 26 over a 19 is the shorter slide.
You can still get all fingers on the grip with an extension on a 26, but when you take a hacksaw to a 19's slide ...

Neither is really really hard to conceal, 26 is more comfortable when sitting due to the shorter slide.

26 is just more versatile.

Since it was brought up, yeah, the 26's grip is shorter, so you can use 26 or 19 mags in the 26, (or a 17 or even the 33 round) but you can not use any of the 26 mags in a 19.

26 is just more versatile.