I might actually have to choose G19 or G26

[knotquiteawake]

I guess the sales department hit their quotas so everyone gets a small bonus for the holidays! God is too good to us sometimes!
Now, assuming my wife doesn't take the whole bonus check to buy our family members their Christmas presents it looks like I'll finally have to make a final decision:
Glock 19 or Glock 26

Right now I have been carrying a little .32 mousegun and I'm tired of its ammo pickiness. I want something that goes bang every time and is easy to strip down and clean. I have loved the glock every single time I've rented or borrowed one. I love the feel of the 19 in my hand, like it was built for me. Love the sight picture on the glocks too. I am very very used to the very very small profile of this mouse gun though. its 100% invisible on my waist or in my pocket. Getting a larger gun will be a big adjustment.

The only reason I want the 26 is because it would be easier to conceal. However, the more I read the more I see people saying the different between 19 and 26 is very small for every day carry.

I am 6' and a hair and about 173lbs.

I am pretty sure I'm going to go with the 19 because the benefits of the 26 just don't quite push me all the way there to give up on the 19.

Anyone want to give their .02 of internet wisdom on the 19 vs. the 26?

Yes, I am going with 9mm only.

Any tips on buying a used one, things to look for, night sights vs. the white dot, and so on?

[rgoldy]

I have both. Have carried both for extended periods. 26 is a bit more concealable, perhaps a bit lighter. I had grip reduction done on the G19(old model). For me they are interchangeable, just whichever one fits for the clothing I am wearing that day.

[gigag04]

If this will be your first regular size pistol, I'd opt for a 19 for better control and wider applications (ie Home Defense)...

26 is a great compliment to a 17 or 19 owner as it adds a dimension of less weight, more concealability, but not my first choice for a primary pistol.

[knotquiteawake]

If this will be your first regular size pistol, I'd opt for a 19 for better control and wider applications (ie Home Defense)...

It will be my first regular sized pistol. Currently have the .32 on me, and a HEAVY stainless snub nose .38 special in the nightstand on home defense duty right now.

[gigag04]

If this will be your first regular size pistol, I'd opt for a 19 for better control and wider applications (ie Home Defense)...

It will be my first regular sized pistol. Currently have the .32 on me, and a HEAVY stainless snub nose .38 special in the nightstand on home defense duty right now.

Then I'd say 19 will be your best choice. It is a great do everything decently gun. Some guys even run them at matches.

This summer, I am getting a 17tactical, OD 19, and 26.

[KC5AV]

I am 6' and a hair and about 173lbs.
Any tips on buying a used one, things to look for, night sights vs. the white dot, and so on?

We are about the same size... I have about 10 pounds on you. My EDC is a Glock 23, and I don't really have any trouble concealing it. I'd lean toward the night sights, because you might actually have to use it in a low light situation. I bought my 23 new, and it didn't have night sights. I picked up a set from a user on here, and paid a local smith to install them, so if you can't find one with them from the factory, it isn't the end of the world.

Good luck helping your wife exercise restraint with your bonus.

[Abraham]

I initially carried a Keltec P32.

After a couple of years, I started carrying a Glock 19 and haven't looked back since.

In fact, I practiced with it today (only a 100 rounds) in my back yard. I live in the country and have my own range.

Some years ago, I built a a 3' (clay filled) plywood target which is 4' wide X 5 ' high, built with landscaping timber and plywood, that I periodically change out as it gets shot up...

With modern cartridges, a 9mm will serve you well as a defensive weapon and is one of the lowest cost choices to practice with.

[TexasCajun]

Most days I carry a g17 iwb. There's not much difference between the 17, 19, and 26 where it counts for concealment - in the grip. They're all double stack, so the only difference will be barrel length. I'm much more accurate with a longer barrel, and I really like having 35 rounds available. If you go with the 26, you'll be trying to conceal the same thickness, but 7 fewer rounds per magazine and with a more difficult accuracy.

For days that I have to have deeper concealment, I carry a Beretta Nano. I tried out several sub-compact & single-stack 9mm, and the Nano just felt more solid in my hand. It's a comfortable enough shooter that I can put a good number of rounds through it in a single session so that I can more quickly build up my proficiency with it.

You & I are about the same size - I've got about 25 lbs on you. My 17 conceals easily, although I did have to get bigger pants. My Nano practically disappears on me, and being a single-stack, I can carry 2 extra magazines with no problem.

[RPB]

I carry 2 26s every day
One BUG in a pocket in Desantis Nemesis with with a PG-39 Pearce grip with a +3 PG-39 Pearce grip for 13+1 rounds is the same year round

In Sumner I wear my second 26 IWB with an X-grip spacer on a Glock 19 mag with a PG-39 Pearce grip for 18+1 rounds
but in Winter instead of the 18 round mag, I carry a 20-round mag in the Glock 26, that's a Glock 17 mag with a PG-39 Pearce grip and the rubber X-grip mag spacer so there's 21 (20+1) rounds ready to go in my Glock 26 before I need my pocket 26 with it's 14 rounds (13+1)
and a spare mag is a Glock 17 mag with a PG-39 pearce grip for a spare 20 rounds

I'm 99% more accurate with the 26 than the 16, 99.5% better with a 26 than a 17 and 100.1% better with a 26 than a Glock 17L Long Slide

Advantage Tactical sights on all.

The 19 has been fired once since 1989, my 26s are what I'd grab for home defense, there's spare 20 round mags (Glock 17 + Pearce grip PG39) all over the house tucked away.

Carrying two 26s daily is easy.

a couple spare 33 rounders are in the car, just in case.

The grip doesn't matter as far as concealment, the cant can be adjusted to almost vertical if you have a huge long grip like a 17/19 have instead of a nice 26-sized with a PG-39 pinky extension....but bodies tend to bend when one sits and longer slides go clunk on wooden pews/metal chairs ... the thing is, with a 26 you can use Glock 17 mags, but you can't put a 17 or 19 in your pocket ... the 26 is way more versatile ... I've owned all Glocks in all calibers except the 36, 30 and the 357... I carry the 26s; still own a 19, because it's a 1989-old and I accidentally sold my other collectables...

Summary: you can use an extended barrel on a 26 for a 19 length barrel, my IWB has that, but the fat slide is less long, so fewer clink clanks on chairs... you can use the large mags on a 26 so no capacity loss either ,.... the 26 is the only one pocket-able/ankle carried as easily etc... there's no "downside" to a 26, just more options than with others.... they point n shoot easier imho.

[Teamless]

Only for the reason of easy take down, I wouldn't do either, but would do the Springfield XD9 Subcompact.
With the Glocks, I hate having to hold down those little slides on each side of the slide, where with the XD, lock the slide open, and flip down the lever, release the slide and pull the trigger.

Also with the XD you can use the short mag and have a gun about the same grip length as the 26, or put in the long mag and have a nice full size grip.

[cheezit]

i have a g19 never liked it much, have a g26 i wont part with and carry that when i need more then a j-frame

[packa45]

Get the 19... The 26 for me is too hard to get a proper grip on in a fast reactive self defense draw and then accurately place a shot on target let alone 2-3 shots... Ihaveboth the compact and sub compact 40 ( basically the same gun in different caliber) if I would have known before hand I probably would have just bought the 23... It's the perfect size... It's not too big and not too small... Granted with the 9mmyou get more rounds in the magazine than my 23 but if I had to pick a 19 or 26 I'd go with the 19. There is enough of a grip to have a solid hold without feeling like its gonna fly out of your hands under recoil. Just remember I am basing this off my experience with my glock 23 and 27.

I carry my 23 about 4 days a week I carry my full size 1911 the other times. I rarely carry the sub compact because It is more difficult to shoot... My wife loves it though.

[OldCannon]

Then I'd say 19 will be your best choice. It is a great do everything decently gun. Some guys even run them at matches.

This.

The 19 (or 23 if you're a .40 kind of person) is extremely versatile - home defense, CC, competition...works in all cases. Slap some TruGlo TFOs on them and you'll have yourself one heck of an awesome pistol.

[Cjwglock19]

When I was on the hunt, I was leaning toward a G26... Then I held it. Way too small. I opted for the G19 and love it. Shoots well, good capacity, and carries well. I am 6-1 210lbs and carry it iwb very comfortably. Both are high quality guns, can't go wrong. Never been in a gun fight, hope I never am! As much as I train and try to educate myself, i know that if the bullets ever fly, I didn't want to worry about grip as I'm hoping not to soil my britches while getting combat accurate shots off!! Just my honest opinion! Either way great weapon.

[RSJ]

I have all the 9mm Glocks (18 aside) and my vote is for the 19. All around great general purpose CCW weapon with good capacity.