I might actually have to choose G19 or G26

[gigag04]

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.

But then the OP would own an XD...

[Dreamliner]

+1 for G19 for more rounds and not really that significant of a size difference over the G26. Make sure you have a good holster and of course dress appropriately. I like the Galco Triton.

[Teamless]

But then the OP would own an XD...

A step up vs a Glock!

[RPB]

I own an XD 45 with thumb safety, nice gun, but the front sight dovetail made me decide to never own another XD, you need a jackhammer to adjust the front sight. (They are good guns otherwise... I might carry it if the sight could be pushed and elevation adjusted , which requires removal and re-installing front sight... I need to buy an expensive sight pusher to use it just once or twice, but with Glock Perfection, the Hex/Octagonal shaped front sight tool thingy is free when you order sights usually)

I'd stick to Perfection, the Glock 26 only holds 35 rounds maximum (the glock 33 round mag and replace the +2 base plate with a +3 base plats + 1 chambered). People saying you get more "capacity" with a Glock 19 are just using the wrong magazines, my IWB EDC daily carried Glock 26 has more capacity at 20 round magazine (Glock 17 mag +3 base plate) than any of their Glock 19 15 round mags, and my Glock 26 with the 18 round mag (Glock 19 mag +3 base plate) STILL has more capacity than their 15 round Glock 19 mags. I've owned about 6 19s and 8 or 10 Glock 17sand two 17Ls and every model .40 cal and 10mm and .45 (except the 30 and .36) ... but the best Glock made is the Gen 3 or 4 Glock 26. The 26 can do anything a 19 or 17 or 17L can .... and more. (and mo' bettah and mo' conveniently too)

How many suggesting a 19 have tried ankle carrying or pocket carrying a 19?
Hard to do with a 19 holding (15+1) 16 rounds, but easy with a 26 with (13+1) 14 rounds I do it daily, pocket carry a 26 with 14 rounds in plain Wrangler jeans (but it's easier in Duluth Trading Co "deep pocket pants with 12" deep pockets, heck it's easier to conceal a Giraffe in 12" deep pockets)
and if 14 rounds isn't enough, do what I do and carry a spare 20 round magazine (Glock 17 mag with a +3 base place PG-39 from Pearce grip)

What would you do with a Glock 19 that can't be easily pocket carried/ankle carried when that's your only option one day? Leave it at home where it can scare away a burglar by itself?

[cubbyjg]

I rotate between the g26 and g19 as my carry firearm. Both are easily concealable and great shooters. Either will serve you well, but my vote is for the g19 since it can be used for home defense, has greater capacity (using 15 round magazine vs 10 round magazine) and allows you to get a solid grip on the pistol. I sometimes have issues with my grip when practicing drawing from the holster with the g26.

[RPB]

Again, my 26 with a 34/20/19/18/17/15 round mag works for "home defense" as well as anyone's Glock 19 with a 15 rounder.

To be clearer though ... "home defense"

The rail is the only benefit to getting a "modern" 19 over a 16, so you can mount a light (Early 19s had no rail)

So, if you want to leave it at home, get a 19, add a big bulky light on the rail ... but if you'd like the option of actually having it with you, get a 26 and know where the light switches are in your house.

( I do have a 19 with a big bulky light on it ... it stays at home for "home Defense"... though my Glock 26s are closer when I sleep/shower etc ...
my leave at home 19 can't do much good if I'm robbed at the Mall)
My 26s both stay with me 24/7

Honestly for "home defense" before I'd grab the 19 with its big bulky light, I'd grab my XD45 with it's tiny but powerful flashlight + Veridian Green laser on the rail both come on at the same time, ... and it's a .45 with 15+1 rounds ( Pearce grip +2 base plate) ... Still, my 26s both stay with me 24/7