[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. I have never been a hardcore fan of Glock pistols, but have respected that they do work well for the most part. Having been a police firearms instructor for 11 years, I've seen plenty of them used in calibers 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP and in the various models offered for each.
I just never could "cotten up" to them.

After retirement, my orbits became very tame compared to my "previous life" and I began the search for the "perfect" (lawful) pistol to carry concealed. Operating under the "Laziness is next to Godliness" theory and for my lifestyle and climate, pocket carry was most appealing although I do carry a belt gun concealed on ocassion.

I initially tried the Kahr P9, but mine was an early one and plagued with premature slide-lock when using +P ammunition. I traded it in on a Glock 26, the same Glock 26 I have now. (More on the Kahr comparisons later.)

Though at the absolute limit of what I can carry concealed via a Galco pocket holster in some of my pants, the thing can be toted quite easily in a Fobus paddle holster. These are the only two holsters I own for this pistol and they suit me. Certainly, there's a wide selection for other G26 users.

The Pistol: My G26 has been very slightly altered from factory configuration. I replaced the plastic sights with AroTek black-on-black fixed sights. (Though the site's under construction, it can be found at www.arotek.com). I had to get a lower front sight than the usual recommended one to get my pistol printed where the sights were aimed and though this took a couple of tries, the folks at the company were very considerate and easy to work with. Even though not in the afflicted "serial number range," I replaced the plastic FLGR with the two-piece steel one offered at Wolff Gunsprings (www.gunsprings.com) and use the standard factory recoil spring. I also added one of those little plug thingys that fits in the hollow behind the magazine well. I did this after several months of pocket carry. I noted that lint, dust, etc was in this area and it wouldn't have bothered me except that this hollow has a small opening at the top and I could see a spring or part through the hollow. I know that with "Glock Perfection," I should not have to worry, but I prefer any "serious" pistol" to be as clean and reliable as possible. I also don't believe in "Glock Perfection," having seen them mess up, usually with small spring breakage, but they almost always work and work well. Having tried various connectors and spring weights, I just stayed with the factory set up with regard to trigger pull.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid60/p3f8e0d201b08efaa71420ca74cea5853/fc4615fc.jpg
Not stellar in the "looks department" to me, this pistol has about 2K rounds through it; it has NEVER malfunctioned.

Ammunition: I didn't do any handloads this time as it's been my observation that these pistols are primarily carried for self-defense. The ammo focus was on some self-defense type ammo along with some ball rounds that many might use for practice. Bullet weights ranged from 65 grains to 125 grains. I am not a fan of the heavier bullets in 9mm and didn't have anything in the 147 gr weight as I'd used what little I did have in a previous range report.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid60/p7c67687e2fc7afb3b13619115cb5eade/fc461609.jpg
The G26 was fed a variety of JHP and ball ammunition today and worked fine. It's never been picky.

Eight different loads were tried today. They were also chronographed from the Glock 26. The data listed is based on 10-shot strings fired about 10' from the chronograph screen and include extreme spread and standard deviations for each round.

Fiocchi 115 gr FMJ:
Average Velocity: 1180 ft/sec
Extreme Spread: 57
Std. Deviation: 21

PMP 115 gr FMJ:
Average Velocity: 1046 ft/sec
Extreme Spread: 38
Std. Deviation: 15
(This is the most lightly loaded factory 115 gr ball that I've tried.)

Winchester "USA" 115 gr FMJ:
Average Velocity: 1097 ft/sec
Extreme Spread: 87
Std. Deviation: 40

Federal 115 gr JHP ("9BP," std. pressure):
Average Velocity: 1111 ft/sec
Extreme Spread: 34
Std. Deviation: 13

Hornady 124 gr "CQ" Tap (XTP):
Average Velocity: 1100 ft/sec
Extreme Spread: 38
Std. Deviation: 16

Winchester RA9TA 127 gr +P+ JHP:
Average Velocity: 1246 ft/sec
Extreme Spread: 33
Std. Deviation: 13

Corbon 125 gr +P JHP:
Average Velocity: 1188 ft/sec
Extreme Spread: 43
Std. Deviation: 17

Aguila 65 gr "IQ" Zinc HP:
Average Velocity: 1517 ft/sec
Extreme Spread: 64
Std. Deviation: 23

The latter round was included as it appears to be standard pressure and I'd not fired any of it and was curious.

FWIW, here's some data on other rounds chronographed through the G26 on a previous day:

Corbon 124 gr XTP +P Ave. Vel. = 1229 ft/sec
Glaser 70 gr Silver Pre-frag Ave. Vel. = 1514 ft/sec
Federal 124 gr. Nyclad HP Ave. Vel. = 1063 ft/sec
Triton 115 gr Hi Vel JHP +P Ave. Vel. = 1280 ft/sec
Triton 125 gr Hi Vel JHP +P Ave. Vel. = 1245 ft/sec

I noticed that the older Corbon XTP load averaged a bit more than the current load using the Sierra bullet and have noticed this in 9mm pistols having longer barrels as well. The Sierra bullet is an aggressive expander and this is plenty warm enough for it to "work." Though hard to find now, I did have extremely good luck with Triton's 125 gr "Hi Vel" JHP out of both this pistol as well as Browning Hi Powers. Notice also that the 70 gr Glaser Safety Slug is rated at +P. I am assuming that the Aguila is not; at least I cannot find any +P notice on the box or ammunition. Bullet weights and velocities are equivalent.

Shooting: Shooting today was done at ranges of 5 yards, 10 yards, 15 yards, and 25 yards. Groups fired at 15 & 25 yards were fired using a 2-hand hold and a rest. The reason was simply that I was trying to shoot groups and the short sight radius on this pistol doesn't lend itself to do this, at least for me. The "fast" stuff was done using a 2-hand hold and a Weaver stance. (Please no emails eatting me out again for firing at the "wrong" distances. Some of us want closer and some farther. I don't have the money to buy ammo to do tests at all distances.)

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid60/pf9690b0d07894d0f44a65534db2b58b5/fc461604.jpg
Not Camp Perry accurate, I find this little gun easier to hit accurately with than my usually-carried S&W J-frame.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid60/paf70057dcb9decf524f342d55723081b/fc461603.jpg
One can see from these two pictures that the Glock was pretty consistent with most loads tried and plenty accurate enough for its intended purpose, self-protection.

I'm sure that the gun will shoot tighter, but it will have to be in other hands than mine.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid60/p052ab9d49927f1b73f076ccbf614ef6d/fc461607.jpg
Again, this slow fire group will not win any bullseye competition, but I think most will agree that the gun was never intended for such. Still, I much prefer to have a pistol that's capable of shooting tight groups. I strongly suspect this one's capable of considerably better.

This 5-yard group consisted of five "double-taps," i.e.: one sight picture for two shots fired, the second being fired as quickly as possible with muscle memory hopefully getting it near the first. I don't like to advocate not using the sights and personally will NOT beyond this distance.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid60/p97b066676807f7ad17b6d54f1208f95c/fc4615ff.jpg

More practiced at "controlled pairs," one sight picture for each shot, but done as quickly as possible, I tried 5 sets @ 10 yards. For me, this is the "method" I practice most often. You do what you think's best for your situation.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid60/p987f537615c3829c308fb6b32b8d5271/fc46160c.jpg

Continued....

[Stephen A. Camp]

Observations: By chance, a friend was at the range today with his brand new Kahr Mk9 pistol. This abbreviated version of the same company's P9 felt better to me than did my Glock 26, but the G26 felt better during firing to me than did the Mk9! I didn't have much ammunition to spare, but from the 3" barrel of the little Kahr, velocities with Triton 125 gr +P JHPs was approximately 100 ft/sec slower than from the Glock's 3.46" barrel. There's no doubt to me that the little Kahr would be easier to conceal by a pretty good margin. I did notice that the same old problem that's afflicted me with all Kahrs was present here: The rear edge of the frame on both sides digs into the web of my hand. (Kahr does appear to have solved the premature slide-lock problem.)

Felt recoil in the G26 actually didn't seem any better or worse than from most other 9mm pistols I've fired with most being heavier and larger; this speaks well to the Glock in my view. I was really surprised at this as the pistol has such an abbreviated grip. This makes it easier to conceal, but I figured it would make the gun harder to control; I was wrong.

Just for grins, I fired the Aguila 65 gr hollow point into water.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid60/p426f8e2cbf6cd8662600fd743ae3e734/fc461612.jpg
The bullet is made of zinc and heavily-skived in three places, lengthwise on the bullet. It's supposed to break into roughly 3 equal pieces. This one broke up, but not evenly. Accuracy was plenty good out to 15 yards and recoil was light. Unlike the .45 ACP version, I didn't notice it being any louder or sharper in terms of blast. It was bright so I cannot comment on flash. I doubt that this would go more than 6" or so in tissue, but could be wrong. It might be just the thing for pest control around the farm, though. The recovered bullet fragments weighed 44 grains, about 2/3rd's the original bullet weight.

Corbon's 125 gr +P JHP was used for the requisite "scientific mud expansion test" and performed well. I've used the 115 gr version of this bullet on varmints in both handloads and Corbon. The Sierra PJHP ("Power Jacket Hollow Point") is one of the most aggressive expanders in 9mm.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid60/pf3a1a532bde2329301bd9df49c4a7185/fc461611.jpg
Not scientific or repeatable to lab standards, this bullet did not show fragmentation as does the 115 gr version.

I had a few of the Triton 125 gr +P JHPs and repeated the "test" done with the Corbon.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid60/pab1f13a61ffc723396eac1075dc49932/fc461610.jpg
I've killed a number of varmints including several javelina with this load and would not be afraid to use it for "serious" purposes. It's rumored that Triton's going under. I do NOT know that for sure. I hope not.

For now, I'll go with the Winchester RA9TA load, but it's hard to get for most folks. I think the Corbon load, which is obtainable, would be a very good load as well. Other folks will have other preferences.

There really were no surprises in this report and while I still don't find the Glock 26 beautiful, I respect it as a reliable pistol that I'd trust to defend me and mine.

Best.

[ACP230]

Stephen:
Although I read your Glock report with interest, this time it didn't make me want to go out and buy the gun reported on. I just can't warm up to Glocks at all.

[Admiral Thrawn]

Wow, great range report! :)

Yes, the Glock 26 is one trustworthy carry gun, that's for sure.

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello, ACP 230. I fully understand your feelings...as they match mine. The little Glock is not a favored handgun to me and I do not have the same "pride of ownership" in it that I do certain other pistols, but the darned thing meets a perceived need. This is one situation in which I can truly say that the pistol is a "tool." This is not meant as any kind of negative toward Glock pistols or their owners, but is merely my own admittedly subjective view.

Were I to actually "use" this in a "serious" matter, its being taken into evidence until I was (hopefully) no-billed by the grand jury wouldn't bother me nearly so much as it would were it a Browning HP or 1911.

Still, I trust the pistol and will most likely hang onto it for protection.

Admiral Thrawn, thank you and I agree that they are reliable. This one's been 100% so far.

Best.

[firestar]

Although I read your Glock report with interest, this time it didn't make me want to go out and buy the gun reported on. I just can't warm up to Glocks at all.

Ditto.

I understand what you mean Stephen, I have serveral guns that I don't really like, but they fill a need in a way that many guns won't. It doesn't have to be pretty to be good. Sometimes, you end up likeing them more for their function than their form anyway. The good news is, nobody HAS to own a Glock if they don't want to. There are many other guns that do about the same thing as a Glock without giving up on the things you need.

Stephen, you BHP range reports made me want to go out and but a BHP so much that I did! Sort of, I got a FM Detective to test the waters but I found that I liked them and I will be getting a real BHP soon. I doubt I would ever have givin the BHPs a second look if it weren't for the loyal BHP fans that I have heard from on these boards. I thought they were outdated and worthless but I have never found a double stack 9mm that felt better in my hands than the BHP. I have small-medium hands and the grips is really confortable.

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. I agree with you on the BHPs. I continue to like them and will continue to use them.

Best.

[stevec]

Thanks for the range report. I don't generally like Glocks, but I actually think the G26 is a great little package - the Kahr PM9 seems like a better carry pistol, but I suspect the G26 is easier to shoot (never shot the Kahr, but I find the G26 very easy to shoot).

But the 9mm subcompact gun market is getting really interesting these days, and it looks like there are lots of contenders for the "best almost-pocket 9mm" prize. I'm hoping that you eventually get a chance to review the CZ RAMI and XD Subcompact ;)

Steve

[10-Ring]

Thanks for another well done report! I'm not that big a fan of Glocks either...I'll go through a few other brands before I would recommend one to anybody.
Anyway, I too purchased for perceived need and have found that my 36 fits a niche unlike anyone else out there!

[CZF]

Stephen, even with the pearce grip adapter. my G26 feels like
it is going to fly outta my hand when i shoot it. I much prefer the
CZ83 or my P01 for more of a control during rapid-fire.

They however, are heavier and larger than the Baby Glock.
Looks like your gun really liked the old standbye 9BP load.
Mine favors the 124 gr +P Speer load that it is stoked with
right now.The SENTRY 9mm really fun to shoot thru it!

I've always found the 9mm Glocks to be more reliable than
other calibers. The G26 has never missed a beat. The P01
is a very soft shooting 9mm by comparison to say a 75B.
The Baby Glock seems better for recoil and shot recovery. The dual recoil spring design really works well.

My G26 has a mushy trigger, and i prefer CZ83's silky and
light DA and superb SA guns in this regard.

Most of my CZs are older guns. The Glock design being early
80's is still as modern as can be by today's standards.

I have PT NITES on my Cee-Zeds and get a better
sight picture, as opposed to the Glock's standard sights. I know that with PTs on my G30 i could hit much better.

KUDOS on another great review.

your friend,

CZ75ID

[Island Beretta]

Stephen:

Thanks again!! the G26 is a dandy little carry piece indeed and very popular though not to my liking!!

Cheers:
:)

[WhoKnowsWho]

I've been wanting a G26 for a while... thanks for rubbing in another nice review!

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello and thank you all.

Best.

[DonGlock26]

Great review Stephen. The G-26 carries like a small pistol and shoots like a full sized one. If anyone doesn't care for the stock trigger, I recommend trying a 3.5# connector with a NY-1 trigger spring(8#). The trigger feels like a light (6#) smooth double action trigger. Stephen, you may want to try a finger extension on one magazine to see how you like it.

Don

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello and thank you. I did try the finger extensions, but they were not for me. I do know others who prefer them on the G26 pistols.

Best.

[zorba]

I have both the 26 & 27, they are very nice little shooters. I use the Pearce +1 on the 27, it gives me better control, adds one round and doesn't add much to the grip. I don't buy a gun for looks, I want a gun to be reliable and Glock fills the need nicely. My 27 is on my hip most of the time in an Alessi Talon Plus, I like the easy on/off with the clip. The only things I added were the Pearce +1 and Meprolights.

[JohnKSa]

Fed 9BP, Fiocchi, and Winchester USA are generally the accuracy winners in my 9mms--in the listed order. I see that your results are similar, although it looks like you might have a flier with the Fiocchi. ;)

Another great review...

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hahahahahahahahahhaaha! Me and the fliers are very well acquainted!

Best.

[HankB]

Stephen -

Nice report on the G26. I got one myself after getting disgusted with a Kahr P9. (MANY problems, already mentioned in another thread.) Though a bit bulkier than the Kahr was, my G26 has always worked, and even when shooting it with a loose thumb-and-index-finger only grip (in an unsuccessful effort to induce malfunctions) the G26 has not exhibited the "limp wrist syndrome" of my G17.

You listed some ballistics data for the G26:

Winchester "USA" 115 gr FMJ:
Average Velocity: 1097 ft/sec
Extreme Spread: 87
Std. Deviation: 40

I tried 10 rounds of the the same ammo through my G17:

Winchester "USA" 115 gr FMJ:
Average Velocity: 1213 ft/sec
Extreme Spread: 39
Std. Deviation: 12

Just another data point.

Now I need a good IWB holster. I currently have an Alessi Watch Six Dual Talon, and, well, lets just say I like the gun more than I do the holster. The holster is so short it doesn't keep the gun butt close like it should, and the Talon clips don't always grip like they should. (Yeah, I've tried a variety of good belts.) Maybe I'll get a Milt Sparks VersaMax II for the G17 and carry the G26 in it . . . the VMII works very well for my BHP or full size 1911.

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello, sir. I appreciate your reply concerning the variation in the Winchester USA 115 gr ball. Here a while back, I thought I was losing my mind or the chronograph had gone goofy, but it does appear that later lots of the stuff than I was shooting is a bit hotter. I finally saw this confirmed over at www.ammolab.com.
I have a fairly large cache of Winchester ball and am currently working through the oldest stuff first. My "range reports" are of the "I-did-this/this-is-what-happened" sort so I did buy a couple of boxes of the newer stuff and got velocities similar to yours, but no difference in grouping from 4 different 9mm pistols so I didn't feel it hurt anything to use the stuff that was already paid for in the tests. In other words, if the "old" USA shot OK, so did the new. This might not turn out to be the case in each and every circumstance, but to a degree, each gun's a law unto itself.

By the way, I don't know if anyone's interested, but over at www.cheaperthandirt.com, they're selling Triton 125 gr +P Hi Vel JHPs at about $6.00 per box of twenty. That is a very good price for ammo that's performed very, very well for me. I ordered a bit more.

Again, thank you, sir.

Best.

[JohnKSa]

I believe there are at least two "flavors" of Winchester USA floating around.

One is sold in 50 round boxes and has a copper colored jacketed bullet.

The other is sold only in the 100 round Wal-Mart value packs and has a brass colored jacketed bullet.

Haven't bought any of the 50 round boxes for awhile, so they may have changed, but when the 100 round value packs started showing up, I thought it was interesting that the bullets looked quite different.

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello, sir. You are exactly correct. I have not bought the Walmart "value packs," but have measured some of it and chronographed it. I got some pretty significant deviations in COL when I miked 20 of the loaded rounds and pretty significant extreme spreads. I could sure be wrong, but I don't think the stuff's as consistent as the Winchester simply marked "USA."

Best.

[George Hill]

Stephen A. Camp = Great Review. Thank you. You've raised the bar, and have just increased the property value around here.

Well done.

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello, sir. Thank you very much.

Best.

PS: Got an 8 3/8" Model 29 I am kind of getting in the mood to "test."

[garrettwc]

My comments in no particular order:

- Great review. You're saving me a small fortune in gun rag purchases:D

- Ditto your feelings on the emotional attachment. Losing my pristine blued Colt or my Series 1 Kimber to the evidence locker would stress me no end. Not so the Glock

- The statement above aside, there is some fondness/curiousity for the simple utility of the Glocks.

- I was surprised at the accuracy/control of the little Glock especially with the short grip.

[denfoote]

Stephen,
As usual, a great, informative report.

I for one am a fan, although not wildly enthusiastic, of the Glock.

As touching the G26, I trust the mechanism enough to entrust my lovely wife's well being into it's capable hands. :D

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. Well, thanks. I do appreciate it. I understand what you mean about trusting it enough to protect your wife. That brought up a memory.....kind of a mistake, but at least it worked out OK:

A few years ago, my wife, not a shooter by any means, decided that it was indeed a good idea for her to know how to operate and shoot a pistol just for her. I'd started her out on a Walter PP in .32 ACP, but was never really comfortable with the caliber, although that gun was reliable with JHPs and with her little hands, it did not maim her with slide-bite.

Anyway, I took her to the range when no one else was there and let her shoot any handgun I owned from J and K-frame S&Ws to various 1911s, the Glock 26, my beloved Browning Hi Powers, a P7, CZ75s, and so forth.

"Luckily," she picked a SIG-Sauer P225 as it felt "nicer" than the others.

Whew! I just knew a prized 1911 or P-35 would be her choice.

Best.

[Stevie-Ray]

Nice and complete range report. My 26 has made me a believer in Glock pistols. It is the only Glock I have, but I do enjoy it very much. It was a move that involved getting something to replace a Taurus Millenium. I later sold the Millenium and never looked back. My Glock is my secondary carry and probably will be for a long time.

[Zip06]

Excellent review as usual. I purchased a Glock 26 when they were announced and it replaced my Sig 230. The Glock is excellent but a bit bulky for front pocket carry, darn it. Could not ask for any more reliability out of a firearm. Mine only has about 4k through it and has never missed a beat. Like you, I tried the Pearce grip but now I use the standard magazine. Good Review, Good Gun.

[Intune]

Thank you sir for the concise report. I believe the “beauty” found in a Glock is its functionality. No tweaks, buffs, dehorning, nada. Box stock. Weight, tough finish, abbreviated butt (I too prefer the flush magazine) and the trust that it will deliver a round upon request make my G27 a daily companion. 135gr CorBons stoking it and the amount of firepower, in addition to shootability, contained in a platform that is controlled by two fingers and a thumb on the grip is amazing. Well, there is that small issue of a trigger finger but I digress. It accompanies me nestled firmly in a Kramer IWB but has been known to ride in a Kramer Confidant (I think that’s what it’s called) t-shirt holster with ease. I MUST get one of Lou Alessi’s ankle rigs for when that mode of carry is called for. The Uncle Mikes ankle that I have just doesn’t fit ME (no slam to UM) and everything that I have read & heard points to Lou’s as one of the best. I add a rule to the basic four of safe gun handling when carrying my Glock but I believe it could apply to all pistols.

#5. Be absolutely sure that nothing obstructs or could potentially obstruct the trigger when BEGINNING to holster your weapon. Shirttails and fingers are Foreign Objects in regards to holstering.

Thank you again for the report.

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello and thanks. I appreciate the kind words and encouragement.

Best.

PS: That's sage advice concerning the shirt-tails and the trigger! I know of one discharge when an officer's thumb break got into the trigger guard.

[denfoote]

Stephen,
Sir, I feel your pain!!! ;)

The Glock 26 in question USED to be MY primary carry pistol!!!!! :rolleyes: :banghead:

Yes dear!! Yes dear!!! :evil:

[kalibear45]

Stephen Camp likes Glocks now!

Did hell freeze over? :D

Joking aside, nice range report as usual Stephen. You're gonna have to start charging us for reading some of your excellent reviews!

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello, sir, and thank you.

Best.

PS: I do have something that's coming up for sale posted in the For Sale area. If interested, here's the link:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20481