Aftermarket Glock 26 Improvements

[GHF]

My armed security instructor carries a Glock 17 with several aftermarket changes that he absolutely loved. I am looking at getting a 26 (in the future to share carry time with my Beretta 9000S) as my personal carry gun - should I end up with a Glock duty gun - and these kind of improvements seem to make an utterly reliable weapon function better.

His weapon has an upgraded trigger, a changed recoil spring, a plug at the bottom of the back strap, and night sights.

I am interested in recommendations for the 26 that would improve the basic weapon - and of course warnings on what to stay away from.

 

[Edmond]

My 26 had an extended slide stop and a 3.5# connector. Both of those can be done in 10 minutes with just a punch. You can buy the Glocks with nite sites now. You will need a nite site installation tool if you want to do it yourself. That tool is $50 itself so it'd be easiest to just buy a gun with nite sites installed.

Some shops won't charge you to install nite sites if you buy from them.

I have Mepro's on my G30. Mepro's are nice, I like them better than Trijicon's.

 

[denfoote]

Hi GHF,
Welcome to THR!!!
Having two G26s, I think I can help.
First, I would not change the trigger, except to make it the same as your duty gun.
That way, you will not have to get used to two different trigger pulls. Also, your department may have a policy specifying a certain pull. Usually in the 8-12 pound range.
Night sights are a must!! Chances are, if you need to pull that BUG, then it's gunna be dark and you are going to be in a situation where you have only a short time to acquire that sight picture!!

The G26 already accepts the mags from both the G17 and G19, so you are fine there!!

Are you sure that you are going to be issued a full size Glock handgun in 9mm??

If you end up with a 40Smith, then you might want to get the G27!! It's the same size as the G26, only in 40Smith!! It also shares mags with it's bigger breathern!!

I hope this helps!!

 

[Hkmp5sd]

In addition to some of the already discussed improvements...

One accessory I have added to all of my Glock and Sigma handguns is the Hogue HANDALL® slip-on rubber grips.

 

[Chris Rhines]

A trigger job is always a good idea. At a minimum, I would install (or have installed) a Ghost Rocket 3.5# connector with overtravel stop, and polish the face of the trigger. Makes a big difference in shooting comfort.

If you want the best possible Glock trigger, go here: http://www.vanekcustom.com/index.htm

Sights. I like the Heinie Slant Pro night sights. They run $105 from Heinie, plus whatever your gunsmith charges for installation. You can send Richard Heinie your Glock slide, and he'll send it back to you with the sights installed for $175, including FedEx Next Day shipping.

There are other good tritium sights out there, but I think that the Heinies are the best.

I don't care for Hogue Handalls at all - they make an already large pistol way too fat in the middle. If you want to improve the Glock grip, the best product I've ever used is the Eric Wesselman TruGrip: http://www.ericwesselman.com/index.html

I'd get a bunch of ISMI magazine springs and Handgunner Outlet +1 followers for your magazines.

The plug in the backstrap channel is nice to have. I wouldn't replace the stock recoil spring/guide rod unless I had problems with it - however, a couple of spare recoil springs would be nice to have.

- Chris

 

[victory]

Night sights. Aside from that, don't mess with perfection! I have zero problems making any shot with standard mepro night sights and the stock trigger. Just last week while shooting i did a 5 shot group at 35 yards which, excluding a single flyer, i could fit my hand over. I consider that impressive for such a small gun.

 

[valor1]

When I bought my Glock 26, the first thing I replaced is the plastic sights. I used a metal sight with tritium inserts (meprolights because i'm a bit cheap). I bought the +2 base pads to give my pinky a place to rest. I bought lots of ammo and went on shooting. After that, I bought a 3.5 connector to give it a softer trigger. That's all there is. 100% reliable.

 

[victory]

don't knock mepro's, they are inexpensive but are excellent quality sights for a combat gun.

 

[Rockstar]

The G26 is a great pistol. If you don't like the grooved trigger, you can install a G17 trigger, yourself, which'll give you a smooth-faced trigger. Your dept. very well might not permit the use of the 3.5# connector, although lots of people carry Glocks with 3.5# triggers. I see no purpose for the plug, but do like night sights. Take a look at Ameriglos. They are excellent sights in several configurations, and some of their designs permit installation without special tools.

You might want to look in on glocktalk.com to get some more input on Glocks.

 

[jc2]

You definitely want to look at a Cominolli safety for your G26--a definite plus for a concealed weapon.

 

[Skofnung]

Honestly, I carry my G26 box stock, except a (very) little polishing on the innards. I may get some "night sights" in the future, but so far, I have not needed them. I also carry a Surefire.

So far it has been 100% reliable, and accurate.

 

[Hemi Magnum]

I also prefer my G26 stock. The only option I'd consider is maybe swapping out the sights with Heinie's. The G26 is one awesome little pistol. The last time at the range, somebody asked what I was shooting, because I was tearing up the bullseye at 40 ft. Later, the same person was checking one out in the store section at the range.

 

[fastbolt]

My G26 has had night sights installed, and I don't plan on changing anything else ...

I have a Glock 3.5# connector I could install, but I won't ... and I've tried NY1 triggers and don't care for them for my weapons. The stock connector and trigger configuration is plenty fine for defensive use, and it's amazing how the stress of some situations decreases some folk's sensitivity and awareness of how "strong or light" trigger pull weights may "feel". A finely tuned 4# trigger is an advantage in a 1911, when used in the hands of a highly trained person who spends a great deal of time engaged in physically challenging training with that trigger ... or in the hands of a very skilled shooter in one of the sporting venues ... but in the hands of most ordinary folks (non-L/E & L/E alike) lighter triggers aren't necessarily an advantage, and may increase the potential for a ND in an unexpected, highly stressful, life threatening situation.

I have a smooth-faced trigger w/trigger bar I could install, but the stock one doesn't bother me at all, even during extended range practice sessions.

The stock magazine springs and captured recoil guide rod & spring has functioned just fine with everything I've used in the pistol so far ... standard pressure 115gr & 115 +P+, 127gr +P+ & 147gr ... and I'll change both the magazine springs and the recoil spring assembly on some reasonable periodic basis.

While I don't see the need to add anything to the grips, some folks might feel they would benefit from some enhancement. As long as what they choose doesn't adversely affect the operation of the pistol ... and I've seen some sleeve-type additions eventually interfere with both the magazine catch and the free insertion/removal of the magazines ... then that's probably more a matter of personal choice.

I think a lot of folks tempt fate by trying to highly modify & "customize" something which doesn't really need it in the first place ... or, trying to "fix" something which isn't yet broken.

I expect my G26 to last a long, long time ... with reasonable maintenance and quality ammunition. It functions perfectly reliably as it is.

Ditto for my G27.

Just my thoughts ... but in many circumstances it's more the user of the pistol that can better benefit from some "upgrades" and "enhancements", especially when it comes to training, than the pistol.

 

[Onmilo]

My Glock 26 has Factory Glock 34 upgrades,(extended slide release, smooth trigger, 3 1/2 lb connector), and fixed MMC green glow Night Sights.

 

[victory]

You definitely want to look at a Cominolli safety for your G26--a definite plus for a concealed weapon.

A solution looking for a problem.

 

[nhhillbilly]

Glock 26 improvements night sights, shooting a couple of thousand rounds of ammo and a great holster. Milt Sparks VMII. Nothing else until you have put a couple of thousand rounds through it. Great gun.


BTW your dept will probably not allow any changes internally. Mine doesn't. Don't worry the gun doesn't need any.

 

[Onmilo]

Ahhhh, the nice thing about being a citizen, If you can afford the lawyer, you can use any mod you want!