Carrying a G19 vs G26

[toivo]

Also, the 26/27 is only around 1/2" smaller and 1oz. lighter, yet you're giving up 4-5rds, a full grip and increased sight radius.

The 19 is only 1/2" inch longer than the 26, but it's almost a full inch taller: 5" compared to 4.17". I find my 26 to be more comfortable to shoot than some of my pistols that have a full-length grip. And it's true that the 26 gives up some capacity, but if the OP already has a 19, he can carry full-cap 19 mags as reloads.

Is the size different enough to justify buying another gun? That's something he's going to have to decide for himself. I can see how he might want something slimmer, but I don't think any of the slimmer guns are going to be as comfortable to shoot as a 26. Maybe that doesn't matter.

 

[Breakmyfootoff]

Its ridiculous to say that the 19 conceals as easily as the 26. I'm not saying the 19 is particularly hard to hide, but the 26 is even easier. The hardest part of a gun to keep hidden is the butt, the shorter the grip, the easier is is to keep from showing it. I carry my 26 every day, normally wearing some type of gym shorts and a t-shirt with the 10 round magazine in it, and a 17 round back up magazine. IMO the main argument for going with the 26 is that its easy to make the 26 bigger by just adding a larger magazine and grip extension, but making the 19 smaller requires some serious chopping.

 

[REAPER4206969]

Dial a little more forward cant in on your holster and the grip difference is meaningless.

 

[Breakmyfootoff]

Still, regardless of which holster, or degree of cant, or shirt material, or any other number of variables, the fact remains that a pistol with smaller physical dimensions will be easier to hide than a pistol with larger dimensions.

 

[skywalkrNCSU]

So you want to compromise your capability for comfort?

Yep.

I don't feel the need for more capability than 7 rounds of 9mm especially since there are a lot of times I won't carry my 19 due to comfort and not being able to easily conceal.

 

[Cards81fan]

Sorry to bash people that say 19's conceal as well as 26's....NO they don't. Yes you can conceal them fine (I carried a 19 for a long time) But a 26 is SMALLER, It's not opinion, it's math! Smaller guns conceal better. smaller grip is everything. I would never carry my G19 concealed over the 26 again.

This. I am not a Glock fan, but the 26 is the best CCW pistol I ever owned. It was the easiest to carry of any non-pocket pistol I had ever seen, combined with the capacity of many full-size pistols.

The shorter slide and grip make it much more concealable than a 19 or similar size pistol (in my case, XD 4"). I wear my shirts fairly trim fit (5'10" and 175), and I could wear them with the 26. Not so with the others.

I kick myself daily for selling that pistol. It had trijicons on it too

 

[Kingofthehill]

Most important thing about CCW

Width of the pistol and grip length. You can have a 7" barrel and really its no big deal. Its the grip frame and Width that is key.

the 26/27 will and does hide better than a 19/23 that is 100% truth.

Now there is something to be said about the person not doing it right if they can't conceal a 19 but they can a 26. With the options out there currently available, if you can't find a holster to conceal just about anything, than you are doing it wrong.

I have holsters that will not allow me to conceal a 3.5" 1911... but i have holsters that let me fully conceal a full steal 5" 1911.

Just gotta do your homework and there is almost no way around it but you will own several holsters.

 

[CDW4ME]

I carry the subcompact Glocks 27/33 way more than the compact 19/23. Why?
The subcompacts are small enough for me to carry in the appendix position; in a clip-on Kydex holster the subcompact disappears under a untucked t-shirt and I don't have to worry at all about printing.
Appendix position is quick to access and much easier to get to when seated in vehicle.
The subcompacts are also better for me in a Smartcarry when wearing gym / sweatshorts and a t-shirt.

 

[Aiko492]

I also have both the G19 and G26-love both (the G26 is actually more accurate in my hands). Just some thoughts. There are thinner and easier to conceal guns available, but I was drawn more to reliability as my #1 factor- for IWB I carry Glocks and HK. As long as you do not add the pinky extension/mag extension to the G26, it does conceal better IMO than the G19. Key though, is the holster. After a few cheap Uncle Mike's, I bought a Galco Summer Comfort which is ok. I really hit my stride with these guns w/IWB when I bought the CompTac MTAC (awesome). Similar to the Crossbreed. Anyway, the G26 is special gun. Mine is a Gen 4. I have owned HK's for 16 years and love this 26 and it will be with me for the long haul.

 

[GLOOB]

It depends on how you carry. I find it conceals a little bit better, but it's a lot more comfortable. Still it ain't no picnic. I would usually rather carry one of my 9x18's.

I thought a G27 concealed well on me, even with a T shirt. Then one day a friend asks me "What're you packin'?" I was holding a bag in my hand, and I told her what was in it. She pressed, and it took me a few seconds before it dawned on me what she was talking about. I looked down, and nothing was printing. The width of the gun was what gave it away. I'm a fairly big boy at 6" 230lbs, with just enough belly to call a gut. Apparently it ain't enough to hide a Glock. That friend was the only one who ever made me, though, and she happens to be a manager of a bank. I dunno if that actually means anything, but I thought it might be more than a coincidence.

 

[Girodin]

I have a 19 a 26 and a Kahr. For me the kahr hides notably better than the glocks. I don't find there is a lot of difference in concealing the 19 and the 26. I prefer the 19 or the 26 with grip extension to the 26 with a ten round mag. From a low ready I can shoot the 26 with the 10 round mags just fine but when it comes to drawing from concealed I'm faster and more consistent with extension or the 19.

Any of the three can be a very viable carry gun. I mostly carry a 26 but am thinking of switching to my steyr that is roughly the same size as the G19. If I really wanted something that concealed a lot better than my 19 I'd look more to the kahr than the 26.

 

[SIGLBER]

I've carried a G27 for years and have shot allot of the G26's. The G19 is a better all around gun. But the G26/G27 is an excellent gun for replacing a small framed revolver. It is not a true pocket pistol. Well at least not in jeans pockets anyways. But in the summer they are great in a belly band or IWB holster. Ar the easier to carry in light attire in the summer than the G19? They are but not by as much as you would think.
Most folks put a grip extender on the G26/G27 so their baby finger doesn't hang off the bottom of the frame. Once you do this it is almost as big as the G19's grip. The grip is the most difficult part of the gun to conceal. Havig said that I wouldn't think twice about getting a G26 if I wanted one. They are very accurate by the way for a little gun. But if you want the utmost in concealment then I would look at the Kahr's, Kel Tec PF9, or something along those lines.
Allot of people don't like the little Kel Tec's but my P32, P3AT, and PF9 have been great. The PF9 had to go back to the factory for work when I first got it. It had an older style magazine release that needed to be replaced. Since then it just rocks. It does recoil pretty hard. I have a Kahr MK4o. I bought it right after they first came out with them. it's built like a Swiss watch. Some of the folks at my range have had problems with some of the Kahr polymer guns. But Kahr fixed them. The new CM9 (economy version of the PM9) has been getting good reviews. That or the CW9 (3.5" barreled version) would make a great carry gun.

 

[psp7304]

I have a Kahr CM9 I purchased several weeks ago. It is much thinner than my Glock 26. I have fired 500 rounds through the CM9 with no malfunction using fmj and jhp ammo. The accuracy of this little pistol is amazing. I'm a Glock guy but a single stack 9mm took me to the CM9. I like the CM9 so much that I sold my Glock 26.

I also looked a the the Walther PPS but did not care for the mag release being on the trigger guard. Also, the CM9/PM9 is smaller than the PPS.

 

[jon86]

So you want to compromise your capability for comfort?

A G19 is a compromise from a G17. A G17 is a compromise from a pump shotgun. A shotgun is a compromise from a FAL. A FAL is a compromise from calling in an air strike. Every handgun is a compromise. The OP was asking a question about carrying a smaller gun, and this is the most constructive answer you could give him?

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

I previously owned a Glock 27 (.40 caliber cousin to the 26) and now own/carry a Glock 19. I got rid of the 27 because it was top heavy in the holster and would flip outside the waistband (carried IWB with a Galco summer special 2). I found that the Glock 19 grip fit my hand better so I went with that. Yes the Glock 27 was smaller and a bit easier to conceal. For ultra discreet carry where I don't want anyone knowing I have a gun, I carry a Ruger LCP. You may consider something in the Ruger LC9 size range if you want to stick to a 9mm but still have something more concealable.

 

[Jonah71]

I have the G 23, and unless I'm mistaken there's little difference in size from the G 19. While I like the 23, my G 26 IS an easier and lighter gun to carry. For CCW, I've recently decided on the 26. Just make sure you have the right holster.

 

[snooperman]

I like glocks but because of dress attire or body build..

they may be more difficult to conceal . You may want to try the Keltec PF9, a thinner gun and much lighter for conceal carry. They are quite reliable and reasonably priced as well. Go to a gunshop and try them out with an IWB holster before you buy. There are others as well such as the thin Taurus 709 "SLIM" that might work as well. Just some alternatives you might want to consider. Have fun in your search.

 

[Strykervet]

I have a G27 on right now in a Milt Sparks VMII IWB holster with a double thick gun belt. I highly recommend this setup. You gotta have a good holster and a good belt, otherwise it won't matter what you get --if it doesn't fit tight, if it moves, etc., etc.-- then you won't want to wear it and it won't conceal properly.

The G19/23 should hide fine in this rig, considering I use a +1 pinky extension on the G27 (it just doesn't feel right without it) it is almost as long as the G23. The G19/23 would also fit a little deeper in the VMII making it fit tighter I would think. This is the case with my VMII and G29.

On the other hand, you can hide the smaller one easier, like the guy said, it's math. And you have the bonus of using the G17/22 magazines as backup mags. But if you can hide the G19 no problem, then go with that. It is a more natural feeling weapon and more accurate (although I think this is simply due to ergonomics).

Now, if you can handle something a little wider and stouter, the G29/30 is between the size of the G27 and the G23, but wider and a little heavier (closer to the size of the G19/23). Ten rounds of 10mm, very accurate (it is actually my second most accurate Glock behind the G17L) and very powerful. In the VMII holster with the double thick belt, I can hide it under everything but the thinnest over shirt. Just something to mull over if you can hide the G19/23, but can handle something a just a little wider and heavier, and are a little taller or bigger than average.

 

[Strykervet]

Considering the choices you are dealing with, you can't really make a bad one. All the Glocks are great carry pieces, especially the G26/27/33 the G19/23/31, and depending on build/need, the G29/30. There is also the G36. All are great choices for CCW.

So I'm gonna say this again because it is so important. Focus on getting a GREAT holster and belt. You may have to wait awhile for a good one. While some folks like Galco, they are mass produced and not what I consider great. Look at Milt Sparks, Mitch Rosen, and Lou Alessi to start with for some great holsters. The Milt Sparks VMII, VersaMax2, has interchangeable belt loops for different belt thickness, and you can get kydex belt clips so you can tuck in a dress shirt over the holster. It fits tight against the body, and the belt loops are on either side of the IWB holster as opposed to being right on top of the holster. This makes the width profile of the holster much slimmer, spreads out the weight of the firearm, and makes it more comfortable in general. Great, great holster.

For the belt, you need a stiff gun belt, stiff as in that it won't fold. I use a double thick 1.5" belt (when two softer belts are sewn together, they yeild a soft comfortable belt that won't bend or fold). Mine is made by a local leatherworker, but Milt Sparks makes some great belts. Lifelong type stuff, everything they do is handmade, I can't say enough good about them. Definitely worth the wait, if you plan on going with these guys though, I'd order the holster before getting the pistol.

Also, make sure the loops on the holster fit the belt you get. If you get a 1.5" double thick belt from maker A, it may not fit maker B's 1.5" loops. It may be better to get the belt and holster from the same maker.

This holster/belt issue never comes up enough, but it is equally important, maybe more so, than the selection of the firearm itself. It dictates how comfortable the carry will be, how secure the draw and reholster is, and how well both the holster and pistol as a whole conceal against your body. Each component is equally important too --my nice VMII's don't conceal well at all when worn with a cheap department store belt, and my kydex holster with too large loops sort of hangs off my nice gun belt.

 

[smince]

I generally carry a G19 or my 19 w grip trimmed to 26 length for EDC. I carry Appendix-IWB. I usually only carry the G26 when I need to conceal under a dress shirt or similar tucked-in attire (bellyband-type holster).

I used to own a PM9. While it was a great gun, in my real-world carry, it wasn't any harder to conceal the 26 VS the PM9. Plus the benefit of having more rounds, in a more accurate gun that I can shoot at farther ranges if necessary. And it uses my G17 spares for reloads.

I got rid of the 27 because it was top heavy in the holster and would flip outside the waistband

Holster/carry problem. Not the gun's fault.

Most folks put a grip extender on the G26/G27 so their baby finger doesn't hang off the bottom of the frame. Once you do this it is almost as big as the G19's grip.

Even with the +2 extension, the 26 is still 5/8" shorter in the back part of the grip than a standard G19. Think of it as like the rounded mainspring housing Bob-tail mods for a 1911.