I know, asked a 1000 times... does LC9s make sense vs G26 ?

Only in the sense that it is thinner. If you like Glock, and you want thin, but you don't like 380- go with a Glock 43.

Not sure how much I can add to the conversation but here goes. I own a Glock 19 (previously owned a Glock 27) and a Kel Tec PF-9. I carry my PF-9 on most days, especially when the weather gets warmer. I prefer to carry my Glock 19 but circumstances don't always allow for such a large gun. I chose the PF-9 over the LC-9 for two reasons. It doesn't have the magazine disconnect safety and the price was almost half.

If I owned a Glock 26 then I probably wouldn't have gotten the PF-9. There are holsters that make the Glock 26 more easily concealed. Alien Gear holsters has a neoprene IWB holster that virtually makes it disappear. I carry my Glock 19 in a Safariland #5188 OWB holster. It is more comfortable with such a large gun. The Glock 26 and LC-9 would conceal in a Sneaky Pete holster quite well. Hope that helps.

There's really little difference between the LC9S and G26.

My first advice, based on your comments, is buy pants that fit you instead of squeezing yourself into those 32" waist pants. Cheaper than buying another gun. If you want another gun buy it but I don't think it's going to solve your perceived problem

The LC9S is only about 1/4" slimmer and 1/2" shorter in lenght than the G26. The 26 is a little bit shorter in height but weighs approximately 5 oz more. The plus side to the extra width and weight is the G26 will probably recoil less giver you greater control and speed in your shooting. The extra size of the 26 also gets you 3 more rounds.

You complain the G26 is too bulky and heavy. The numbers show its not that much bigger. The weight difference is also negligible. I don't think a LC9S will solve your problem. Bigger pants probably will. Wearing a 34 waist does not make you fat.

I've carried a G26 for about 20 years.

If you like the way G26 shoots, before you consider any replacement purchase, I would highly recommend you shoot the other subcompacts before making your decision.

There are considerable differences in felt recoil, trigger and accuracy.

I have used two G22s for match shooting for years and the subcompact version G27 shoots surprisingly close that I would not hesitate to use it for match shooting if I needed to.

In the end, it's the holes on target that matters. If you can't hit your target, it doesn't matter how small, light or concealable your pistol is.

I am rather fond of my Kel-Tec P11. It shoots well, and beats any .380.

Both companies make a quality product they stand behind. Both guns have a good street rep so far. IMO buy the one you like best. If you like the gun you will practice more and practice is a necessity.

I ditched my 26 (among 3 or 4 other doublestack "sub/compacts") because it was thick and stubby and just felt funky.

While I don't own a LC9s, I do have the Shield and have spent plenty of time behind the LC9 and LC9s. Both are more balanced than the 26, and both conceal easier. Accuracy is easy with either out to 25 yards you just need some trigger time to get used to either.


Also, try a nice pancake holster and untucked shirt, you'll never go back to stuffing a pistol down your pants again.

People have posted the side by side stats on the differences between the various " compact " pocket autos; but the small dimentional changes can make great out of proportion changes in the way the the guns carry in pocket or hip holster.

I have a G27 that is a great compact gun for me but the Shield carries much better in a pocket holster and the LC9/Pf9 size is even better. (For me).

I think ideally you have to try out your planned carry with a holster and what ever carry stule you plan to use......... I know, tough while you're oogling in the gun store.

khegglie said:

People have posted the side by side stats on the differences between the various " compact " pocket autos; but the small dimentional changes can make great out of proportion changes in the way the the guns carry in pocket or hip holster.

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Indeed. The SR9c is even thinner than the G26, weighs about the same yet there's a world of difference carrying the SR9c and the LC9s.

The LC9s isn't at all unpleasant to shoot for me. I'm not as accurate with it as with my SR9c, particularly when shooting rapidly.

Depending on how you carry, or your personal preferences, a quarter inch here and a couple ounces there can really make a difference.

For example, I don't think I could carry a G26 in my gym shorts. I know I can do the LCP just fine.

Wanderling

I like everything about my G26

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Me Too. The g26 is probibly my favorate gun of all time. The little gun that shoots as well or better than the bigger Glocks.

However, it*is*heavy and bulky enough that a dedicated every day carry may become a chore.

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Chubby is the word you are looking for.

So, I was looking at LCP

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Why, The G42 is a great little shooter.

The next logical step would be a LC9s...

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How do you figure? I would think the G43 would be the “next logical step”.

I carry a PF9, which I would not recommend to someone who prefers Glocks because of the action/trigger differences. I only bring it up because it's similar in size and weight to the Ruger.

Is it a "grab-and-go" gun for me? Pretty much, but it depends on what I'm wearing. I'm always in jeans, and the Kel-Tec does print pretty good in those pockets. But, I'm also in the habit of putting it on when I get dressed, anyways. I carry "ITB", which is inside the belt, but outside the pants, in an IWB holster. If it's not already on, it's fairly easy to grab the gun/holster combo, let the belt out a hole, and slip it into place. No fiddling with the pants is necessary.

Many others here who carry this pistol do report that they can pocket-carry it fairly easy in pants other than jeans.

I.e. is it a real grab & go gun, not "get your IWB holster and the sturdy belt and the pants with some room, adjust until it's comfortable, then finally go" gun ?

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I don't own a Ruger LC-9, but I do own both a Glock 26 and a S&W Shield (also a single stack pistol pretty much exactly the same size as the LC-9).

The vast majority of the time I rotate between the Glock 26, the S&W Shield and then the Glock 23 (winter) depending on what I'm doing and what the weather is like. The vast majority of the time I'm carrying the Glock 26.

The single stack carry pistol size I'm talking about is the S&W Shield, the Beretta Nano, the Ruger LC-9, Kahr PM-9, Walther PPS, Sig 290, Glock 43 and so size on as far as the width dimensions go.

Really the only difference between the Glock 26 and the single stack carry guns above is the ability to slip the single stack carry pistols into a pocket with a pocket holster and still be able to draw that pistol easily because of their lesser width.

Because of the dimensions of most cargo, Jean, Carhartt, Dickies and Docker pockets cramming a double stack Glock 26 into their pockets and then being able to draw it quickly is going to be more difficult than it is with a single stack. It just is. I know this because I've tried it and then trained with a Walther PPS, a S&W Shield and a Glock 42 (yeah, I know it's a .380. Still just slightly smaller than a G43) on a timer.

The Glock 26 for being as small and concealable as it is, it's still basically a belt and holster pistol unless you're wearing clown pants.

So if you're looking for a 'grab it and go gun' for all occasions where you don't have to worry about messing with a belt and belt holster at all unless you want to I'd choose one from the above list or some other one with the same basic dimensions and pocket carry that one.

I'd go with a jacket pocket instead of a pants pocket if at all possible if the weather permits it. You'll be able to draw it easier from a variety of positions while moving (try drawing a pocket pistol in your pants pocket while at a fast walk or while a friend merely jostles and shoves you), but in my opinion that's basically what you're looking for.

That's pretty much why I'll almost always put up with the hassle of dealing with the Glock 26 and a belt holster, but sometimes the social situations I'm in demands an even more concealable pistol than that and so I have to go with something else.

They're kind of apples and oranges. The G26 is a double-stack, LC9 a single-stack. If you're willing to carry a double-stack pistol without complaint, do it. More rounds are better.

Otherwise, with Glock's newer single-stack 9mm it doesn't seem fair or sensible to compare the LC9 to the G26.

I think the LC9s Pro is an excellent step down in size from the G26. Neither has an active safety so operation is similar, point and shoot. After I bought the LC9s Pro the Glock G43 became widely available but I see no huge advantage moving to it since neither accepts Glock doublestack magazines. Also, I normally carry the G26 anyway.

Dimensionally, not a heck of a lot of difference between a G26 and a LC9s, except for rounds. If you're a 32" waist (or even 34"), a LC9s is not a drop in your back pocket kind of gun. I know, 'cause I wear 32" jeans and I have both. It's all about give and take. Personally, I'd go with a LCP or P3AT or go OWB and a shirt over with the G26.

^^^^

Onward A. The butt length of the G26 (7) makes it a better pocket size ve the Shield or Ruger but it is a bit too "chbby" as someone beautifully described.
A trade off for the double stack.
I can fit the G27 in my ba k pocket due to the grip height (I ain't size 32" anymore though)!

I have a glock 27 that I normally ccw, but came apon a really good deal on a lc9s pro and bit the bullet so to speak lol ruger a great little gun and carries much easier. glock 27 will be for winter use now, and lc9s for lighter times like spring and summer

If I could steer this topic just a bit, I just bought a new Walther PPS M2 and I just put the first 100 rds. through it yesterday without a hiccup, and I like the sights, (great) trigger, and the way it shoots straight out of the box better than any G-26 I can remember shooting, and I've been a Glock owner and a big fan for years!

Wanderling said:

I like everything about my G26 - it's extremely reliable, simple to service, great to shoot, and has a decent magazine capacity.

However, it is heavy and bulky enough that a dedicated every day carry may become a chore. Do I grab it when just making a quick run to the corner drug store ? I am no longer a 32" waist stud, and there's just not that much space inside my belt to share with anything...

So, I was looking at LCP, but I can't warm up to a .38.

The next logical step would be a LC9s... But is there really that much positive difference between it and G26 (easier to carry, pocketable) to justify living with negatives (an added expense, not as pleasant to shoot, smaller capacity, a gun I am not as familiar with as I am with a Glock).

I.e. is it a real grab & go gun, not "get your IWB holster and the sturdy belt and the pants with some room, adjust until it's comfortable, then finally go" gun ?

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I carry the LCP and it is a great carry gun.

Why exactly is it that you can't "warm up" to .380ACP? Is it all the weenies that say it is ineffective even though they are just talking BS?

If you do get the LC9s, make sure it is the Pro model (no magazine disconnect, no extrnal safety).

The Ruger LC9s Pro, Glock 43, or Walther PPS M2 IMO would be better choices for CCW 9mm than a Glock 26.

One thing to consider is that "skinnier" usually means "more felt recoil." You're concentrating the recoil force on a smaller area. I find the LC9S and the Kel-Tec PF9 to have more felt recoil than a G26 or a Beretta Nano.

I have used the Aholster brand IWB holsters for years now. Mostly for the G23, however, now I'm carrying a G26 in the same brand holster, very comfortable, minimal in size and great retention. Everyone has their own tastes, I'd go with the G26 over the Ruger.