which 9mm pistol: g43x, g26, s&w ez?

which 9mm pistol for both ccw and shooting range?

  • glock 43x

    Votes: 22 42.3%

  • glock 26

    Votes: 18 34.6%

  • s&w shield ez

    Votes: 12 23.1%
  • Total voters
    52
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jstert

jstert

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i don’t have a 9mm semiauto pistol. i am a longtime revolver fan but 38sp ammo price/availability remains lousy and i don’t expect this situation to improve much, ever. my favorite round, wadcutter, is unobtanium these days.

i noticed some hand dexterity issues recently when using speedloaders, i’m getting old. i really enjoy my ruger sr22, reloading a pistol is faster than a revolver and its operation is more fluid, making me rethink a j-frame snubbie as a ccw. i am not a recoil junkie. i like a keltec p32 as a deep ccw but its ammo too is pricey and hard to find, plus i may have a need for a heftier round than 32acp.

i have handled all three of these 9mm pistols. i’m looking for something that can be a comfortable 9mm ccw but also one that i can shoot extensively (low cost, high comfort) for practice. i have a s&w shield ez 380acp that i like but the 380acp ammo situation is even worse than 38sp. my sons keep telling me to just go get a glock.

opinions on your own experience with any of these three 9mm pistols, and ccw holsters to match, most appreciated. next up is finding a shooting range with all three for rent. thanks.
 
EDC G43x MOS here. Carries easier than G26 since slimmer. G43x is pretty snappy to shoot. I'd try them all to see which one suits your style best!
 
jstert said:
i don’t have a 9mm semiauto pistol.

i noticed some hand dexterity issues recently when using speedloaders, i’m getting old.
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A Glock would be a fine choice. However, since Glock is offered in almost all sizes, I'd at least handle some models running the size gamut from the little ones up to the bigger guns like the G19/G17/G34 to let you decide where you want to compromise - shootablity vs conceal-ability.

You may find those little guns give you more recoil than you want, and with your reduced dexterity, you may have trouble working those little guns.
 
My vote goes to the Glock 26. It's a gun that shoots incredibly well despite being a subcompact. It can accept also Glock 19, 17 and 33 rounds magazines. Furthermore, the choice of holsters and accessories is practically infinite. It is up to you whether to choose Gen 3, Gen 4 or Gen 5. Personally I would choose Gen 3 because I do not consider the changes introduced with subsequent generations to justify the higher price.
 
I have a G43 and G19. I've have had a G26 in the past. I much prefer the Sig 365 to either. The Sig is the same overall size as the G43, but comes with 10 round magazines. You can get 12 and 15 round magazines for it. For IWB carry and 10 round magazines it has largely replaced the G43. With 12 round magazines it has replaced the G19. I also like that the Sig is available with, or without a 1911 style safety. Mine, and my wife's both have the safety.

But between your options I'd get the G43, and if you want something bigger skip the G26 and go straight to the G19 as a 2nd gun. I can carry the G19 just as easy as the G26 so I never felt it served a purpose.
 
Voted for the Glock 26. Before the P365 was a thing I carried one for a long time, still do occasionally. Not on the list, but my other option to consider is a P365X or XL.
 
jmr40 said:
I have a G43 and G19. I've have had a G26 in the past. I much prefer the Sig 365 to either.
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I’ve got a 26 and a 19, and you’ve convinced me to try a 365 as soon as I can spot one locally. I’ve heard nothing but great things about the 365. Personally I was settled on the 19, but dad gummit y’all are serious enablers.
 
jstert said:
I have handled all three of these 9mm pistols.
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If you haven't formed a strong opinion (positive or negative) on the Glock vs M&P grip, then I think you haven't shot them enough.

They're all high quality pistols, but I would be very surprised if you're equally comfortable shooting any of them.
 
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I have not shot any of the three pistols that you have listed
I would find a rental range that has them or friends that will let you shoot there's.

A number of years ago I was in the market for a single stack 9mm. I was wanting to get a XDS. Went to a range and shot a LC9, XDS, GLOCK 43, and Shield. I shot the Shield the best and bought one. Later I bought a XDS 9 and 45 only to sell them later keeping the Shield.
I gifted the Shield to family. Maybe it's time to replace it with a Shield in 45acp :thumbup:
 
I have all the commonly encountered 9mm Glocks but the 19X (I have the G-45, its similar), 18 (full auto) and 26. I just never did cotton to the fat, stubby grip of the Glock 26 so I haven’t bought one.

For your consideration I would recommend the 48 or 43X as suggested above. But in all honesty if you like the .380 Shield EZ, it would probably be a good choice to get a 9mm Shield or Shield plus companion pistol to pair with your existing gun. Familiarity helps with confidence, especially when stress is involved. :thumbup:

Good luck with your search, let us know what you decide on when you do.:)

Stay safe.
 
Out of the three, I would say go with the EZ if you have any arthritis or other issues that can make racking a slide more difficult.

I have a G43 and G26. The G43 is just slightly longer in the grip so that I can get my pinky on it while I can not do so with the G26. Now you won't have that issue withe the G43X since the grip is longer than the G43 and G26.

My best suggestion is to go check out all three next to each other. See how each feels in your hands and also see if you can easily rack all three. I also suggest shoot all three if you can. Go with the one that works best for you.
 
Since you mention dexterity concerns, I would go with the platform you are familiar with, the Shield EZ.

Of the Glocks, I would prefer the G26. Conceals well, and shoots well, but the grip may be an acquired taste. I am not a fan of the 43x design with short barrel and longer grip (relative to other small 9s). But it may feel better in your hands.

If not the Shield EZ, which you are familiar with, I would also try the p365 and/or p365xl.
 
I actually cannot believe I voted for a Glock over a S&W, but there you have it. The 43X is a great little concealed carry pistol. However, even with its slim width and smaller stature, it's a capable and fun little pistol on the range.

While I am somewhat of a S&W M&P series pistol fan, the Shield EZ does nothing for me (I don't require its features yet) and the G-26 is rather a compromise pistol. The 43X (and the 48) are capable little pieces and about the most ergonomic of all Glock pistols.
43x3.jpg
 
Of the three choices I would have to go with the Glock 43X. The other two guns both have grip designs that aren't very comfortable for me to use.
 
For me, the 26 is the choice. The main reason is that it will take the mags of its larger siblings. Ive owned both 42's and 43's and just didn't see the point. The guns are basically the same size as the 26, and you lose capacity and mag comonality. I carry the 26 in the same places Id carry the others, so that little extra thickness isnt an issue.

I also find the grip of the 26 to be more hand filling and it doesn't move around in my hand when I shoot it. Stippling the grips on the others helps quite a bit, but they still dont feel right in the hand.

Once you figure out to wrap your pinkie under the mag on the 26 when you shoot, and get a good, solid "two-finger" grip, they feel right in your hand, and shoot just as well as the larger guns. For me, the mag extensions are annoying, often painful, and put the feel of the grip into the range of the 19. Cramped and uncomfortable. Also makes the gun bigger, which makes no sense.
 
I liked the 43x I bought last year so much I just picked up a 48 MOS. The RDS is on its way with UPS.
 
I find the 43x nicer to shoot than the 26, mostly because of the way the hump on the 26 hits my palm annoyingly, even with an extended mag.

43x’s thin profile makes concealment pretty easy and the weight makes it nice too. I ended up with a 365xl instead, but the 43x/48 was runner up in similar guns after my research and testing.
 
JR24
I find the 43x nicer to shoot than the 26, mostly because of the way the hump on the 26 hits my palm annoyingly, even with an extended mag.

43x’s thin profile makes concealment pretty easy and the weight makes it nice too. I ended up with a 365xl instead, but the 43x/48 was runner up in similar guns after my research and testing.​
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I have the same problem with the G26; it's just not all that comfortable in my hand. The G43X is better but I still didn't care all that much for it's overall shape. I found the SIG P365X fit me perfectly and that's the one I chose.
mRdSKTS.jpg ​
 
LoL! Apparently everyone's hands are different.

For my very large hands the G43 takes some skill and practice to shoot well, but the fatter grip on the G26 makes if easy for me.

Different strokes for different folks.
 
Ive not shot a 43x, though I have a 43 with an extended mag, so it's much the same thing. I have shot a shield, 26, and 43. I bought a 43. It was more comfortable for me to shoot than either the shield, or the 26 ( which I hated)

So, of those 3, 43x. The 48 is the same gun as a 43x, but with a longer barrel. I haven't shot it, but it feels really good in the hand. I have also shot a sign 365, and the hype is real. It's a nice shooting pistol. I haven't touched a hellcat, but I hear good things about it, and the Taurus (g3?)
 
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