Self Defense Ammo for aGen 3 Glock 26

Speer Gold Dot, Federal HST, WInchester Pdx1, Rem Golden Saber, Hornady Critical Duty depending which is on sale.

My G26 gen3 devours IMI 115grain Di-Cut JHP's. It hung the first out of the mag then fired 298 rounds with out a failure. Coldest day of testing was 17F warmest was near 80F. The initial test was 300 rounds before I would carry. It has shot more with out mishap but I have not kept track of how many since the initial test. I do not know how well they expand, only shot one fox.

How many rounds altogether fired?

Was this +p JHP?

If you open YouTube and search "ShootingTheBull410 9mm tests" you will see something like 20 9mm test videos in short barrel pistols like your Glock 26.

My own personal opinion is that any of the HST Federal ammo in any bullet weight is a great choice. Tests videos show reliable expansion and penetration meeting the FBI's standards. I have found they feed will in all my 9mm's.

Is this a new gun and new magazines?

I ask for several reasons...

- Magazine issues are the cause of many semi-auto functional problems. Sometimes a new spring will help revive an old magazine, but if the feed lips are bent a replacement magazine might be required. Sometimes non-factory magazines will cause feeding problems. Number your magazines to see if the problem can be isolated to only one. This will help you determine if the problem is with a magazine or the gun. Are you running extended length magazines? I've heard of some shooters running into feeding problems when using GLOCK 19 or 17 magazines. This is generally caused by the shooter's grip applying pressure on the extended magazine and changing the feed angle.

- Of my multiple GLOCKs the only malfunctions were related to the combination of tight new recoil springs, weak range ammo, and a small shooter "limp wristing" the gun. I had that same shooter grip the gun higher and it would run flawlessly with the same ammo. Otherwise, my GLOCKs have fed everything I've put through them. You mention Hornady ammo, so I don't suspect the quality. However, I would suggest some heavier rounds... 124 grains or heavier. Sometimes the tight springs on a new gun will need some break-in cycles and heavier rounds can help them run without stumbling. What brand and weight range ammo worked for you?

Clean it and take it shooting again. Remember GLOCKs don't need a lot of lubricant. Give it a good workout with several types of ammo and see if it is running any better. Try to isolate it to an individual magazine. If after a few more range trips it still is acting up, I would contact the factory.

As to my carry ammo I've had good function and accuracy with Speer 124 grain Gold Dots. However, most ammo manufacturers have a line of "premium" self-defense ammo which should serve you well.

Keep us posted.

Edmo

The polymer tip of the Critical Defense has been reported to hang up inside mag tubes and on feed ramps. Not by everybody, and not in every gun, but folks have commented on it.

MarkDido said:

Anyone carrying a G26 have any suggestions for reliable HP ammo?

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I don’t know how much I can help. I use the same Hornady Critical Defense ammo that you are having problems with. The only suggestion I have is, if the gun is very new, to keep the slide locked back when you put it away for a while. It does help smooth them out. They come with very stiff recoil springs.

And although Glocks don’t need a lot of lube they do need lube. Don’t forget under the slide. Mobile 1 works for me.

I just went through a similar conundrum selecting carry ammo for a short barreled 9mm, though admittedly, my hunt was not brought on by failures to function with any type of ammo. I just wanted to figure out what ammo would give the best downrange performance out of a short 3" 9mm barrel. I landed on 147 Gr. standard pressure Federal HST.

The Glock 26 has double recoil springs (stiffer) to retard slide speed a bit. In a new gun, some lighter bullet weights and softer powder charges can occasionally have those problems--add to that a little limp wristing and the problem is magnified. I would strongly recommend a +P load or heavier bullet (147gr) or just shoot it a good bit to loosen things up.

M

I use the same thing I use in my 17's and 19's, Winchester Ranger T's, 127 grain +P+. Never had any problems.

Seems like most people these days go with 124 or 147 grain ammo, not 115. My choice is Federal HST 124 +P. Never had a problem with my 4th Gen G26 feeding this or any other ammo including my various handloads. My limpwristing wife on the other hand could barely get the gun to cycle at all. Tough to say what the problem is. My son read a story just the other day about a seizure of several million dollars worth of counterfeit Glock magazines. Probably not the issue here if you bought the gun new though.

I go with 135 Flexlock since it's a great duty round.

I wonder if the OP broke down his gun and used Froglube beforehand?

Also make sure to rack the slide and dry fire a couple thousands times before hitting the range.

MarkDido said:

I just picked up a new Gen 3 Glock 26 and a couple of boxes of 9mm Hornady Critical Defense 115 gr FTX ammo.

Out of 50 rounds, I had several failures to feed. The gun is new and cleaned and lubed after every range session. The mags are OEM Glock mags. The gun fires RN range ammo with no problems.

I know that sometimes guns can be a little finicky about the type of ammo it will feed.

Anyone carrying a G26 have any suggestions for reliable HP ammo?

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Get Federal HST.

Mine shot Federal HST the best, but the gun is not picky.