How concealable is a Glock 26?

It's impossible to rate a particular pistol's "concealability." There are lots of factors that influence how well you can conceal a firearm, many of which have nothing to do with the firearm itself. Your body shape, typical method of dress, climate, whether you are on your feet or behind a steering wheel or desk most of the day, etc.

That said, the G26 is fairly "concealable" for most men. It is a very small pistol for a 10+1 round capacity 9mm. Lots of LEOs use them as BUGs (back-up guns) in ankle holsters or other out-of-the-way locations.

I don't particularly care for IWB carry with the Glock 26, though. I have one, and for the first year after I got my HCP (Tennessee handgun carry permit) it was what I carried. I always carried IWB. After about a year, I switched to a 1911.

The reason I switched is that the Glock, while small, was small in the wrong dimensions. It is compact in height and length, but not in width. Both the slide and the grips are fairly thick, and it has a very boxy contour.

The 1911 I now carry is actually thinner in the slide than the Glock, despite being .45 caliber. The slide is the part that is actually inside your waistband when carrying IWB, so slide thickness is a critical dimension in terms of comfort and concealability. My 1911 has a commander length (4.25") slide, so it is quite a bit longer than the G26. All that length is hidden, however, when you carry IWB, so it is easily concealed. The longer slide gives longer sight radius, better reliability and higher velocity, too.

My 1911 is also slightly thinner through the frame than the Glock, thanks to it being single stack .45 vs. the G26's double stack 9 mm. The grip frame profile is also much more rounded (as is the top of the slide) than the Glock, which makes it less likely to jab my side when I move and much less likely to "print" through clothing.

Don't get me wrong -- I like the G26. I just found that I can more comfortably carry a 1911, at least IWB, and I prefer 7+1 rounds of .45 to 10+1 of 9mm. The 1911 mags are also MUCH thinner than G26 mags, so it is easier to slip an extra mag in a pocket. I kept my G26, though. It's a good, reliable, light, small gun.

YMMV.

The new S&W PPK/S is thinner than all of them. Bought one 2 months ago and at the next gun show may get another. Break it in, keep it lubed, and no limp wristing and it wont fail. These new ones are improved over the old, plus they have a lifetime guarantee.

Kevin

hmmm

Does the fatness of the glock 26 make it more conducive to maybe shoulder carry? or less conducive?
I was thinking that the short grip would not poke out from underneath your arm as much as a full-size. Is the 26 thicker than the Glock 17, for example?

Also, if the 26 can take the 17 (and 33!) round mags that the other 9mm glocks can use, it makes it maybe a tad more desireable as the spare clip cna be hidden under the othr shoulder or somewhere for high-cap reloading. Well, maybe its just s touch more desireable TO ME, I admit. The 26 can use the larger mags, right?

C-

yes, the G26 can use G19, G17, and G18 mags.

The new S&W PPK/S is thinner than all of them. Bought one 2 months ago and at the next gun show may get another.

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It's also only .380 ACP, which is less than what is generally considered to be a minimally effective self-defense round. I have a PPK/S, also (Interarms version), but mine is strictly a BUG.

The Glock 26 may look "small" but is a bit thick. I being 5'11" and 185 lbs. hfind no problems carrying it in a Fobus ankle holster and a Galco IWB holster. It is what I choose over a J-frame S&W revolver since it carries more ammo (10 rounds overe a 5 shot revolver) and is easier to shoot with.

"The reason I switched is that the Glock, while small, was small in the wrong dimensions. It is compact in height and length, but not in width. Both the slide and the grips are fairly thick, and it has a very boxy countour."

That is what I find as well. The G-26 not really that much more concealable than the G-19 IMHO. For IWB carry which is how most people CCW, thinner is better. The Glock is not a huge pistol but it is rather thick for me to IWB it. The Kahr pistols are MUCH slimmer but they only carry 7+1 or 8+1 with the extended mag. For me, the thin Kahr beats out the thick Glock because I know I won't carry a Glock like I will carry my Kahr. I will try to carry the Glock but more and more I will leave it at home for short trips and then I will get used to not carrying it and soon, it will become a range gun or a house gun and not a CCW gun. That is just me but I know my habbits so sometimes less is more. Less weight, less thickness, less capacity (this is what gives the reduction in weight and thickness). On paper, the G-26 is better than the Kahr with the extra rounds but there is a difference between stats on paper and what feels right for CCW.

I am not trying to tell you to get a Kahr and not a Glock. I don't care what you buy as long as you know what is going to work for you. It sucks buying something like a new gun and having high hopes that it is going to be the end all and be all of CCW only to find out that there is a major problem that you overlooked like it being way too thick or something.

I would never recomend buying certain guns unless you have had the chance to at least hold them. Glocks are a love it or hate type of gun. There are people that just can't get used to the thick square grip and never take a likeing to them. I am one of those people. If the grip was made for a human hand, I would probably own several Glocks. As it is, I have owned a few but never could get used to the grip and ended up selling them.

I carried a G26 for years but gravitated to a Kahr PM9 because its slimmer cross section allowed me to carry it under even the lightest clothing. Being is hit 101 here in central NC today and I could not wear much more than shorts, sandals and a T-shirt, I found it very practical.

Well, depending on your physique, it should be quite acceptable. I've carried one for years IWB. I prefer it for several reasons; won't rust, easy to shoot, easy to clean and since the butt of it is short, it doesn't print under a shirt when you bend over like guns with longer grips do (for me at least). If I didn't have the 26, I'd use my S&W 60 with the Barami hip grip - it will really disappear inside a waistband.

I'm comfortable with either one...the G26 is easier to shoot accurately, especially at distance, and with more ammo on board....but the 60 conceals better. It just depends on your build and your preference for a pistol or a revolver - either one will serve you well. Now, if you are going to consider pocket carry also - such as a jacket pocket - then I'd recommend a light weight J-frame size .38 special - more kick to shoot and probably a little less durable for lots of rds to go thru but the weight savings would be beneficial...you could always buy two revolvers of the same size; a steel frame for IWB and a airweight for pocket carry - practice the most with the steel frame and keep familiar with the airweight frame and they'll both last a lifetime.....I prefer the "older" Smiths compared to the newer ones...and you could probably buy two used ones for about what a new Glock would cost.

But, if you've got a "deal" on the G-26...I'd take it...you can always add other handguns later on IF you wanted to....the Glock may just fit all your needs. The 26 is an amazing pistol.

I wouldn't be without one and find it very easy to conceal. But, as mentioned above, they do feel thick when compared to some of the single-stack models out there(Kahr, etc.).

That said, the accuracy and reliability is something I wouldn't part with. With the use of a pistol bench, it's easy to keep an entire 10-round mag on a standard 9" paper plate at 50yds. I've also never encountered a weapon-related malfunction in 9 years...ever, and compete 2 days a week in USPSA competition & league and attend national defensive courses throughout the winter months.

I was thinking of a 642 or even a PPK

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J-frames(642) make for great carry also. It's all I knew before switching to the mini-Glocks.

Good Luck

I owned a Glock 27 which is the 40S&W version of a Glock 26. Is was easy to conceal because of its size but it is kind of thick. I sold it to buy a Python. But I really liked shooting it, while I had one.

When I had my G26, I carried it Condition 3 in an UM #1 holster in my front pocket. I wear pleated trousers and shorts mostly and you would never know it was there, even with the Pearce pinky extension. I never carried it IWB but did have the Glock holster for it though. I thought it was too hard to grasp if I was presentation drills, so I regulated it to the pocket as outlined above- and my G21 on my waist. Mike

It's about the same size as a sandwich so it's not a pocket pistol, unless you are Captain Kangaroo or Mr. Greenjeans. HTH

The 26 is an excellent pistol. I've had mine for almost 3 years, have put 6500 rounds through it with only one malfunction that was definitely the ammo (WWB case wasn't trimmed, was about 21mm long and wouldn't chamber) and carried it DAILY. It is a bit thick, but it was worth it to me. I bought it a gun I could carry and conceal all year round. It worked wonderfully, though it has been retired recently for my custom G1726, that is my 17 with the grip shortened to the size of the 26. It may look funny, but it works great for me. Since I carry IWB, I don't lose concealment and gain barrel length and sight radius. So I still almost carry a 26.

I've always liked the simplicity of the Glock system, the durability, the cheap and available spare parts (I've only replaced recoil springs so far, but it never hurts to have pins, springs, etc. on hand) and the corrosion resistance. I sweat pretty bad year round so that is important. However, Glocks are certainly not "Perfection". You can get used to the trigger pull, but if you were raised on good triggers, it is pretty bad at first. Nothing you can't overcome in training. It is also rather thick through the slide and grip and the grip doesn't fit everyone. (Imagine for a minute that the Glock slides had a huge chamfer like the P99 series...wouldn't that be a whole lot more comfortable IWB???) I liked everything else about the gun, so I can live with the other characteristics.

I conceal it just fine and have been made once by a friend in my own house when I let my T-shirt ride up. I'm about 6'1", 200 lbs, with broad but not huge shoulders. I also carry a spare mag and flashlight on the offhand hip without anyone noticing. For me it works great. For you? Only time will tell.

I bought my G26 to replace a Kahr P9 which was a very unreliable POS. The Kahr was a neater package, but for CCW I wanted something that WORKED.

The Glock does, and it works very well. I carry it IWB in a Comp Tac CTAC holster - it does tuck OK under winter wear (usually, in Texas, that's a flannel shirt) but under lighter clothing I have to use an untucked shirt.

for me they are not any more concealable than a G19.. I admire the kel-tecs p11, surprisingly accurate and would carry one for deep concealment.. their is also a nice one from Intratec..don't remember its name now..

For Me, Very.

If memory serves, it's about the same thickness as a 1911. Not skinny by any means, but not too bad either. I have a harder time hiding a gun with a long grip when carrying strong side than I do a fat one. but, I'm kinda thin front to back.

It's a great little package. I carry mine in a Comp-Tac Undercover (now discontinued) and it hides nicely. It's an accurate little devil too.

I also switched away from G26 to S&W J-frame & KelTec .380 for the same reasons cited above. But I knew a man who could draw his G26 from under a hanging-out shirt just like a magician waving his hand. (Have you ever seen Charlie from SmartCarry draw his .45?) I don't have the right build/talent to do that... I just get by & need all the thin-ness & light-ness I can get.

I've carried one under regular women's clothing for about five years now.

To this day, the only person who's ever made me was my mother.

pax

Chunky little thing and not much more concealable than a 19. My daughter wanted one because she had such good luck with her M19 from age 13 on. It was her first gun bought with her very own money once she got her career started. However it didn't agree with her and she is planning to unload it. For a pocket piece she much prefers the pristine M60 S&W her Grandpa passed on to her.

Not to mention that small semiautos tend to act up more than medium and large sized ones. If I feel the need for more than the 5 rounds a J frame offers I will take the trouble to carry a serious full sized gun and be done with it.

Not to mention that small semiautos tend to act up more than medium and large sized ones.

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I haven't found this to be the case. My early (1st Generation) G17 is rather prone to "limp wrist" syndrome - if one of the ladies in my life shoots it with standard velocity ammo, it's apt to jam. This doesn't happen with my G26 - I've even tried to induce a jam by using a loose "thumb and forefinger" hold with a loosely bent wrist . . . no problem, it just kept working and working and working . . .

Not to mention that small semiautos tend to act up more than medium and large sized ones.

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Over five years of very heavy use (upwards of 18,000 rounds now), the parts which have broken on my G26 are

1) the takedown spring, twice.

I carry one in my front jeans pocket. It looks like a billfold. I use the Fobus at other times. Byron

My early (1st Generation) G17 is rather prone to "limp wrist" syndrome - if one of the ladies in my life shoots it with standard velocity ammo, it's apt to jam. This doesn't happen with my G26

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That hasn't been my experience. I can easily induce ejection failures in my G26 by limp-wristing it. That's with Federal Hydra-Shok JHP's, if it matters.