Carrying a G26

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regal

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I am still looking for the right CCW. I keep buying figuring no gun is a loss and its a better investment than the stock market. I am 5'10" 165 lbs.

Here's what I've tried:

1. IWB J Frame - fine but not enough capacity for me
2. Makarov IWB - the grip sticks out too far, can't conceal on my frame
3. Glock 17 - no way to conceal, way too big
4. Keltec P-32 - fine to conceal but not confidence inspiring.

Its impossible to find pistols in stock around here to try on.

So I ordered a G26, what should I expect as far as IWB concealibility?
 
I am in the same boat...thin framed guy who is looking for something little to carry. Lately Khar and Walther PPK have gotten my attention. I will be curious to see how the 26 works for you as I have been looking into that one here and there also
 
You're skinny... skinny guys can carry anything. Try a better holster and looser shirt
Click to expand...

I always hear this and I always think it's total BS. I'm a skinny guy and no I can't conceal anything unless I want to look like G-Master-Funk-Wad walking down the street in my white trash FUBU T-shirt.

The grip length makes all the difference, especially in us skinny guys as we don't have as large of an anterior-posterior dimension.

Having gotten that out of my system. The G-26 will probably conceal like a dream, even right at 1500. I recently got a glock 19 and with a normal fitting fleece it conceals readily at 1500 with no cant. I imagine a G-26 with a FIST ultrathin holster is in my future for summer use under a t-shirt in the same place. And I'm thinner than you.....about 150#
 
You fellas ever notice there's never a woman come here and post her height and weight?! Are we men just a different breed of critter, or are we just inbred?! 5'9" 173 Lbs.

In Glocks, I like the G19C, and the G26 and the G30-SF. Use an IWB for the 19C and the 30-SF; they will shock you! The G26 works great on an ankle.

Doc2005
 
All -

Jesus Christ in the foothills...........


As my 90 year old mother still says.

CZ P-01.

6'2'', 175 lbs.


isher
 
I pocket carry a S&W 442 & 642. I carry my Glock 26 IWB. and My 3" Kimber Ultra IWB too.
 
Of late I find myself spending more and more time in the company of a Glock 36.
I've owned a 17,19,21, and 26. Currently I also have a 22 and 27. For years the only thing I though I could really really hide was 442 in an ankle rig.

The 36 has to be the redheaded stepchild in the glock line, but it's flat, reliable and can pack 7 rounds of .45.
I have Heine straight eight sites, a grip plug that fits flush with the mag, and a nice clip that attaches to the takedown levers for IWB, and extra mags are small> I have replace all my floor plats with the pierce adaptors because they match the grips better than the originals.
If I carry with the clip and not a holster, then I carry chamber empty.
This gun has become the dog walking, quick trip to the store, almost always gun.
It's big enough to shoot well and small enough to hide. I'm 6'1, 185.

If you don't believe me and don't want to take my advice, I've got a custom 3913 I'll sell you.
 
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I also have a slim frame.

If you have trouble with a Glock 26, then you're being too picky, using bad technique, and/or have incorrect gear. Attitude is also key. Don't change your attitude while carrying and don't give away clues that you're packing by patting or looking at the gun.

First and foremost, a solid GUN belt is essential. Even a Glock 26 with one spare magazine stresses the belt. It can be 1.25" wide, but needs to be built for guns. Second, the right holster will make a big difference. Forward cant mitigates the grip sticking out, but the cut of the shirt ultimately determines whether a gun prints or not. You will have to make some allowances for this (or wear a sportcoat everywhere).

Movement is also essential. There are some movements you're just not going to be able to do. A full squat, for example, will cause the butt of the gun to print, while reaching up with the gun side hand can cause your shirt to ride up (to either reveal the gun or create a nice outline as the shirt gets caught between you and the gun). You'll have to experiment a bit to figure out what movements you can get away with.

The short gripped Glock 26 is very easy to conceal. It can go in almost any position, including appendix. It's a bit big for pocket carry, but huge pockets solve that problem (I know a guy who pocket carries a SIG P220). The Makarov should be almost as easy to carry. In fact, you should be able to carry a P220 or full sized 1911 under just a t-shirt. It's not only VERY possible, you can get away with carrying two! Practice a bit and you'll get the hang of it.
 
XDShooter07 said:
The grip length makes all the difference, especially in us skinny guys as we don't have as large of an anterior-posterior dimension.
Click to expand...

This has been my experience as well, at 5'9" 150lbs. It sure seemed like a thick little brick at first, especially compared to a Kahr or P3AT, but with an efficiently-designed kydex (I use AHolster) and a good belt (again, 1.25" Beltman here), it has concealed very well for me, even with lighter or snugger shirts.

Key to this is avoiding the extended grip mags for carry use, which defeats the benefit of the short grip (for concealment on the aforementioned limited anterior-posterior dimension). I carry a G19 mag as a backup, but a standard flat-bottom G26 mag in the gun. Otherwise, you may as well carry a G19.

You'll enjoy the heck out of your G26. I'm sure there are other guns as versatile for carry, range, comp, and class, but I have not found it.

ETA: If you can't conceal a Makarov, well, I don't know what to say. The Glock will feel like a brick compared to that.
 
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I carry the G26 with mag extension daily IWB at 4 O'clock with a Galco summer comfort. As previously said a good gun belt makes a huge difference. I didn't believe it until I purchased one. I'm short and stocky, and have tried several other makes and models, but nothing is as comforting as my G26 in both fit, feel and performance. The Keltec is smaller and thinner, but you have less firepower and its not as comfortable to shoot.

Other options I've seen, especially for thinner people is positioning at different places (i.e. 11 O'clock or 2 O'clock).

Definitely get a good gun belt.

PS.. the G26 is not very good at ankle carry, unless you have thin legs and very loose pants, which I don't on either count.
 
The issue with my Makarov is the grip, it is too long and wide.

The G26 looks like it would stay closer to my abs, yes us skinny guys have abs not tires :) I'm not bragging, the only way I stay fit is by smoking 2 packs of cigarettes a day!
 
But regal, how fit are your lungs?

A G26 is very concealable. While it is no pocket gun it will dissapear under a t-shirt with a good iwb holster.

I have one. Although I wish I would have gotten the xd sub9 because I find myself stuffing it in my waistband a lot without a holster and the grip safety would give me more piece of mind.

I'm 5'8" and 165 punds, not fat just fit. I have to stick to small grip sizes, in hot weather, otherwise it looks like I have a fetal arm growing from my side.
 
Regal, I'm just curious about a skinny guy doing a revolver IWB. I haven't tried it, but it wouldn't seem comfortable or concealable to me.
 
No actually the J frame is very nice IWB. It has a small thin grip that doesn't protrude at all (stays snug.) I would just carry this but my J-frame is not +P rated and I prefer more rounds than 5.
 
Hmm, I'll have to try it.

Back OT, I experimented with positioning, and found that 7 o'clock - 8 o'clock was just too far back, and made the grip poke out. (Yes, I'm LH).

After a 4-day class, I promptly changed to 9 o'clock exactly, and have carried it exactly there for over a year now. You wouldn't think that the point of the hip would be the best spot, but it's been great.
 
9 o'clock = left hip; 3 o'clock = right hip; etc.

I have a G27 (same as the G26 except in .40S&W) and carry IWB in an M-TAC just behind my right hip. While this provides workable concealment in many situations it does not provide for what is variously called "covert carry" or "deep concealment." It depends on your situation and whether you're willing to accept being "made" occasionally by people who are exceptionally observant or who themselves carry and are therefore more familiar with what the bulge looks like.

I rely on a Kel Tec P3AT in a pocket holster most of the time. Anyone who notices the bulge at all would probably conclude that it's a wallet.
 
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