G19 or G26

[WRGADog]

My wife thinks I'm nuts, and she may be correct, but I don't need any help or second opinions on that issue. Earlier this week I was having difficulty deciding between a G19 or a G26 with CTC laser grips. I purchased a G19 and really like the gun. In fact I like it so well, that I returned to my LGS today and purchased the G26 with CTC Laser Grips and PG +3. Will go to the range over the weekend and post a report when I return. Also, picked up two 10 round mags to carry without the PG+3.

 

[AK103K]

I use my 17 mags for the reloads for all my Glocks, regardless of size. I normally just use the 10 rounders in my 26.

I have both 19's and 26's. My 19's pretty much just sit in the safe. The difference between them and my 17's is minimal, and the 17's have more to offer. The difference between them and the 26 is enough that the 26 makes more sense if you want smaller.

I wasnt real sure about the 26 when I first got it, but now, I always seem to have one along. They quickly grow on you.

One thing I've noticed with the 26 is, the mag extensions pinch the hell out of my hands, both while shooting and reloading, but especially reloading. Make sure you have your pinky clear before you slam that mag home. Same goes for the 10 rounders.

I thought the extensions would make it easier to shoot with, but now that I've had them awhile, I find they actually dontt. You learn to curl that pinky under and its not a problem. Also, if youre looking for a smaller gun, why make it bigger with the extensions?

As I said earlier, the 17 mags work well for the reloads, and if you want an extension, there it is. If you dont have a 17, theres your excuse.

 

[Beach Nut]

I'm still on the fence about getting the Glock 19 or 26. I've got the
Glock 21 and I want something to add to my concealed carry arsenal.
The Glock 19 will fit better in my hand and will probably be more comfortable
to shoot and the 26 is a little smaller and easier to conceal. Magazine
capacity will not be a problem with either gun. I may end up flipping a
coin when I make my final decision. Buying both guns might not be a bad
solution for my dilemma.

 

[Cemo]

Congratulations! You made a fine choice, two times.

 

[jkulysses]

Some good comments about this topic here also http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=545008

 

[DougW]

Good choice! I went to the range today and fired one of my 2nd Gen G19's and my early 2nd Gen G26. I impressed myself. Shot the 26 dead on, then the 19, then back to the 26, which I was then pulling to the right (too much finger on the trigger). I really like the G19 a lot (my favorite, actually) but I can shoot the G26 as well. With the Glock +2 bases on the G26 mags, the grip is nearly as long as the G19, but the G26 with the short barrel is easier to conceal.

 

[Mudinyeri]

If you carry IWB, barrel isn't hard to conceal. That makes the G19 a great carry gun. I recently did a comparison of the G19, an XD40 SC and a Kahr CW40 as carry guns on XDTalk.com.

Here's the link if you want to check it out: http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/ccw-talk/159423-comparison-three-good-ccw-guns.html

I've never liked the grips on the sub-compact Glocks which is why I bought the XD SC in the first place. I still don't care for the Glock SC grips, but if they're your cup of tea I'm not going to fight you over it.

 

[oasis618]

The 19 seems like the perfect size for all occasions to me.

 

[Sapper771]

I have both, plus a G17. The G17 gets more range and carry time of the three.

I too have been thinking about my preference between the G19 and G26. At first contact, the G19 stood out more than the G26. I bought the G19 shortly after the G17, then I bought a G26 after the G19. I figured that if I am going to have one, might as well have the other two. I had a G34 as well, but I found that the G17 handled everything I needed it to, so the G34 was sold to a good home.

On my qualifying shoot, I scored 100% with both the G19 and G26, but my groups with the G26 were much better than those shot with the G19.
I am still trying to figure that one out because I had more rounds through my G19 at that time and the G26 was still NIB when I got it to the range.

They are both excellent pistols. I enjoy having all three because they compliment each other well.

 

[W.E.G.]

 

[smince]

Why not a compromise? G19 cut to G26 length:

http://www.southwestshootingauthority.com/612600.html

 

[AK103K]

Just curious, but what are the advantages to doing that?

 

[JohnBiltz]

You would have a full size barrel but a small grip, IWB the barrel doesn't matter much for concealment but the grip does. The thing is its not like a G26 shoots bad with a shorter barrel. But if you live in a state with 10 round magazine limit I could see it being fairly popular. Also its probably cheaper than selling a G19 and buying a G26 and you could keep the rail. And finally some people just like owning a customized gun.

 

[smince]

Just curious, but what are the advantages to doing that?

For me, the balance of the gun is almost perfect. Many say the same about the Commander slide on an Officers ACP frame, considering it the near perfect CCW gun.

I think of this as the Glock version.

 

[H_G]

If your bent on getting a GLOCK, I'd say get the 19. smince's looks pretty nice. With Glocks I always prefer the 9mms, so either way it looks like your set.

 

[smince]

That isn't actually mine, I just got the pic off Cope Reynold's site.

Mine is very similar, however. I do agree that even in stock form the 19 is a great gun.