Glock 26 & 27 WHY????

[Ghostrider_23]

I have debating on getting a Glock 26 but I can’t and don’t know why anyone would. The Glock 26/27 is too small in the grip and once you add a pinky extension it is the same height as the Glock 19/23. The only difference is in the barrel length and that is only about a half inch. Most often it gets tucked into the pants if you use a IWB holster.

Of those of you that have the Glock 26/27 and the Glock 19/23, what is the appeal?? What am I missing beside quote “I can”.

 

[Captain Kyle]

I have a 27 with a 9mm barrel. its very nice. I think the size is better for concealment. I can use a pocket holster. I dont use the extensions.

 

[Captain Kyle]

I have a 27 with a 9mm barrel. its very nice. I think the size is better for concealment. I can use a pocket holster. I dont use the extensions.

 

[conan]

Concealment. The short grip hides much better than the full grip of the 19/23. I believe the 26 to be among the most accurate of the Glocks, and you shoot it by curling you pinky under the grip. It is my favorite glock by far.

 

[grimjaw]

I got mine when I was planning it being on the only gun I carried, period. The G19 isn't significantly larger, but it is larger. Some other items that may or may not be "perks" when it comes to the G26/G27.

* 10-round magazine limits imposed by potential bans don't phase it.
* The G27 can be converted to three other calibers with little effort: 9mm, .357 SIG, and .22LR. The G27 isn't alone in that, but it can use its own magazines and darn near anything else that Glock makes: G26/27/19/23/17/22/31/32/33/18.

Personally, I think the G26/27 are ugly guns and still a little too blocky to disappear when concealed, but I can't deny its utility and reliability. If you can conceal a G19 without any more effort, go for it. I can't.

jm

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I tend to agree, having had a G27. It is not substantially easier to carry belt holstered than the G19, but it is too big and blocky for pocket carry. So I am not sure where it "fits."

 

[AKElroy]

I pocket carry the 27 everyday. I love the ability to carry 9+1 + 9 more in the weakside pocket mag w/o strapping on a holster. I am 6' 250, so my pockets are big. If I were a normal size w/ pockets too small to accomodate my 27, I would definately carry a 23 in a pancake or IWB. I am a big .40 fan; the 19 & 26 are great guns, but for the same size I want the superior ballistics of the .40.

 

[MisterMike]

I've got two Glocks, a G26 and a G23 ("compact" .40 cal.)

You're right that there's not a huge difference in dimensions, but the G26 is better for concealment. Wearing both IWB, the shorter barrel of the G26 makes a difference, in terms of comfort. I use Pearce grip extensions with my G26 and, even with those extensions, it conceals more easily--the longer portion of the grip (the forward part, where the extension adds length) rides next to my belt; the shorter portion, toward the back of the grip, is further away from my belt and is very concealed. One thing to note is that, assuming the grips angle away from your body a bit, the longer (G23/G19) grip is going to poke out just that much further.

You really need to experience both to appreciate the extent to which the shorter length and height make a difference. Now, if the G26 was just about .2" narrower it would be perfect.

 

[nonseven]

One thing you need to know about the 26/27; The grip is just fine - your little finger doesn't add anything to your shooting ability. The little finger just curls under the bottom of the grip. It's a little strange at first, but once you shoot it a few times, you realize. I actually shoot my G26 more accurately than I do the G19. Give your little finger a break, and forget the magazine extensions.

 

[crebralfix]

Double tap

 

[crebralfix]

1) Performance. Perceived recoil on the G26 is even less than the G19 (which in turn is less than the G17). The recoil spring assembly has two springs in it. This reduces slide momentum during recoil.

2) Concealability. The short grip is very concealable.

3) Compatibility. G19 and G17 magazines work with it. You can get an A&G Grip Adapter that turns the grip into one that matches the magazine model. I like to use G19 magazines in my G26. I fired nearly 1,500 rounds through my G26 in one weekend during a gun class. I used G26 and G19 magazines (with or without the adapter) and reliability was flawless.


Glock 26 with Glock 19 magazine and A&G Grip Adapter

4) Short barrel. Very concealable and great for appendix carry.

 

[markpcola]

I have had my G26 since 1996, only a few months after it was invented (i think). I can't imagine not having it. I read somewhere that it is "the least traded away" of all the Glocks. My affluent range partner (and recent gun enthusiast) pulls out a new weapon seems like most every weekend, and NEVER shoots any better than me and my G26, no matter what the distance.
Oh, and one more thing, I wouldn't give you fifty cents for the finest grip extension out there...

 

[Dan-O]

I think the better question, is why would you get a 26 or a 19, when you can get a 27 or a 23 and then you can get aftermarket barrels making it a 9mm, or a .357sig.

Second of all, gonna have to disagree with you about the 26/27 being not much smaller than a 19/23 if you put the Pearce Grip extension on it. Here are some comparison pics:

The pic on the bottom is a 27 with GAP extension. 9 rounds, but makes controlling the gun much easier and is much more concealable for me than both my g-23, or the g-27 with the Pearce Plus one extension.

 

[CDW4ME]

I typically carry the 33

With a magazine (pinky) extension, in strong side carry, the difference isn't much; however, if you carry just to the right of the zipper (1 o'clock) it's a lot.

The model 26/27 with the extension might as well be the 19/23 if you carry strong side; with no magazine extension the 26/27/33 offer maximum concealment.

 

[MisterMike]

One thing you need to know about the 26/27; The grip is just fine - your little finger doesn't add anything to your shooting ability. The little finger just curls under the bottom of the grip. It's a little strange at first, but once you shoot it a few times, you realize. I actually shoot my G26 more accurately than I do the G19. Give your little finger a break, and forget the magazine extensions.

I'll just note that this is one of those things that boils down to personal preference. I shoot the G26 with equal accuracy both with or without the Pearce grip extension. I find, though, that the gun feels more comfortable and secure to me with the extension. Regardless of how you ultimately come down on the question of whether to use an extension, one thing to bear in mind is that it's a pretty cheap thing to experiment with--they only cost about $8 or $9, and if you don't like it you can just slide the original magazine plate back on.

 

[Erik]

Why? They're sized appropriately* for many who rely on appendix, ankle, pocket or vest carry.

*What's appropriate is often debated, but the truth is that many find the Baby-Glocks ideal for solving their self defense equation. And to that extent, they are correct.

 

[jbauch357]

I actually shoot my 26 worse with the mag extension, and find it perfectly comfortable to wrap my pinkey under the bottom of the mag.

I either need a proper full grip like on my G35 or a small grip I can really wrap my hands around like the G26 - the mid-size grips just don't feel right to me.

I think the better question, is why would you get a 26 or a 19, when you can get a 27 or a 23 and then you can get aftermarket barrels making it a 9mm, or a .357sig.

I have to agree with this to a point also, and if I were to do it all over again i would have got the 27 instead of the 26 and had multi-caliber capabilities like I do with my G35 and conversion barrels.

One caveat to this is that not all factory 9mm rounds will reliably cycle the action of my G35 with the 9mm conversion barrel - so I either have to pick specific factory loads that I know will work with the combo or load my own. Starting this week I'll be doing the latter.

 

[KBintheSLC]

I went with the 26 due to its versatility. I can use a flat-base 10-round mag and it can be pocket carried, or I can use a mag sleeve over a 17-rounder and have a full-sized combat weapon.
Don't get me wrong, the G19 is also a great gun, but you will have a heck of a time cramming one in your pocket.

 

[wanderinwalker]

Looks like the "why" of the mini-Glocks has been covered, but I'll add my version of the list.

Why (for me) the G-26?

1) It can fit into a pant's pocket. Granted, only some jeans in my size (Do you have this any smaller?) have pockets big enough, but I have a couple that work.

2) It just disappears into my fishing vest. Just mingles in with all of the other odd shaped junk; nobody will notice it.

3) It could be ankle carried. Haven't gotten an ankle holster to try yet, but I might soon.

4) It fits in a backpack pocket out hiking when I can't have anything on my waist. I know, not the best place, but a place that is handy, because it IS closer than the gun safe. See also mountain biking in a Camelbak or similar.

5) It is so comfortable on an OWB I almost don't notice it. Also requires a shorter cover garment and lighter clothing than my G-17 to cover in the same place.

6) It shoots as well and reliably as the big gun. I have a Kel-Tec PF-9, which is truly pocketable and will carry in the elastic waistband of your sweatpants. But the K-T hurts to shoot, is temperamental about your grip and is much harder to put hits on paper. In contrast, the G-26 is like shooting my favorite full-sized pistol.

7) It is the smallest auto-pistol I feel offers the least amount of compromise. See above comments for further explanation. Any smaller and you trade off too much power, shootability or reliability IMO.

 

[CPshooter]

The 26/27 is still a smaller gun than the 19/23. However, I don't like them with the pinky extension, because like you said it just about defeats the purpose. I happen to think that "sub-compact guns" (ie 26/27) should have a shorter grip that allows for only a 2-finger grip.

If I wanted a full grip I'd then consider carrying a "compact" (ie 19/23) so I can get all 3 fingers around the grip comfortably. You also get higher magazine capacity, a longer barrel, and longer sight radius as well.

My opinion stems from the fact that I've owned both the 19 and 26/27. I bought the Pearce +1/2 pinky extension for the 26 and 27, but found that it defeated the purpose of buying a sub-compact gun in the first place. Just my opinion though..

 

[los]

REASONS: Concealment, Accuracy and Capacity ....

 

[LancerMW]

I absolutly love my 27 and carry it often, 9+1 of +p 40SW, I use one of those waistband clips though, but my 27 is dead on and I personally dont care for the pinky extension but it doesnt make it that much bigger

 

[barneyfife.357]

I like my little 27, I originally got it to be my "bug" because I had a 22, which means should the big one get damaged, or unusable, I could simply grad the 27, same holsters, magazines, ammo, and the little grip is not that bad at all, justa lil' to get used to it, and it is about like every other glock

 

[CountGlockula]

Appeal is that without the extended magazine, you can put it in your back pocket. G27 all the way because I can find .40S&W ammo everywhere.

 

[JImbothefiveth]

I actually don't like the extended grip. It "bites" me hand.