Glock 26 -- Ok, I'm convinced

[JR24]

I've always said I had little or no use for any of the baby Glocks, my Glock 19 shoots better and conceals just as easily.

Well, I picked up a Glock 26 recently and got it to the range, and I've changed my tune.

First, it DOES indeed carry much easier than a 19 (and I have no problems concealing a 19), lighter and the shorter grip make a difference in my AIWB setup. Nice thing is I still use the same holster.

Does it shoot? Well I got about 120 rounds through it and here were my impressions:

Reliability: Typical for Glock. This gun was shot pretty much out of the box, no initial lube or cleaning. Ran through Winchester NATO 124 gr FMJ, Hornady Critical Duty, and my carry Federal 147 grain HST with exactly zero issues. I used the supplied 10 rounders, Glock 17 mags, and some of the Mag Pull 15 and 17 round mags.

Accuracy: Accuracy was great when I did my part (more on that below). I was getting 10 ring hits at out to 15 yards, again when I did my part.

Shootability: Here is where I ran into some problems, mostly my fault. I have been shooting mostly 1911's and my well used Gen 4 19 of late, and the new 26's trigger is a little stiffer than I was accustomed to. In addition I am not used to shooting with the stock "ball in cup" sights (I'll replace these eventually), so I was holding too high for a good portion of my first few mags. I also haven't shot a gun this small in years and have had to work on adjusting my shooting grip.

That said, I was doing OK, keeping my rounds in the "minute of center mass" at defense ranges even during rapid fire and double tap.

Recoil was fine and follow up shots were easy enough

Overall: I need more range time to get to where I want to be in terms of accuracy, which is no big deal. I love how easy this gun carries and I foresee it becoming my new EDC in a hurry. It won't replace my well used 19 as my favorite Glock, but it will be right up there.

I've included a quick pick of my last mag of the day. 11 rounds, Federal HST at approximately 10 yards, semi-rapid fire (one round every 1-2 seconds, full reset on the trigger).

 

[wlkjr]

I love the three I have.

 

[lpsharp88]

I had one and liked it, but eventually got rid of it a few months back. I found that it really didn't conceal any better than my 19, and sacrificed capacity with the standard mags in addition to a decreased sight radius. So, when I want to go smaller than the 19, I put the 43 in my pocket and am good to go. The pistol itself was flawless with around 1k rounds through it, just didn't have a use for it really.

 

[Teachu2]

Being here in CA, the G26 is a great choice to CCW. 10+1 is pretty much all we get, even in a G17, so no loss on capacity. It's way more accurate than it ought to be, and I really enjoy shooting it.

 

[Warp]

Of course a significantly shorter grip conceals better.

It is probably a good idea to clean or at least lube the gun before shooting it though. Glocks are shipped with more of an anti-seize or corrosion deterrent not so much of a lube. It's good that it's reliable right out of the box, most are, but I'd hate to see people question any gun's reliability because it malfunctioned when it wasn't lubed correctly before taking it to the range.

 

[mesinge2]

I love my G26, my sole complaint is the too short grip for a pinky finger. The good news? Pearce finger extensions, they make all the difference while adding very little to the gun.

 

[Warp]

I love my G26, my sole complaint is the too short grip for a pinky finger. The good news? Pearce finger extensions, they make all the difference while adding very little to the gun.

Sure enough. You can get a full grip with those +0 extensions without adding anything at all to the backstrap length, and not much to the front.

 

[edmo01]

To the OP, congrats on your G26...

Both my wife and daughter love their Gen4 G26s. They are great defensive pistols.

Edmo

 

[Deog]

My G26 is my go to out and about piece. Likes it just fine, and the fact it will take G19 G17 and G18 mags is a plus.

 

[Deaf Smith]

Been packing mine for over ten years now. Winchester 127 gr T-series +p+ ammo. My chrono shows 1240 fps from the 26's barrel. Good enough for every day carry.

Deaf

 

[MoreIsLess]

Been packing mine for over ten years now. Winchester 127 gr T-series +p+ ammo. My chrono shows 1240 fps from the 26's barrel. Good enough for every day carry.

Deaf

What is that on the grip? Looks like tape of some kind.

 

[Jimfern]

The G26 is one of those few things that are just right.

 

[Wanderling]

G26 is, imho, the best Glock double-stack 9mm pistol. I have G17 and G26 and have shot G19 many times. In terms of accuracy I'd say I shoot 26 just as well as 17 and better than 19.

Concelability is also far better. For me at least, the problem with longer guns is not only the grip size, it's also the length of the barrel, both IWB (digging into things when sitting down) and OWB (the muzzle tends to show if I raise my hands to get something from a top shelf in a store). G26 makes both of these issues far easier to handle.

Don't get the +0 extension, it only grows the grip height. I made a common mistake of getting one, and when shooting at the range I couldn't really tell if I had the mag with or without extension in the gun, without looking. All the difference goes away as you shoot.

Do get GAP mag floor plate. It's awesome. It makes the gun far easier to pull from the holster, helps with getting a good hold, yet doesn't make the grip stick out any longer.

I also suggest installing the beaver tail strap (if Gen 4) or getting a Grip Force Adapter to get a better hold & avoid slide bites. They are inexpensive.

Congrats on getting a great gun !

 

[Deaf Smith]

What is that on the grip? Looks like tape of some kind.

It's a Bowie Tactical grip reduction. Was that way when I got it at a pawn shop, with Hennie night sights, for $400 flat, tax included. I just added a 3.5 lb connector and NY-1 trigger. Notice the trigger has been rounded, and under the trigger guard it is scalloped.

Deaf

 

[Onmilo]

It's a Bowie Tactical grip reduction. Was that way when I got it at a pawn shop, with Hennie night sights, for $400 flat, tax included. I just added a 3.5 lb connector and NY-1 trigger. Notice the trigger has been rounded, and under the trigger guard it is scalloped.

Deaf

I like the modifications.
The square cut triggerguard really isn't necessary on these guns.
I may to do some of these mods to my own G26.
Been thinking on it for a while now.
I also use the 3.5 connector and NY-1 spring and installed an extended slide release.

 

[Deaf Smith]

Well millo,

Now you see I'm a revolver man. Got some real slick 2 1/2 inch Combat Magnums, 2 3/4 inch Speed Sixs, even a Lee Horton L frame .357 snub and 3 inch GP100 I use as a field gun, but the Glock 26, with a bit of custom work and +p+ ammo, just makes better sense to me for EDC.

I have a second 26 I use in local IDPA matches, same carry gear, just to keep sharp. Even an AACK .22 unit so I can do lots of hip shooting practice.

Go ahead and try a mod or two till you have the gun just where you want it. Then pack it every day.

And I mean every day!

Deaf

 

[rskent]

JR24

I also haven't shot a gun this small in years and have had to work on adjusting my shooting grip.

For me, it works best to just use the same grip as my 19 or 17, just let my pinky fold under the grip.
It feels a little weird. But it works better than anything else I have tried. Way better than a magazine extension.

It won't replace my well used 19 as my favorite Glock

That may be true, but I wouldn't put money on it.

 

[Steve in PA]

A G-26 is my primary off-duty carry. Has been for several years now.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

Night biking gun for me, and my personal favorite of all the Glocks.