Experienced shooter and high capacity, then the Glock 26 would be great. I would add the Pearce floor plate to the mag to make a place for her pinkie. Also might consider the Glock 19 as it does add more capacity and is not that much bigger. Both are great shooters. S&W MP's and Springfield XD's are also quality guns, might want to let her handle a few different ones, she might find a better fit. I do prefer the Glocks.
Glock 26
- Thread starter Mr.454
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toivo
Member
That's a whole different story. Counting down the days until my 57th birthday, I wouldn't call 58 "elderly."
It sounds to me like she could handle the Glock.That said, I'm throwing in with those who say it really isn't a pocket pistol--not pants pocket, anyway. To blocky and heavy. Coat pocket, maybe. Even there, use a good pocket holster. I think IWB or a carry vest would be better.
coyotehunter223
Member
I also carry a Glock 26, usually moreso in the summer when I can't conceal a larger frame gun comfortably. My grandmother is pushing 70 and is currently signed up for a CHP class. I let her shoot the G26 along with a few others (P89 9mm, P229 .40, XD9), and she now plans to get one. I was afraid she might not be able to load/unload and comfortably fire the gun, but she had much more of a problem with the P89 and P229 than the G26.
I do have the Pearce finger extensions on the 2 mags I use for carry (not the +2 capacity ones), and I find the gun to be much easier to shoot with them on.
Rent one like you mentioned and see what she thinks. If she would be happy with it, it doesn't really matter what we think.
I do have the Pearce finger extensions on the 2 mags I use for carry (not the +2 capacity ones), and I find the gun to be much easier to shoot with them on.
Rent one like you mentioned and see what she thinks. If she would be happy with it, it doesn't really matter what we think.
Nice BIO 
just give her a hockey stick to carry around and between that and her HUGE purses I’ll bet no one will mess with her on the street and for around the house a 12 Gauge Mossberg Model 590A1 Law Enforcement Pump Action Shotgun 18" Barrel 3" Chamber 5+1 Rounds on a sling and she’ll be all set
Sorry to hear about her friend that burns me up
On a serious note sounds like the G26 should fit the bill if she can rack the slide with the factory-standard recoil spring. If not get a lighter Wolff recoil spring setup and match it to some SD ammo, there are more after market accessories for a Glock then you can think of. So you’ll be able to set it up to her liking. The G19 is a little bit bigger not much but a little bit but then you can always make the G26 bigger but you can’t make the G19 smaller as they both use the same mags. But have her try both and see what feels the best.
So son Valentines Day is coming up and I can’t think of a better gift to give your mom ,,, beats a box of chocolates Forrest! That’s what my mama would say ,,,
just give her a hockey stick to carry around and between that and her HUGE purses I’ll bet no one will mess with her on the street and for around the house a 12 Gauge Mossberg Model 590A1 Law Enforcement Pump Action Shotgun 18" Barrel 3" Chamber 5+1 Rounds on a sling and she’ll be all set Sorry to hear about her friend that burns me up
On a serious note sounds like the G26 should fit the bill if she can rack the slide with the factory-standard recoil spring. If not get a lighter Wolff recoil spring setup and match it to some SD ammo, there are more after market accessories for a Glock then you can think of. So you’ll be able to set it up to her liking. The G19 is a little bit bigger not much but a little bit but then you can always make the G26 bigger but you can’t make the G19 smaller as they both use the same mags. But have her try both and see what feels the best.
So son Valentines Day is coming up and I can’t think of a better gift to give your mom ,,, beats a box of chocolates Forrest! That’s what my mama would say ,,,
ironhead7544
Member
For a pocket pistol the PF 9 KelTec might be good. You will have to find a low recoil round like the 147 gr HS from Federal. I use the G26 but dont like pocket carry with it. Need an empty chamber IMHO. A pocket gun is going to be a compromise.
Frozen North
Member
I carry my 26 in my pocket allot. I cant say it is ideal, but it does work fine for me. I use a pocket holster, a desantis nemisis works for me. I would never pocket carry anything without a pocket holster.
I really like my G26. As has been mentioned, the G26 has a good bit of recoil. There may be better options. I would suggest you help her to enroll in a course, and have her test-fire several handguns (auto and revolver) to identify which fits her hands best.
Geno
Geno
Stevie-Ray
Member
My Glock 26 is my night biking gun, carried on my right hip and covered by safety vest. It is one that I have no problem controlling with one hand if needed. I tried to pocket carry it a few times, but find it too large for that.
gbran
Member
Nushif
Member
The Glock 26 is a very nice little pistol. As a matter of fact ... I sold mine because I got bored with it working so reliably. 8)
But the bolded parts worry me. *le nod*
KBintheSLC
Member
Love my G26. I picked it up back in '07 and it has never failed me through about 4500 rounds. You may want to take her with you though, so she can handle the gun before you buy it.
dcdub
Member
It sounds to me like concealability isn't a huge issue for her if 1) She wants it for home defense and 2) She carries HUGE purses. I sometimes have slight purse envy, seems like it makes the game so much easier. IMO, her being able to get a good grip on the thing seems more important than her being able to tuck it away, so I would go for the 19 over the 26. It will only be about 4oz heavier fully loaded, plus you get 15+1 capacity as opposed to 10+1 with the 26.
I can't fathom a Glock for pocket carry, but to each his (or her) own. My Kel Tec PF9 is a little too big for pocket carry for me.
If she doesn't like the grip angle of the Glock but wants a similar platform, don't forget the Springfield XDs. I believe they're even a little cheaper than Glock at the moment if that's an issue. Either will be very reliable
I can't fathom a Glock for pocket carry, but to each his (or her) own. My Kel Tec PF9 is a little too big for pocket carry for me.
If she doesn't like the grip angle of the Glock but wants a similar platform, don't forget the Springfield XDs. I believe they're even a little cheaper than Glock at the moment if that's an issue. Either will be very reliable
I have had one for well over 10 years and carry it alot CCW. Never had much trouble out of it over the years, I think maybe a few hiccups which might have been the ammo. Tough finish on those, I have never seen the first sign of any rust on the slide.
ByAnyMeans
Member
I love my Glock 26. Usually carry it with ten round mag and GAP floorplate. Switch to G19 mag when on the nightstand or for carry if capable. Just waiting to get a 22lr conversion kit and I would not need another handgun. I'm not giving up my P3AT or handguns in the safe just saying It would be my "one handgun" if forced to choose.
That said I agree with everyone saying to let your mom shoot a bunch of guns and calibers to see what she likes. My mother-in-law never shot anything before. I thought she would gravitate to my G19 or Hi Power. Instead she shot up all my .45ACP and wanted to steal my 1911. This was of course after a half brick of 22lr before moving to the center fires. Point is you never know what she will want.
That said I agree with everyone saying to let your mom shoot a bunch of guns and calibers to see what she likes. My mother-in-law never shot anything before. I thought she would gravitate to my G19 or Hi Power. Instead she shot up all my .45ACP and wanted to steal my 1911. This was of course after a half brick of 22lr before moving to the center fires. Point is you never know what she will want.
Just bought my first Glock yesterday, a G 26 9mm. Can someone tell me the difference between the different 'generations' of Glocks? Especially the difference between the Gen 3 and Gen 4 26 model. I bought it new so I guess it's a Gen 4, right?
Take her to a good weapons store and let her decide. If she falls in love with a .500 S&W then just stand back and watch the fireworks. She will carry a pistol a whole lot more and shoot it better if it is something she likes. I love my 27 and it is an extention of my arm but she may like a 4in .22 revolver. It is better to have something she can shoot and feel safe with rather than spray and pray. I agree with CEMO, a .327 would be a good choice if she doesn't like the 26. Just my opinion, it's worth what it is.
toivo
Member
There's some info here--it's a G17, but the changes are the same across the models, AFAIK:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtS59trmk3Q
I guess it depend where you bought it. I'd bet there are still some Gen 3's in stores that don't move a lot of Glocks.
I carry one, but it's not really a gun for an older woman. As mentioned she may not have the hand strength to fire it accuratelly, and it must be carried in a good holster. The trigger must be covered and as mentioned it has a short grip, you need to try it first. I don't see it as a good choice. And pocket carry is out as it is just too bulky and you must not touch the trigger as it is even more sensitive than most other pistols, bumping or grabbing at it is a no no. Get her an lcp with a spare mag. Pick up an uncle mikes #2 holster and she will be good to go. At short distances a 380 will do the job as well as a 9mm. We carried ppk's and snub nose 38's , 20 yrs ago and never worried about power at 10 ft. Just make sure she learns where to place her shots, that's the whole thing, she will only have a few seconds from start to end of an engagement. A more powerful gun is only beneficial if she can keep it on target. Remember light guns have more recoil, and you will sacrafice weight for recoil in most situations.The lcp takes a certain amount of skill to shoot well, the main thing is that she practices a lot, and is able to get her weapon out and on target. If you go Glock, she must have a real iwb or owb holster. I just saw your mom is 6' tall, go for the glock, she has enough strenght to be fine with it, but try it first, the lcp may still be ok, the diameter of the round is basically the same in 38, 9mm, 380, and even 357, so hot loads like powerball or golden sabre, will make the same size hole just less powder, but at close range it will still put down an attacker fast if you hit them in the chest head, or a vital organ. It's the follow up shots that make the difference, a large perp may take 3 quick hits to go down in any of those calibers. The Glock has 10+1, the lcp 6+1, so you are at a definate advantage with the 9mm, in not only power, but amount of lead. But it's offset by the weight and ability to hide it, "carry", you need to decide which is more important. Having a 380, is better than not having a Glock, because it became too cumbersome to try to hide after a week or two.
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MisterMike
Member
My G26 is a favorite. However, I'm a fairly big guy and have found that it just doesn't work for pocket carry. It's too large and heavy, so I usually carry in a tuckable IWB holster. I have the Pearce finger extension on my mags and find that, while I'm just as accurate without the extension, it gives me a more secure feeling in shooting the pistol. I've picked up a couple of Glock 12-round mags, but haven't tried them yet.
I'd give the G26 the highest recommendation, but not necessarily for pocket carry.
I'd give the G26 the highest recommendation, but not necessarily for pocket carry.
Jonah71
Member
I recently bought a Glock 23 and I love it. But before I could actually get use to shooting the G 23, I bought a G 26. I've put the 23 (will be my primary carry) away for now because I'm having so much fun with the 26 w 10+1 mag. I'm going through a lot of 9mm rounds and will continue doing so until I get bored with it....someday. This is a terrific little unassuming beast of a gun. The extension makes all the difference in the world. I shoulda got one of these years ago, I wouldn't have wasted so much time $ and effort on other 9mms. Now.....gonna go shoot it some more. One of these days I'll get the Mod. 23 out. In the long run a better CCW imo, just not as much fun.
AJChenMPH
Member
Ok -- since you've said your mother is 6'1" and used to target shoot, I'll assume she can handle a G26.
It goes back to the tradeoffs she's willing to make: does she want the extra capacity of a G26? Then she'll have to live the width and the fact that it's not really good for pocket carry. If she wants something that she can really and truly pocket carry (Kahr PM-9, etc.), then she'll have to live with lower capacity. Given that she carries a huge purse, the G26 may well be the answer.
FWIW, I'm also a disciple of the GAP floorplate: www.concealablecontrol.com -- to me, it's amazing how secure the G26 feels in my hand compared to either the standard Pearce/Scherer pinkie extension or with an extension at all.
It goes back to the tradeoffs she's willing to make: does she want the extra capacity of a G26? Then she'll have to live the width and the fact that it's not really good for pocket carry. If she wants something that she can really and truly pocket carry (Kahr PM-9, etc.), then she'll have to live with lower capacity. Given that she carries a huge purse, the G26 may well be the answer.
FWIW, I'm also a disciple of the GAP floorplate: www.concealablecontrol.com -- to me, it's amazing how secure the G26 feels in my hand compared to either the standard Pearce/Scherer pinkie extension or with an extension at all.
Perhaps you are trying to be clever - if so you failed. What exactly are you saying?
Nushif
Member
I don't see what was so clever about it. I sold my glock 26 because I got bored shooting it.
The bolded parts talked about HIM buying a gun for HIS grandmother if I recall correctly.
Now, I then said the bolded parts worried me.
Thus the concept of someone buying a gun for someone else is something I find a bit worrisome.
I don't know how to make any of this any more clear.
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