Glock compact VS subcompact.

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Wade Wilson

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I own a Glock 19, was considering buying a 26 for CC. Is the size difference enough to justify the purchase, or should I just find a good CC holster for my 19.

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.
 
I think a 26 *minus* the Pearce Extensions would be a good idea, but if you do plan on slapping those on, the difference becomes rather negligible ... at least from handling both and seeing them side by side.
I do find though that a 26 without Pearce grips is very concealable.
 
26 v. 19 Glock
For IWB strong side carry I'll take a 19.
IWB "Appendix carry" or in a Smartcarry the 26 is my choice.
 
I have both and I believe there's a place for both. Frankly, I go in cycles... for a while I believe the midsize is the best. Then I move to the babies for awhile. When you consider the extra expenses that usually accompany a gun purchase (magazines and holsters, etc.), you don't have to spend another dime to carry the G26 if you have the equipment for the 19 - everything including your G19 holster will work with both.

On the other hand, I never carry my full-size 17. But the two smaller models are both great.
 
I have a 23 and 27. Extensions are not used on my 27.

Both are easily concealable but given the shorter grip of the 27, it is indeed easier to hide. Necessary? No. Would be nice? Oh, yeah! Try a Crossbreed Supertuck or Shielded Holster then decide if the smaller platform is necessary. My holsters and G23 mags are interchangeable. That is a big expense that people do not take into account.

I have done the same with my Kimber Pro (4.25" barrel) Raptor II and my Kimber Ultra (3" barrel) Raptor II. Necessary? No. Would be nice? Yes! The Ultra can fit in my pockets (khakis) whereas the 27 cannot.

Lastly, bear in mind that shorter guns have a shorter sight radius, lower capacity and are a little more in recoil, in general.
 
Same here we have been tumbling around with this one forever, Extensions, "may as well go 19", no extensions, go 26. I got used to no extensions and shoot them about the same. I refer you to 'Hickock 45' on utube if you think you need them to fire a Glock sub compact accurately. It will be worth your time. Have a look at an old guy like many of us, whooting out to 80 yrds with a 26, and 27, along with every other caliber Glock makes. He's something else son. And the nicest guy you will ever meet. "or not", he will answer any question you have.
 
I used an extension on my 27, and therefore found little size difference. As others have said, without extensions, there's a lot more size difference.
 
I own a Glock 19, was considering buying a 26 for CC. Is the size difference enough to justify the purchase
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Not in my opinion.

My question to you is, why are you even considering the change? Are you becoming uncomfortable with the 19?
 
Is the size difference enough to justify the purchase
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no.

the g26 is only 1/2 shorter at both ends.
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per GLOCK website:
height of a G17: 5.43"
height of a G19: 5.00"
height of a G26: 4.17"

That's a 0.83" difference.* And the barrel is actually 0.56" shorter, there's no rail, and the front corners of the slide are radiused. Actually, the differences between a G19 and G17 are much less, but it's pretty rare that anyone suggests a G17 is just as comfortable to CCW as a G19. Also, the carry weight of a G26 is about 4 oz less when loaded.

So think about it. If everyone could just as easily carry around a G19 all the time, then Keltec would be out of business and the LCP would have been a flop.

*The magwell on the G26 is extended in the front and back so that it almost entirely encompasses the mag floorplate. OTOH, the mags stick out the bottom of a G19 a good ways. So this difference could be bigger with a mag seated, depending how they measured.
 
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Go for the Subcompact for concealed carry. I've carried both. Just measured my Glock 19 and Glock 27 no extensions on the G27. I'm showing .750 + or 3/4" + shorter at both ends on the subcompact. The shorter grip also reduces the length because of the angle of the grip. Haven't carried my G19 since I bought the G27 back in the 90s.
 
I wonder how many of the folks saying it's not worth the effort actually like ... tried carrying both.
I have a very nice holster that awesomely fits both and there is a HUUUGE difference between the two. Frankly, how can you think there's *not.* I'm baffled. o_O
 
GLOOB said:
...If everyone could just as easily carry around a G19 all the time, then Keltec would be out of business and the LCP would have been a flop.
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If most folks would stop to think about what they really wear everyday and don't get caught up in the pocket gun craze, they would realize that they can just as easily conceal a G19. It might be even better because then your pockets won't be full of LCP's. This is of course assuming that you aren't 75lbs with a 20" waist or dressing like Spider Man.

Just my $.02
 
I think they mean that you might as well skip the G26 and buy something even smaller. Likewise, if you already owned a G26, you might opt for a G17 to complement your collection, rather than buying the G19?

Otherwise, I am also curious. The G26 is obviously easier to conceal and is almost always going to be more comfortable. Beside that, I don't need any justification at all to own any handgun other than "I like" + "I can afford." And I like the G19 and the G26 both.
 
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GLOOB said:
I think they mean that you might as well skip the G26 and buy something even smaller. Likewise, if you already owned a G26, you might opt for a G17 to complement your collection, rather than buying the G19?

Otherwise, I am also curious. The G26 is obviously easier to conceal and is almost always going to be more comfortable. Beside that, I don't need any justification at all to own any handgun other than "I like" + "I can afford." And I like the G19 and the G26 both.
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Agreed!
 
As far as CCW difference, in my opinion;

If you carry OWB, It will be with out a doubt easier to hide the butt print of the G26, when wearing tighter fitted shirts as well as summer time clothes in general.

If you carry IWB, then there will be no advantage in the G26.

If you carry in the pocket, well obviously you can't carry a G19 in the pocket, and although it's pushing it in size you can indeed pocket carry a G26 if you so wish.

At any rate, If you can afford it, I would get the 26 based solely on the fact that you can use the same mags and almost all of the same parts & springs as your G19, if and when you have to replace them down the road.

lol, but if you do be forewarned, as it will only be a short matter of time before you ask yourself if you should go ahead and get a G17 to finish it off....:)
 
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I've owned both (well the sub compact was a G27) and if you notice on the finger grooves of the 3rd and beyond Generations the 19 has two rows of stippling for the first groove wheras the G26 will have 3 rows there...some (like me) get the finger pinch on the G19 there...other than that
 
HPIM6622.gif

There isn't much of a difference between the two in measurable dimensions, but my G27 is a bit easier and more comfortable to carry than my G23.
 
I used to own and carry a G19, now I own and carry a G26 (which I talk more about here).

Bottom line: with the GAP floorplates, I find the G26 to be more comfortable to carry (particularly when driving) while maintaining solid control of the weapon without using the pinkie extensions, and it points better for me as well.
 
I would wager that given a poll we'd find that of the people that own both a G19 and a G26, the majority probably never carry the G19 concealed.
 
I used to own and carry a G19, now I own and carry a G26 (which I talk more about here).

Bottom line: with the GAP floorplates, I find the G26 to be more comfortable to carry (particularly when driving) while maintaining solid control of the weapon without using the pinkie extensions, and it points better for me as well.

+1 I agree with the above.I shoot the 26 better than the 19 and almost as well as the 17,and it is a bit easier to conceal with the flush mags.It just points better in my hand than the 19.
 
CDR_Glock said:
I have a 23 and 27. Extensions are not used on my 27.

Both are easily concealable but given the shorter grip of the 27, it is indeed easier to hide. Necessary? No. Would be nice? Oh, yeah! Try a Crossbreed Supertuck or Shielded Holster then decide if the smaller platform is necessary. My holsters and G23 mags are interchangeable. That is a big expense that people do not take into account.

I have done the same with my Kimber Pro (4.25" barrel) Raptor II and my Kimber Ultra (3" barrel) Raptor II. Necessary? No. Would be nice? Yes! The Ultra can fit in my pockets (khakis) whereas the 27 cannot.

Lastly, bear in mind that shorter guns have a shorter sight radius, lower capacity and are a little more in recoil, in general.
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This.

Try a Crossbreed Supertuck and a stiff belt like Ares . If you still think 1/2" less grip will help concealment more, then go for it.
 
Why dont you just send your 19 to Bowie Tactical http://www.bowietacticalconcepts.com/pictures.html and have him do a Grip Reduction "SG" Short grip to a 26 then you have the Best of both worlds. He did my 19 and XD 40 I am thinking about sending in my 17 to "SG" to 19 grip. There is a pic of one on the lower left part of the Page. I personally carry my 19 daily IWB I Live in Texas so I need somthing that will stand up to the weather here and never fail me. I keep a 17 in the Truck and a S&W 340 in the Pocket.
 
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