It looks like Glock is getting caught up in the SIG "endless variations and models" thing. Not sure thats a good thing.
I have a 43, and really dont see the point of the "X". Never really saw the point to the 42 or 43 for that matter. The 26 fills that role fine. I carry my 26's, the 43 is probably the next gun in the queue to go. I swore when I got my first 42, that I wasnt going to bother with a 43, as I didnt see the point, but one came up at a price I couldnt turn down, and I ended up with one anyway. I was right in my original thinking.
As far as grip size, the dangling pinkie doesnt dangle at all, it "wraps".
Once youre used to it, its natural and feels right, and I find I have better control. No need at all for mag extensions, which as mentioned, tend to pinch the hell out of your hands on reloads, and even shooting.
My main complaint about the 19's is the cramped grip. My pinkie feels all jammed up, and wants to "wrap", but cant. The 26 is actually more comfortable in my hand, and I shoot it just as well as my 17's and 19's, so the wrap really isnt a detriment, and in the case of the 19, an improvement.
As far as Glocks "little" guns go, the 26 has the biggest advantage in its ability to use any of the full size mags, of its big brothers, right up to the "happy sticks". In a pinch, I can hand my wife, or anyone else who might be with me who is unarmed, my back up 26 and pop a 17 reload in it, and they now have a short barreled 17, with a full grip.
And just to give you an idea about the difference in "size" foolishness, my 26 replaced my Seecamp as a backup. I carry the 26 in the same type holster, and in the exact same place, as I did my Seecamp, and the 26 has a spare 17 mag with it in the holster, for its reload.
Ive come to the conclusion that the "now generation" has become the Princess in the old "Princess and the Pea" story. WAY over sensitive as to what size really is when it comes to guns and carrying them. I also think "going small" is a bass ackwards way of choosing a gun to carry. Especially if its going to be your primary gun.