Yesterday I picked up a Glock 17 and took it straight to the range. What I learned is I need more trigger time with it before I decide to carry it. I really wish I had taken my 19 to shoot beside it to have more of a comparison. I had my 26 since that is what I have been carrying. I found I shot my 26 better (faster and more accurate close range and at distance) than the 17. I found it a little discouraging but I found the 26 very encouraging. The shooting was done from 5 yards to 20 yards mostly shooting 6" plates. I also realize I have very little expierence with a fullsize gun short of a 4" K frame that shoots like a lazer. I guess I thought I would shoot the 17 well since I had been shooting my 26. The 17 is stock with Glock night sights. The 26 has traction grip, ghost connector and stock sights except the rear sight has been blacked out with a sharpie. Has anyone else had the same expeirence?
Should I shoot my Glock 26 better than I shoot my 17
- Thread starter camsdaddy
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beatledog7
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There are several physical differences (size, weight, modifications) between the 17 you just bought and the 26 you've had for a while. Given those differences, why would you expect to instantly shoot the 17 as well as the 26?
I guess since the controls are pertty much the same and just figured the full grip and the longer sight radius would equate to better shooting. I know going from a 2" k frame to a 4" k frame I shoot better even when I have been shooting the 2" exclusively.
The 17 is no more inherently "accurate" than the 26. Most people achieve better accuracy with the full size due to the full grip and significantly longer sight radius. If you spend some time with the 17, you'll probably notice tighter groups with it compared to the 26 especially at longer ranges.
Godsgunman
Member
Could be something to do with the longer grip and you just not being used to it. I shoot my smaller guns just as well if not better than my larger frame ones. I think it has alot to do with how it fits your hand. For instance, my EDC is a XD SC 9 and shoot it extermely well with the flush fitting 13rnd mag but for some reason if I use the extended 16rnd mag which gives you a full size grip, I'm not as accurate. Could be with the longer grip my hold changes just enough to effect my accuracy. Could be your pinkie is causing you to be less accurate with the 17, that is assuming your pinkie hangs off with your 26.
Roadking Rider
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That is one of the things I like about the G26. It might be smaller in size but it shoots like a bigger gun than it actually is. This is not the first time I've heard of a Glock owner being able to shoot his G26 better then he can one of the larger model Glocks. To me that's what makes it one of the best Glocks ever.
Of my semi automatics, I have consistently shot my BHP better than and other 9mm. I'm better with either of my G19s than with my G26 and a good bit better than with my G17. I have no idea why that is, it just ... well, is.
My wife bought three really sweet shooting Ruger SR guns and she's better with any one of them than she is with any Glock. She's better with the SR9c than with either of the other SR guns.
Guns are like shoes. Not every style suits everybody and even for those with similar fit and style, not all will be equally comfortable and wear the same.
My wife bought three really sweet shooting Ruger SR guns and she's better with any one of them than she is with any Glock. She's better with the SR9c than with either of the other SR guns.
Guns are like shoes. Not every style suits everybody and even for those with similar fit and style, not all will be equally comfortable and wear the same.
socalbeachbum
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I'm as good with my G19 as with my G34. I have Trijicon night sights on the G19 and it's the only thing I can figure makes the 4" Glock for me that is, shoot as well as the 5.3" barrel. The G34 has the white outline with white dot.
I have the same issue with the 26 and many other small pistols. Much has to do with the muzzle not being as stable due to increased weight and size. The 26 and others, have no where to go when gripped properly. The longer heavier guns, will bounce around if you don't have the grip just right, or the shoulder and hand strength, "that is unnecessary with the little guns.
Try setting it down on a sandbag or other stable surface to make sure that it is the problem, then just using some light 5-10 lb weights, do a few sets of shoulder and biceps/triceps exercises for a couple weeks, you will see an immediate difference
Try setting it down on a sandbag or other stable surface to make sure that it is the problem, then just using some light 5-10 lb weights, do a few sets of shoulder and biceps/triceps exercises for a couple weeks, you will see an immediate difference
I have a G26 and shoot it better than my 17. Unsure why..but I do. I spend more time at the range with it as a CCW so that may be why.
I agree with gym's thoughts regarding the size making an impact on how the gun is handled. Less to booger up with a smaller gun
I agree with gym's thoughts regarding the size making an impact on how the gun is handled. Less to booger up with a smaller gun
I think I am going to do a fair amount of dry fire as well as maybe install my ghost from my 19. Im sure a little weight work wouldnt hurt either. The next time I get to the range I should be familiar with both and will see.
Well let me be the first to say so then. I own a 17 and shoot it rather well. I rented a 26 at the range, (newer gen4, not worn out) and could not shoot nearly as well. I think a longer barreled version IS inherently more accurate, not only because of the longer site radius, but the longer barrel. I may be proven wrong but it seems to me if you clamp both guns perfectly rigid and fired them, a longer barrel, at some distance would be more accurate. However, this may be a range/distance beyond handgun typical shooting distances.
Now, that said, if I had a bunch of time in on the 26, I would be a lot better with it. Grip has a lion's share to do with "shooter" accuracy, and the change sure affected my shooting. Also, whatever "inherent accuracy" a longer barrel my have over a shorter one can be overcome (at least a common target distances) with practice. Also, I have loads I have found to be more accurate with my 17, and the 26 I used was just factory (Winchester) 115 gr ammo. Nothing in stone here, there are plenty of people here who have forgotten more than I know but that's my 2 cents on the 17 vs 26 & accuracy thing. I love Glocks!
Russellc
Stevie-Ray
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This is not the first time I've heard this. And it's one of the reasons the 26 was the first Glock I bought. I've never been sorry, and later bought the G29 rather than the 20 for woods carry. Guess I just like the smaller Glocks, and I shoot them without issue or complaint.
piece of meat
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Just got back from the range where my wife with the glock 26 way outshot me with my new sig 1911. Can't figure out how she does it lol. Even with the sig she shot a bullseye first few shots. For some reason I shot a little better with the g26 today too..I think it helps that its so damn light that even fatigued arms can hold it really steady..and its so quick and easy to line up the sights. Compared to it the 1911's sights were harder to find and harder to hold steady after a while cause of the long sight radius and heavy ass weight
nwilliams
Member
Theoretically I would say no.
The longer barrel and sight radius and the fact that you should be able to get a better grip on the gun and thus control it better should lead to the 17 being more inherently accurate.
That said, it's not written in stone that an individual might be more accurate with a 26 over a 17, to each their own as they say.
MisterMike
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Part of it is probably just familiarity, but I also found my Glock 26 (now my son's) to be much more accurate than I expected it would be. I suspect that everyone has a sweet spot when it comes to weight, grip, recoil, etc., and for me the G26 came pretty close to being "just right." The addition of a Pearce grip extension (or the 12-round magazine) made it even better.
I've noticed the same accuracy phenom, when shooting my Glock 26 or 23 as compared to my 17L. You would expect the 17L would be more accurate because of the sight radius . In unsupported fire , I find I'm more accurate with my 26 or 23 than I am with 17L. However, when using a good braced position or rest where I can rule out shooter error, I find I can shoot smaller groups with the 17L which has a lighter trigger pull { 4.5 lbs } and easier to align sights at say 45 to 50 ft. distances. Free and unsupported ,the 26 and 23 I still can shoot more accurately than the 17L for some reason !
You are more accurate with the gun you are more familiar with, no surprise there.
I have the G17, 19 and 26 and which one do i shoot better? The one I've been carrying and practicing with the most. I will admit that given equal practice time i shoot the g17 better. Most likely due to the full grip and longer site radius. It's just the most controllable of the bunch. But given practice they are all extremely effective guns. Pick the one that suits your needs. Tools in the tool box my friend.
I have the G17, 19 and 26 and which one do i shoot better? The one I've been carrying and practicing with the most. I will admit that given equal practice time i shoot the g17 better. Most likely due to the full grip and longer site radius. It's just the most controllable of the bunch. But given practice they are all extremely effective guns. Pick the one that suits your needs. Tools in the tool box my friend.
flatlander937
Member
I have a gun magazine somewhere with an article by Massad Ayoob IIRC about why the smaller G26 is inherently more accurate than the larger ones. If I can find it I will post back. It had to do with some type of competition Glock shooting league or whatnot.
Edit: here's a thread discussing the article. It was the 2012 Complete Book of Handguns with the article.
http://glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?p=20339581#
Edit: here's a thread discussing the article. It was the 2012 Complete Book of Handguns with the article.
http://glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?p=20339581#
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Prince Yamato
Member
My G26 is my favorite gun. There's no law that says you can't shoot it better than a full-size. Nor does it mean that something is wrong with you. If you shoot it better, then you shoot it better.
Having had my 17 almost a year now I will update. I have shot and carried the 26 and the 17 quite a bit in the past year. Of course I find the 26 easier to conceal. I find the 17 easier to get an initial grip on. I find the 26 faster at initial shot. I shoot the both from 0-25 yards and find the 17 more accurate as well as faster to make accurate shots. I can make accurate shots at 25 with the 26 but I must concentrate far more. I can make hits easily with the 17 and sometimes have to remind myself that I cant get all willy nilly and have to slow down and focus. I think the 17 is easier to get sloppy with while the 26 requires me to focus on the fundamentals. I think the 19 fails me because I want to shoot it with the confidence of the 17 without the focus used to shoot the 26.
I shot a 26 better than my M&P pro. I still don't understand why. The grip, trigger and sights all seemed better on the M&P. At the end of the day though it's about what puts the ammo where you want it. For me that's an uncomfortable ugly looking G26.
Sistema1927
Member
I am another person who shoots a G26 better than my G17. I have an early Gen2 G17 and a Gen3 G26. I have shot both extensively, but the nod always go to the G26.
It doesn't matter whether I shoot the G26 with the stock 10 rd mag, add a Pierce finger extension, use a G17 mag with a sleeve, or a "naked" G17 mag. In any configuration I am more accurate and faster than with the G17.
It doesn't matter whether I shoot the G26 with the stock 10 rd mag, add a Pierce finger extension, use a G17 mag with a sleeve, or a "naked" G17 mag. In any configuration I am more accurate and faster than with the G17.
george burns
Member
There is no correlation between the length of the barrel and how well you shoot it. It has been discussed for years, recently by "Mass" in an article. Theoretically the longer sight plane should make the longer barreled one more accurately, but practically it is an individual thing. Some people focus better on a shorter sight distance than a longer one, it's that simple. If you bench test them, you may and should get a different result. But everyone is different.
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