sub-compact Glock advice...

[marksman13]

I'm going to buy a new carry gun on Friday. I have already decided that it will be a Glock of the sub-compact vein. What I can't decide on is caliber, other than .40 S&W is definitely out. I just don't like the cartridge. I'm torn between a 9mm, 45 ACP, 357 Sig or 45 GAP. I'm leaning strongly towards a G26 or G36. I had a G30 and really enjoyed shooting it, but it was a little thick for IWB in my opinion. All my other guns are chambered in 9mm and 45ACP. Really wouldn't want another caliber unless there was a major advantage to one of the newer cartridges. How's the snappiness, recoil of the 357 Sig compare to a .40 S&W? Also, can somebody recommend a good IWB holster? Thanks in advance.

 

[GreenMTNLife]

I can't speak much to the Glock 26 vs 36. I've only shot the 26 and ended up buying the M&P40c. But for a holster I'd absolutely recommend the Comp-tac MTAC. Works great with the glock 26 size guns.

 

[Frozen North]

You can stuff allot of ammo in a 26! That is what sold me on one. 9mm is also cheaper to practice with. Recoil of .40 in a G27 does not work for me at all, its too snappy and I cant shoot nearly as fast with any accuracy. I am on the same page with you on .40.

IWB? MTAC from Comp-Tac holsters was the winner in my quest. I really like this holster allot.

 

[BeerSleeper]

what are your reasons for ruling out .40? You can probably rule out 357 on that basis, as well.

 

[marksman13]

The 40 is just too snappy. I've shot a lot of pistols. I've shot a lot of 40s, 9mms and 45s and the 40 just doesn't do it for me. I don't hate it. I just don't love it. I've owned several 40 S&W pistols and none of them stay very long. I just don't really care for them.

 

[CharlesT]

Just bought a G33 today. HUGE punch in a small gun.

 

[LiveLife]

9mm is also cheaper to practice with.

Yes, and you can practice with 9mm in your G27 with Lone Wolf 40-9 conversion barrel.

Recoil of .40 in a G27 does not work for me at all, its too snappy and I cant shoot nearly as fast with any accuracy.

You can practice with heavy/hot 9mm or if you reload, use light 40S&W load like 4.0 gr with W231/HP38 and 180 gr TCFP bullet. My wife and several female coworkers shoot G27 without much issue.

I have done plenty of side-by-side comparison with my G22/G27 and at 5-15 yards, I get very comparable shot group accuracy. I prefer 10 rounds of 40S&W in the magazine over 9mm rounds.

 

[easyg]

You can't go wrong with the G26.


Or the G27.


Or the G33.





Overall, I think the G26 is probably the best when it comes to controllability and rapid follow-up shots.

 

[Quiet]

For the longest time, my main carry gun was a Glock 30. Over the years, I found that it was a bit too large to effective conceal while wearing t-shirt/shorts/sandals in the summer time. So, I looked at the subcompact Glocks.

I was able to handle and shoot (shot 50 rounds through each) the 9x19mm Glock 26, .40S&W Glock 27, .357SIG Glock 33 and .45GAP Glock 39.

For me...
Felt recoil = (less - most) Glock 26, Glock 39, Glock 27, Glock 33
Accuracy = (best - least) Glock 39, Glock 26, Glock 27, Glock 33

I ended up getting the Glock 39.
After a couple of years, I was sold on the .45GAP and got rid of all my .40S&W pistols for .45GAP pistols.
My Glock 39 ended up replacing my Glock 30 as my main carry gun, due to being easier & lighter to carry.
I use a Crossbreed Super Tuck to carry the Glock 39.

 

[marksman13]

Quiet, the more I read and hear about the 39, the more intrigued I am. I thought the 38 was the sub compact. Oops, not the first time I've been wrong. How does the 39 compare to the 26/27 in terms of size. What is the mag capacity on the 39? Thanks in advance.

 

[BP Hunter]

I have had a G36 for many months and is my standard carry for winter and summer. I use a kholster IWB holster (Crossbreed holster look alike). It is very well concealed even under a T shirt. It's slim body mkes it easy to conceal. The recoil is very manageable and shoots straight and true. I load it with the Hornady Defense FTX 180gr.

 

[Quiet]

Quiet, the more I read and hear about the 39, the more intrigued I am. I thought the 38 was the sub compact. Oops, not the first time I've been wrong. How does the 39 compare to the 26/27 in terms of size. What is the mag capacity on the 39? Thanks in advance.

The Glock 39 frame/grip is the same as the Glock 26/27/28/33, only size difference is the Glock 39 slide is a bit fatter than the Glock 26/27/28/33. Because of the fatter slide, all the .45GAP Glocks have the extended slide stop. I think the extra slide mass is one of the contributing factors for the less felt recoil than the Glock 27/33.

Magazine capacity on the Glock 39 is 6 rounds.
I normally carry one 6 round magazine in the pistol and a 10 round (Glock 37) magazine as my extra mag.
Carry ammo is Speer 200gr Gold Dot JHPs.

 

[ByAnyMeans]

I would agree that if .40 is to snappy in a subcompact than a .357sig would be as well.

I use a Glock 26. A Galco gunbelt and Glock combat holster make it disappear under a t-shirt and jeans. A ten round magazine for carry,

15rd. mag with mag spacer as a spare magazine and when it's on my nightstand. A 22lr conversion kit and it's the only handgun I would ever

need (but still want others).

 

[MikePaiN]

If I carried a Glock it would be a G26, lots of firepower with control-ability and accuracy.
Even though I love Glocks one has never made it as my EDC, for some reason I always end up with a Kahr in my belt, or as of later today a Ruger LCR

 

[trekgod3]

I have a G30 and a G27. The 27 is slightly smaller and lighter, so that's my main carry piece. The problem with the G30 is that I cant find any.45 ammo locally. My local walmart had a single box of .45. It's just to expensive to shoot.

 

[Coltdriver]

Well what did you get??

I would have voted for the 36. .45 is a great carry round and the loaded 36 is only about 27 ounces.

 

[Glockeroo]

This - Glock 26

 

[hardluk1]

marksman13 Don't think theres enough difference in thickness between any glock to really matter. And the difference in stopping power between any of them depends more on shot placement than the cartridge. Between the the 9mm, 40, 357sig and 45's. I got a real deal on a 27 with several mags and one has the 2 extra round extention on it. If I bought new it would be a 9mm with +p loads, For me the glocks don't work well as an IWB carry but work with a high ride belt hoster and cover with a polo type shirt.

 

[Frozen North]

You can practice with heavy/hot 9mm or if you reload, use light 40S&W load like 4.0 gr with W231/HP38 and 180 gr TCFP bullet. My wife and several female coworkers shoot G27 without much issue.

That sounds like allot of monkeying around to to me. Why not shoot 9mm and save the trouble? I can shoot .40 without much issue too, but I have NO issues with 9mm. I selected 9mm because I can unload an entire magazine and keep every round on paper faster than I can with even with a full grip G22.

May I add that I reject the premise that any service caliber will kill anything deader than another service caliber at SD ranges in an SD situation...

 

[marksman13]

Honestly, I didn't get anything. I did something I have never done before. I set my budget, shopped around a little, and got offered a really good deal on a G26. Then I walked out of the store with no gun.

My buddy that runs the shop had a new Gen4 G26 marked at $593.00. He told me he would take $515.00 tax and all out the door with a third magazine and box of Federal Hydra-Shoks included. I'm just not 100% positive that's what I want. I couldn't talk myself into laying down the cash.

I usually approach gun buying like car buying. I never buy new, and rather look for used guns in good shape. So, I don't if it was the thought that I could get a used pistol cheaper, or the fact that I'm not entirely sure I want a G26 that scared me off.

The other thing is that I would really like an OD framed G26, but nobody has one for sale locally and I can't justify paying full price for a pistol then basically adding $75.00 for shipping and FFL transfer fees. I've never had this hard of a time making a gun purchase.

 

[marksman13]

And Frozen North, my sentiments on the 40 vs 9mm debate pretty much echo yours. I can live with a 40 S&W if need be, but I'd rather not. It's not uncomfortable. Just not nearly as easy to shoot follow-ups with.

 

[Frozen North]

Gen 3 G26 pistols can be had sub $500 NIB in my area, maybe look into those. They can be found used for sub $400 if you look for them. I would not be hesitant to buy a used Glock in good condition. They are very tough and replacement springs are cheap and easy to find if they need replacement. In my experience, most people can't afford to shoot enough to wear a Glock out, so they are a pretty safe bet.

Happy hunting!

 

[dirtykid]

My personal-carry is a wheel-gun,however i do enjoy popping rounds thru my G-27 9MM,,Gun is factory right out of box,runs like a Singer sewing machine,, if i put good sights on it i may even enjpy shooting it more !

 

[marksman13]

Dirtykid, you sure that G27 is a 9mm? Conversion barrel?

 

[Damon555]

I'm with you on the 40. Some people just can't understand why others rule out a certain caliber. Don't bother buying a gun in one caliber and then converting it to another. While it's fine for certain applications I've found it best just to buy the gun that was designed for that caliber. If you don't like the 40 you won't like the 357 sig. There are a lot of 9mm and 45 ACP options out there. If you can't talk yourself into the 26 then don't settle. Save your pennies and get what makes you happy.

The G36 might be just what you're looking for. It's one of the guns that I sold that I regretted. I'll have another some day. You might also consider the G19. It's not much bigger than the 26 and holds 15 rounds. You will not be under gunned with a 9mm or 45 ACP.