Glock 17/26 or 19/43
- Thread starter Runt1122
- Start date
I love my 19 but it's a BUFF (big ugly fat fellow.) Have not shot the 43 yet, but me likey.....I think it's about 20% thinner vs. the G-19. It's the thin that intrigues me for IWB carry.
1. Big....it's bigger than the 43
2. Ugly.....Glock guns are not known for their good looks
3. Fat......The double stack Glocks are fat for CC.
4. Fellow......More appropriate than the standard word not used in mixed company
As you might guess I served in the USAF, and used the polite description of the B-52.
1. Big....it's bigger than the 43
2. Ugly.....Glock guns are not known for their good looks
3. Fat......The double stack Glocks are fat for CC.
4. Fellow......More appropriate than the standard word not used in mixed company
As you might guess I served in the USAF, and used the polite description of the B-52.
BigMikey76
New member
I prefer the 19/43 combo. I like my larger guns to still be easily carriable, thus 19 over 17. Then, since the larger gun is carriable, there is no need for the middle ground (the 26, in this case), so your smaller gun may as well be really small, hence the preference for the 43.
Before anyone jumps all over me, I know the 17 and others in its size class are carriable if you have the right belt, right holster, hold your tongue just so, and the moon is in the seventh house, but it is larger and heavier, and all you are getting out of the deal is 2 more rounds, which doesn't seem worth it to me.
With all of that being said, unless purchases are already made, think about looking outside of Glock, as well, especially for the single stack. There are many good options, and a lot of them will give you an extra round or even two over the G43 without sacrificing ease of carry. Of course, if you just prefer the Glock, more power to you.
Before anyone jumps all over me, I know the 17 and others in its size class are carriable if you have the right belt, right holster, hold your tongue just so, and the moon is in the seventh house, but it is larger and heavier, and all you are getting out of the deal is 2 more rounds, which doesn't seem worth it to me.
With all of that being said, unless purchases are already made, think about looking outside of Glock, as well, especially for the single stack. There are many good options, and a lot of them will give you an extra round or even two over the G43 without sacrificing ease of carry. Of course, if you just prefer the Glock, more power to you.
john in jax
New member
I own or have owned all four of them, I'd go 19 over 17 every time. The dimensions of the 19 just make it seem more balanced in my hands and easier to carry/conceal. You just can't go wrong with a 19.
I spent a couple hours on Monday shooting a 26 and a 43 back to back and love them both. The 43 is significantly thinner than the 26 and I was worried it would be too thin for my fat hands, but it handled beautifully.
SHOOTING: All the way out to 15 yards the 26 and the 43 shot/performed identically for me - can't say either was better than the other.
CARRY: The 43 is smaller in every way, it is a lot easier to conceal anywhere you want to carry it. Ankle, pocket, belly band, IWB it does not matter, the 43 is just thinner and just disappears. The 26 gives you more rounds, but that added width and weight makes the gun more noticeable.
I think you need to borrow or rent a 43 and give it a try. It works great for me, but you need to make sure it works for you too - - preferably before you buy.
I spent a couple hours on Monday shooting a 26 and a 43 back to back and love them both. The 43 is significantly thinner than the 26 and I was worried it would be too thin for my fat hands, but it handled beautifully.
SHOOTING: All the way out to 15 yards the 26 and the 43 shot/performed identically for me - can't say either was better than the other.
CARRY: The 43 is smaller in every way, it is a lot easier to conceal anywhere you want to carry it. Ankle, pocket, belly band, IWB it does not matter, the 43 is just thinner and just disappears. The 26 gives you more rounds, but that added width and weight makes the gun more noticeable.
I think you need to borrow or rent a 43 and give it a try. It works great for me, but you need to make sure it works for you too - - preferably before you buy.
I carry a 17 and 26 most days, and have for a number of years now. I never understood the complaints about the 17 being to big, as they really arent. If you can carry a 19, you can easily carry a 17.
While I have a couple, Ive never been a fan of the 19's. My biggest complaint with them is, their grip is just a tad short and crammpy for me. No good place for my pinky, and its annoying. Ill also take the extra two/three rounds slightly longer slide/sight radius the 17 offers.
The 26's are small enough to go where the 19's cant, and you can wrap your pinkie under the mag, and get a proper grip, and they shoot just as well as the bigger guns.
I dont have 43's, but I do have a couple of 42's, and they pretty much convinced me not to bother with the 43's. The 42's are great little guns, but I dont see them offering enough to put the 26's aside.
The biggest advantage to the 17/26 combo is mag compatibility. I can hand my wife or a buddy my 26 with my reload and we now both have 17's for the most part. If you were to be carrying the 26 alone, that simple mag swap makes it a whole different gun.
While I have a couple, Ive never been a fan of the 19's. My biggest complaint with them is, their grip is just a tad short and crammpy for me. No good place for my pinky, and its annoying. Ill also take the extra two/three rounds slightly longer slide/sight radius the 17 offers.
The 26's are small enough to go where the 19's cant, and you can wrap your pinkie under the mag, and get a proper grip, and they shoot just as well as the bigger guns.
I dont have 43's, but I do have a couple of 42's, and they pretty much convinced me not to bother with the 43's. The 42's are great little guns, but I dont see them offering enough to put the 26's aside.
The biggest advantage to the 17/26 combo is mag compatibility. I can hand my wife or a buddy my 26 with my reload and we now both have 17's for the most part. If you were to be carrying the 26 alone, that simple mag swap makes it a whole different gun.
My favorite Glock is the 26. I am one of those odd ducks who shoots it better than the bigger pistols. I prefer more capacity than the 43 in a pistol for IWB. If I am going to go that low in capacity, I would like the option of pocket carry, and the 43 is too big for my pockets. Lots of people love the 43, though, obviously. Between the 17 and 19, the 19 fits my hand better; the back strap bulge of the 17 kind of hits me in the wrong spot.
Overkill777
New member
I just got a 26 and I think it's my favorite gun. It feel great with the oem +2 mag extension.
I like my 19 but for the purpose of the poll I would trade it for a 17.
I like my 19 but for the purpose of the poll I would trade it for a 17.