Glock subs vs compacts (and gen 3 vs gen 4)

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Elliottsdad

New member
After trying many of the major brands of pistols, I recently sold my beloved Glock 17 after realizing that although I loved the Glock platform, I thought the 17 was a bit large for my needs (after all, I have a shotgun for "bump in the night" defense, so a full size pistol in the dresser drawer seemed unnecessary.

When it comes to a small, concealable pistol (assuming I want to stick with Glocks in 9mm), should I go with 26 or 19? For that matter, should I spend the extra dough and get the gen4? Why, why not?

If this were the college football playoff championship (Go Bucks, BTW), who would win in a 26 Gen3, 26 Gen4, 19 Gen 3, 19 Gen 4 playoff system if it came to concealed carry doubling as a second "at home" pistol? Are the rounds in the 19 worth the extra weight/size over the 26? Are the textured frame and interchangeable backstraps on the gen 4s worth the extra $?
 
A lot of those questions depends on you as a person. Is the extra weight worth it? Depends on you. I'm a big guy, so concealing a larger gun isn't an issue. I'll take the extra rounds and won't feel the weight difference. If I was short and skinny, I'd probably go with the sub. Do you feel undergunned with a 26? Do you think that's enough ammo? I can't answer that for you. I like having the extra ammo and like I said, the extra weight and length isn't an issue for me.

As far as Gen 4, it again depends on you. I like the extra texture but it's not a deal breaker. if you have smaller hands, you might like changing the straps.
 
I own a G26 Gen4 and have been very happy with the gun. It has proven totally reliable and surprising accurate. As far as capacity goes remember that the G26 can accept all GLOCK 9mm magazines from 10 round up to 33 round. As for Gen4 v. Gen3 I personally wanted the Gen4 and have been very pleased with it, but if you find a Gen3 at a good price there’s nothing wrong with them. I believe the biggest difference in the Gen3 and Gen4 was a new recoil system and I think the Gen3 G26 already had that new system.
 
If you want smaller, the 26 is what you want. The 19 really isnt much smaller than the 17, and the 26 can easily go where the 19 cant.
 
Glock for CC: I would pick the G26 (Gen 4 for the beavertail) and add a mag extension so the pinky does not dangle.
If you want more capacity then the 26, you could have G19 or G17 magazines for spare or for use at home.
I have not carried a G19 but I have carried similarly sized pistols (Sig P6 and an older version Walther P99). I found the G19 sized pistols to be too big for comfortable CC. My current CC (single stack 7+1 Kahr K9) is a smaller than a G26 and it is easy to hide in the waist.

Good Luck.
 
If youre looking for small, Id skip the pinkie extensions and beavertail. They arent necessary, and they just add bulk to the gun.
 
Glock 26

I have both Gen 3 and Gen 4 in Glock 26 and for some reason my accuracy is better with the Gen 3. In both guns the recoil springs look the same???
 
Having owned all three and in various generations, I would say the G26 Gen4. It is the most concealable of the group and I carry mine with the factory +2 extensions MOST of the time. 12+1 is a heck of a start in a gunfight and with a G17 mag for reload it gives me 30 rounds. However certain attire calls for the 10 round mags.

You can make the G26 larger as it relates to capacity but you can't make the G19 smaller without doing a grip chop. I sold my 19 and kept the 17 and 26. The 26 lends itself to ankle carry and can fit places the 19 simply won't. The only caveat is if you wanted a WML then I would go with a Gen4 19. For ME the 26 shoots better than the 19 and almost as good as the 17, YMMV.

As for what Gen, its preference. I prefer the Gen4's due to slightly shorter trigger reach, texturing, and mag release. I HATE the Gen3 factory mag release. I cannot reach it without changing my grip or installing the G34 mag release. The Gen4's work like a charm without modification.

The Gen3 texture, or lack thereof, is better for carry IWB against the skin. Gen4 is like sandpaper but I just wear an undershirt as I prefer that extra grit.

Good luck!
 
I own a Gen3 G19. For me, the 19 was the best do all gun. I went with a Gen3 because the grips fit me well, and being right handed, the ambi mag release wasn't needed. If the Gen3 fits your hand, go with it. If you feel you need to change the grip size, or need a left hand mag release, the Gen4 is your choice.
 
For carry I prefer the texture on the gen 3 glocks. The gen 4 rubs against me roughly, but I also don't wear an undershirt here in FL. In all honestly the 19 isn't much bigger than the 26. I carry my Glock 23 with just an untucked shirt owb easily and I got a 34 size waist. Plus the 19/23 holds more rounds and comes with a rail + longer sight radius. Either will serve you well.
 
On the Gen3 vs. Gen4 argument, I think Gen3 is nicer if you were OK with the grip size in the first place. If you were one of the people who thought "Well, nice gun, but it feels a bit too fat..." then the Gen4 shaves a bit off the overall circumference that really makes a big difference.

The Gen4 is marginally more expensive, but a lot of that is because the Gen4 guns all come with three mags instead of two.

The texture is different. The RTF2 guns had that pyramid texture that was exceedingly sharp, but the Gen4 guns are improved- they have the same pyramid texture, but the tops of all the pyramids were cut off. I prefer the new texture myself.
 
If your "multi-use" gun includes a gun mounted light, then go with the G19. The baby Glocks of all generations don't have rails or room for mounted lights.

At our house we keep a Glock 23 (same size as the 19) with a rail mounted light for "bump in the night" duty. It's a third generation.

If more for concealed carry, I'd go with the smallest. Great little shooters if you practice with them. Really like my Glock 27 (same size as the 26). It and a Smith 380 are my main CC guns. (Well, the 380 had an issue, so it's currently retired)
 
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