Why choose Glock 19 over 26?

I have bought 4 G26 and4 G19 because when I sell or trade them I miss them. If I was limited to just one gun, it would be the G19, Glocks biggest seller. Why? It holds 5 more rounds, longer barrel, good for carry and home defense and is the perfect size, not too big and not too short. What usually happens, as happened to me all the time, the G26 owner buys either a pinkie extension or 12 round mag and what you end up with is a gun very similar in size and weight to a Glock 19. Most of all, the G19 has a rail for a light which is useful for home defense, a car gun, etc., while the G26 has no rail at all. I used to put a very small laser on my G19 and with holster makers now making holsters for guns with lights and lasers, I had no problem finding a comfy holsters for this gun.

The most popular Glock carry gun for the NYPD, at least when I lived there, was the G19 because they had to buy their own guns (imagine telling soldiers that they had to buy their own equipment) and the G19 served as both a duty and home defense gun. No need to buy two guns. Plus they could put a light and or laser on it for duty or home defense
 
My choice is the 26 weather it be with the factory base plate or one of the GAP plates which is what I prefer. I can carry any size 9mm Glock mag (minus the 43 of course) as a back-up and it conceals with any type of clothing.

I have a different gun for pocket carry, but I don't do the winter / summer carry guns. Same gun all year round. A jacket doesn't matter since it eventually comes off and carrying the 26 means there is no compromise when it comes to capacity. I can shoot my 26 as well as my 19,17 or 34 for the most part.

c7eNggb.jpg
 
Last edited:
Well I own only one Glock, a Gen 2 19 that I bought new in the early 90s before the 26 was available.

For me personally I have no problem concealing the Glock 19 in my "casual attire" and consider it still the gold standard as far as a concealable 15 round 9MM pistol in regards to size, weight, and performance.

I am sure there are those who can conceal the Glock 26 better so it is great that it is available.

I find myself CCW my Walther PPS with 7 round magazine more and more these days though due to the extra comfort I find with such a thin pistol IWB.
 
While I don't own a 9mm, my CCW is the G23 which is identical in size to the G19. Why it over the G27? The grip, the sight radius, the velocity, the balance, in short everything about the compact is better for me than the sub-compact.
 
Is any other gun identically sized to the G19? I don't know that I've found the combo of the 4" barrel with the 5" overall height.

My HK P7
A tad thinner in the slide and just a little shorter overall, even with the same length barrel
 
One thing I think would improve the G19, snub nose it, round off the front!
Like the G26. Look at the photo by Nakanokalronin.
 
It's all personal preference. I would take the 26/27 or 17/22 over a 19/23 any day of the week.

I like to go big or go small. Average "full-size-compact" with a 4" barrel isn't for me. Glocks are Legos. Like I'd mentioned in another post, take a G27, a 9mm barrel, grip extensions, longer barrel . . . you get it . . . you have the "one gun" . Of course, it's cheating a little because of swapping out parts while retaining frame. The only thing a 27 can't get you is a longer sight radius.

Going back to a 26, a mag w/grip sleeve gives you 15, 17, or 33 rounds w/a full grip. Need to conceal, use the OEM G26 mag. Need more "power" (although, you gotta go to a 5 or 6 inch for noticeable difference) drop an extended barrel into it.

Again, personal preference.
 
Based on what I wear typically and what I do, I went with a Glock 26. The thickness started bugging me, so then I went with the Kahr PM9. I made the mistake of shooting a Glock 43 and then I bought one of those. The PM9 is fine for concealed carry, but the long trigger makes longer shots harder. I did a practical shoot and I shot way better with the Glock 43 trigger.

I am 5'7" and about 160 lbs. so I can't hide a larger weapon wearing regular office attire. I've gotten use to the small guns and I shoot them fairly well, so it works for me.
 
FITASC said:
My HK P7
A tad thinner in the slide and just a little shorter overall, even with the same length barrel

Not arguing that the HK P7 isnt a great gun, but it is pretty heavy, especially for a 7+1 round gun. I do know one person that carries one though.
 
Loaded up, weighs about the same as the 19; albeit with less rounds - but it IS a lot cooler looking!!!!!!!!

It is the only totally ambidextrous gun I have ever handled.....
 
The trouble with the HK P7 M8 is that I can buy a Glock 19 and 26, 2,500 rounds of ammo and stick a grand in the bank. They are cool, though.
 
Looks like you missed the boat Joe. Prices have gone through the roof lately! I have one, but it is a safe queen that only comes out to play every so often.
 
Is any other gun identically sized to the G19? I don't know that I've found the combo of the 4" barrel with the 5" overall height.

My S&W SD9VE is so close in weight and size to the G19, it is scary. When you field strip them , you have to look close to tell them apart. It holds 1 more round than the G19 and is at least $150+ cheaper.

I also have a Taurus PT111 G2 that is very close to the G26 except it has a slightly longer grip because the magazine holds 12. It was on sale for $199.99.

Both have been flawless but the shorter PT111 is easier to conceal.

Both have been flawless
 
The Gen 4 Glock 19, is IMHO the perfect size/capacity and fits me as tho it was designed for me. The amount of people who have CCLs, yet do not carry on a regular basis is astounding.

Carry the same gun, in the same place always! Oh! Did I say that before?

If you would care to peruse the TV and Newspapers? It should become apparent we have problems in this land I love and choose to reside in.
I was not born here but volunteered to become a legal Citizen, with my Wife of 25 years. My Son is a Citizen, that made that possible.

The times they are a changing. And pistols that stay in a safe ain't going to help when the time to need it comes.
 
Is any other gun identically sized to the G19? I don't know that I've found the combo of the 4" barrel with the 5" overall height.

I am not following all the latest "Glock killers" coming out but when I did my research a few years ago, I found the G19 to have the edge when it comes to width, weight, height, and capacity.

Width: Coming in at 1.18 it is as thin as any double stack I researched. Some were as fat as 1.5".

Weight: At 23.65 oz it was one of the lightest on my list.

Height: 4.99". Many double stack compacts are 5.5".

That said I am curious upon reading this thread if I can shoot a G26 close to as good as a G19. If I can, I might be tempted to try and pocket carry it.
 
TailGator: said:
It is a choice of personal preference and need. People who choose the 26 over the 19 usually feel like they conceal it better (we have heard from some of those already, and I am one) and some feel they shoot it better (me again). Your choice.

I agree that the 26 conceals better than the 19, however I think I shoot my 19 and my Walther PPS-M2 better than the 26 I once had, but YMMV. I agree that either gun is a fine choice based on preference and intended purpose.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top