Opinions Needed: Glock 19 or 26?

I have decided on making the Glock my first handgun. After shooting hundreds of rounds through my brothers Glock 19 I have really come to appreciate the feel and reliability of this gun. The reason I want to start with 9mm is because it is what I am familiar with and pretty proficient with. On top of this I like the fact that 9mm ammo can be had much cheaper than .40 and .45GAP which for my intended purpose of range use fits my budget much better. Next year I will be getting my CPL (age 20) and have thought also about which gun would be best for CCW. Based off this scenario what do you think I should start with?

Adam

Subcompacts such as the Glock 26 are generally not recommended as a beginner's gun, but it is better as a CCW than the Glock 19, due to the shorter grip. If you're proficient with the 19 right now, I'd go with the 26. If you find it too small, you can always get a mag extension to bring the grip back up to the size of the 19.

KG

Buy an IWB holster for the G-19. Walk around the house, sit down , get up, try different clothing. If it wears comfortably and doesn't print and conceals well the obvious and better choice would be the G-19.

Both of the above replies contain good advice, IMO.

It's difficult for me to conceal a G19 with what I normally wear in really hot Summer weather. The short-gripped G26 is much easier to work with under these conditions. During the rest of the year, however, the G19 is probably a better choice. As kg333 implied, you can make a small gun bigger and easier to handle by adding a grip adapter to a longer magazine (or just using a longer mag by itself), but you usually can't make a big gun smaller unless a hacksaw is involved. I'd usually agree with the basic idea expressed by kg333s comment on subcompact autoloaders, but the G26-size Glocks shoot as well as many full-size service weapons if the shooter just pays attention to the fundamentals of shooting, so at least where Glocks are concerned, the smaller guns aren't too much of a handicap.

I'd probably recommend getting the G26 only if you MUST have one gun for everything, including concealed-carry in every season. Otherwise, you'll be better off getting a G19 now, and perhaps adding a smaller weapon for concealed carry during the hottest months. A G26 is the one of the smallest Glocks, but that doesn't mean it's truly small when compared to all other pistols.

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Originally Posted by DJ Niner

I'd usually agree with the basic idea expressed by kg333s comment on subcompact autoloaders, but the G26-size Glocks shoot as well as many full-size service weapons if the shooter just pays attention to the fundamentals of shooting, so at least where Glocks are concerned, the smaller guns aren't too much of a handicap.

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My reasoning was that I've run into a lot of new shooters who aren't comfortable with their pinky finger hanging off the gun, and that subcompacts tend to have somewhat harsher recoil. This is an excellent point, though, accuracy really should not be an issue between the 19 and 26.

KG

I own both. They are both amazing guns. That being said, it is true, the G26 is harder to shoot for a beginner due to the pinky hanging off the bottom of the grip. If this is your first gun, the G19 will be much easier for you.

I would suggest you stick with the G19. I carry one concealed all the time and it isn't a chore, even here in hot South Texas. The grip is larger and it has a longer sight radius. One thing you will eventually realize when you start carrying is that most people will never notice anyway. Stick with the G19 you are familiar with.

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Originally Posted by kg333

My reasoning was that I've run into a lot of new shooters who aren't comfortable with their pinky finger hanging off the gun, and that subcompacts tend to have somewhat harsher recoil. This is an excellent point, though, accuracy really should not be an issue between the 19 and 26.

KG

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I hadn't really thought about how off-putting that might feel to a brand-new shooter (who might feel barely in control of an autoloading weapon to begin with, even with all their fingers on the grip), but after further consideration, I think you're right. I've never started a brand-new shooter with a G26, but many people I know have fired their first shots through a G19, including my son. They've all done well with proper instruction, and several have gone on to get their own G19s.

My first handgun period is my Glock19. I must say, I'm very satisfied. Carry it everyday with no problems at all.

Good Luck

I appreciate all of the points listed above. I'm going to re-think my logic here and reconsider the 19.

Adam

Just to add my 2 cents.....First gun intended for the range, cant even have a CCW for over a year, Go with the 19. It will be a much better gun for what you are buying for. When you get your CCW if you indeed do you can allways get a good IWB for the 19 or a new gun and then you will have 2.

RCG

i would go with the g19
i owned a g26 for a long time but they are not a pocket pistol
the recent introduction and popularity of single stack 9's make better CCW and pocket pistols

G-19, although being a G-17 owner, i can say that i do want a G-26 in my collection eventually

I have a 26 and I shoot it more accurately than the 19. Love both, but the 26 is my EDC pistol.

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Originally Posted by Adame24

I have decided on making the Glock my first handgun. After shooting hundreds of rounds through my brothers Glock 19 I have really come to appreciate the feel and reliability of this gun. The reason I want to start with 9mm is because it is what I am familiar with and pretty proficient with. On top of this I like the fact that 9mm ammo can be had much cheaper than .40 and .45GAP which for my intended purpose of range use fits my budget much better. Next year I will be getting my CPL (age 20) and have thought also about which gun would be best for CCW. Based off this scenario what do you think I should start with?


Adam

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As long as you have a choice, go with what your comfortable with. I used the Glock 19 for a number of years with no complaints, my CC weapon now is a Glock 36, and at times my Glock 29. Good Luck and enjoy your pick.

G-19.... without a doubt.

I have been EDCing a G19 for about 6 years now....never a problem....

The barrel won't print, the grip will. A G26 can be more versatile, but if it is always used with a grip extension then the wrong gun was purchased. My G19 takes more effort to conceal in the summer, but I make it work. The best single gun to own in my humble opinion.

Can never go wrong with a Big G Pistol. Out of all my pistols I own,I keep my G-27 on me everyday.:smt071

i have both a gen3 19 and gen4 26. both are great. just go with what you want more. honestly, i cannot discern any difference in accuracy between the two. the g26 is a little easier to conceal.

Can't defy physics.. G26 is much easier to conceal in summer months, but G19 is just great all around and provides good grip. As old saying goes: get both.

G19

Really isn't that much difference in the two. The 19 is 1/2 inch longer and taller. The 19 holds 3-5 more rounds (depending on 10 or 12 Glock 26 mag), but the 26 can accept an adapter to give the same grip length and cartridge count as the 19. You could even put a 19 barrel in the 26 to give the same velocity as the 19. Bottem line is you can always make the 26 bigger, but you can't make the 19 smaller. I really like them both, but prefer the Glock 26 and feel that it is plenty big enough as it is and doesn't really need a grip extension.

For my first gun, I decided on a Glock 9mm. Fortunately my local range had all 3 sizes. I shot all 3 before making my decision. If you have the opportunity to do this, I highly recommend it.

If you're shopping purely for a 9mm CCW, you might want to consider broadening your search. As great as Glocks are, there are other slimmer 9mm guns that are very reliable and more concealable. If you want a "1 gun" solution and aren't totally comfortable with the sub-compact size just yet.... well, maybe the G19 is for you. You can work on concealment later, or look for a second CCW in the future when you're more comfortable.

Based on my experience, there was almost no difference between the feel of the G17 and the G19. The G26 definitely felt different. As a new shooter, there just wasn't enough for me to get a hold of and become proficient with. I got the G19. After a year of practice and some carry with the G19, I'm thinking I might be ready for a G26.

If possible, shoot 'em all before you decide.