Glock 26 vs 19. Which Is Better For Concealed Carry? [2023]
Glock 26 vs 19. Reading Between The Nines
Some people accept nothing other than a 9x19mm Glock, and if you're going to carry one on the daily, that inevitably leads to deciding between the Glock 19 vs. 26. Both of these pistols are wildly popular among police officers and civilian carriers. Take a peek in basically any gun store, and they'll have both of them behind the counter.
But which to get?
Both guns are solid choices, but each gun has a couple of minor drawbacks that will make one a better choice for some people. It's like getting a car; plenty of people like pickup trucks, but it's not a very good choice if you live in an urban environment. Likewise, a Mini Cooper probably isn't the best choice if you live out in the sticks.
So really, it comes down to what's best for you. But what is going to make one better than the other? We're going to find out.
Glock 19: The Goldilocks Gun
The Glock 19 is more or less a "Goldilocks" gun. It's big enough to hang with the full-size guns in terms of accuracy and performance. It holds 15+1 of 9mm and will even run 9mm +P, which is on par with most service pistols or close enough that it makes little difference. It will even accept Glock 17 magazines for an additional two rounds of capacity if desired.
However, it's also small enough for shooters with smaller hands to use well, unlike many of the classic service pistols like the Beretta 92, Sig Sauer P226, CZ 75 or a 1911 which can be bigger than some people are willing to deal with.
The 19 is also small enough for most people to conceal fairly easily. Granted, it's also a tad big compared to other compacts.
The Glock 19 has a 4-inch barrel, with an overall length of 7.36 inches. The gun is 5 inches tall, and is 1.18 inches wide at the slide. Unloaded, it weighs 23.65 ounces but only goes up to 30 ounces once loaded. Trigger pull is commonly held to be 5.5 pounds, though that can vary a bit per each individual gun you find in stores.
Everything you need, nothing you don't, and in an easy to use, easy to learn, reliable and accurate package. Aftermarket support is ridiculous and they don't even cost all that much; you can pick one up for $450 to $600, depending on the store and circumstances, and less on the used market.
- Overall Length: 7.36"
- Height: 5"
- Barrel Length: 4"
- Width: 1.18"
- Weight: 23.65oz unloaded, 30oz loaded
The Glock 26 was conceived as a small handgun for the concealed carry market and as a backup gun for law enforcement, and it has been a very popular pistol for that application since it was released back in the mid 90s. As far as subcompacts go, the Glock 26 has a lot going on for it. It's compact enough to be easily carried and concealed. However, it's big enough to avoid the usual pitfalls of pocket guns. The G26 has sufficient barrel length to get some performance out of ammunition and to preserve accuracy. It's slim, but also has a decent capacity; it holds more rounds than some full-size guns (Sig P220, 1911, etc.) so you can actually carry a decent supply of bullets. The Glock 26 is not only a versatile firearm but can also be customized to fit your ammunition needs. This compact firearm is fully compatible with both Glock 19 and Glock 17 magazines, which can conveniently amplify your ammo capacity. Moreover, many Glock 26 users prefer to enhance their grips by incorporating G19 magazines coupled with a grip sleeve. This blend of adaptability and customizability speaks volumes about why the Glock 26 remains a popular choice among many. The Glock 26, often referred to as the "Baby Glock," carries impressive features in a compact package. With its barrel length of 3.4 inches, total length of 6.4 inches, and height of 4.17 inches but same width as the Glock 19, it's meaty enough to be shootable but compact enough for carry. Magazine capacity of 10+1 rounds of 9x19mm with the flush-fit magazine and 12+1 with the extended. The Glock 26 however is compatible with Glock 19 and 17 magazines. Unloaded, the Glock 26 weighs a mere 21.17 ounces and 26.12 ounces loaded. Trigger pull is rated at 5.5 pounds. Just like the 19, aftermarket support is ridiculous. You'll find it in basically every gun store. Thousands of people carry them everyday, either as a primary carry gun or as a backup. However, the specs of each gun...don't matter all that much, as they really only give you part of the story. What does matter? What matters is what makes a gun good for YOU. How, then, is a person supposed to narrow the Glock 19 vs 26 decision down? *Glock doesn't publish MSRP, per se. We took a quick look at a few popular online retailers. Your mileage may vary. Truth be told, no matter which gun you pick between the Glock 19 vs Glock 26, you're getting a solid firearm. Both are accurate, reliable, and shoot very well. Granted, neither is a tack drivin' sniper pistol with a custom shop trigger. Glocks are merely hard-working guns that will go "bang" when you need them to and will generally hit what you aim them at. Everything you need, nothing you don't...but you'll probably find one is better for you than the other. The Glock 19 occupies a fantastic middle ground between a service pistol and a carry pistol. They're compact enough for most people to carry every day, but some people find them to be more gun than they want to deal with. The Glock 19 The Glock 26 The G26 is obviously a little smaller and a little lighter, which makes them easier to deal with as a carry gun. However, the wrinkle has always been that they are a little livelier once you start pressing the trigger. The Glock 26 is a little snappier, a little livelier than a Glock 19, so you're going to have to deal with muzzle rise. The short grip gives some people fits, leading to either an adjustment in technique - such as curling the pinkie of the shooting hand under the magazine - or using either an extended magazine base plate (i.e. a pinkie extension) or an extended magazine. After all, Glock 19 magazines work in the '26. The best thing to do is to handle both and shoot both. Get to a gun store or range that rents guns out for testing purposes. Shoot both, get a feel for them. You'll get an idea for which one you'll be most confident with, which will be the one to acquire. But keep in mind... While excellent workhorses, Glocks aren't necessarily perfect. Some find their ergonomics difficult to deal with and the factory triggers aren't necessarily outstanding, though the Gen 5 pistols are certainly an improvement. Maybe it's not perfect, but Glock 26 handguns are some of the most popular and reliable firearms available today. The reliability and user-friendliness of Glock 26 pistols have earned the trust of law enforcement officers as well as everyday civilians. It's no wonder why so many stake their safety on the Glock 26, its outstanding performance and easy operability speak for themselves. Ultimately, you are the most important part of the equation. If you can't make hits, it doesn't matter what gun you carry. Therefore, the only thing that really matters about your choice of concealed carry gun is that you are proficient with it. Use our free 8" x 11" target when you head on out to the range! We will continuously be adding new target options to our lineup. Check out our complete free printable shooting targets page to see the full selection as they start rolling in. About The Author 
Glock 26 Glock 19 Barrel Length 3.4 inches 4.01 inches Dimensions L/W/H 6.4"x4.17"x1.18" 7.36"x5"x1.18" Unloaded Weight 21.17 oz 23.65 oz Capacity 10+1 15+1 MSRP* $500 - $550 $500 - $600 Deciding Between Glock 19 vs Glock 26: What You Need From A Carry Gun
G26 or Glock 19 Concealed Carry Success Depends On You
