Title says it all. Wife is having trouble with her current carry gun (DA pocket pistol-won't mention brand). She doesn't like a SA auto and 38 is her comfort range in revolvers. Thinking of having her try a "baby" Glock in 9mm.

Questions:
ammo feeding (with different types)
jammability
recoil (perceived)
trigger pull (what's it like?)

I love my 26. It works like all Glocks. Also, it's only 1/2" smaller each way (barrel and grip) than a 19, so "baby" is a misnomer. Functions as reliably as every other Glock, trigger is identical. You might look at a Glock 42, in .380, since some of those loads can approach a 9mm.

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

if you mean the 26, i have plenty of trigger time on one. the grip is fat because of the double stack mag, and its short. most people want to put a pinky ext on it and then you have the grip length of a 19. it is a bit snappy in regard to recoil, but nothing she couldn't handle if she likes a .38 in an airweight type gun. the glocks are ammo eating machines. never had a ftf, ftf, ffte on any of the ones o own. they will gobble up anything you feed 'em. glock factory trigger pull is 5.5 lbs, unless you get the new york model that breaks at 8 lbs. ghost makes a sear that is drop in and it breaks at about 3.5 lbs. i work at a local gun shop and have been to the glock armorers class. they are durable, reliable, and fairly easy to maintain. gen 4 has interchangeable back straps, and the mag release can be switched for lefties. grip texture on gen 4 is as they say, rough texture grip or rtg. gen 3 is my choice but i own both. i know this is a smith & wesson site but we all own other stuff. my advice would include a peek at the shield, and my personal back up the XDS in 9mm. hope this helps a bit and good luck.

I am going to recommend a SIG 230 or 232. Very slim and concealable. Nice smooth DA trigger and a sweet SA trigger. 380 recoil is mild, and modern defensive ammo has made it much more respectable.

I tried one the other day, with my brother and sister-in-law. I liked it, he liked it - she LOVED it!

I've had a Glock 26 - no longer (other guns work better for me at what I need). Too large for pocket carry in anything but cargo pants. It's a fine gun, if a bit of a brick, and the 4th Gen version is a definite ergonomic improvement for those with smaller hands.

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How God has blessed us!

Too short of a grip for me to fell comfortable shooting it but otherwise nothing wrong with it.

I have never found a Glock that fit my hand. I would make sure she likes the feel of it. Has she tried the Shield?

Never liked Glocks until by chance I purchased a 27, and I love it! I was never impressed with them and by chance my LGS got one in, and since I was interested at the time in .40 I took a look at it. Shall I say the rest is history.
It handled flawlessly and right on the money out of the box. Now I also own one in .357 sig.
I use this for one of my CCW pieces and it carries well, I just can't give up my 36 though?
Hope this helps.....

As others have said, if you are looking for small, pocket type carry, the G26 really isn't it. If pocket carry is not a concern though, it is a great gun... it is a Glock in every way. Same reliability, same trigger pull, same everything as their larger framed guns, just in a smaller package.

"my advice would include a peek at the shield,"

How are they out of the box? I've heard some bad things about reliability (never was interested, so I never paid attention==I'm a Colt Commander guy)

Consider a Sig P239. It's worth a try.

I limited my answer to the Glock you asked about, but if you are open to suggestions, I recently purchased a Sig P290RS and really like it so far. Still need to put more rounds through it before I have confidence in it as my carry gun, but so far it seems like a winner.

Small enough for pocket carry, has night sights... just have to get accustomed to a long trigger pull.

As others mentioned, it's obviously no pocket gun, but is probably the most practical sub compact, double stack auto out there. They're butt ugly but work, and are more durable than they look.

For something slimmer there's the S&W Shield, Springfield XDS, Walther PPS, and Beretta Nano.

I have owned, or shot quite a variety of combat handguns over the years, and day in and day out, it is a Glock 26 for me. Accurate, reliable, great combat trigger. Not so small that it is hard to hit with or control. Does everything I want in a carry weapon.

Not a good choice for pocket carry, or for those with very small hands - A thinner single stack with a true DA trigger would be better for those roles.

Best bet would be for her to try handling a Glock 26 at the shop, along with several other similar makes and models, to see what feels good in her hand, what trigger feel she prefers, how the sights align for her, etc.

Larry

I personally would prefer the SIG P290 before Glock, b/c I don't like the grip and factory trigger pull on Glocks. Your wife should get her hands on such items before purchase.

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Jorge

You can't go wrong with a Glock, however as you can see, folks like different things. I've owned and still own lots of Smiths, that being said my nightstand has a loaded Glock 26 in it, and it's the one I carry when I'm out and about. I am 6'5" however. Good luck with your search...

I've carried a personally owned Glock 27 on the job since they first came out - at least 17 years, probably more. I'm carrying it right now, in a simple IWB holster, though it has also ridden in shoulder rigs, fanny packs, belt holsters, and ankle holsters.



It has been unfailingly reliable and is as accurate as its larger versions.

A previous supervisor (DR505 knows who I mean) considered himself a tactical guru, and would shake his head sadly at my fanny pack and baby Glock. How would I ever survive? He carried a 23 in a high-speed holster and at least two mags, cuffs, pepper spray, and probably a SAT phone for air strikes. He also couldn't have found a felon in prison. I qualified out of the fanny pack, since that was how I carried the 27 then. He set up some steel plates for a shoot-off and when it was my turn he said: a 27 out of a fanny pack? We can time this with a sun dial. The shooting gods smiled upon me that day, and I think the last plate fell before my first case hit the dirt. I beat his time by a considerable margin. I probably could never do it again, but I did it that day, and I'll always love my baby Glock because of it (and the years of service before and after),

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Rule of law, not a man.

I've been carrying my G27 since 2001 and it's a great gun but my wife hates shooting it. She does love the G42 that she's "acquired" from me though Her normal carry gun is/was a S&W 60-15 but I've spied her walking out the door with "my" G42 lately so she's apparently quite comfortable with it.

We have a personal friend who used to own a lgs and now works at a "big box". We will be getting his advice as well as trying out several possibilities. This is just "background" since I am a 1911 fan and we both carry Rugers SA for field carry. I have quite a selection but it will be her choice and her selection. For defense, I don't want her to get a *** but something reliable from the get go. A carry piece that's back at S & W or Glock or wherever is no good when you need it here and now!

If you let your Wife shoot a G26 I'll bet she will really like it.
My first Glock was a G27 back in the mid '90s. I have carried it IWB, OWB, in a pocket holster, belly band and in an ankle holster. Works great in all of them. The problem some people have is the short grip. You can get a +2 extension for the mags. I can't remember the manufacturer, but in 9mm it adds two additional rounds capacity and gives you something for the pinky to hold on to. Adds only one round in .40 S&W.
Have her shoot one. I'll bet she likes it.
Jim

Don't let her get her hands on their new 42 in .380. Ammo is a bugger to find right now!

I have a 27 which is identical in size. I've really liked it. Super reliable with any ammo, trigger is not match by any means, but not bad and only 5.5lb pull. Very accurate for a sub compact. It is a little wide with the double stack mag for some concealed carry.
Even in the .40 recoil is not bad, so the 9mm would be even better.
For myself in 9mm, I would choose the G19 for increased capacity and grip plus not much larger. The 26 may fit her hand just fine though.
Best advise would be to try one out. SOMEBODY you know probably has one?
Good luck, and hope she finds one she likes.
If you get her one, be sure she's good to go with the no safety and relatively short trigger pull. That's a must with a Glock.
Oh yeah, I've never had a Glock jam on me yet.

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“Look life in its iron face”

Haven't had a single "reliability" problem with my 9 mm. A few fte in the first 200 rounds (3 to be precise), but none in the last 1200.

A G26 is the only Glock I own. I've had it since 2005, and it's my main house gun. Very tough, very reliable, and very expendable--if God forbid it ever has to go live in a police evidence locker, I won't worry about it. My wife has no trouble racking the slide, like she does with my SIG 225.

The G42 .380 is...seductive. Everyone I know who's fired one loves it.

(If the G26 is the "baby Glock," what does that make the G42? The "fetal Glock?")

I had a Glock 26 for eight years, carried it for 4 years with the NYS Police and 4 more after that. I loved it, accurate, smooth trigger pull and a little kick. I did not have one problem with it. I just traded it to a fellow forum member for his S&W M&P Shield. Straight up deal.

Been carrying a G26 since they came out. +2 mag bottom. Cant see any reason to change. Might go to a M69 because I like the 44 Magnum but probably wont.

The Glock 26/27/33 subcompacts are my favorite pistols for concealed carry.

They are chubby little bulldogs, with predictable triggers & action.

Easy to find holsters/mags/sights for the Glock pistol. Aftermarket Sights are the only thing that I find necessary for a Glock pistol.

I used to HATE the way the Glock felt in the hand...until I put some rounds downrange with one. Loved Glock ever since.

Let us know what your wife chooses!

I have one in .45 ACP and it's a pint sized powerhouse, although I do want one in 9mm.

In .45 it's definitely not a range gun, it's a hand stinger after a few mags.
The big plus of the micro Glocks is they can use the same mags as the larger models.

You can easily carry the Glock 26 9mm and keep a full size 17 mag in a pocket etc for an instant hi- cap reload.

As far as the G42, I'm a wheel gun nut and my LCP is fine as a micro .380, I don't really need a Glock that fills the same exact role as an "emergency use" deep concealment gun.

If you can hide a G42 you can hide a micro Glock in 9 or 40 and take a step up in stopping power.
If I were a Glock o Phile then I would need a G42.

It's a Glock…….

Semper Fi!

I own two generation 2.5 Glock 26's. They are affordable, reliable, accurate, and easily modified. Other than night sights, grip cavity plugs, and mag extensions I do not modify mine. I am fortunate to live 35 miles from Smyrna, GA and can take my pistols in for service, which is free.

A Glock is a thick handgun to conceal. Try a S&W Shield, 908, 3913/3914, 3953, Sig P239, Sig P230/232. Then buy a S&W 3953 and be happy.

This.

My wife got me a 27 for my academy graduation. I carried it as a backup/off duty for many years. I don't recall it ever jamming, could carry it under a t-shirt, and all in all it is a great pistol. It is chunky, and not the smallest pistol out there but you can do much worse.


All that said....it's still a Glock....

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Plastic has no soul

And to add...if you plan to put a grip extension on it just get a 19. I have never understood the concept of a sub-compact pistol and then putting a grip extension on it bringing it up to a compact size.

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Plastic has no soul

Well, I agree for the most part, but the Pearce extension for the 26 is one of the best, and gives me somewhere to anchor that dangling pinky. Now, I'll grant you that the extension makes the front of the grip on the frame the same length as a 19, but it doesn't make the barrel and slide any longer than it is. . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Not to derail this thread but that makes my point. The barrel is not what's hard to conceal, the grip is. Why waste mag capacity with a grip extension when you can have more capacity for the same real estate.


My Weber makes it hard to screw up dinner

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Plastic has no soul

It doesn't make your point at all. You didn't read for content. The extension makes the front of the grip longer. It angles back quickly, and the rear of the grip, which is what prints for the most part, is still 1/2" shorter than a 19, along with the barrel still being 1/2" shorter.

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

The G26 is perhaps the "prototypical" carry gun. Many, including myself, shoot it better than the full or mid size glocks. Recoil is very mild - on par with a full stainless 38 (such as a S&W 640 or 649). All of the "baby" glock models have a dual recoil spring assembly, which as of Gen4 is now utilized by the full size models as well. There are lots of great carry options out there, but really hard to go wrong with a G26.


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Well probley a thousands rounds through my 27, with very large hands I might add, I still say an extension is wasted space. If you need more grip, get a larger framed weapon and gain capacity for space. I don't buy the argument. For nearly the same signature you can have more rounds.


My Weber makes it hard to screw up dinner

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Plastic has no soul

There's a lid for every pot, according to my grandmother . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Grandparents are very wise indeed. ..


And I am one...

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Plastic has no soul

Have her try both G26 and G19. I bet she will prefer the G19. Glock 19 takes up the same "real estate" as the 642 J frame S&W, but holds 15 instead of 5 cartridges. See photo.

Attached Images

Glock 19 under S&W 642.jpg (62.2 KB, 26 views)

I have carried a Gen 3 Glock 26 for years. Fairly easy to conceal, and as accurate as my G 17. My pinky sits under the flush fitting magazine, but as many already said, if you need the extension, get a G19. Still too big and blocky for pocket carry, so in the summer I usually carry a 637 in a cargo pocket.

My opinion on baby Glocks:

They aren't a good pocket gun, and they aren't a good belt gun. I was going to try to dress up my response, but I deleted it and went with my forthright thoughts. If I am going to belt carry, it's going to be a Glock 23, and if I pocket carry it's going to be a J-frame.

There's not really a good reason to have the stubby dimensions, dangling pinky, and lower capacity, on a belt. Plus, it's too thick and blocky for pocket carry. For me, the baby Glocks are neither here nor there.

I do not own one but I have had few opportunities to shoot a buddies 26. It always surprises me by how well the gun shoots and handles with such a stubby little grip. I swore of clocks but to be honest that little gun would fit nicely between my .380 autos and a 9c.

I think your wife would be quite happy with it,

Mine cycles all 9mm ammo types. 115gr, 124gr, 147gr. FMJ's, and various JHP's. Standard, +P, NATO, and the occasional +P+.

It takes my 115gr practice ammo handloads charged just enough to cycle the slide. It cycles my 98gr frangible projectile loads.

Limp wrist it, and it will jam.

Can't cheat physics. The smaller the gun the more perceived recoil. I perceive the 26 to have more recoil than a 19, 17, 34.

The other thing to consider is that the smaller 26 uses a stronger spring. Make sure to teach your wife the proper technique to rack the slide: the power stroke.

The stock Glock trigger pull is perfect a little take up, clean break, a little over-travel, a crisp communicative reset. The stock trigger press is about 5 - 5.5 pounds. If you install different connectors, you can alter the weight of the trigger press at the cost of inducing a little mushiness to the trigger.

The Glock 26 comes from the factory with a serrated face trigger. The serrated face trigger causes the pad of the finger to push the trigger rather than press straight back. For a right handed person, the serrated face trigger can increase the chance of your finger pushing the shot a tad left. The trigger is usually the 1st thing I swap out on a Glock 26 and Glock 19. I order and drop in a standard face trigger/trigger bar assembly for a Glock 17.



If you're looking for small pocket carry in today's market, the G26 isn't it. There are better choices out there. I've shot the following:

• S&W M&P Shield (9mm & .40 S&W)
• Sig P290RS (9mm)
• Sig P238 (.380 ACP)
• Sig P938 (9mm)
• Ruger LCP (.380 ACP)
• Ruger LC9 (9mm)
• Glock 42 (.380 ACP)

The Shield has the nicest trigger of the M&P pistol line. It's communicative on the break and reset. I like that it has an external safety.

The P290RS has a nice double action only trigger pull. The only drawback is that it takes time, patience, and practice to learn to shoot a DAO trigger well.

The P938 is tiny, a handful to shoot, and overall excellent. The only drawback for some is that it's a SAO pistol that is carried cocked and locked.

The LC9 was the oddest of the bunch. The DAO trigger isn't that good, it's not that small.

A true pocket pistol is the Ruger LCP. It's got some pep to it. The sights are non-existent, but it does the job it was designed to do: put rounds on target within 7 yards.

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-John

I've owned a bunch of them, though none currently in my possession. All have worked as expected. I have put mag extensions on each of the ones I have owned just to get a better grip. I've owned 19s and 23s as well, usually carrying a 26 or 27 as a spare with them. At this stage though, unless a really good deal shows up on one, I'm pretty much glocked out.

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Even older, even crankier....

I have a 26 that I'm very fond of. My hands are small so the stock
grip is good enough for me. It's too big for pocket carry but conceals
better in a belt holster than any of my full size autos. Very reliable
with a variety of ammo types. It shoots small groups exactly to point
of aim at ten yards with 124 gr FMJ. It has the stock trigger connector
but the trigger feels pretty light to me. All in all I feel well armed
when I'm carrying it. It's a keeper.

I've gotta respectfully disagree with my forum pals who think adding the pinky-finger-hanger-onner makes a 26/27 as big as a 17/23.

It really adds very little, especially if you carry it the way I carry mine - in a simple inside the waistband holster in the "appendix" (or "aimed at the nads") position. Right front, between the belt buckle and front pocket.

I've tried my wife's Glock 19 in that spot and its just long enough to be uncomfortable when driving (of which I do a lot). I can forget the littler Glock is even there.

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Rule of law, not a man.

I've had the opportunity to shoot the baby glock in 45acp. Our range is full of guys that will offer to have you shoot their handgun just to try it out. Kinda had reservations shooting that small a pistol in 45acp. But after the first couple rounds was kinda fun. Frank