Besides a plinker at the range can it be used for concealed carry? I have an opportunity to acquire one at a reasonable price.

Well that depends. Some states have laws against carrying hand guns in certain places with threaded barrels. If your state is not one, then a 226 can be used to carry. It is a full size frame gun so how concealed it will be depends on how you will carry and your body type. With pants on, I use to carry a 226 IWB holster. It would need a little adjusting sometimes when sitting to be comfortable. Nobody ever knew I had it. Shorts, was not going to happen.

I would not conceal carry one currently because I have other smaller guns to carry and I am not as thin as I was 20 years ago.

Good insights Thanks!

It can be concealed.  It's not really fun or super concealable, but you can do it.  It has a footprint about like a Glock 17 but is quite a bit heavier.  I shoot a 226 a lot, but carry a 239.