I bought my first carry pistol, a Colt Python, in 1989. I went through about three wheel guns, and two generation 3 S&W autos before discovering the Glock 19 in 1993. At that time the gun mags all discounted the plastic pistol as a piece of trash that would never last. I loved the 19, and several more carry pistols have come and gone since, but the Glock 19 remained. I still have a S&W Shield that I bought while awaiting the magical Glock 43 along with a .38 airweight.
Recently my nephew got his concealed carry permit and I decided I would give him the Glock 19, time to buy a new main carry piece. I really like the Shield for concealment, but the skinny grip doesn't totally do it for me; it has it's applications, but I wanted something a little more substantial. Then the Glock 43 came out, and I was hopeful, but it ended up with a grip smaller than the Shield. I considered a new Glock 19 and the similar offerings from Springfield and S&W, but for all of it's many positives, there are times when the 19 is just too big.
After reading a lot of posts in many forums, I decided to go with the Glock 26, and I could not be happier. If I want to go small, I go with the flat magazines, and it's pretty small. If I want to go with comfort, I go with the Pearce grip, which feels about like a 19, but is a bit easier to conceal. If I feel I need more firepower, it will take those extra 19 mags I still have. I realize there are smaller pistols out there, but I don't really need smaller, this one is the one I think will go the next 22 years.