Posted: 3/20/2011 6:19:06 PM EDT
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So i've been thinking about getting another 9mm. I have a Walther P99 (full size) and love it, but being a 125Lbs guy (waist 30) makes it pretty useless for concealed carry. I use a Blackhawk drop holster when I'm out on the range with it. I prefer that setup since it allows me access to my pocket and knife and it allows me to transition my carbine to a back position without snagging the sling on a holster.
So I've been contemplating a G19 (compact) or G26 (subcompact). It will be my concealed carry gun (inside the waistband) and It will also be a nightstand gun for the wife (smaller hands than mine) and bug-out gun for her. I'd be open to getting both, but with the economy being what it is, I can't afford laying out $1000 for two handguns... What are the pro's/con's between the two? opinions? Comparisons from people who own both are preferred since those are more apples-to-apples comparisons. Thanks! Okki 
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| As a guy who was (used to be) an avid hater of Glocks i can honestly say i like my 26 better than any of my subcompact german made Sig Sauers or Walthers. In fact, in the proper light i might say i like it better than any german made handgun that isn't full-sized! I use the Pierce +0 mag extension on mine and couldn't be happier. It replaced a beautiful Sig P239. Still have the sig, but love and carry the 26. |
| I have both. My off duty has been my G19 for the last year. I wanted something smaller, so I bought a G26 for carry duty. Here's my take: for range or HD, I prefer the 19. For carry, the 26 is now my preferred weapon. Both are great pistols. It just comes down to what you guys are comfortable with. |
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Quoted: I think the G19 is the perfect sized handgun for conceal carry. I am also pretty dead set on being able to get a full 3 finger grip. My friend bought a 26 and I bought a 19, and we both like my 19 better. Same here!!! My wife and I both like the G19 best. It is more accurate and easier to hold. I really have a hard time holding a G26 without a pinky extention on it and I really do not beleive that it is a good CHTF pistol. It is just to small and harder to shoot! I would shoot both and go from there. |
| The 19 is much better to shoot at the range, but if you're really on a 30" waist (and depending on where you live) the 26 is going to be much easier to conceal. I'm 5'11" and 190lbs and the 19 is about as big as I'd want to go for a concealed carry pistol. Then again, shorts and a light t-shirt is what I wear here about 8 months out of the year. If you wear jackets most of the year, you'd have no problem. |
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i vote Glock 19. i have one and it's my dedicated CCW. i love it. to me, it's the perfect balance of size, weight, and capacity.
added: i have shot a friend's 26 and i was not real crazy about it. maybe the sub-compacts take some getting used to, but i'll stick with my 19. with the right equipment and attire the Glock 19 conceals very well. |
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Have both. Greatly prefer the 26 with plus 2 extensions.
The hump of the back strap is higher on the 26 and fits By hand better. For carry, even with the +2 extensions, the difference in grip length and shape are better for me. My shirt doesn't get hung on the grip when I bend like it does with my 19. Only reason I still have a 19 is for the light rail and bedside duty. |
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Quoted:
I have both, and I quit carrying the G19 in favor of the G26. I like the smaller dimensions, and don't care about the lower capacity. I will have a reload if I need more than 11. Same here. I love my 19 and it's become my HD gun, but the 26 gets all the CCW love. |
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Thanks guys...
I agree on the "shoot and try both" theory, but that's usually harder to orchestrate than it sounds. I do frequent the local gun show, so i can at least hold both before making the purchase. The interesting point of feedback was that the G19 = P99 in size. That's what my thought was when I held a Gen 3 at my local Gander Mountain. I'm 5'9" 125lbs and the wife is shorter than me so it sounds like I'll be leaning towards the G26 first and than try with and without the extension magazine. The G19 may simply have to wait for a bit and be third in line :) Okki |
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Carried my 19 for a couple years...Great gun, but now have a 26 for carry, and it works out alot better, and is a little more comfortable, and conceals a little better. And you can pocket carry it for quick trips to the store and what not, which is nice if you don't feel like throwing on a holster.
If your main use is carry. The 26 just works a little better! my .02 cents! |
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Quoted:
What about a 19 with the frame cut down to 26 specs? ;) I'm not sure you really gain much by doing this but if you have a 19 you want to chop have at it. of course you'll get a bit more sight radius and FPS. I for one dont shoot well enough for the sight radius to matter and i use short barred gold dots to make up for the fps :) |
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Hmmmm, lt all comes down to what you want the gun for. As a main gun I'd get the G19, as a back up gun I'd get the G26. I own a 26 that I totally LOVE but I don't think I would choose it to be my everyday carry main gun choice (except when I'm jogging or taking the trash out, then the G26 is all I carry). For every day serious defense carry I carry my G26 in an ankle holster and my G17 on my waist.
HTR. |
These might help...
They both have their place, shorts 26, pants 19 or for me sometimes the 17 with a jacket. If you can find a buddy to "try" carrying that would best. I don't think you can go wrong either way. For a night stand gun, I would go at least the 19 and a light. |
| I have both but prefer my 26. Thing eats all ammo and its size makes it perfect for concealment. I also shoot better with my 26. Best handgun I have ever shot. I also love that its compatable with all Glock 9mm magazines. I would stick with the 3rd Gen until all the bugs are worked out though. |