Help finding my 1st Glock!

Of those two I would pick the G26.

I've narrowed the field down to these two models, so PLEASE don't make it more complicated by shoe-horning in the 19, 27, 43, etc.

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I know you said it, but I'm also looking for my first Glock, though still in the window shopping mode.

I suspect I'll have some trouble shooting a Glock, at least initially, since they are different from what I'm used too, so my plan is to pick the Glock that would probably be the easiest to shoot and my current thinking says either a G34 or a G17.

I have a couple of 26's and a 30S.

Both are good guns, and you really need to shoot both to decide.

Personally, I prefer the 26. The 30S is in the trade pile, and next to go.

I've owned both the G26 and G30(SF) in Gen3 versions. It was a long while ago and I was less experienced with recoil at the time, but I found the G30 a bit much to handle. Not sure how I'd do with it now though.

I have a 30 that is solid, IMO the recoil was softer than expected. I have not been able to get over how chunky it is.

I recently shot a friends 26, I was impressed. I shot it very well. Now I have to buy one.

Personally, for a short grip I would go with the 26. I have a G26 Gen 3 and I like it very much. The recoil is there but manageable. Not sure I would care for the recoil of the .45 ACP in a similar sized gun to the 26. The 30 is a bit bigger overall as well. The weight of the 30 is 1/2 pound more than the 26 with full magazines.

I like the 26 here, but unless you really need the ambi slide stop I'd think about the Gen 4 if it's a lot cheaper, or Gen 3 if you don't need the texture (I need talon grips minimum with Gen 3).

I like Glock and I like .45 so for me it would be the 30.

Basically another 9mm vs 45 debate. Both are pretty close to the same length and height. The 45 is thicker and some people can't get a comfortable grip on them. If you can, and want 45 the G30 is a good choice. If you prefer 9mm and need a smaller grip then G26.

I find the 30 with the 10 round mags has a tendency to pinch my pinky pretty bad under recoil. Not the worst thing, but noticable.

I tried all the various OEM and Pearce baseplates and only the 9 round mags didn't do that, only because my pinky didn't fit on the grip and I had to curl under.

Still a good gun, but I found I shot the 26 a lot better, which is no surprise considering the size and weight of the 30.

I don't have either but would go with the 26. More economical on the range and a bit nicer to carry.

Get the 30 gen 4.... so long as you don't mind the weight. And as long as you can afford the increase in price difference when practicing.

With a good belt..the weight difference won't matter.

And pinching pennies here and there... The price difference won't matter.

I sold my 30s... Somewhat regret it. And may eventually get a 30 gen 4 (which I suspect will even be a better shooter than the 30s due to the heavier slide).

For now though I'm into hammer fired gun. But should I transition back to Glocks...g30 would get the nod.

WoodchuckAssassin said:

Glock 30 Gen4 ... Glock 26 Gen5

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How big are your hands?

If big enough G30 would be fine. If not big enough, G30SF would be OK.

I would say shoot both and buy the one that you can shoot faster and more accurate.

To me, purpose of buying a compact/subcompact vs full size is for concealed carry while compromising accuracy and reduced muzzle velocity. So, shot placement will be more significant and that means you will need to buy something you can shoot more accurate with.

WoodchuckAssassin said:

PLEASE don't make it more complicated by shoe-horning in the 19, 27, 43, etc.

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No, shoe-horning G27 is very pertinent as G27 and G26 are same size with similar capacity (10 vs 9 but 10 if using +1 grip base). And using 40-9 conversion barrel, you essentially have a G26 to practice with cheaper 9mm ammo.

So, once again, I would suggest you shoot all of them side-by-side and choose the one you can shoot most accurate and fastest.

Most people shoot the G26 better and that's the real point. Everything else is nuance.

Ask yourself, "If I had to make that 40' T-Box shot which pistol would I want in hand?".

I know in my case it would likely be a G26 over a G30 (although Glock isn't my tool of choice). However it's possible if you have fingers the length of a Pro QB that might not be true. I do know Hickok45 doesn't have tiny hands and he still shoots the G26/G27 better than the G30.

Do you think you could have come up with two more different Glocks to choose from?

Anyway, G26 all day long. The G26 is one of the best Glocks of all time.

I've owned quite a few Glocks and have shot even more. IMO the two best Glocks are the 23 and 26. I currently have a 5th Gen Glock 26 Ameriglo and it is one sweet pistol.

Get both.

Seriously just get both.

You will end up getting both.

No use in fighting it.

Edit: Dude you’re in Virginia! Get both ASAP!

Buy the 30 first, then the 26. The 30 is an excellent, accurate weapon that carries like a 19 but shoots big boolits.

I own both so what does that tell you?

I voted for the G26 though because it's quite a bit smaller and therefore substantially easier to carry imo.

Glocks have never pointed well for me, this is a deal breaker for me. I've had two Glocks a G 17 and a G19, I now have none.

joneb said:

Glocks have never pointed well for me, this is a deal breaker for me. I've had two Glocks a G 17 and a G19, I now have none.

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And how's your post going to help OP's question of choosing between G30 and G26?

G30/G26 have different grips from G17/G19.

Have you actually shot G30 or G26?

The 30 with 10 round magazines or the 26 with 11 round magazine offer excellent grip. Perfect for my size Large hands (glove size 9.5 but they never do half so I get a 9 or a 10 depending on the brand)

I really cant emphasize enough how good the grips are on both with the "extended" mag. I shoot the 30 as well as my 1911 and I shoot that 1911 very well.

The 9 round 30 mags with pinky under are noticeably worse but you gotta do everything you can to reduce grip length IMO so I carry with the 9rds and packs 10s or 13s (glock 21 mags) in backup depending on method of carry.

LiveLife said:

And how's your post going to help OP's question of choosing between G30 and G26?

G30/G26 have different grips from G17/G19.

Have you actually shot G30 or G26?

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My post will maybe be of little use to the OP, I have kept my eye on Glocks for many years and I have not seen enough improvement in the grip or palm swell to urge me to buy another. If the gun does not point naturally for me I will look for another.

sequins said:

I own both so what does that tell you?

I voted for the G26 though because it's quite a bit smaller and therefore substantially easier to carry imo.

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I own multiples of both