G19 or G26 for Concealed Carry

[WRGADog]

I am going to purchase a new gun today, but I am having difficulty deciding between the Glock 19 or 26. Both guns are NIB and both have Crimson Trace Laser Grips installed. Price is the same $625. The G19 fits my hand better, but the G26 is easier to conceal . The Pearce grip helps the
G26, but the gun still feels chunky. I have two other subcompacts, PX4sc and XDsc that I rarely carry because of their thickness. So, I am concerned that the same will be true for the G26.

Those who carry a G19, do you find it easy to conceal and which hoslter do you recommend? Those who carry the G26, do you find the thickness to be a problem, and which holster do you recommend?

 

[ForumSurfer]

After viewing th 19 and the 26 at the store, side by side, stacked on top of each other and on the range...I bought a 19. It is only a tiny bit larger, and I do mean tiny. It sounds like a whole lot on paper, but look at them in person on top of one another and you'll see what I mean. Add a mag extension for your pinky to rest on, and you just turned a 26 into a 19. The weight difference isn't even worth mentioning. Then again, I also don't feel a weight difference between my 19 and a commander sized 1911 when carried iwb on a proper belt. The differences are there on paper, but in day to day carry I see no benefit unless you have horrible back pains and an ounce or two on your belt genuinely bothers you and causes pain.

Maybe if you had a big pockets, a 26 would be ok for pocket carry. I prefer to keep that trigger covered by a holster due to the lack of external safeties, so I would need some really big pockets for a 26. But I don't wear stuff with huge pockets so I carry IWB.

I use a cheap high noon split decision holster. With my 1911's, I like it just as much as more expensive custom holsters. I just ordered a comp m tac so I can't testify about it, yet.

Can't go wrong either way.

FWIW, I don't see where the 26 is any easier to conceal. I wore them both for a week ( a buddy has a 26) and when carried IWB, neither seemed easier to conceal for me.

 

[possum]

i personally think that the g19 is one of the best all around guns for defense period. not only in size and ease of carry, but in overall accuracy, shootability, reliability, and mag capacity. a j frame revolver is easier to conceal than a glock 19, but that doesn't mean that i would carry a j frame as a primary defensive handgun. you should have no issues carrying the g19, with the combo of a good holster, and a good belt.

 

[Cemo]

I don't have any of the XD's but I do have the Glocks and have high praise for them. I have handled XD's at the store and know of their highly regarded reputation. If you don't carry the XDsc because it is too thick, I don't you would carry the Glock either. I would think you need to go to a single stack pistol, which I don't have, or a 5 shot revolver.

My most used CCW pieces are the Ruger LCP, S&W 642 and the Glock 26. With these three I can carry in most any dress attire. In colder weather I may carry something larger.

 

[ProCarryNAustin]

Have carried a G33 (sub compact) and a G23 (compact) and for me, there was no difference the two for concealed carry. I now carry a G17 (full sized) and find that it is not that much harder to conceal than my G23 was.

Carry the one you shoot the best and dress around the pistol.

 

[Vonderek]

While the G26 is slightly smaller it's still too big for a pocket gun (some here will disagree). Since both will ride on the belt may as well be a G19. Mags for the 19 are everywhere and cheap. Mine has fed everything I have put in it without a hiccup and is as accurate as any factory gun I have. While I have more pride in ownership in other steel 9mm's I think the G19 is about perfect for a do everything gun in that caliber. I don't mind it getting bumped around or sweating all over it. You asked about holsters...I use either a Don Hume IWB or Galco pancake.

 

[MisterMike]

While it's not a perfect comparison, I have a G26 and G23. The latter is exactly the same dimensions as the G19. I find that the G26 is much easier to carry in a tuckable IWB holster, even with a Pearce grip extension. The seemingly small difference in grip length makes a huge difference in how far the grip protrudes when worn at the 4 o'clock position, so my personal preference is the G26.

No way, in my world, is the G26 small enough for pocket carry. When I pocket carry, I switch to a Sig P238.

 

[ForumSurfer]

The seemingly small difference in grip length makes a huge difference in how far the grip protrudes when worn at the 4 o'clock position, so my personal preference is the G26.

I think it is personal preference. While that makes a difference for you, it made absolutely no difference to me when I carry in the exact same manner. It all boils down to body type if you ask me.

That's why I borrow a holster from a buddy if I can and take it with me to the gun store to "try it out" in person.

 

[JohnBiltz]

I'm confused. If the G26 is too chunky the G19 is as well. They are the same thickness. So I don't see where this enters the decision between the two. There are times where size makes a difference. You can dress around it if you want to. A G26 will fit in a holster inside the cargo pocket of shorts or pants even with a G17 magazine in it. A G19 will not always, perhaps even rarely its too long. Around the house this is always my carry. Its incredibly comfortable. IWB with a stock magazine or GAP floor plate a G26 is less likely to print. I can see a difference between stock magazine length and an extended grip on the same gun on me when I look in the mirror. If you are tall and rangy I'd guess it probably doesn't matter much to you, I'm not.

 

[ironhead7544]

I have been using the G26 since they came out. Bought it as A BUG to my issue G17. I found I could hit almost as well with the G26 as the G17. The G26 is a bit smaller than the G19 but Im not going to run out and get a G19. Just not enough difference. If I didnt have the G26 Id get the G19. Just my .02.

 

[FourteenMiles]

You already have two double-stack 9mm subcompacts that don't work too well for you for concealed carry, why get another one? Have you considered these single stacked 9mm guns:

Kahr PM9
Walther PPS
Kel-Tec PF-9
Springfield EMP

 

[fxstchewy]

I have an XD9SC and a G26, the G26 is for some reason easier to conceal than the XDSC, so it gets carried and the XD sits in the safe.......

 

[wtfd661]

I have the G26 and prefer it. I figured you can always put a G19 mag in it with the grip extension and make it like the G19, but you can't shrink the G19 down to the size of a G26 if you need to for whatever reason (deeper concealment or what ever). So for me the G26 is more versatile.

 

[DougW]

I have both (G19 and G26). I usually carry the G26 in warmer times, moving to the G19 in colder weather. I have Glock +2 bases on 2 of my G26 mags giving 12 rounds each. So, I can carry 25 rounds in the G26 or 31 in the G19. But, the shorter slide makes carry concealment a bit easier with the G26. I always carry in a paddle OWB holster of some kind under an un-tucked shirt or jacket.

 

[camsdaddy]

I chose the 26 because I prefer to carry appendix IWB. I feel the barrel length being shorter makes it better for this posistion.

 

[frankge]

consider a G-36? I carried a XD Sub9c which is thicker but just a tad shorter. I got over the capacity issue. If you can't do it in 7 you ought to be running. Oh yeah, mag change!

 

[WRGADog]

MAde my Decision

I am now the owner of a G19 with CT Laser Grips. The gun just fit my hand better. I tried the G26 with a Pearce Grip and a Pearce Grip +2, while that improved the feel of the G26 in my hand, the G19 jsut felt right. Thanks for the input, I really appreciate the diverse opinions. Bottom line you won't go wrong with either the G19 or G26 IMO.

 

[Deaf Smith]

I prefer the 26/27/33 series for CCW.

Why?

1) less chance of printing
2) sitting down the barrel does not stab me if I have an appendix holster
3) 10-13 rounds is plenty as long as I have a spare mag or BUG
4) With a Pierce floor place or a +2 extension the subcompacts fit my hand perfect.

But the most important reason is it easier to conceal overall.

Deaf

 

[possum]

When choosing a defensive handgun, my question is which gun would allow me to fight for my life more effectivly and effeciently? Can you fight with a 26? sure you can, but you can do it faster and better with a 19.

 

[medbill]

I wear a 19 on my hip and a 26 on my ankle with a spare 17 mag in my pocket. Great pistols...good luck.

 

[possum]

medbill,
are you the same medbill from getoffthex, and the medbill that i met in camden in 2008?

I have no issue at all with the 26, i just personally wouldn't carry one as a primary if i had a choice. as a bug g2g.

 

[medbill]

That be me!

 

[jkulysses]

I shoot a little better with the 19 and ya it fits my hand a little better but for conceal carry, as was mentioned above, I think the 26 is the better option for most people especially during the warmer months. It prints less etc etc. Their both excellent and a couple of my favorites but if I was going to get the compact size I would go for the 23 over the 19 and just get an extra 9mm barrel for it.

 

[ET]

Personally I have a full size Glock 21sf for home defense. I carry a Glock 27, which is close to the 26, as my concealed gun. I had to add the grip extensions to make it fit me. That is the question though...WHAT FITS YOU BEST. A carry gun is so personal that you don't need us to tell you what you need. Only you can answer that one. If you worry that the Glock is too thick, then it probably is. Take your time and find the gun that fits you best. If you don't you will either end up with a gun that you don't carry, or two, or three. I now have 7 handguns and I think I need another because my carry gun could be a little more perfect. Welcome to the world of handguns!

 

[Ben86]

Those who carry a G19, do you find it easy to conceal and which hoslter do you recommend? Those who carry the G26, do you find the thickness to be a problem, and which holster do you recommend?

I find the G19 to be just as easy to conceal as the G26 with pearce grip extensions. I prefer the 19 to get the extra ammo, sight radius and more comfortable grip. It is a little heavier, but not buy much if you have a decent holster. I prefer molded IWB holsters like that offered from Galco and Blade Tech. The blackhawk #6 holster makes a good starter holster, it's cheap, comfortable and and has a convenient clip. That said I prefer think, single stack guns when carrying IWB, it's much more comfortable.

Good job picking the G19.