Glock 26 Vs. Glock 43

[amd6547]

I have a few handguns I like, and use for carry or HD. But my G26 would probably be the last one I'd sell.
I use it with the 10rd mags, and I also use the 12rd Glock OEM mag, as well as 15rd g19 and 17rd g17 mags.
The 19 doesn't do much for me. I used to own a G23, so I know what it is to carry that size glock. The G26 is much easier for me. I have carried a G17 and for me, it was about like carrying the G23, and I like the G17 grip better.
I carried various Browning HiPowers for years.
The first time I shot my G26, I found I could shoot it as well as or better than the HiPower.

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

I currently own a Glock 19 and a Kel Tec PF-9. In the past I have owned a Glock 27 (same size as the 26), and a Ruger LCP (too small of a gun IMO). I had the chance to hold one of the new Glock 43's and was not impressed. My commend was, "might as well get a Glock 26 or a Kel Tec PF-9 size gun. The Glock 43 seems to be half way between the two frame sizes and therefore does not justify me purchasing one. If it held eight rounds that might be a different story. Just my $0.02.

 

[huntsman]

The other thing I find interesting is, how we're often told, that deploying a gun from your pocket, its the fastest draw youre going to see. Funny how that doesnt seem to work, when you start with your hands out of your pockets, and from a "startle" draw.

Pocket carry allows a draw before the draw is needed, one can slip a hand in the pocket get a grip and refract from holster without removing gun from pocket. Assuming one is using a true pocket gun and not try to cram a small belt gun in pocket.

FWIW if you're "startled" you're already in deep DO DO

 

[AK103K]

Pocket carry allows a draw before the draw is needed, one can slip a hand in the pocket get a grip and refract from holster without removing gun from pocket.

At what point do you decide to put your hand in your pocket (and do you think youre being subtle, or are you simply telegraphing?), and how close do you allow someone to get, before you decide to draw?

The longer you wait, the worse your chances of getting it out become, even with your hand on it.

How do you fight, with one hand trapped in your pocket, if you get bum rushed?

Lots of iffy and uncertain stuff going on there. Have you ever tried out what you plan to do for real? Do you regularly practice your pocket draw, and shoot with live ammo?

As I said earlier, I have yet to see anyone practice like that.

FWIW if you're "startled" you're already in deep DO DO

Very true, and its not good for any method of carry, but to me, it puts pocket carry down towards the bottom.

I seriously doubt you walk around with your hand always in your pocket. Having carried every day, most of my adult life, I know you cant be 100% vigilant, and we all get startled from time to time, good, bad, or indifferent.

So how well do you do, in a case like that? Can you get your gun out while dealing with someone in close proximity, moving quickly, or grappling with some one, etc?

 

[Girodin]

I have a couple of 19's, but Ive never got the point of them. They are not much smaller than the 17, yet they wont go where the 26 will. Their grip is also just a tad cramped for my hands, although they are better now, than when they still had the "mag rip" cut out on the front strap.

If I could only have one, it would be a toss up between the 17 and 26, and Id probably go with the 26 in that case. But Im glad Im not stuck in that position, as I really prefer the 17's over all the rest.

Just goes to show what works best for one person is not what works best for another. Many people find a 19 is not any more difficult to conceal or carry than a 26. Although I often carry a 17 or similar sized gun, there are times when a 19 is just enough smaller in the grip to conceal better. The 19 also can sport a light, unlike the 26. With the advent of lights like the XC1 which add almost no bulk I think its a nice option. I have all three sizes and like all of them, but I would split the baby with the 19 if that's all I could keep. For a while I only had a 17 and 26 I could see why one would feel like they didn't need a 19 if he/she had those two.

The other thing that affects my calculation a bit is that I have come to prefer my VP9 to my G17. Thus the G19 also offers something that my VP9 doesn't. Even if I didn't have the HK I'd still take the G19 as an only glock.

 

[Girodin]

Pocket carry can be nice for proactively putting a hand on the gun but is not nearly as good for reactive drawing. Also if/when one needs to move off of the X drawing from a pocket, particularly a tight one, can be problematic. The idea that one will see everything coming well in advance and be able to preemptively ready one's gun in the pocket is a bit naive IMHO. It may work well in some scenarios but certainly not all.

Like most things there are trade offs. On a balance, I do not believe pocket carry is the best choice for a primary gun. And that is not even accounting for the types of guns that can typically be pocket carried.

Again I would encourage anyone pocket carrying a primary gun to test it out in drills and force on force. It may still be what he/she wants to do, but its good to know the pros, cons, and limitations.

 

[Desertrat357]

Well not a ton of pictures. I had to get a few things done after the range. But I got to put 100 rounds down range through my "new to me" Glock 19. I am very impressed with it! It was so comfortable to shoot. I realize that the 9mm isn't a hard recoiling round by any means. But it was just fun to shoot! Needless to say I am happy with my first Glock.

 

[TruthTellers]

When it was finally announced by Glock that the G43 was coming, I thought, "It's about damn time!" Then they released the tech specs and dimensions and I did a facepalm. Everything that Glock shouldn't have done with the G43, to win me over at least, they did.

Between the 26 and the 43, I have to go with the 26 because of its higher capacity based from being a dub stack. Size and weight wise, it's not much bigger than a 43 so I can't understand why if you can shoot and carry a 26, why someone would choose a 43.

I see the 43's market being more for women because it's a smaller gun and it probably fits the female hand and conceals on the female figure better. I also see it as a gun that is marketed to the LEO community because... Glock.

As a single stack 9mm though... I see a lot of others on the market that are smaller than the 43, hold more than the 43, and sell for less than the 43. I think if you get an LC9s Pro and it works great, it's a better gun; such an awesome trigger too. I think if you get a PF9 and it works great, it's a better gun. Same goes for the Kahr CM9, the heavy Springfield XDS 3.3, and the Diamondback DB9.

The G43, while not being a bad gun, is IMO bested by other guns (so long as they preform correctly) do to their sizes, weights, triggers, capacities, and other features. Were the 43 to come out a decade ago, it would have been the most game changing move in the concealed carry market, but competition is a strange thing between gun manufacturers and it's even stranger when it's within the same company.

 

[huntsman]

Have you ever tried out what you plan to do for real? Do you regularly practice your pocket draw, and shoot with live ammo?

Ok there's a lot of what if's here and since I practice avoidance I've not had to deal with most if not all the suppositions.

Yes I practice my draw from pocket and because I shoot on my own range I'm not limited by "rules". I also practice drawing and palming my gun so in effect I just look like I'm standing their with hands folded but the reality is the gun is deployed.

 

[P5 Guy]

I'll stick with the G26. I can, if need be, stick an up to 33 round magazine in the pistol.

 

[David4516]

Desertrat357, that G19 looks pretty awesome.

If you're looking for holster ideas, here is one I really like for IWB:

http://www.vedderholsters.com/rapidtuck/

I have one for my G43 and it works well (for me at least).

I really like the 43, but I am having some trouble shooting it accurately. I think it's me though, not anything wrong with the pistol. This is my first Glock and I'm just not used to the trigger or the sights. I usually shoot single action or DA/SA pistols, with metal frames. My last carry pistol was a Makarov, and the G43 very different. I'm hoping that after a few more range sessions I'll get used to the Glock and be fine...

 

[LiveLife]

It would be nice if OP could do comparison range test with both pistols.

I usually tell people to buy/carry pistols they can shoot most accurate fast drawn from holsters.

For me, there are pistols I won't carry because they don't shoot well as some other pistols.

 

[Desertrat357]

bds,

I am not quite sitting flush enough right now to purchase both the 26 and the 43. After my recent acquiring of the 19, I am almost tempted to just carry it. Which I am sure I will on certain occasions. However, I still believe that the 26 would be that much more concealable. As soon as my bonus comes in I'll be purchasing a G26. I'll have to start talking with my range buddies to see if any of them have a 43 that I could shoot. I agree with you though, a side by side shooting comparison is the only true way to determine which one is better, for me.

 

[Wanderling]

If the 26's feel weird in your hands, the 42's/43's arent likely to feel any better. Once you learn to wrap that pinkie under the mag, the whole feel of the gun changes, and they shoot very well. There is no need for the extensions, and they are actually counterproductive, if youre going for the smallest possible package. You also have to watch reloading, and in some cases, just shooting the gun with them on. When I first tried them, they pinched my hand while I was shooting, and the first quick reload I did, raised a nice blood blister. I got rid of them pretty quick after that, and havent regretted it in the least.


Not sure what holsters you mean here.

Im also comparing the 42's to the 26's, and the difference really isnt that big with them. I got the 42's back before they let the 43's out, and once got to shoot them and see what they really were about, I quickly realized they werent going to replace my 26's. I still carry them pretty much daily, and in the same spots I used to carry my "smaller" BUG's. Mostly thats in a Smart Carry, or on lesser occasions anymore, in an ankle holster.


I have a couple of 19's, but Ive never got the point of them. They are not much smaller than the 17, yet they wont go where the 26 will. Their grip is also just a tad cramped for my hands, although they are better now, than when they still had the "mag rip" cut out on the front strap.

If I could only have one, it would be a toss up between the 17 and 26, and Id probably go with the 26 in that case. But Im glad Im not stuck in that position, as I really prefer the 17's over all the rest.

I fully agree with pretty much everything you said, except that I'd go for 26 over 17 (and yes I do have both).

However I do recommend the GAP floorplate for 26. It's not an extension in that it's not making it any longer but it makes a huge difference when drawing.

 

[oneounceload]

This is my Ruger SR9c (roughly the same size as a Glock 19), in a DeSantis Mini-Slide holster. Very comfortable to wear, holds the gun really close to the body, and does a great job of concealment.

Bannockburn - how's driving with that holster in that position?

 

[TruthTellers]

I'll stick with the G26. I can, if need be, stick an up to 33 round magazine in the pistol.

Those 33 rounders are for girls. Get a 100 round C-Mag and work them biceps

 

[ROAshooter]

"Those 33 rounders are for girls. Get a 100 round C-Mag and work them biceps"

Just what is needed for those spray and pray shootin sessions.....

 

[Bama Drifter]

If find the G43 too big for pocket carry.

If I have to carry on a belt, I want a bigger gun... in fact I have stopped carrying my G26 and instead carry my G19.

I think the G19 is the perfect size 9mm. It does not carry any more difficult than a G26, and I shoot the G19 better and has an extra 5 rounds of ammo.

^ +1
without reading further, I find above reflects my exact sentiment... a G19 carries just as well as a G26 on my frame. If I were going for a pocket nine, the Sig 938 would be my 1st choice, a J-frame Smith my close 2nd choice (5 .38spl +P rounds vs 7 9mm).

 

[DaisyCutter]

The 43 is ideal on an ankle.

The 26 is preferable most other places.

 

[tactikel]

I would never pocket carry (much of my time is spent in bad areas in a car-gun unacessable) especially a Glock without a pocket holster. The G42 is very slim light-easy to conceal. The G43 a great option if you need a 9mm.
If you could only have one IMHO get a G26.
My Daughter loves the G42, easy to conceal, she shot it really well, recoil controllable. I am getting a G43. +1 mags are available now and +2 mags will be soon. 7+1 or even 8+1 will be all I need. I currently have several carry options.