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Which Glock 9mm?

I have just about every model/ size of semi-auto 9mm Glocks except for the 26, and that is only because I do not like the short, squat grip of the 26 at all. (I just didn’t want to drop $450 bucks out on a gun I know I don’t like just to complete the set.) If a Glock is on your want list, I can offer the following;

If you live in the free US, and want a fuller-sized gun, the Glock 19X and 45 are very nice 17-round combos of the 19 slide and 17 frame. The Gen 5 triggers feel much better than the earlier versions and the grip feel is excellent compared to the Gen 3 fingergrooves. These two models are the only Glocks I own that have not had the trigger replaced with either a Viking Tactical or Apex flat faced trigger.

The 19 is a good combo of size, capacity and concealability that covers most bases for most users. IMHO it is not the best at everything, but it is very good at a lot of things. (The Gen 4 G-19 is our issued gun at the office.) Since Polymer 80 guns were never legal to complete here, I have made a second G-19 from a factory frame and aftermarket parts/slide/barrel kit just to see how it was done.

The 34 &17 are larger guns. I carried a Gen 4 34 for nearly a decade on duty and loved it. The 17 is a tad shorter in length, but for an OWB holster-carrier it is extremely capable. IWB they are a bit chunky. My 17 is a Gen 1 that is currently with my Father, but I built a Gen 3 Glock 17 from a factory frame and aftermarket parts kit to replace it. I also did a 34 with a Lone Wolf solid slide and 5-color camo cerakote as my last Glock “kit.”

I also bought a Puerto Rico Police trade in Glock 22 in .40 that has a 9mm conversion barrel, new 9mm extractor and mags. This set makes it a G-17 sized two-caliber option.

The 43 is rather small and concealable. But, with the 6-round capacity magazine the grip is short, it is limited in capacity, recoil is snappy and at distance the sight radius is a hinderance. The factory trigger pinched my finger on this gun from the first shot I fired, so it was swapped for a V-Tac trigger muy pronto.

The 48 is one of my newer favorites; the grip is the right length and circumference for my mid-sized mitts, the sight radius is roughly the same as the Glock 19 and it is thin enough to conceal IWB without too much effort. The factory 11-round capacity (10+1) makes it legal in restricted places and aftermarket metal mags/mag releases ups the magazine capacity to 15 or so if desired.

The 43X combines the 48 frame and 43 slide, so all the grip/capacity plusses of the 48 are coupled with a smaller slide. Sight radius suffers a bit compared to the 48 and recoil is a little snappier, too. Since I went to admin a few years ago a 43X MOS is my daily carry (no red dot on it yet.)

The 17L is a large competition beast, not the best for carry IMHO.

M&P, SIG 320, Xd and other poly/striker pistols have several models that are also good choices if a Glock is not the answer. :thumbup:

Good luck with your search!

Stay safe.
 
Of those, probably the G26...that way if you decide you want another Glock 9mm, you can get something larger and then carry the G26, which is a fine carry gun and takes the larger OEM Glock mags.

If you're just looking for a range gun, no need to get something too small. The G19 is fine but I personally like the G45 better, it has a G19 length slide with a G17 length grip, balances very well and can be carried if need be, and you get 17+1 capacity.
 
FL-NC said:
17 is a great range gun, the 19 is good for near anything. The 26 IMO is too fat for its footprint, IMO. I would choose the 19, in whichever gen appeals to you.
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Totally agree. In the nineties my agency issued the 17 for on duty and 26 for off use. The 26, though a very good shooter, was a brick to carry off duty. I was glad to turn that puppy in. I now carry the 19 both on and off duty and I'm in plainclothes so I carry concealed 24/7. I don't understand why so many people have a probably concealing it.
 
Riomouse911 said:
I have just about every model/ size of semi-auto 9mm Glocks except for the 26
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I have and also G27 both using mag base extensions along with G19/G23 and G17/G22 magazines.

As others posted, G26/G27 surprisingly maintains comparable accuracy of around 2" out to 10-15 yards offhand (Plenty for carry purposes) and using longer magazines provide improved grip instead of the "two finger grip" with pinky under the mag base.

And another option many may not have considered is you can use longer G19/G23 barrels in G26/G27 for increased muzzle velocity ... So it's like having G19/G23 that is lighter/smaller footprint ... just another option. ;) (And no, cannot use G17/G22 barrels in G26/G27 ... I tried. :D)
 
Choctaw said:
Totally agree. In the nineties my agency issued the 17 for on duty and 26 for off use. The 26, though a very good shooter, was a brick to carry off duty. I was glad to turn that puppy in. I now carry the 19 both on and off duty and I'm in plainclothes so I carry concealed 24/7. I don't understand why so many people have a probably concealing it.
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I carry a 17 on a daily basis and wondered the same thing.
 
I got rid of my 17, 19, and 22. Kept the 21 and the 27. The 27 conceals just fine for me on an ankle or in a cargo pocket. Add the pinky extension and it is fine on a belt. Never cared for the 19 as it cannot make up its mind on wether it is a duty pistol or not. I may get another 22; carried one as my duty sidearm (or the 21) for years.

Wife turned in her 19 and opted for the 43X with 15 round mags. There are many options. Have fun exploring.
 
I'd go with the 19. I've had probably 10 glocks and the 19 is my favorite. The 26 is a close second, the 26 is obviously a lil different in the hand and you get a lil more concealability but it is just as accurate and shootable as the 19. I actually shoot the 19 better than my 17.

I had a couple IWB holster for my 19 over the years and until fairly recently I decided that it was just a lil too big for edc but I've since started wearing it in a different DeSantis holster and find it very comfortable and easily carried and can very easily conceal with minimal print with just a t shirt.

The 19 is a beast, like any other glock you can expect reliability but for me, I just really enjoy shooting my 19. I am very happy to put 300-400 rds in a single session with it when I can afford to. It just feels great in the hand and is a good in-between size. It's a duty caliber gun for sure, but it carries very well concealed. I'd vote for the 19, 2nd vote would be for the 26. I like the 43 and have carried it alot but I find it more easy to grab the 19 from its holster with a fully proper firing grip than I do with the 43 which can take a lil doing to get it proper in your hand on the draw, if that makes sense.....
 
The stock 26 is the smallest pistol I feel no ill will towards when shooting for fun. I have large hands and the 1.75 finger grip works way better than it ought to. Don't forget that L/W/H are not the only dimensions. The mass difference for the extra slide and the extra rounds on the 19 matters to some. I backpack with the 26 sometimes. You notice the size difference.
 
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I couldn't decide so I got one of each.
 
Best feature of Glocks is the magazine availability and price and for a time Glock was the only one who was making a subcompact that could use the full size and mid size magazines. While I ended up getting full size because I got the long slide Glock in .40 (and later 10mm) for 9mm I see no reason to go above the G19, if you really want a long slide or barrel 9mm get a Beretta or Taurus 92.

So, that narrows your choice to the 19, 26, 43X, or 48. The 26 seems to be forgotten about in favor of narrower doublestacks and since you don't already have a bunch of the magazines for the larger size Glocks, you'd be going out of your way buying a 26. The existance of the Shield Arms15 rd mags for the 43x and 48 means the 19 is just a fat version of them.

I'd say if you want a short barrel, go with the 43x, if you want a longer slide and barrel you have to weigh the options of the 19 and the 48. If ever in the future you decide to buy a 9mm carbine, you will have a very hard time finding any that use the 43x/48 mags while finding it very easy to find a carbine that uses the Glock 19 mags.
 
Have you considered the Shadow Systems Glock clones? I've been very pleased with my MR920 and the other models I've gotten to shoot. The back straps change the grip angle which is rather clever and no plate needed for mounting an optic. Base models are about the same price as a Gen 5 Glock, and go up from there. Glock mags work just fine.

https://shadowsystemscorp.com/
 
Have you considered a PSA Dagger? They have the compact G19 size and and G45 size. Supposedly there is a sub compact coming soon. They are all Glock clones. My buddy has one and it is very nice.
 
beagler said:
Have you considered a PSA Dagger? They have the compact G19 size and and G45 size. Supposedly there is a sub compact coming soon. They are all Glock clones. My buddy has one and it is very nice.
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I have one of those. I like it. I did pick up some OEM Glock magazines for it as mine only came with 1 Magpul P-mag. The only complaint I have is the magazine catch but there is an inexpensive mod that can be done to make it less stiff. Most parts will interchange with Glock parts other than the locking block & the pins (Glock uses solid pins. The dagger uses roll pins). I haven't got a ton of rounds through mine but it works & I like it fine.
 
So, just a few days after slightly narrowing things down and eliminating the 43X, I think it is back on the list. I keep coming back to looking at it and would like one. Definitely, if I buy a few more Glocks in the coming months, and not just one, it will be one.

The narrower width will make it easier to conceal IWB than the 19. The longer grip will make it quicker on the draw than my SIG P365 or a Glock 26, and it might make follow up shots quicker and easier to control. While the Shield Arms S15 is available to give it the capacity of a G19 (unless you use G17 mags with the 19), how easy is it to find them in person? Given MD's odd mag laws, I can buy the larger mag, but not through mail order and not here at home (most states that ban mags over 10 rounds, ban them... here in MD, only the sale and transfer of mags over 10 rounds is banned). I have to go to a state where sale of larger than 10 round mags is legal, buy them in person, and then I can legally bring them home.

Another 43X consideration is price. When I bought my P365 it was neck and neck between the two (slightly smaller size overall and easier concealment of the P365 vs. the longer grip and likely easier draw of the 43X). It was nearly a coin flip, but at the store at the time, the P365 was about $50 less, and on something otherwise a coin flip, that won the day. Well, right now, a major outdoor chain is selling the 43X for $80 less than the cheapest I can get a G19 around here. Online, I can get a G19 for about $50 more, plus FFL fees. So, if I decide before it comes off sale, that may end up being the deciding factor.

As for the G19 vs. G26, I'm leaning towards the G19. While I am holding open the possibility of standardizing on one family of guns for CCW, I probably won't. If I don't, the SIG P365 is smaller than the G26, I am starting to shoot it well, and it is quite comfortable to shoot at the range for its size. If I don't decide to go with only one family of guns, the G26 doesn't really give me anything over the P365, and the P365 is easier to conceal. The G19 has a bigger grip, and larger capacity. I do carry a similar sized gun at times, I love my PCR, but the G19 would probably get more use with the slightly narrower frame and slide and much lighter weight vs. the PCR. However, I'm back to MD's odd mag laws and with Glock providing three mags with each gun, having three 10 round mags in a gun designed for 15 feels like a waste. Once I make a trip to VA to buy mags, they will be replaced (I might only buy two 15 round mags, so I guess it wouldn't be a total waste, I could use the three 10 rounders when taking a training class that requires three or more mags). I could just stay with the 10 round mags that come with it, but then I'd rather go with the 43X which is designed around 10 round mags.


CNobbe said:
Have you considered the Shadow Systems Glock clones? I've been very pleased with my MR920 and the other models I've gotten to shoot. The back straps change the grip angle which is rather clever and no plate needed for mounting an optic. Base models are about the same price as a Gen 5 Glock, and go up from there. Glock mags work just fine.

https://shadowsystemscorp.com/
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beagler said:
Have you considered a PSA Dagger? They have the compact G19 size and and G45 size. Supposedly there is a sub compact coming soon. They are all Glock clones. My buddy has one and it is very nice.
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I have considered some of the clones, but I've decided against them. One of the reasons I've finally warmed to Glock is the pending prospect of finally getting a MD permit (they do take a LONG time processing the application though) and the sheer availability of accessories, and the overall flexibility that gives. Then, I got a .40 Gen 5 and now see that I seem more limited in some accessories than with my CZs or other less ubiquitous, but still common brands. There is only one company that sells conversion barrels so far (and they aren't cheap) and it can be a lot harder to find holsters with the different slide. While many of the clones should work with most Glock accessories, the slightly different dimensions could make holster selection more complicated. Plus, after 25ish years of shooting, I'm finally getting into Glock. I figure I should get a few real Glocks before picking up a clone or two.
 
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DustyGmt said:
I did the same thing but over the years I did some trading and condensing, I found that when you have 5 9mm glocks you tend to choose 1 or 2 that you actually shoot and the others just collect dust.
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LOL. Yup, your spot on there. :)

But you do need backups/spares, on the odd chance something happens to what you use. And then theres the backups to the back ups.... :p
 
@chaim if you haven't considered it, or if it hasn't been mentioned already, if you want something that has a thin profile and is concealable but also very shootable for extended range sessions, I recently steered a good friend of mine toward the G48 which is comparable to the 19, in my opinion it is a single stack 19 and it feels great in the hand. He went to the LGS with me and the 43 he initially wanted was sold but he wanted to leave with a gun that day and he got the 48 and I think it might have been a blessing in disguise. As much as I like my 43, I might very well trade it for a 48 if I had the opportunity.

The bottom line is, you probably can't go wrong with whatever you choose, you'll be happy with a 19, 26, 43, 48, etc.... the 19 is just what I would suggest because I've always had a special affection for that particular firearm. But at the end of the day a glock is a glock, just depends on what your individual preference is but you'll get good performance out of any of em and you'll be able to carry any of them with ease provided you select a good belt/holster.....
 
One thing that always interests me on these “which Glock” threads is the number of G26 fans.

I have one and like it but it’s been delegated to “garage standby” for the last couple years. I do like it a lot with an XGrip and G19 mag.

Also, the Magpul 12 round G26 mag is superb.
 
chaim said:
While many of the clones should work with most Glock accessories, the slightly different dimensions could make holster selection more complicated. Plus, after 25ish years of shooting, I'm finally getting into Glock. I figure I should get a few real Glocks before picking up a clone or two.
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The Shadow Systems guns will all fit in the same holster as their Glock counterparts, MR and DR fit in 19/17 holsters. That was another reason I switched. For something to enjoy at the range, the 19 is decent, still think the 17 is a little better. I put a Timney trigger in my 17 Gen5 and whoa does that make a difference. I'd also recommend the Glock 48. It's a fun little gun, easy to carry.
 
DustyGmt said:
Just curious, what about the 17 appeals to you more than the 19?
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For starters: Longer sight radius, less recoil. I use a 17 gen 5 w/ timney as a backup to my 2011s for carry optics division. For target shooting/ duty sidearm the 17 has always been a popular choice.
 
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