When conversation turns to the subject of Gaston’s creations, it seems that most people fall into one of two categories. The first are those who think that Jesus Christ (or your personal religious deity of choice) himself/herself/itself came down from heaven/paradise/whatever and bestowed the Glock design upon Gaston himself the way Moses received the ten commandments at Mt. Sinai. It’s handgun perfection.
The best gun for every person in every situation and it’s disciples wonder why anyone would want anything else. The second category of people acknowledge that the Glock is a good gun, but won’t ever buy one because of all the assclowns in category one. I always fell firmly in the latter group . . .
All kidding aside, you Glock guys can take a joke, right? Right? Anyway, Glock has its share of pretty passionate fans and more than once I’ve had someone try to give me the hard sell like a Jehovah’s Witness who needs to make their conversion quota for the month. I’ve never seen that level of enthusiasm from any other brand loyalist, although I have to admit the 1911 crowd gives them a run for their money.
Partially because of this, I have studiously avoided buying a Glock-brand Glock despite the fact that I have bought Glock-inspired designs such as the Springfield XDm and the Smith & Wesson M&P. I’d always been quite comfortable with my decision to steer clear of actual Glocks. That is, until I made another attempt to find concealed carry nirvana.
Now, we all know that the perfect concealed carry gun is high capacity, chambered in a man-stopping caliber, weighs only a few ounces, is small enough to tuck into your bellybutton, but still has a large enough grip to enable a firm hold. Oh, and it has to have no recoil. If anyone ever finds a gun that meets all of these criteria, please let me know. Until then, I guess we have to live in a world of compromises. And one of the compromises I decided to make was to reconsider my opinion on Glocks
Concealed carry guns are always a series of tradeoffs. Capacity is usually an issue which is why the majority of guns designed for concealed carry skew in the direction of smaller calibers such as 9mm and .380. Recoil’s another problem as these guns tend to be small and light, having less mass to soak up the force of the shot. Triggers are often the bane of many CCW designs.
It would seem that double action only (DAO) triggers with long pulls tend to rule the day. One particularly egregious example of this is the trigger found on my SIG SAUER P290. From the start of the pull to the point where the hammer releases, the trigger has to move almost a full inch. That may not sound like much, but when you compare it to, say, the trigger on my single action only (SAO) P938, which only needs to move ¼ of an inch, it feels like a football field.
While short and clean, the problem with the SAO trigger is that it requires an external safety in order for it to be safely carried “cocked and locked.” Some folks eschew the idea of external safeties on carry guns as simply one more thing you have to remember to disengage if you are in a gunfight when milliseconds count.
The DAO trigger found on many small frame carry guns is arguably “safer” as the trigger needs to move a lot further to discharge the gun (and the pull weight is correspondingly higher), but there’s a reason that DAO guns are largely absent from IDPA and IPSC matches – it’s more difficult to shoot quickly and accurately with them than with other types of triggers. The Glock Safe Action trigger splits the difference – it’s not as sensitive as a SAO trigger, but sensitive enough that accurate and fast shots can be made with it (which is one reason it is the most popular gun on the IDPA circuit)
Appearance
Let’s face it, a Glock is the flea-bitten mongrel that shows up to the AKC National Championship – it’s uglier than most of the others, but in a fight, it can kick the pretty-boys’ asses. Glocks are built to work while not costing a lot. Unfortunately, they end up being fairly unattractive guns. Then again, do I really care if people think my Dewalt drill is nice looking or not? No, the important thing is getting the job done. That said, there’s a certain elegance in the minimalist approach that Glock applies to their guns but I do wish they could do something about the boxy look.
Ergonomics
Glock has had more than three decades to refine the ergonomics of their offerings and they have pretty much got it dialed in. If you’re used to shooting any of the bigger Glocks, you’re going to feel right at home with the Glock 26. The only nit I have to pick is that the short grip of the G26 leaves my pinkie twisting in the wind. For some people, this isn’t an issue. For others (like me), it feels unnatural. Fortunately, he problem has a simple and relatively low cost solution: Pearce grip extensions.
This $10 part replaces the stock baseplate on the magazine and gives you some extra real estate on which to rest your pinkie. I just wish Glock included them as an optional baseplate in the box the way Ruger does with its SR-22. Hey – if Ruger can do it with a cheap .22, why can’t Glock?
Grip texture is fairly aggressive. The G26 benefits from the texturing improvements that’s a feature of all of the Gen 4 guns. With the Gen 4 line, Glock has finally followed the example of other polymer gun manufacturers and acknowledged that not every hand is exactly the same. Included with my G26 were several alternative backstraps (with and without beavertail extensions) that let me tailor my Glock to to fit my hand.
The magazine release button has been enlarged on the Gen 4 G26 and is easily reversible for left-handed shooters. I found the button to be easy to hit, but not so easy that I was accidentally ejecting mags. It represents a pretty decent improvement over the magazine release in the Gen 3 and earlier models.
I would be remiss in an article about any Glock if I did not address the issue of grip angle. If you’ve spent much time talking to gun people or surfing message boards, you’ve probably seen grip angle mentioned as a negative when considering GLOCKs. I’ve heard the same thing. Recently though, I came across a great article that goes into this topic in detail, explains why there’s a difference between the Glock grip angle and those of other guns such as the 1911 and what to do about. It’s worth a read.
The 26’s trigger is just about right. As I noted above, one of the reasons I bought a Glock 26 for my carry gun was that I wanted that nice, clean trigger that GLOCKs are famous for. The 26 doesn’t disappoint. There’s a bit of take-up initially, but it’s very easy to feel exactly where the trigger is going to break. It’s not as clean a break as a SAO gun, but damn close. The reset is both audible and tactile and once you pass the reset point, you can press it again for another shot with no take-up.
I’m not wild about the stock black combat sights. I get that Glock likes the minimalist look and wants to keep their various pistol lines in sync with each other feature-wise. The 26 is intended to be a defensive handgun that you carry with you and might have a need to employ in all kinds of conditions. It seems to me that night sights would be a good option. I get that tritium adds to the cost, but given this gun’s primary mission, I’d argue that it would be worth it as standard equipment. Procuring them yourself will set you back about $90 plus installation if you need a gunsmith to do the work for you. I went with a Trijicon HD Yellow Night Sight.
Finally, let’s get to size and weight. At 21.7 oz. unloaded and 28.1 oz. loaded, the G26 is plenty light. My S&W 642 clocks in at 15 oz. empty, but holds only half as many rounds as the G26 and is less pleasant to shoot, even with standard .38 rounds. On the other hand, the G26 is fairly chunky. This isn’t truly a pocket pistol unless you have the pockets of a clown or a hobo.
Sure, they make a pocket holster for it (I have one), but the pistol is a bit too large to be comfortably carried that way. This is a gun that’s going to mostly be worn in some sort of waistband holster, OWB or IWB. To give you an idea, here’s a comparison to the Sig Sauer P290 (a single stack rig).
Shooting the G26 is a pleasure. I originally considered getting it’s .40 brother, the G27, but several people (who are serious Glock lovers) warned me away from the gun. The G26 is a very soft shooter with 9mm. The G27 is decidedly not. The fact that the gun store had three used G27s in the case seems to attest to that. On the flip side, if you buy a G27, you can get a drop-in 9mm barrel and have a dual-purpose gun. Unfortunately, you can’t go the other way with the G26.
Accuracy
If you search the internet, claims about the G26’s accuracy are all over the map. Some people say they can shoot the G26 better than their bigger Glocks and suggest the shorter barrel means less error induced by barrel vibration. Others claim that the G26 is pretty accurate, but not in the same league as its bigger brothers. I fall into the latter camp. I can shoot the G26 accurately enough to get the job done, but I’ll not be taking this gun to any competitions. Following standard TTAG review practices, I give you the standard seven yard target with 10 rounds of cheap FMJ:
I also took the opportunity to try the gun at 60′. Normally, I’d shoot the more standard 25 yards, but the range I was shooting on this time was limited to 20 yards. Once again, ten rounds of cheap FMJ:
I’m not proud of this one. Three rounds missed the target completely and I was only able to put six of the ten into a ten-inch circle. Now, I know that there are very few cases where a DGU at 60′ would be considered a clean (read: legal) shoot. That said, an active shooter situation comes to mind. Granted, the likelihood of finding myself in such a situation is statistically very very small. Then again, the likelihood of being in a DGU at all is incredibly small given where I live and the places I would likely find myself. If I can’t put ten rounds out of ten in a ten-inch circle at 25 yards, then I either need to practice more (duh) or find a gun that I can shoot more accurately. I can actually shoot better than this. Just not with this gun it seems.
Field Stripping
The Glock does a lot of things right. That does not mean it’s without its share of warts. One of the most egregious blemishes is the method by which you field strip the pistol. In the interest of full disclosure, the first two semi-automatic pistols that I owned were a Beretta 92 and a Springfield Armory XD(M). In both cases, field stripping is brain-dead simple – lock the slide back, flip a lever, release the slide and take it right off. Many of my SIG SAUER pistols work the same way and I love this method.
The Glock on the other hand is relatively simple, but has a key difference. To strip a Glock, you pull the slide back, then press on the release tabs as the slide moves forward. Finally, you pull the trigger and the slide comes off. Simple? Yes. Safe? Not so much.
Over the years there have been a number of incidents in which someone accidentally discharged their Glock while field stripping it. Now, I’ll admit, there’s no excuse for this. If you follow proper cleaning procedures, you drop the magazine, rack the slide back, check clear, turn your head away, then turn back and check clear a second time. Follow this procedure and you’ll never have a problem. Unfortunately, human nature being what it is, people clean their guns while watching TV, drinking, or just doing something else that distracts them from task at hand. Next thing you know, someone is leaking all over the carpet.
While some people might be quick to dismiss this issue, just check out the advertising of SIG SAUER’s new P320 pistol. One thing they make a great effort to say more than once is how the P320 doesn’t require the trigger to be pulled to strip the gun. Since this gun is being heavily marketed to the LEO community, many of whom know a thing or two about guns, something tells me that there is some dissatisfaction out there concerning Glock’s manual of arms.
When the Glock pistol first hit the market back in 1982, there weren’t a lot of alternatives to compare it to. The market for polymer guns was pretty small. H&K had the VP70 (which actually takes the title of the world’s first polymer framed handgun, beating Gaston to the market by 12 years), but other than that, the Glock was it. Glock’s take down method, while maybe not the safest in the world, was fairly simple and it worked.
The problem is that much has changed in the 34 years since the G17 first appeared. It would seem to me that as part of one of the generational revisions, Glock could alter the take down procedure to remove the necessity of a trigger pull. If they don’t, sooner or later, they will lose a lawsuit. Some bright attorney will demonstrate the more “modern” ways for polymer handguns to be field stripped and Glock will get slammed for keeping the older “unsafe” method.
For those who doubt this, I submit that you look at the history of court action against cigarette manufacturers. While they were able to forestall a loss for many years, eventually, they lost a court case and then all hell broke loose.
That said, if you can manage to keep your head in the game, the Glock field strips very easily and quickly.
Value
The out the door price for a Gen 4 G26 is about $525, give or take. Add night sights (a necessity for a CCW, if you ask me) and you’re at about $600. Not an exceptionally low price, nor is it exceptionally high. You’re getting what you paid for, plain and simple. On the plus side, Glock ships the G26 with three magazines and a mag loader. This latter addition is pretty handy as the springs in Glock mags are very firm. So aside from a holster, you pretty much have everything you need. Glock also still offers the Gen 3 G26. You save $50, but give up the larger mag release, interchangeable back straps, the more aggressive grip texture and one magazine. Whether these things are worth it to you or not is a personal decision.
Accessories
After the 1911, Glocks are probably the guns with the most aftermarket options. You can change or modify just about any part of the pistol to your heart’s content. One of the strengths of the Glock is the ease with which you can accomplish a nearly full disassembly. Unlike other handguns, you don’t have to sit through a two day armorer’s class to learn how to detail strip and rebuild your gun. If you want to get really ridiculous, pair the G26 with one of Glock’s 33-round mags or, even better, a 50-round drum.
Summary
I have to admit it, the G26 has grown on me. If not for the field strip issue, I’d consider one of its big brothers to be a perfect gun for new shooters. As it currently stands, I think I’d still steer people either to the Springfield Armory XD/XD(M) or the Smith & Wesson M&P. Glocks are the Ford (or Chevy, if you swing that way) of the gun world. Out-of-the-box they come with enough to get you up and running at a fair price, even if many users will want to add options that will increase the cost.
Specifications: Glock 26 Gen4
Caliber: 9mm (also .40 auto and .357 Sig)
Action: Semi-auto
Overall length: 6.49 inches
Overall width: 1.18 inches
Overall height: 5 inches
Weight: 21.7 oz. unloaded
Sights: Fixed front sight dot, rear sight channel
Finish: Black or FDE
Capacity: 10 rounds, up to 33 rounds with extended mags
Price: $500 via Brownells
Ratings (out of five stars):
Style: * * *
It’s the story of the puppy so ugly, it’s almost cute. In 1989, Glock probably had a cutting-edge appearance. By 2014, it’s become rather drab, particularly when you compare it to some of the blinged out guns sold by some manufacturers. If you consider your gun to be a fashion statement, the G26 is probably not for you.
Ergonomics: * * * (* * * * 1/2 with Pearce grip extension and replacement sights)
For someone like me with mid-to large-sized hands, the short grip on the 26 may be an issue. The addition of the grip extension changes the whole dynamic and makes this an easy gun to shoot. I just wish the extensions were included. The black combat sights scream for replacement on a gun intended for CCW use. The alternate backstraps make customizing the grip fairly simple.
Reliability: * * * * *
Not a single failure to fire, feed, or eject no matter what sort of crap ammo I fed it. It’s a Glock and like my black Lab, it will pretty much eat everything that you throw at it. I get the feeling that I could drive my F150 over the damn thing and it would barely scratch it.
Customize This: * * * * *
Again, it’s a Glock. What else needs to be said?
Overall: * * *
Depending on your preferences, you will likely find the G26 to be a competent concealed carry pistol. Unfortunately, the market is full of competent concealed carry pistols that miss the mark in one or more areas. The G26’s capacity is nice, but I would be willing to trade some of that for a thinner profile. A G26 in a single stack with grip extensions, proper sights, and a better take down method would be damn close to the perfect CCW gun. Out of the box, it is about a four star gun, but I knocked one off because you have to pull the trigger to take the gun down. The fact that Glock seems to be the only major manufacturer that still has this design suggests that it may be time for a change.
Ugh
This lady must be *severely* mentally, emotionally, metaphysically, possibly even spiritually , ill as ill can be. I mean, sick. License to iLL sick. Bonkers, bananas, big donkey bashing in the brains sick.
The hilarious thing is just… WHY WHY WHY?
Anytime you do something so overly STUPID as this you deserve whatever comes. I hope they keep looking up her stuff and keep the pizzas coming by the truckload. What a moron.
**sigh**
I was working on a review of the G26 to submit as a direct comparison to the G19. Oh well. By the way, the Glock website lists an overall length at 6.41″ for the Gen4, not 6.49″ (with the variance being in which grip you are using) and an overall height of 4.17″ not 5.” I just measured mine to confirm and I found an overall length of 6.31″ with no grip attachment and an overall height of 4.19″ with a flush fitting magazine.
I would be interested in a head-to-head 19 to 26 comparison.
Considering both as potential EDC candidates.
Currently owning an XD(M) with no Glock ownership experience.
Please go ahead and do it.
Thanks for the (as usual) great review. I have a P290, which is awesome in every respect except how well I can shoot it. The long trigger has a lot to do with it. I’ve been looking at the Galloway trigger spring upgrade as a possible remedy (If anyone can offer an opinion on this, I’d appreciate it!). Since I shoot a Glock competitively, I was considering a G26, so it’s great to see some comparisons.
One note about the rear view — the G26 is almost an inch longer than the P290, so the backplate is that much closer to the camera. I was wondering at first why the G26 slide looks so much thicker than the P290, then realized it was the perspective. The P290 slide is 0.9″ wide and the G26 slide is 1.0″.
I think the Jehovah’s Witnesses no longer go door-to-door. I heard the Watchtower had an epiphany/revelation a few years back after some criminal incidents against them.
A couple of the Saints stopped by Sunday evening though. I guess they still do missionary work. I’ve always had a soft spot for them after growing up around them. They’re, for the most part, nice people. And prepared. And armed.
Wow! A whole star because the gun needs a trigger pull to be taken down? That’s pretty steep.
I consider the trigger pull a plus. It keeps stupid people from recommending Glocks (e.g., if you drink alcohol while cleaning your firearms, you need to be scared; if you don’t physically check the chamber before breaking down a firearm, you need to be scared . . . etc.).
I agree. We need to be stressing safe handling of firearms and the 3 rules of gun safety rather than trying to focus on making idiot-proof guns. This is the same method of reasoning the anti-gunners use when they try to require things like micro stamping and storage laws.
Can we please stop buying into all of this garbage? Following the rules of gun safety is the only sure-fire way to prevent gun negligence.
I feel bad for new potential gun owners who will read this and think that a gun is more or less safe because of extra hoops you have to jump through to take it apart. That said, thanks Jim for the good review.
I was going to buy a Glock & had the salesman break it down, I almost puked looking at the frame with the tiny molded in inserts. Yes, I’m old & old school. I know cops trust their lives to this piece of tupperware, its just nothing I would pay good money for. Hopefully old Gaston won’t sue me.
The expression is “champing at the bit,” not “chomping at the bit.”
I’ve owned a glock 17 for 21 years now. It was pretty much state of the art when purchased in 1993. I shot the heck out of it. I rarely touch it now.
Many very similar designs are now available which also correct that hideous grip angle. I think the M&P (with an aftermarket trigger) and the Walther are the best of the breed available now. The Caracal showed great promise, but didn’t quite pull it off.
We all owe glock a great deal of gratitude for bringing the polymer striker fired handgun to the masses. The glock’s impact on handgun design will persist for decades. They have now been eclipsed.
You ought to primarily buy from highly-rated firms that are secure and exhibit noticeable indications of professionalism.
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My first centerfire pistol was a Glock 31, I used it to shoot in IDPA matches. My scores were fair, and I usually ended up in the bottom half of the score sheet. I wanted a second pistol so that I could shoot two times during the same match, and I bought a USPf chambered in .45acp. My scores were noticibly higher with the HK, and the Glock slowly fell by the wayside. I guess that 1911 grip angle fit me just right. I’ve since abandoned tupperware altogether, and now only own 1911’s. I will say however, that Glock was amazingly reliable. If I absolutely needed a firearm to work everytime I pulled the trigger, it would be hard not to take another look at a Glock.
And then there’s The Truth About Trolls.
http://ind.pn/1geJXoj
As if we didn’t know it already. 🙂
I bought an LCR22 for a new shooter for all the same reasons listed above. The trigger was so stiff that I could barely control the gun and I do have a grip like a Texas politician. I complained to Ruger, always a class act, and they offered me another model in exchange. I ended up with a BlackHawk convertible .357/9mm for my collection and got her an SR22 which she loved. I feel the same way about autos being too complicated for a newbie who is not going to become a serious shooter and only wants a SD weapon, but having her like and enjoy the gun counts for a lot.
I get nervous carrying a tube of toothpaste into an airport… a forgotten box of ammo or a spare mag in my bag, maybe, but I just can’t comprehend making it into security with my CCW.
Neither can I… even though I’m one of those people who carries every day, I’m conscious of security.
I would think having to turn around, figure out what to do with your gun (when was the last time you saw a public-use locker at an airport?), and try to get back through the line without missing your flight would be enough of a punishment for a first-time offender.
And a really good reminder to not do it again…
Public-use lockers! I remember those in bus stations; it seems eons ago.
And those mirror-finish airport floors REALLY creep me out, but I haven’t been in an airport since April of 2006, and won’t go in one again, until the Toilet Safety Administration is gone forever.
I never really liked the look of the Glock’s but finally broke down and bought a G27 eight years ago. It’s like my AE card, I never leave home without it and I have no doubts about it being able to do the job it was designed for. Different strokes for different folks.
So as of now you can be punished for voluntarily stepping out of the queue to get mauled by TSA?
I had a little procedure done in a Peoria hospital a couple weeks ago. One of the questions I was asked pre-op “Do you feel like hurting yourself, or others? Are you depressed?” (guess that was 2 questions actually). Found that interesting, as I had not been asked that, at the same facility, last year before a hip replacement. Now it makes sense, sort of. Good thing I was in a happy place when asked that.
Just for the factual record, Georgia has what is called a Weapons Carry License. You can conceal or open carry here, the license does not specify one type or the other.
This license also covers non-firearm weapons (like long blades)
Just a heads up, not such thing as CCW/CCP in our state.
Great review, and I’m surprised that people are upset about the reviewer calling out the trigger pull as a bad part of the takedown procedure. We all know it’s bad. If it’s such as essential part of a pistol, why do so many other modern pistols NOT have it?
I’m sure Glock will change it at some point. Those of you who balk at the possibility of a lawsuit don’t know about lawyers in today’s United States… after all, we’re the country where somebody sued McDonald’s because their coffee was hot and they spilled on themselves.
“The doctor-patient privilege is a thing of the past in Illinois under this new law. Don’t think for a minute that you can speak in confidence with medical or mental health professionals.”
Welcome to Obamacare.
I own this firearm, in Gen 3, have so for years, and it’s one of the two handguns I carry on body every day. Overall, I can concur with the findings of the review.
I would only note that with minimal practice, an experienced shooter (no, not a competitive shooter nor professional marksman) should be able to hit 90%+ on a standard proficiency test fairly easily with the G26. Other models with longer barrels and a greater sight radius would improve shot placement in competitions, but that’s really for a different application than what this tool was designed to do. Ultimately, the bullet will go where you place it with this firearm.
Lawsuits like this one would never be brought if the US adopted a “loser pays” system. That’s all the tort reform that the system needs to make it run right.
Unfortunately, the slimeballs who run the American Bar Association and the American Trial Lawyers Association (sometimes hilariously called the American Association for Justice) have the politicians in their pockets.
Now that the ABA has also jumped on the gunhaters bandwagon, it’s just another reason for the ABA to be rejected by every lawyer with common sense.
Firearms aren’t rare in Italy, they just tend to be shotguns.
I’ve only spent a small amount of time in Italy and I’ve seen gun cases more than once.
Great story. Sometimes our personal perceptions are not reality.
I also have to travel a lot all over the US with a sample area light product, that to me at least, looks just like a rocket launcher when it’s closed up.
I have walked all though downtown’s, casinos and airports with it and have not been looked at askew once (that I have noticed).
On another note, I went to a local gun show last week with a airsoft RPG on a sling, the guys at the check-in safety table asked ” what is that thing” I told them it was airsoft and they waved me thru, didn’t even look twice at it or ask to check if it was real (it is a highly realistic replica),
See I think no one in Italy cared because who puts their guns in a gun case? Now had you been walking around with a violin or guitar case people might well have been terrified!
Molon Labe…
If the takedown lever on XD’s were on the right side of the frame, I’d be more prone to agree with you on takedown. For me, the presence of the takedown lever makes the XD (and the M&P to a lesser extent) less comfortable to shoot with a competition/thumbs forward grip. The Glock’s already low bore axis plus a convenient little shelf you can deposit your weak hand thumb on to countertorque the frame leads to very little muzzle rise.
Haven’t spent much time with the M&P FS, but my G19 shoots circles around my XD Service, partially because of trigger, but also because of muzzle rise. how much of that is bore axis, slide weight, vs. off hand grip technique I’ll never know, but I gotta believe it plays a part.
Well done!
I laughed at “37 point turn”
Although I feel you are free to knock off a star for the field strip (and I can see why you would do it), I hope they never, ever change it. Don’t mess with something that already works. Don’t add parts to a machine that is already efficient. The glock isn’t a range toy or something shiny to look at. It’s a tool, plain and simple. It should be rode hard and put away wet. It should be shot to absolute shit. It should be scratched and beaten and the finish worn off from presentations and dry fire practice. It should continue to be easy as all hell to take apart, blow out the dirt, lube up, and put back together to get back into the fight. Every thing you change, every part you add, is another failure point on a weapon that has very few.
Raleigh Durham has big signs on the roads approaching the airport saying “No Weapons”. So how are you supposed to travel with a rifle?
Muzzle discipline, trigger discipline, target discipline. Three that rhyme?
Wait, does this means that we can now label all the
gang-bangers and hoods as unstable and being an
imminent threat? If so, would this ruling actually force
fruity DAs and shyster judges to prosecute real
criminals? Could we completely overwhelm the system
by reporting scumbags as legitimate threats to them-
selves and society? I’m not agreeing with the ruling by
any means; but this could be a silver lining.
It has become in vogue for every gun reviewer to mention how ugly they think a glock is.
Embarrassing, I know, but the first time I took out my own pistol to the range, I did a slight, downward sweep of half the range with my empty pistol while leaving my stall to refill my mags. Finger/trigger discipline was never a problem for me (I even do it when I carry my dog’s retractable leash), but I forgot to lock the slide back and keep it pointed to the floor the best I could.
My friend screamed at me that if my empty pistol were a laser, I would have cut half the range’s legs off. Haven’t forgotten that since, nor will I.
“Self-Defense Tip: Teach One Rule to Rule Them All”
And that rule is shoot the bad guy if it is legally justifiable.
I just found “Ralph’s” review of the of the sig sauer p290. It was incredibly informative as well as very humorous. I noticed that it was dated 2011…..really… Are you guys dead? Does the website still publish? In particular, is Ralph dead? Would like to see more posts. Pls. Let me know.
Amen, Brother.
G26 is my EDC gun. Replacing a G19 which replaced a G17 from twenty years ago. I still have them all. Great guns. There are 2 or 3 Pearce grip extsns that go on the G26 mag. Each one changes the grip and feel of the gun. With the plus 3 grip extsn, I like the 26 better than the 19 for carry. As to the accuracy. I shot my G26 right out of the box for my CCW range practical with no practice. I dropped 3 points on the whole course of fire. Great guns.
Imagine 100k arriving at the Capital with scary weapons and daring the uniforms to take them
Then I woke up. Oh reality…law abiders wouldn’t do that.
So I guess no one noticed the Black guy in the photo of the so-called OFWG’s then…Don’t believe the hype, Black Patriots are always ready…
It’s nice (for once) to read the (professional) journalists here deconstructing an argument. All I can say is congratulations, you’ve done it well.
One has to wonder if the author of the hit piece under deconstruction would like the Supremes to take a narrow interpretation of his right to free speech and declare that since what he says is both irrational and demonstrably untrue he is no longer allowed to say it. To behave as if the 1A is sacrosanct while using it to argue against the 2A is a level of hypocrisy and short-sightedness that boggles the mind. I’m frankly transfixed that anyone who wishes to can, without prior restraint, spew lies and disinformation into the public without recourse by the public to silence a disseminator of lies and misinformation other than free market economics. I submit that we need ‘press control’ with a panel to determine what can be published and what might be ‘dangerous’. Journalists can obtain licenses on a may-issue basis after a background check to ensure that they have never abused the right to speak freely or committed any other of a laundry list of prohibited acts.
Once journalists agree to these conditions I’ll be interested in hearing about their opinions on the 2A. Until then, not so much.
This article implies that people are being denied rights without due process, but does not present any facts to support that.
Some of the commentators assert that people might be unfairly adjudicated as mentally ill without presenting any facts about whether those people received due process. Others commentators, who appear to be attorneys, refute that and state that the process for involuntary commitment has strong due process.
It would be nice for the author to do a little research before implying that a problem exists and getting people all worked up. A deeper analysis of the actual statutes would be useful.
The efficacy of any deterrent is entirely incumbent on what effect it has on your adversary.
Generally speaking, the more you make yourself look like a hard target that can respond in-kind to a dangerous threat, the more likely they’ll be to leave you alone. Criminals aren’t the brightest crayons in the box, hence why they’ve turned to a life of thuggery in the first place, but the vast majority will know well enough to take the path of least resistance.
In other words, they’re just lazy as shit.
But, I would rather not rely on a criminals’ base fear of my gun. Be aware that there are those out there that are smarter, tougher, and more skilled than your average gan-banging meth-head. Either that, or they’re naive and dumb enough to think they are because they’re inexperienced.
Those are the types that The People of The Gun are, or at least should be, preparing themselves for. It’s never enough just to have a gun, but be willing to use the damn thing and be able to use the damn thing with all the due diligence and skill that we can muster.
I think this is all part of the gun confiscation program. Push normally peaceful people to violence because they feel threaten by government thugs and instant martial law.
I am a fairly experienced Glock shooter (200,000 rounds through 2 G34’s, a G35 and a G21). I recently purchased a G26 for my carry gun and decided to throw it in the deep end right to begin with: Unfired untested and very little dry fire I took it to our local IDPA match. Normally out of 50 or so shooters I place between first and third shooting a G34 and Fobus holster. Using the 26 and IWB holster I finished sixth out of 52 and would have been third if I could have avoided the non threat that jumped in my way. All in all I was very impressed with this gun straight out of the box with no practice.
Make mine a model G27. It has only one less round than model G26 with a lot more whallop! 40 cal. in 180 grain hits like a .45ACP but, even better than the .45ACP the .40 cal. maintains energy and accuracy at extended distance. And even more appealing is the ability to drop in the awesome .357Sig barrel to really rock and roll. This awesome round can penetrate media such as auto body panels and what have you. It’s like a 9mm on steroids. And for the frosting on the cake: I can easily drop in a whussie-boy 9mm bbl in my G27 if I’m feeling sissified, which hasn’t happened yet (lol!).
Glock 26 Gen 4 şirin etraftakileri rahatsız etmeyecek haliyle taşınabilir ve o bir glock güven verdiği bir gerçek…
Ne kadar küçük olursa olsun o bir glock,,,
Why the hell would you put a mag extension on a sub-compact gun? If you’re going to do that why not just carry a Glock 19?
I have the G3 27. Recoil is more intense than the G26, but not obnoxious or painful. It’s certainly controllable, if you’re not recoil sensitive. Life is full of compromises, and I chose a more powerful caliber knowing that the trade off would be heavier recoil. However, you can convert it to SIG .357 by dropping in a barrel and can convert it to a 9 mm with a barrel and other minor modifications. (I think you also need to change the ejector/extractor for reliable operation.) I love those new beavertail extensions on the grip inserts.
Cant stand the 26. now the 19 is awesome.
After reading your reviews I’m not convinced that you realy know anything about guns. You give the impression that you sit behind a desk and write your reviews based on the first time you hold a weapon
Maybe you should leave the reviews up to people who know a thing or two
I am a Glock owner and I don’t get into the Brand loyality internet BS. What actually made me buy my first glo k was I actually shot a gen 4 19 before I bought… I did the same with the g26. I would recomend this to everyone instead of listening to re iews which are really nothing but opinions.
PTGB
Pull Trigger Go Bang
In concealed carry that is all that matters
“This isn’t truly a pocket pistol unless you have the pockets of a clown or a hobo.”
I’ve been pocket carrying a Glock 26 (Generation 3) for several months now. I’m 6′ tall and weigh about 200 lbs. It’s a little big for some of my clothes, but fits in the right front pocket of almost everything I wear. Propper shorts (on Amazon), in particular, are excellent.
So far no one has noticed. Very comfortable way to carry, great concealment, and if the pocket is right it’s easy to draw.
If ya absolutely, positively, have to have a grip extension for the 26, there are better products than the Pierce “Pinky” extension. It is an OEM “Glock” +2 magazine. Sold under the “Glock” banner in one of their boxes. Generally found hanging or stacked with the other Glock mags.
Realizing that there are some after market +2 extensions on the market, but there is a flaw with them. The OEM spring is designed for the internal length of the OEM mag it is in, from Glock. Adding the extra length inside the mag often results in misfeeds as the mag gets close to empty because the spring is too short.
If you want to get real serious, there is a sleeve that fits the G19 mag. It has a setscrew for perfect fit. When wearing one of those, the G19 mag fits beautifully in the G26. And looks like it belongs there. To me it feels better in hand than my Gen3 Model 19. Plus it has the 15 rd capacity. I use this mag for a spare when traveling.
For CCW, my 26 remains in it’s flat floor plate, 10 round configuration. It’s smallish size was the reason for purchasing it. If the extra grip length is absolutely necessary, the G19 is a better choice, for me!
Regarding caliber, it’s better to have the one we will practice with and can better afford to shoot. Shot placement accuracy and follow up is paramount in a self defense situation.
As someone stated above, a 22 is better than no gun at all. Yes it is, and would ruin most bad guy’s day.
FWIW: One of the guys at our range, soaked 3 Atlanta phone books over night. Those books are 2.5 – 3 inches thick. He had wrapped them with packing tape, so they wouldn’t curl or change shape when water logged. He hug them in the range while still dripping.
Each book was marked with the caliber.
At 20 or so feet he shot each book with a different caliber. All 3 went completely through the books. All hollow point ammo was quality Self Defense type, like he carries. .
The 9mm 115gr +P Hollow point and 40 cal 180gr Hollow point made an entry hole so close to the same size to be hard to tell which was which. The exit hole of the 9mm was noticeably larger than the 40. That is not a Type-O. The 9mm was larger. by a healthy margin. That isn’t to say that the 9 is a better round. To me it just states that there isn’t enough difference to make a real difference. Maybe 2 more shots would have different results. Or different bullet weights or configuration.
The last book was shot with a 45ACP round nose 230 gr and a HP 230 gr.
The round nose exit was considerably smaller than the 9 HP or 40 HP exit.
The Hollow Point made a real mess on exit. Definitely the most potent round fired in the test.
Thanks,
Kip
Wife was in hospital giving birth to our second child. I walked outside for a smoke but had to leave hospital property to do so. Was leaning against the property fence when two kids walked up and the bigger one asked to bum a smoke. As i reached in my coat for my cigarettes, he drew a knife and said he’d just take everything i had. I happily obliged by pulling my GLOCK 27 out and leveling it at his chest. I knew the triggers breaking point and had already applied enough pressure to hold just shy of turning one loose. The other kid practically screamed “That’s a f*ckin’ GLOCK!” And they both took a couple big steps back. The bigger kid put both hands up in the air and kept back pedaling til they both finally turned around and took off running. Call it what you like, it was easily recognizable that night and i think they both knew it was going to go bang if i decided to pull the trigger.
I love my G26. I went over the top with modifications, well, because I could, not because I needed to. I put Trijicon adjustable rear and front sites on it. Replaced the plastic guide rod with a tungsten guide rod. Put a Storm Lake match grade barrel in it. Installed 2+ grip extensions that didn’t wiggle and bite. Put a magazine well cap in. It was fairly accurate before all this unnecessary stuff, but now I can shoot it more accurately than my Smith m19, Ruger GP100 and Beretta 92A1. Maybe it’s the placebo affect, but I don’t care. I know there are folks out there who will say that for $1000 I could have bought 2 G26s (one for each hand) and taken care of any accuracy issues, or that I could have bought a Kimber, on and on, but I was brought up this way. You should see my dad’s 1911’s. Anyway, I highly recommend the G26 Gen4 for CCW.
Do not understand your problem with having to pull the trigger to disassemble a glock. First lesson I was taught was how to clear a gun. I was not allowed to shoot until I had done that over and over and over…
If you can not safely clear a weapon take up golf.
It is what I want – Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV Metal Detector
It can be a real pain to lose your watch or jewelry, especially when you are at the beach. Digging through the sand has never been very ideal, especially if what you are looking for is something small. This is even a bigger pain if you are searching at nighttime. You don’t have to get too frustrated and immediately mourn your loss anymore with this Bounty Hunter metal detector! This model is very easy to use and can handle more extreme ground conditions, and even wet surfaces.
http://bestmetaldetecotr.com/?p=92
Bounty Hunter metal detectors like this one come with three different tracking modes that can make life easier for you. The first is the Motion All-Metal mode, which will detect all metals, except for those that are minerals in the ground. The machine has a preset ground balance feature to avoid detecting minerals. The next mode is Discrimination mode and it can automatically remove unwanted metals from its detection. The last mode is the two-tone mode, which will make different tones to determine if the nearby object is valuable or not. http://bestmetaldetecotr.com/
Not only will these different modes help you in your treasure hunting or tracking of lost items, but also the 8-inch open coil design. Because of this design, it can search much deeper and further than any previous models of Bounty Hunter metal detectors. It can search 8 inches for small objects and 3 feet for larger ones. The coil is even waterproof, so you can also use it for damp or wet surfaces.
Given all of this so far, it is good to note that there are some other pros to using this particular metal detector. That includes how it is not prone to electromagnetic interference, that you can attach headphones to it so that no one else can hear the beeping, and the adjustable height, so even kids can use this. Besides these good things, there are also a few cons to buying this model. One of these is that it can be difficult to maneuver since it requires you to keep moving it around. Another is that it doesn’t always search as deep as you would want, as not all objects are simply 6-8 inches below the ground. If you are more advanced and need something with better detection, then a Garrett Pro Pointer may be the better tool for you, since it has a wider radius and better detection ability. http://bestmetaldetecotr.com/
Overall, this is a great tool for beginners who need to do their treasure hunting or search for lost items in more complex ground conditions. It has a bit of a limitation with ground depth, but if you are not doing some avid searching, then this tool will do fine for you. Since it is very lightweight and the height is adjustable, it is very handy to carry around and you won’t get tired easily. The different modes will definitely help you out in your search if you need to look for particular kinds of metal. If you need something more advanced and that can search a wider depth and radius, perhaps a Garrett Pro Pointer will serve you better. The Garret Pro Pointer has many advanced settings, like being able to identify the size and shape of a target, which may come in handy for serious treasure hunters.
I’ve had Glocks for 25 years and have had all of the 9mm, 40, and 45 calibers at some point. I’ve had several 26 and 27 models over the years. My most current purchase is a gen 4 26 Flat Dark Earth with Firefly night sights and Pierce plus 3 extentions. I have and have had all of the high end and most popular had to have guns but I keep coming back to my Glocks. BTW. I’m 6 feet 2 inches 250 pounds and have no issues controlling and concealing any of my Glocks. I use either a belly band or a M tac Minitauer IWB holster. One other thing I’d like to mention is that for my Glock 22 and 23 both gen 4 highly customized I bought Loan Wolf 40 to 9mm threaded conversion barrels and have the best of both a 40 and 9. It cost me about $130 each and it’s way cheaper than buying extra guns.
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I decided on the G26 as I have determined I can have 2 handguns (G26 and G19) at a relatively cheap price$.
I bought the Glock 26 $549. then I also purchased the G19 Mag (15 rounds 9mm) and a xgrip adapter – $40. Then I got a G19 barrel. $80.(which can be used with a G26 slide) The barrel sticks out of the slide about a 1/2 inch.
Total of $661. (for two guns)
Just a thought…
The Glock 27 (.40cal) can be swapped with a g26 9mm barrel. and 9mm rounds can go in a .40 cal mag.
Can a g19 9mm barrel be used on a Glock 27?
I believe It can!
I could have had 3…
Gotta love Glock!
Why cant you just give a review without the religious comparisons in the beginning. Its a turnoff and a insult to your knowledge. Not funny at all. Try something better.
Merry Christmas to me!!! Just got a Gen4 Glock 26 from Santa took it out to shoot a few mags today and not pleased with ejecting towards my face and jammed twice!!! Could it be the grain I’m shooting?? Ol’ raggedy ass ammo??
This was a better than average review for TTAG but that’s like being the healthiest guy in the ICU.
Springfield XD/XDM ?
BWAH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
Now I know the author has a mullet and is 80 pounds overweight.
Glocks are definitely the “Chevy’s” of the Gun world; BLAND ON THE INSIDE AND OUT, but the best “motors” of any truck (I drive a Ford, and carry and XD for duty, so that is high praise coming from me!). When I carry IWB, need low profile, and want significant round count, I pick the G26 every time.
I disagree with your dis-assembly analysis on principle. Mistakes happen because people stop paying attention; that’s on them, not on the maker of the knife they just cut their finger with. I’ve disassembled my Glock’s 19 & 26 probably 500+ times since 1993/99… no A.D. for me! Strict Liability should never be assigned to firearms; otherwise, we get mandatory Micro-stamping and smart-ID scanning handguns that weigh an extra 8oz and take 2 seconds to take off safe… no thanks! That’s where the progressive-statist tyrants are always heading in all their liberal cities and states, and I’ll have none of the snake oil they are forcing us to buy.
Cost is in the labor mostly, 40+ hours and each part started life as a forged billet slug. Frame and slide included. If you want a hand crafted, full billet handgun this is where to go.
The whole trigger pull costing a star is silly. I don’t mind pulling the trigger first. A mag extension makes all the difference on these compacts.
One thing most people don’t know about Glocks (one of the few to do this well) is “indexing the trigger”). The Glock is not really DAO — it is striker fired (in fact ATF had trouble classifying it). When a round is chamber it is already 80% cocked. You have a long pull that first round, most of it wasted, until you pick up that last 20% and fully cock it and release the striker.
With practice (easier to do with ear protection that lets you hear between rounds) you can release the trigger until just that 20% point (the “index”). It will make a small click and you can feel it. Both subtle. With practice it is automatic. This means followup shots are WAY faster than almost anything out there (and why they are popular in competition). I never fully release the trigger until I am done firing — I always index it. You have to get used to it because when you find that spot minor pressure for a tiny distance will discharge the weapon as it is no longer taking up even that 20%
I started with a Glock 20 (10mm) which now has over 20,000 full power loads (and about 500 of the insane Double Tap rounds). It has never malfunctioned, never been repaired, I just clean it and use it. Had it for decades (it is Gen II which is first year of 10mm). I have lots of Glock — all totally reliable, all allow indexing of the trigger (other striker fired weapons do too … but I don’t think most are 80% cocked, they are 60% or so, and the technique is not as effective,
If you want to try a tiny 9mm +P with a barrel the same length as the Glock and 7+1 try a Boberg XR9-S (Shorty now owned by Bond Arms). This is a bullpup and and allows a truly tiny weapon to have a juge (rotating) barrel (3,35 inches). Nice trigger, shoots nice for a mouse gun (it is a LOT smaller than the Glock), a little fussy — keep it clean and use good ammo.
I never have to pull the trigger, in order to take down field strip my Glock 26 Gen 4.. You might be sliding yours back to far..
this is a great review! it really helped me make a decision on which Glock I wanted to get. I think that the small size of this one really intrigued me because it makes it very easy to conceal. Another place that helped me out with this was this article that i came upon as i was doing my research http://gunivore.com/pistol/sig-sauer-p228-review/. Check it out and please tell me what you think.
Great review, but I cannot believe you mention the fact you have to pull the trigger to break the gun down as a draw back. That’s like writing a review for a gas station and giving it one less star because “you might be able to put diesel fuel instead of gasoline into your vehicle” – yes, if you’re a complete moron. If people are dumb enough to shoot the gun when CLEANING IT, that’s the fault of the individual, and is not a fault of the manufacturer, and definitely not a flaw of the gun.
I guess it Will have more recoil than the Glock 17 due to the shorter Barrel.How Much recoil does it have compared to Glock 17 and 19?5% more?Thank You for your reply.
There is coming the day when you draw your last breath of the your puny miserable little life that GOD allows you to breath, you will bow your knee to Jesus Christ. You are a fool. Show me his bones and I will become a fool like you. Can’t wait to see it.