My first gun, G19 or G26?

[LesPaulPlayer]

Hey everybody, this is my first post as a member of glocktalk. On Jan 2, I will be moving down to Georgia. I will be applying for my very first CCL (I'm 22). When I went down there last time, I went to a gun shop and held the g26, I loved it. I didn't hold the g19 when I was down there and now I have been reading all of the great things about the g19. I will be carrying every single day (unless the area is restricted) and want to choose the best gun. What are the pros and cons (if any) for both of these guns? Besides the size, is there anything that makes either model stand out? Is the kick that much different because of the size? Is accuracy lessened? Thanks guys! - Mike

[MSgt Dotson]

If concealed carry is your only concern, I'd say go for the 26; as you have seen, it is very compact and conceals quite nicely.

However, the Glock 19 is practically a gold standard in the GLock world, is still quite reasonably sized and concealable, and is still big enough to serve as a range/plinking pistol as well.

Another option: get the Glock 26 for carry, and later add a GLock 17 and/or GLock 34 for range work.

If you can get only one, however, the 19 is about foolproof!

[kelsitone]

:welcome: to GT! :wavey:

The G26 is a great gun for concealed carry. The recoil, for me, is only slightly greater than that of the G19. The accuracy, if you do your part, is more than adequate for distances of 10 yards or less. Longer shots are more difficult due to the shorter sight radius.

The G19 is also a great gun for concealed carry. It will, of course, depending on your size and body type and manner of dress, take a bit more effort to conceal. You can get a full grip on the G19 which, IMO, makes it a better gun for longer range sessions. And, the added 1/2" of barrel length will give a bit more accuracy over the G26, but, the major contributor to accuracy is the person holding the gun.

Either would be a great choice. My primary carry gun is a G19. My G26 usually serves as a back-up. Lately, though, it being the hottest part of the summer, the G26 has seen a lot of carry time.

[LesPaulPlayer]

Thanks for the answers guys, so you recommend adding other firearms for range work? You don't think that it would be best to practice the most with the gun that you carry everyday?

[spazhand]

:wavey: Hey there, I'm a new member myself and this is my first post. Let me start by saying I play nothing except Les Pauls, so I'll try not to sway you too much as you clearly have a mind for the best(glock included). I absolutely love the 26. Some complain about the small size, but I use a +0 finger extension to solve that problem. you may want to find a range in your area that rents both models and try them out. Whatever you do, don't sell your guitar for your glock......keep them both forever! Welcome, and maybe you could post some pics of the new purchase when you get it.

[LesPaulPlayer]

Sure thing. Oh and this is my 06 Gibson Les Paul Standard 60's neck!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/irondrummer/gibsonincase.jpg

[Solid]

G19, as the larger grip and better sight length will help until you can shoot a small pistol just as well.

[MSgt Dotson]

From Glock 26 to G17L, they are all fun!

But the Glock 19 is indeed a jack of all trades, being neither too small nor too large for range plinking or concealment, respectively.

[armybass]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/armybass/2Lakys009.jpg
Well, I am a bass player and I love both the 19 and 26, but prefer the 26....


There now you have it from a four string perspective as well. :wavey:

[Happy G]

19...one of the best all around handguns around.

[Stud Duck]

I'll put it this way, I had both.

For the size vs. the magazine capacity, I just sold the 26 & purchased another 19.

[EdMan63]

They are both great guns. I bought my 19 first and added the 26 later. Last time I went shooting, I shot my 26 better than my 19 for the first time. I have been carrying the 26 but that's what I bought it for. The 19 will trade off with it come winter time. Either way you'll be happy.

[21cowboys]

You will end up having both eventually. I would try the G19 first and after becoming comfortable shooting it (sometimes some people just don't like shooting Glocks. No one here of course but still) then you might want to look into the 26. You may even find that after going to your range a few times you might run into another glocker there willing to let you shoot their 26 or rent one. The difference is negligable to long time shooters but it is there and you never know what you will like until you try it. Personally I feel that every American male should be issued a G19 when you sign up for Selective Service when you turn 18, but that's just me.

[fowler]

S ince you aready have a g22 which is a better cal. for selfdefence I would look into maybe a J-frame for ccw like a 642 SW. The G26 is to big for a pocket gun. But makes a nice IWB beltgun. In that mode a G19 will carry as easy. For that matter a G23. IN the real world of ccw for most its hard to beat the SW J-frame series in your flavor. Be it hammerless or hammer or semi-hammer as in a 638 humpback. I keep it simple and use the da 642 it mimics a glock type trigger pull. With the price of ammo today the 9mm is a deal if you could call it that. Its lite on recoil and easy to shoot,but lacking in stopping power and thats the trade off. Maybe a G27 would be a choice for you.

[rj112275]

I don't think you'll notice a significance difference in recoil, accuracy, etc. The guns are very similar with the exception of the G26 being a better concealed carry.

I bought the 19 first and still carry it on occasion, but I've come to love carrying the G26. The G26 is my wife's, but when she's not carrying, then I "borrow" it. The 19 does more house duty these days. I'm considering getting a second 26 so we both can carry.

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb64/rj112275/G26holster.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb64/rj112275/owb3.jpg

For carry, the 26, for house/car/range gun, the 19... although you'll probably end up with both.

[sharp]

I'll put it this way, I had both.

For the size vs. the magazine capacity, I just sold the 26 & purchased another 19.


Amen to that....I have 3 of them here.

[DonGlock26]

For mostly CCW, I'd get the G-26. You will probably get an airweight snubby for summer/pocket carry, and a G19/17 for the range/home defense, later. Try the S&W M&P as well.

[fatboy97]

I had owned my Glock 19 for about a year before I purchased my Glock 26... the first time to the range I put approximately 60-75 rounds thru my Glock 19, then picked up the Glock 26 and shoot about 50 rounds thru it... I was impressed... my grouping where about an inch bigger at the same (21 feet) range, which I consider very good for the first time shooting.

Since then I have shot the Glock 26 even better, and of course improved with my Glock 19... personally, I would say that I can shoot the Glock 26 as well as the Glock 19... I trust both of them with my life... I'm probably carrying the Glock 26 more in the Summer, but would not have a problem carrying my Glock 19 right now, nor would I have a problem carrying my Glock 26 more in the Winter.

Hard choice, and you can not go wrong with either... if I could only have one right now I would probably still choose the Glock 19, since I love the capacity to size ratio (more bang for the buck), and it's a great choice for the range and getting in a LOT of practice... which is always good for a new carry option.

[tbhracing]

Like what everyone else said- G26 for constant carry.

But the G19 is perfect for all around use. Get that down the line for home defense.

[Breadfan63]

Sure thing. Oh and this is my 06 Gibson Les Paul Standard 60's neck!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/irondrummer/gibsonincase.jpg


Sweet Axe man! If Gibson would come off the price a little bit, I'd have one just like it. 60's neck FTW! Until I can find a nice used one or save up a couple grand, I'm going to just keep playing the hell out of my current gear.

Back on topic: I chose the G19 over the G26. I like them both, and have no problems taking a G26 to the range for as many rounds as my wallet will let me, but for me, the G19 fit the bill. You can stick a pinky extrension on a 26 to get a full grip, but if you dont plan to do that, I think the G19 will draw better because you've got more to grab onto in a hurry.

[sigcalcatrant]

Thanks for the answers guys, so you recommend adding other firearms for range work? You don't think that it would be best to practice the most with the gun that you carry everyday?Speaking as a Strat Guy, I would recommend getting both, and practicing with both. The nice thing about the G19 & 26 is that the grips, except for length, are identical. Practice will have a certain amount of 'carry-over' from one model to the next. Don't overlook the G17 & 34, either.

[PAGunner]

19, my conceals effortlessly, yet has a long enough barrel that rounds don't lose much velocity and has an awesome capacity (15 v. 10, where the difference in capacity between a G17 and G19 isn't that big 17 v. 15). You just can't beat the G19.

[LesPaulPlayer]

Thank you for the suggestions everybody. - Mike

[tremor64]

welcome, friend - you're right on track - as an aside, I must say that this is a quality group of shooters to associate with - hang out and get a number of responses and weigh them before you make your choices - my niece is a new shooter and when she gets to the point of making her first purchase here is the advice I'll be giving her:
1) G26 or G19 - 9mm is to me a superior round for a number of reasons - huge choice of makes, loads, bullet types
2) would definitely stay with stock barrel
3) tritium night sights a must - check out XS big dots, trijicons or meprolights
4) you'll want more mags - min of 3 - 5 makes range time more fun - never too many - take a look at the Pearce extensions for the G26 if that's your choice - doesn't really affect concealability - helps handling
5)you'll want a good holster formed specifically for your weapon - prob want both an IWB (Inside Waist Band) and an OWB - suggest a paddle-type for the OWB - I prefer kydex material - check out G-Code or Comp-Tac - you'll also want a single and a double mag pouch to cover both carry and range situations
6) gun vault good choice - I have a larger safe for storage but still use gunvault mini for my carry gun when it's needed
7) get some good training
8) shoot a lot and have a ton of fun!
9) repeat 8 often

[codecowboy]

Depends on what you want it for?

I carry a G19 concealed every day. I love it. It is the perfect mix of concealablity, yet a good grip. It shoots like a dream.

That being said....a G26 almost disappears on you when carrying concealed. And they shoot like a dream. I have a check arriving in the next 10 days for some money owed to me. I'll be buying my G26 the same day. :)

[glock2740]

I have both, but I like the G19 more. The G26 makes for a sweet carry gun though.

[NATE42ND]

Go 19 all the way. Get the 26 after a year of shooting the 19.

[GMAN40]

Go with the G19!