As the thread title suggests, I'm thinking about buying a new Glock 26 Gen4, but I had some questions for you guys first.
1) This would be my primary gun for self defense, so obviously reliability is of the utmost importance. That being said, is it "safe" to buy a newly built Gen4 now, or should I wait a bit longer to make sure all of the bugs have been worked out? (I've read that both the 0-8 and 0-8-1 RSA's still have their share of issues, among other things, but I'm not sure how true this is.) Or, should I just buy a used older Gen3?
2) I seem to recall reading somewhere that the Gen4's even with the latest "fixed" parts are more affected by limp wristing than the Gen3's. Is this true? I'm mainly concerned about FTF's and FTE's.
I have bought and sold at least a dozen Glocks and countless other 'pocket rockets' in the last 8 years and have finally settled on a Gen 4 Model 26 for me and a Gen 3 Model 26 for my wife. After owning all sizes and configurations of .40 caliber models and most of the 9mm models, I have finally decided that THIS is the gun that will be my ONLY handgun.
I admit I have only fired about 100 rounds of WWB ball ammo and 30 rounds of Federal 115-grain +P+ hollow points through the gun, with four different magazines ... ZERO issues in terms of reliability or brass to the face. I plan to run at least another 100 rounds of the ball ammo down the pipe before I compete in another IDPA Classifier where I hope to shave 15 seconds off my score in order to achieve Expert in the SSP division. After that, my goal is to shoot both guns every other month in club matches and with my SD ammo at least once a year with each gun.
In my mind, after all this learning, experience and research on the Internet and in assorted print materials, this is the ultimate self defense weapon --- reliable, easy to carry, plenty of firepower, low recoil, proven street performance (especially with the Federal 9BPLE hp loads) and a grip that already feels like an 'old friend' whenever I pick it up and practice. Some times that practice is just drawing and dry firing, some times dry firing at IDPA cardboard targets, and some times with live ammo, but it all increases my level of confidence every time I carry that particular weapon.
I went with the Gen 3 26s. The grip fits me the way it is so I did not feel the need for the Gen 4. I own an Exo finished and a regular black. I put OEM smooth triggers #357 and OEM minus connectors in both of them. I am more accurate at 20 yards with the 26s than with my 19s. As snowbird.40 said, they are the ultimate defense weapon.
I just bought my Gen 3 26 and love it. I debating going with the Gen 4 but i like the way the Gen 3 felt so didnt see the need to spend another $50 on the Gen 4. If you like the way the Gen 3 feels and your that worried about the reliability of the Gen 4 go for the Gen 3 IMHO.
I have a Gen 4 G26 that I got a few months ago, and I've run ~500 rounds total of Remington UMC ball, JHP, Winchester WB, PDX1 147g, and Gold Dot 124g +P through it without a single malfunction of any kind. No FTE, FTF, BTF, or any other acronym you can think of. Serial # prefix is TFW.
I picked up Gen 4 26 a little over a month ago. I've currently put about 400 rounds thru it and, so far, it's run like a champ with every type of ammo I've tried. My 14 y/o son has even shot it without issue and his shooting form isn't exactly top notch (we're working on that).
I have both a Gen3 and Gen4 model 26; I prefer the Gen4. Better grip traction and I like the improved mag release button. The Gen3 has well over a thousand rounds through it, and the Gen4 is coming up on 1000 pretty soon (ran it in a few IDPA matches soon after buying it; it shot really well, made me look good). No issues of any kind with either model.
I have the Gen 4 of the 26 and it has worked great. Used it in four IDPA matches with no issues. I have fired lots of rounds at the range, indoor and out without an issues. Okay, I did have one issue, when I as at the indoor range I was in a hurry to get to the range and forgot to change shoes. The Gen 4 model ejects hot brass rounds and it landed right on my foot once it bounced off the protective dividers. I don't know if Gen 3s eject hot brass or not, but at least the Gen 4s do.
(Both my friend and I bought G26 at the same time (one Gen 3 and one Gen 4) and we have had no problems with either, so which everyone you select should serve you well.)
The early glitches with misfeeds in some of the Gen 4 models were attributed to the new dual recoil spring, which has since been corrected.
The Glock 26 Gen 3 already had a dual recoil spring. Therefore, the Gen 4 largely differs only cosmetically (e.g., grip, larger mag release, etc.) Get the one that feels best to you. Either one will be a good shooter.
Have had a Gen4 26 for a couple months now; over about 700 rounds through it now with no issues. Came with dipped extractor and dot connector. I didn't care about the grip panels on the Gen4, but bought it more for the larger mag release. I'm am glad I got it for that reason over the Gen3; really like it.
I have an earlier model G26 Gen4 with the 336 ejector, dipped extractor, unmarked (original) RSA, and it is very accurate and fun to shoot. No problems with any kind of ammo at all.
I'd say buy one, shoot and carry it with confidence.
I have read fewer reports of issues with the G26 here than with the G17 or G19. I have had no issues with my third generation G26s but they are a bit older.
My 76 year old, 5 foot 2, mother just got a gen4 g26. Her first ever semiauto and when she tried it out at the range, it was the first time she had fired a gun in over three decades. She went through a box of ammo with nary a problem and an impressively tight grouping. So if you are at least as strong as a five foot tall little old lady, you have nothing to worry about. Go get the g4 g26.
I have Gen4 G19 with the so called problem 03 spring and have literally thousands and thousands of rounds through it. I think I may have had 2-3 FTE during break in which is to be expected and not a problem since in more then 4k+ rounds. I wouldn't even worry about it. I read a bunch of reports before I bought mine about the problems and took a gamble anyway but didn't experience them. By the way I have used a bunch of different types of ammo from tulu, Winchester white box, Speer gold dot +p, and the round I shoot 95% of the time, the federal 115g Walmart special. It eats anything.
I just picked up a g26 gen 4 today. I can't wait to get out and shoot it. This is my second g26, the first was a gen3 bought right before the gen4's 17's were coming out.
I just picked up a g26 gen 4 today. I can't wait to get out and shoot it. This is my second g26, the first was a gen3 bought right before the gen4's 17's were coming out.
The early glitches with misfeeds in some of the Gen 4 models were attributed to the new dual recoil spring, which has since been corrected.
The Glock 26 Gen 3 already had a dual recoil spring. Therefore, the Gen 4 largely differs only cosmetically (e.g., grip, larger mag release, etc.) Get the one that feels best to you. Either one will be a good shooter.
+1. G26 always had dual spring. Get what fits your hand best. Medium gen4 backstrap = gen 3 grip size so if your hands are smaller you might prefer the gen4 with no additional backstrap. Gen 4 fits my hand better because of this. I also like the larger mag release on the gen 4. But again, hold both, see what fits better
Ambidextrous, is the reason, i got a gen4,G26.
Never any problem.
10-32 rounds in magazine for SD - has XS big dot front sight.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Glock Talk
21M posts
185.2K members
Since 1999
A forum community dedicated to Glock firearm owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about optics, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, troubleshooting, accessories, classifieds, and more!