[Belkar]

My recent Backpacking Trip had me discover that my Gen 5 G26 fits perfectly in the waist strap pocket of an Osprey Kestrel 58L. (I'm planning on upgrading it to a 68L before my next trip.)

To save weight, and because of how it carries, the G19 stayed home, as did the G20 I have setup for "Bear Defense".

For the areas I frequent, Grizzly Bears are really a non-issue. In order of concern: Humans, Mountain Lions, Critters, and perhaps a rare Black Bear.

Although, according to Update of Pistol Defenses Against Bears 123 Cases, 98% Effective , 9mm (& 10mm of course) remain fairly effective. I'll just ignore the fact that a few Elk Hunters armed with 10mm have been "Successful", while getting shredded. Described in depth here:

Forgive me for yet another "G26" or "Bear Defense" thread, but I work from home and have nothing better to do.

I've been thinking that for any proper through hiking, I like the weight and space savings of the G26. It is probably more than sufficient for Nebraska, though a friend is making noises about doing a 4 day "continental divide loop" in Colorado. Perhaps the occasional black bear?

So the big question is, how do I idealize my G26 for this purpose?

The first thing I think I'm going to do, is purchase a KKM Barrel for it. I really enjoy the one in my G20, which I've never fired with the stock barrel. That said, it's almost hard to miss with it.

It is a Non-MOS Version, so if I wanted to put a dot on it (have SCS MOS on the G20), it would require milling, trade in, or a new slide.

I have no reason to believe that the Underwood Ammo I've tested out in 10mm wouldn't perform adequately in 9mm. But I'm open to suggestions. Anything in particular you'd do, or any specific ammo you suggest?

Pictures because of course:

Suitable for Jurassic Park perhaps?

 

[Ordell Robbie]

Never personally used it but this seems to be what you may be looking for for ammo…

9MM +P OUTDOORSMAN Pistol and Handgun Bullets Pistol & Handgun Ammunition

9MM +P OUTDOORSMAN Pistol and Handgun Bullets Field Proven pistol and handgun ammo. Maximum firepower bullets. Best ammunition for pistols and handguns for sale. Buffalo Bore. Strictly big bore. Strictly Business.

www.buffalobore.com

 

[Bren]

I'd probably choose a Glock 27, if I was going to carry something that size for animal defense.

Why do you need a KKM barrel? That may slightly improve accuracy, but at the cost of reliability. You need reliability more than you need accuracy - it's already plenty accurate. There is absolutely nothing I would recommend to "improve" your G26.

 

[kilo charlie]

I would shoot the 26 before buying the aftermarket barrel. My 26 gen 4 is one of my most accurate pistols.

 

[trucker-chase]

I’d carry it without a second thought. It’s actually what I would take with me. 12-rd OEM and 15-rd backup, with my standard 124gr JHP.

I lived in Colorado for a few years. Like most places, more likely to see people than critters. Bring an extra 15-rd mag and a can of quality bear spray. Know your area too - any reports of bears or lions? Follow basic rules like not preparing/storing food near your camp, etc.

I live in Florida now but the woods threat is nearly the same. Save for alligators and New Englanders. And the mosquitoes. And Florida Man. And methylated Florida Man.

I see no reason to change the barrel. I doubt it would give any advantage over the OEM barrel, which for me is more accurate than I’ll ever be. Carry as is and enjoy your trip.

 

[Mkrswjf]

Get the same ammo that guide in Alaska used on the griz, bigger spare mag, and good to go. Carry the gun somewhere accessible. Maybe a light? Gets dark out there…

trucker-chase, don’t forget about hogs! I saw one big enough that I traded my 357 for a 44…

 

[gunsmoke92]

For your intended use and the area you describe, don't do anything to it. It's reliable and accurate as is, maybe consider some beefier ammo, but that's it. Now had you stepped into the I'm going into Grizz country will this be enough, my only advice would be to remove the sights, it'll hurt less when the bear shoves it up your keester. If you're concerned about larger critters then I would lean toward the advice above and carry a 27.

 

[bac1023]

The G26 would not be my first choice

 

[Jarhead Al]

Never personally used it but this seems to be what you may be looking for for ammo…

9MM +P OUTDOORSMAN Pistol and Handgun Bullets Pistol & Handgun Ammunition

9MM +P OUTDOORSMAN Pistol and Handgun Bullets Field Proven pistol and handgun ammo. Maximum firepower bullets. Best ammunition for pistols and handguns for sale. Buffalo Bore. Strictly big bore. Strictly Business.

www.buffalobore.com

That's similar to the Underwood Hard cast offering

 

[Jarhead Al]

I’d carry it without a second thought. It’s actually what I would take with me. 12-rd OEM and 15-rd backup, with my standard 124gr JHP.

I lived in Colorado for a few years. Like most places, more likely to see people than critters. Bring an extra 15-rd mag and a can of quality bear spray. Know your area too - any reports of bears or lions? Follow basic rules like not preparing/storing food near your camp, etc.

I live in Florida now but the woods threat is nearly the same. Save for alligators and New Englanders. And the mosquitoes. And Florida Man. And methylated Florida Man.

I see no reason to change the barrel. I doubt it would give any advantage over the OEM barrel, which for me is more accurate than I’ll ever be. Carry as is and enjoy your trip.

A G26 is wholly insufficient if you were to run into a skunk ape. 10mm is barely adequate.

 

[trucker-chase]

A G26 is wholly insufficient if you were to run into a skunk ape. 10mm is barely adequate.

nothing short of 12ga slugs for the Skunk Ape

 

[stormin70]

I don’t know that I’d ever pick my G26 for that job, but here in NC, my “woods gun” is a G30.4 loaded with Underwood 255 gr +P hard cast. That’ll take care of anything I’ll encounter down here and I haven’t felt the need for more power than that.

FWIW, the G30.4 has taken over the duties I used to use my S&W 686 for.

 

[Belkar]

I'd probably choose a Glock 27, if I was going to carry something that size for animal defense.

Why do you need a KKM barrel? That may slightly improve accuracy, but at the cost of reliability. You need reliability more than you need accuracy - it's already plenty accurate. There is absolutely nothing I would recommend to "improve" your G26.

I would shoot the 26 before buying the aftermarket barrel. My 26 gen 4 is one of my most accurate pistols.

That's similar to the Underwood Hard cast offering

The KKM barrel I have in my G20 has been nothing short of fantastic. And accuracy isn't really my concern with it. I'm more thinking of 9mm Hard Cast and perhaps spicier rounds.

 

[xblax619]

I would shoot the 26 before buying the aftermarket barrel. My 26 gen 4 is one of my most accurate pistols.

seconded. i shoot my 26gen4 as good if not better then my 17gen3.

 

[Jack19]

Defense Against Bears with Pistols: 97% Success rate, 37 Incidents

 

[Maccabeus]

A G26 is wholly insufficient if you were to run into a skunk ape. 10mm is barely adequate.

Raccoons, too.

 

[Buckeye63]

In my area ETN … Black Bears have been harvested @ 500 lbs + less than 5 miles from my home .. A 400lb + black bear has been spotted walking up my driveway..
I carry XDME compact 10mm at times , Glock 20 not as often.. and a Glock 23 more often than both while doing chores.. If I take out the trash or go the mailbox at night I usually stuff a Charter Arms 40 S&W in my jacket pocket or back pocket
But I’d feel fine with a 9mm with the right ammo .. maybe with 124gr FMJ NATO , Id feel OK

 

[Railsplitter]

My recent Backpacking Trip had me discover that my Gen 5 G26 fits perfectly in the waist strap pocket of an Osprey Kestrel 58L. (I'm planning on upgrading it to a 68L before my next trip.)

To save weight, and because of how it carries, the G19 stayed home, as did the G20 I have setup for "Bear Defense".

For the areas I frequent, Grizzly Bears are really a non-issue. In order of concern: Humans, Mountain Lions, Critters, and perhaps a rare Black Bear.

Although, according to Update of Pistol Defenses Against Bears 123 Cases, 98% Effective , 9mm (& 10mm of course) remain fairly effective. I'll just ignore the fact that a few Elk Hunters armed with 10mm have been "Successful", while getting shredded. Described in depth here:

Forgive me for yet another "G26" or "Bear Defense" thread, but I work from home and have nothing better to do.

I've been thinking that for any proper through hiking, I like the weight and space savings of the G26. It is probably more than sufficient for Nebraska, though a friend is making noises about doing a 4 day "continental divide loop" in Colorado. Perhaps the occasional black bear?

So the big question is, how do I idealize my G26 for this purpose?

The first thing I think I'm going to do, is purchase a KKM Barrel for it. I really enjoy the one in my G20, which I've never fired with the stock barrel. That said, it's almost hard to miss with it.

It is a Non-MOS Version, so if I wanted to put a dot on it (have SCS MOS on the G20), it would require milling, trade in, or a new slide.

I have no reason to believe that the Underwood Ammo I've tested out in 10mm wouldn't perform adequately in 9mm. But I'm open to suggestions. Anything in particular you'd do, or any specific ammo you suggest?

Pictures because of course:

View attachment 1337444


Suitable for Jurassic Park perhaps?

View attachment 1337445

The Glock 27 .40 and Glock 33 357 Sig calibers are the exact same size as a G26 but are more powerful especially when loaded with an Underwood product. I carry a G33 in areas much like you describe.

 

[Jonny Yuma]

My recent Backpacking Trip had me discover that my Gen 5 G26 fits perfectly in the waist strap pocket of an Osprey Kestrel 58L. (I'm planning on upgrading it to a 68L before my next trip.)

To save weight, and because of how it carries, the G19 stayed home, as did the G20 I have setup for "Bear Defense".

For the areas I frequent, Grizzly Bears are really a non-issue. In order of concern: Humans, Mountain Lions, Critters, and perhaps a rare Black Bear.

Although, according to Update of Pistol Defenses Against Bears 123 Cases, 98% Effective , 9mm (& 10mm of course) remain fairly effective. I'll just ignore the fact that a few Elk Hunters armed with 10mm have been "Successful", while getting shredded. Described in depth here:

Forgive me for yet another "G26" or "Bear Defense" thread, but I work from home and have nothing better to do.

I've been thinking that for any proper through hiking, I like the weight and space savings of the G26. It is probably more than sufficient for Nebraska, though a friend is making noises about doing a 4 day "continental divide loop" in Colorado. Perhaps the occasional black bear?

So the big question is, how do I idealize my G26 for this purpose?

The first thing I think I'm going to do, is purchase a KKM Barrel for it. I really enjoy the one in my G20, which I've never fired with the stock barrel. That said, it's almost hard to miss with it.

It is a Non-MOS Version, so if I wanted to put a dot on it (have SCS MOS on the G20), it would require milling, trade in, or a new slide.

I have no reason to believe that the Underwood Ammo I've tested out in 10mm wouldn't perform adequately in 9mm. But I'm open to suggestions. Anything in particular you'd do, or any specific ammo you suggest?

Pictures because of course:

View attachment 1337444


Suitable for Jurassic Park perhaps?

View attachment 1337445

When I owned a G26 I was tempted to do the same thing for the same reasons. Ultimately I didn't, for several reasons.

While I found the G26 shot as well as everyone said, it was impossible for me to do a fast reload. The short grip wouldn't allow for it.

Carrying in the pocket of the hip belt on my Osprey Atoms was convenient but very slow to draw.

Finally, I was concerned about velocity loss with the short barrel. 9mm is already a puny cartridge and I don't want to give up any ballistic advantages the longer barrels may have.

In the end I sold my G26 because it was too small and I sold my G20 for a variety of reasons, one of them being it was 10 ounces heavier than my 19. That may not sound like much, but it makes a difference.

Back in September I hiked the Solitude Loop in the Cloud Peak Wilderness in northern Wyoming. Nearly 60 miles in six and a half days. Two nights in a row we had a black bear in camp. They had no apparent interest in my food, which was stored in a bear bag and hanging in a tree. Instead, both times, they came right up to my tent. (I'm assuming it was a different bear each night).

They were surprisingly easy to run off, so I am happy to report I have no first hand data on the effectiveness of 9mm 147 grain hard cast on bears.

Good luck with whatever you decide and have a good 👍 trip in Colorado.

Edited to add; I was carrying my G17 on this last trip because the night sights on my G19 are getting old and the tritium is dim and hard to see at night.

 

[Borg Warner]

My recent Backpacking Trip had me discover that my Gen 5 G26 fits perfectly in the waist strap pocket of an Osprey Kestrel 58L. (I'm planning on upgrading it to a 68L before my next trip.)

To save weight, and because of how it carries, the G19 stayed home, as did the G20 I have setup for "Bear Defense".

For the areas I frequent, Grizzly Bears are really a non-issue. In order of concern: Humans, Mountain Lions, Critters, and perhaps a rare Black Bear.

Although, according to Update of Pistol Defenses Against Bears 123 Cases, 98% Effective , 9mm (& 10mm of course) remain fairly effective. I'll just ignore the fact that a few Elk Hunters armed with 10mm have been "Successful", while getting shredded. Described in depth here:

Forgive me for yet another "G26" or "Bear Defense" thread, but I work from home and have nothing better to do.

I've been thinking that for any proper through hiking, I like the weight and space savings of the G26. It is probably more than sufficient for Nebraska, though a friend is making noises about doing a 4 day "continental divide loop" in Colorado. Perhaps the occasional black bear?

So the big question is, how do I idealize my G26 for this purpose?

The first thing I think I'm going to do, is purchase a KKM Barrel for it. I really enjoy the one in my G20, which I've never fired with the stock barrel. That said, it's almost hard to miss with it.

It is a Non-MOS Version, so if I wanted to put a dot on it (have SCS MOS on the G20), it would require milling, trade in, or a new slide.

I have no reason to believe that the Underwood Ammo I've tested out in 10mm wouldn't perform adequately in 9mm. But I'm open to suggestions. Anything in particular you'd do, or any specific ammo you suggest?

Pictures because of course:

View attachment 1337444


Suitable for Jurassic Park perhaps?

View attachment 1337445

To save weight, why not carry the same size and weight gun in a more powerful caliber? Namely a Gen 3 or 4 G27?

9mm fan boys say that the 9 is just as powerful if not more so than the 40 and that the 9 can do anything the 40 can do, but they're wrong about that. The one thing the 9 can't do that the 40 can is launch a 180 grain bullet at 1000 FPS out of a a short barrel.

And the other thing the the 40 haters say is that even though it's a short and weak cartridge and not as good as the nine, the recoil is so horrendous that your split times at the range will be reduced by actual FRACTIONS of second!

The recoil factor is overblown and irrelevant. The fact is that using Plus P+ ammo, not range ammo, in the 9 there is little difference in recoil worth mentioning.

And if weight savings is your primary concern, You'll definitely want a Gen 3 or 4 and not a Gen 5. And there are plenty of good deals on used G27's in like-new conditions and these guns can fire thousands of rounds before it's time to replace the recoil spring which you can always do if you're uncertain of the round count.