As a G26 owner for about two decades and understands its capabilities and versatility, I’d recommend it over any G43 variant.

 

I was going to say, the G26 for Subcompact is a sweet pistol that shoots almost as easily as a full size Glock and can share mags with all the bigger 9mm (non-slimline) Glocks. There are slimmer/easier to carry pistols, but not that are as shootable as the G26.

 

43 or 43x? I got confused in your explanation.

different note : a 43 would give you pocket + potential subcompact division if you like swapping slides. I’m always going to er on shooting more not less.

that being said. A 26 gives you a subcompact and competition division. While you can do this with the 43x or 43 slide moving from frame to frame I do not think long term you will be competitive with a 43x even in subcompact.

Go 26, that’s my free advice.

 

I don’t think the 43x makes sense in GSSF competition. It goes up against the full size guns in its division. 26 for subcompact makes a lot of sense. 43 gives you pocket.

Personally, my next win is going for a g26 mos that I will run in subcompact with iron sights. The MOS is to future proof it as a future carry gun for my inevitable eye change in the next 10 to 15 years.

 

The 43 can be put in the pocket but it is big for that roll.
I carried a 26 for about 20 years as my off duty gun and have both platforms .
I think your body type will have a lot to do with your concealability comfort. Thinner slide vs shorter handle .
Shoot ability can depend on what your hand finds more comfortable- double or single stack . I love both but it took me time to get used to the single stack size after decades of shooting a double stack .

 

26 is somewhat easier to shoot and more forgiving in its division.

43 is somewhat more difficult to shoot, the trigger is worse, and it is very unforgiving on the plate rack when you only have 6+1 and can only miss one plate.

 

26 hands down. The baby Glock is still a gold standard and a 26/19/45 is the trifecta.

 

G-26. If it wasn't any good, it wouldn't have survived so long. My most carried pistol.

 

I love the Glock 26. You can use a stock mag, or a +0, a+1, or a +2. You can also use a mag from a g19 or a g17. I prefer a +0, or a +2. I carry a 19 mag as an extra.

 

I have both and they are different creatures.

The G43 is great when you want a gun without feeling like you’re carrying one. It shoots well, especially with an optic installed but it’s six round magazine limits it.

The G26 is very versatile. It can be big or small depending on how it’s configured and being able to carry a 12, 15 or 17 round magazine makes it very versatile.

 

I have both and they are different creatures.

The G43 is great when you want a gun without feeling like you’re carrying one. It shoots well, especially with an optic installed but it’s six round magazine limits it.

The G26 is very versatile. It can be big or small depending on how it’s configured and being able to carry a 12, 15 or 17 round magazine makes it very versatile.

I'll throw this mix into the discussion: g26 gen4 and gen5 have shorter distance from back of grip to the trigger (with no backstrap installed). I had a gen3 g26 and carried it for years but when I sold it last year for several reasons.

-I like the 'smaller' grip on gen4 glocks AND I had plenty of micro pistols to choose from that would give me as much or more capacity than the g26.

-i bought shield arms z9 metal mag for my g43 and presto i had a 9+1 pistol. I also put a set of talon grips on the g43 and those grips with the z9 really transformed the g43 for me. I then sold my g43x that I had only owned for 4 months sicne I shot the g43 with z9 mag BETTER than the 43x.

We all have diff hand size and finger lengths so things like grip size and grip length can absolutely change how comfy the pistol is for you and how well you shoot it.

 

Can I mess you up? What about a G30? Sub, Heavy Metal and others. Just think of it as a G26 on steroids. Both can use standard magazines for more rounds if need be (G17 and G21 mags).

Now, the G43 with plastic sights can be found under $400 at BL dealers. I like it, carry one daily in the summer and shoot GSSF with it. Just wish Glock had made the grip to fit G43X mags.

Good luck!

 

Can I mess you up? What about a G30? Sub, Heavy Metal and others. Just think of it as a G26 on steroids. Both can use standard magazines for more rounds if need be (G17 and G21 mags).

G30 is over 10oz heavier loaded, kicks a good bit more and there is little to no evidence that .45 is any more effective at stopping a threat.

 

The 26 is the coolest Glock, in my opinion, but They both work. But if you have both, you’ll reach for the g43 in most days. the 43 can actually do pocket carry, or deep conceal. It’s the only edc I really need, I grab a 17 when I want more.

its really about pairing them up. I need a 43, and a 19, the rest are luxuries. I think we confuse ourselves with so many Options.

 

Go with both. The G43x is a superb gun as is the G26 but have different characteristics.

 

I like my 43/26/27, but this year so far, I just carry the G-27.
Like many of you choosing the G-26 over the G-43, I have decided that eleven rounds of .40 (+1) base, so far suits me well.

 

The Glock 26 is awesome and is probably my “if I could only have one pistol” pistol. I shoot the 26 significantly better than the 43 in competition and in general. I do practice with it more because I carry it so much, but the “shoots like a full-size” phrase following the 26 suggests that’s true for most. 30 pages of arguments for it (a few of mine and many from others) can be found here: https://www.glocktalk.com/threads/glock-26-is-the-best-carry-gun-ever.1754954/

I love the 43, but 26 gets carried way more, conceals better for me due to slightly shorter grip. 43 is too big and flat for me to conceal well in a pocket, and if I’m going to the belt, I’m usually going 26 or 19, depending on the shirt. The 42 is a great, very shootable, Glock-reliable pocket gun that you can find for like 300 bucks. (For not 300 bucks, the new black Smith & Wesson 640 is a tank, but might not fit your competition leanings). Slide swap-ability sounds tempting, but the 26 is a champ. Would definitely recommend at least shooting one before you jump on something else.

 

I consistently shoot the 26 better than the 19. Add to that the ability to carry a 19 as a spare magazine and it's no contest for me. I owned a 43 for a couple of years before I sold it. Couldn't shoot it well at all.

 

Can I mess you up? What about a G30? Sub, Heavy Metal and others. Just think of it as a G26 on steroids. Both can use standard magazines for more rounds if need be (G17 and G21 mags).

Now, the G43 with plastic sights can be found under $400 at BL dealers. I like it, carry one daily in the summer and shoot GSSF with it. Just wish Glock had made the grip to fit G43X mags.

Good luck!

G30 is over 10oz heavier loaded, kicks a good bit more and there is little to no evidence that .45 is any more effective at stopping a threat.

The G30 (I have both the 30SF and 30S) is a nice gun and can shoot lots of GSSF divisions (i.e. Heavy Metal, MajorSub, Subcompact...basically everything but PocketGlocks and MOS, though it won't be terribly competitive in Competition, Unlimited, etc.). If you reload (GSSF has no power factor minimums), it doesn't have to recoil much more than 9mm.

But at least around here, recent matches suggest that HeavyMetal and MajorSub are "dead" divisions, generally not getting enough entries for normal prize distribution. I made master shooting those divisions...but I think they're on their way out.

 

Pocket division is tough. It basically all comes down to plates. Being limited to 7 shots means a lot of +10 second penalties. I shot a 48 for a few years in the stock division, but was amazed when I switched to a G45. My times went down from around 100 to the 70’s. For me It used to be more divisions over lower times times, but my mindset has changed. It’s now quality over quantity.

 

To join in on the off topic....I recently got a 30s and a 21.4. So I intend on shooting 9 divisions from here....or until I develop arthritis.

 

G30 gives you Sub & Major Sub plus if shooting factory ammo would be less snappy than .45gap for HM. Just carry the G48. 😎

 

For me, the G30 has less of an impulse (kick) than my G43.

OP, get both!

 

Go with the 26, been carrying one for 25 years. Easy to conceal in the waist band even with shorts and a t-shirt.

 

Glock 43X is much easier to shoot well for me, is slimmer and more concealable. And you can use the Shield 15 round mags. Make a great combination with an inside the waistband holster or even in your pocket.

 

When my buddy who is 6'5 tried my g43x he shot it like he had competed with it. tac driver for him. He went to range with me to shoot my p365 and p365xl as he wanted a sig and he tried them both and HATED THEM. He shot my g43x and shot it better than me and I had been practicing with it for 4 months. I shot my g43 with z9 mags really well, had just got the z9 mags from shield arms to try. After shooting he was like SELL MY YOUR 43X Bob, you suck with it, and I suck with the p365 lol. He went right to bank and got cash and he still carries that 43x for last 3 years. It just works for him and my g43 with z9 mags works for me. This is why I tell so many people to go to a range and rent some guns to try before your by or go with friends that have guns you may want and try them out. Sometimes you know INSTANTLY if gun is for you or not. In March I tried a ruger rxm from rental case. Got done shooting and told clerk, ring one up right now, I'm buying one. Liked it better than my g19.4, which I also really like and shoot well, but I consider the rxm a really nice upgrade over a std glock.

 

I carry the 43x on a church security team IWB and I forget it’s on. Went hiking and almost stepped on a big copper head and I trashed it with a rock. Got back to the truck and I said “Damn” forgot i was packing and should have shot it Great gun but I need to practice awareness drills or someday I may get bite or worse

 

I agree with those who think the 43 is a good option.

I have the 48/43 combo, which offers the 43/43x/48 options. I have been very happy and like the way they shoot.

 

G 26