I carry my 43 daily and occasionally my 26 or 19, that being said 26 gives me more security but the 43 is so dang comfy! I'd say shoot em both and just get whatever you shoot best! I'm rural so don't expect a huge threat so 6+1 is good for me but something to think about is the 26 can run larger double stack mags for the 19s or 17s or funsticks... 43x for you you'd be stuck with the 10 rounder or a shield non oem mag... If you want me to make your decision for you I'd go 26 with a nice iwb holster since that can make all the difference...(tenicor or muddy river tactical)... my edc 43 sucks to practice with cause im always loading mags!

 

The Glock 26 is dead nuts accurate and you can use Glock 19 and Glock 17 magazines in it.

 

Imho skip the 26 and go straight to a 19. In summer I've gone from my LCP max. To a winter Glock 19. If it's going to be as thick as a 19 why bother with a 26? And if you find yourself adding any mag extension or even the pinky extension you've basically made the grip 19 length. My 26 collects dust these days. I don't sell many guns, but if I was going to my 26 would probably be on the short list.

 

Imho skip the 26 and go straight to a 19.

My current "concealed" carry.

 

If the 26 fits you better, go with it. Great choice.

 

Before I lost weight, it was hard to IWB with anything larger than a 43. Now that there is some space, a 43 or 43x is perfect AIWB. I can pocket a 43 and sometimes with a 26, depending on the pants. But, with a 43x, the grip is an issue when I pocket carry so that has to either be IWB or OWB.

For carry comfort, as long as you have some space inside the waist, the 43x or 26 would be fine for you. But the 43x might be just a tad more comfortable because of the slimness.

From a shoot-ability perspective, I LOVE the 26. I shoot this better than the 17 too. Definitely try it out at the range first. But for shoot-ability, you will probably like the 26 better.

 

26! It's far superior beyond the paper stats.

The 43 is snappy but accurate. Use either a flat based six round mag or a Magguts +2. I have the Taran Tactical +1, +2, and +3. The TT +1 is a bit longer than a flat base factory mag. The TT +3 makes the gun as tall as a G19. I use it as a spare.

The best compromise is the 43 with Magguts +2 or just going with the 26.

For the 26, I like flat base and finger rest 10 round mags and the Glock factory 12 round magazines. I also use a Glock 19 magazine with XGrips or Sherer grip sleeve.

Glock 43 with TT +1 vs G48 and G17

Glock 43 with TT +2

Glock 43 with TT +3

G26 with factory 12 round mag

 

26! It's far superior beyond the paper stats.

The 43 is snappy but accurate. Use either a flat based six round mag or a Magguts +2. I have the Taran Tactical +1, +2, and +3. The TT +1 is a bit longer than a flat base factory mag. The TT +3 makes the gun as tall as a G19. I use it as a spare.

The best compromise is the 43 with Magguts +2 or just going with the 26.

For the 26, I like flat base and finger rest 10 round mags and the Glock factory 12 round magazines. I also use a Glock 19 magazine with XGrips or Sherer grip sleeve.

Glock 43 with TT +1 vs G48 and G17
View attachment 1178088

Glock 43 with TT +2
View attachment 1178086

Glock 43 with TT +3
View attachment 1178087

G26 with factory 12 round mag
View attachment 1178089

What holster is this?

 

I have tried pretty much every slim gun that has come out recently, and while they all carry super comfortable I didn't care for shooting any of them. Double stacks just feel and shoot better to me so I ended up carrying a g19. Rent both and choose which shoots better for you.

 

Don't underestimate the value of the short grip of the 26. I don't have a 43x but I do have a 43 and 26. The short grip adds to the versatility of where on your body you can carry it. If it's on my waist it really doesn't matter that much but if I need to go with ankle carry the short grips of either the 26 or 43 make that possible. With a Gee Plate on the magazine they are easy to draw. I cant recommend the Gee Plates highly enough for "short" carry. The 43 is the most comfortable on the ankle.

On the waistband, the 43 is slightly more comfortable and is a little easier to use a tuckable holster when I need to have a tucked shirt. The 26 can't be beat for flexibility with the 10,12,15, and 17 round magazines that can used and still have the gun be reliable. It's a little thicker and weighs a bit more but if you're going to have one.....go with the 26.

 

Lots of good advice above. I'd give a lot of decision weight to the one that fits your hand and shoots well. I pocket carried G26 for a long time. Only reason I'm not now is a very personal one: for pocket carry with my gnarly old hands, I decided I needed a safety in case my fingers ever got tangled up grabbing the gun, especially if sitting down.

OP: like you I don't tuck in my shirts (and get the 'long' version and a size too big). That along with the large pockets (any of them) and weave of Duluth Trading Company Firehose cargo pants (the original, cheaper, looser ones) make them ideal, I had no problems concealing a stock G26 in a pocket holster in an upper pocket.

 

I pocket a 26 in rothco or other camos all day every day

 

I've been very happy with the 43X. I want to love the 26 but does not fit my hand well. For me I choose 43X but if not the 43X I would skip to the 19.

 

Many thanks to all. You have given me allot to think about. I will try out both at the range and see how it goes. Appreciate everyone’s input and it’s very helpful to hear from those who have one of each.

 

I'll be looking for your input after shooting both.
I haven't even held a 43X but I bought a 26 years ago and have absolutely no regrets. I relate to how the little double stack fits my hand and the single stacks I've handled and shot just don't compare in that sense.

 

Glock horsehide pocket holster.

 

Great plan for you!
I sold my 43x as it was just did not fit my hand therefore less accurate

 

I use a 43 or a P365 for my EDC. I have a 26 & I love it! But, it feels heavy and blocky IwB. I had a 43X but it is a 43 barrel/ slide on a 48 frame and the grip length is no real difference than a 19 so it isn’t, in my own case, as easily concealed. I love OWB carrying a 17 or 19. The 19 is really the best all around in my opinion. That being said, you can go wrong with a 26.

 

Would like to know the pros and cons of carrying a G26 From those that do.

My wife made the switch to the Glock 26 back in Dec of 2006. Its been her EDC gun since then. She has over 19,000 rounds through it - no issues. (She did switch out the recoil spring at around 12,000 rounds - just because). Her holster of choice is a FIST ultra-thin kydex IWB holster with split leather loopes for attachment. She carries a spare mag in a Comp Tac kydex single mag pouch. Her belts are all 1 1/4" gun belts (has several different ones, a Kramer, a Galco, and a Safariland). She also uses a Kramer horsehide OWB belt scabbard on occasions. All of her mags are set up with a Pearce +0 pinky extension - these are the ones that she has found work best FOR HER over the years.

We were talking about her 26 the other day and she said "Nothing that I have shot that is smaller, shoots as well as the 26." (She has a spare 26 too - sequential serial numbers to boot.)

The 26 is a workhorse small gun that shoots like a bigger gun.

 

My wife made the switch to the Glock 26 back in Dec of 2006. Its been her EDC gun since then. She has over 19,000 rounds through it - no issues. (She did switch out the recoil spring at around 12,000 rounds - just because). Her holster of choice is a FIST ultra-thin kydex IWB holster with split leather loopes for attachment. She carries a spare mag in a Comp Tac kydex single mag pouch. Her belts are all 1 1/4" gun belts (has several different ones, a Kramer, a Galco, and a Safariland). She also uses a Kramer horsehide OWB belt scabbard on occasions. All of her mags are set up with a Pearce +0 pinky extension - these are the ones that she has found work best FOR HER over the years.

We were talking about her 26 the other day and she said "Nothing that I have shot that is smaller, shoots as well as the 26." (She has a spare 26 too - sequential serial numbers to bo

The 26 is a workhorse small gun that shoots like a bigger gun.

What holster is this?

It is an older JM Custom Kydex AIWB 2.5. I now recommend the AIWB 2.5 with DCC clips and wide set Pull the Dot loops. Make sure to get the full sized triangular wedge.

Or just get a Tenicor Certum 3 for a Glock 19 and be done.

 

I think it depends on where on your body you carry. If you carry in the 3-4 o'clock position, I think the shorter grip prints less. If you AIWB the longer grip tends to be a better option, in my experience. If you carry fairly deep, you need that grip length to able to draw correctly. I AIWB, so the 43X, 48 or 19 is what I carry. I mostly carry a comped 43X in a Tenicor Certum 3 at 12:30-1 o'clock. I also find 4 inch barrel lengths work better than the shorter ones in this position. There's no right or wrong answer. You just have to find what works best for you. It costs money and time to get it right. You will buy and sell guns and holsters before the light goes off.

 

G26 standard 10 round mag no extension. Perfect for IWB and tucked shirttail, no printing. That’s its advantage over the G19. I use a Vedder Light Tuck holster.

 

Warm weather G26 AIWB.

 

G26.5 with Ameribold NS for the win

 

I never cared for the 26 and went back to them multiple times. The hump on the grip hits my hand the wrong way. It is a much nicer shooter than the 43X, which is a bit snappy.

However, the longer grip on the 43X give me a better purchase on the gun. My smaller hands prefer single stacks so my choice is the 43X. The 43X being slimmer will carry more comfortably.

The 26 gives you way more capacity choices too. Hold it, dry fire it and go to the range with it if you can. If you still like it then the 26 is a hard choice to beat.

My preferred Glock is the 48 MOS

 

Both are an excellent choice.
Go with what feels and shoots best for you.
In my experience, both are great for everyday carry, so you can't really go wrong either way.

 

I owned a 26 and sold it after years because the grip is too short. I had a hard time with marksmanship. I own a 43X and shoot it as well as my 17. I bought my wife one as well. For me, this is the best CCW gun I have ever seen.


Sent from my iPhone using Glock Talk mobile app

 

Let us know how your range visit goes.

 

I Will hoping to go this weekend.

 

26 with 12 rd.mags, Vedder IWB or OWB.