[Firearmjunky22]

im looking at picking up a Glock 26. I like the gen 4 over the 3 due to the increased grip texture and magazine release. I’m not a huge fan of the gen 5 as it seems without the finger grooves my hand slips down the grip and I don’t seem to get the best grip. I’m one of the few where the finger grooves actually fit me well. The gen 3 I don’t mind but the less grip texture and the magazine release I don’t like. I have a hard tome reaching the magazine releases without severely breaking my grip due to my small hands. In your opinions what generation do you like the most? Pricing local to me I can get a frying pan gen 3 very very lightly used for 425, gen 4 fde used with some wear for 395, gen 4 brand new for 510 and a gen 5 brand new for 565

 

[Dr_fast]

First of all, don’t let a few dollars one way or the other help you to buy a gun that you regret forever. Long after the few dollars you saved is gone you’ll still be griping about the gun you don’t like.

I, like you, I can’t get by the texture and mag release of the GEN three. I own Gen 3’s and fours and just love the Gen 4s.
The most important thing that I will say about the five beside the finish is awesome is that a GEN five trigger sure seems to be a notch or two better then the four. The four is fine, but the five is substantially better in my opinion. But I will also say that one of my GEN three’s has a trigger almost that good after running 1000 or 2000 rounds through it overtime. I’m not a guy keeps track of his rounds. My experience with GEN five trigger comes from some time with a Glock 19 Gen five. I haven’t actually handled the 26 GEN five yet. I do hear though that it’s trigger is great. Also, I’m not sure the finger grooves will have as much affect as you may think with the GEN five because they still have the most important bottom finger groove right next to the magazine. Bottom line is maybe you should wait until you can have some trigger time with a five, and four and then make your decision. It’s no fun to wait but that’s probably smart.

 

[G26-Has-my-6]

Gen5 without question. the striker safety block design is the best reason why to get a Gen5

 

[Mister X]

Gen 3 for me. I actually prefer the smaller mag release since I don't realistically ever see the need to reload in a civilian defense encounter and even if I did have to, it works fine for me. And I don't really care for the rough texture frames for concealed carry.

 

[MinervaDoe]

im looking at picking up a Glock 26. I like the gen 4 over the 3 due to the increased grip texture and magazine release.... I’m one of the few where the finger grooves actually fit me well.

I would definitely recommend you get a Glock 26, and I say get the model that you want.
Here's a few write ups that I've done on the subject:
http://chronosscifi.com/gunCompare.html
http://chronosscifi.com/threeGlock9mmsVer2.html
http://chronosscifi.com/compactGlockWGrid.html

 

[GT2]

I managed to find a G4 back in December for $485 NIB at a LGS and love it. G3 will only give you 2 magazines and I prefer the G4 grip texture a lot more. I also like finger grooves and I've seen reports of excessive wear and chipping on G5's before they even hit the 1000 round mark.

 

[orangejeep06]

I own several gen3s and i’ve shot a gen4 a few times and for me i prefer the gen3,especially the older ones with the slick finish.

 

[MikeG36]

Sounds like you kind of already know what you want to get. At least that you've narrowed it down to a Gen4. Of the 26.4 mentioned, I'd snag up that FDE unit.

 

[JLB19]

I own Gen 2.5, Gen 3 and Gen 4 model 26 pistols, but I do not currently own a Gen 5 26.

Shooting at the range, I prefer the Gen 4. The more aggressive texture and larger magazine release are nice here. In my experience, the trigger pull (w/ a "." connector) is slightly lighter, but not quite a crisp.

Carrying all day, I prefer the Gen 3 (or 2.5). The less aggressive texture doesn't rub me raw. I don't find the smaller mag release an issue. The trigger pull (with an unmarked connector) is not quite as light, but slightly crisper (which make me a slightly more comfortable holstering). The "frying pan" finish on my Gen 3 model(s) seems to stand up to holster wear much better that the other (OEM) finishes that I own.

I don't think there's a wrong answer, but "the best" will depend on your preferences and what your intended use is.

 

[Crossfaced]

Gen 4 for me. I prefer finger grooves. The g5 just didn’t fit me well.

 

[paragon1]

Gen 5 seemed to be hard to handle without the grooves. LGS had the Gen 4 for $499, Gen 5 for $599. Needless to say I got the Gen 4.

 

[Maccabeus]

Honest question from someone considering a gen 5:

Out of curiosity, do those who say the gen 5 is hard(er) to handle without the finger grooves, say this from live fire experience and comparison to earlier gen guns?

When it was first announced, several writers who had not yet shot one mentioned that such a small pistol might be better served by leaving them on for better control.

And yet, any number of us own G43s with no finger grooves and don't have any trouble controlling that even lighter pistol.

Just curious if those who have shot the gen 5s are actually noticing less control over older G26s.

Thanks.

 

[GlockFan7]

Gen 4 for me, but I'd be okay with a Gen 3. I don't care at all for the Gen 5.

 

[Dr_fast]

Honest question from someone considering a gen 5:

Out of curiosity, do those who say the gen 5 is hard(er) to handle without the finger grooves, say this from live fire experience and comparison to earlier gen guns?

When it was first announced, several writers who had not yet shot one mentioned that such a small pistol might be better served by leaving them on for better control.

And yet, any number of us own G43s with no finger grooves and don't have any trouble controlling that even lighter pistol.

Just curious if those who have shot the gen 5s are actually noticing less control over older G26s.

Thanks.

Honest question from someone considering a gen 5:

Out of curiosity, do those who say the gen 5 is hard(er) to handle without the finger grooves, say this from live fire experience and comparison to earlier gen guns?

When it was first announced, several writers who had not yet shot one mentioned that such a small pistol might be better served by leaving them on for better control.

And yet, any number of us own G43s with no finger grooves and don't have any trouble controlling that even lighter pistol.

Just curious if those who have shot the gen 5s are actually noticing less control over older G26s.

Thanks.

I’m not sure I push the right button’s for quoting the above, but what I wanted to note is that the analogy to the 43 and handling it without finger grooves seems that it would make sense when you think about a GEN 5 - 26 without finger grooves even though it still has that one grove at the bottom next to the magazine. I don’t think I’ve heard a single person who owns a 43 complain about them not having GROVES has hurt their control, not one.

 

[Maccabeus]

... I don’t think I’ve heard a single person who owns a 43 complain about them not having GROVES has hurt their control, not one.

Right. That's my thinking.

I own a G26 gen 3 and a G43. I've never once thought, "Wow, I really wish this G43 had some finger grooves like my 26." They shoot the same in my hands, regardless of finger grooves or not.

I've actually read a couple people who say they notice improved accuracy with the gen 5.

I'm wondering if anyone is actually having the opposite experience (vs. just imagining that they might).

 

[Spartan24]

I’m a Gen4 fan. I like the increased size of the mag release and the expressed size of the grip. I’m not the typical gun forum dude that is 6’6” 240lbs and can palm a VW bug. My fingers are shorter and the Gen4 frame really fits me well. I did not see enough improvement in Gen5s to make a change in my lineup. I’ll stick with my 26.4, I love it. If I were you, I’d have already snagged the the FDE 26.4 you mentioned, hands down.

 

[Firearmjunky22]

I’m not sure I push the right button’s for quoting the above, but what I wanted to note is that the analogy to the 43 and handling it without finger grooves seems that it would make sense when you think about a GEN 5 - 26 without finger grooves even though it still has that one grove at the bottom next to the magazine. I don’t think I’ve heard a single person who owns a 43 complain about them not having GROVES has hurt their control, not one.

I definitely get what you’re saying. I have owned a g43 and never once thought to myself it needed finger grooves. Maybe a more aggressive texture but I didn’t really have too much of an issue feeling like I had a good purchase on it but I have a feeling that’s due to the small size it’s easy to get a good purchase on it. The g26 and g19’s I’ve held that have been a g5 I get the same result, my fingers slide down the front of the gun making me feel slightly uncomfortable. I haven’t shot one so that would be the tell tale

 

[PieIsNice]

Gen 3’s are too slick when wet for me to carry confidently in the summer. The finger grooves only benefit the 19 when your grip is really cranked down, and with the other sizes they’re either unnecessary at best or a hinderance at worst.

If I didn’t have a 26.4 already, I’d probably get a 26.5.

 

[GlockFan7]

I’m not sure I push the right button’s for quoting the above, but what I wanted to note is that the analogy to the 43 and handling it without finger grooves seems that it would make sense when you think about a GEN 5 - 26 without finger grooves even though it still has that one grove at the bottom next to the magazine. I don’t think I’ve heard a single person who owns a 43 complain about them not having GROVES has hurt their control, not one.

I don't have a problem with control of the 42 or 43, but neither have ever been subjected to adverse, sweaty, rainy, muddy or bloody conditions where grip is challenged. The absence of finger grooves does reduce the actual contact area between the hand and the gun, to a measurable. Unfortunately for some, the grooves just don't fit, so any benefit is negated. Both guns fit a niche for us now, but we’ve considered them for long-term options. Both would be retired if the right gun(s) came along.

 

[fallhunter]

Gen5 without question. the striker safety block design is the best reason why to get a Gen5

And lack of finger grooves.

Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk