First off, "everyone" needs a 26. Its the "if you could only have one Glock", Glock.

That out of the way, I like duplicate spares of what I use, as a "just in case" back up. If you can swing it, three is the perfect number. One for use, one for back up, one for practice.

So my goal would be four guns here.

As far as carrying things goes, Im 5-6, 160, and Ive carried full sized handguns, wearing the clothes I would be wearing if I wasn't wearing a gun, and done so every day for about 50 years now. If you chose the proper belt and holster, and have the proper mindset, carrying and concealing the gun is pretty easy.

 

I currently use a Tenicor’s belt, and holster for my 19.5 when I don’t mount a light, and a Veddar holster when I do mount a light. I do need to play around with wedges, customize my Tenicor holster with the extra bits they gave me to help press into my body nore

 

Personally, I like options and variety. I'd get a 26 to have some flexibility of choices. But that's me.

If you like everything about your 19, already have the parts for it, are satisfied with how it carries, and value the idea of having the same feel in hand, you've answered your question. Get another 19.

 

The 26 is a compromise to the 19, so if you have a 19, you don't "need" a 26. Harder to shoot.

If you just want us to give you an excuse... Yes go for it.

 

I like them both, but I carry my 26.5 much more than my 19.5, so I recommend the 26. It is good to have options.

Parts? I don't need no steenking parts! My Glocks run fine stock.

The 26 is a compromise to the 19, so if you have a 19, you don't "need" a 26. Harder to shoot...

YMMV on this assessment, so try one at the range before you decide. I find the 26 no harder at all to shoot than the 19, I shoot better with it and it is more comfortable and easier to conceal.

 

IMHO, you can never have enough 19’s. I like the 26, but I like redundant 19’s better. YMMV.
For conceal-ability, check your belt and holster set up.

 

This ^^^^^. 26s are fine guns but “you can never have enough 19s.”

 

The G26 is the PERFECT companion to a G19

I use a G19 with light mounted for "home defense" and conceal carry a G26 with a G19 mag for spare mag.
I install the same sights on both pistols and call it good.

 

I say get a 26 now. You’ll end up with another 19 soon enough. Get the 26 now. You’ll have new sights and shoot it enough before summer to take over when the 19’s too big. Then find a trade in 19 to keep as your iron sight gun.

 

I like the 26 over the 19. Easier to conceal and still shoots great. You can get a 26 mos if that’s what you want.

 

I disagree. I shoot the 26 better than the 19. The 26 is more versatile. Want a bigger grip? Put in G19 magazine with a grip sleeve.

Get the 26 over a second G19. If you need spare parts , just buy it . It won’t be needed that often and are cheap enough as not to be a real issue in the choice making .

 

The answer is always "Get them both."

 

Get the G26, if for no other reason than to just own a 26! Might as well get them both, you eventually will.

 

I'm a big fan of both the G19 and G23 and own them both. I used to own a G26 and a G27, sold them both, not a fan of either.

 

Thanks for the post. I'm a big fan of the G23, and interested in more detail about why you didn't like the G27.

 

I found that the 26 didn't conceal well for me. Oddly the 19 laid flatter to my body IWB and concealed better than the 26. The 43x is my favorite CCW because it is thin as short as the 26 but with a full grip.
The 43x feels like a fighting gun while other micro guns feel like modern day derringer... something I would feel disadvantaged with fighting my way out of trouble. I like it more than the 19 now.
If the 26 works it is great. The 26 has some great advantages in shared parts with other models.

 

G26 using a x-grip mag sleeve on your G19 mags, makes the gun a G26x

 

Personally I am not a fan of grip sleeves. Two reasons I can feel movement between the gun and magazines. I find this , I guess distracting. I like a grip that I can dry fire practice with that is the same as what I shoot.

 

I had a G19 and decided a G26 would be the perfect gun -

Boy was I wrong.

It was a pain to carry - like I had a brick IWB. I prefer to carry a S&W M&P9c over the G26 even though the M&P is a bigger gun.

After a few weeks it went in the safe and then years later I decided to try carrying it again.

After two weeks of uncomfortable carry I sold it.

The only good thing about the G26 - it holds it value well and I actually sold it for about what I paid for it.

So this is a gun you can take a chance on - then if you realize it is not for you - you can sell it and get most if not all of your money back.

The - it can share mags with a G19 & G17 turned out to be not worth $.02 to me.

While I respect the right of G26 fans to make up their own minds - and am not trying to say you are wrong - for you -

But for me the G26 was not a good purchase and I am happy I sold it and will never buy another.

If you want a smaller gun there are many fine choices - I would consider at least looking at other options but in the end only you can decide what is the best pick for you.

 

Thanks for all the insight everyone. So let me get this straight, I get the 19, but also the 26. Got it haha.

 

And while you're buying another 19 and a 26, make sure to grab a 43X while you're at the LGS. As I always think, if I got to fill the form, might as well make it worth the ink! 🤣

 

G48? The slim 19...

 

G48 would get my vote too.

 

Just get all 3 lol

 

Variety is the spice of life. Try the 26. They're great pistols.

 

26 for carry and 23 for the bedside.. can’t go wrong with either

 

Something else to maybe consider... you can at times, pocket carry the 26. In a proper holster of course. I have done this many times when I just didn't want to bother with holstering the 19. Options, options.

 

Here are my points supporting the 26 which I carried undercover for many years in Narcotics;

1. It is lighter and much more comfortable to carry IWB than the 19
2. I ALWAYS shot a better score with my 26 when qualifying with both it and the 19
3. With the right pants it CAN be pocket carried which I have done in non-permissive environments
4. I always carry a Glock 19 magazine as a spare when carrying the 26 because if I'm reloading I'm in a world of ****
5. The 26 fits my hand much better than the 19
6. The 26 conceals much better than the 19

Good luck with your decision and let us know how you make out.

 

I'm different...maybe you will think me odd, but here goes.

The most versatile pistols I own are not the 19 or the 26. That honor goes to a 23 and a 27.

I can turn the 23 into either a 19 or a 32. 9mm, 40 S&W, or 357 Sig with 2 aftermarket Lone Wolf conversion barrels.

Like wise the 27 can become a 26 or a 33. Again with 2 Lone Wolf conversion barrels.

As with almost all Glocks, the magazines from the corresponding caliber must be used with the conversion barrels. I've used a Gen 3 23 and 27 for years this way. What is the old saying?

Variety is the spice of life - for me anyway.

 

Went to my local gun range/ pro shop today to get a feel for the 26. They had a 28 I was able to hold and the frame felt a little too small for my comfort. Didn’t have the time today, but I’m going back this weekend to shoot the 26 they had for rent at the range portion and see how it feels.

 

The 26 completely changed feel in my hand with Talon grip. FYI.

A Pearce +2 added as well makes it just about perfect. And still conceals much easier than a 19.

 

Since you're already familiar with the 19, rent a 26 and see if you even like it. Personally, I carry a 19.5 and I've shot a 26, and I didn't care for it. FWIW it was a Gen4 with finger grooves, which I pretty much hate, so I might feel different about the Gen5.

 

I forgot to add, with my 26’s I can shoot it with the 10 round mag fine, you just curl you pinky finger under the mag, but I prefer to use a +0 pinky extension, or a +2 extension on for a better draw from the holster. It would be worth a try to use one if you rent one. Maybe they have one to use?

 

I live in a not so free state so the +2 is out of the question but they might have a +0 I can try out with the 26!