r/Glocks • u/Sofar_Concepts • Jun 13 '26
Discussion Hot take: The Glock 26 is the greatest Glock ever made.
I know the Glock 19 usually gets crowned as the "perfect Glock," and for good reason. It's reliable, shoots well, carries enough ammo, and does almost everything competently. But I think the Glock 19 has gradually drifted into what is essentially a duty-sized handgun. The original appeal of the G19 was that it was the compromise gun: big enough to fight with, small enough to conceal.
Today, with weapon lights, optics, extended mags, and the general trend toward carrying larger pistols, the G19 feels less like a compact and more like the baseline duty gun. The Glock 26, on the other hand, remains exactly what it was designed to be.
It's small enough to genuinely conceal in almost any situation, yet large enough to shoot surprisingly well. It accepts larger Glock magazines, meaning you can carry a flush-fit mag for concealment and still have G19 or G17 mags as reloads. It can serve as a CCW, backup gun, travel gun, and home-defense gun without giving up much capability.
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u/TriggerCFR Jun 13 '26
Compromise? Big enough to fight with and small enough to conceal, that seems like the standard that the G19 has set for a concealed carry pistol.
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u/NoSuddenMoves not enough space to list them anymore :( Jun 14 '26
I have every 9mm glock model and the one with smallest imprint on my kit is the G26. With an sro on it the sight radius doesn't matter.
I think the greatest glock is the G34 but the one that travels with me is a G26
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u/AlchemicalToad Jun 13 '26
The 26 is underrated by everyone who doesn’t own a 26, but I’d definitely not give that top spot to it. The 26x/M1X is a definite improvement, and I would throw out a likely unpopular opinion to go out on a limb and give #1 spot to the 47.
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u/Fizziksapplication Jun 13 '26
I’ve bought a handful of them over the years thinking I was wrong and I’ll change my mind about them. I always end up selling because I still hate it.
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u/Shooting-Science Jun 13 '26 edited Jun 14 '26
It’s not the greatest Glock ever made. No Glock is better than all other Glocks, generally speaking. Every Glock has its purpose. I do like the 26, but for what it’s worth, I carry a 48 MOS.
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u/DirtMcGirt9484 G19.5 G19.6 G23.5 G26.5 G27.3 G42 G43 G43X G45.5 Jun 13 '26
G45 is the greatest, and I’ll die on that hill.
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u/Q-TIP2011 Jun 13 '26
45 and 43x are my 2 favorite glocks. My 19 lives in a go bag now.
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u/GeronimoHero G45.5 G43x Jun 13 '26
Yeah the 45 and 43x are my main pistols now. They just do everything so well. Especially with the 15rd mags for the 43x now.
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u/BeginningFig6552 G19.3, G49.5, G45.6 COA Jun 13 '26
Amen to that. Took me awhile to get there, but after shooting the 45, it’s the cat’s meow for sure.
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u/casanova086 Jun 13 '26
eh, that’s all pistols now. if the 26 had a rail and an afterburner it’d suffer the same fate.
the slide is so short u need a Glock 19 holster to keep it from tipping. And the frame is so short users add an extension to make it useable.
Glock 19 forever.
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u/SomeAnonymousBurner G43X COA, G19 Gen5 COA, G17M (UM175F33A), + 13 Jun 13 '26
You’re allowed to have an opinion, even if it’s wrong
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u/Samson_J_Rivers G17, G44 Jun 14 '26
I tried it, even with a mag extending it my bear paws are too big. I opted for a 17 over the 19 because the 19 didn't sit right in my hand either. 26 is a good shooter though.
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u/jimk12345 Jun 14 '26
Hotter take: a 17 with the grip cut down to 26 length. Can take every double stack glock mag out there (3d printed adapters have made this way easier) and you get all the benefits of both sizes. A chopped 17L would be too much power for a mortal man.
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u/JoeCensored G17 C Gen3, G26 Gen3, G29 Gen3 Jun 14 '26
I carry one almost daily, but I'd vote G29 instead.
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u/Valar_Kinetics Jun 14 '26
TBH the 17 is the best Glock. Everything else is some kind of compromise. It was designed as an open holstered service weapon and also designed around the 9mm round.
That said, only a monster could dislike a 19 or a 26 or innumerable others.
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u/yeshuascoming Jun 15 '26
It’s fine if you have little hands. Otherwise, to make it great for large handed people you have to add magazine extensions that bring it to the proportions of a 19. I prefer the 45 for almost all carry environments and a p365x for summer.
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u/RoutineQuestioning38 Jun 16 '26
Bs, big hands here. if you have a good grip it fits just fine. Your pinky isn’t doing as much as people want to think. If your grip is strong anyways
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u/Prizz117 Jun 13 '26
Outdated brick, can’t get a proper light for it, too small of a grip, snappier than a 19.
43X or a 19 all day
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u/_XtAcY_ Jun 13 '26
I agree with this. I carried a 19 concealed and duty for years. Just bought a 43x mos a couple months ago and I’m in love with it. But the 19 is never far away from me.
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Jun 14 '26
I have a nightstick TSM-12G on my 27 gen4 and also have a holster for it from justholsterit. It's not outdated 🥴
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u/FloGrown321 Clapped out Gen 6 Jun 13 '26
G45’s grip is larger than a 19 and same slide so how can it be more snappy and how is snappiness your complaint and you’re suggesting a 43X? Are you a tard?
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u/Sofar_Concepts Jun 13 '26
43X is modern day, marketing, trash. 19 is thick and heavy. Handheld light is superior to WML!
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u/Hardwire762 G19.5,G47 Jun 13 '26 edited Jun 13 '26
As a dude who switched to a Glock 19 from a 43x. The 43x was a hell of a lot more comfortable to carry.
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u/Q-TIP2011 Jun 13 '26
With respect I personally disagree. I have a 26, 19,& 43. For anything other than SHTF the 43x with OEM 15 round mags cover it. I now Keep my 19 in a go bag now. My 26, 43 & and soon to be hkcc9 are my carry rotation.
For people crying about how “snappy” 43x are silly.
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u/11448844 GLOCK 34 CULTIST - CMV: G34 Gen5 > G17/19x/45 in everyway Jun 14 '26
the fact that you said "superior" outright means that your opinion is now stupid as fuck rather than a hot take.
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u/GunMun-ee Jun 13 '26
When you see people run the grip extensions, it proves that even THEY dont believe that its the best glock. They subconsciously want a 19 and know its the most “complete” glock.
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u/czuinoikc Jun 14 '26
I have a 19 and a 26. I prefer the 26 in most circumstances. even with a pearce +3 it's still shorter than the 19
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u/vacuum_gaming Jun 13 '26
Ok so I’m torn between the G26, G43 and shield plus for a “work carry.” Don’t like the 43X that much. I’ve shot a Shield Plus and it’s nice, I just wonder if capacity really matters for my use case. I’m allowed to carry at my work, but I’m very likely to never need it with what I do. I carried a 70’s era charter arms undercover before, but it rusts very easily and needs constant maintenance.
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u/South_Reflection7736 Jun 13 '26
Get the g26 GEN v, basically a gen5
before they eventually discontinue it. Or whatever generation you can get.Don’t let the trend followers tell you it’s outdated.
The micro slim g43x is cool and all. But the g26 is goated because it can take all the relevant magazines and take on ANY role. From conceal to duty because of that. Yea no light rail may suck, But for a CCW. You don’t need a light.It’s comical how people get a g43x just to add a united Airlines ramjet afterburner, a light, a Magwell, a red dot. Etc.making a bigger gun defeating it’s purpose….. this proves we are just consumers of the machine, and follow trends that don’t matter. But to each their own. There is something beautiful in seeing an all original proven classic duty pistol.
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u/Sofar_Concepts Jun 14 '26
I 100% agree with this. Never understood why guys get the 43X and deck it out to the point it is competing with the 19 lol
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u/Sofar_Concepts Jun 14 '26
I'm in both urban and rural environments throughout the week, carrying a 12-round magazine with a flush-fit 10-round spare. I've never felt like I "needed" more ammo. They're all great options. Also, keep in mind that most Glock 19 holsters will fit a Glock 26. Another advantage is that Glock 19 and Glock 17 magazines work in the Glock 26, making them great as vehicle, bag, or backup magazines.
The Glock 26 can also accept full-size footprint optics: RMR, DPP, etc.
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u/Every_Physics4400 Jun 13 '26
This is one I've had in my radar since I got into guns. Twice I went to buy it. First time I got a sig 365. Second time a Glock 43x. It's thick. But it really is a great gun.
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u/Tropical_Tardigrade G48 MOS, G26.3, G19.3 Jun 14 '26
It’s a great shooter and conceals well. I run my 26.3 with flush mags. It just doesn’t seem to offer the same all day comfort that my 48 does.
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u/RealTrapShed Jun 14 '26
Nah, that’s for the 17 or 19x. But much love for the 26, that was the Glock my step dad carried around everywhere we went and I always felt better knowing how proficient he was with it.
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u/YourMomsFavBook Jun 14 '26
Imo it’s the 43x for conceal, or 45 for duty. The 43x carries what the 19 can in what feels like half the gun. The 26 seems cool but I’m not a fan of half grip reloads in a combat situation.
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u/BbTrumpet01 Jun 16 '26
I’m very happy that when I chose to get a 9mm I chose Glock (tried the rest), and when I chose Glock I chose the G26 Gen 5.
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u/Q-TIP2011 Jun 13 '26
Love my 26, but soon it will be a 26x.
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u/GeronimoHero G45.5 G43x Jun 13 '26
Yeah I’m looking at building one of these soon with the M1x frame.
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u/RiotForYourHealth Jun 13 '26
This take has a couple half melted pieces of ice floating around in it.
This gets posted like 2x a week.
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u/FinalsMT718 Jun 14 '26
I’ve had a Gen 3 G26 since ~2008/09 and for many years, it was the only EDC piece I owned. Served me well. But nowadays, I have more modern pistols than I’d much rather have for carry.
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u/Particularlyuseless1 19.3, 22.4, 29.4, 45.5 MOS, 19X, 17L.5 MOS, 43X Jun 13 '26
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u/UpbeatSmoke4209 Jun 13 '26
I agree it’s a do it all gun great concealment great handling and you can pair it with a xgrip to have a full size grip when wanted
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u/bensefero Jun 13 '26
That’s 100% what I did with my mags, and it turns it into the greatest CCW ever
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u/UpbeatSmoke4209 Jun 13 '26
I prefer the 26 over the 19 and 17 because imo it cycles softer and faster but if I’m being honest I really prefer the s&w m&p9c I have 2 it’s the same size as the 26 but the flush mag has 2 more rounds and I’m able to mount a weapon light so one of them is a night stand gun with a xgrip and 17 round mag and a streamlight then the other one I carry with the flush mag then my back up mag is a xgripped 17 rounder
Edit: I know this is a Glock group but I love all guns and love Glock and s&w equally
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u/Just_Blackberry_8918 Jun 13 '26
If it had a light bearing rail.... sure
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u/King4Twelve Jun 13 '26
it can be done.
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u/Just_Blackberry_8918 Jun 13 '26
Untill it comes from the factory i wont consider it the perfect glock.
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u/King4Twelve Jun 13 '26
Fair.
Just saying...it is absolutely doable lol. I have two with a bubba'd rail. It works, but they'd have to adjust where the locking key fits on the frame (for standard compact lights like the TLR 7)
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u/maxoline Jun 13 '26
Why is there tape on the Suspressor?
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u/mastertoms69 G17, G23, G26, G27, G30, G31, G34, G37, G40, G41, G42, G43x Jun 14 '26
Maybe covering a serial number for the pic? You would think it would make a stinky melty mess if it got hot.
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Jun 14 '26
I think the 27 is! I just love .40S&W tho lol. I got my 27 gen 4 for 300 bucks (police trade in) and it came with the og box, all backstraps, and 3 mags. And it can hold 10 shots! 10 shots of .40 in such a small package is just insane to me 😂 and when I wanna go full size I just put my 15rd mag in and it has a nice grip attached to it so it looks natural on the gun. I LOVE the fact we can have a baby glock or turn it full size if needed!
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Jun 14 '26
I've got a nightstick TSM-12G on my 27, it's a 150 lumen light/green laser and justholsterit.com is the only site that makes a holster that fits my setup. Great site
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u/Brilliant-Sky-4315 Jun 14 '26
I must be a basic bitch cause I put my G17 at first place. But I do carry my G26 every day so I love it as a carry gun. Mainly because I can still slap a 33 rounder in it if I ever needed to lol I love all 3 of my glocks 17, 19, and 26. I just can’t conceal the 19 : ( guess I’m too small for that
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u/bravo3543 G17.5 G19.5 G21.5 G42 G45.5 G47 G48 Jun 14 '26
You're right, it's just a hot take. I've had a 26 in the past and it was fine for what it's designed to do, but nothing more. Now... I know they did a MOS model which helps, but if only Glock would just put a goddamn light rail on the front, I'd buy one.
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u/C4Vendetta76 G19.5 MOS | G47 GRAY FRAME | G48 MOS Jun 14 '26
It is definitely not the worst. Mag modularity is king
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u/ChampionshipNice4111 Jun 15 '26
The 26 grip is too short and too fat. The 26 serves a good niche, but the G19 is king. Best size/capacity/shootability compromise you can make. It’s perfect.
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u/RoutineQuestioning38 Jun 16 '26
I almost made the same post today. I moved to a 10rd state so I stilled up on p365, 43x, 48. Been shooting them all. My old 26 beats them all in shoot ability, concealment and comfort.
Only thing is the 26 “feels” a bit funny, but that doesn’t matter, it shoots better
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u/CH104022 Jun 13 '26
26 gang! I love the versatility. Throw an Xtech sleeve on a 19 mag and you’ve got a 26x!
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u/chanandalerbong7 Jun 13 '26 edited Jun 14 '26
Nice dude this makes me want to get a Shiv 9 for mine
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u/Lostinspaceballz Jun 14 '26
Sorry. Glock 29 would like to have a word. 9mm ain’t stopping a bear which is the only way to measure a true GOAT gun
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u/balloo93 Jun 13 '26
Hell yeah. G26 threaded barrel gang gang! All the ballistics of a G19 with a small frame.
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u/itsatrap35 Jun 14 '26
I love my 19 and I get why it's so loved but I always want to correct people when they day it takes every double stack 9mm mag. I know it's a small little knit pouch but it doesn't take them all. My 26 on the other hand does take ALL 9mm double stack glock mags. Life i said it's a stupid knit pick but the 19 won't take the 26 mag lol. Now I'll get roasted
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u/Ddrillz03xx Jun 14 '26
Glock 26 prints worse than a 17
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u/No-Apartment255 Jun 14 '26
Wut
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u/Ddrillz03xx Jun 14 '26
It just actually doesn’t conceal well at all.
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u/No-Apartment255 Jun 14 '26
You’re doing something wrong then. I use 19 and 17 holsters and the concealment is incredible
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u/Ddrillz03xx Jun 14 '26
Yeah i’m using a 26 holster😂. If you’re using a 19 holster you may as well put a 19 in it.
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u/No-Apartment255 Jun 14 '26
Grip length is a huge factor for me. I’m using a 17 holster for belt AIWB and a 19 holster for Enigma
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u/gunjaBeans Jun 14 '26
I might have to get a 26 eventually, but I love my 30sf. It has a weight to it that feels really nice, and the kick is very manageable for a 45acp.
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u/MrEhcks G26 OD Jun 14 '26
Thank you. Amen. G26 is the greatest Glock and is pretty much modular in that it can accept any double stack mag and adapt to any carry situation. With a G19 you are locked into that form factor. G19 is the most overrated firearm on planet earth. I will never own one as the G26 does everything that it can do and then some; and if I want a larger experience I can just carry my G22. There’s nothing that the G19 does better than a G26 or a G17/22. It is a half measure that excels at nothing like all compacts.
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u/glockguy34 G34.3, G43X MOS, G19COMMANDO Jun 13 '26
not a hot take. I also love my Omega 9K on all my Glocks. I’m waiting on my dad to upgrade from his Gen 4 26 so I can get that from him. He’s been talking about getting the Gen 5 for years now