Glock 19 vs. 26: Which is Better for Concealed Carry?

Although Glock’s catalog offers shooters more choices and options for concealed carry than ever before, the two Austrian gunmaker’s most popular products are its two oldest and most successful compact pistols: the Glock 19 and the Glock 26.

Many long-time gun owners swear by both models for concealed-carry applications. But how do they compare, and is one better than the other? Here is a complete breakdown of both handguns: why they exist, their similarities and differences, and each handgun’s strengths and drawbacks for concealed carrying.

The Glock 19: The First Compact Glock

In 1986, Glock GmbH of Australia arrived in the United States, establishing an office in Smyrna, GA. The original, first-generation Glock 17 became available to American shooters the same year. It was presented by

numerous gun publications and became the first polymer-framed handgun to achieve widespread acceptance.

By 1988, the Austrian gun manufacturer made two new developments: refinements of the original design, resulting in what is known today as the Generation 2 (Gen2) Glock 17, and a compact version of that new and updated model: the Glock 19.

Initially, the Glock 19 was designed for police and military forces seeking a smaller, lighter backup gun. However, it also found acceptance and success among civilian shooters for concealed carry applications.

As the G19 achieved the same success as its full-sized predecessor, it became the first model of a new line of handguns, the Glock Compact family: shortened versions of a corresponding full-size pistol.

Other models in the Compact family include the Glock 23 (.40 S&W), Glock 32 (.357 SIG), and Glock 38 (.45 GAP). These examples all feature identical dimensions to the G19, the only differences being chambering and compatible magazines.

Differences with Glock 17

Compared to the original full-sized pistol, the Glock 19 was notably shorter in height and overall length, losing just under half an inch in both directions. Instead of a 4.48” barrel, the G19 features a 4.01” barrel and matching shortened slide. The frame was shortened, cutting the pistol’s overall height from 5.47” to just 5.04”.

Due to the frame height, the Glock 19’s standard magazine is slightly shorter than the G17’s: 15 rounds instead of 17. However, the Glock 19 is well-known for using the same frame design as its full-size counterpart, making it compatible with full-sized G17 magazines.

The Glock 26: The “Baby Glock”

By the 1990s, the Glock pistol had become a nationwide success. High-capacity semi-automatic pistols largely replaced the traditional staple .38 revolver in most law enforcement officers’ gun holsters, becoming the new standard for police handguns. Glock was now a market leader, holding an estimated 50% of the law enforcement market share by 1998.

In this context, Glock further refined their catalog and introduced a new product family, the Subcompact line, and its first model, the Glock 26.

The Glock 26 is an even shorter version of the G17 and G19, first appearing on the U.S. civilian market in 1995. The G26 was primarily designed for civilian shooters with concealed carry holsters. Fans of the handgun nicknamed it “Baby Glock” because it was the smallest handgun in Glock’s catalog.

The G26 featured an even shorter frame (4.17” tall), barrel (3.43”), slide, and magazine (10 rounds), plus ergonomic improvements: finger grooves and a thumb rest on the left side.

The ergonomic changes introduced by the G26 were later backported to the gunmaker’s other models in 1998, creating the third generation of Glock pistols (Gen3). Consequently, Glock enthusiasts sometimes refer to early-production, pre-1998 Glock 26s as “Gen 2.5.”

Parts and Accessory Compatibility

As with the G19, the Glock 26 frame is 100% compatible with its taller counterparts’ magazines. The G26 will accept G19 and G17 magazines without modifications.

The G26’s width of 1.26” is identical to that of the Glock 19. Despite that, a Glock 19 holster may not adequately fit the Glock 26 due to its shorter slide and barrel.

Always use a holster explicitly designed for your gun’s make and model to get the best and safest performance.

G19 vs. G26: Full Comparison

Today, both the Glock 19 and the Glock 26 are available with the improvements introduced with Glock’s fifth and latest generation, the Gen 5 family of pistols. Despite that, both pistols’ overall design and dimensions have remained virtually identical. Here is a breakdown of what each handgun can do as a concealed carry gun.

Shooting Comfort and Ergonomics

One of the most critical factors when choosing a concealed carry gun is comfort while holding and shooting. The more comfortable a handgun feels in the shooter’s hands, the easier it is to shoot and become proficient in its use.

Ergonomically, the primary difference between the Glock 19 and the Glock 26 is the frame height and the amount of real estate for the shooter’s hand.

At 5.04” tall with a standard magazine inserted, the Glock 19 provides just enough space for an average shooter’s hand to perform a full, three-fingered grip. This factor makes the Glock 19 closer to a full-size handgun in terms of shooting comfort.

In contrast, the Glock 26 is 4.17” tall with the standard 10-round magazine inserted. Most shooters can only get a two-finger grip around the G26’s frame, causing the pinky finger to hang under the magazine and making it less comfortable to shoot for extended periods.

Carry Comfort and Concealability

When inserting a handgun into a holster, the grip is the only element not covered by the holster shell. Consequently, properly concealing the grip is crucial to avoid printing.

Although a taller grip helps make a handgun more comfortable to shoot, a shorter grip makes it easier to conceal. Due to its shorter dimensions compared to the full-size G17, the Glock 19 is a mid-sized handgun, offering a balance of grip height and concealment.

However, if you want maximum concealability, the Glock 26 has the advantage due to its shorter overall height.

Performance and Accuracy

Even though the G26 has a shorter barrel than the G19, both handguns are highly mechanically accurate and can deliver virtually identical performance at real-world engagement distances. The most significant performance aspect to consider is sight radius.

The sight radius is the distance between a firearm’s front and rear sights. The longer the sight radius is, the less a bullet will deviate from the point of aim if the sights aren’t aligned 100% correctly.

The Glock 26’s sight radius is approximately 5.4”, whereas the G19’s is about 6”. In the real world, the difference means the Glock 26 is slightly harder to shoot accurately.

Capacity

When fitted with their respective flush-fitting standard magazines, the Glock 19 carries up to 15+1 cartridges of 9x19mm ammunition, whereas the Glock 26 carries up to 10+1.

Although the G19’s standard magazine holds 5 more rounds, both handguns can accept any Glock 9mm double-stack magazines taller than their standard-capacity equivalents.

• Glock 19: Accepts G19 (15 rounds), G17 (17), and extended magazines (21, 33, etc.)
• Glock 26: Accepts G26 (10 rounds), G19 (15), G17 (17), and extended magazines (21, 33, etc.)

Regardless of the Glock you choose, inserting a magazine taller than the model’s standard will significantly increase its height, decreasing concealability.

High-Quality Kydex Concealment Holsters for your Glock at Incognito Concealment

So, which model should you choose? Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference.

If you need the smallest, most compact handgun possible to achieve maximum concealability, the Glock 26 may be your better choice. If you need a handgun that is easier and more comfortable to shoot, offering a balance of capacity, comfort, and concealment, you might prefer the Glock 19.

Both handguns are excellent options for everyday concealed carry and personal protection, especially when paired with a high-quality concealment Kydex holster. Incognito Concealment has the holsters you need to conceal-carry your favorite Glock as confidently and efficiently as possible. For more information, call us at (586) 333-4240.