Earlier this year, we did a review on the popular Glock 27 for concealed carry. There was quite the demand for us to do a review on the G26 as well so, here it is! Keep in mind, this review is on the Gen 3 version, not the newer Gen 4. Also, not that it probably matters, but this review is eerily similar to the G27 review because they are identical except for caliber.
Ok then, let’s get into this!
Size
The Glock 26 Gen 3 is classified as a sub-compact 9mm. At 6.49″ long, 4.17″ high and just 1.18″ thick, it’s pretty easy to conceal in a quality IWB holster while wearing shorts and a t-shirt. You sacrifice barrel length over the full sized models by about an inch, but this firearm proves to be just as accurate at respectable distances. And for it’s small size, it doesn’t pack too much of a punch as far as recoil goes. It is very manageable for follow-up shots.
A side note on the size of this firearm: People have their own preferences with the size of the grip, as your pinky will be hanging down below the firearm with nothing to wrap around (unless you add a pinky extension plate on your magazine). I have no preference with this, as I shoot the same with or without the pinky extension.
Caliber
A great caliber in a small package. Everyone has their preferred caliber as well as their opinions regarding the usefulness of each caliber. For a close-range self defense firearm, it is my opinion that the 9mm round will get the job done if I am ever in that unfortunate situation. Choosing your carry ammunition is a whole other topic, but once the research is done, you will find that some 9mm rounds even outperform some 40 S&W and 45ACP rounds.
Safeties
No external safeties here (well, except the trigger safety). Sometimes people overlook the fact that thumb safeties have been known to get caught up in clothing while drawing. With the Glock, your safeties are all internal and do just what they’re supposed to do. During a stressful situation, there is no need to potentially fumble with an external safety. Furthermore, if anyone tells you that they practice disengaging their safety and it would never be an issue in a stressful situation, don’t listen to them unless they have already had to draw in a stressful situation. No person on earth will know exactly how they will react until the time comes, regardless of how much practice or experience they have. That firearm will never discharge unless you pull the trigger. For more information on their “Safe Action” System, click here.
Reliability
This deciding factor cannot be stressed enough. If you are not confident in your EDC, you should be looking elsewhere. Everything on my G26 is stock. Since I picked it up spankin’ new from the gun shop, it has done what it’s designed to do each time I pull the trigger: Go Bang. It is my personal preference that, if a firearm EVER fails to fire, and the failure is not due to ammunition but rather the firearm itself, it’s time to retire that firearm from EDC. If one day you need to rely on it and it doesn’t do what it’s meant to, you may wish you had done the same. Of course, lemons exist with firearms just as they do with cars, and not everything is perfect. However up to this day, my G26 has performed flawlessly. If this ever changes, well…I’ll cross that bridge when if that day ever comes.
Compatibility
As many fans of Glock know, they have many interchangeable parts that are easy to come by. They also provide the same solutions for different firearms. Let’s say you buy a Gen 3 G27 and a molded IWB holster. If one day you decide to purchase a Gen 3 G26 (9mm), you are able to use it in that same holster because the frames and slides are identical. Glock also has the added benefit of interchangeable magazines. If you carry a G26 with the standard 9-round magazine, you could also carry a spare 15-round 9mm Glock magazine because it will fit perfectly.
Simplicity
With simple items comes simple maintenance. Glocks are known for easy take-down. Now I’m not talking field strip here (although that’s super easy as well), I’m taking your full-blown take-everything-apart-one-piece-at-a-time-until-you-have-all-34-pieces-of-the-gun sitting in front of you (this includes the magazine). It’s so easy in fact, that I did it in roughly 4 minutes on my very first try, without directions.
CONCLUSION
All things considered, this is my #2 choice for concealed carry (because my G27 is my #1 choice). Again, as in the other review, am I a Glock fanboy? Perhaps. It’s small, easy to conceal, accurate, and most importantly; reliable. With a combination like that, I’m not sure how anyone could go wrong. Sure it isn’t the prettiest thing to look at, but it performs as advertised without fail.
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Brandon, Concealed Nation
