I see no reason, on the other hand, why the Glock 26 should perform any worse – both are built to the same extremely high standard.

MAGAZINE CAPACITY

Capacity is one area in which there is a real, measurable difference between the guns. The 26 can carry 10 rounds in the magazine, and 1 in the chamber. As standard, on the 19 you get 15 in the magazine and 1 in the chamber.

Though there is a difference, this is still an impressive capacity for compact handguns. Compare the Glock 43 – with just 6 rounds in the mag as standard, easy to conceal – and you’ll see what I mean. Even the smaller 26 gives you 11 rounds, and if you can’t disable an attacker with that many bullets you need to practice more.

To my mind, having 15 or 10 rounds in the mag makes very little difference, especially as you are likely to be carrying an extra magazine anyway. I know, however, that some people like to have as much ammunition as possible ready to go, and in this case I would recommend the 19.

That said, it is just about possible to get the same capacity out of a 26. You can add after-market magazines which boost the mag capacity up to 15 rounds and beyond. For a lot of people, this is their reason to choose a 26 over a larger gun. The argument is that a 26 can “become” a larger weapon like the 19, but the 19 will never offer the concealment of a 26.

CONCEALED CARRY

Finally, the ability to carry these pistols concealed. Again, in this area there appears to be a striking difference between the two guns. The shorter grip of the 26 means it prints less, and the fact that it is lighter could make it more comfortable to carry around.

If you live in a hot part of the country, I suppose these arguments are worthwhile. However, where I live I do not find it difficult to conceal a Glock 19. The trick is to get a decent holster, and wear the correct clothing. I cannot talk for everyone, of course, but to my mind you shouldn’t choose a gun just based on how easy it is to hide.

Of course, some people recommend getting both a 26 and a 19 – one for the summer, and one for the winter. If you have the cash, go for it!

FINAL THOUGHTS

So there you go. Both the Glock 19 and the 26 are great guns, and showcase what Glock can achieve in terms of compact and concealable firepower. Both are reasonably easy to use for experienced shooters, and both will give you many years of reliable service if you look after them.

If I have to choose, however, I would always go for the Glock 19. The extra ammunition capacity, the slightly larger grip, and the extra weight make this gun handle in a far superior way to its smaller rival. If you absolutely need to carry your weapon in deep concealment, go for the 26. Otherwise, get the Glock 19 every time.

This article originally appeared at Gun News Daily in 2019.

Image: Reuters