View Full Version : G26 vs G43
Looking for a new pistol for concealed carry. I know it's all personal preference, etc, but I'd like to get y'all's thoughts.
I like the 26 for the compatibility of mags as I also have a 19.
I like the 43 as it is slimmer and I feel I can conceal it better on my fat butt.
I do NOT like how my pinky hangs off them both, but that can be fixed with aftermarkets.
My wife likes the 43 better, but... 6 rnds only?....
I carry a 26, and with a good holster(currently using one of HBAR's high ride owb) it disappears on MY fat ass. A 43 would be lighter, but I would feel the need to carry more than one spare mag.
hurley842002
09-02-2017, 21:12
The 43 is a great CCW pistol, but if I could only have one between the two it would be the 26. I've owned several baby Glocks, as well as a 43, and they all disappeared and were comfortable after getting used to them, I'll take 10/15/17/33 rounds any day over the G43 capacity.
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I had a 43 but found the 26 was just as easy to conceal. That combined with more capacity and magazine compatibility with my other 9mm Glocks made the decision to ditch the 43 in favor of the 26 a no brainer.
XXFattyHunterXX
09-02-2017, 23:15
I was in the same boat. Bought a gen 5 g19 cuz same price as a gen 4.
I was in the same boat. Bought a gen 5 g19 cuz same price as a gen 4.
You might have been on the same body of water but you definitely weren't in the same boat if you were trying to decide between a 26 and a 43 and ended up with a 19.
3beansalad
09-03-2017, 07:29
Both great pistols, and with the proper aftermarket accessories confortable to shoot. Both have their place in concealed carry. Comparing the 26 with extended mags, and your 19, you might find the 26 isn't much different in height or weight. Making it no improvement for concealment.
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buffalobo
09-03-2017, 07:42
Both great pistols, and with the proper aftermarket accessories confortable to shoot. Both have their place in concealed carry. Comparing the 26 with extended mags, and your 19, you might find the 26 isn't much different in height or weight. Making it no improvement for concealment.
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+1
hurley842002
09-03-2017, 08:15
Both great pistols, and with the proper aftermarket accessories confortable to shoot. Both have their place in concealed carry. Comparing the 26 with extended mags, and your 19, you might find the 26 isn't much different in height or weight. Making it no improvement for concealment.
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Good point that is often brought up in these discussions, and while mostly true, a 26 with a standard Pearce extension is still more concealable than a G19 in my experience.
Bear, if you are considering subcompact pistols I would definitely recommend training with them to the point of not using extensions. I've been shooting and carrying baby Glocks for years, and didn't like the hanging pinky at first, but now that's the only way I'll shoot them.
Not_A_Llama
09-03-2017, 09:52
The 26 is the only Glock I've ever sold.
If you're carrying appendix, the grip length is somewhat inconsequential. Might as well carry a 19 if you can carry a 26. To point, I've seen more 26s with grip extensions (that bring the gun to near 19 grip length!) than not.
If you're concerned about thickness, as youghtabe, the G43 is great. I prefer the G42 because I don't have as much cushion as some folks around here, and that little bit makes a difference. While I think the 43 is the best ultracompact 9mm shooting experience out there, it is still jumpy. There's dudes walking around like 7+1 is the solution to open warfare, so 6+1 for an admitted compromise solution seems reasonable to me.
Great-Kazoo
09-03-2017, 14:04
Owning all the G-locks and not a fan of single stack sub compacts. I was hesitant regarding the 43, till i rented one for hands on testing. The following day i picked up a 43. added a +2 to the stock mag, second mag had the pinky extension. The stock (flush mount) mag wasn't an issue when shooting, which surprised me. Not feeling any of the "snappy recoil" others mentioned.
I really like the double stack glocks. However, travelling to and through states that like enforcing 10 rd mag limits, the 43 works for me. Once hbar makes me an IWB it should work fine. There's also an issue carrying certain guns wearing a prosthetic that goes all the way up my hip. One more + for the 43 in that aspect.
I have a 26/27, 19/23 and 43. I ended up carrying the 43 more, mostly because I’m seated most of the day. With the 43, just a little less poking me in places I don’t want to be poked. I actually feel like I can get a little more grip on the 43, it’s like 2 ½ fingers vs. 2 fingers on the 26/27 without mag extensions on either. With the 19/23 that extra grip dimension just seems to be harder to conceal, may just be in my mind, but I feel subconscious when carrying. And I can feel the thickness difference between the 43 and 26/27 when IWB. The most comfortable for me is pocket carry, so that narrows it to the 43 or something smaller.
Very intelligent and thoughtful comments.
Thanks all, much appreciated. I might just have to go rent and shoot the 43 for a few hours before making up my mind.
Thanks again.
Great-Kazoo
09-04-2017, 19:32
Very intelligent and thoughtful comments.
Thanks all, much appreciated. I might just have to go rent and shoot the 43 for a few hours before making up my mind.
Thanks again.
1 box of 9mm should convince you from buying, or not.
3beansalad
09-05-2017, 17:59
Very intelligent and thoughtful comments.
Thanks all, much appreciated. I might just have to go rent and shoot the 43 for a few hours before making up my mind.
Thanks again.I could loan you a 43 if you like.
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hurley842002
09-05-2017, 18:30
I could loan you a 43 if you like.
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That's really cool of you, and pretty much the only way for the OP to truly get a feel.
I could loan you a 43 if you like.
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Might have to take you up on that if Cara and I can ever get a day together, lol.
That's really cool of you, and pretty much the only way for the OP to truly get a feel.
Rgr that. Very cool.
1 box of 9mm should convince you from buying, or not.
Rgr, I'll try to work on that. Most of the tool stores I frequent do not have a "rent" feature.
If 3Beans' schedule doesn't line up or something, I could let you try my 43 out as well. You're just down the road from me.
If 3Beans' schedule doesn't line up or something, I could let you try my 43 out as well. You're just down the road from me.
Rgr, Thank you Sir. I'll be in touch if it doesn't work out.
Lex_Luthor
09-07-2017, 23:39
I had a 27 that was converted to 9mm. My previous department wouldn't authorize it, so I sold it. I usually ran it with an extended mag that I even chopped down a little and it was still almost exactly the size of a 19. The local market was devoid of any 26's so I bought a gen 3 19. God, every time I shoot that gun, I fall back in love with it. I'm 5'8" and about 160 and I can conceal the 19 in shorts & a medium size t-shirt pretty easily. I don't like wearing larger size clothes either. I shoot the 19 as well as I shoot my duty G17.
That being said, I also have a 43. Sometimes I elect to carry it rather than the 19 for dress clothes, lighter summer clothes, etc or when I'm just hanging at family's houses. It's just SO much lighter & the thinness is definitely noticeable to the wearer. I run mine with a +1 in the gun and a Vickers tactical +2 with new spring in the spare mag in my pocket. That gives it the same capacity as a Shield.
Both are carried at about 3:30
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