Glock 43 v Glock 26

[DolphinFan]

I have both.

Which one would you put on your carry permit if limited?

Glock 26 10+1 rounds, thick, not as easily concealable heavy, accepts all gen 3 magazines up tp 32 round.

Glock 43 with 8+1 with +2 extended magazine making it comparable to a 43X, thinner, lighter more easily concealable, 2 less rounds. 10+1 magazine available.

[G-forceJunkie]

I have both. The only difference is basically the thickness. Its really going to depend on your style of carry and conceliement as to if you can hide the extra thickness. On the plus side, the 43 with the 6 rd mag will fit in a pocket, but difficult to draw, but can be done. I would never pocket carry a 26.

[9Cal_OC]

IMO, they’re apples and oranges.

I have a G26 and a Shield (slightly larger than a G43 but just as thin) on my permit. They both satisfy different roles (Shield prints less in tighter clothing and is lighter).

If I only had to pick one, I’d say the G26. I carry a spare mag, which happens to be a freedom-week 17 rounder, so it’s a no brainer. I find I carry the G26 about 90% of the time. The other times, I switch over to a G19 and Shield (rarely).

[CGZ]

The Glock 43 is better all around IMO.

The main advantage of the 26 is magazine capacity. It's 10 rounds from the factory with +2 pinky extension being the most common magazine accessory used IMO.

However the shield arms magazines have bridged this gap for the standard Glock 43. They make a 9 round magazine with a profile similar to magazines with the pinky extension. For the Glock 43X, they make a 15 round magazine.

[Baer1911]

Well, I think it’s all about which one feels better in your hand
For me, single stack Glock felt perfect!

[stormvet]

What other two guns are on your card, that will make the decision easier.

I’ve owned a 27 for a very long time don’t carry it anymore. If I need thin it’s 48 or 43, if thickness don’t matter 19/23. I can still think of situations were the 27/26 makes since, but not nearly as many as the 43/48 or 19/23.

By the way I have a couple of the new Shield Arms 9 round 43 mags, they run great in my gun. Just make sure you get the SA steel mag catch.

[ptmn]

I appendix carry, so Glock 43 wins out over the 26 for my body shape. Everyone is built differently and each holster is different, so go with what works specifically for you and your equipment. Both are great weapons, so you can't go wrong with either.

I also use +2 bases with extra power Wolff springs in my 43. I am seriously considering Stormvet's course of action with Shield Arms magazines and a steel mag catch

[TrailerparkTrash]

I have all three models and they are all in my concealed carry rotation. There’s pros and cons to all three variants. But they are like kids…. You don’t just love one, you love them all for their indivisible uniqueness. These are just some of the things I notice:

G26 Pros:
-Prints the least while carrying AIWB, while holding more rounds (10+1) than the 43.
-Accepts all Glock double stack 9mm magazines, regardless of size (capacity) or generation (gen1-5).
-Extremly accurate and easiest to stay on target due to its weight and “bulk.”
-Smaller grip that’s “fatter,” and may aid in shooting accuracy.
-Has most options to carry either a 10, 12, 15, 17, 19 24 or 33 round mag.

G26 Cons
-Smaller grip that’s “fatter” so the pinky hangs off the grip.
-Thicker frame and slide
-Doesn’t fit well in large pants pockets for ccw.
-spare mags are bulkier in pants pockets.

Glock 43 Pros:
-Slim line gun
-light weight for concealed carry
-can be concealed in pants pocket with flush-base magazine
-Hides well in appendix carry
-Doesn’t print hardly at all when AIWB carry.
-Less round capacity, thus keeping it small and light weight when necessary.
-Easy to grab-n-go for an EDC
-Great gun for concealed carry appendix and when seated for long periods.
-Easiest gun to carry spare mags in one’s pants pocket.
-perfect “beach” or “shorts/tank top” concealment gun.
-the perfect “minimalist’s” gun.

G43 Cons:
-Less round capacity (if that even bothers you)
-less accurate beyong 15-20 yds compared to a G-26 or G43x
-short grip

Glock 43x Pros
-same size as 43, just longer grip.
-higher round capacity with factory 10-rnd mags.
-easy to carry multiple spare mags in pants pockets.
-best firm grip to have in a gun fight, little more accurate than the 43.
-hides better in appendix carry better than Glock 19 sized models

G43x Cons:
-prints AIWB constantly with just a T-shirt on.
-round capacity is just 10 for Glock factory mags (if that even bothers you)
-might be too bulky at times, depending on the attire for the day.

Personally, I’d NEVER ever use MagGuts springs nor Shield Arms aftermarket mags for personal defense. That’s just me.

When I travel and want the option of higher capacity magazines, I take the G26. Or when I travel by airplane and want discrete carry at my destination, it’s the 43 with two spare mags. For EDC around town in my home city, it’s pretty much the 43x and spare mags.

[SilveradoColt21]

I have not held a 43 in hand before but have held a 26 that my buddy has and I love the feel of it so I think for me I would say the 26.

[jmpeal]

I have both. Prefer my g26. Fits better in my hand. I shoot faster and more accurately than the g43. I shoot it almost as well as some of my heavy steel guns. Yes not as easy to conceal in the summer. I use the 12 round magpul mags. Been carrying it almost everyday for around 8 years.

[Peahi2]

G26 Pros:G26 ConsGlock 43 Pros:G43 Cons:
-Less round capacity (if that even bothers you)
-less accurate beyong 15-20 yds compared to a G-26 or G43x
-short grip

Glock 43x Pros
-same size as 43, just longer grip.
-higher round capacity with factory 10-rnd mags.
-easy to carry multiple spare mags in pants pockets.
-best firm grip to have in a gun fight, little more accurate than the 43.
-hides better in appendix carry better than Glock 19 sized models

G43x Cons:

Thanks for the great summary! I have come close to pulling the trigger on a 43 more than a few times in the past. Off roster premium stopped me each time. One day.

[Bullets&Whitewalls]

G26 Pros:G26 ConsGlock 43 Pros:G43 Cons:
-Less round capacity (if that even bothers you)
-less accurate beyong 15-20 yds compared to a G-26 or G43x
-short grip

Glock 43x Pros
-same size as 43, just longer grip.
-higher round capacity with factory 10-rnd mags.
-easy to carry multiple spare mags in pants pockets.
-best firm grip to have in a gun fight, little more accurate than the 43.
-hides better in appendix carry better than Glock 19 sized models

G43x Cons:

Pretty good points here, although having a 27/43 combo myself I disagree about the 26 printing less. In fact, that is why I carry my 27 the least at this point. I am new to CCW so that may change for me with different holsters and mag combos and as I get more comfortable. That said I have +2 Taran bases on my 43 mags and 23 mags with grip extensions for the 27. Other than the thickness they are super close to the same size.

I am curious as why you would consider the 43 less accurate? Is it the weight of it? The reason I ask is because I tend to shoot them equally well at all distances I have tried. As well as a 27 but then we are talking different calibers at that point. Honestly lately I feel like the 43 is better for me all around for accuracy and lack of printing. I have tried my 27 with a conversion barrel too with the same results. I still think I am going to buy a 26 though after shooting one recently. I mean who doesn't want an excuse to buy another gun right?

[ACfixer]

Well I have shot probably close to 1,000 rounds through the Shield Arms magazines without a single failure.

She 26 shoots nice (IMO), the 43 carries nicer. I don't carry for target purposes so of the two I chose the 43 platform.

[BB1776]

As has already been said, the slim profile of the 43 fits my hand better.

[naz]

Where’s the bacon option?