Glock 26 Gen 4 Review LONG

[ice monkey]

Glock 26 Gen 4 review: Note this as all reviews is subjective. Moreover, I haven’t ever owned a Glock before this, so this is not a comparison to any previous incarnations of a Glock.

Background: Buddy bought himself a Glock 26 on a whim, only to discover when he took it home that he hated the grip. I had a Ruger SP-101 that I wanted to love, but found it uncomfortable and hard to get passionate about. We had joked about trading, but never really took it seriously, until yesterday. Yesterday before heading out to the range, we swapped … for better or for worse.

But have I drunk the cool-aid?

The first thing I noticed is that this pistol isn’t seemingly as light as everyone clamed. Moreover, the thing is top-heavy. When you disassemble it, the first thing you note is that the whole weight of the gun is in the slide. The second thing I noted is that it really is a wide pistol, which makes having no pinkie on the grip more of an issue for me than other handguns I have shot that had a two finger grip. I have shot my share of handguns that will only afford a two finger grip, but the width of the Glock makes it more challenging than the others I have tried.

I put 100 rounds through it at the range. We didn’t clean it beforehand, but there was no issues whatsoever with it feeding the cheap range stuff I got. Somehow the grip issue didn’t seem to be an issue when shooting it other than you really need to understand the “Glock grip angle.”

I couldn’t hit paper on my first mag. High left on my second, then things settled down. And settled down it did – I was having no problem making hits from there on in! I just wanted to get a feel for the pistol and shoot for function, so I didn’t shoot for extreme accuracy. Recoil was there, but not an issue after shooting it a bit and acclimatizing to the “snap.”

Making hits makes me like a gun so by the time I got home, I was starting to think I made the right decision regarding the trade and began sipping the cool-aid. The only other observation I wish to make is that because the gun is so wide, I keep thinking this is a full-sized handgun which it isn’t. It’s no bigger than the Sp-101, and actually smaller than my Sig P232! I was kind of shocked to note that.

The other thing is the trigger! What a piece oh junk - for me! Didn’t like the trigger, but it’s something that can be overcome I guess.

I put in an order for about $250. Worth of ammo – all 147gr and 125gr stuff to see what the pistol likes. I know some people love velocity, but I want the heavier bullets so I left out the 115’s. I mixed it up between Corbon, Federal, Remington, Speer, and Winchester products. Plus, I bought the obligatory Glock 19 mag, a Hogue grip, some Peirce mag extenders, a couple of GAP base plates, and the “fun stick” lol (33 round mag).

I definitely need to get a holster for it but that can wait. What I really want however is some different sights. I am not sure why necessarily, but the stock sights “don’t do it for me.” That can wait too though, at least untill I have figured out ammo I’ll be running through it.

My order(s) will all come in by this Friday, so I’ll take it out next week-end and give you all a range report on what ammo my Glock likes.

P.S. Talking about two fingered handgun grips – I shot a .380 S&W Bodyguard at the range – it was awesome! Great trigger.

[batmann]

First----Great review.
The goods and the bads are about what most of us feel when we first shoot one. I haven't shot a G4 with the new style changeable grips, but the fact is, I just never warmed up to the Glock, but that is just a personal opinion. It's not the concept or the looks, just the feel. The have been extremely reliable, at least the ones I have shot. Shoot it and enjoy it.

[Marco Califo]

I would not have bought my G26 without shooting one first. And the one I shot had a Pierce XL grip extender, which gives a solid 3 finger grip.

The balance evens out when you have a loaded magazine in it, as I always do except when cleaning it - nightstand gun most of the time.

I do not know what your specific complaint about the trigger is. I like my stock trigger because it is not too heavy and I know exactly what will happen when.

I like the fixed sites as well as any other fixed sites gun's.

It is a pocket pistol, and as such, I do have some 115 gr hollow-points. 125 gr NATO Ball penetrates pretty well. I also have 147 gr hollow-points. I load magazines based on context. 115's for the nightstand. 125 hot NATO FMJ for camping/road trips. I would consider the 147's for duty loads, if I did not have my .40 G23.

[ice monkey]

I will say this about Glocks – If there isn’t something you like about them, the aftermarket is HUGE and you can replace just about anything lol! It’s awesome.

[Glockfan35]

Congratulations on your acquisition, you'll never regret it! A great holster is the Desantis TuckThis II iwb holster; has a spare mag pouch sewn right on the front, that's my favorite rig! The Glock SportCombat belt holster works well too, I just don't use it much due to not being able to carry at work.

[threegun]

Ice Monkey, The trigger isn't that bad after some use. You can however install a light connector for a better pull. I wouldn't given this is a carry gun. You can smooth it up with a polishing wheel for next to nothing. This won't lighten it up but it will smooth it out.

Check out .25 cent Glock trigger job on you tube.

[ice monkey]

UPDATE:
I ordered a set (they come in twos) of GAP finger rest extensions May 5th (Thursday) – got them in today via USPS (Monday). Nice turn-around. http://www.concealablecontrol.com/order.html

First let me say opening a new Glock mag is no easy feat. It’s not as bad as I make it sound, but they are the hardest mags I have ever opened. Thank goodness for youtube lol (thanks threegun for suggesting it )! Anyway …

These extensions are awesome. They do not enable you to place all three fingers on the grip, but they do provide a marked increase in “grip confidence.” There is no fear of a finger falling off or losing control of the grip during rapid fire.

It’ll be interesting to compare them to the +1 system that allows for a three fingered hold I have on order. They’ll be in on Friday. In the meantime, I’ll say that the GAP’s are a “must have!” Awesome.

[Glockfan35]

Oh, BTW, I've not only drunk the kool-aid(twice now, had some pretty nasty withdrawals, took a few sips to quench the thirst, now I'm back drinking it everyday), I'm fixin' to start gulping it by the gallon as I want at least three more in my arsenal!!! Right now, I'm thinking G27, G29, G30 but would also like to add the 17, the 19, the 22,& the 23 at some point. Now, what does that say about me? That I'm slightly obsessed, perhaps? It's ok to say so, cause I admit it!!!!!

[ice monkey]

Yeah I would say your obsessed lol! That’s ok though!

I am starting to take some pretty long swallows of that kool-aid myself! Didn’t think I would like the flavor as much as am to be honest.

Back to the holsters – do you have any experience with paddle holsters? I am thinking that might be a good way for me to go. Not a big fan of the holsters with “locks,” so the DeSantis holsters are looking good to me today.

[threegun]

Now, what does that say about me? That I'm slightly obsessed, perhaps? It's ok to say so, cause I admit it!!!!!

Funny......I have found that with Glock, the more you learn about how to fight with a handgun, the more you appreciate Glock. A gun designed to be easy to learn seems also to be a highly desired product by professionals.

Now its time for a little sip o koolaid.

[Glockfan35]

Fobus Holsters are the only paddle Holsters I've ever tried with the G26...I use them mostly for range carry and/or wintertime carry. My TuckThis II is what I use 87% of the time.

[DougW]

I carry my G26 in a Fobus Paddle. I also have 2 Glock +2 bases that work perfectly, make the mags hold 12, and have a place for my pinky. 3rd mag has a Pierce Extension. With the +2 bases, the pistol is nearly as big as a G19, but with the shorter slide, it is easier to conceal.

You will love the G26. But, you now have the sickness that can only be treated, but never cured, with more Glocks!

[Marco Califo]

You can also use a G19 magazine and grip extender on the G26. You can add a G19 barrel, too. both are added in this photo:

[LockedBreech]

I recently held my brother's G27 and was also struck at how relatively bulky this "subcompact" piece was. Great gun otherwise, but there are much smaller guns available to carry.

[Ralph Allen]

Having a Glock 26 and carrying it quite frequently, let me put my pennies worth here. I personally like the stock length magazine. I have 4 of these as well as 2 with the Pierce grip extension. I have large hands and the felt recoil with the 2 fingers seems to be less than with the longer mags. As for the trigger. The Glock is a defensive/combat handgun. Target guns and triggers are nice on targets, but paper and tin cans don't bleed when shot. Also, you will note that each and every time you pull that "piece of junk" trigger it will be the same. Every stock Glock you happen to aquire will have that same trigger. Try more stock mag shooting and let it rock in your hand. As far as the bulk, look at a SA XD compact. It will make the Glock look and feel real thin.
Ralph