Glock 26 vs 27 advice

[Daholt757]

Pretty sure I want a sub-compact Glock for CC but having trouble deciding on the caliber. I really like the Glock 23 and will probably get one of them later to keep in the nightstand as well as CC during colder months. The 27 in .40 S&W has appeal not only due to its greater stopping power but also its ability to use a Glock 23 magazine. My main concern is that I've read a lot of reviews saying that the recoil is hard to handle with such a small frame. A lot of people actually said they'd traded in their 27 to get the 9mm 26. So what I'm asking is if the recoil is really that hard to handle and if it causes a major interference with follow up shots. Personally I think two 9mm holes is more effective than one .40 in the bad guy's chest. Two .40 holes would be ideal though. I currently have a 9mm Ruger P95 so I'll either end up with 2 .40's and one 9mm or two 9mm and one .40. I'm going to try both and that'll be the deciding factor but was curious as to other people's oppinions.

[RocKor]

Unless you're recoil shy, as long as you keep your grip firm and your shooting mechanics solid it's less of a difference in recoil in the different models. The short grip makes some people not hold the guns as firmly and that tends to be the problem from what I've gathered. The .40 S&W is snappier but a subcompact will kick like a subcompact, the caliber whether 9mm or .40 will kick if aren't ready for it. I'd say get the Glock 23 and get used to the .40 S&W before you make the decision.

And to the stopping power, a proper JHP in 9mm is in reality every bit as effective as a JHP in .40S&W. It's true the 9mm is more load specific to be effective but you won't be undergunned with it. And I'm a .45ACP fan myself so I'm no 9mm fanboy.

[gunderwood]

Best of class 9mm is virtually identical to best of class .40S&W. All of the common SD calibers deliver similar energies to target and bullet designers use what they have. The ideal performance between 9mm, .357SIG, .40S&W, and .45ACP is practically the same with high quality ammo. Final measurements of expansion size can be misleading. Wound size and maximum damage placement in the wound track is what matters. There isn't much difference between those when the HPs work as designed. What isn't the same is their failure modes and other characteristics such as barrier penetration or probability of clogging.

For example, a if I had to choose a clogged bullet (or FMJ), .45ACP is king...its just bigger so the probability of hitting something that will stop the threat is much higher.

You can certainly train around the extra recoil of a sub-compact .40. I have the G32, G33 and G26. The 33 is definitely harder to control than the 32 (same caliber). Same holds true comparing the 26 to the 33. Assuming your arsenal is correct, I'd get the 26 and some Gold Dot 124gr +P ammo and never look back. IMHO, it is no contest. 9mm is cheaper (more training) and easier control for a trivial reduction in terminal ballistics, mostly in the failure mode.

[Daholt757]

thanks. thought of another question though. If I were to instead of a 27, get a 33 could I just switch the barrel out for a .40 barrel to convert it or is there more to it? And if that were possible, which magazine would I use since I've heard a lot of .357 sig magazines with take .40 S&W as well? I like versatility so if changing calibers is that easy, the 33 sounds pretty good

[Diomed]

If you really want to up your capacity options, the 26 is the way to go - since you can use G18 mags in them.

[gunderwood]

thanks. thought of another question though. If I were to instead of a 27, get a 33 could I just switch the barrel out for a .40 barrel to convert it or is there more to it? And if that were possible, which magazine would I use since I've heard a lot of .357 sig magazines with take .40 S&W as well? I like versatility so if changing calibers is that easy, the 33 sounds pretty good

Yes, the .357/.40 Glocks can be converted for only the cost of a barrel. The mags are specifically labeled and capable of using either. .357SIG is best described as a necked down .40 (although you can't actually do that because then the brass would be too short). I.e. the dimensions behind the neck are identical. The .357SIG barrel has one important change that makes it superior to all other Glocks, a fully supported chamber. Glock was able to do this because of the neck in the cartridge increased feeding reliability.

Despite .357SIG being one of my favorite SD handgun calibers, I can't recommend it for new shooters, nor can I do so in a sub-compact like the 33. The caliber and platform just has too much recoil for most people until they have some more experience. Also, it isn't cheap. Slightly more than .40/.45, but nearly double the cost of 9mm for practice ammo. Not having shot with you, I'd advise against the 33 and 27 and 30.

Have you shot any sub-compacts?

[gunderwood]

If you really want to up your capacity options, the 26 is the way to go - since you can use G18 mags in them.

If you get an IWB mag holster for G18 mag, TSA will think you are happy to see them.

[RocKor]

I'm pretty sure you could use the Glock 27 and get the .357SIG barrel later if you wanted to play with that caliber later. It's a great caliber but very high pressure and not cheap to shoot.

[Daholt757]

Have you shot any sub-compacts?

no, and I wouldn't use .357 for self defense either. I've heard a lot of internet "experts" talk about it having a high risk of overpenetration. having the option is appealling simply in order to add a little variety when I go to the range; probably would only use the .357 barrel on occassion. just nice to have two guns in one IMO

[gunderwood]

Have you shot any sub-compacts?

no, and I wouldn't use .357 for self defense either. I've heard a lot of internet "experts" talk about it having a high risk of overpenetration. having the option is appealling simply in order to add a little variety when I go to the range; probably would only use the .357 barrel on occassion. just nice to have two guns in one IMO

What evidence do they have for that? 9mm, .357SIG, .40S&W and .45ACP all over penetrate if the HP doesn't expand and all penetrate 12-15" when it does. Occasionally the more powerful rounds penetrate to 18" if the HP partially clogs (18" is the recommended max). Probably the same experts who were always claiming that 9mm FMJ performs so poorly because it was to fast and just zipped right through.

AFAIK, every LEA that has switched to it has been impressed with actual shootings.

[Daholt757]

Have you shot any sub-compacts?

no, and I wouldn't use .357 for self defense either. I've heard a lot of internet "experts" talk about it having a high risk of overpenetration. having the option is appealling simply in order to add a little variety when I go to the range; probably would only use the .357 barrel on occassion. just nice to have two guns in one IMO

What evidence do they have for that? 9mm, .357SIG, .40S&W and .45ACP all over penetrate if the HP doesn't expand and all penetrate 12-15" when it does. Occasionally the more powerful rounds penetrate to 18" if the HP partially clogs (18" is the recommended max). Probably the same experts who were always claiming that 9mm FMJ performs so poorly because it was to fast and just zipped right through.

AFAIK, every LEA that has switched to it has been impressed with actual shootings.

thats why i put experts in quotations, I didn't really know if those sources were entirely reputable. There's a lot of internet rumor out there but I see your point, Police use .357 and I doubt they'd use something unsafe and risk extra lawsuits. I practice often so I'm comfortable with 9mm for self defense and it is the most economical. I leave for boot camp in January and have decided to buy a new gun as a present to myself with a portion of the signing bonus when I finish my AIT training in May. It's just that with so many I like, it's hard to decide what I want. I keep going back and forth between getting a carry piece or spending a little more to get something really nice, maybe to pass on if I ever decide to have kids (a blued Sig Sauer P226 with dark wood grips is the definition of sexy IMHO). I guess I'll have plenty of time during those months to ponder it...while I'm not busy doing tons of pushups and listening to drill seargents yell that is

[gunderwood]

I keep going back and forth between getting a carry piece or spending a little more to get something really nice, maybe to pass on if I ever decide to have kids (a blued Sig Sauer P226 with dark wood grips is the definition of sexy IMHO).

The two are not mutually exclusive. You could get the same thing in a P229 (slightly shorter grip and 1/2" off the barrel). It would be sexy/cool and can be CCed (more or less the same size a G19).

[NickW]

I leave for boot camp in January and have decided to buy a new gun as a present to myself with a portion of the signing bonus when I finish my AIT training in May. It's just that with so many I like, it's hard to decide what I want. I keep going back and forth between getting a carry piece or spending a little more to get something really nice

You will not be able to CC a weapon very much at all while on active duty. First off you can't carry a weapon nor have one in your vehicle while on base, you will have to leave it at home, or if you live on base you will have to have it locked up in the base armory and its a real pain taking it out and putting it back in the base armory. Just something for you to think about while shopping. After boot you will not have a recoil issue not to say you have one now; however, think about a compact G29(SF), with barrel changes you can have a kick-butt 10mm, S&W .40 and the .357 SIg; three in one.

[XD45acp]

26 is a good pocket rocket. I sure liked mine. The accuracy was pretty darn good. I used a Pierce extension though.

[Daholt757]

You will not be able to CC a weapon very much at all while on active duty. First off you can't carry a weapon nor have one in your vehicle while on base, you will have to leave it at home, or if you live on base you will have to have it locked up in the base armory and its a real pain taking it out and putting it back in the base armory. Just something for you to think about while shopping. After boot you will not have a recoil issue not to say you have one now; however, think about a compact G29(SF), with barrel changes you can have a kick-butt 10mm, S&W .40 and the .357 SIg; three in one.

I'm not going active duty yet. I enlisted in the Army Reserve to get money for college. Unless my unit gets called up, I'll only have to go on base one weekend every month and two weeks every summer. Lucked out and got an MOS that came with a really nice amount of student loan repayment so my education is pretty much covered now. Might go active duty and do OCS after I finish college but that won't be for three more years. Going to have to look into that G29 though. My main purpose in going with a sub compact though is simply because it will be May when I finish AIT and I want something that will be easy to conceal even in a t-shirt and shorts

[XD45acp]

After reading this thread, It made me want my G26 back... Guess what followed me home yesterday.... Yep, shiny & new....

[zephyp]

My dear sweet wife bought me a Glock 26 for Christmas...picked it out all by her pretty little self... Have it right here with me breaking in its new holster...

[gunderwood]

My dear sweet wife bought me a Glock 26 for Christmas...picked it out all by her pretty little self... Have it right here with me breaking in its new holster...

Nice.

[zephyp]

My dear sweet wife bought me a Glock 26 for Christmas...picked it out all by her pretty little self... Have it right here with me breaking in its new holster...

Nice.

Having a devil of a time getting the holster to cooperate with the gun. I've bagged it several times and repeated draws for the last couple of weeks. Darn thing is still tight as all get out.

[SgtBill]

Something that I have done in the past. Wrap the weapon in sealing wrap that you would use for leftovers from dinner. Take a can of WD-40 and spray the inside of the holster untill it is soaked, place the weapon with wrap on same inside the holster and leave it alone for several day's. Repeat several times and it should be slick as cow snot.
Bill