Glock 26 vs. Glock 43 vs. Glock 42: which do you prefer?

[WickedWillis]

Just out of curiosity, you guys concealing the 19s...

Are you doing so in fitted dress pants and dress shirts? Polos and khaki shorts (Not cargo khaki shorts, but J Crew type clothing)

I've often found the "I can conceal a G19 as easily as a G43" folks are usually the ones wearing 5.11 gear and ARES belts 24/7, but if you have any sort of social life that statement is just not true.

I thought I was one of those guys, honestly, but I have to dress for the G19. Anyone saying the 19 conceals as well as the 43 is just not honest about it. I can conceal the 19 in jeans and a larger than normal t-shirt decently, but not to the level I am comfortable with. I do wear an overshirt button-down when carrying the G19 mostly anymore. I print at the grip. I have never carried the 19 in dress pants. Just jeans, and cargo shorts.

[Primus Pilum]

Just out of curiosity, you guys concealing the 19s...

Are you doing so in fitted dress pants and dress shirts? Polos and khaki shorts (Not cargo khaki shorts, but J Crew type clothing)

I've often found the "I can conceal a G19 as easily as a G43" folks are usually the ones wearing 5.11 gear and ARES belts 24/7, but if you have any sort of social life that statement is just not true.

When wearing a suit(tailored), I will IWB a VP9
When wearing casual cloths, the VP9, G19 or a G26 depending on how much driving I need to do. IWB, OWB or SOB.
When running to the store or unable to CCW, I throw a Kahr CW380 into my pocket. It is THE perfect pocket 380. Makes a great rear jean pocket gun for going to movies or the like.

[Jesse H]

Just out of curiosity, you guys concealing the 19s...

Are you doing so in fitted dress pants and dress shirts? Polos and khaki shorts (Not cargo khaki shorts, but J Crew type clothing)

I've often found the "I can conceal a G19 as easily as a G43" folks are usually the ones wearing 5.11 gear and ARES belts 24/7, but if you have any sort of social life that statement is just not true.

I'm 5'9" 165 lbs. Wear a medium shirt and 32x32 jeans. I normally wear Gap, Old Navy or Express jeans. Lots of printed T-shirts (Chive and other occasionally inappropriate for work wear, nothing that screams carrying a gun) and polos from Express or Gap.

G19 conceals just fine IWB with a Milt Sparks rig, and spare mag.

[TAZ]

Don't have the 26, but between the 43 and 42 I stuck with the 42. For my needs the 42 conceals much better than the 43. Oddly, the slight difference in size and balance between the 2 make a huge difference for me and my body shape (fat ass). The 42 can go smart carry, appendix (belt or gym shorts) and pocket. For the times when I can't make the VP9 work the 42 firms my needs well.

[PrevailFI]

I have had all 3 and a S&W 642. I strongly prefer the 43 in all respects.

26? Might as well carry a 19.

42? Not worth the caliber tradeoff for like 1/8" thinness over the 43.

642? 5 shots and twenty minutes to reload? No thanks.

Strongly agree, except that even though I'm a Glock guy and my duty weapon is a 17, I like the Shield better than the 43. Very shootable gun.

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[PatrioticDisorder]

I own a 17, 19, 26 & 43. Of the 4 9mm Glocks I own, the 17 is next to useless. I carry my G19 when wearing cargo shorts & button up t-shirts, 26 with t-shirts & the 43 in professional attire. I have an IWB Stealthgear holster for the 43 but I tend to carry it pocket carry. I never carry the 17 & rarely shoot it, I'm not even sure why I own one at this point.

[PatrioticDisorder]

Strongly agree, except that even though I'm a Glock guy and my duty weapon is a 17, I like the Shield better than the 43. Very shootable gun.

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43 pocket carries significantly easier than the shield.

[Doc Safari]

Of the 4 9mm Glocks I own, the 17 is next to useless. (snip) I never carry the 17 & rarely shoot it, I'm not even sure why I own one at this point.

The 17 is actually my favorite at the ranch because I can carry it openly and it's a high-capacity bullet hose that never runs out of ammo. The bigness is also an advantage in that you're not stuck with something your deterioration of fine motor skills in a gunfight might be less able to handle.

For concealment I've been stuck with a Smith 642 for various reasons, but I'm trying real hard to add a small semi-auto to that mix.

[PrevailFI]

43 pocket carries significantly easier than the shield.

I don't find pocket carry practical with either one. My main off duty gun is a 19. Summer, dress clothes, etc calls for slender gun IWB. For me, a Shield.

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[dirkmagurk]

I would strongly recommend considering the 19, It is only slightly longer in the grip and slide than the 26. As for the 43 it is a great little 9mm if your top priority is ultimate ease of carry and concealment. I ended up selling my 43 though because I never found myself carrying it over the 19. I've carried a 19 as my primary CCW since 04 and have never had an issue concealing it. A quality belt and holster makes all the difference in the world.