Any experiences with Glock 19 grip reductions?

[BAC]

I'm looking for a new concealed carry / off-duty firearm chambered in something my department will provide for me (namely 9 or .40). After waffling between a Glock 19 and 26 for a while now, I'm thinking a 19 with Bowie grip reduction might be the answer. Longer sight radius of the 19 but shorter in the area that prints most (grip length). 33-34" waist doesn't hide the 19 as well as I'd like.

Does anyone here have experience with this setup, or something similar?

[AKDoug]

I have reduced the grip significantly on my G17, but after a day at the range under a timer, I actually could run my non-reduced G19 just as fast. Because the butt of the G19 tucks into the gap between the muscles of my hand, the grip doesn't need to be as small. Sounds odd, but it sure makes a difference.

[Apricotshot]

Are you talking about chopping the 19 to 26 specs?

[Texaspoff]

Are you referring to a "grip reduction", or "grip chop". I do both of them.

Here is two 19's with reductions.
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff295/Texaspoff/DSC_0471-1.jpg (http://s238.photobucket.com/user/Texaspoff/media/DSC_0471-1.jpg.html)

Here is a 19 with a chop to a 26.
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff295/Texaspoff/DSC_0462-1.jpg (http://s238.photobucket.com/user/Texaspoff/media/DSC_0462-1.jpg.html)

Here is a 22 chopped to a 23 grip. This one was is done to replicate Travis Haley's chopped 17.
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff295/Texaspoff/IMG_1128.jpg (http://s238.photobucket.com/user/Texaspoff/media/IMG_1128.jpg.html)

TXPO

[Up1911fan]

Great looking work Lane! I can't wait to get my G19 frame back from you.

[BAC]

Ah, I suppose I meant the chop to fit G26 mags, then. Nice looking work by the way.

[ST911]

Ah, I suppose I meant the chop to fit G26 mags, then. Nice looking work by the way.

If you're going to chop the grip to G26 length, just get the G26 then.

[madmike]

I got a grip reduction on my Glock21 SF.Really can see and feel the difference.Mine was done by ColdBore Customs out of Texas.

[rauchman]

Really want to chop a G17 to a G19L.

[Snake_207]

If you're going to chop the grip to G26 length, just get the G26 then.

This.
IMO the sight radius issue is negligible.

[Steve S.]

This.
IMO the sight radius issue is negligible.

But is the inability to run a WML negligible?

[Snake_207]

But is the inability to run a WML negligible?

Only if you usually CCW with a WML. ;)

[foxjordan22]

If you're going to chop the grip to G26 length, just get the G26 then.

For those of us with strong hands with large thumb muscles the hump on the G26 is to crowded and the hump on the back of the 19 is perfect. So by cutting a 19 to a 26 is the only option to have a subcompact glock. Also the benefits are longer sight radius, more velocity, light rail, single recoil spring, and the shootability of the 19. Also with a G19 magazine and a mag spacer you have the ability to bring it back to 19 size.

[ST911]

For those of us with strong hands with large thumb muscles the hump on the G26 is to crowded and the hump on the back of the 19 is perfect. So by cutting a 19 to a 26 is the only option to have a subcompact glock. Also the benefits are longer sight radius, more velocity, light rail, single recoil spring, and the shootability of the 19. Also with a G19 magazine and a mag spacer you have the ability to bring it back to 19 size.

I'm trying to understand the logic here, but it seems like running around in circles.

I have large hands, too, and can't figure out what you're describing there in grip placement. I use a high, thumbs-forward grip. Can you illustrate further?

Longer sight radius tends to be overrated. Sight acquisition, reacquisition, have more variables at play than distance between front and rear.

Velocity gains between the compacts and subs are of negligible benefit.

I don't know how a single RSA is a benefit. The dual RSAs are doing well and showing other tangible benefits.

Going to the G26 also reduces overall gripping surface and may not increase shootability. It also complicates reloads.

A WML out front on a short grip gun is nose heavy.

If there's the possibility of adding a G19 back in with an insert, seems like getting a G19 is the better solution.

I don't want to take bread off the table of the guys doing the reductions. I can see standard to compact mods, but going subcompact seems to create more issues than its worth.

To each their own I guess.

[foxjordan22]

I don't have large hands as in over all size hands I have strong hands. Think like bodybuilder hands. I worked with my hands doing mechanics for 12 years, did Jiu Jitsu for 5 years, and before that raced motocross. My thumb muscle is large and does not fit between the rear beaver tail and the large hump on the back of the 26. It is to the point that the hump is directly in the middle of my thumb muscle. It pushes the gun up and makes the 26 point higher for me than the 19 or 17.

[bighawk]

I did my own grip reductuon and stippling on my gen 3 g19 and I like it much more than stock. If you're handy it can be done pretty easily. I lean to it for CC about 80% of the time. If you had it done professionally I'm sure you'd like it much more than doing it yourself since its quite a time consuming process and if you s never done anything like it there is a lot of room for mistakes. I'm probably going to send my next glock to Bowie for the work.

[Rattlehead]

I'm trying to understand the logic here, but it seems like running around in circles.

I have large hands, too, and can't figure out what you're describing there in grip placement. I use a high, thumbs-forward grip. Can you illustrate further?

Longer sight radius tends to be overrated. Sight acquisition, reacquisition, have more variables at play than distance between front and rear.

Velocity gains between the compacts and subs are of negligible benefit.

I don't know how a single RSA is a benefit. The dual RSAs are doing well and showing other tangible benefits.

Going to the G26 also reduces overall gripping surface and may not increase shootability. It also complicates reloads.

A WML out front on a short grip gun is nose heavy.

If there's the possibility of adding a G19 back in with an insert, seems like getting a G19 is the better solution.

I don't want to take bread off the table of the guys doing the reductions. I can see standard to compact mods, but going subcompact seems to create more issues than its worth.

To each their own I guess.

All very valid points.

Muzzle velocity difference is negligible, and reloading with subcompact guns tend to get uncomfortable.

For grip chops, it is all about concealability.

If a few fractions of an inch prints less for someone so be it.

[DocGKR]

Lot's of folks here run G17's with the grip chopped to take G19 mags, as well as G19's chopped to take G26 mags. These generally work very well.

[foxjordan22]

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd473/foxjordan22/1368235005.jpg (http://s1221.photobucket.com/user/foxjordan22/media/1368235005.jpg.html)