Looking back decades, Cooper wrote about a “Standard Controllability Test, or SCT”. It went something like this: shooter at 25 yards. On signal, “aim in” and fire 5 rounds of “full power” ammo at a 10 inch circle at 25 yards. I’m quoting him from memory: “If all 5 rounds impact in the circle in time, that pistol with that load is controllable by that shooter”(yikes!). Various written accounts suggest multiple successful runs for confirmation. Duty/carry ammo is expensive, so I’d lean towards 4 of 5 runs as an evaluation.
A few caveats, if you will: 1) there is no mention (as I recall) of running it cold; cold runs show a lot about where the operator is at with the piece and is a “snapshot” of competency, IMHO. 2)Cooper was heavily involved with the Southwest Combat Pistol League and the 1911in .45acp at the time. So, my interpretation is that this was usually run unconcealed, out of a range holster. 3)the art and science of “pistol craft “ has advanced, and the gear more so. And, as said elsewhere, businesses want/need to make money, so that drives some aspects.
Note I’m a confessed Glock fan and drill/qual nerd. I’d respectfully suggest the following to the OP:
1)with a nod to @
GJM, the OP stated he shot Glocks for years. I think that suggests the 26 is the pick, possibly running mags w/a “+” baseplate.
2)If the OP has convinced himself he has to compare, run each candidate piece, cold, from personal concealment, on separate days with whatever ammo that will be carried.
3)With respect to noted teachers like Cooper and Givens, I’d say, if the OP must, run the SCT as above and Givens Baseline Assessment Drill, as stipulated an above.
And, a little tongue-in-cheek, if I was pretty sure there was a gunfight in the future, I might:
A)be somewhere else,
B)have a carbine/rifle and/or shotgun at hand and
C)try as hard as I could to have some other like minded and equipped friends around!