AIWB G26 vs G43

[Crow Hunter]

Who me? I own both. In the range reports thread I posted some comparisons between them and other Glock models. I'm keeping the 48 for range work and to see what's possible but I prefer the handling of the 43X . And AIWB I find a smaller form factor preferable in all cases so far.

Sorry to dig up this old thread but I have often read that your "only Glock" would be the G26. But most of those posts were pre-2019.

Have you revised your thinking about the G26?

Reason for asking is I am currently selling all my extra-G19s. I am going to try one more AIWB holster with my G19s and if I can't get less grip printing, I am thinking about changing guns.

My short list, right now consists of G26.5 or G43X.

The G26 was higher on my list. But you live in a similar warm climate (I'm in West TN) and are thin like me and you shoot a lot and well.

Could you share your experience G26.5 vs G19.5 vs G43X as a CCW?

[Caballoflaco]

Sorry to dig up this old thread but I have often read that your "only Glock" would be the G26. But most of those posts were pre-2019.

Have you revised your thinking about the G26?

Reason for asking is I am currently selling all my extra-G19s. I am going to try one more AIWB holster with my G19s and if I can't get less grip printing, I am thinking about changing guns.

My short list, right now consists of G26.5 or G43X.

The G26 was higher on my list. But you live in a similar warm climate (I'm in West TN) and are thin like me and you shoot a lot and well.

Could you share your experience G26.5 vs G19.5 vs G43X as a CCW?

Consider having one of your 19’s cut down to 26 grip length. I know @GJM is a fan of this mod, he might have some thoughts too.

I’m a skinny guy in the southeast and find the 26 length makes a noticeable difference in aiwb concealment, with the option of a 26 mag with +2 when max concealment isn’t necessary but I don’t want to strap on a 19. Fwiw my main holster is g19 length and I’ve found a pad on the back works better than a wing for concealment since I have limited horizontal real estate to work with.

[GJM]

Responding to the mention above, I think it is personal, and any of these are good choices. When I carry a Glock lately, it is almost always a G43X. For years, my wife carried a G26, and now the 43X is her 90 percent solution, with a 42 for when the X is too big.

[Guinnessman]

Responding to the mention above, I think it is personal, and any of these are good choices. When I carry a Glock lately, it is almost always a G43X. For years, my wife carried a G26, and now the 43X is her 90 percent solution, with a 42 for when the X is too big.

When I was coon fingering a G43x and G48 this week, I was underwhelmed on the feel of the two compared to a G26/19. My long fingers just didn’t feel right on the 48/43x.

George,

How is your performance with the 43x compared to a G26?

[wmu12071]

I think this is very dependant on body geometry and holster selection.

For me, I have 4 gun "sizes". I generally carry a G19.4 in a G17 length holster.

In a tighter T-shirt I have a G19.4 that I cut a bit off the backstrap to make it match with the bottom of a Glock mag with a Glock+2. This gun is somewhat like a M&P9c gen 1 size. It has basically replaced my G26.4.

My G26.4 doesn't get used must any more for the above reason.

My G43 serves no purpose with a belt for me. With a belt I really need a G17 length holster. Even the G19 length 48 holster don't conceal as well for me as a G17 holster carrying my G19.4 that's cut down. However, in shorts or pants without a belt the 43 weight advantage makes enough difference that I get better concealment and my pants actually stay up.

TLDR: G17 length holster works better with belt FOR ME. G43 works better without a belt because weight.

[GJM]

When I was coon fingering a G43x and G48 this week, I was underwhelmed on the feel of the two compared to a G26/19. My long fingers just didn’t feel right on the 48/43x.

George,

How is your performance with the 43x compared to a G26?

I conceal, draw and reload the 43X better, but the 26 is more comfortable to shoot, especially for more rounds.

[RJ]

When I was coon fingering a G43x and G48 this week, I was underwhelmed on the feel of the two compared to a G26/19. My long fingers just didn’t feel right on the 48/43x.

That's me. I literally have the G26.5 in it's original box, back in the safe, having removed the SCD and put the original Glock front NS back on ready to trade it for a G43X. For some reason I just can't bring myself to do it yet.

I need to go rent a 43X and shoot it.

[Crow Hunter]

Responding to the mention above, I think it is personal, and any of these are good choices. When I carry a Glock lately, it is almost always a G43X. For years, my wife carried a G26, and now the 43X is her 90 percent solution, with a 42 for when the X is too big.

I like the idea and the specs of the G43X a lot.

However, it is extremely similar in size and form factor to the S&W 908 that was my first ever center-fire handgun back in the late 90's.

I hated that gun and traded it for a Taurus PT92.

However, I don't 100% remember exactly why I hated it. I do seem to remember that it hurt my hand to shoot where the much larger PT92 didn't. However, I didn't have a CCW at the time I had it because I distinctly remember using the PT92 for my shooting portion of my CCW.

But I might just have to jump in a buy one since no one around seems to offer any for rental without driving quite a ways.

[LSP552]

That's me. I literally have the G26.5 in it's original box, back in the safe, having removed the SCD and put the original Glock front NS back on ready to trade it for a G43X. For some reason I just can't bring myself to do it yet.

I need to go rent a 43X and shoot it.

I’ve sold and then bought again several G26s in the past. I’ve learned that I have to keep at least one, regardless of what else I’m shooting.

I’m really enjoying my PPSM2, but I won’t sell my 26 gen 4. At least not yet....

[blues]

I’ve sold and then bought again several G26s in the past. I’ve learned that I have to keep at least one, regardless of what else I’m shooting.

I’m really enjoying my PPSM2, but I won’t sell my 26 gen 4. At least not yet....

Just send it to me when you're done with it.