I’ve tried pinky extensions on both my G26 and LC9s, but I prefer the flat base.
For me the flat base plate or pinky extension makes no difference when shooting the gun. Where it makes a huge difference is on the draw. I find it far easier to get a full, confidence inspiring grip when the gun has a pinky extension.
My problem is on reloads. The pinky extension or mag extensions pinch my fingers between the grip frame and the magazine extension.
Yup.
When I carry my G26 (which is most of the time) my in the gun magazine has a flat base plate, and my reload is a G19 magazine with nothing (I.e. a grip adapter or sleeve or whatever) attached to it.
Flat base plate on the in the gun magazine: if I'm carrying a small gun, I'm carrying it because I need a small, concealable gun. The G26 works well for me with the flush fit magazines, so there is no advantage to a pinkie extension and no need to compromise concealment.
Naked G19 reload: more rounds than a flat 10, pinkie 10, or 12 with a plus 2, less sideways bulk than a sleeve, and no pinching when inserted in the gun.
I have a couple of 12s, and if I'm carrying in my shoulder holster, or it's a lone gun on a road trip and it's on the nightstand, the 12 goes in the gun. Unless I'm in a 10 round state.
G42 gets carried with a flat baseplate and an 8 round spare. The flat base plates pinch just as much as the longer ones. Wife's G42 only gets used with a pinkie extension or extended mag. She has much smaller hands than mine, but doesn't feel secure holding a gun with no place for her pinkie.
P32 gets carried with a flat base plate. Just put a +1 base plate on a magazine to try it out. I have a factory 10 round magazine as well, but rarely carry the gun at all, and only do when I need the smallest possible thing I can get. Hence, I never actually carry it with the 10 rounder - just the flat base plate.
Last edited by Duelist; 10-19-2018 at 11:48 AM.
My thoughts are this is highly dependent on each individuals hand size.
I wear a size M glove, but have generally stubby fingers.
For whatever reason shooting my G26.5 with 10 round flat, 10 round with a pinky, +2 OEM extension, G19.5 mag/G17 mag both without sleeves; all shoot about the same for me.
The G26 is my EDC, with the +2 for 12+1.