Caliber - 9x19mm
Capacity - 10+1
Action - Glock's proprietary "Safe Action" system
Barrel - 3.5 inches
Weight - 20 oz. with empty magazine
Background
The Glock 26 was introduced in the fall of 1995 as a response to two evolving patterns within the country and the shooting community. On one hand, a new round of right-to-carry reforms had passed in several states. This wave brought to 30 the number of states in which citizens could exercise their right to carry firearms for personal defense. This growing trend meant thousands of potential gun carriers were looking for concealable yet powerful pistols suited for this mission. On the other hand, 1994 saw the passage of Bill Clinton's "Crime Bill," which limited the capacity of all newly manufactured firearm magazines to 10 or fewer rounds. Suddenly, the massive "Wondernines" built around high-capacity magazines seemed less efficient as 10-round guns. Smaller pistols, designed around a 10-round magazine and ideal for concealed carry, became the dominant trend for many handgun manufacturers by the mid-1990s.
I took the plunge and picked up a Glock 26 "pocket rocket" at a gun show in October of 1996. I paid $419 for it, which was less even than the wholesale price I'd been quoted by my buddy the FFL-holder. Prices at that show for the 26 ranged from $419 to $500+!
Fit and Finish
It's pure Glock. "Strictly functional," I've heard it called, and I
agree, even though some of the two-tone models look pretty spiffy. Parts fit was clean and tight,
and all controls worked as advertised.
The Trigger
Surprisingly enough, I like it! Letting off just enough to let the
striker reset leaves you with a sort of "mini-DA/SA" effect that allows for faster follow-ups,
but full-stroking each shot is by no means uncomfortable. And there was none of the
trigger-finger soreness I remember from shooting a friend's G17 many years ago. The bottom
line - trigger feels a little stiff, but it's so SHORT... ;-) A lot of folks criticize the
Glock for "not having any safety." While the Glock in fact has THREE safeties, they are all
passive - designed to prevent the gun from accidentally going off without the trigger
being depressed. The Glock and similar guns do require extra care and training - if you pull
the trigger and there's a round in the chamber, the gun WILL fire. Period. Because the trigger
pull is shorter and lighter than most, reasonable precautions (such as training, and a holster
that covers the trigger guard) should be taken.
The Bottom Line I've found an almost ideal carry gun. Light-kicking, reliable and
easy to conceal, and it packs 10+1 or more of a respectable caliber and is more accurate than
I am! Try before you buy, if you can, but I would not hesitate to recommend the G26 to anyone
looking for a compact carry piece. Or if you're not a 9mm fan, the Glock 27 is an identical
gun chambered in .40S&W...
Update 1/06 After more than 9 years of service, my Glock 26 has been retired. I last carried it in the delivery room when my son Calvin was born, and I have decided to put the gun away and pass it down to him when he comes of age - an act inspired by my friend Steve, who did the same thing for both of his sons years ago. The fact that my first Glock will now become my son's first Glock makes it even more special. The G26 will be an ideal companion piece to The Calvin Project, my son's first AR-15.
Update 4/02 Wake me up when this gun malfunctions, would ya? Though the G26 doesn't get fired as much as it used to now that I have thinner, lighter pistols in my carry battery, it is still an old standby and as reliable as ever. I have installed the same "carry trigger" setup (competition connector + NY1 trigger spring) in it that I have in my other carry Glocks, as well as a factory extended slide stop and mag release. A small gun in a potent caliber that can take a 17+2 mag as a reload and has the same trigger as my G23 is still a comforting carry option that I exercise on occasion...
Update 1/99 I've lost track of how many rounds the little G26 has digested by now, but it's probably a couple thousand or so. Frame and slide wear have been negligible, and the gun has held up well with minimal maintenance. I have replaced the recoil spring assembly and a chipped extractor, and had a factory extended slide stop and Trijicon night sights installed. It has continued to be 100% reliable with both factory ammo and my own reloads.
Update 6/97 I recently completed the Lethal Force Institute's "Intro to Combat Handguns" course using the G26. In this 500-round course of fire, the little Glock performed exceptionally well. I had no malfunctions at all, and was able to score a 290/300 - the highest of my group. The others were using duty-sized Glock .40s, SIGs and S&Ws, and they were all amazed that the Glock subcompact could shoot equally well or better.