Description

GLOCK G26

GLOCK G26.

The Glock model 26 9mm sub compact semi-auto pistol just so happened to be the gun that started it all for me when it comes to a relationship with Glock.

As a college student from 1994 – 1998, I discovered Glock firearms when I decided to purchase my first pistol the week after my twenty-first birthday. Having grown up shooting rifles, shotguns and handguns since age six, buying my own gun wasn’t viewed a life changing event rather just a natural rite of passage for turning twenty-one.

Little did I know this pistol and company would be part of many grand adventures, life threatening situations and best moments of my life even today.

As previously mentioned, my choice came in the form of the model 26 also known as the G26. At the time, this sub compact series of models was very new to the market with plenty of reviews in the gun magazines I regularly read.

I discussed this choice with my Dad and my Grandfather which both agreed with the benefits of having one with me living off campus and the reputable manufacturer I decided to go with.

Not to mention, as a college student living off warm beer and cold pizza, 9mm ammo was much more affordable than Grandpa’s favorite .45 ACP!

From day one, I shot my new Glock religiously at least once a week until I felt 100% confident in my marksmanship abilities with it.

I took it apart and put it back together again until I could literally do it with my eyes closed.

A year later, I joined the Police Academy and began our adventures into law enforcement.

The G26 I purchased that day would go with me for years as my back up gun carried on my ankle as well as every day off duty.

Although there had never been previous versions of that particular model, it was considered to be a Generation 3 to coincide with the other generation of pistols in the Glock catalogue. It would come to be the pistol I used to compare against all others I purchased in the future.

In addition to the noted changes to the Gen 5 series’ exterior, a few notable changes were made internally as well.

The most important change comes in the form of how the barrels are now cut. Traditionally, Glock offered a very non-traditional polygonal rifling to ensure reliability while providing better than average accuracy.

This fielded a wide array of aftermarket barrel companies providing what they claimed to be more accurate spiral cut barrels in a number of configurations.

Gen 5 Glocks now include what is labeled by the company as a “marksman” barrel (GMB) featuring a slight change up in how the company cuts the barrel’s lands and grooves.

Glock now boasts for these new barrels to be more accurate while still being just as reliable as the Glock standard.

According to Glock spokespeople, the 50-yard accuracy has been cut in half to hold an acceptable 4” group.

A look deeper inside the new Gen 5 model’s frame revealed subtle changes such as the leaf spring for the take down lever replaced with a coil spring, the absence of a downward tail on the trigger bar’s crucifix section, angled drop safety and the trigger return spring has been replaced and moved inside the mechanism housing.

 

Additionally, the slide revealed a new tear shaped firing pin hole departing from the traditional round one.

This is listed as a way of to clear more dirt and debris away from the firing pin to cut down on light primer strikes.

With all the changes noted, it was then time to see if they new Gen 5 model 26 lived up to all the hype of the recent series has gathered.

Gen 5 26 Specs

• Caliber: 9×19 mm
• Overall Length: 6.42”
• Height: 4.17”
• Width: 1.3”
• Barrel: 3.43”
• Trigger Pull: 5.5 lbs.
• Capacity: 10 Rounds