Glock 26 vs. Glock 43

Introduction

The Glock 26 and Glock 43 are both very small pistols. Both have utility as concealed carry guns, backup guns, and deep-concealment guns. Either can work for the Citizen concealed-carrier, the plainclothes cop, or as an ankle gun for uniformed personnel. Both fire the 9mm…but that’s about where the similarities end. These two pistols have some substantial differences that you should understand to get the best possible gun for your needs. This blog will discuss the features of the Glock 26 and Glock 43. We will then delve into their significant differences before discussing which one may be right for you.

Glock 26

Introduced in 1994, the Glock 26 was the original “Baby Glock.” Glock had hit a grand slam with the Glock 19, which removed roughly half an inch from both the slide and grip length of the Glock 17. The Glock 26 essentially followed this same pattern (though making a more severe size reduction in each dimension), reducing the footprint of the platform even further. This made the resulting Glock 26 much easier to carry and conceal, while still leaving it relatively easy to shoot.

The Glock 26 has a 3.43-inch barrel, an overall length of 6.5 inches (6.42 for the Gen5 G26), and an overall height of 4.17 inches. A flush-fit magazine holds 10 rounds. With a magazine but no ammunition, the Glock 26 weighs 21.52 ounces. Because of its basis in the original Glock 17 system, this had the tremendous benefit of sharing magazines with the Glock 17 and 19. This made the Glock 26 an obvious choice for law enforcement agencies as a backup or plainclothes weapon, alleviating logistics, and allowing plainclothes guys to carry a full-size reload.

Glock 43

Over two decades later, in 2015, the Glock 43 was introduced. The Glock 43 was an early model in the Slimline series, following the success of the .380-chambered Glock 42, and paved the way for the incredibly popular Glock 43X and 48 pistols. In a nutshell, the Glock 43 is a single-stack Glock 26, though there are some subtler differences.

The Glock 43 has a 3.41-inch barrel, an overall length of 6.26 inches, and an overall height of 4.25 inches. Dimensionally it is a quarter-inch shorter than the Glock 26, and just a hair taller. A flush-fit magazine holds 6 rounds. With a magazine but no ammunition, the Glock 43 weighs 17.99 ounces, about 3.5 ounces lighter than the Glock 26. It is important to note that the Glock 43 does not share magazine compatibility with other Glock pistols.

Glock 26 vs Glock 43: Dimensional & Capacity Differences

We have already briefly discussed the dimensional differences of the Glock 26 vs. Glock 43 debate, save one. To quickly recap, the Glock 43 is tad shorter in slide length, and just a hair taller, but functionally both of these pistols fill a nearly identical footprint. The difference we have yet to mention is the width of these pistols, and this is the single biggest difference.

The width of the Glock 26 is the same as its big brothers, the Glock 17 and 19: 1.3 inches. The width of the Glock 43 is smaller at 0.87 inches. On paper that does not seem like a tremendous difference, but it is. In fact, it is a world of difference. The two pistols feel completely different in the hand, and whether that is a good thing or not is in the eye of the beholder; larger-handed individual may prefer the chunkier nature of the Glock 26, but most shooters with average-to-small hands are likely to prefer the slim grip of the Glock 43. That 0.13-inch difference is truly a world of difference.

Of course, that difference comes at big cost: capacity. You simply can’t fit the same number of rounds in a smaller space. That difference is substantial: 4 rounds. That may not sound like much, but that’s a 40% downgrade for the Glock 26. What one may gain from that is increased shootability and accuracy, which is almost always more important than capacity, as well as a smaller, lighter, more easily-concealed pistol.

Glock 26 vs Glock 43: Gen5 Differences

The Glock 26 is available in a Gen3 version and the updated Gen5 version. The Gen5 Glock 26 lacks finger grooves, has forward cocking serrations, an ambidextrous slide latch, and the Glock Marksman Barrel. Maybe most significantly, the Glock 26 is also available in an MOS version, allowing the use of a pistol-mounted optic. Some might bemoan the inclusion of an optic on such a small pistol, but if all your other handguns have optics, it makes sense to have a common sighting system.

The Glock Slimline pistols don’t neatly fall into Glock’s typical generations; they seem to be a “generation” unto themselves. However, many Slimline share features with the latest Gen5 pistols like the match-grade Glock Marksman Barrel and forward cocking serrations. The Glock 43 is an exception to this rule, however. It lacks the Gen5 features, and notably, no MOS-capable version of the Glock 43 has been produced (there is a Glock 43 MOS, but it is a different pistol, having a longer grip frame).

Glock 26 vs Glock 43: Similarities

At a glance these pistols don’t seem to have a whole lot of similarities. Sure, they share a similar footprint, but they also have a slew of differences. What else is similar about them?

First, they are both immensely popular. What does that matter to you? This is a very practical consideration because without wide adoption, pistols won’t be supported by the aftermarket. That is not the case with either the Glock 26 or the Glock 43. Holsters, magazine pouches, and many other support items are available for these two guns, meaning you will actually be able to use them, and do so safely.

Both are chambered in 9mm Luger. This means that practice ammunition is as affordable as centerfire ammunition gets, and that defensive ammunition is widely available. It also means that each is chambered in a potent caliber with minimal recoil. Both also share Glock’s peerless reputation for reliability. Due to this, both enjoy wide adoption by law enforcement agencies and Citizens who take their own safety seriously.

Glock 26 vs Glock 43: Which Is Right for YOU?

The many differences when comparing the Glock 26 vs Glock 43 would certainly seem to favor the Glock 26. The Glock 43 almost seems left behind. It lacks Gen5 features, it is unavailable with a provision for optic-mounting, the capacity is a lack-luster 6+1. The Glock 43 also – conspicuously – lacks the ability to upgrade magazine capacity and forward-compatibility with its bigger brothers, the 43X and 48.

That said, the preference between these two pistols rests on more than just numbers. There is one area in which the Glock 43 shines and the Glock 26 simply cannot compete: width. That critical grip width dimension can make a tremendous difference when it comes to shooting these two pistols. This is especially true with the very short grips of these two guns; being unable to get more than two fingers around the grip means those two fingers must have ample purchase to control the gun. The slimmer grip of the Glock 43 certainly makes this easier for most shooters, especially those with hands running to the smaller side.

The Glock 43’s thinness also has another benefit: concealability. The smaller size of this pistol again, adds up (subtracts?) to more than the sum of its parts: this is much more of a hideout/backup/ankle gun than the Glock 26. That one, single dimension – the thickness – makes an inestimable difference in the ability to hide the Glock 43, and carry it with comfort. The lighter weight doesn’t hurt either, but the slim nature the Glock 43 is a true market differentiator. Though the odds seem stacked against it, the author would choose the Glock 43 over the Glock 26 in virtually all scenarios in which a pistol this small was indicated.

The Glock 26 is not without its virtues, however. First, the additional grip width is ideal for some shooters, especially those with larger hands. Achieving a good grip on a pistol is very important to achieving accuracy, so this is absolutely a factor you should consider. Secondly, the Glock 26 has greater capacity with 10+1 in a flush-fit magazine. That’s over a third more ammunition than the Glock 43’s paltry loadout.

But that’s not all: the ability to use Glock 17 and 19 magazines is a tremendous added value in certain circumstances. If you are a plainclothes LEO and all the uniformed offices in your agency carry the Glock 17, it would make sense to carry a gun that shares magazine compatibility. Even for a Citizen concealed carrier, having great initial capacity and a 17-round reload makes good sense. Finally, the Glock 26 is available in a MOS version, which may be important to some shooters.

Glock 26 vs Glock 43: The Bottom Line

Choosing between the Glock 26 vs. the Glock 43 is a win-win proposition. Either of these pistols will serve in their intended role with aplomb. Things you need to think about are the size of the gun, on the belt and in your hand, capacity, whether or not you need magazine compatibility, and if the MOS-version is important to you. If you choose based on your needs, you’ll be well served by either of these excellent pistols!