Is the Glock 26 Dead? Where the G26 V Fits in Concealed Carry Today

The Glock 26 has been in production for more than 30 years, and with the release of the G26 V, Glock continues to develop it.

In that time, the concealed carry market has changed a lot. Subcompact pistols have gotten slimmer, capacity has climbed, optics have become commonplace, and shooters have more everyday carry options than ever.

So is the Glock 26 still relevant, or has the carry market finally passed it by?

Why We Took a Second Look at the Glock 26

A department recently reached out to us about holster support for the Glock 26, so we opted to oblige. That project had us digging into the current G26 lineup, including the newer G26 V, and that's where we caught something we'd missed.

What Does the V Mean on the Glock 26 V?

The V in G26 V stands for Glock's V Series, a product line that sits apart from Glock's generation numbering. There is no "Gen V" Glock 26.

We knew Gen5 and V were different designations. What we hadn't realized was that the V isn't a generation at all. It's an easy distinction to miss, especially since Glock offers both a G26 Gen5 MOS and a G26 V MOS.

So if your brain has been automatically adding "Gen" in front of that V, you're not alone.

• G26 Gen5 ≠ G26 V
• G26 V ≠ G26 "Gen V"

We were today years old, too. Once we had the naming straight, it sent us a little farther down the Glock 26 rabbit hole.

The Glock 26 Has Been a Carry Staple Since 1994

Glock introduced the G26 in 1994 with a straightforward idea. Take the G19 formula and shrink it into a subcompact, double-stack 9mm that was easier to conceal. The result offered a flush-fit 10-round magazine in a pistol just 4.17 inches tall, and it quickly established itself as a go-to concealed carry option.

The G26 has evolved over the years, but its basic footprint has stayed remarkably consistent.

Glock 26 V Specs at a Glance

Specs per Glock's G26 V product page.

What has changed considerably is everything around it.

How the Glock 26 Compares to Today's Carry Pistols

Today the G26 competes with thinner carry pistols that pack impressive capacity into very small packages. By modern standards, it can seem a little old school. Some of the things that made it useful in the first place still hold up.

Magazine Compatibility

The G26 accepts larger Glock 9mm magazines, and Glock lists optional magazines from 12 up to 33 rounds for the G26 V. If you already run a G19 or G17, your spare magazines work in your G26 too. That makes it easy to carry a flush-fit mag in the gun and a higher-capacity backup in a magazine carrier. Not sure which carrier style suits you? Our guide to magazine carriers breaks it down.

Familiarity

The G26 has had decades to build its following. Glock carried the model into Gen5 in 2018 and continues to produce and develop it today through the V Series. That's a long run for a pistol that's supposedly dead.

So, Is the Glock 26 Dead?

Based on where Glock is taking it, no. Glock is still developing it, departments are still asking about it, and shooters are still carrying it. Whether it earns a spot on your belt is a different question, and that one is yours to answer.

Maybe familiar and proven still matter. Maybe magazine compatibility keeps it relevant. Maybe some shooters don't see a reason to replace something that has worked for them for years. Or maybe the newer generation of carry pistols has finally made the G26 a product of another era.

Would you choose the Glock 26 today, or has its time come and gone?

Frequently Asked Questions About the Glock 26

Is the Glock 26 V the same as the Glock 26 Gen5?

They are separate models. The G26 V belongs to Glock's V Series, and the G26 Gen5 belongs to Glock's fifth generation. Both share a 3.43-inch barrel, 6.42-inch overall length, and 10-round standard magazine.

Is there a Glock 26 Gen V?

No. The "V" in G26 V refers to Glock's V Series. It is a series name, not a generation number.

Do Glock 19 magazines fit the Glock 26?

Yes. The G26 accepts larger Glock 9mm magazines, including 15-round G19 and 17-round G17 magazines. Longer magazines extend below the grip.

Where can I find a holster for the Glock 26 V?

4Bros now offers Glock 26 holsters, made in the USA. You can also use our Holster Finder to match your exact pistol and light setup.

Glock 26 Holsters Now Available From 4Bros

A department's request gave us a reason to take another look at the G26, and now we've got it covered. Every 4Bros holster is molded from CAD data of the actual firearm and hand-finished in Northern Indiana for secure retention and a smooth draw.

Browse our full lineup of Glock holsters, shop IWB holsters for concealed carry, or save with a holster and magazine carrier combo.