Why A Compact?

Oct 21, 2016


Like certain other service style striker fired pistols, the Glock 26 is capable of using the magazines of the larger size pistols in the same caliber.

The full-size to compact situation works with certain other guns like the Smith & Wesson M&P line.

Ruger has gotten into the act with the Compact version of their Ruger American Pistol (shown in the foreground)
A week or so back a friend asked me if I knew of a second-hand Glock 26 he could get for a reasonable price. I responded that, with his law enforcement status, he could scarcely do better than a "blue label" (LE) Glock right from the company. He'd specified a 3rd Generation gun, preferring to stay with Gen. 3 for his "using" pistols. I asked why he wanted such a gun. His response was instructive. While I'd traveled down the same path before, my reasoning was different as was the time and context. He knew there'd be a time he'd need something smaller than the Glock 17 he'd preferred for years. Proper holstering and wardrobe can make the G17 discreet, but there's still quite a bit of material to deal with. It's the same -- to a lesser degree -- for my choice, the Glock 19. In terms of envelope – size, weight, capacity – and capabilities, the G19 seems to be the best all-around choice for people who favor the striker-fired 9mm. There's nothing that quite touches it. That's why, when it was time to rotate primary carry pistols, another Glock 19 was put forward. He makes a good case though. We're part of the aging population, constantly going to medical appointments, family activities, generally having to go forth in places where the armed lifestyle is not appreciated for whatever reason. A more discreet gun can more easily and more deeply be hidden. Why not one of the micro-choices? He's also one of the folks who gets far less practice and familiarity time than he feels he needs. Having a smaller gun that's nearly the same as the other bigger gun makes a difference. And if the primary carry piece is put out of action – breakage, post-shooting seizure by police, or any other reason – the proper set-up means you can holster up and carry on. The Glock he sought will readily take magazines from the larger pistols of the same format. He has magazines for the Glock 17, which fit the G19 and 26, and has Glock 19 magazines which also work in the G26. That makes a difference when you are forced by circumstance to move from one gun to the next. If you are a striker-fired type who has a Glock allergy, other makers have stepped forward with a similar lineup. The M&P9 can be a back up to the M&P9 Compact – or the other way around. Just make sure you have more full size magazines than Compact – the smaller mags won't feed in the bigger gun. And, if you have a holster that fits the M&P9 it will fit the smaller version too. Recently Ruger introduced the Ruger American Pistol Compact – a slightly smaller version of the American Pistol. The Compact ships with a 12-round compact magazine and a 17 round magazine – that will work in the regular size Ruger American. A slip-on 'boot' is included with the magazine and it fills the gap between the base plate of the longer magazine and the bottom of the Compact's frame. I used the Blade-Tech Eclipse designed for the full-size gun with the Compact. No problem. Configure it for inside-the-waist carry and the rest of the holster vanishes. Now my friend was careful to configure his Glock 26 in the same way his larger Glocks are configured. Having started with the Glock extended slide stop, he's become accustomed to it. Each Glock pistol he has is equipped with that item. It's the same with internal parts. He prefers the Generation 3 with the NY1 trigger spring and the "-" connector. That's how he set up the mini-Glock. In my case, the Glock 26 had been a backup gun for duty use when I was in detectives. It was always on and it fed from the spare Glock 19 magazines on my belt. If one was held in evidence in a shooting, the other moved into the belt holster and I would carry on – that was the plan. You have to find your own way if you carry concealed. His plan may not be right for you, but examining his thinking in that regard can help you make the best decision you can to fit your needs. -- Rich Grassi