Introduced in 1995, the 9mm Glock 26, also called the “Baby Glock,” is the Austrian firm’s first subcompact handgun. The Glock 26 was designed to fulfill the role of a lightweight backup gun.
Instead of carrying a 5-shot .38-caliber snub-nosed revolver, a private citizen or law-enforcement officer could carry a similarly sized 9mm pistol with a capacity of 10+1. Whether you intend to carry a Glock 26 as your primary sidearm or as an addition to it, you need a high-quality holster.
About the Glock 26
The Glock 26 has a barrel length of 3.43”, an overall length of 6.5”, a height of 4.17”, and a width of 1.26”. Weighing 21.52 oz. with an empty magazine, this increases to 25.75 oz. with 10 rounds of 9mm ammunition. Unlike the newer G43, the G26 magazine holds four additional rounds, but the frame is also a ¼” wider as a result.
The most important difference, dimensionally, between the G26 and the popular G19 is the height of 0.87”. The difference in height between the G26 and the full-size G17 is even more significant at 1.3”. In a concealed-carry firearm, the height affects the tendency of the weapon to print through clothing more than any other dimension, especially when you carry your weapon in the strong-side position.
Your Glock 26 Holster Options
If you’re searching for a suitable Glock 26 holster, you have a few options. The Glock 26, as a subcompact, is designed specifically for concealed carry. As a result, you need a highly concealable holster to take full advantage of this type of weapon. A 9mm holster, like the weapon, should be low profile and concealable.
IWB holsters
An IWB (inside-the-waistband) holster is one of the best options available for subcompact handguns. By wearing the holster between the inside of your waistband and your body, you can more effectively conceal your firearm and keep printing to a minimum.
However, even with small firearms, some gun owners consider IWB suboptimal because it adds bulk and increases the tension of the waistband against the abdomen.
OWB holsters
An OWB (outside-the-waistband) holster is not as concealable as the IWB alternative, all else being equal. However, many gun owners find the holster placement more comfortable, especially when carrying your weapon for a protracted period.
Many shooters also find OWB holsters to be easier to draw from. If you want to keep your weapon properly concealed, you’ll need to either wear a long, loose-fitting shirt or a light jacket to cover it.
Holster Materials: Leather and Kydex
Handgun holsters are available in various materials, but some are better than others. Cordura nylon, for example, is an inexpensive material for concealed-carry holsters, but it doesn’t provide the necessary durability or retention as leather or Kydex.
Leather
Leather has been used to fabricate holsters since belt holsters became common in the mid 19th century. Vegetable-tanned cowhide leather, whether in an IWB or OWB holster, is widely considered one of the most comfortable holster materials because it’s soft, compressible, and molds to the contours of your body over time.
However, if the leather is pressed against the skin in hot weather, it can stick due to perspiration. Leather is also less resistant to moisture and chemical solvents than synthetic alternatives.
Kydex
Kydex is a poly-vinyl-chloride thermoplastic and a relatively new material in the firearms industry. Durable, rigid, and impervious to water, Kydex effectively retains its shape and won’t deform due to extensive use. Holster manufacturers thermoform Kydex to specific firearms for a custom-molded fit.
Holster Retention: Active or Passive
Regardless of whether you choose a leather or Kydex holster, your holster needs to provide adequate retention. Holsters can either have active retention or passive retention, depending on your requirements.
Active retention uses an external fastener or internal locking mechanism to secure the firearm in place. To draw your weapon, you’ll need to open a snap closure, press a button, or rotate a protective hood. While useful for open carry to reduce the risk of a criminal assailant attempting to take your firearm, these active-retention methods can also introduce obstacles to a smooth, efficient draw.
Passive retention uses a tight fit between the inside of the holster and the outside of the handgun to keep the gun from slipping out. In an IWB holster designed for deep concealment, passive retention is arguably ideal, provided you discreetly carry your weapon. Passive retention allows you to practice your draw stroke without worrying about remembering to activate a button or other system.
Holster Adjustability: Comfort and Concealment
The best holsters allow you to adjust the angle or cant of the holster on your gun belt, along with the ride height and retention. Although the Glock 26 is a highly concealable firearm, by varying the ride height and cant of the holster, you can minimize the extent to which the butt of the pistol protrudes through clothing.
This adjustability also helps you reliably achieve a full firing grip on the weapon when you need to draw.
Holster Safety: Protect the Trigger
As many gun owners are fond of saying, “The most important safety is between your ears.” Your strict observance of gun-safety rules is critical to both your safety and that of others. However, your Glock holster should have a fully covered trigger guard for several reasons.
The Glock is a modern semi-automatic, striker-fired handgun and has no manual safety. The Safe Action Trigger system uses a lever located in the center of the trigger face that you must depress to cause rearward movement of the trigger.
Under no circumstances should your index finger touch the side or face of the trigger until the weapon has left the holster; your finger should remain straight. The holster should also stop foreign objects, like tree branches or the fabric of your clothing, from entering the trigger guard.
Glock Holsters to Meet Your Needs
At We The People Holsters, we manufacture holsters for various Glock handguns, including the popular G26. Our variety of designs are available in both leather and Kydex, as well as OWB and IWB configurations.
We produce all our products in Las Vegas, Nevada, so they’re 100% made in the United States. Contact us today to learn more about our holster options for your Glock 26.