Thread: Carry Glock, 27 or 36?

It's time to buy a new carry gun. I've decided on a Glock, cause they work for me, there is no changing my mind. I want as much power in a small package as I can get, so should I get a 36 or 27? First, this gun is going to be carried everyday, IWB. Second, ammo cost do not matter, nor does accuracy over about 15yds. I don't plan on getting in gun fights across parking lots and whatnot. Third, it will not be a HD gun, I have a shotgun and full size handgun for that. I'm leaning towards the .40, not cause I like the round, but cause it has a little advantage (I'll take all I can get) over 9mm and has higher capacity. I am considering the .45 cause I love .45s and it has more power. What's your opinion and WHY? the gun will maybe see 100rds a year. I can shoot a 27 and a 36 just fine, I don't need to "get good" with it.

Shoot them both and then decide.

I shoot them both about the same. I don't really like one over the other.

If I liked glocks in .40 S&W I'd suggest the 27 since it's a half inch less in length and height than the 36, and has a capacity advantage. But I don't. Too snappy. I can shoot .45acp and 9mm faster and more accurately.

I’ve owned both, neither are my favorite Glock. I much prefer the G19/23 size. IMO the 26/27 conceals only slightly better but the 19/23 handling vastly is superior. Much faster to get a grip and draw, better to hang onto for better control and follow up shots especially in the jumpy .40. Since you are talking IWB, not ankle, concealment should not be an issue. However, of the two choices I’d get the 27 (actually I’d get a 33, 357 sig for carry and a factory 40 barrel to shoot the “cheap stuff”) for the higher round capacity over the 36. I’d add a +0 extension on the mag in the gun for better handling and run spare 23 mags with spacers.

On a side note: If I were to purchase a carry Glock it would a 9mm, my preference Glock 19, if seeking a 40 S&W carry pistol I’d go S&W M&P40 compact (actually I’d get a 357 for carry and a factory 40 barrel here too). The respective gun makers and calibers seem to fit best.

get the glock 23 .i had the others youll add a finger extension on the 27 and it wil be the same as the 23 with a shorter barrel and less fire power i thought the 40rty was snappy with the 155 grain hp Winchesters i was shooting but not the 180grains hp then for pocket carry i use the kahr pm40

More PDs are moving from .40 to 9mm for the capacity and controllability. Main reason why I did the same thing about 7 years ago. Modern bullet technology allows a 9 to perform the same as the .40, so why have more recoil and less capacity for no real benefit? So I'd recommend 9mm. If you want to stay away from 9mm, then I'd always default to capacity as my preference for whatever round. In the end, shoot what you want. It doesn't matter.

Thanks. I'm not aginst 9mm at all, I have a 9mm as my HD handgun, just thought for carry, as much power as possible. Maybe I'll reconsider and buy another G19...but my last one still was a tad difficult to carry, so maybe a 26.

I chopped the grip on my 19 to the length of the 26. Carry it every day. I chopped the grip of my 17 to 19 length. Carry it when concealment is easier, depending on how I'm dressed. Solves the problem of the butt sticking out without losing the accuracy/velocity of the slightly longer barrel.

I simply shoot 9mm better than I do .40. I also want the most BBs in my hand that I can muster. FoF has taught me the value of suppressive fire.

Oh, and in case you're wondering how I carry them, see pic. No problem with either one. Comfortable and nicely hidden.

That's a good idea. The grip is the only part I ha an issue with on the 19. I carry IWB also, but behind my hip a little.

you see the finger extension on those pistols when you do that its the same length as a standard 19/23 you might as well carry a 19/23 more ammo 16 round in the 19 . 14 rounds in the 23 . i carry it behind my hip as well just canted

Originally Posted by nitestocker

you see the finger extension on those pistols when you do that its the same length as a standard 19/23 you might as well carry a 19/23 more ammo 16 round in the 19 . 14 rounds in the 23 . i carry it behind my hip as well just canted

It is at the front of the grip, but not at the rear. So it saves an inch or so where it matters for me where I carry. The shorter backstrap also eliminates the palm swell, which helps. YMMV.

Originally Posted by nitestocker

you see the finger extension on those pistols when you do that its the same length as a standard 19/23 you might as well carry a 19/23 more ammo 16 round in the 19 . 14 rounds in the 23 . i carry it behind my hip as well just canted

Originally Posted by Jeff Jackson

It is at the front of the grip, but not at the rear. So it saves an inch or so where it matters for me where I carry. The shorter backstrap also eliminates the palm swell, which helps. YMMV.

Exactly right. Those +0 extensions are great. They provide full gripping surface without major size increase and they do not weaken the mag springs like extensions with increased round count.

Check these out:
G A P H O M E

you guys do like you please all you have to do is invest in a proper holster like a crossbreed or a summer comfort that cants and you wont see it .besides i like people that carry less ammo than me my grand kids don't listen ether

I invested in a VM2 for the G19 I had. In my opinion it was a POS and my $65 CFS IWB works better.

I love my G26. It's accurate as ****. I shoot it much better than the G19. With a mag extension it's 13 rd, and conceals much better than my 19.

I could shoot my full sized Kimber pretty accurately. 40 yards I could do a 6" pattern of hand fairly easily.
I could do almost as well with the 36. I have big hands and the 36 felt good in my hands without any mag extensions.
Recoil was very manageable and the gun was small enough to hide easily.
And I like the 45 ACP over the 40. I may have to get a 29 to try,to go with my 20

I say get the G23 as well. Unless you are going to keep the 27 as it with no pinky extensions. As it has been said, a 27 with a pinky extension does not conceal any better than a 23.

I was set on a 27 for a while when I was looking for a carry glock, but then when I checked out the 27 I felt that the grip was too short for my hand. I didnt have a problem with the dropped pinky finger since I dont like to grip too hard with that finger anyways. (otherwise my groups pull to the side) My problem with the short grip was that it didnt seem to have enough room for my palm/base of thumb.
So I got the 23 and I will admit I was a bit worried about concealability but I can tell you now after carrying it for months I have no issues with it at all and I carry it everyday.
The 23 is not as difficult to conceal as many might think.

For me, Its all about the holster baby!
A great holster makes any gun a great carry gun.

I carry it with a mild forward cant behind my right hip in a Blackhawk leather IWB holster with a good sturdy leather belt and its so comfortable I forget its there.

Link to the holster: BLACKHAWK! Inside the Pants Leather Concealment - BLACKHAWK!