Glock 26L - New Project

I've come to the conclusion that, at least for a while, I want to try out a 9mm with better concealability than my Glock 9mm/G23 conversion, but better capacity and shootability than a small single stack 9mm.

I borrowed a friend's Glock 26 for some range time. The concealability is excellent. It's amazing what a difference a half-inch makes in the grip, even with a Pearce Pinky Extension on the mag. However, when shooting it, I miss the extra half inch sight radius on the slide compared to my 9mm/G23. I also miss the little extra weight of that 9mm/G23 slide.

I'm also not enamored with the idea of spending $500+ on a whim right now.

So, I've decided to create a Franken-Glock, a G26L, if you will. I bought a new Gen 3 Glock 19 frame on Gunbroker, that is coming in this weekend. (Heck of a deal, $200 for a complete new lower G19 frame plus 2 OEM G19 magazines). I've done a lot of research, and have decided I'm going to do the grip cut on the frame myself. Yup, me and a Dremel and some sandpaper. Sounds horrible, but I have high hopes.

Worst case scenario, I'll have converted a $200 frame into a pile of expensive shavings. Best case scenario, I might create a really great carry gun that will have a 40 S&W slide, a 9mm conversion barrel and 9mm internals, and a self-reduced 9mm lower frame. That sounds like something I'd expect me to really like.

I'll post pictures as the process continues.

ha ha, cool stuff. cut long and file down to length?

HA HA HA HA, SUCCESS!!!!

I took photos to take you on this Dremel journey.  Will take a few posts to explain it.

Here is the Glock 23 slide on the new Gen 3 Glock 19 frame I bought, before I killed it.

I borrowed a friend's Glock 26, for measurements and comparisons.

I pulled a couple of pins out of the G19, and pushed the G26 pins out a little bit, to get a good secure fit of the G26 on the G19, for marking off what needed to be cut.

Put masking tape on the G19 grip to mark it.

Removed the G26, looked at the marks on the tape, questioned whether I REALLY wanted to do this, and took several deep breaths before proceeding.

Put the G19 in the vice, pulled out the Dremel, and got after it.

There is definitely no going back now.

After some time with the Dremel and various sanding, cutting and polishing wheels, it was starting to look plausible.

Comparison in size between my G23 frame (which I did not alter), and the new "26L" frame

Aaaaand, the final product.  



I took it to the range yesterday, and it definitely shoots better than a G26. I think the longer slide, plus the slightly greater mass of the slide, make it very controllable. It wasn't hard at all to keep all the shots in a 3 inch circle at 12 yards.

However, it's MUCH easier to conceal. Like my beloved revolvers, I can't make it print when carrying it in an IWB holster.

All in all, I'm very glad I did this instead of buying a G26. I spent $200 for a brand new G19 frame, which came with 2 new G19 mags. Pretty good deal all around.

I love it!!! Thanks for sharing and posting the pics with the detailed process. I love seeing cool projects turn out good.

Well, that's nice work there, TJ. Not sure I would find it interesting personally, but then, I generally don't like Glocks. You being a revolver type, Glock would be a natural fit. Me NOT being one, it isn't. I have instead become a Sig guy. Gave my daughter a 226 for her birthday, to add to the 2 Rugers she has. It's in .40, and I have a .357 Sig barrel I could give her but am holding off for the moment. I also have a 226 Sig conversion kit for .22 - that's her next birthday gift. (SOMEONE has to give her guns!)

Quick update.

Been working with my "26L" pretty extensively, and remain very happy with it. The longer sight radius helps a bit with accuracy, and the slightly heavier slide (being that it was originally a 40 S&W slide) helps reduce recoil.

Haven't had any malfunctions. The shorter grip does require a bit more thought and effort to hold it steady during multiple shot strings. It took a few trips to the range to figure it out. However, I'm up to my standard for accuracy with it (10 shots into a 3 inch circle at 12 yards).

What has surprised me most is how much better in conceals than any other semi-auto I have. That shorter grip really makes a huge difference in concealability.

I'm still very glad I did this.

So now, I'm eyeing my 10mm Glock 20, wondering about getting a new frame for it and cutting that frame down to Glock 29 size.

lol, that g29 is quite the handful... I haven't shot it in a while but should now that camping weather is getting closer. I wonder how it would feel with a g20 top and a g29 bottom.

Hey Jed/ Corn -- I picked up a barely used SIG P320 with the same thought in mind. Supposedly... (yeah)... you can easily put the long slide on the subcompact frame. Should be interesting, at least.

With the Army picking the P320 as their duty pistol, the SIG will likely jump an order of magnitude in popularity. Which means more accessories and options. And more tweaking I can do.  

?so have all the 320's disappeared from your LGS that you work at.

Devereaux wrote:?so have all the 320's disappeared from your LGS that you work at.

Almost. As of two days ago, we had an example or two of each size except the P320 CA (Carry) of which we long ago sold out. Doesn't seem anybody else has them.

MidwayUSA has the SIG Grip Module Assemblies for $35, $5 off.

I suspect like AR's a couple years ago, if you don't already have a 320, it will be about 6-12 months until they get to rational prices. I personally HATE to pay list for ANY gun.

Yep. Which is why I jumped on the used P320. It had the case and papers, but it was missing the holster. I may also be missing the SIG branded tac-light. As I hardly ever sell guns, they're of no real concern to me. Price more than made up for the deficiencies.

The SIG is prolly going to be a VERY popular and customizable platform.

After many months, this "26L" has become a favorite CCW gun for me. It shoots more easily than a regular Glock 26, but conceals MUCH easier than a Glock 19.

It took me a while, but I finally found the right frame (a new Gen3 Glock 21 SF) for a good price on Gunbroker, and I ordered it. I'm gonna to do the same shortened frame thing for the Glock 20. If my calculations are correct, after cutting down the frame, it should only be about 0.3 inches longer in the grip than my "26L".

Of course, it will also be a lot wider, but that's not a concern for me.

I will update this post with pictures.

Just yesterday sent in my CCW paperwork to Florida. (The Department of Agriculture, go figure.) Time to again step up my carry game. Your work is making me itch, TJ. That and the new Gen 5s Glocks.

Then a car gun using the 32 round Glock Happy Sticks.

Then I should be reasonably prepared for the coming Zombie-Fa apocalypse.

TJ, you probably covered this... but I'm poorly caffeinated and too lazy to pry open the safe... can you put a G17 or G19 slide on a G26 frame and make it work?

Dust cover might be a concern...

[Edit]  Remembered about the Google:  

From several posters on Glock Talk:  Can you put a Glock 17 slide and barrel on a Glock 26 frame? No, the locking blocks are different, the barrel lug cuts are different, and more. However, G19 barrel lugs are compatible with G26 locking blocks. The upper would have no dust cover under the front 1/2" or so. (Lone Wolf is said to have made a cover.) You would have to use the G19 recoil spring/rod, of course. If you just want the extra velocity, use a G19 barrel in your G26 slide.