Glock 26 Baby Glock
Glock 26 Baby Glock

The Glock 26 is the subcompact version of the Glock 9mm handgun. When the Glock 17 and 19 (G26’s older brothers) came out in the 1980’s, they immediately made a huge difference in the world of handguns. In 1995, Glock released the subcompact 9mm Glock 26, which was then followed by more subcompacts of varying calibers. In short, it was a hit.

The one thing which could be considered a disadvantage of the G26 is the relatively-small two finger grip which it sports. Compared to the full and compact sized 9mm Glocks, the G26’s grip is noticeably smaller. Some people are fine with shooting that way, but for others this can be an issue.

For this reason, various aftermarket grips and extensions are available for subcompact Glock models. One of the most commonly-used grips is made by Pearce Grip.

Note: for the sake of this article: grips don’t change a magazine’s capacity, but extensions do. Pearce makes many grips. Some of them alter the round count, and others don’t.

Pearce Grip Corporation

Pearce Grip is one of the leading producers of grips and extensions in the United States. The company was founded in 1994 by Robert Lane Pearce III, a former Bell Helicopter employee. He actually started his business as a hobbyist, making grips for other pistols. When the company was founded, its first product was a grip for the Glock 26. Over time, more than 40 other types of handguns have been the focus of Pearce grips.

Robert Pearce
Robert Pearce

Glock’s subcompact model is popular with civilians, as well as with security / law-enforcement personnel. To this day, the G26 (also known as the Baby Glock) remains the go-to firearm for many people, whether it is for backup purposes or for use as a primary weapon. It is easy to conceal, and simple to shoot.

As with any weapon, shooters can (and should!) practice and improve their technique. Owning a firearm is a lot more than just getting a smaller grouping. It means drawing, cocking, aiming, and firing, again and again. Getting a solid grip on your handgun is crucial. It could mean the difference between getting a shot out, and hitting the dirt and scrambling for cover.

Pearce items are made from high-impact polymer, and they have the ability to withstand extreme conditions and abuse, not unlike the G26 itself. The model which fits the 26 also fits other Glock subcompacts: models 27, 33, and 39. Pearce grips seamlessly blend in with the factory made look, feel, and texture. The grip basically replaces the magazine base plate, but keeps all other factory components.

Popular Pearce Grips for Glock 26

Accessories are a personal thing. There isn’t one accessory which fits every single individual. What fits one shooter’s habits and needs may not fit another’s. Pearce grips understand this, and they made it their business to reach many different types of shooters.

Pearce Grip for G26
Pearce Grip for G26

Some of the most popular Pearce Grip items for the Glock 26 are:

  • Extra-long grip – replaces the base plate, and adds 1 inch to the existing grip. The magazine capacity is unaltered.
  • Gen4 grip – replaces the base plate, and adds ¾ of an inch to the Gen4 grip. The magazine capacity is unaltered.
  • Frame insert – helps keep dirt and debris out of the magazine well, by plugging the Glock’s rear cavity. It also provides the shooter with a quicker, smoother magazine change, since the insert help to guide the magazine into the well.
  • Plus – replaces the base plate, and adds 1 inch to the existing grip. 3 rounds are added to the bullet count.

Best Glock 26 Grip Extension

With Pearce, you turn the G26’s alleged disadvantage on its head, and come out with a full-sized grip on a subcompact handgun. The newer version even has a finger groove pattern which is an exact match to the Glock’s. This means that when you draw your weapon, you get the full feel of it. This is huge.

Without the grip, your pinky finger could be left hanging. It seems so trivial, so inconsequential, and maybe even unnecessary. So what? So your little finger isn’t on the gun. Big deal. However, seasoned shooters recognize that it is, in fact, a big deal. They know that if (for instance) you have extreme conditions of cold, where your fingers are stiff and freezing – it can make a whole world of difference.

The world doesn’t begin and end in the range. Getting your hand around that gun is essential for proper shooting. Your feel, your grip, is everything. It affects your draw, your aim, and your trigger pull. Under stress and pressure, a lot of things could go wrong. You want to be able to get your hand around that weapon, and fast. This also means you have to keep training, keep practicing, and also keep in mind that in an actual emergency situation, your brain and hands will most likely be operating on auto-pilot. If you have trained, you will be successful, if not – you may be leaving your fate to chance. Nobody wants that. That is the precise reason that most people purchase a firearm to begin with – because they don’t want to leave their life to probability. They want to be in control, they want to be ready, and they want to know that they are doing everything they can to defend themselves and others.

Pearce items are effective and inexpensive. Their accessories carry with them so many benefits; it is no wonder that so many shooters choose to adorn their weapons with their designs. Pearce have been around for over 20 years, manufacturing and marketing products which change the way we use firearms.

If you are looking for a way to get the most of your weapon, consider checking out the Glock 26 gen 4 Pearce Grip Extension. If you want to own a subcompact, without compromising your grip and usability – check Pearce out. Their grips are one of the most popular additions to subcompact models, in the United States as well as the rest of the globe.

Check out our review of the New Glock 19 & 17 Gen 5.

Nate M.

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