Head to head

Glock 26 Gen5 vs Glock 43X

By Cole Harlan, EditorUpdated Nov 5, 2026How we verifyEditorial standards

Glock’s two subcompact 9mm carry guns: the double-stack G26 Gen5 and the single-stack Slimline G43X. Specs below are quoted from Glock’s G26 Gen5 law-enforcement page and its G43X commercial page, read on November 5, 2026. The G43X page describes the G43X Rail, with a mounting rail and a 10-round magazine, so the figures are for that model. Neither page is an optic-cut (MOS) listing.

At a glance

G26 Gen5
G43X (page describes G43X Rail)

Spec	G26 Gen5	G43X (page describes G43X Rail)
Glock class label	Subcompact	Subcompact
Caliber	9x19 mm	9x19 mm
Mag. capacity	Standard: 10; Optional: 15 / 17 / 19 / 24	Standard: 10
Barrel length	87 mm / 3.43 inch	87 mm / 3.41 inch
Weight, without magazine	559 g / 19.72 oz	465 g / 16.40 oz
Weight, with empty magazine	615 g / 21.69 oz	530 g / 18.70 oz
Weight, with loaded magazine	739 g / 26.07 oz	654 g / 23.07 oz
Trigger pull	26 N	24 N
Length (overall)	163 mm / 6.42 inch	165 mm / 6.50 inch
Slide length	159 mm / 6.26 inch	154 mm / 6.06 inch
Width (overall)	33 mm / 1.30 inch	28 mm / 1.10 inch
Slide width	25.5 mm / 1.0 inch	22 mm / 0.87 inch
Height incl. mag.	106 mm / 4.17 inch	128 mm / 5.04 inch
Line of sight (polymer / steel / GNS)	137 / 136 / 135 mm (5.39 / 5.35 / 5.31 inch)	133 / 132 / 131 mm (5.24 / 5.20 / 5.16 inch)
Trigger distance	70 mm / 2.76 inch	67 mm / 2.64 inch
Source (checked Nov. 5, 2026)	us.glock.com G26 Gen5	us.glock.com G43X

Glock notes that its technical data are rounded, do not reflect tolerances and may be altered without notice. Glock’s pages print the overall length and trigger distance with a double-asterisk footnote mark; we have not verified what that footnote says. The G26 page is a law-enforcement listing, so check the current commercial G26 with a dealer.

What differs on paper

Width: the G43X is 28 mm wide against 33 mm, with a 22 mm slide against 25.5 mm. That is the Slimline advantage, by Glock’s numbers.
Height: the G26 is the shorter gun with its standard magazine (106 mm vs 128 mm), because the G43X carries the longer G48-length grip.
Weight: 94 g lighter unloaded (465 g vs 559 g) and 85 g lighter loaded (654 g vs 739 g) for the G43X.
Capacity: both list 10 rounds as standard; Glock lists optional G26 magazines up to 24 rounds, and no optional magazines on the G43X page.
Barrel: 87 mm on both (3.43 vs 3.41 inch as printed).

Which to pick (on paper)

The shortest grip, plus a wide choice of larger magazines: the G26 Gen5.
The slimmest, lightest package, with a slim accessory rail: the G43X Rail.

We have not range-tested either. Neither page here is an optic-cut listing; for MOS versions see Glock 48 MOS vs 43X MOS.

Frequently asked questions

How is the Glock 26 Gen5 different from the Glock 43X?

On Glock's pages, the G43X is 28 mm wide against 33 mm and weighs 465 g against 559 g unloaded, but it is taller with its magazine (128 mm vs 106 mm). Both list a 87 mm barrel and 10 rounds as standard capacity.

Does the Glock 43X page describe the Rail model?

Yes. Glock's G43X page describes the G43X Rail, with a slim mounting rail and a 10-round magazine, and the specs here are from that page.

Glock 26 Gen5 vs Glock 43X

At a glance

What differs on paper

Which to pick (on paper)

Frequently asked questions

Sources

Keep exploring

At a glance

What differs on paper

Which to pick (on paper)

Frequently asked questions

Sources

Keep exploring

The Gun Release Report