Howdy folks,
+1 With Mr. Walt. My agency firearms unit did extensive testing of the various makes and models when it was time to replace our 10 year old carry pistols. They selected Sigs. Sadly a beancounter in DC over rode their knowledge and hard work, and bought Glocks - because they were cheaper.
Far too many LEAs are armed with Glocks in my opinion, not because they are fabulous weapons or because the troops want them. They are handed a Glock because the bean counters love the low LE price they can get them for. Already after 4 short years (but long to us troops), my agency is already beginning to phase out the issued Glocks with another brand - Sigs, amazing isn't it?
It is not Glock bashing to state a fair observation. Glocks have simply never fit my hand well, so why do I want to risk my life to something I do not feel comfortable shooting? Plain and simple to me - if it does not fit my hand well, I am not going to shoot it well. After all it is my life I am concerned about, not some bean counter earning a cash award because he saved my agency X number of dollars on weapons purchased.
As Mr. Walt also suggested, as a 37 year LE firearms instructor, this is what I tell folks when they ask me "what gun should I buy for self-defense?". My answer is always the same. Go to a gun store with a wide assortment and handle everything that appears to fit you list of needs. Then note the ones that feel the best in your hands. Can you work all of the controls comfortably?. Does it point naturally for you? Once they have narrowed their list down to x number of pistols, I then suggest they shoot every weapon on their list to see first hand which one appears to work the best for them.
What pistol works the best for me, does not mean it will work the best for the next person handling it. So to me, shooting it is the best way to make your decision sir. Find a range that has rental pistols that are on your final list. If you can't find a range with rental pistols, then ask around. Maybe you have a friend who owns the weapon you want to shoot, or they have a friend who does. To me, you shooting your list of weapons is the best way for you to decide what gun you want to trust your life too. I would also suggest your son join you, as he may be suprised with a different weapon working better for him. Or he may confirm the Glock 26 is the pistol for him. But again, there is only one way for both of you to make that choice in my view sir.
But all that said, if you are asking for my personal opinion, I would pick the CZ over the Glock 26 everyday and twice on Sundays, lol. I am an old dinosaur, who simply prefers the full sized models on steel frames. I have never found it substantially harder to conceal a full size over a compact. I get a longer sighting radius and a bit better ballistics from the longer barrel too. Just another thought to throw out for your consideration sir. Don't over look a possible carry gun just because it might be larger than what some "experts" feel should be considered. I am a lot of things, especially as I get older. But an expert is never going to be one of them, lol.
Good luck. Remember lighter may be easier to carry. But when you are shooting it, you will feel the recoil more as well. I simply control the steel framed pistols much better, getting tighter groups in faster time frames. So I am more accurate and quicker with the full size, steel pistols. I personally have no desire to give up those positives for something a bit lighter. I bought it to defend myself with, and not simply for it ease of carry. But that said, I have been concealing full sized, steel framed pistols for 37 years, and that is simply not an issue for me at all.
twoguns
