I have a Glock 26 Gen 3 and I love carrying it but I have started to fall in love with the Glock 19 Gen 4. Is the only difference from the 19 and the 26 is that the 19 is bigger and can hold more rounds? Is the 19 more accurate than the 26 because its bigger?
The grip is slightly different on the Gen4. I'd doubt you'd be able to notice much difference between the two. I can (and regularly do) conceal my 19 just as easily as the 26 I had.
My usual carry is a Gen 3 G26 with a Pierce extension. There is not a big difference in carrying my Gen 3 G19, about 3 ounces heavier and a little more adjustment needed getting in and out of the car with the G19.
I shoot my G19 better than my G26. I shoot my Gen 4 G21 better than my G19 and my S&W Model 19 better than my G21. I shoot my AR better than any of my handguns, but I still carry the G26.
being able to get a better grip is more significant than the sight radius, and lends to me shooting the 19 better, especially if we are talking about drawing/moving/reloading/etc, not just static target shooting.
I had wanted a 26 for a long time... but I have so little trouble concealing the 19 I no longer have a desire for a 26. I'd rather go skinnier to make it more concealable and/or comfortable than shorter, which has me interested in trying a 43 (but not so interested I've actually gone shopping for one...).
I have both the 19 and 26 (as well as a few other 9mm glocks). I personally shoot the 26 better from the bench, but the 19 better at speed... go figure
I had a G27 and I currently have a Gen4 G19. I shot my G27 really well, it was very accurate. However, I carry my G19 100% off-duty now and sold my G27. I m just as accurate with my G19 and it holds 15+1. I have no issue concealing my G19, it was only slightly harder than my G27. It's a no brainer, carry the largest handgun I can conceal and shoot accurately. I think the G19 is Glock's best handgun.
I personally find no difference in accuracy between the G26 and G19. Like RVB mentioned it is really about the grip. My hands are small enough that a pinky extension on the G26 allows me to get all my fingers on the gun. I do shoot the G34/35 better but that has to do more with the lighter trigger and heavier gun.
OP if you want a G19 and have the cash then buy it. No reason to justify it. Not sure if that will work with your wife but that is for another thread. The beauty of Glocks are they all look alike and easy to hide multiple copies.
I have both and shoot the 19 better and find it about the same as the 26 to conceal. If I dress fancy I conceal the 26 with the flush baseplate. I like and always carry the same 17rnd mag as a back up for eathier. Get both, because America!