XD Tactical Grip Chop
 

I've always questioned why sub compact grip guns always get subcompact slides. Short slides are all disadvantage (accuracy, velocity, sight radius, recoil) with very minimal added conceal-ability, compared to how much of a difference the shorter grip makes.

So when I heard about grip chops, I decided I had to do it. I have some 'making of' pictures somewhere but here's crappy pictures of the almost-finished product. I still need to clean up the magwell angles slightly and deburr everything, but it's functional with both magazines, and matches the stock dimensions of a subcompact exactly.

So, now I get to decide. Do I want to a full-size grip and 16 rounds?
http://i.imgur.com/ekdZ0.jpg

Or do I want a compact grip, and 13 rounds?
http://i.imgur.com/qTWB5.jpg

Glock 34 with a 26 Grip. Interesting.

First thoughts:

What will be your carry load? Small mag with 1 or 2 full size reloads?

Are you permanently attaching the mag sleeves for this gun?

Can the mag sleeve shift and prevent proper insertion?

Yes, exactly! The Glock guys definitely started it. XD guys chopping the Service (4") down to subcompact length is semi common, enough so that Springfield released a compact grip/full size slide varient of the XD45, but as far as I know, I'm the only Tactical guy to chop.

Well, I have three 13 round mags and four 16 rounders, so I could do one or two full size or compact mags as the reload, depending on how I decide to carry them. Going from 16 to 13 really isn't that much of a sacrifice, so a lot of the time I'll probably just carry the compacts.

The sleeves are slip-on, I suppose I could glue them but there's no real benefit. There isn't any way they could prevent insertion without some serious mud or something, they're close-fitting hard plastic, same material as the grip, and even if they slid up, a slightly-more-aggressive-than-normal 'tap' would seat them. They are one of the reasons I did this, as they're like $8 from Springfield. For gun games I'll probably still run 16 rounders.

Yeah, Pearce Grip makes the exact same thing for the Glock. I suppose they're appealing if you're carrying a G26 and want to reload with a G17 mag. Perhaps going from "covert" to "hand filler" is appealing, especially if you have to carry a reload anyway. Indexing a G26 mag can prove difficult given how stout (stubby little bastards) they are and how low they sit in most traditional kydex mag pouches. I use a Glock 34 for gun games and a Glock 19 with 15 round mags for carry. It's the happy medium for now. I would like a G26 for carry (Glock: collect 'em all!) but I can't justify the few hundred dollars it would take for something I'd barely use for two months a year.

That and try hiding a pistol on your hip when you weigh 165. I don't need a chopped grip, I need a Robocop thigh compartment. :(

It's a novel idea and I think it's pretty nifty, but does it throw off the weight distribution on the gun? I've never tried one like that, I've only seen pictures of these mods online.

I've heard people prefer the grip extensions, but I don't see any advantage to them. You can pinch the skin of your lower fingers between them and the magwell if you're not careful reloading. A friend of mine uses one for 15 round spare mags on his G30, and I've had trouble seating mags in the gun if the sleeve rides up a little bit. I'm not a fan. I carry full sized mags in compacts and subcompacts without the grip sleeve. Some people have problems with feed issues when they grip a fullsize mag in a little gun without the sleeve on, but I regularly shoot with my mags and haven't had that issue.

A 26 is a lot easier to conceal than the 19. It's similar in size to a J frame, only blockier. Trying before buying to make sure you can conceal it is probably a good idea with that too though. What holster/belt combo do you use for CCW?

The chop looks great, though it seems to me that it would be easier to conceal something with an extra inch of frame than it would be to conceal an extra inch of barrel - even if you're rocking it IWB. Any issues?

Dude, you've got to be hungrier than a boatload of Haitians if you can't conceal a G19.

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Check out FIST, Inc kydex holsters. Much thinner and stronger than leather with no deformation. FWIW, I have rocked them at work and play and have been 100% satisfied. I'm a big dude, though I have no problems concealing a G26, 19,17,20, M9. Will post pics of when I sober up and remember this post.

I can conceal one just fine, and do from time to time. The 26 is smaller though, which makes it easier to conceal.