I Carry: Glock G26 Gen 5 in a T-Rex Arms Raptor Holster

Welcome to another episode of "I Carry," Shooting Illustrated's weekly video series covering the guns and gear needed to put together a potential everyday-carry kit. Today, we have a Glock G25 Gen 5 with a Meprolight FT Bullseye sight in a T.Rex Arms holster. We also have a Streamlight TLR-6 light and a  magazine carrier.

Glock G26 Gen 5 ($599)

As part of the company’s fifth-generation rollout, Glock enhanced its double-stack, sub-compact G26 with redesigned internals, a finger-groove-free frame and enhanced texturing. All this optimization makes the Gen 5 model leaps and bounds better than earlier Gen 3 and Gen 4 iterations, because the Gen 5 offers a better factory trigger pull, and the new ergonomics mean owners can obtain a better grip on the gun without being directed by the one-size-fits-none finger grooves on the frame.

How can Glock do all of this? Well, earlier models of the G26 were actually produced in Austria, so models had to adhere to a points-based import system that required guns to have a certain number of features. Since the shortened slide and frame subtracted points from the overall total, Glock had to add grooved “target grips” to the gun in order to make it legal. So, if you hated your Gen 3 or Gen 4 Glock, blame the government. Fortunately, these new Gen 5 models are made at the company’s Smyrna, Georgia facility, so this points-based import system no longer applies.

Streamlight TLR-6 ($178.50)

You’ll notice the Glock G26 lacks the accessory rail found on other Glock models, like the G17 or G19. So, to add a light and laser, we turned to Streamlight, which produces its TLR-6. This slim module actually secures solidly to the trigger guard of the G26, so you don’t need a rail to enjoy the benefits of a mounted light and laser.

There are a few nice features about the TLR-6 that set it apart from other frame-mounted lights and lasers. For one, the battery door is located on the bottom of the unit, so you can change batteries without having to remove or re-zero the laser. A number of modes are also available. You can run the module with both light and laser or either option on its own. To cycle through the modes, simply press the ambidextrous operation buttons simultaneously, and the TLR-6 remembers the mode you choose. A momentary-on option is also available.

T.Rex Arms Raptor ($85)

To carry this light-and-laser equipped Glock G26, we’re working with a T.Rex Arms Raptor holster. This is an all-Kydex design that’s actually constructed from thicker Kydex than you’re probably used to seeing. That’s because the company uses Kydex sheets that are two hundredths of an inch thicker than industry standard. They believe this offers an ideal level of durability while still remaining flexible and functional. For those who are interested in trying out appendix carry, this Raptor holster is what the company recommends, because its versatile design allows it to be carried in a traditional, strong-side IWB position as well.

When carried in the appendix position, though, the Raptor aids in concealment, thanks to the added wing located on the edge of the holster body. This wing pushes a holstered gun closer to the body, thereby reducing the chances of printing.

Meprolight FT Bullseye ($199)

Heading back to the gun, we’ve decided to give the innovative FT Bullseye sight from Meprolight a try. You might have noticed that the gun we’re using doesn’t actually have a front sight. No, we didn’t forget one! With the FT Bullseye, you actually don’t need a front sight. The optical design operates much like a red-dot, and the user simply aligns the tritium-illuminated dot inside a ring to get on target. You can really see the benefit of this system on a gun like the G26, which offers a much-shorter sight radius than other guns, leading to reduced precision at extended distances. With the FT Bullseye, sight radius is a thing of the past!

NeoMag Magazine Carrier ($44.99)

When carrying a sub-compact gun like the Glock G26, magazine capacity becomes more of a concern versus other options on the market. With a flush-fit magazine, the G26 only carries 11 rounds versus the 16 you get with a Glock G19. To carry a spare mag, we turned to NeoMag, a company that offers an innovative, magnetized carrier that allows you to keep a reload oriented correctly in your pocket. The carrier features a discreet pocket clip, along with a textured, rubberized pad that secures the unit inside the pocket. This ensures the carrier stays in place while you draw your reload. However, since the magnet requires the metal liner of a factory Glock mag, your Magpul PMags won’t work with this kit, unfortunately.