Glock has a seemingly endless offering of pistol models out now, so which one is best for carrying concealed? For the sake of time, I’m going to assume you have already decided on Glock as the brand of pistol you want to purchase. There are a ton of manufacturers out there that make great products and Glock is one of them. So, I won’t waste any time debating brand, but instead, we will discuss a few CCW-specific Glock models: the Glock 19, 48, 43, and 43X.
These models are chambered in 9mm Luger, and I chose these models specifically because the 9mm cartridge has become the most popular choice for CCW. There are benefits to larger and smaller calibers, so I’ll mention some other models as well. But we will focus primarily on the most popular 9mm Glock models and discuss the pros and cons of each one.
Things to Consider When Purchasing a Gun
The first thing to consider is how you want to carry your gun. This will help you select what model works best for you. The Glock 19 is considered “compact,” but it’s not that much smaller than a lot of full-size guns. Many shooters prefer IWB (inside the waist band) holsters because they provide the most concealment. Some like to use OWB (outside the waist band) holsters like a paddle, pancake, or other belt holster.
There are also shoulder holsters, ankle holsters, backpacks, fanny packs, and purses. At my agency, Glock 19s are issued as duty weapons to those not in uniform positions. This includes admin staff, detectives, etc. A Glock 19 is great for carrying on an OWB holster or shoulder holster. It doesn’t mean you can’t conceal the G19, but it’s a bit on the thick side when using an IWB holster. The G19 is also the largest pistol of the four mentioned above.
The second thing to consider is your clothing. The clothes you wear can help hide or expose a weapon. Wearing a suit, jacket, or coat makes a big difference in concealment. During the winter, I wear full-size weapons on a belt holster because my coat covers them up.
Glock 19
When the Glock 19 was released, it was considered the compact version of the Glock 17. Glock basically took the G17 and gave it a shorter barrel and a smaller frame. Some people can pull off carrying a G19 inside the waistband, but it’s still a pretty bulky gun for that purpose. It’s easy to shoot because it has more weight than the others (weight reduces kick). But it also means carrying a heavier gun around, too. I like carrying a G19 on a belt or shoulder holster the most. It also works well in a backpack too. When carrying larger framed guns, you may also have to wear looser clothing to accommodate the pistol.
Best for
- Belt holsters, shoulder holsters, and backpacks
- Wearing under a suit, jacket, coat, or baggy shirt
- Large hands
Glock 48
I was excited when Glock introduced the Model 48 because the slide is the same length as the Glock 19, but it runs on a G43x frame, so it’s easier and more comfortable to conceal. It’s an excellent choice if you want something a little larger than a micro-compact pistol but smaller than a G19. I have one that I carry on occasion with an IWB holster. But I’ve also found it works great on OWB and shoulder holsters.
Because the length is about the same as a G19, it’s a good in-between gun if the G19 is just a little too big for what you want. Even though it’s thinner, I perform about the same on the range as I do with my G19. One downside, however, is the magazine capacity. Because the Glock 48 uses a single stack mag, it only holds 10 rounds. You can buy an aftermarket kit that allows it to use 15-round metal mags, but the mag catch and release need to be changed and upgraded to steel or aluminum parts.
Best for
- IWB holsters, belt holsters, shoulder holsters, and backpacks
- Wearing under a loose-fitting shirt
Glock 43x
The Glock 43x came after the G43 but has become a popular choice for CCW fans. Using the same slide as the G43, the 43x has a longer magwell and grip. This means the single-stack magazine can hold 10 rounds as opposed to the G43’s anemic 6-round magazine. As mentioned above, the Glock 43x uses the same frame as the G48 but has a shorter slide and barrel. This keeps the grip a little larger than micro-compact guns but sports a smaller profile that’s ideal for use with IWB holsters. There are some downsides to shorter barrels and overall smaller guns, however.
With the reduced weight, the gun will have more recoil and less accuracy. Recoil can affect speed, comfort, and accuracy, but again, this is a gun made for CCW. Most personal defense encounters with a gun take place at less than seven yards. Long-range accuracy is not what this gun was intended for. If you want a gun with a solid grip, and shorter barrel but is still large enough to handle, it’s a great choice for CCW.
Best for
- IWB holsters
- Loose-fitting or winter-weather clothing
- Medium to large hands
- General purpose CCW carrying
Glock 43
If you want the most compact 9mm that Glock manufactures, the G43 is the gun for you. The slide is the same as the G43x, but the frame is much smaller. This helps when you may be wearing summertime clothing or if you need the lightest gun possible. The Glock 43 holds less ammo than any of the above models and it also has the most felt recoil or kick. Because there is less grip surface area to hold on to, it can also make the G43 a bit uncomfortable to shoot. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a bad shooting gun, but when compared to the others, the G43 is not the most comfortable to shoot.
However, despite a few disadvantages, you get the advantage of a compact gun that is the easiest to conceal of them all. Mag extensions and aftermarket mags are available for the G43, but if you want more ammo and a longer grip, I’d just go with the G43x.
Best for
- IWB holsters, purses, fanny packs, and backpacks
- Year-round carry
- Small hands
- Deep concealment
Which one is best for you?
When you are picking between a few guns like this, there’s not a right or wrong answer. The answer is the one that works best for you. If you want to consider other calibers, Glock also makes guns in plenty of other calibers. For example, the G43 is great for ultimate concealability. But if you are worried about the recoil from such a small gun, the G42 is about the same size but chambered in .380. After deciding how you would like to carry a gun, find the Glock that allows you to carry it that way while keeping it concealed. Just about any gun store will have multiple Glock handguns, and most will let you hold them and see which size works for you. Regardless of which one you pick, you will have a gun that is reliable, and perfectly capable of self-defense.
