8 Best Glocks For Concealed Carry
Glock makes some of the most widely carried pistols in the U.S., but the lineup changed in 2025 and 2026: many older models were discontinued, the G17, G19, G26 and G45 moved to V-series versions, and Gen6 pistols arrived. This guide compares the eight Glocks we think make the most sense for concealed carry today, using GLOCK’s published specifications.
Editorial note: Firsthand observations in this guide come from the site’s original owner, Corey Rawlins. Specifications are GLOCK’s published figures, and all weights are with an empty magazine. Every pistol listed was shown in stock at Palmetto State Armory on October 26, 2026; availability and prices change often. We may earn a commission from purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
Read Ultimate Guide To Concealed Carry
Quick Picks
- Best overall: Glock 19 V
- Best slim 9mm: Glock 43X
- Slim frame, longer slide: Glock 48
- Smallest 9mm: Glock 43
- Short grip, double-stack magazines: Glock 26 V
- Full-size grip, compact slide: Glock 45 V
- Smallest and lightest (.380 ACP): Glock 42
- Full-size: Glock 17 V
Before you carry: plan for the legal side. A self-defense incident can bring legal costs even when you acted lawfully. Carry insurance and legal-defense memberships differ a lot in what they cover, when they pay, and whether they cover criminal and civil defense. Compare them in our concealed carry insurance guide before you choose.
Gen5, V or Gen6?
In 2025 GLOCK discontinued a long list of U.S. models, including the G29 and G30 families, and introduced V-series versions of models such as the G17, G19, G26 and G45. In January 2026 it added Gen6 versions of the G17, G19, G45 and G49, with a reshaped grip, a thumb rest, a flat-faced trigger and an optic-ready slide. The slimline G42, G43, G43X and G48 remain in the lineup.
Gen6 barrels are not interchangeable with earlier generations, and holster fit can differ, so confirm the exact model and generation before you buy a holster or parts. If you want a Gen6, Palmetto State Armory lists the Glock 45 Gen6.
Glock Concealed Carry Comparison
| Model | Caliber | Standard capacity | Barrel | Weight (empty magazine) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glock 19 V | 9mm | 15 | 4.02 in | 23.63 oz |
| Glock 43X | 9mm | 10 | 3.41 in | 18.70 oz |
| Glock 48 | 9mm | 10 | 4.17 in | 20.74 oz |
| Glock 43 | 9mm | 6 | 3.41 in | 17.99 oz |
| Glock 26 V | 9mm | 10 | 3.43 in | 21.69 oz |
| Glock 45 V | 9mm | 17 | 4.02 in | 22.93 oz |
| Glock 42 | .380 ACP | 6 | 3.25 in | 13.76 oz |
| Glock 17 V | 9mm | 17 | 4.49 in | 23.63 oz |
The Best Glocks For Concealed Carry
1. Glock 19 V
Compact 9mm: 4.02-inch barrel and a 15-round standard magazine, per Glock.
V Series: Glock’s V-series update of the G19.
Front Serrations: Front slide serrations for press checks and manipulation.
Magazines: This PSA listing includes three 15-round magazines.
The Glock 19 is the benchmark compact 9mm: a 4.02-inch barrel and a 15-round standard magazine in a frame that many people can conceal inside the waistband with a good holster and belt. Its popularity means wide support for holsters, sights, magazines and training. GLOCK lists the same barrel length, width, capacity and empty-magazine weight for the G19 V that it published for the Gen5 G19.
The trade-off is width. At 1.34 inches it is noticeably thicker than Glock’s slimline models, which matters for appendix carry and lighter clothing.
Best for: one pistol for carry, range practice and home defense.
Carry setup: Compare options in our Glock 19 holster guide. Tulster’s Profile IWB holster lists a fit for the Glock 19 family (including the 19X, 23 and 45) — select your exact pistol, optic and light at Tulster before ordering, and confirm the generation (Gen5, V or Gen6) matches. Pair any IWB holster with a stiff gun belt.
2. Glock 43X
The 43X pairs a slim 1.10-inch-wide slide and frame with a longer grip than the G43, so it holds a 10-round standard magazine and gives most hands room for a full grip. At 18.70 ounces with an empty magazine, it is lighter to carry all day than the G19. An optics-ready MOS version is also sold.
The trade-off is capacity: five fewer rounds than the G19 in the standard magazine.
Best for: carriers who put concealment first but don’t want a tiny pistol.
Carry setup: Compare options in our Glock 43 and 43X holster guide. Tulster’s Profile IWB holster lists a fit for the Glock 43, 43X and 43X MOS — select your exact pistol, optic and light at Tulster before ordering, and confirm the generation (Gen5, V or Gen6) matches. Pair any IWB holster with a stiff gun belt.
3. Glock 48
Slim 9mm: 1.10-inch overall width with a 4.17-inch barrel, per Glock.
Capacity: 10-round standard magazine.
Weight: 20.74 oz with an empty magazine, per Glock.
The G48 uses the slim 43X-size frame with a longer 4.17-inch barrel and slide. The longer sight radius can make it easier to shoot accurately, while the 1.10-inch width still conceals well. Many carriers find a longer slide easier to hide inside the waistband than a longer grip. GLOCK lists it at 20.74 ounces with an empty magazine.
Best for: a slim pistol that handles more like a compact.
Carry setup: Compare options in our concealed carry holster guide. Tulster’s Profile IWB holster lists a fit for the Glock 48 and 48 MOS — select your exact pistol, optic and light at Tulster before ordering, and confirm the generation (Gen5, V or Gen6) matches. Pair any IWB holster with a stiff gun belt.
4. Glock 43
Single-Stack 9mm: 1.06-inch overall width and 6.26-inch overall length, per Glock.
Capacity: 6-round standard magazine.
Weight: 17.99 oz with an empty magazine, per Glock.
The G43 is Glock’s smallest 9mm, at 6.26 inches long and 1.06 inches wide, with a 6-round standard magazine. It is the easiest 9mm Glock here to hide under light clothing. The cost is capacity and a short grip that some shooters find harder to control.
Best for: deep concealment in 9mm.
Carry setup: Compare options in our Glock 43 and 43X holster guide. Tulster’s Profile IWB holster lists a fit for the Glock 43, 43X and 43X MOS — select your exact pistol, optic and light at Tulster before ordering, and confirm the generation (Gen5, V or Gen6) matches. Pair any IWB holster with a stiff gun belt.
5. Glock 26 V
Subcompact 9mm: 3.43-inch barrel and 6.42-inch overall length, per Glock.
Capacity: 10-round standard magazine; this PSA listing includes three magazines.
Weight: 21.69 oz with an empty magazine, per Glock.
Often called the “Baby Glock,” the G26 shrinks the double-stack 9mm design to a 3.43-inch barrel and 6.42-inch overall length. It holds 10 rounds in its standard magazine and also accepts longer G19 and G17 magazines, which makes it a natural backup or carry companion for G19 owners.
The trade-off: at 1.30 inches wide it is thicker than the 43X, which holds the same 10 rounds in its standard magazine.
Best for: G19 owners who want a shorter grip with shared magazines.
Carry setup: Compare options in our concealed carry holster guide. Tulster’s Profile IWB holster lists a fit for the Glock 26 (and 27, 28 and 33) — select your exact pistol, optic and light at Tulster before ordering, and confirm the generation (Gen5, V or Gen6) matches. Pair any IWB holster with a stiff gun belt.
6. Glock 45 V
Crossover Design: Full-size grip with a compact-length 4.02-inch barrel, per Glock.
Capacity: 17-round standard magazine; this PSA listing includes three magazines.
Weight: 22.93 oz with an empty magazine, per Glock.
The G45 combines a full-size, G17-length grip with the G19’s 4.02-inch barrel and slide, plus a 17-round standard magazine. The long grip makes it easier to hold, shoot and reload. Grip length is the hardest dimension to conceal, though, so it suits larger frames, outside-the-waistband carry or cooler-weather clothing.
Best for: carriers who want capacity and control and can conceal a full-size grip.
Carry setup: Compare options in our Glock 19 holster guide. Tulster’s Profile IWB holster lists a fit for the Glock 19 family (including the 45) — select your exact pistol, optic and light at Tulster before ordering, and confirm the generation (Gen5, V or Gen6) matches. Pair any IWB holster with a stiff gun belt.
7. Glock 42
The G42 is the smallest and lightest Glock on this list, at 5.94 inches long and 13.76 ounces with an empty magazine. It is chambered in .380 ACP, which has milder recoil than 9mm but less energy, and it holds 6 rounds in its standard magazine.
Best for: deep concealment and recoil-sensitive shooters. Compare more options in our best .380 pistols guide.
Carry setup: Compare options in our concealed carry holster guide. Tulster’s Profile IWB holster lists a fit for the Glock 42 — select your exact pistol, optic and light at Tulster before ordering, and confirm the generation (Gen5, V or Gen6) matches. Pair any IWB holster with a stiff gun belt.
8. Glock 17 V
Full-Size 9mm: 4.49-inch barrel and 7.95-inch overall length, per Glock.
Capacity: 17-round standard magazine; this PSA listing includes three magazines.
Weight: 23.63 oz with an empty magazine, per Glock.
The G17 is Glock’s original full-size 9mm, with a 4.49-inch barrel, 7.95-inch overall length and 17-round standard magazine. It is the hardest pistol on this list to conceal. Some carriers make it work with a quality holster, a stiff belt and looser clothing, but for most people it is a better fit as a home-defense or range pistol.
Best for: larger carriers who prioritize capacity and sight radius.
Carry setup: Compare options in our concealed carry holster guide. Tulster’s Profile IWB holster lists a fit for the Glock 17 (and 22, 31, 47 and 49) — select your exact pistol, optic and light at Tulster before ordering, and confirm the generation (Gen5, V or Gen6) matches. Pair any IWB holster with a stiff gun belt.
About The Glock Brand
Since the Glock 17 was adopted by the Austrian military in the early 1980s, Glock’s polymer-frame, striker-fired pistols have become common choices for police and private citizens. Their appeal for concealed carry comes from simple controls, a consistent trigger, and a lineup that spans the subcompact G42 to the full-size G17.
Why Choose A Glock For Concealed Carry?
Reliability
Glock has a long reputation for durability. Like any pistol, a Glock should still be tested with your carry ammunition and maintained; no firearm is immune to malfunctions.
Simplicity
Glocks have minimal external controls and a consistent trigger pull from shot to shot. That simplicity can make training more straightforward, but it also means safe holstering and trigger discipline are essential.
Versatility
Because so many models share controls and, in many cases, magazines, it is easy to move between sizes. Holster, sight and accessory support is also broad for the most popular models.
Common Concealed Carry Mods Made To Glocks
Many owners customize their Glocks. Common changes include:
- Sights: night sights or fiber-optic front sights for better visibility.
- Optics: MOS, V MOS and Gen6 models accept red dot sights with the correct plates.
- Grip enhancements: stippling, grip tape or backstraps to improve control.
- Extended controls: magazine releases and slide stops that are easier to operate.
- Trigger upgrades: lighter or flatter triggers; think carefully before changing the trigger on a carry pistol and use a qualified gunsmith.
Any modification should be tested thoroughly so it does not compromise reliability or safety.
Glock Concealed Carry FAQ
Q: Which Glock is best for concealed carry?
A: For most people, the Glock 19 V for an all-around compact, or the Glock 43X for a slimmer pistol. The best choice is the one you can conceal comfortably and shoot well.
Q: What is the difference between a Gen5, V and Gen6 Glock?
A: The V series is GLOCK’s update to models such as the G17, G19, G26 and G45. Gen6 models, introduced in January 2026, add a reshaped grip, thumb rest and optic-ready slide. Check holster and parts compatibility for your exact generation.
Q: How should I carry my Glock concealed?
A: Inside-the-waistband and appendix carry are the most common methods. Read our guide to concealed carry positions.
Q: What are the best holsters for concealing a Glock?
A: Choose a holster made for your exact model, generation and any light or optic, with full trigger-guard coverage. Tulster’s Profile IWB lists fits for every Glock above. See our best concealed carry holsters guide.
Q: Can I carry a Glock without a holster?
A: It is strongly discouraged. A holster covers the trigger and keeps the pistol secure.
Q: What self-defense ammunition is best for a Glock?
A: Most carriers use quality jacketed hollow points such as Speer Gold Dot, Federal HST or Hornady Critical Defense. Test your choice in your pistol. Read our best self-defense ammo guide.
Q: Do I need insurance if I carry a Glock?
A: It is not required, but carrying any firearm for self-defense carries legal and financial risk. Read our concealed carry insurance comparison.
Q: How often should I train with my carry Glock?
A: Regularly. Combine live-fire practice with dry-fire drills so drawing and shooting stay familiar.
Related reading: Glock 19 Gen5 vs P365 XMacro : Specs Compared · Glock 43X: Concealed Carry Review · Glock 19 Gen 6 vs Gen 5: What Changed, Which to Buy, and Will Your Holster Fit? · Do Glocks Have a Safety? Glock Safe Action Explained · How to Install Glock Sights: Step-by-Step Guide
Conclusion
Choosing a Glock for concealed carry comes down to balancing size, capacity and caliber against your body type and wardrobe. The Glock 19 V is the best all-around choice, the 43X and 48 are the best slim options, and the G42 and G43 are the easiest to hide. The original owner, Corey Rawlins, carried a Glock 19 as his first concealed carry pistol and considered it his go-to.
Whatever you choose, pair it with a quality holster and belt, practice regularly and carry responsibly. For more options beyond Glock, see our best concealed carry guns guide.
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