We take a look at some of Glock’s leading candidates to be your next concealed carry pistol. What separates them and which one might be the best fit for you?
If you’ve already made the decision to carry a Glock, congratulations! You’ll be joining the ranks of millions of defensive shooters around the globe. Not only does Glock manufacture some of the most popular duty pistols on the face of the planet, but they also make some kick-ass options for civilian personal protection.
Why Choose Glock for Concealed Carry?
Glock has a well-earned reputation for producing some of the most reliable (and affordable) handguns in the world. These rugged firearms are made from Polymer 2, a high-strength nylon-based polymer that was invented by Gaston Glock himself. This lightweight plastic was engineered for increased durability and is tougher than most steel alloys. Polymer 2 resists corrosion, moisture, temperature extremes, and shock.
Glock also engineered their popular semi-automatic pistols with fewer parts than other designs. Most other pistols are made with twice as many components as the standard Glock. That means Glock has fewer parts that can break or malfunction, adding another level of reliability.
The simple design and durable materials make Glock pistols practically idiot-proof. Without any special maintenance, Glock pistols can survive the habits of most careless gun owners. They operate reliably even when they’re wet, dirty, or neglected.
Pouring rain? No problem.
Drop it in the mud? It’s still going to shoot.
Plus, Glocks don’t need constant cleaning to keep them in peak operating condition.
Best Glocks for Concealed Carry
Right up top, we think it’s always a best practice to actually get out and shoot the gun you are thinking about carrying. No words on the internet can replace the feeling of the pistol in your hand while on the firing line. Also, it might make sense to grab a holster and “try the gun on.”
That said, if you value capacity and can comfortably carry it, there are tons of American shooters relying on the Glock 19 for concealed carry. It’s an awesome choice for concealed carry.
If you don’t want something so big and don’t mind to give up capacity? We recommend the Glock 43. Read on if you want to learn more about Glock’s best concealed carry options and how the differ.
Glocks come in a range of models, and some are definitely more concealable than others. If you’re new to the world of Glocks, cutting through the noise to find their most concealable models can take some effort. Don’t worry. We’re here to help.
We’ve highlighted some of Glock’s best offerings for concealed carry to help you find the model that will work best for you. There definitely isn’t a one-size-fits-all CCW. Ultimately it’s up to you to find what you can shoot with proficiency and what best fits your carry style. However, we sincerely believe this list will help you find your dream CCW Glock.
Glock 19
Although the G19 is a tad on the hefty side in the world of concealed-carry pistols, there are solid reasons this is the most popular CCW sidearm on the market today. The G19 is a reliable, well-rounded pistol. It has an ergonomic design and enough substance for easy handling, even for inexperienced shooters. It’s slightly smaller (and more concealable) than Glock’s full-size sidearm (the Glock 17), but large enough to minimize recoil and muzzle rise for faster, more accurate follow-up shots.
Compared to the G17, the G19 only sacrifices two rounds. With a 15-plus-one round capacity, the double-stack G19 holds a better-than-average round count (as far as concealed carry weapons go). And every single round counts in a self-defense situation, especially since magazine changes can prove problematic for casual shooters, especially in high-adrenaline shooting situations.
The double-stack design (which provides that ample round capacity) can also be a potential drawback. Because the G19 holds its cartridges in two staggered columns, it has a fairly chunky grip. That ample width can be difficult for some carriers to conceal, especially under form-fitting clothes or gauzy materials.
However, the almost insane popularity of the Glock 19 has produced a vast number of holsters and accessories for this pistol. There is no shortage of holster selection for this model, some of them designed specifically to minimize printing.
The Specs:
Cartridge: 9mm
Capacity: 15 + 1
Length: 7.36 inches
Width: 1.26 inches
Height: 5.04 inches
Barrel length: 4.02 inches
Weight fully loaded: 30.16 ounces
Glock 26
For their model 26, Glock basically took all the functionality of the G19 and shrunk it down to the size and weight of a small snub-nose revolver. Its ultra sub-compact size makes the G26 (affectionately dubbed the “Baby Glock”) much easier to conceal.
However, concealment is only part of the CCW equation. Ultimately, you need a weapon you can shoot accurately. The real work takes place after your pistol leaves concealment to confront a dangerous threat. And the lighter weight, shorter sight radius, and limited grip make the G26 slightly more difficult to shoot accurately. However, at self-defense ranges, most shooters shouldn’t see a huge difference.
The internet is full of “experts” claiming this pint-sized pistol is perfect for small hands. Don’t listen to them. Small hands don’t require a small pistol. In fact, smaller shooters (who logically also have small hands) often shoot significantly better with a larger pistol. Small handguns tend to have snappier recoil, which can be difficult for small-handed shooters to tame. A handgun with some extra real estate on the grip will feel more stable in the hand, even if that hand is dainty.
That being said, if you have big, beefy palms, you’ll be hard-pressed to fit all your fingers on this grip. Thankfully, there are some awesome grip extensions on the market that basically solve the problem.
The Specs:
Cartridge: 9mm
Capacity: 10 + 1
Length: 6.5 inches
Width: 1.26 inches
Height: 4.17 inches
Barrel length: 3.43 inches
Weight fully loaded: 25.75 ounces
Glock 43
If you thought the G26 was small, the Glock 43 is even more petite. This model definitely pushes the boundaries of size while still managing to maintain most of Glock’s practical shootability.
There’s not a lot of acreage on the G43’s grip, which can cause some issues with keeping a sturdy hold on the firearm through successive shots. Glock addressed the problem by adding a built-in beaver tail that helps you maintain a high and tight grip. The grip surface also features aggressive texturing to prevent the weapon from slipping around in your hands, even when your palms are sweaty.
Not only does the G43 have limited grip space, but it also has a shorter barrel and weighs a meager 20.64 ounces fully loaded. Any time you diminish a handgun’s size and weight, you also diminish how well it handles. Shooters should expect wilder recoil, and the shorter sight radius will certainly have some effect on precision, especially at extended ranges.
At barely over an inch wide, the single-stack G43 has one of the slimmest profiles on the market. If you need a pistol that virtually disappears under everything in your wardrobe, this is it.
The Specs:
Cartridge: 9mm
Capacity: 6 + 1
Length: 6.26 inches
Width: 1.06 inches
Height: 4.25 inches
Barrel length: 3.41
Weight fully loaded: 20.64 ounces
Glock 42
If you want to go even smaller than the G43, the Glock 42 is the smallest Glock on the block. It has a slim, single-stack profile that makes this pistol perfect for deep concealment. This baby is less than an inch thick and weighs less than a pound, even with a full magazine!
While the G42 pocket pistol disappears like magic, it has all the regular shortcomings of a mouse gun. Its wee dimensions make getting a stable grip nearly impossible, even if you have average size hands. The good news is, there’s practically zero recoil thanks to its .380 Auto chambering.
Honestly, for a micro pistol, this one shoots surprisingly well. Just don’t expect it to shoot as nicely as the Glock 19. This is not a precision pistol and you won’t be making any 50-yard shots.
As we mentioned, the G42 shoots .380 Auto, which isn’t typically a defensive shooter’s first choice. And since this model only holds six-plus-one rounds, it makes a better backup pistol than a go-to EDC weapon.
The Specs:
Cartridge: .380 Auto
Capacity: 6 + 1
Length: 5.94 inches
Width: .98 inches
Height: 4.13 inches
Barrel length: 3.25 inches
Weight fully loaded: 15.87 ounces
Glock 32
If you want to diverge from the masses, and feel drawn to the newer .357 Sig, there’s a concealed carry Glock for you, too. The compact G32 has dimensions identical to the G19, only it’s chambered for .357 Sig. Place these two pistols next to each other, and you’ll have to look pretty close to tell them apart.
The Specs:
Cartridge: .357 Sig
Capacity: 13 + 1
Length: 7.36 inches
Width: 1.26 inches
Height: 5.04 inches
Barrel length: 4.02 inches
Weight: 30.34 ounces
Final Thoughts
While each of the Glocks on our list work generally well for concealed carry, you won’t be able to find the best one for you by simply reading about it. Getting your hands on a few of these models and sending lead downrange is the only surefire way to see which one suits you.
Ultimately, you want a CCW you can carry with confidence, shoot with proficiency, and conceal comfortably. Find a Glock friend willing to let you shoot or a range that rents them. The best way to find your perfect match is to take them for a thorough test drive.
