Best Glocks for Concealed Carry
It is not enough to just choose Glock’s smallest firearm; rather, you should look for a Glock with a combination of shootability, concealability, and super reliable performance.
Glock has been expanding its selection of guns rather than just producing copies of their popular guns, creating many more options for daily concealed carry than ever before.
This is a detailed guide to all the Glock models that stand out this year, with a special focus on real-world usability, comfort, and building confidence for those who carry guns every day, whether you are an experienced concealed carry permit holder or a new permit holder looking to upgrade themselves.
Glocks for Concealed Carry: Quick List
- Glock 43X
- Glock 48
- Glock 26 (Gen5)
- Glock 43
- Glock 19 (Gen5)
- Glock 42
- Glock 45
Glocks for Concealed Carry: Comparison
| Model | Caliber | Capacity | Barrel Length | Slide/Frame Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glock 43X | 9 mm | 10+1 | ~3.41″ | Slim, compact |
| Glock 48 | 9 mm | 10+1 | ~4.17″ | Slim, longer slide |
| Glock 26 (Gen5) | 9 mm | 10+1 | ~3.43″ | Subcompact |
| Glock 43 | 9 mm | 6+1 | ~3.41″ | Subcompact |
| Glock 19 (Gen5) | 9 mm | 15+1 | ~4.02″ | Compact |
| Glock 42 | .380 ACP | 6+1 | ~2.94″ | Micro |
| Glock 45 | 9 mm | 17+1 | ~4.02″ | Compact/Full hybrid |
1. Glock 43X
The Glock 43X is the perfect compact gun; it has a slim profile and a full, comfortable grip. It holds 10 rounds, is light, and has easy-to-control recoil. Thus, it is one of the easiest Slimline Glocks to shoot.
With a longer grip than the original 43, it offers better balance. The slide is narrow and produces little printing. When carried in the real world, the Glock 43X has the right balance — large enough to hold onto, and small enough to hide under a T-shirt.
The Glock’s reliability and reputation continue, and there is a vast amount of aftermarket products available — including holsters, night sights, and optic-ready versions — giving shooters many options. This Glock is ideal for people who want an everyday carry of 9mm that’s thin, comfortable to shoot, and easy to conceal.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Slim and easy to conceal | Lower 10-rd capacity |
| Comfortable grip | Taller than micro guns |
| Easy to control | Not pocket-friendly |
| Reliable platform | Basic factory sights |
2. Glock 48
The Glock 48 represents an evolution of the Slimline concept by combining a thin profile with extended slide length, resulting in a gun that is not only concealable but has greater ease of operation than most compact guns. The longer barrel and sight radius improve accuracy, while the well-balanced design results in smoother recoil and quicker follow-up shots.
Like the 43X, the Glock 48 has the same 10-round magazine capacity and comfortable grip, but the added length and weight provide a more stable shooting platform. It is still lightweight and easy to carry throughout the day, and it fits both appendix and strong-side holsters well.
For concealed carriers looking for a slimmer firearm with controllability and shootability similar to or better than a standard gun, the Glock 48 offers a very good balance between size and performance.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Slim, concealment-friendly | 10-round capacity |
| Longer slide = better control | Slightly bigger to carry |
| Comfortable, stable grip | Not ideal for pocket carry |
| Smooth recoil | Basic factory sights |
3. Glock 26 (Gen5)
Glock has consistently produced reliable firearms, and the Glock 26 Gen5 is no exception. It is a subcompact 9mm handgun that has a compact design and a comfortable feel for concealed carry. With its small size, the Glock 26 Gen5 can be concealed under light clothing, making it a very easy firearm to conceal.
The Glock 26 Gen5 features many upgrades over the previous generations, including an improved trigger system, a flared magwell, and an ambidextrous slide stop, which have all contributed to making the Glock 26 Gen5 easier to shoot than previous Glock models.
The Glock 26 Gen5 has a standard capacity of 10 rounds, giving it an advantage over many micro-compact pistols due to its capacity. While the recoil may feel more pronounced than larger guns because of the size of the gun, the ergonomics and grip texture of the Glock 26 Gen5 help to make recoil manageable for most shooters.
There are many options for magazines that will fit the Glock 26 Gen5, making it very versatile for everyday carry and for non-carry shooting. If you want the maximum amount of concealable firepower without sacrificing reliability or the number of ammunition choices, the Glock 26 Gen5 is a time-tested and proven solution.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to conceal | Snappy recoil |
| Strong Gen5 upgrades | Short grip for larger hands |
| 10+1 standard capacity | Short sight radius |
| Works with larger Glock mags | Less comfortable for long shooting sessions |
4. Glock 43
The Glock 43 is a compact 9mm/380 that has been designed to allow maximum concealability. The slim profile provides for an easy concealment option and fits into most clothing layers worn every day, especially for those individuals who value having the smallest footprint possible while carrying.
Although the capacity of 6+1 is less than that of several modern-day concealed carry pistols, the benefits of having a smaller and lighter weapon allow for it to be carried without having the appearance of being carried on one’s person.
Due to its weight, the recoil may feel somewhat sharper than with heavier firearms, but most shooters can control the recoil by maintaining a firm grip and the proper firing stance.
The Glock name is synonymous with dependability and reliability; therefore, there are plenty of aftermarket holsters and accessories available on the market. If you are looking for a straightforward, reliable 9mm firearm that is very good for deep concealment, the Glock 43 continues to be popular among many firearm owners.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Extremely easy to conceal | Low 6+1 capacity |
| Slim and lightweight | Snappy recoil |
| Very reliable | Short grip for many hands |
| Wide holster support | Basic factory sights |
5. Glock 19 (Gen5)
Among many other 9mm handguns available today, the Glock 19 Gen5 is one of the best choices available in terms of versatility, shooting comfort, and sheer capacity. The size of the gun is larger than smaller, micro-compact-sized handguns, but it will still fit easily into concealable holsters with the use of the correct clothing.
Updated for the latest generation of the Glock firearm series (Gen5), the Glock 19 Gen5 has many new advancements, including: smoother trigger; an ambidextrous slide stop, and the removal of finger grooves, which simplifies the grip, so it is now ergonomically designed for almost any size hand.
In the standard configuration, the Glock 19 Gen5 has a magazine capacity of 15+1 rounds, giving it more firepower than most sub-compact and slim-line models, and the combination of the excellent grip design and the predictable recoil makes the Glock 19 Gen5 pleasurable to shoot, both for first-time and experienced carriers alike.
Due to its size, the Glock 19 Gen5 is an excellent choice for a daily carry handgun for those who want the peace of mind knowing they possess a great defense tool, yet it is also suitable for range shooting as well as home defense.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent balance of size & capacity | Larger than micro-compacts |
| Reliable and proven platform | Slightly harder to conceal |
| Comfortable with good control | More weight than smaller carry guns |
6. Glock 42
The Glock 42 has an extremely small footprint and is designed for extreme ease of concealment, being the lightest, slimmest microcompact .380 ACP available today.
The .380 ACP round produces significantly less velocity and energy compared to the 9mm, but the trade-off is minimized recoil and the ability to conceal in an ultra-small package that slips under thin clothing.
In a minimalist package, the Glock 42 provides the same reliability that people have come to expect from Glock handguns. The standard 6+1 capacity isn’t particularly high compared to a 9mm handgun, but it’s still within the typical capacity range for microcompact firearms.
Both experienced and new shooters find the recoil to be mild and easily controlled. The grip of the Glock 42 does not allow for extended range sessions; however, it does a great job as a full-time concealed carry or “just for carry” gun.
Conclusion: The Glock 42 is ideal for people who wish to carry a firearm that is lightweight and provides the benefit of soft recoil for ease of control, while also being compact enough to carry without raising suspicions of other people.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Extremely small & lightweight | Lower stopping power (.380 ACP) |
| Easy deep concealment | 6+1 capacity |
| Mild recoil | Short grip for most hands |
| Reliable platform | Limited for sustained shooting |
7. Glock 45
The Glock 45 is designed with the comfort of the shooter in mind. Featuring a compact slide length and full-sized grip, it has enough control and comfort for most shooters.
It fires 9mm rounds and holds a total of 17+1 rounds, giving it more rounds than many compact carry pistols, but it also has a size that allows carrying with the right holster and clothing to be easy enough to conceal.
As you would expect with most 9mm pistols, the recoil is manageable, and it has features you would expect from a Gen5-style pistol (no finger grooves, ambidextrous slide stop), making it easy for many types of shooters to operate.
While it does not qualify as a micro-compact, the Glock 45 still strikes a balance between shootability and capacity without the full-size duty pistol size and is an excellent choice for the everyday carrier when concealment is not your only concern.
Best for carriers who prefer a high-capacity, easy-to-control 9mm and will carry it under a long-sleeve shirt or jacket when not in use.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| High capacity (17+1) | Larger footprint than micro-compacts |
| Comfortable full-size grip | Can print under light clothing |
| Excellent control | Not ideal for pocket carry |
| Great for range & defense | Heavier than smaller carry guns |
Final Thoughts
When deciding which Glock model to use for concealed carry, the most important factor to consider is what you value most, whether it’s size/weight, comfort, or magazine capacity. However, Glocks provide all of these characteristics; therefore, you should select the Glock model that you are able to comfortably carry, shoot with confidence, and depend on daily.
FAQs
Is Glock 19 good for concealed carry?
Yes. The Glock 19 balances size, capacity, and shootability, making it a very popular choice for concealed carry with the right holster and clothing.
Is the Glock 19 good for concealed carry?
Yes — it’s versatile and concealable for many shooters, offering reliable performance and enough rounds without being overly large.
Best 9mm Glock for beginners?
The Glock 19 is often recommended for beginners due to its manageable size, recoil, and capacity. For deeper concealment, the Glock 43X is also beginner‑friendly.
Best Glock for law enforcement?
Many agencies and officers favor the Glock 17 or Glock 19 for duty use. The Glock 19 is especially common due to its balance of size, capacity, and reliability.
