Best G43 Holsters [IWB, OWB, AIWB, & More]

If you ask around, a lot of shooters will swear that the Glock 43 is the perfect concealed carry and EDC pistol. It’s small, light, easy to keep out of sight, and famously reliable.

There are so many G43 holsters out there that the choices are overwhelming.

That’s why I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know to pick out a holster for your Glock 43, Glock 43X, or Glock 43X MOS that works with your lifestyle and budget.

THE QUICK LIST

1. Best Overall

   Tenicor Certum3

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2. Best Budget

   Rounded Gear IWB Kydex Holster

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3. Best Hybrid

   Hidden Hybrid Holsters

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4. Best Shoulder Holster

   Galco Shoulder Holsters

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5. Best OWB

   Blackhawk T-Series L2C

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6. Best Protection

   Safariland Species

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7. Best Sidecar

   CrossBreed Holsters Rogue System

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Types of Glock 43 Holsters

In addition to learning about specific holster manufacturers and models, you need to know where on your body you’ll be carrying your Glock 43.

There are lots of options because the G43 is so small and easy to conceal. Let us help you understand what the differences are and why you should pick one over another.

Keep in mind that you’ll probably end up collecting several holsters, so don’t feel pressured to buy the one and only right now.

Outside the Waistband Holsters

OWB holsters attach to your belt and typically rest on your hip.

This style is particularly common in TV shows and movies because it’s an easy way of saying, “Look, this character is armed.” In real life, it’s less popular for the same reason.

While OWB holsters are one of the more comfortable holster types and keep your firearm in an easy-to-access position, they print (make a visible bulge in your outer garment) easily, so they’re difficult to conceal.

People often choose an OWB holster if they’re carrying a full-size pistol that’s impractical to conceal inside your pants. Do you want to stuff a .357 Mag revolver or 1911 in there? Me neither.

Inside the Waistband Holsters

IWB holsters attach to your belt but fit inside your pants, skirt, or whatever apparel you choose to cover your bottom half.

These are the most popular choice for concealed carry because they don’t print as much as other holsters.

A subset of the IWB holster is AIWB (appendix inside the waistband). These work the same way except you wear then on the front of your belt line instead of on a hip. Some AIWB holsters have a sidecar-style magazine carrier to give you double the round count.

Shoulder Holsters

If you’ve ever watched a spy flick or police procedural, then you’ve seen a shoulder holster.

They look badass and have been popular among plainclothes law enforcement officers for ages, but they get mixed reviews these days.

They conceal well when worn over a shirt and under a jacket, but only as long as you keep your jacket on.

Be mindful of how the pistol is oriented in a shoulder holster, too. Many shoulder holsters position the barrel horizontally, which means you’ll be sweeping everyone behind you when you draw. Some shooting ranges don’t allow them for this reason.

Ankle Holsters

Ankle holsters aren’t a popular first choice for a primary weapon, but many people who carry a backup gun carry theirs in an ankle holster.

Ankle holsters are uncomfortable because you’re essentially wearing an ankle weight on one leg. They’re also not easy to get to.

Women-Specific Holsters

While women can absolutely carry any of the holster types above, there are also holster types that are particularly designed for women. Thigh holsters, purses with built-in holsters, and holsters designed to be switched between bags provide options for clothing that rules out other kinds of holsters.

Don’t miss our ultimate women’s guide to guns!

How to Choose a Glock 43

Every holster’s job is to hold your firearm when you aren’t using it, but that doesn’t mean just any holster will do. Your holster is also responsible for securing your pistol, preventing accidental discharge, and making sure you can quickly draw it when needed.

Before you buy a holster, check a few factors to ensure that it can adequately do all that.

Comfort

Comfort may seem secondary to some of the things we’ll talk about next, but don’t underestimate how much it matters.

If a holster isn’t comfortable, you probably won’t actually wear it, and that defeats the purpose. The best holster is one you’ll wear.

Try on any potential holster before you buy or shop with retailers that allow exchanges and returns.

Make sure it doesn’t rub as you go through normal motions. Even minor rubbing can cause irritation, bruises, or blisters over time, so avoid it altogether.

This is especially important with holsters made of hard materials like Kydex. You could probably get away with a bit of rubbing from a softer material like leather, especially if you’ll have a layer, of clothing between your skin and the holster.

Also, make sure that the holster not only is secure, but that it feels secure and gives you confidence. If you’re constantly touching your holster to make sure it’s secure, you’ll draw unwanted attention and give yourself away to anyone who knows what to look for.

Retention

Retention just means that your gun won’t fall out of your holster, even if you turn it totally upside down.

Holsters use active retention, passive retention, or both to do that.

An active retention system requires the user to engage and disengage the retention system. This could be a thumb break or strap that keeps the gun in the holster and needs to be released for you to draw the weapon.

Passive retention holsters rely on friction to keep your pistol where it belongs. These holsters may have screws you can turn to tweak how snug they are.

While your gun should definitely stay firmly in your holster when not in use, you should also be able to quickly draw it when you need it.

Concealment

Concealability depends on the holster type, shape, and material, as well as your build and the clothing you wear. Fortunately for you, the subcompact Glock 43 is easy to live with.

A lot of this comes down to the holster itself. Is it unnecessarily bulky? Are there sharp edges that will create an outline on your clothes?

Some holsters have features like claw attachments or shims that let you fine-tune how they fit to keep the muzzle and magazine well pressed against your body.

Trigger Coverage

Every holster needs to cover the trigger to prevent accidental discharge.

There are some holsters out there that don’t offer adequate trigger coverage, and you need to avoid them like the plague.

There are too many great holsters to take that kind of risk.

Positive Grip

Positive grip just means that you should be able to draw your gun one-handed and be ready to shoot without adjusting your grip.

It may take some practicing to do this reliably in all positions and in close quarters, but it should at least be possible with your holster.

How We Test the Best G43 Holsters

There’s more to evaluating a holster than making sure it fits the Glock 43. To narrow down the list of contenders, we prioritized safety, comfort, retention, and features that make certain holsters stand out from the crowd.

We also included options for inside the waistband (IWB), outside the waistband (OWB), appendix carry (AIWB), and a few styles you might not be familiar with.

In many cases, we’ve gotten hands-on time with certain holsters. When that’s the case, we’re sure to point it out and share what we’ve learned while conducting range drills.

Best Glock 43 Holsters

1. Tenicor Certum3 – Best Overall

Pros

• Excellent dual belt clips
• Customizable fit
• Red dot-ready

Cons

• Expensive

Specs

• Style: IWB
• Material: Kydex
• Belt Clip: Metal (2)
• Optic-Compatible: Yes
• Weapon Light-Compatible: No

The Tenicor Certum3 isn’t cheap but it’s a holster you can rely on and trust for years of use.

Much like the Glock 43 variants, the holster appears simple but offers plenty of options for customization. This is an IWB or AIWB rig that can work in various positions as needed.

Shooters can adjust ride height by almost an inch total and rotate cant 30 degrees. This makes it easy to tailor for all shooters and body types.

With the versatile Tenicor Cetrum3, you’ll have no excuse not to carry.

You can keep your suppressor-height sights and red dot with the Certum3, too. The holster is built for the modern concealed carrier, including modern firearm accessories (check out the Tenicor Certum Lux2 if you like what you see but want to use a compact weapon light).

If you don’t mind the price, the Certum3 offers superior comfort and design.

2. Rounded Gear IWB Kydex Holster – Best Budget

Pros

• Simple
• Sturdy
• Affordable

Cons

• No bells, no whistles

Specs

• Style: IWB
• Material: Kydex
• Belt Clip: Fiber-reinforced synthetic
• Optic-Compatible: Yes
• Weapon Light-Compatible: No

You’ll see this holster recommended across the Pew Pew Tactical website because we pretty much all agree that it’s one of the better no-frills holsters out there.

The holster keeps your Glock 43 well protected and securely in place with durable Kydex construction, but it’s also very comfortable, has a low profile, and is super lightweight.

And you won’t have to break the bank to get it.

What’s your take on the Rounded Gear IWB G43 holster? Rate it below.

3. Hidden Hybrid Holsters – Best Hybrid

Pros

• Comfortable inner layer
• Rigid outer layer

Cons

• Not as robust as an all-Kydex holster

Specs

• Style: IWB
• Material: Kydex, leather
• Belt Clip: Varies
• Optic-Compatible: Varies
• Weapon Light-Compatible: No

It’s Hidden, It’s Hybrid! This became our catchphrase around the office while we were testing the HH holsters because it’s true. They are also comfy, but we couldn’t think of a fun way to add that to the catchphrase.

With Amish leather backing and a Kydex shell, these holsters deliver everything you need: solid retention, comfort, and long-lasting durability.

We’ve been very happy with every kind we’ve tried and we’ve tried a lot.

For the carry-friendly Glock G43, this is nearly perfect.

If you want to go even further with your hybrid load out, you can also grab some matching magazine holders!

4. Galco Classic Lite Shoulder Holster – Best Shoulder Holster

Pros

• Secret agent-approved
• Comfortable
• Accessible while seated

Cons

• Limited practicality
• Expensive

Specs

• Style: Shoulder
• Material: Leather
• Belt Clip: N/A
• Optic-Compatible: No
• Weapon Light-Compatible: No

If you want to feel like a character from an action movie, this is the holster to go with. The quality leather just oozes classic appeal.

It’s available for both right- and left-handed shooters, and the holster stays well-balanced thanks to dual magazine pouches and on the side across from the gun.

I like to say that shoulder holsters are the least tactical but most gangster options available. They’re not as fast to draw from as a Kydex IWB holster, but they are useful if you spend a lot of time at a desk or in the car.

Plus, they look awesome. Is that worth the premium price tag? Only you can decide.

5. Blackhawk T-Series L2C – Best OWB

Pros

• Active retention
• Rigid construction

Cons

• Bulky

Specs

• Style: OWB
• Material: Kydex
• Belt Clip: Kydex
• Optic-Compatible: Yes
• Weapon Light-Compatible: No

OWB and concealment often don’t go together, but sometimes, you need a good OWB holster for concealment. The Blackhawk T Series L2C is the one for the Glock 43.

This all-Kydex OWB holster features an active retention device to ensure your G43 stays put.

The T-Series holster uses a simple thumb release placed behind the gun that’s both safe and easy to defeat with a natural draw.

This is perfect for hiking, hunting, fishing, ATV riding, and other activities where a concealed firearm is needed but IWB holsters might be unnecessarily uncomfortable.

The T-Series L2C features excellent belt attachment options, including a Tek-Lok clip and a standard belt loop.

On top of that, the L2C accommodates optics.

6. Safariland Species – Best Protection

Pros

• Suede lining and Cordura wrap
• Great value
• Super comfortable

Cons

• Belt clip could be tighter

Specs

• Style: IWB
• Material: SafariLaminate
• Belt Clip: Polymer
• Optic-Compatible: Yes
• Weapon Light-Compatible: No

Safariland holsters are sometimes really pricy, but the Species is pleasantly affordable. More importantly, it does a great job of protecting your pistol.

This is a rigid SafariLaminate holster so it holds its shape and makes drawing and returning you pistol super easy, but it has a suede lining and a corder outer layer. That protects your pistol’s finish and reduces wear and tear on your clothing.

The sweat guard is also nice and high to prevent your pistol from rubbing you raw and keep perspiration from getting into your pistol.

The clip isn’t quite as vice-like as metal ones but it works and you can adjust the holster’s can’t to any angle you please.

Safariland builds the Species for the Glock 43, Glock 43X, and Glock 43X MOS but you can’t use it with a weapon light.

7. Crossbreed Holsters Rogue – Best Sidecar

Pros

• Optional magazine carrier
• Flexible sidecar setup
• Super secure fit

Cons

• Bulky compared to a lot of IWB holsters

Specs

• Style: AIWB
• Material: Kydex
• Belt Clip: Varies
• Optic-Compatible: Yes
• Weapon Light-Compatible: Yes (Glock 43X MOS only)

The Crossbreed Rogue is more than just a holster; it’s a system. You can mount an optional magazine pouch to make it a sidecar-style AIWB rig or run it solo for a low profile.

By itself, the Rogue can be used for either IWB or AIWB carry.

The Rogue isn’t the smallest setup, but it is super comfy with two clips to keep the holster secure on your belt (in the sidecar configuration). A full-length sweat guard protects you and your gun’s finish.

The Rogue offers plenty of customization options with the ability to use different clips, loops, or whatever else you could want – including the ability to adjust cant and height as well.

If you want to carry a spare magazine, the Rogue is one of the easiest-wearing sidecar holsters out there

8. PHLster Skeleton Gen 2 – Best Minimalist

Pros

• Great for less carry-friendly outfits
• Ambidextrous
• Optic-ready

Cons

• Makes your other holsters feel big

Specs

• Style: IWB
• Material: Kydex
• Belt Clip: Polymer
• Optic-Compatible: Yes
• Weapon Light-Compatible: No

PHLster is probably my favorite holster company, and the Skeleton style rig is easily my default choice for the Glock 43.

The Glock 43 is a minimalist gun, and the Skeleton holster is a minimalist holster to the extreme.

PHLster’s Skeleton Gen 2 makes deep concealment of the little pistol possible and comfortable. It’s completely tuckable, and you can adjust the rig for height, cant, and left or right-handed shooters.

This holster company makes a simple but effective holster system that disappears a Glock 43 without much complaint.

While it might not be the option for all concealed carriers, it’s perfect if you need a deep concealment option.

9. Dark Star Gear Hitchhiker – Best AIWB

Pros

• Great for AIWB
• Optional claw attachment
• Optic-compatible

Cons

• Extra length might be uncomfortable for some

Specs

• Style: IWB
• Material: Kydex
• Belt Clip: Varies
• Optic-Compatible: Yes
• Weapon Light-Compatible: No

The Glock 43 works perfectly at the appendix position. It’s so small that it disappears with ease and conceals almost effortlessly.

In that situation, the Dark Star Gear Hitchhiker gives you a simple, ergonomic, and very well-made appendix rig for the Glock 43.

I know what you’re thinking. It looks long, but that extra length is on purpose. It helps improve comfort and balance when concealed. Additionally, it’s cut aggressively to allow a full grip, clean draw and proper presentation.

The big metal clip in the center keeps things secure, and the claw keeps things concealed. It’s lightweight, low profile, and fairly comfortable.

Just make sure you know how to carry appendix comfortably before you leave the house with this thing behind your belt buckle.

Why Trust Pew Pew Tactical

This holster guide was a combined effort of the Pew Pew Tactical editorial team. Lots of experienced shooters weighed in on these picks based on personal experience and industry knowledge.

Pew Pew Tactical freelance editor Scott Murdock edited this article and addeed to it. Scott is a Marine Corps veteran who earned his Expert Rifle and Pistol badges while in service. In addition to editing articles for Pew Pew Tactical, he writes for several gun industry publications, including Task & Purpose, Free Range American, and Outdoor Life. He, too, has reviewed enough guns and magazines to know what to recommend to readers when it comes to choosing good gear like Glock-specific holsters.

Rounding out the editorial team for this article is Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings. Armed with a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications and a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association, Jacki runs our experienced team of expert writers and editors. She has worked as a media professional for over 20 years and has specialized in gun media for almost 10 years. As Editor-in-Chief, she uses her expertise to set testing protocols and editorial standards across the site. During her career, she has tested and shot several Glock models and even carries a Glock from time to time.

This article builds on an original piece written by Megan Kriss. Megan was a Pew Pew Tactical author and freelance editor, as well as an avid recreational shooter. She’s written for a few gun publications, using her extensive writing background to bring solid recommendations to readers.

Final Thoughts

I usually like to end these kinds of articles with recommendations about which thing is best for what purpose, but with so many different holsters and each person’s unique life, I can’t really do that here.

So instead, I’m going to give you some advice.

Don’t rush buying your holster. Try out several so that you know what you like and can choose a holster that really fits your wants and needs.

Then, before relying on your holster of choice for EDC, make sure that you spend plenty of time training with it. Learn all the little tricks to it and establish muscle memory so that you know that you can quickly and easily get to your weapon when you really need to.

Do you have any advice that you’d like to add? Share your thoughts in the comments. Want to learn about other great Glocks? Check out our complete Glock guide!

Latest Updates:

September 12, 2024: Added the Safariland Species, removed the Can Can Concealment Garter Holster.