July 2024: Updated the Glock 29 to reflect the introduction of the Gen 5 model.
Glock has been a dominant force in the handgun market for decades. They have long established themselves as one of the premier duty pistol manufacturers on the planet.
You can find Glocks in the hands of everyone from recreational gun owners to competition shooters to beat cops and even special operations personnel.
Thanks to their reputation for reliability, shootability, and customizability, Glocks are still popular choices who concealed carry. Today we are focusing on just that and looking at the best Glock models for concealed carry.
THE QUICK LIST
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Best General Purpose Glock
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Best Single-Stack
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Best Overall CCW
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Best For Pocket Carry
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Best .45 ACP Carry
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Most Powerful
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Smallest 9mm
Table of Contents
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How We Chose The Best Glocks For Concealed Carry
For this article, we focused on Glock pistols that balance concealability with value and features. Travis Pike took the lead in testing and writing for this article — assessing a variety of Glock models against one another to determine the best options for concealed carry.
Travis is an NRA-certified instructor and concealed carry instructor with a military background. He’s been a gun reviewer for several years and has tested and evaluated hundreds of products in the time.
Editing and adding to this article was Wyatt Sloan, Jr. Editor at Pew Pew Tactical. Wyatt owns over 200 firearms and has spent thousands of hours on the range testing.
Best Glocks For Concealed Carry
1. Glock G19 – Best General Purpose Glock
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Glock G19 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Milder recoil
- Huge aftermarket
- Best holster availability
Cons
- Harder to conceal
Specifications
- Barrel Length: 4.02″
- Overall Length: 7.28″
- Height: 5.04″
- Width: 1.34″
- Weight: 23.81 oz
- Caliber: 9mm
- Capacity: 15 rounds
If you are new to concealed carry, the Glock G19 might seem like a large option, especially when you see some of the other guns on this list. However, the G19 is the closest handgun Glock has to a flagship pistol.
This compact, double-stack handgun does a great job of being a do-it-all gun.
With the right holster and belt combination, it’s plenty easy to carry, but at the same time, it can be a very effective and capable home defense firearm.
For example, for concealed carry, you can pack a 15-round magazine and run the gun “bare.” If you need a home defense weapon, toss on a weapon light and a 33-round magazine, and you have quite the firearm.
The G19 also handles very well. Controlling and shooting the weapon accurately and quickly isn’t difficult compared to some of the smaller guns on the market.
Glock offers the G19 as part of the MOS line. MOS guns allow you to mount an optic with ease, and when combined with a light, you have a very modern and capable firearm.
A Glock equipped with an optic and a weapon-mounted light gives a gun ready for any situation.
Check out our review of the Glock G19 here!
2. Glock G48 MOS – Best Single-Stack
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Glock G48 MOS Pros & Cons
Pros
- Slim
- Easier to conceal than a Glock 19
Cons
- Low OEM magazine capacity for its size
Specifications
- Barrel Length: 4.17″
- Overall Length: 7.28″
- Height: 5.04″
- Width: 1.10″
- Weight: 20.6 oz
- Caliber: 9mm
- Capacity: 10
The Glock G48 MOS model might be my favorite Glock for concealed carry. Shooters get an outstanding combination of both control and easy concealability. With the G48, we get what’s essentially a single-stack Glock 19.
A nice long grip fills the hand to maximize control and accuracy, but the overall width is a mere 1 inch wide.
This makes it easy to conceal IWB, and IWB carry helps eliminate any issues with the length and height of the gun.
Capacity-wise, you can rock and roll with a 10-round Glock OEM magazine or even toss in the Shield magazine, which offers 15 rounds of 9mm in a flush-fitting magazine.
The MOS variant allows you to utilize a subcompact optic as well as a small weapon light. You can turn the Glock G48 MOS into a very modern and capable concealed carry pistol with the addition of a Holosun 407K and a TLR 7 SUB.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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This thin little single stack delivers a fair bit of firepower in a very thin package. It’s no pocket pistol by any means, and some won’t appreciate the size of the weapon.
However, if you want the best compromise between modularity, size, and firepower, then the Glock G48 MOS is for you.
Read our full review of the G48 here!
3. Glock 43X – Best Overall CCW
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Glock G43X Pros & Cons
Pros
- Good mix of concealabity and shootability
- Huge aftermarket
- Tons of holster options
Cons
- Longer grip is harder to conceal than some other models
Specifications
- Barrel Length: 3.41″
- Overall Length: 6.5″
- Height: 5.04″
- Width: 1.1″
- Weight: 18.7 oz
- Caliber: 9mm
- Capacity: 10
The Glock G43X comes in both standard and MOS variants, and either choice is solid.
This is a gun that excels in the comfort department and makes an excellent concealed carry firearm for new shooters and concealed carriers.
The Glock G43X combines the slide and barrel length of the Glock G43 with the longer grip of the Glock G48. A shorter slide and barrel make it easier to conceal OWB, and it pokes a little less when carrying IWB or an appendix.
A nice long grip fills the hand, ensuring you can control the recoil with ease and keep on target. More grip equals more control, and you get control in spades with the Glock G43X.
It’s one of the comfiest guns all around and is Glock’s most popular concealed carry handgun for that exact reason.
Like the G48, you get 10 rounds of 9mm or 15 with Shield S15 magazines. I personally see the G48 as the better MOS variant since the G43X appeals to shooters looking for something smaller, shorter, and more trim.
We reviewed the G43X MOS, so head to the review or watch the video below for more deets!
4. Glock G42 – Best For Pocket Carry
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Extremely easy to conceal
- Very lightweight
Cons
- Snappier recoil
Specifications
- Barrel Length: 3.25″
- Overall Length: 5.94″
- Height: 4.13″
- Width: .98″
- Weight: 13.76 oz
- Caliber: .380 ACP
- Capacity: 6
Man, I remember when the Glock G42 dropped. Most of us were hoping for a single-stack 9mm at the time, but Glock surprised and bemused some of us with a pocket-sized .380 ACP.
It would go on to become a favorite for those needing a reliable, micro-sized .380 ACP.
Pocket pistols aren’t my favorite concealed carry firearms, but I understand why the need exists. The Glock G42 fills this need very well.
Unlike a number of other pocket-sized .380 ACPs, the Glock features competent sights, a decent striker-fired trigger, and the brand reliability we all know and love.
Like most pocket .380s, the G42 has some snap, some kick, and some general unpleasantness, but it’s not special in that regard.
The larger sights make it fairly easy to shoot, and the standard striker-fired trigger allows you to group your round fairly close for such a small gun.
Shooters also get features that have often been missing from other pocket guns, like a large magazine release and an external slide lock/release.
The combination of reliability, compactness, and a good control scheme makes the G42 a solid option.
5. Glock G36 – Best .45 ACP Carry
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Glock G36 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Extremely concealable for a .45 ACP
- Harder hitting round
Cons
- Very snappy recoil
- Lower capacity
Specifications
- Barrel Length: 3.78″
- Overall Length: 6.97″
- Height: 4.72″
- Width: 1.18″
- Weight: 22.4 oz
- Caliber: .45 ACP
- Capacity: 6 rounds
In a field of normally boring guns, the Glock G36 stands out. It’s not a Glock we hear mentioned much.
A lot of people like to point at the G42 as the first single-stack Glock, but they’d be wrong. While the gun went widely ignored, the G36 came out in 2000 — well before the single-stack nine craze exploded.
The G36 wasn’t a 9mm, though. Nope, it was a single stack .45 ACP pistol.
The Glock G30 already existed, but the double-stack magazine made the small gun bulky, so the G36 trimmed things up.
For .45 ACP fans, the Glock G36 provides a surprisingly small pistol for concealed carry. Very few .45 ACP guns existed at this size point.
But you need to know what you’re getting into when you go with the G36. The little gun recoils with some real tenacity. It’s snappy and mean — especially with the ultra-small grip.
That said, if you want to pack a very small .45 ACP, the G36 provides an outstanding option with a modern twist.
A full-sized 1911 might fit seven or eight .45 ACP rounds, but the G36 trims a ton of size and weight while only reducing you from an 8+1 to a 6+1 setup.
For more .45 ACP Glocks, head to our full guide.
6. Glock G29 – Most Powerful
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Glock G29 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Extremely potent cartridge
- Decent capacity for the size
- One of the only subcompact 10mm options on the market
Cons
- Stiffer recoil
- Thick, stubby grip
Specifications
- Barrel Length: 3.78″
- Overall Length: 6.97″
- Height: 4.53″
- Width: 1.38″
- Weight: 26.81 oz
- Caliber: 10mm
- Capacity: 10
I will say this upfront, the Glock G29 is not for everyone. If you’re recoil-sensitive and want something affordable to shoot, this ain’t it.
It’s a thick subcompact gun that chambers the famously hard-hitting and powerful 10mm Auto cartridge. The 10mm round works well for self-defense against vicious two-legged critters but also offers enough power for “woods carry”.
It’s commonly used for bear defense, but it can be used to stop more than bears. It’s not so powerful as to be uncontrollable against human threats, hogs, coyotes, and more.
But for people who want to tap into that power, it can be tough to find something a 10mm gun small enough to conceal. That is where the G29 comes in.
Glock took the 10mm by the reigns and shoved it into a very small and concealable platform. Front to back, the gun is about the same length as a G19, but a bit wider to accommodate a larger cartridge.
However, the stock grip length is very short, which can make the gun a bit tougher to control (but easier to conceal). Luckily, pinky extensions and bigger mags can resolve this issue altogether while still keeping the whole package concealable.
10mm is very efficient and loses only a little velocity by going to a shorter barrel, which means the G29 still takes advantage of most of what the cartridge has to offer. If you want true power in the palm of your hand, this is the Glock for you.
7. Glock G43 – Smallest 9mm
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Glock G43 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Slim
- Easy to conceal
- Affordable
Cons
- Snappier recoil
- Lower capacity
Specifications
- Barrel Length: 3.41″
- Overall Length: 6.26″
- Height: 4.25″
- Width: 1.06″
- Weight: 17.99 oz
- Caliber: 9mm
- Capacity: 6
No one can ever say Glock moves fast. By the time they released a single-stack 9mm, the world already had a ton of them.
But once again, thanks to their simplicity and reliability, their first go at a single-stack 9mm was a smash hit.
The Glock G43 utilizes a simple single-stack magazine with a small frame that makes it very easy to carry a firearm.
It conceals with ease inside or outside the waistband, at the ankle, and even in very large pockets.
While it might feel dated by today’s standards, the G43 still presents an affordable, solid pistol for concealed carry. It’s the smallest 9mm in Glock’s stable and works well for deep concealment and everyday carry.
Fitting the Glock G43 to any dress outside of a Speedo is pretty dang simple. You can carry in confidence with this little gun.
What do you think of the G43? Make sure to rate it below!
Why a Glock For Concealed Carry
Why would you trust your life to a Glock? If I could only give one reason, I’d say reliability.
Glocks are so reliable they are almost boring. When the trigger’s pulled, they go bang.
Heck, the owner of Adco firearms put 200,000 rounds through a Glock 21, buried it for two years, and dropped it out a plane — the stupid thing still works. Its simple design makes it insanely reliable.
Beyond reliability, Glock pistols offer more than acceptable accuracy, a decent trigger, and ergonomics that work.
Sure, they might not have all the bells and whistles of other guns, but they work.
The popularity of Glock pistols ensures you’ll never have an issue finding a holster.
Seriously, every Glock on the market has an army of holsters behind it. I’m talking shoulder holsters, ankle holsters, IWB, OWB, pocket holsters, appendix rigs, and so many more!
Glocks present a simple plug-and-play option for concealed carriers.
If you are not a “gun” person and just need a simple defensive firearm, then the Glock is a great path to go. There are tons of Glock handguns on the market, though.
Which ones work best? Well, I got you covered below.
Final Thoughts
I know this list doesn’t seem complete if you are looking for a complete rundown of Glock concealed carry pistols — but, guys, we can’t list them all.
Out of the Glock arsenal, these models present the most viable options for concealed carry.
Since I’ve left a few off, hit me up in the comments and let me know what you think the best Glock for concealed carry truly is. For more Glock goodness, check out our History of Glock and the Best Glocks.
36 Leave a Reply
I am betting that the G-45 will be on this list soon?
Curious why the 26 didn't make the cut. It's pretty much a double stack 43. And takes 17/19 mags. I also find it a lot smoother than the 43. Would that have been an honorable mention?
No doubt that Glocks are reliable pistols, no pet are bulky, which can make them difficult to conceal; unless you spend money to modify the trigger, you have to put up with its long, sluggish, spongy pull; and their lighter weight across all models of their polymer components makes recoil a problem with follow-on shots. Last of all, not all Glocks are optic ready, adding the expense.
Combine all the costs to make a Glock a great concealed-carry pistol, why not spend a little more and get the perfect pistol for the job: a Staccato 2011 C2? Well balanced, even with a SureFire light and a Crimson Trace laser added.
I love my 43X, it’s my EDC. I I have large hands and it fits me like a glove. I also have the Sig 365 and I prefer the 43. I personally think it shoots just better.
G26 w/10 rd mag Appendix IWB for Summer carry. Swap the 10 rd for a G17 17 rd. If cover garment allows. Always have a G30 in a SOB holster w/13+1 .45 ACP but this is no quick draw setup. That job is for the G26.
Hey Travis , can you do an article on the 7 best Smith & Wesson guns for conceal carry please ?? I favor Smith & Wesson guns . A . U. S. ARMY VETERAN.
Glock 26 w/ G19 mag with a space filler my first choice everytime. I have big hands and this works for me.
You do an article about concealed carry, and then you add on flashlights and optics. The whole idea is to be able to carry it comfortably and conceal it. If you add flashlights and optics you, double triple, quadruple, the problem of ease of carry and concealment.
No one even mentioned the G45, I carry it concealed everywhere I can. Of all the Glocks I’ve owned it’s my favorite by far to carry concealed. It’s that “what I shoot with best” adage. It works for me and if you get the chance to cary one give it a shot. I don’t think you’d regret it.
I have 3 of the Glocks on the list. G29, 43x with shields mags and a G19 Gen5. All of which are in an IWB holster depending on where I’m going. The G19 is hard to beat, just a great EDC gun. The 43x is great when I need extra concealment due to clothing for events and the G29 for hiking, camping and hunting. That 10mm with 200 grain Bear Loads is comforting if a large animal attack is unavoidable.
But with that said, the old cliche, the best gun is the one you shoot best.
I have some friends that love their G43 .40 calibers.
I have carried a Glock 29 either in my front trouser pocket or in an IWB holster for more than 20 years. I shoot at least monthly. It has a stubby grip and probably isn't appropriate for soft handed or weak handed. But, my 79-year-old 103 pound 4'11" wife shoots mine. Yes, she knows that there will be recoil, but so what? It isn't going to break her wrist or do any lasting harm. Let me sing a same ould song, perhaps a new verse.
We both hope that if we ever have to defend ourselves, that the perpetrator is armed with a 9 mm. One good hit with a 9 has been survived very possibly more times than it has been fatal (barring the obvious brain stem, major artery, etc.) A great many people have survived body hits with the 9mm and many of them continued to fight. The most famous probably is the Miami-Dade FBI shootout. But since we now have brand new super whiz bang bullets, suddenly the 9 is invincible -- except it isn't. Review the fairly recent Baldwin shooting in Las Vegas. It may be a new, super wonderful do-it-all under every condition bullet, but it is still 3.55 inch diameter, traveling at around 1,100 FPS, give or take. Ever wonder why the double tap is deemed necessary with a 9? I don't care if it doubles in frontal area, it is still likely only a puny 115, 124 or at most a 147 projectile and that just is not a lot of mass hitting your target. Ever hear of a 9 used as a backup gun on brown bear? Just saying. Do what you want and hope it is never necessary. But, 10mm is often approved for hand gun hunting against deer sized creatures. Ever hear that said of a 9? If it is considered inhumane to take a 110 # deer, does that really give you confidence in ending a conflict with 180 # meth addict? I do not. My wife doesn't either.
Very well said.
That's why you use hollow-points for self-defense. A meth addict--or anyone else--isn't going to shrug off a 9mm round when it rips open a channel a few inches wide through his chest cavity as it travels.
I'd put the G26 onto the list as well. The G26 combines the size of the G43 (with slightly wider frame due to the double stack mag) with a 10 rd original mag and the possibility to come up with further double stack mags so you could end up with the 33 rd mag in the G26 as well.
The ommision of the 26 is a crime. It's the absolute best shooting compact.
Since I love in south Texas what would you to be the best and most concealable hot weather shorts and tee shirt guns? It sucks but weather over 100 degrees is becoming normal. I use a ruger 389 max and a glock 43. Always worried about pocket lint and reust from sweat. Always is pocket holsters but still... Ideas?
have 36 love it
I’ve carried a G23 for decades. Wouldn’t trade for any on the list.
I'm with you. I know Pew Pew hates all things .40, but to discuss best Glocks for CC and leave the G23 off the list just doesn't cut it.
Also, a sub-compact in .40, .45 or 10mm is not a lot of fun to shoot because of recoil. Which means less practice and less proficiency in most cases
The statement was made for the G36 that there's not a lot of options at .45 ACP in this size of a pistol. Yeah, there's a good reason for that.
Wasn't the g45 made to be ccw? Shirt slide, full size frame? I gave up my g19 and started shooting a get. I'm better with it and feels better in my hands.
I agree.
I've owned the G17, G19, G26 and G43X. Of them I still have the G17 and G43X. With the Shield Arms mag release the G43X can now hold 15 and basically replace the G19. I don't have huge hands and find it more comfortable in mine and using IWB. I wouldn't carry the G17 concealed but it's my favorite range gun. I am toying with the idea of adding the G48 slide MOS just because it can be interchangeable with the G43X. So many potions.
I conceal carry a G36 or a 4" Kimber 1911 SS Compact Carry in 45ACP. The Glock has been carried for over 10 years and I've added nights sights to it and a 5 lb disconnector. It rides in a Concealment Express IWB holster. It's a very reliable pistol!
I own several Glocks, and had the G36.
The G36 was the only problem child.. nothing I replaced (all OEM parts) would make it run.
Therefore, adios G36! Never a 36 again.
OK, I'll say it. Where's the G26??? My absolute favorite.
Surprised it wasn’t on the list. It could be the G26, G27, & G33, or just the G27 with 2 conversion barrels for all 3 in 1.
Man, what about the G19X? My favorite CC.
Good read. I started my CCW journey with a G21 6 or 7 years ago. A little too bulky but shoots great. Went to a G36 and was totally pleased. Some of my CCW friends kept singing the praise of the G36, So I got one of those. I carried it for only a couple of months or so. It is a great gun. However, it is not enough smaller than my G36 to justify giving up four rounds of capacity. So I am back to packing my G36. .45 ACP forever!
Okay gun guys whose reviews I trust….. I have big hands. A G-26 with a G-19 mag and a spacer in the gap. A seriously textured (Robar) grip and u can’t miss..(no pun intended)
Or a Glock G27 with G22 mags in 40 S&W. That's what I carry.
You left out the Glock 26.
The best Glock for CCW? That would be a S&W M&P 2
LOL actually a great and accurate choice
Why not the Glock 30S? Large caliber, small enough to easily conceal and with a light and a laser a very nice package. Also one of the best pistols I've ever shot on the range--not a lot of pistols but some.
Just to let you know the holosun 407K does not fit the Glock 48 MOS or 43X MOS it is missing the rear holes to mount without a 60 dollar plate have to use Sig Romeo 0
My current CCW choices are the Ruger LCPII with a Kidex AIWB holster, and the Glock 43X with a raven concealment Vanguard II minimalist setup. Even with the larger caliber/frame, the Vanguard makes the Glock a VERY good option for deep concealment over the .380. The only slight drawback is the weight, which only makes a significant difference is gym shorts. Everything else, the Glock wins every time.