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You probably learned long ago that you can conceal carry a handgun for personal defense purposes but you have been sitting on the fence about it, not knowing which handgun is best for you. Well, you won't have to sit on the fence anymore.
We want you to join the Glock owner’s team with a Glock you'll love carrying on you. You will be all smiles and dance as you go about your daily activities knowing that you are assured of safety at any one time.
In this article, we will uncover the best Glocks for concealed carry so you can easily make that life-changing decision to enjoy your right to personal safety.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Glocks For Concealed Carry
- OUR TOP PICK: Glock 19 Gen 3 9mm Pistol
- RUNNER-UP: Glock 26 Gen5
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Glock 30 Gen 4
Comparison of the Best Glocks for Concealed Carry
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What Makes a Glock Great for Concealed Carry?
Ease of Handling
Glocks are known for their simple design that allows for a simple layout of important controls. Critical controls such as the trigger and slide release are within easy and quick reach of the fingers. The operational parts are few and so users are not left with a million controls to manipulate before they can bring the handgun to work.
Photo credit: concealmentexpress.com
Reliability and Accuracy
Glock pistols have cut a name for themselves over the years for reliability and accuracy. They are simple handguns that you train on targets 10 to 50 yards away and achieve a considerable degree of accuracy on both first and follow up shots. They use calibers that are known to generate enough stopping power to knockdown attackers and immobilize them with just one or a few more hits.
Concealability
When it comes to concealed carry weapons, you can't separate Glocks from concealability. They are generally small-sized handguns that will offer you an easy time concealing. The aftermarket for Glock accessories like holsters is quite huge and as such, you will have a lot of concealment options to choose from to mate well with your pistol and the nature of your body.
Why Did These Glocks Make Our List?
Safety Mechanisms
You want a concealed carry gun that is safe to have on you at all times especially when it's not in use. The Glocks in this review are safe enough and assure you of no accidental discharges that could severe parts of your body or harm those close to you. They have the Glock Safe Action mechanism that involves three levels of safeties to ensure there are no chances of discharges occurring.
Compatibility with Concealed Carry Accessories
The best way to carry a handgun on you is to have it held in concealed carry accessories like holsters and waistbands. Being largely popular handguns, these Glocks have a wide array of aftermarket accessories. They fit in holsters that are easily accessible from various online and offline stores.
Photo credit: aliengearholsters.com
Ambidextrous Components
The slide release lock is often made ambidextrous in some Glocks to make it easier for left-handed gun enthusiasts to engage or disengage the slide with their dominant hand. It’s also possible for right-handed users to manipulate it with either hand.
Review of the Best Conceal Carry Glocks
It's not enough to only know what makes a Glock a good concealed carry gun or the benefits of having one. You can only enjoy the benefits when you have one you carry on you. But how do you know the best one for you? Consider our thorough review to narrow down to a favorite that will suit your personal defense needs.
Best Overall:
Glock 19 Gen 3 9mm Pistol
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
According to recent buyers, the Glock 19 Gen 3 9mm is a handy pistol that offers them reliability and accuracy without overly demanding extensive routine maintenance. Its rugged finish keeps off moisture, human body perspiration, and corrosion. As such, it requires little maintenance activities like oiling and cleaning.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This handgun has a high ammunition capacity given that the standard magazine carries 15 rounds. It also allows for additional ammunition as it takes up optional magazines that have a larger carrying capacity. This means that users can have more ammunition ready for use at any time without having to carry the rounds separately.
Bottom Line
This Glock is easy to use and its aftermarket parts are widely available. The rugged finish and strong polymer make it resistant to shock, corrosion, and moisture to make it last a long time even under heavy use.
Runner-up:
Glock 26 Gen5
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers love this Gen 5 handgun for its accuracy and ease of handling and cleaning. They like how easy it is to disassemble and reassemble the pistol before and after cleaning. They recommend it for concealed carry for left-handers and users with smaller hands.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The ambidextrous single-piece slide release lock is a unique addition that enables left-handed users to easily manipulate the handgun with their dominant hand. This Glock features the new Glock Marksman Barrel in which the usual polygonal rifling is replaced with land-and-groove rifling to boost accuracy. The new rifling style also allows for the use of lead projectiles at high-volume shooting.
Bottom Line
The Glock 26 Gen5 will be a good match for many users who otherwise find finger grooves a nuisance. The straight-grip design of this handgun accommodates both small and large hands. The grip is also stippled to make it possible to hold with gloves on for a solid, non-slip grip.
Best for the Money:
Glock 30 Gen 4
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers celebrate the added stopping power they get using the .45 Auto rounds. Carrying this Glock inside the waistband is easy for most users given the gun's slim frame and low profile. Although the pistil produces greater recoil, recent users have managed to counter it with proper training.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Glock 30 Gen 4 uses the .45 Auto rounds for more stopping power to ensure less ammunition is required to immobilize an attacker. Just a few hits are enough to knock an attacker down. The Glock has a short frame design such that all the important components like the trigger are within close reach of the fingers. This is a major relief for people with smaller hands.
Bottom Line
The Glock 30 Gen 4 provides optimal knockdown power and a 10-round magazine capacity in a small package that is easy and comfortable to carry concealed inside the waistband or in any other concealed carry position.
Editor's Pick:
Glock 43X 9mm Pistol
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers are in love with the Glock 43X because of the beautiful battle-worn burnt bronze finish that complements the Talon grip. The trigger is within easy reach and has no grit, making pulling it during every shot a smooth experience.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The main unique quality of the Glock 43X is the fascinating battle-worn burnt bronze color finish that comes in handy as a shift from the traditional black color for Glocks. The slimline design helps keep all components within quick reach of the fingers. The trigger has a considerate pull weight and is smooth when pulling since it has no grit.
Bottom Line
This celebrated Glock offers users accuracy, reliability, easy handling, and amazing aesthetics all in one slim frame package that is comfortable to carry on one's person at any time for personal defense or law enforcement purposes.
Honorable Mention:
Glock 42 .380 Pistol
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers have enjoyed exceptional accuracy and reliability when using the Glock 42 .380 pistol. This to them comes as a relief that the .380 caliber can perform as well as the 9mm caliber rounds with enough stopping power to keep attackers at bay.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The pink-black color combination is a pleasant surprise shift from the usual dull black color that Glocks come in. The trigger is within quick reach and travels through a very short distance to initiate and complete the firing cycle. This being the only .380 pistol Glock manufactures at the present, it stands out from the rest that uses 9mm, 40 S&W, and .45 Auto calibers for personal defense.
Bottom Line
The Glock 42 .380 handgun lets users enjoy reliability from a different caliber other than the other celebrated personal defense calibers mentioned above. The .380 caliber rounds offer enough power to knock down and immobilize attackers hence users are still assured of safety even as the caliber is frowned upon.
Is the Glock a Good Daily Carry?
The Glock is a good daily carry given the considerably small sizes, compactness, low weights, and elaborate safety mechanism. The small size and low weight ensure you can carry your Glock each day comfortably without the baggage typical of large, heavy, and bulk items. You are most likely to even forget you have a gun on you as you won’t be feeling the size and weight all the time.
Glock's unique three-step Safe Action mechanism guarantees you that no fatal accidental discharges will occur that would either harm you or people close to you.
Aspects to Consider Before Buying
When getting a new Glock to carry, here are some things to consider:
Body Size and Glock Concealed Carry
One very key aspect you need to consider when buying a Glock for concealed carry is the size of your body relative to that of the gun. If you have a larger body, then you would be comfortable concealing both small and larger Glocks but with a preference for the latter. Gun enthusiasts with a smaller body size would do best opting for small size Glocks to make concealing them easier.
Photo credit: personaldefenseworld.com
Occupation and Glock Concealed Carry
What do you do for a living? How much flexibility is required in your line of work? If your daily work involves a lot of bending, crouching, running, or jumping, then concealing your Glock will be a tricky affair. You would love to have your Glock on you, yes, but these rigorous activities are likely to keep exposing your gun often to people you wouldn't want to know that you have a gun. Not to mention these activities will make having the gun on you very uncomfortable. You might have to leave your handgun in the truck.
Preferred Mode of Concealed Carry
There are different ways to conceal carry a pistol. You should consider the method you like best based on factors such as safety, ease of reach, and concealability. Some methods like the appendix carry are a potential safety risk since an accidental discharge would sever your groin or the artery in your thigh. You could bleed to death.
The shoulder holster allows you to easily reach your gun, while the ankle carry is riskier as you have to bend to reach the gun. However, ankle carry offers great concealability if you have to tuck in your shirt all the time.
Types of Glocks for Concealed Carry
Not all Glocks lend themselves to concealed carry. Here are some to choose from:
Can You Conceal Carry a Glock 17?
Although it's a large and heavy handgun at 8.03" overall length and over 32 ounces with the 17-round magazine loaded, Glock 17 is still good for concealed carry. Given its immensity, it’s best carried by users with larger body sizes for easy concealing with coats or jackets.
Photo credit: sofrep.com
Can You Conceal Carry a Glock 19?
It's easy to conceal carry a Glock 19. This handgun is small in size and is well-rounded, making it more concealable than most other Glocks. It has a wide market for accessories like holsters hence several options of methods for carrying it concealed.
Can You Conceal Carry a Glock 21?
The 8.07" overall length and 38.80 ounces of loaded weight don't make Glock 21 any less suitable for concealed carry. Users can carry the handgun easily using shoulder holsters with additional magazines or ammunition on the second arm to balance with the weight of the gun.
Can You Conceal Carry a Glock 22?
Glock 22 is another fairly large handgun but one that can still be carried concealed. Despite the 8.03" overall length and 34.39 ounces when the 15-round magazine is loaded, it’s still slim and comfortable to carry concealed. It’s a good fit for users with larger body sizes and bigger hands.
Comparison of Glocks for Concealed Carry
How do different Glock models perform on the concealed carry scale compared to others? Let's consider a side to side comparison of some Glock models for concealed carry below.
Glock 26 vs 19 for Concealed Carry
Here are some similarities and differences between these two:
Similarities
Glock 26 and Glock 19 can share magazines since G26 accepts G19 magazines with grip sleeves. As such, users can own the two models at the same time and enjoy switching from the 12+1 for the G26 to the 15+1 capacity for the G19.
Photo credit: gunnersden.com
Differences
Glock 19 is heavier and larger than Glock 26. It also has a larger magazine capacity of 15 rounds compared to G26's 12+1 rounds capacity. Glock 26 with its smaller size is easier and more comfortable to carry concealed. Glock 19 would be best carried by users with larger body size to allow for maximum concealability with cloth pieces like jackets and coats.
Glock 43 vs 26 Concealed Carry
Trying to decide? Here are some comparisons between the 43 and 26:
Similarities
The two Glocks use the 9mm rounds that are widely accepted as potent personal defense cartridges. They are thus good for concealed carry for this same purpose. Users are assured of accuracy and enough stopping power for on-target hits and neutralizing threats quickly.
Differences
Glock 26 is larger and heavier than Glock 43. It would be easier and more comfortable to conceal the G43 given its smaller size and less weight. It is only a little taller than the G26, but that doesn't diminish the upper hand it has over Glock 26 for concealed carry.
Glock 30S vs 36 Concealed Carry
How do these two compare for concealed carry? Here are some points to consider:
Similarities
Both Glocks use the .45 ACP rounds that have greater stopping power. This makes them suitable to carry concealed for personal defense especially in critical situations where the threat is bigger.
Differences
Glock 36 has a magazine capacity of 6 against G30's 10+1. This makes Glock 30 heavier than the G36 for concealed carry. It would be easier and more convenient to carry Glock 36 concealed, but then you have to part with a few rounds settling for only seven.
Photo credit: mrcolionnoir.com
What is the Safest Way to Conceal Carry a Glock?
When conceal carrying, you have to make sure it is done safely to avoid accidentally injuring yourself or others. Whether you will be sitting or standing and your body type and holster type factor in considerably.
How to Conceal a Glock 19
- For appendix carry, wear a gun belt or a very stiff regular belt.
- Buckle up the belt at the 10 or 11 o'clock position to allow for more comfort and safety
- Use a suitable holster like the Raven Vanguard II that enables you to load or unload while the trigger remains fully covered
- To carry a Glock 19 concealed, first install the holster on the handgun
- Clip the now complete gun set on the belt.
- Cover it up with an untucked shirt, coat, or jacket.
How to Conceal Carry Glock 43
- Find a suitable holster and install it on the handgun
- Clip the gun set in place on the belt inside the trousers or skirt at the 3:00-3:30 position for strong side hip concealed carry method
- For comfort, have a t-shirt or other suitable clothing that you can tuck so that the set is not in direct contact with your body
- Cover up the set up with a coat or jacket.
Photo credit: mrcolionnoir.com
Where to Conceal Carry Glock 22?
- Since Glock 22 is quite a large handgun, it is best concealed inside the waistband
- Use a suitable holster to hold the gun
- Install the complete gun set by clipping it on the inside of the waistband
- Use a large shirt, coat, or jacket to cover it up.
How to Conceal Carry in The Summer
- The summer is a time to ditch a lot of clothing. As a given, you will have lesser clothes on you.
- The best way to conceal carry a handgun in the summer is by wearing baggy shirts or t-shirts that are at least one size bigger than you to ensure that the gun doesn't print on clothing.
- After holstering and installing your gun set, wearing a baggy shirt helps keep you free and promotes the free flow of air so your gun set won't trouble you with slips or slides when you sweat and get wet.
Photo credit: military.com
Conclusion
Glock pistols have cut a name for themselves in the concealed carry market. It’s upon us to equip you with the right knowledge to help you find the best Glock to match your interests and purpose. This article has looked at the best Glocks for concealed carry, how to carry them concealed, and the aspects to consider when purchasing your new Glock.
People Also Ask
This section seeks to answer any questions that you may have regarding concealed carry. If your burning question is not answered here, you are welcome to fire it up to us and we will answer promptly. Let's go all in.
What is the Most Comfortable Way to Concealed Carry?
No concealed carry method fits all gun users. However, most users find the strong side hip method the most comfortable since it allows for easy and quick drawing using the dominant hand. Whether you use the outside-the-waistband or inside-the-waistband option, you are assured of comfort as the gun is well out of your way when you jump, sit, bend, or run.
Photo credit: onlinechp.com
What is the Best Concealed Carry Caliber?
While several calibers like the .380 ACP, 9mm, and .40 S&W caliber rounds are used in concealed carry pistols, the .45 Auto is the most celebrated for optimal stopping power. Nevertheless, it’s important to note that different calibers are best used on specific handguns, and mixing them up would lead to malfunctions.
Is a Glock Safe to Conceal Carry?
Glocks are safe to conceal carry. They have an elaborate triple-action safety mechanism that involves the independent play of the trigger, firing pin, and drop safety. It’s hard for the trigger to initiate an unexpected discharge since the trigger safety has to be depressed together with the trigger to fire a shot.
Is it Legal to Conceal Carry a 100 Round Drum for Glock?
It’s illegal to own and use a 100-round drum in nine states in the US. These include Colorado, Vermont, Maryland, New Jersey, California, Massachusetts, Hawaii, New York, and Connecticut. Be sure to check before buying to ascertain whether the state laws allow you to own or use the 100-round drum with your favorite Glock.
What is the Smallest Glock?
Glock 42 is by far the tiniest of the pistols in the Glocks family. It only has an overall length of 5.94" and a barrel length of 3.25". The overall width is only a paltry 0.98", and the height 4.13" with the magazine installed.
How Much Does a Glock Weigh?
Glocks come in different overall weights.
Going by the ones we have reviewed in our list, the weight ranges between 15.87 and 38.80 ounces, as in the case of Glock 21.
It’s advisable to check the weight specification when buying to determine how much of it you are willing to accept or trade for ease of carrying and comfortability.
Photo credit: luckygunner.com
Do Glock Pistols Have Safety?
Some Glocks have an external safety lever to keep you assured of zero accidental discharges. This safety is missing in some Glocks. But that's no cause for alarm. Glocks have the unique safety mechanism we described above comprising three independent levels. This safe action system involves the trigger, firing pin, and drop safety, which engages or disengages based on the force put on the trigger.
What is the Difference Between CCW And CPL?
CCW is short for "concealed carry weapon" while CPL abbreviates the term “concealed pistol license". The concealed pistol license allows a user to carry a gun on their person or in their vehicle. The concealed carry weapon is the firearm itself, that you are allowed by law to own and use, but which you have to hide from the eyes of the public.