Best Glock for Concealed Carry (2026): 43X vs 48 vs 19 vs 26 vs 42

Quick answer

For most people the best Glock for concealed carry is the Glock 43X MOS: slim (1.10 inches), light (about 18.6 oz) and easy to shoot for its size. Choose the Glock 48 for a longer slide in the same slim frame, the Glock 19 if you want 15+1 and one gun for everything, or the Glock 26 for a short double-stack.

Glock makes more carry-sized pistols than anyone, which makes choosing one surprisingly hard. The key split is between Glock’s Slimline guns (43X, 48 and the .380 Glock 42), which use thin single-stack-width magazines, and its double-stack guns (Glock 19 and 26), which are thicker but hold more and accept larger magazines.

2025–2026 changes: Glock replaced the Gen5 Glock 19 and 26 with the G19 V and G26 V in late 2025 and added an optics-ready G19 Gen6 in January 2026. The 43X, 48 and 42 have no V or Gen6 versions as of October 2026. Holster fit can differ between generations, so confirm compatibility for your exact model.

Carry Glocks compared

GunCaliberCapacityL × H (in)Width (in)Weight (oz)Price
Glock G43X MOS9mm106.5 × 5.041.118.55$484 street
Glock G48 MOS9mm107.28 × 5.041.120.6$484 street
Glock G19 V9mm157.28 × 5.041.3423.63$539 street
Glock G26 V9mm106.42 × 4.171.321.69$539 street
Glock G42.380 ACP65.94 × 4.130.9813.76$399 street

Manufacturer specifications and prices, checked October 2026. Glock prices are typical retail (Glock publishes no MSRP).

Which Glock to carry

#1Best Glock for most carriers

Glock 43X MOS

Glock 43X slimline 9mm pistol, left side
Glock 43X (rail model shown). Photo: Kolomaznik / CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Caliber9mm
Capacity10 rounds
Barrel3.41 in
Length × height6.5 × 5.04 in
Width1.1 in
Weight18.55 oz
Manual safetyNo
Optics-readyYes
Price$484 street

The 43X is the sweet spot: a 1.10-inch frame, 10-round magazine and a grip long enough for most hands, at about 18.6 ounces with an empty magazine. The MOS model is ready for a red dot.

#2Best for shootability in a slim gun

Glock 48 MOS

Glock 48 slimline 9mm pistol, left side
Glock 48. Photo: Pixel™ / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons, cropped
Caliber9mm
Capacity10 rounds
Barrel4.17 in
Length × height7.28 × 5.04 in
Width1.1 in
Weight20.6 oz
Manual safetyNo
Optics-readyYes
Price$484 street

Same grip and capacity as the 43X but with a 4.17-inch barrel and G19-length slide. The longer slide is easier to shoot accurately and usually conceals fine inside the waistband because it sits below the belt.

#3Best do-everything Glock

Glock 19

Glock 19 compact 9mm pistol (Gen 4), left side
Glock 19 (Gen 4 shown). Photo: Martin1998cz / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Caliber9mm
Capacity15 rounds
Barrel4.02 in
Length × height7.28 × 5.04 in
Width1.34 in
Weight23.63 oz
Manual safetyNo
Optics-readySome models
Price$539 street

The G19 is the compact that defines the category: 15+1 and a 4.02-inch barrel. It is noticeably thicker (about 1.34 inches) than the Slimline guns, but if you want one pistol for carry, home and range, it is the obvious choice.

#4Shortest double-stack Glock

Glock 26

Glock 26 subcompact 9mm pistol, left side
Glock 26 (earlier generation shown). Photo: Askild Antonsen / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Caliber9mm
Capacity10 rounds
Barrel3.43 in
Length × height6.42 × 4.17 in
Width1.3 in
Weight21.69 oz
Manual safetyNo
Optics-readyNo
Price$539 street

The G26 V is short (4.17 inches tall) but thick at 1.3 inches. It holds 10+1 and accepts every larger Glock 9mm magazine, so a G19 magazine can serve as your spare. Many shooters add a pinky extension.

#5Smallest Glock (.380)

Glock 42

Glock 42 .380 pistol in an inside-the-waistband holster
Glock 42 in an IWB holster. Photo: Alian Gear Holster / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Caliber.380 ACP
Capacity6 rounds
Barrel3.25 in
Length × height5.94 × 4.13 in
Width0.98 in
Weight13.76 oz
Manual safetyNo
Optics-readyNo
Price$399 street

Glock’s smallest pistol is a slim .380 with a 6-round magazine. It shoots softly for its size, which makes it a good choice for recoil-sensitive shooters who still want Glock simplicity.

Slimline or double-stack?

Choose a Slimline Glock (43X or 48) if comfort and concealment are your top priorities and 10 rounds is enough. Choose the 19 or 26 if you value capacity, magazine compatibility with full-size Glocks, and a thicker grip that some shooters control better. Many experienced carriers own one of each and carry the Slimline gun most days.

Not set on Glock? Compare it against the P365 and Hellcat in our micro-compact 9mm guide, or see the full best concealed carry guns of 2026.

FAQ

What is the best Glock for concealed carry?

The Glock 43X MOS for most people, because it combines a slim 1.10-inch frame, a full-length grip and 10 rounds of 9mm. The Glock 48 is the same width with a longer slide; the Glock 19 offers 15+1 in a thicker frame.

Glock 43X or Glock 48 for concealed carry?

Both use the same grip, magazines and width. The 48 adds about 0.8 inch of slide and barrel, which makes it easier to shoot accurately; the 43X is shorter and slightly easier to sit with.

Is the Glock 19 too big to conceal?

No — many people conceal a Glock 19 inside the waistband with a good holster and gun belt. It is thicker and heavier than micro-compacts, so it suits looser clothing and fuller cover garments better.

What is the new Glock 19 V and Gen6?

In late 2025 Glock replaced the Gen5 Glock 19 with the G19 V, and in January 2026 added an optics-ready G19 Gen6. Check holster compatibility for the exact version you buy.

California readers: since July 1, 2026, AB 1127 bars California dealers from selling new Glock and Glock-pattern pistols. See our California carry gun guide.

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