For many firearm owners, finding the perfect concealed carry pistol can feel like a never-ending search for balance. The ideal everyday carry firearm is a masterclass in contradictions: big enough to handle easily, but compact enough to conceal well. Heavy enough to cut recoil, but light enough to carry comfortably. High capacity but small. Short, but accurate. Every attribute becomes a tradeoff.
Among modern handguns, few brands have achieved the popularity for concealed carry that GLOCK pistols have earned. The Austrian manufacturer’s pistols have become a benchmark of modern defensive firearms, known for their consistency, low maintenance requirements, and ease of use.
Within GLOCK’s expansive catalog, three models consistently rise to the top of the conversation for concealed carry: the GLOCK 19, the GLOCK 43X, and the GLOCK 48. Each of these handguns offers a unique balance of size, capacity, and ergonomics, giving users a range of options suited to different preferences and body types.
Below, we’ll take a look at each of these models in depth, highlighting what makes each pistol distinctive and how it fits into a concealed carry setup. Whether you value maximum capacity, minimal footprint, or the perfect compromise between the two, this guide will help you determine which GLOCK is the best fit for your everyday carry needs.
What Makes a Good Concealed Carry Pistol?
Choosing a concealed carry firearm isn’t simply about finding the smallest handgun available. If it was, we’d all be toting around single-shot .22s. Concealed carry isn’t just about concealment; it requires a balance of several key factors, each contributing to the pistol’s effectiveness in use and comfort during daily wear.
Size and concealability are perhaps the most obvious considerations. A thinner, shorter handgun will naturally conceal more easily, especially for those carrying inside the waistband. However, an ultra-compact pistol may sacrifice shootability and capacity. The ideal balance often depends on the user’s body type, preferred carry position, and clothing choices.
Capacity is another critical factor. In defensive situations, having additional rounds available can provide peace of mind and greater capability. As the saying goes, no one ever walked away from a gunfight wishing they had less ammo. Traditionally, compact and subcompact pistols had limited magazine capacities compared to their full-size counterparts. However, modern magazine designs—such as the Shield Arms S15 magazines for the GLOCK 43X and 48—have significantly narrowed this gap.
Shootability—the ability to shoot quickly and accurately—depends on the firearm’s ergonomics, trigger design, recoil management, and sight radius. A small handgun may be easier to conceal but harder to control, while a slightly larger pistol can offer more stability and smoother follow-up shots.
Holster compatibility and aftermarket support are also crucial. The more popular a handgun is, the greater the range of holsters, sights, optics plates, and accessories available. It doesn’t matter how fast or accurate your pistol is if you can’t find a holster for it; it won’t do you any good when you need it if it’s not on your belt. A pistol that’s easy to outfit and customize allows the user to fine-tune their setup for optimal comfort and performance with aftermarket slides, lightweight internals, or GLOCK triggers.
Finally, optic, light, and laser compatibility are becoming increasingly important. Many users prefer pistols that can host micro red dots or compact weapon lights, providing faster target acquisition and improved low-light performance. The ability to mount such accessories often depends on the pistol’s slide dimensions, accessory rail, and overall design.
With these criteria in mind, let’s examine how the GLOCK 19, 43X, and 48 perform in each category and what sets them apart.
Glock 19: The Concealed Carry Classic
The GLOCK 19 has long been the gold standard of compact defensive pistols. Introduced in the late 1980s, it quickly earned a reputation as a perfectly balanced firearm—large enough to handle like a duty pistol, yet compact enough for concealed carry. Today, the G19 remains one of the most popular handguns in the world for personal defense. It’s also a popular off-duty firearm for law enforcement professionals, who have discounted pistols available to them through the GLOCK Blue Label Program.
At its core, the GLOCK 19 is a 9mm, striker-fired pistol with a 15-round magazine capacity, although GLOCK magazines up to 33-rounds are available for it. Its 4.02-inch barrel and 7.36-inch overall length strike a balance between concealability and shootability. The full grip accommodates all fingers comfortably, providing excellent control during rapid strings of fire. Its weight—just over 23 ounces unloaded—helps manage recoil without feeling heavy on the hip.
In terms of reliability, the G19 is virtually unmatched. It’s renowned for its ability to run under adverse conditions, requiring minimal maintenance. Its simple takedown and robust polymer frame have made it a favorite among professionals and civilians alike.
From a shootability standpoint, the G19 is rather forgiving. The sight radius is long enough to promote accuracy, and the moderate recoil impulse allows for quick follow-up shots. For many users, it represents the largest size that still comfortably conceals, making it a versatile option for both concealed carry and home defense.
The G19 also excels in accessory compatibility. Nearly every holster manufacturer supports it, and the pistol’s frame rail accommodates compact weapon lights such as the Streamlight TLR-7A or SureFire X300. Modern MOS (Modular Optic System) variants come pre-cut for adapter plates for popular red dot optics, making the G19 a strong contender for those who prefer an optic-equipped defensive setup. If you’re already got a GLOCK pistol that is not set up for optics, consider purchasing a GLOCK MOS slide rather a full firearm.
While its size may feel substantial for smaller-framed users or certain carry positions, the GLOCK 19 remains the benchmark against which all other concealed carry pistols are compared.
Glock 43X: The Small But Mighty
When the GLOCK 43X was released, it immediately addressed a growing demand for a pistol that bridged the gap between the ultra-compact G43 and the mid-sized G19. The result was a handgun that offered the concealability of a slimline pistol with enough grip length and capacity to perform like a much larger firearm.
The 43X features a 3.41-inch barrel and an overall length of 6.5 inches, making it shorter and lighter than the G19. Its defining characteristic is its slim frame, measuring just 1.1 inches wide, which allows it to disappear beneath clothing—even with minimal cover garments. Despite the compact frame, the 43X retains a full-length grip that accommodates all fingers comfortably, improving control during rapid fire.
With a standard 10-round magazine, the 43X delivers respectable capacity for its size. However, aftermarket options such as the Shield Arms S15 magazine boost capacity to 15 rounds—the same as a G19—without increasing the pistol’s profile. This advancement effectively transformed the 43X from a subcompact backup gun into a serious primary carry option.
From a shootability perspective, the 43X performs far above its weight class. The longer grip provides better leverage, and its slim slide reduces reciprocating mass, helping to tame recoil. Many users find it easier to control than shorter, stubbier micro-compacts, especially when shooting quickly. Despite its favorable recoil characteristics, though, it still can’t compare to the speed and controllability of the larger G19.
The 43X’s compatibility has grown immensely since its release. GLOCK offers an MOS variant that accommodates micro red dots like the Holosun 507K or Shield RMSc, and while the original lacked a standard accessory rail, the MOS model added a proprietary rail that is compatible with a selection of popular micro-sized carry lights, such as the Streamlight TLR-7 SUB and the Surefire XSC.
For those prioritizing comfort and concealment, the 43X is an exceptional choice. Its shorter barrel makes it especially comfortable for appendix carry, while its thin profile ensures minimal printing even under fitted clothing. It’s a pistol designed to disappear, yet perform with the confidence of a larger firearm.
Glock 48: The Slim But Sizeable
The GLOCK 48 was developed alongside the 43X and shares much of its DNA. In fact, the two pistols are almost identical in frame size, grip shape, and magazine compatibility. The difference lies primarily in the slide and barrel length. The G48 features a 4.17-inch barrel, matching the G19’s sight radius and enhancing its balance for those who prefer a slightly larger platform.
Despite this longer slide, the G48 retains the same slim 1.1-inch profile as the 43X, making it one of the most concealable mid-size handguns on the market. It offers a unique blend of control, accuracy, and concealability—traits that appeal to those who find the G19 too bulky but want more stability than a shorter pistol provides.
Like the 43X, the G48 comes standard with a 10-round magazine, but it too benefits from Shield Arms S15 magazines, bringing capacity up to 15 rounds. This combination of full-size capacity, compact dimensions, and exceptional ergonomics makes the G48 particularly attractive for those who carry on the strong side or prefer an outside-the-waistband configuration under light cover.
In terms of performance, the G48 shoots much like a G19, thanks to its longer sight radius and balanced recoil impulse. The additional barrel length slightly increases muzzle velocity, and the longer slide provides a longer sight radius, which is particularly important for those who use iron sights as their primary aiming method. The MOS variant allows easy installation of compact red dots and, like the 43X, includes an accessory rail for light compatibility.
The GLOCK 48 stands out as a versatile crossover—large enough for range comfort, small enough for discreet carry, and slim enough to conceal under almost any clothing style. For many, it represents the perfect “do-it-all” size.
Glock 19 vs 43X vs 48: Head to Head
When comparing the GLOCK 19, 43X, and 48 directly, the distinctions between them become clearer, though each offers a unique balance of performance and concealment.
The GLOCK 19 is the most established and versatile of the three. It offers the largest standard capacity—15 rounds—and the widest range of aftermarket and holster options. Its slightly thicker frame provides better recoil management and accessory compatibility, particularly for larger weapon lights and optics. However, that added width makes it slightly more difficult to conceal, especially for slimmer individuals or those wearing fitted clothing. For those who prioritize performance over absolute concealability, the G19 remains a top-tier choice.
The GLOCK 43X is the most compact option in this comparison. Its shorter barrel and reduced weight make it exceptionally comfortable for all-day carry, particularly in the appendix position. It excels for those who prioritize concealment above all else but still want a comfortable, capable firearm. The 43X is also ideal for users who value minimal printing and prefer a carry pistol that all but disappears under a T-shirt.
The GLOCK 48, meanwhile, offers a balanced middle ground between the two extremes. It shares the same slim frame as the 43X but with the sight radius and handling characteristics of the G19. This longer slide helps mitigate muzzle rise, resulting in improved control and accuracy without sacrificing concealability. Its thin profile makes it particularly well-suited for strong-side carry, where a wider frame like the G19 might print more noticeably.
With the availability of high-capacity S15 magazines, the 43X and 48 now offer near-identical capacity to the G19, eliminating one of the few trade-offs that once separated them. This technological improvement means the choice between these pistols now comes down to size preference, carry method, and personal comfort.
For those who want a compact powerhouse that conceals easily and feels natural in the hand, the G43X is a strong contender. For users who prefer a longer sight radius and steadier recoil control in a slim frame, the G48 stands out. And for those who want maximum compatibility, full accessory support, and the familiarity of a proven design, the G19 remains an industry classic.
Conclusion
Selecting the right concealed carry firearm is ultimately a personal decision—one influenced by body type, clothing, environment, and comfort. The GLOCK 19, 43X, and 48 each offer a proven foundation of reliability and performance, but they cater to different priorities.
The G19 remains the timeless benchmark—a firearm trusted by professionals and private citizens alike for its balance of capacity, control, and dependability. The 43X redefines what a compact pistol can do, delivering confidence and shootability in a remarkably slim package. The G48 bridges the gap between them, blending near-full-size performance with exceptional concealability.
In the end, the “best” option isn’t universal—it’s the one that fits your lifestyle and carry habits. Whether you choose the enduring capability of the G19, the subtle comfort of the 43X, or the sleek balance of the 48, you’ll be carrying one of the most reliable defensive tools available today. GLOCK’s proven formula ensures that whichever model you select, you’ll have a dependable partner ready when it matters most.
For more reading on these pistols, check out our companion article, How Much Is A Glock?
