Best Glocks for Concealed Carry [2022 Complete Review]

1. Glock G19 Semi-Auto Pistol

Hands down, the most popular and recommended pistol for concealed carry among Glock models is the Glock 19 semi-automatic pistol. It is not only geared towards concealed carry but also is excellent for novices and trusted by law enforcement professionals the world over.

Simply, it’s well-rounded, and that’s what makes it so perfect. It’s smaller and more concealable than other Glock models, but not so small that the average user will have a harder time using it—models like the Glock 26, for example, are more ideal for those with smaller hands.

Compared to larger models, it only sacrifices two rounds for this smaller size, and yet at a ten-round capacity, you will need to load substantially less often than with other handguns, which matters, as you’ll be able to hit your target or take down a group without having to reload.

Of course, it’s also rugged. Made from high-strength polymer and resistant to corrosion, extreme temperatures, and shock, it is ready for any environment. A Tenifer treatment protects it from perspiration when held close to your body.

But perhaps most important of all, it simply works. Without the need for special care, a Glock 19 can withstand even the most careless gun owner’s habits. The Glock 19 can operate in the pouring rain, when dirty, and without constant cleaning or the implementation of custom springs, feed ramps, or routine oiling.

We’re not saying not to take care of your Glock. You should. But the G19 has earned its reputation as immensely reliable, which is why for concealed carry, it should top everyone’s list regardless of how familiar you are with handguns.

Bottom Line

It’s hard to fault the Glock 19. As the ultimate utilitarian handgun, it’s easy to use, reliable, affordable, and comes with a huge aftermarket for parts. It should be everyone’s starting point.

2. Glock - G23 4.02in 40 S&W Gas Nitride 10+1rd

The Glock 23 is another excellent option. As it is a Glock, it shares many similarities with the G19, such as a rugged construction that is resistant to shock, corrosion, perspiration, and heavy abuse in general. You can also expect the same level of reliability as you can from the G19, so we won’t repeat ourselves.

There are key differences. The G19 is designed so that it’s a great fit for just about everyone. It’s the happy middle ground. The G23 is a bit larger, and as such, it is slightly more difficult for a concealed carry.

However, for people who are larger, this is advantageous. First off, a larger person concealing a larger handgun is generally not more difficult nor more uncomfortable, as there is a larger body mass. A larger gun does, however, mean a longer grip, which is perfect for larger hands.

That said, it also features a short 4.02” barrel and weighs only 1.44 pounds, meaning it is still optimum for concealment and fits with a wide variety of holsters.

A standard magazine contains ten rounds, as with the G19, and it fits within the same price range.

It is also easy to use, and some find it to be a bit more accurate than the G19, although any difference will be negligible to novices and the primary difference comes down to size and comfort for those just starting out.

Bottom Line

A very comparable alternative to the Glock 19, the Glock 23 is another exceptionally popular model with great durability and performance, with a larger grip that does not impede concealability.

3. Glock G26 Semi-Auto Pistol

You might think our next choice is going to be a smaller variant of the Glock 19, but in fact, it’s sub-compact all around. While the Glock 19 and Glock 23 are designed to be the perfect handgun for just about anyone, the Glock 26 is specifically designed for concealed carry.

This means that not only is the grip smaller—and incidentally, perfect for people with smaller hands—but every component has been whittled down to a minimum, including a 3.42” barrel. That said, it uses the same durable construction that’s resistant to shock, corrosion, and whatever else you can throw at it.

Even the internal mechanisms have been retained, although a double-spring recoil assembly has been taken from later-generation Glocks to support its size. Despite its size, it can still retain a standard ten-round magazine.

Its small size obviously makes it great for those with small or very small hands, but even those with normal-sized hands may wish to try the Glock 26 due to its impeccable ability to be concealed. Due to its size, even those who find concealed carry to almost always be uncomfortable will find that the small footprint and three-pound weight of this handgun lend themselves exceptionally well to all situations.

That said, if holstering isn’t your thing, with a three-inch barrel, if you can hide this pretty much anywhere you can hide your cell phone.

Bottom Line

The Glock 26 is something of a marvel in how it retains the same durability and reliability as other Glocks and even features the standard ten-round magazine while staying smaller than even some modern cell phones, making it an optimum concealed carry option.

4. Glock 30 Sf Semi-Auto Pistol

The Glock 30 is an excellent option for those who have a little more experience with handguns but still want the best in concealed carry. As it provides access to the .45 ammunition, it packs a stronger punch, but does so in a small frame that is easily concealable.

It is still quite small—the barrel is 3.77”, putting it on the smaller end of the spectrum for Glock models—and is part of the SF line, which stands for Slim Frame, allowing for a tighter profile that is great for carrying inside-the-waistband. At 3.35 pounds, it is light and comfortable.

Having the knock-down power of a .45 in a frame this small is simply an incredible feat. Of course, Glock did not take any shortcuts (after all, this is the company that can create the incredibly small G26 without cutting corners), and so its rugged polymer construction retains resistance to shocks, moisture, and corrosion. It performs reliably under all conditions.

The Glock 30 is also renowned for its accuracy, with many users often reporting that they prefer the Glock 30 SF due to its ability to hit the target more precisely and consistently. This is excellent for more advanced users seeking a concealed carry weapon that can double for other purposes, but the novice will likely want to avoid it due to the added kick. Of course, with proper training to ensure perfect form, it’s possible to overcome recoil concerns, but it’s not as easily adaptable as other models that do not use the .45 rounds.

Bottom Line

While excellent for any user, the Glock 30 provides exceptional firepower in a tiny package, making it great for those who are experienced with handguns and venturing into concealed carry.

5. Glock - G43 Handgun 9mm W/ 2 6-round Magazines

The Glock 43 is a newer model from Glock, attempting to push both the boundaries of size and concealability while staying utilitarian and comfortable for a wide range of owners.

For starters, it is an incredible 1.02” wide, making it one of the slimmest handguns out there. It weighs just a hair over a pound, making it lightweight. The barrel is 3.39” in length, with a total length of 6.26”. For reference, most cell phones in use today are 6” in height or longer, making this very easy to conceal.

Its height is where it attempts to find balance. At 4.25” tall, it provides about 3” of gripping area, which should be comfortable for most users. It also weighs a featherlight 1.13 pounds unloaded and the 9mm rounds will not add substantially to this.

The tradeoff is that a standard magazine holds six rounds, which, if you’ve been paying attention, is just over half the other standard magazines. Now, you could easily get an extended magazine, but given we’re looking at concealment, it does negate the 4.25” height to have a higher-capacity magazine. In designing this handgun, it seems that Glock was able to make it compact by moving some of its width into height, and then reducing the magazine capacity.

That said, it isn’t necessarily a problem. We’d recommend getting an extended magazine to give you another couple of rounds and accept that you will minimally be adding to the height. You still get a shockingly thin and compact handgun.

Of course, like all Glocks, it is made from a rugged polymer that resists moisture, corrosion, and shock, and performs beautifully under all conditions.

Bottom Line

Though you’ll likely want to opt for an extended magazine, the G43 remains one of the thinnest and more compact models on the market while still being comfortable to handle.