The Glock 48 occupies a unique position in the carry market: it is the slimline Glock 19. Introduced alongside the Glock 43X in January 2019, the G48 pairs the Glock 43X's slimline frame — 1.10 inches wide overall, with a 0.87-inch slide — with a Glock 19-length slide and 4.17-inch barrel. The result is a 9mm with a 7.28-inch overall length, 5.04-inch height, and 20.74-ounce unloaded weight that delivers a longer sight radius and more shootable platform than any of Glock's shorter slimline models, while remaining significantly thinner than the Glock 19. Capacity is 10+1 on a flush single-stack magazine — the tradeoff for that slim profile. For carriers who want the Glock 19's shooting characteristics and overall length in a substantially thinner package, the G48 is the answer. Finding the right Glock 48 holster is straightforward given the pistol's well-defined dimensions — this guide covers every configuration Concealment Express offers, precision-molded from Kydex and made in Jacksonville, FL.
Best Glock 48 Holsters for Concealed Carry
Every Glock 48 holster from Concealment Express is molded directly to the G48's exact dimensions, indexing on the trigger guard and ejection port for consistent retention and draw stroke. The proprietary Posi-Click® retention system delivers audible confirmation every time the pistol seats. Note that the Glock 48 and Glock 43X share the same frame but have different slide lengths — a holster molded for the Glock 43X will not fit the G48, and vice versa. Here are the carry configurations available.
IWB Classic Holster for Glock 48
The everyday carry standard for the G48. The IWB Classic is precision-molded to the G48's 4.17-inch barrel and slimline frame, producing a low-profile inside-the-waistband setup that leverages the pistol's 0.87-inch slide width to minimize the contact surface against the body. The G48's slim profile means it presses flat against the torso with minimal outward protrusion despite its Glock 19-length overall dimensions. Adjustable cant (0-15 degrees) and ride height let you optimize the draw for your carry position. The full-length sweat guard protects the nDLC-coated slide during all-day wear. A slight rearward cant (FBI tilt) at 3-4 o'clock helps manage the G48's longer slide, pressing the muzzle toward the body rather than away. Best for: strong-side IWB carry at 3-5 o'clock, carriers stepping up from the Glock 43X who want more sight radius, experienced carriers who want a slimmer alternative to the Glock 19.
Tuckable IWB Holster for Glock 48
For professional environments requiring a tucked shirt, the Tuckable IWB allows the G48 to disappear under dress attire. The G48's 5.04-inch height — the same as the Glock 43X — means the grip extends below the belt only as far as the slimline frame's relatively short grip, keeping the tucked profile manageable. The tuckable clip positions between belt and pants, allowing the shirt to tuck cleanly over the holster. The G48's slim 1.10-inch overall width means there is minimal fabric distortion even under a fitted dress shirt. Same Posi-Click® retention and adjustable cant as the IWB Classic. Best for: office carry, business formal settings, any environment where the G48's slim profile can be fully exploited in a tucked carry setup.
Plus Line IWB with Claw for Glock 48
Built for appendix carry. The Plus Line adds a concealment claw that hooks behind the belt and presses the G48's grip flat against the abdomen, managing the grip printing that comes with the slimline frame's 5.04-inch height at the 12-1 o'clock position. The G48's longer slide (versus the Glock 43X) adds approximately 0.78 inches of overall length that extends further toward the hip crease at the appendix position — the claw helps compensate for this by improving grip tuck. Includes fiber-reinforced stealth clip, full-length sweat guard, and adjustable retention. Best for: appendix carry on medium to larger frames, carriers who prefer the G48's sight radius advantage and are willing to manage the slightly longer slide at AIWB, those who carry the G43X and want to upgrade to the G48's shooting platform without changing carry position.
OWB Paddle Holster for Glock 48
Fast on, fast off for range and training. The OWB Paddle clips over the waistband without threading through belt loops, providing immediate deployment for dry fire sessions, range use, and home defense staging. The G48's 4.17-inch Glock Marksman Barrel pairs exceptionally well with an OWB setup for range training — the longer sight radius and the open-top paddle design combine for a clean, accurate draw stroke. Molded to the G48's exact Glock 19-length slide with Posi-Click® retention. Best for: range use, training, home defense staging, open carry, anyone who wants to get the most from the G48's accuracy-oriented barrel length in a fast-access setup.
OWB Belt Loop Holster for Glock 48
Maximum stability for all-day OWB carry. Two reinforced belt loops anchor directly to the belt, distributing the G48's 20.74-ounce unloaded weight across multiple contact points with zero lateral shift. The pancake-style body pulls the holster tight against the torso for improved concealment under a jacket. The G48's slim profile means even the OWB Belt Loop setup carries closer to the body than a comparable double-stack pistol would. Best for: all-day open carry, cold-weather carry under outerwear, duty-adjacent use, range instruction, and anyone who wants the G48's slimline advantage with the most stable possible belt attachment.
Glock 48 Holster Buying Guide
The G48's combination of slimline frame and Glock 19-length slide creates specific holster considerations worth understanding before you buy. Here is what matters most for a Glock 48 holster.
- The G48 requires its own holster — not a Glock 43X holster: The Glock 48 and Glock 43X share the same slimline frame and identical grip dimensions, but the G48 has a longer slide (4.17-inch barrel vs 3.41-inch barrel). A Glock 43X holster will leave the G48's longer slide extending beyond the holster body, producing incorrect retention indexing and an unsafe carry setup. Always select a holster specifically molded for the Glock 48. Similarly, a Glock 19 holster will not fit the G48 — the G48's slimline frame is narrower than the Glock 19's standard frame despite the shared slide length.
- The 0.87-inch slide is the G48's carry advantage: The G48's slide is the same width as the Glock 43 and Glock 43X — 0.87 inches — despite having a Glock 19-length barrel. A Glock 19 slide measures 1.0 inch wide. This 0.13-inch difference may seem small, but across a full day of IWB carry it represents meaningfully less contact surface against the body and less outward protrusion. Carriers who find the Glock 19 marginally too wide for comfortable all-day IWB carry often find the G48 resolves that issue while preserving the 19's sight radius and overall shooting experience.
- MOS variant: The Glock 48 MOS has a milled slide for optic mounting, compatible with common compact footprints including the Holosun 507C, Trijicon RMR, and Leupold DeltaPoint Pro. If you run a G48 MOS with an optic, confirm your holster includes an optic cut. A standard G48 holster will not accommodate the G48 MOS with an optic installed.
- Shield Arms S15 magazine compatibility: The Shield Arms S15 magazine — which converts the Glock 43X to 15-round capacity — also fits the Glock 48 frame. Carriers who want to extend their G48's capacity to 15 rounds can do so with S15 magazines. The holster still fits correctly with S15 magazines, which extend below the grip. Note that S15 magazines require the Shield Arms metal magazine release to function reliably — this is a component swap, not a drop-in upgrade.
- A quality gun belt matters: The G48 weighs approximately 26 ounces loaded. A rigid 1.5-inch gun belt prevents holster sag and keeps the draw angle consistent through a full day of carry. The slim profile of the G48 IWB setup sits closer to the body than a Glock 19, and a quality belt preserves that advantage by eliminating the outward tilt that a soft belt allows.
IWB vs OWB for Glock 48 — Which Is Right for You?
The G48's slim profile makes both IWB and OWB highly practical. Here is how the two setups compare.
| Factor | IWB (Inside Waistband) | OWB (Outside Waistband) |
|---|---|---|
| Concealment | Excellent — the 0.87" slide width is significantly slimmer than the Glock 19 IWB; the G48 hugs the body closely | Very good — slim profile conceals easily under a jacket or flannel |
| Comfort | Excellent — 20.74 oz unloaded, slim slide, comfortable all-day IWB | Excellent — light weight makes OWB fatigue-free for extended sessions |
| Draw Speed | Good — longer sight radius and consistent draw stroke from a well-fitted IWB holster | Faster — preferred for range use and training |
| Wardrobe Impact | Minimal — the G48's slim profile and standard Glock 43X grip height rarely requires pants size adjustment | None — sits outside the pants entirely |
| Best For | Daily concealed carry, year-round carry, carriers wanting Glock 19 performance in a slimmer IWB package | Range, training, open carry, home defense staging |
The G48's IWB carry experience is closer to the Glock 43X than to the Glock 19 — the slim 0.87-inch slide presses flat against the body in a way the wider Glock 19 does not. Carriers who have tried the Glock 19 IWB and found it slightly too wide for comfortable all-day carry will likely find the G48 solves that problem while delivering the same overall length and sight radius.
Glock 48 vs Glock 43X — Carry Comparison
The Glock 43X and Glock 48 are the most directly comparable pistols in Glock's lineup — they share the same frame, same grip dimensions, same width, and same capacity. The only meaningful difference is slide length. Here is how that difference plays out in a carry context.
- Overall length: G48 at 7.28 inches vs Glock 43X at 6.50 inches. The G48 is 0.78 inches longer — the entire difference comes from the longer slide and barrel, not the grip.
- Height: Identical at 5.04 inches. Both have the same grip frame. There is no grip printing difference between these two pistols.
- Width: Identical at 1.10 inches overall, 0.87 inches at the slide. No concealment difference in the width dimension.
- Capacity: Identical at 10+1 with flush magazines. Both accept Shield Arms S15 magazines for 15-round capacity.
- Sight radius: G48 at approximately 6.49 inches vs Glock 43X at approximately 5.51 inches. The G48's longer barrel delivers a meaningfully longer sight radius — a practical accuracy advantage for target shooting and any engagement beyond typical self-defense distances.
- IWB carry: The Glock 43X's shorter slide is slightly easier to carry strong-side IWB due to the reduced length below the hip. The difference is modest and largely irrelevant for most carry positions. For appendix carry, the G43X's shorter muzzle is the more significant advantage.
- Holster compatibility: Different holsters required. A G43X holster will not fit the G48. Confirm the correct model when ordering.
If you carry primarily strong-side IWB and want the best shooting platform in the slimline Glock family, the G48 is the better choice. If you carry primarily appendix and want the shortest possible muzzle at the AIWB position, the Glock 43X has a modest advantage. For all other carry positions and use cases, the choice comes down to personal preference for barrel length and shooting feel.
Glock 48 vs Glock 19 — The Slimline Choice
For carriers deciding between the Glock 48 and Glock 19, the comparison is simpler than it might appear: same length, very different width.
- Overall length: Nearly identical. G48 at 7.28 inches vs Glock 19 at 7.36 inches. The G48 is actually 0.08 inches shorter overall.
- Width: G48 at 1.10 inches vs Glock 19 at 1.26 inches. The G48 is 0.16 inches narrower overall. At the slide, the G48 measures 0.87 inches vs the Glock 19's 1.0 inches — a 0.13-inch difference that translates to a noticeably slimmer IWB profile.
- Capacity: 10+1 (G48) vs 15+1 (Glock 19). The Glock 19 carries five additional rounds standard — a significant capacity difference.
- Weight: G48 at 20.74 oz unloaded vs Glock 19 at 21.16 oz unloaded. Essentially the same.
- The verdict: If capacity is the priority, the Glock 19 is the clear choice. If IWB concealability and carry comfort are the priority and you can accept 10+1, the G48 delivers the Glock 19's shooting platform in a meaningfully slimmer package.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best holster for a Glock 48?
For daily concealed carry, an IWB Kydex holster precision-molded to the G48's slimline frame and 4.17-inch barrel is the best choice. The IWB Classic from Concealment Express delivers a low-profile setup that leverages the G48's slim 0.87-inch slide width for minimal IWB print. For appendix carry, the Plus Line with claw manages the longer slide effectively. All Concealment Express G48 holsters are made to order in Jacksonville, FL with free shipping and a lifetime guarantee.
Will a Glock 43X holster fit a Glock 48?
No. The Glock 43X and Glock 48 share the same frame and grip, but the G48 has a longer slide (4.17-inch barrel vs 3.41-inch barrel). A Glock 43X holster will not properly accommodate the G48's longer slide — the muzzle extends beyond the holster body and the retention indexing is incorrect. A holster specifically molded for the Glock 48 is required.
Will a Glock 19 holster fit a Glock 48?
No. Despite having a similar overall length, the Glock 48 has a narrower slimline frame than the Glock 19. A Glock 19 holster is molded to the wider standard frame and will not properly index on or retain the G48's slimmer profile. A holster specifically molded for the Glock 48 is required.
Do Concealment Express Glock 48 holsters fit the MOS variant?
Yes, but the MOS-specific holster must be selected at checkout. Concealment Express offers holsters for the Glock 48 MOS with an optic cut sized for common compact red dot footprints including the Holosun 507C, Trijicon RMR, and Leupold DeltaPoint Pro. A standard G48 holster will not fit a G48 MOS with an optic installed.
How long does shipping take for Glock 48 holsters?
Glock 48 holsters from Concealment Express ship within 7-10 business days. Every holster is made to order in Jacksonville, Florida and goes through multiple quality checks before shipping. Free standard shipping is included on all orders, and every holster is backed by a lifetime guarantee.
Shop Glock 48 Holsters
Browse the full selection of American-made Kydex holsters for the Glock 48 — IWB Classic, Tuckable, Plus Line with claw, OWB Paddle, and OWB Belt Loop configurations for standard and MOS variants. Every holster features Posi-Click® retention, full trigger guard coverage, and adjustable cant and ride height. Precision-molded to the G48's slimline 0.87-inch slide. Handcrafted in Jacksonville, FL with a lifetime guarantee and free shipping on every order.

