If you’re looking for a list of the 7 best EDC Glock pistols then we can certainly help you out. Glocks are extremely popular, versatile pistols, that work well for a variety of purposes. Because Glock currently has dozens of models on the market, it can be difficult to determine which variant best fits your concealed carry needs. In this article we will review the best EDC Glock pistol options, as well as some accessories you will want to consider for concealed carry use. Keep reading for more.
As a police officer, and avid competition shooter, I can tell you that I’ve put a lot of rounds through many different pistols. I’ve shot the cheapest Marine Corps issued Beretta M9, all the way up to $9,000 thousand dollar race pistols. I’ve even built my own semi-custom Gucci Glock.
After many years, and hundreds of thousands of rounds down range, I still find myself most frequently recommending a Glock pistol for the vast majority of pistol carrying needs. It certainly helps that they make everything from full sized 10mm Autos, to pint sized offerings like the Glock G 43.
For the purposes of this article, I will be covering the best everyday carry (EDC) Glock options for those who want to carry concealed. Check out the section below for a full list of the 7 Best EDC Glocks for ultimate concealed carry.
7 Best EDC Glocks for Ultimate Concealed Carry
- Glock 19 Gen 5 MOS (9mm)
- Glock 43x MOS (9mm)
- Glock 45 (9mm)
- Glock 43 (9mm)
- Glock 48 MOS (9mm)
- Glock 32 Gen 4 (357 Sig)
- Glock 30 SF (45 Auto)
In the next section we’re going to cover some basic questions you need to ask yourself when it comes to concealed carry. The answers to these questions will be the deciding factor on which Glock pistol will best meet your specific needs.
After that we’ll review each Glock pistol in more detail. Finally, we’ll discuss some accessories you should, and should not worry about when it comes to an EDC Glock. Before we get to the next section, don’t forget to join the email list below.
Which EDC Glock is Best for You?
In this section we need to review some of the basic issues that you need to resolve when it comes to concealed carry. Even if you’ve been carrying a pistol for a while, I would encourage you to take an honest look at this section, to make sure that you’re not missing out on better options. Let’s get to the first question.
Why Are You Carrying a Pistol?
This is the most important question for obvious reasons. Someone who only plans on occasionally carrying for self defense is obviously in a different situation than an undercover narcotics officer who will regularly be betting his life on an EDC Glock.
Keep in mind that the best pistol to carry is an easily accessible full sized firearm, like the Glock 17, 9 mm pistol. There’s a reason why this is one of the most commonly issued pistols to law enforcement across the globe. However, this is a full sized handgun, which means it isn’t the best Glock pistol to carry every day.
While smaller guns are easier to carry, and conceal, they are a performance compromise in shooting, and magazine capacity, due to their compact size. That doesn’t mean you can’t build a high level of skill with a compact pistol. As you’ll see, barrel length doesn’t matter all that much. Check out this video below.
The more likely you are to need to use your pistol, the larger it should be in terms of frame size, and magazine capacity. Of course, this is subject to common sense. If you have very small hands, a large frame gun simply may not work. Generally speaking, larger guns are easier to control and shoot accurately, especially if you have larger hands. Now let’s talk about magazine capacity.
How Much Magazine Capacity Do You Need?
If you’ve read my analysis of 11 Research Based Concealed Carry Tips from Criminal Video Analysis, you know there are some surprising takeaways. Most relevant to our discussion is the fact that criminals often attack in groups of 2 or more.
If you look at historical gunfight stats for police officers, we see that over the last 100 years officers have maintained a 30% hit rate. I see no reason to think your average CCW holder will do any better.
In my analysis of 1800 gunfights we see that most common self defense pistol rounds require at least 2 rounds to strike the target before they flee, or become incapacitated. If we combine these key statistics we have a very good idea of our ideal magazine capacity.
If we plan on having to deal with 2 bad guys, and we know that we need to hit them with at least 2 rounds each, at a 30% accuracy rate, that means we need 12-13 rounds in the gun. Remember, this is a worst case scenario with multiple bad guys, and no ability to flee the situation.
This is why I generally recommend carrying a firearm with at least double digit capacity. Obviously, this may not always be possible, however, you need to understand that you’re assuming some risk if you choose to carry fewer rounds. Next let’s talk about how you plan on carrying the gun.
How Will You Carry Your EDC Glock?
This is more important than most people think. In fact, I would say this is the key logistical issue you need to resolve before deciding on a firearm. Many people like to carry appendix inside the waistband. This has certain advantages in terms of speed of draw, and concealability, but it isn’t practical for everyone.
Personally, I have an athletic body type, and I’ve never found this method to be particularly comfortable. I will also point out that in my CCW video analysis article, there was no self-defense situation where drawing a gun immediately was a good idea. Almost all successful shoots required the good guy to delay the draw, and obscure the draw from the attacker. I guess Instagram isn’t the best training source?!
If you’re a larger person, or plan on carrying outside the waistband, you can go with a larger pistol choice. If you’re smaller, and need the pistol to be more concealable, then you should err on the side of a smaller pistol. As long as you take the time to find a good holster for your carry method, you’ll find that even the larger offerings can be easily concealed.
Now that we’ve covered some of the key considerations for finding your best EDC Glock, let’s get to the list of firearms. Keep in mind that I will review some of the big ticket stats for each gun, but you should follow the links for full details.
In the interest of full disclosure, these are affiliate links. That means if you purchase from these companies we receive a small percentage as a referral fee. You pay nothing extra, and I only work with reputable companies that I’ve made private purchases from as well. None of these companies, including Glock, paid for this article. Now, on to the list.
7 Best EDC Glock Pistols for Ultimate Concealed Carry
Most of you will notice that I’ve most often recommended 9 mm Glocks. That’s because they’re just as capable as any other self defense pistol round, and those pistols are much easier to control, and shoot accurately. Don’t believe me, then check out this 9mm vs. 40 S&W article.
Rest assured that I’ve included a few great options with more powerful cartridges like 45 Auto, and my personal favorite .357 Sig. It’s a true shame that round isn’t more popular, as it performs better than almost any other pistol round. Check this article out for more details.
Lastly, if you happen to be a first responder, I recommend checking out Primary Arms Blue Label Glocks. They are often more than $100 dollars cheaper than the lowest prices you’ll find elsewhere on standard Glock models. Otherwise, I’ve listed the lowest price I can find. Let’s get to the first pistol
Glock 19 MOS Gen 5 (9mm)
The Glock 19 MOS Gen 5 is probably the best all around pistol ever made. It’s issued to police officers, and carried by Green Berets, as well as thousands of legally armed civilians. It’s a compact framed 9mm pistol with a double-stack magazine capacity of 15 rounds. It features a reversible magazine catch, and like all Gen 5 Glocks, it has a nice internal factory mag well.
Glock states it has a 5.8 pound trigger from the factory, which I would categorize as ok, but not great. Its barrel is just over 4 inches in length. Most shooters will find that the compact frame provides plenty of room to maintain a good grip. You can also add larger grip panels according to your personal preferences.
The G19 is a great pistol, and is the best option for all around use. As of this writing you can pick one up for $620. Next, let’s get to one the best CCW pistols on this list.
Glock 43x MOS (9mm)
Th Glock 43 x MOS (9mm) is probably the best gun (of the small guns) for almost everyone on this list. It occupies the space between the the compact, and subcompact pistol designations. Overall, it’s quite small, with a 3.4 inch barrel, and a slimmer profile than the Glock 19. Here’s a quick overview video.
It comes with a 10-round magazine from the factory. While an overall 11 round capacity isn’t bad, that can be substantially increased with the excellent Shield Arms S15 magazine. This is an all metal magazine that fits flush to the bottom of the Glock 43x. It increases the overall capacity to 15+1 in the gun. Optionally, you may want to add in the metal magazine release from Shield Arms, so the factory one doesn’t get chewed up.
Like other Modular Optic System (MOS) Glocks, this slim frame will fit any type of compact dot, provided you purchase the correct adapter plate. You could also use some of the Holosun optics that are designed to fit to the Glock without an adapter plate. We’ll cover that later on.
As of this writing you can purchase the Glock 43x for $485, which is very close to the Blue Label price. This makes it one of the best concealed carry guns on the list. Let’s get to the next pistol.
Glock 45 (9mm)
The Glock 45 (9mm) is a newer pistol from Glock, with some interesting features. I’ve included it on this list of best Glock pistols for EDC, as it’s a near full-size pistol option, that would still be suitable for concealed carry. The Glock 45 has the barrel and slide length of a Glock 19, paired with the grip of a Glock 17. If you have large hands, then this might be a good option for you. Check out this video.
Some might wonder why I don’t include the Glock 17 instead. The 17 has a longer barrel, which can make it more uncomfortable to carry inside the waistband. Generally speaking, having less slide jabbing into your side or abdomen will make for a more comfortable gun. The drawback with this gun is the pistol grip sticks out further than something like the Glock 43x, or Glock 19.
As of this writing, the Glock 45 goes for $539, which is a good deal for a near full sized pistol. Next we’ll cover the smallest option on this list of best EDC Glock pistols.
Glock 43 (9mm)
The Glock 43 (9mm) is the smallest, light weight offering on this list. If you read my review of the Glock 43 you’ll realize that it’s a great option for those that prize conceal-ability over everything else. From the factory, it has an overall capacity of 6+1, which isn’t great. It’s also one of the few guns on this list, that falls into the pocket pistols category.
However, you can easily purchase a magazine extension to make the overall grip length, and magazine capacity whatever you like. Some might say just get the 43x, but you have to keep in mind that you can’t make the grip shorter on a 43x. Check this video out.
I think one important thing to keep in mind is that there is no picatinny / accessory rail on this baby Glock . That means it’ll be harder to add lights or lasers. If you want an awesome subcompact pistol, with a slim profile, then the Glock 43 is a great option. Currently you can pick one up for $448. Next we’ll cover a less popular option that most shooters shouldn’t forget about.
Glock 48 MOS (9mm)
The Glock 48 MOS (9mm) is an excellent choice for those that want a compact Glock 19 sized option, in a slimmer profile. The Glock 48 is almost a quarter inch slimmer than the venerable Glock 19. This makes it easier to carry inside the waistband. The Glock 48 is a single-stack Glock, with a standard 10+1 overall capacity, as well as the ability to mount a red dot optic sight. Check out this video.
Similar to the Glock 43x, you can use the Shield Arms magazine to bump the capacity to 15+1. Again, I would highly recommend this option, if it’s legal to do so in your area. As of this writing you can purchase the Glock 48 for $549. Next we’ll cover the most powerful Glock on this list, and no, it isn’t the 45 ACP!
Glock 32 MOS Gen 4 (.357 Sig)
Almost no one has heard of the Glock 32 Gen 4 (357 Sig) which is unfortunate. If you’re the type of shooter that wants a very powerful pistol cartridge, and doesn’t mind high recoil, this is your best choice. If you read my article comparing the Sig Sauer .357 cartridge to the 9mm Luger round, you’ll remember that the .357 Sig has 57% more muzzle energy than the 9mm round. It even has 15-20% more muzzle energy than a 45 ACP Hydrashok round!
I want to be clear. I don’t think this will translate in a meaningful way into better “stopping power.” It’s possible that it might, but as any combat veteran or hunter can tell you, shooting an animal in the body, with a much more powerful rifle round, rarely results in an immediate stop. If this rarely happens with much more capable rifle rounds, a marginally more powerful pistol round probably won’t matter.
I’ve included this gun on the list of best EDC Glock pistols because some people want the most powerful pistol they can use. My advice is to make sure you practice with this pistol so you can acclimatize yourself to the increased recoil. As of this writing, you can purchase one of the best pistols from Glock for $499, which is a pretty good deal. Now let’s get to the largest caliber option on the list of best EDC Glocks.
Glock 30 SF (.45 Auto)
The Glock 30 SF (45 Auto) is probably the best 45 ACP Glock for EDC / concealed carry. The SF stands for short frame, which as you might imagine, reduces the overall frame dimensions. While this makes it easier to carry, it does mean that you might have less skin contact on the gun, which makes recoil control more difficult. Check this video out.
It comes with a standard 10+1 magazine capacity, which is right near the lower limit of our previous capacity recommendations. Just like the Glock 32, I recommend you spend several hundred rounds getting used to shooting this pint sized cannon, as it will have significantly more recoil than a 9mm, due to the lightweight polymer frame
As of this writing you can pick up the Glock 30SF for $546, which is a good price for a 45 Auto pistol. In the next section we’ll review some accessories you should, and should not consider for your best EDC Glock pistol.
Important Accessories for Your Glock
To be perfectly honest, the best accessory for your EDC Glock is a 1000 round case of training ammo, followed up by some training with your self defense ammunition. The next best option is a better set of sights, or possibly night sights for your Glock.
Contrary to popular belief, there’s nothing wrong with stock Glock sights. You can hit anything you need to as long as you have good fundamentals. Besides these upgrades, you will want to consider a solid holster option for your Glock.
Best EDC Glock Pistols: Holsters
In my experience holsters are a very personal decision. I prefer hybrid style holsters that have leather backing, and a kydex holster body. My next favorite are hard bodied kydex offerings. I think these are safer than pure leather holsters for inside the waistband carry. You can find good offerings from various companies by following this link to Primary Arms.
I do not recommend shoulder holsters, or ankle carry. These are generally hard to get to, or unsafe to deploy, in my opinion. I would rather see someone off-body carry in a specifically designed bag, compared to those other options. Next let’s get to the elephant in the room, red dots vs. iron sights.
Best EDC Glock Pistols: Red Dot or Iron Sights
Red dot sights are quickly becoming the standard sighting system on pistols. The best red dot sights are reliable enough for duty use in combat zones, and on CCW guns across the globe. However, that doesn’t mean that you should use one for your concealed carry EDC Glock.
If you read my article where I reviewed the data on shooting performance between red dot pistols, and iron sighted pistols, you’ll know there are some good conclusions we can draw. First, amongst expert shooters, red dot sights did not confer an appreciable accuracy or speed advantage. Similarly, red dot sights tend to increase the accuracy for novice and intermediate shooters.
My advice is that if you have experience, or will regularly practice both live and dry fire with your pistol, then a red dot is probably a good choice. If you know you won’t do much practice, or you have a lot of time on iron sights, then don’t bother with a red dot.
I would recommend something like this Holosun SCS. It can directly attach to your Glock, without the need for an adapter plate. Now, let’s cover the other elephant in the room, pistol lights.
Best EDC Glock Pistols: Pistol Light or Not?
I think a pistol light is a great option for any self defense pistol. For a concealed carry pistol, it’s a nice to have, but not a need to have. I like it best because you don’t need to purchase night sights for your pistol. There are very few scenarios where it’s dark enough to use tritium night sights, and you don’t need to see your assailant clearly. A pistol light allows you to see the bad guy, and see the perfect outline of any iron sights you’re using.
Just like the red dot debate, a pistol light is great, if you actually practice with it. I can tell you from first hand experience that police officers who are issued lights, often times forget to use them in scenarios where they should. You must practice activating the light, otherwise it’s a paper weight!
I recommend something compact like the Streamlight TLR 7 or the new Surefire XR1-A. You’ll limit some of your holster options, but they do provide a valuable capability if you train to use it. It goes without saying that pistol lights aren’t flashlights, and shouldn’t be used for routine tasks. Let’s get to my final thoughts on this list of the best EDC Glock pistols.
Final Thoughts
Out of all of these best EDC Glock pistols, I think the vast majority of shooters should go with the Glock 43x, paired with the Shield Arms magazine as the best option. It’s easily concealable, and there is wide aftermarket support for holsters, and holsters with lights. If you need a larger do it all pistol, then go for the Glock 19.
For those that want a more powerful cartridge, I think you should take a hard look at the .357 Glock 32. Otherwise, you should seek out reputable training, and stay current with your equipment with both live fire and dry fire.
If you really want to become a proficient shooter, go to a USPSA match with your set up. It’s the best training you can get for less than 30 dollars. As always, if you have any comments or questions about the best EDC Glock pistols, put them below, and I’ll get you an answer. Now get out there and get training! Don’t forget to join the email list below.
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