Roundup: Concealed Carry Holsters For The Glock G48

Although the 9mm Glock G48 pistol, a gun that is, in essence, a pared-down, single-stack Glock G19, has now been on the market for over half a decade, it still continues to shine in its personal protection/everyday-carry role given its size, weight and standard capacity of 10 rounds. The Glock G48’s popularity also entails a wide variety of carry-holster choices. Below are four different makes and models that fit the Glock G48 (with or without a slide-mounted red dot sight).  

Galco Stow-N-Go Elite

The Galco Gunleather Stow-N-Go Elite is a traditional IWB (inside the waistband) leather holster based on Galco’s original Stow-N-Go design. This particular model gets its “Elite” designation, as it’s also part of Galco’s premium Masterbilt series; it uses the highest grade of leather and other materials that Galco offers.

The Stow-N-Go Elite holster uses a polymer belt clip that accommodates gun belts up to 1.75 inches wide and attaches to the holster with a neutral cant. This means that the wearer can easily conceal the holster both in the “traditional” spot behind the hip or forward of the hip bone.

Raven Concealment Executive Select VSB

The newly released Raven Concealment Gear Executive Select VSB holster is probably the most unique item listed in this round-up. The holster itself is a concealment holster that’s suitable for appendix/inside the waistband carry. At this point in time, the Raven Concealment Executive Select VSB is the only holster that’s 3-D printed. The novel approach selected by the Raven Concealment team flips the classic carry holster script on its head. Historically, holsters were always designed around the very gun they were intended to sheath while the wearer accommodated the peripherals on said holster to comfortably carry and conceal (think of the different styles of belt loops, wings, claws and wedges). Everything hinged on dressing around the holster that depended on the shape of the gun. On the other hand, the impetus behind the new Raven Concealment Executive Select VSB Holster was to 3-D print the holster’s outer contours to conform to the body first—the opposite. Because it’s 3-D printed, the Executive Select VSB can both conform to the body and be specifically programmed to make the inner cavity fit any gun. Raven Concealment currently offers these for the slimline Glock G48 (and the SIG Sauer P365). Both of these models are small enough that the Executive Select VSB also has an onboard “sidecar” style slot for a spare magazine.

Mission First Tactical

Typically, most concealment holsters are designed to either be carried on one side of the waistband but not both. But Mission First Tactical sells their Ambidextrous OWB/AIWB/IWB holster that can easily “jump” the waistline and be carried on either side, be it in the standard appendix inside the waistband manner, inside the waistband or outside the waistband too. Because this holster is ambidextrous, anyone can carry it anywhere on their strong side on either side of their waistband. This holster uses its own proprietary belt clip that accepts gun belts up to 1.5 inches wide. It also allows for a degree of cant which is user adjustable depending on their chosen carry position. The outer shell of the holster is made from .08-inch thick Boltaron and it easily accommodates pistols with taller suppressor-height iron sights and slide mounted red dots.

Dark Star Gear Apollo

The Dark Star Gear Apollo Holster for the Glock G48 is a straightforward and affordable appendix inside-the-waistband concealment holster. Designed to be bare bones, the Dark Star Gear Apollo includes everything needed to successfully and confidently carry a Glock G48 without lacking in extra frivolities. Even though Dark Star offers these holsters for $49, it doesn’t mean corners have been cut. Apollos are built using industry-standard hardware spacing and work with a multitude of belt attachment options including like the Raven Concealment clips (these are standard on Dark Star Apollo holsters) or the Discreet Carry Concepts Mod 4 clips. Similarly, industry standard spacing means that the Apollo is compatible with the PHLster Enigma concealment system and accessories like the Dark Star Dark Wing. If need be, it will also accept foam wedges and padding for more concealment.

The Takeaway

While there are newer models from other manufacturers that squeeze in 13 or even 15 rounds in smaller carry packages, I’d argue the Glock G48’s standard 10 round capacity lacks for nothing and makes life easier for those who travel around the country without having to worry about magazine capacity restrictions. Likewise, Glock G48 slides are now available from the factory with optics-cut slides for red-dot sights. Non-MOS original slides can also easily be directly milled by a competent machinist too. In addition to the versatility of the pistol itself, today’s market also offers a variety of concealment holsters at various price points to suit everyone and their carry style.