Braxton Taylor
Firearm: Glock G30 Gen5 (MSRP: $647)
It occurred to me recently that, while the mid-size Glock compact 9 mm has been covered rather extensively, other Glock pistols in calibers other than 9 mm have been under-represented in “I Carry.” Since ages ago I carried a Glock G30, the subcompact .45 ACP Glock, I figured that a look at the current Gen5 version would be in order. There’s no compact Glock in .45 ACP; there’s only the full-size G21 and competition-size G41 as well as the single-stack subcompact G36 and the double-stack subcompact we have today, the G30.
Dimensionally, the G30 fits somewhere between the G19 and G26 9 mm pistols for size. It’s 7 inches long, 4.8 inches tall, 1.38 inches wide and weighs 23.8 ounces empty. Compare that to the G19: 7.28 inches overall length, 5 inches tall, 1.34 inches wide and 21.5 ounces. How about the G26? 6.42 inches overall length, 4.17 inches tall, 1.3 inches wide and 19.7 ounces. The G30 falls pretty much right in between the subcompact and compact 9 mm Glocks, so if you can conceal a G19, the G30 will be even easier.
Capacity-wise, there’s no getting around the fact that the G30 carries the same number of rounds as the smaller G26 and fewer rounds than the G19, which is only slightly larger than the G30. While the full-size magazines of the G21 will of course work in the G30, those only add three more rounds for a total on-board capacity of 14 rounds (13+1) and the magazine will extend slightly from the grip, like using a G17 magazine in a G19. In any case, though, there’s still a substantial number of rounds with which to solve a ballistic problem, and for those who prefer .45 ACP to 9 mm, that’s a pretty fair trade.
In any case, the G30 we have today is the Gen5 variant, which means it has the Marksman barrel, ambidextrous slide-stop levers, a flared magazine well and a more concealed-carry friendly slide-melt treatment. Finger grooves have been removed from the Gen5 pistols, the trigger has been improved and magazines carry enlarged floorplates to aid removal from the pistol. The G30 is one of the newest Gen5 releases from Glock, bringing these new enhancements to the smaller .45 ACP offering.
Holster: DeSantis Cozy Partner (MSRP: $99.99)
I’ve split the difference on the holster for the Glock G30. Since it’s a .45 ACP, it seemed like a leather holster should be the way to go; however, given the Glock provenance I opted for an inside-the-waistband model. With these parameters in mind, I’ve chosen the DeSantis Holsters Cozy Partner to carry the G30. I have Cozy Partner holsters for several other pistols, and found them to work exceptionally well in about the 4-o’clock position.
Twin leather loops keep the holster secure, and depending on the style of pants and where the belt loops are located, it’s possible to put a holster loop on either side of a belt loop to help anchor the Cozy Partner in place. The leather is comfortable against the skin, and the holster is molded to the contour of the individual firearm. Cozy Partner inside-the-waistband holsters are available for a number of different firearms, in black or tan leather and for right- and left-handed shooters.
Accessory: CRKT Kommer Soldotna fixed-blade knife (MSRP: $200)
With a handgun in .45 ACP and a trusty leather holster, it seemed that a solid fixed-blade knife would be the perfect addition to today’s kit, so we’ve added the Columbia River Knife & Tool Soldotna knife with that in mind. With a 3.48-inch long, 1095 carbon-steel blade wearing a Cerakote finish and Micarta scales, the Soldotna is rugged, durable and is both easy to sharpen and will hold an edge well. Overall length is 7.63 inches and weight is only 3.3 ounces, so the Soldotna won’t add too much heft to your everyday gear.
The included sheath is constructed of leather and includes a leather loop to carry it on the belt as well as a leather retention strap. I’d prefer a molded Kydex sheath with a single DCC clip, possibly a tuckable one, but the leather sheath is certainly more aesthetically pleasing. The Soldotna feels quite solid in the hand with excellent purchase and is just about the perfect size for the vast majority of tasks for which you’d want a knife handy.
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