What To Look For in a Glock 19 Holster
Choosing the right holster to fit your needs (and gun) is not only one of the most important parts of carrying a firearm, but it can also be the most challenging. So, if you are looking for concealed carry holsters for Glock 19, we are here to help you know what to look for.
This article covers everything from design and comfort to material and holster types to help you choose a quality Glock 19 concealed carry holster that will fit your needs.
But before we talk about the fundamentals of a Glock 19 holster, let’s talk about the exceedingly popular pistol.
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About the Glock 19
Whether you know the Glock 19 for its use as a service pistol or you have heard this popular gun mentioned more than once, we can all agree this is a great option for a concealed carry weapon.
Over the years, Glock pistols have become some of the most commonly carried firearms to date. They are known for their safety, durability, and reliability, which are only a few of the reasons they are the concealed carry firearm of choice for many shooters.
The Glock 19 is a compact and versatile striker-fired pistol that is chambered in 9mm Luger. This gun is built with a high-strength nylon-based polymer and comes complete with Glock’s Safe Action System.
While the Glock 19 comes standard with a 15-round magazine, extended magazines are available, allowing you to increase the capacity to an impressive 33 rounds. This popular firearm features the Glock Marksman Barrel and has an optics-ready variation if you are looking to customize this pistol even further.
For more information on the Glock 19, visit Glock’s website here.
How To Choose the Best Concealed Carry Holster for Glock 19
With so many holster options available, which one do you choose? Here are a few things you should look for when deciding which Glock 19 holster works best for you.
Holster Type
There are various carry positions, and that means there are different types of holsters that work well based on the position you are going to carry your Glock 19 in.
The most popular way to carry a Glock 19 is inside the waistband, although it can be carried outside the waistband as well. A Glock 19 can be carried appendix, strong side, and 4 o’clock, which are just some of the traditional carry positions that work well with this pistol. Depending on your body type, you will likely find certain positions more comfortable than others.
One of the best Glock 19 holsters for IWB is our Vedder Holsters LightTuck™. Because this holster mimics the frame of the Glock 19, it makes it much easier to conceal than other holsters. If you are looking for a comfortable concealed carry Glock 19 IWB holster, you’ll want to check this one out.
Another type of comfortable IWB carry holsters are hybrid holsters like the ProTuck, RapidTuck™, and ComfortTuck™. Because these types of holsters have a leather backing, they provide even weight distribution for ultimate comfort.
If you plan to carry a spare magazine with your gun, you may want to consider Vedder Holsters’ new SideTuck holster with attached mag carrier. Designed to be worn AIWB, this holster has two points of contact and creates even weight distribution on the waistline so you can carry your weapon and spare magazine in comfort.
If you do wish to open carry the Glock 19, larger holsters like the Quick Draw and LightDraw™ are great options. They use clips or loops to more evenly distribute the weight of your gun on your waistband. Of course, if you are looking for something smaller, the paddle holster is a more compact option that could be the perfect OWB Glock 19 holster for you.
Just remember that, ultimately, the position you carry in is up to you. The position that works best for you depends on your body type and how you plan to use the pistol. If you want to read more about the different types of carry positions, check out our “Concealed Carry Positions: Ultimate Guide” article.
Material
When it comes to material, there are three that you’ll find holsters are most commonly made of: Kydex, nylon, and leather.
If you want the most durable, concealable, and adjustable holster material, you will want to choose Kydex for your Glock 19 concealed carry holster. Kydex holsters are made of thermoplastic and are heat molded to fit your specific gun model. They are incredibly comfortable, easy to conceal and give you an audible “click” when you holster your weapon.
While leather holsters can be another comfortable, easy-to-use, and durable option for concealed carry, they tend to wear out quicker than a Kydex holster. Not to mention if they come in contact with water, sweat, or humidity, they can become sticky.
Hybrid holsters provide you the comfort of leather but the design and durability of Kydex. The combination of a leather backing and Kydex shell can give you the best of both worlds.
Nylon holsters, while comfortable, aren’t recommended for concealed carry for a few reasons. First, they tend to be less durable than their Kydex and leather counterparts. Nylon holsters also don’t hold their shape once your gun is removed. When reholstering, using a holster that doesn’t maintain its shape can be quite dangerous.
Design
An accurate and thought-out design is one of the most important elements of a quality Glock 19 holster.
Hearing and feeling your Glock 19 “click” into place as you holster it and knowing it will stay there until you are ready to draw is a sign of a good holster. One of the most critical elements of design is making sure your holster precisely fits your holster.
Once your pistol clicks into place, it should have almost zero wiggle room. At Vedder Holsters, we make sure that is the case. Our Kydex and hybrid Glock 19 holsters are designed with immense precision. Choosing a holster made with less accuracy could result in your gun having room to bounce around, which can cause gradual wear on your weapon.
The small details of a holster’s design can have a big impact on how well it functions, so fit isn’t always everything. To ensure a safe carry experience, your Glock 19 holster should have a proper trigger guard, adjustability, and durable clips.
One of the most important aspects of a trigger guard is how much “daylight” is revealed. Your trigger should be completely enclosed by your Glock 19 holster. An inadequate trigger guard design could result in a foreign object or your finger making it into the holster and reaching your trigger. This results in an increased chance of a negligent discharge.
You never have to worry about trigger exposure with any Vedder Holsters because our team has carefully designed the trigger guard to eliminate any trace of daylight.
Adjustability
Adjustability is one of the most important elements of any holster, but specifically for your Glock 19 concealed carry holster. Concealing your weapon in a comfortable position with little to no printing is made easier by adjusting the cant and ride height of your holster. Adjustable retention can give you that satisfying “click” that lets you know your gun is safe and secure in your holster.
Cant is the backward or forward tilt of your holster that allows you to find the perfect spot, giving you concealment, ease of draw, and the ultimate comfort. While many Glock 19 holsters only allow for a 15-degree cant in one direction, our holsters have 30 degrees of adjustable forward and reverse cant. This provides you the most adjustability in your holster and makes our holsters a top choice for concealed carry weapons.
Adjustable ride height, a key element of a quality holster, can allow you to carry your holster higher on your waist or achieve deep concealment.
One of the most vital features of a Glock 19 holster is retention. Retention is not just key for safety, but everyone has a preference on how easy or difficult it is to draw and holster their gun.
Customization
From a variety of optics to aftermarket slides and extended magazines, you’ll want a holster that is just as customizable as your Glock 19.
At Vedder Holsters, each holster is hand-made to order because we understand how critical customization is, so we tailor each one to your individual needs. Whether you have added an accessory rail and now use your favorite lights or lasers or have chosen to add optics to your Glock 19, our holsters can be cut to accommodate your gun’s modifications.
All Vedder Kydex holsters are complete with your choice of clip size and are available in both left- and right-hand orientations. To achieve deeper concealment, our IWB holsters can be ordered with a claw attachment.
Additional options, depending on the holster, are available, including sweat shields, combat cuts, and additional clips. All of our holsters are available in a variety of colors to suit your personal preferences.
Have a gun with unique customizations? We can work with you to craft a holster that works for you – just reach out to us with the details or include them in your order notes.
Comfort
If comfort is your sole focus in choosing a holster, then a Kydex/leather hybrid is likely the best choice for you. Hybrid holsters give you the flexibility and comfort of leather combined with the durability and adjustability of a plastic holster by featuring a sturdy Kydex shell and leather backing.
The Vedder ComfortTuck™ is one of our most popular hybrid IWB holsters. It is exceedingly comfortable due to the dual belt clips and leather backing. However, if you prefer to carry OWB, the Quick Draw is another hybrid holster with the same comfortable leather backing and weight distribution.
A classic Kydex holster is always an option, too, of course. The Vedder LightTuck™, our most popular holster, might be the perfect choice for you if you are looking for that classic Kydex. It features an easy-to-conceal design and is comfortable to wear in almost any position.
Concealment
Even though the Glock 19 is designed for concealed carry, if your holster is bulky, awkward, or snags, nothing will be able to help you conceal your pistol.
The shell of your Glock 19 holster should be smooth and slim to help reduce printing and keep it from clinging to your clothes. The Kydex of your holster should be thin while still allowing the holster to maintain its durability.
While a quality shell is important, so are clips. Our Vedder Holsters Rock Solid Spring Steel Belt Clips are designed to help you conceal your holster. Made of smooth spring steel, these tuckable clips can oftentimes be hidden by a simple T-shirt, unlike other bulky plastic clips.
Holster claws and pancake clips can aid in further concealment by drawing your holster closer to your body. These add-ons can help you keep your pistol in place and reduce printing, so you don’t have to worry about it being noticed.
Which Glock 19 Holster Is Best for Me?
Whether you are looking for a Glock 19 appendix carry holster or prefer to carry strong side, there is a holster for you. The first step in choosing which holster is best for you is knowing what you want in a holster. Determining how you plan on using your holster can help you decide if an IWB or OWB Glock 19 holster is best for you.
Use what you now know about material, adjustability, customization, and more to help you decide which holster will be a great fit for your Glock 19 and work well for your needs.
Ready to take the next step towards buying a belt or holster for the Glock 19? We recommend visiting our Holsters by Gun Model page. For all our belt and holster options and for more information to help you choose the carry system that works best for you, visit our Vedder Holsters website.
Looking for items beyond holsters and belts? Check out our Resources Page for popular product links like lights, lasers, first aid, maintenance, and more.