Home / Guides / Best Holster for a Glock 43X: Slim Carry Without the Compromises
The Glock 43X is the answer for a lot of people: a slim, single-stack-width frame with a full three-finger grip and 10 rounds. It's easier to carry than a 19 and easier to shoot than a 43. But its shape creates specific holster requirements most generic holsters ignore.
Two dimensions drive everything. The 43X is 1.10 inches wide — noticeably slimmer than the 19's 1.34 — and it has a 3.41-inch barrel paired with a grip long enough for all three fingers.
That combination means:
The Glock 48 uses the identical grip and frame as the 43X with a longer 4.17-inch slide. This means holsters frequently fit both — but not always, and the direction matters.
| Holster molded for | Fits 43X? | Fits 48? |
|---|---|---|
| Glock 43X | Yes | No — 48 slide is ~0.76" longer |
| Glock 48 | Usually yes (open muzzle end) | Yes |
| Universal / 90%+ fit | Yes | Yes |
If you own both, a 48-molded holster with an open muzzle covers you. A 43X-molded holster will not accept a 48.
Slim pistols are where cheap holsters fail first. There's less material for the holster to hold onto, so a holster that relies on a loose friction fit will feel fine in the shop and loose in a month.
Do the shake test with an unloaded 43X: turn it upside down and shake firmly. It should stay put. Then draw normally — it should release without a fight. Adjustable tension means you can find that balance. A holster with no adjustment means you accept whatever the maker decided.
The slide is slim and easy to hide. The grip is not. Three fixes:
For a fuller treatment, see our guide to concealing without printing.
| Glock 43X | Glock 19 | Glock 43 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barrel | 3.41" | 4.02" | 3.41" |
| Width | 1.10" | 1.34" | 1.02" |
| Grip | Full three-finger | Full three-finger | Two-finger |
| Concealment | Excellent | Very good | Exceptional |
| Shootability | Good | Excellent | Fair |
| Holster note | Slim = retention critical | Most options available | Smallest, most forgiving |
The 43X sits between the 19 and the 43 on every axis, which is exactly why it's popular. It just needs a holster that respects how little material there is to hold.
The 43X MOS is optics-ready and increasingly common with a 507K or similar micro optic. As with any optic, the holster must be cut for it — the optic sits higher than irons and needs relief, and continuous pressure on a micro optic can shift zero. Check before you buy, not after.
IWB is the default and the natural fit for a 43X. The slim frame disappears inside the waistband in a way a 19 never quite does. OWB is viable under a jacket or untucked shirt and is comfortable, but it gives up the 43X's main advantage.
An adjustable holster covers both without a second purchase — our Glock 43X holster adjusts for cant and hand and works IWB or OWB.
Usually yes, because the frames are identical and most 48 holsters have an open muzzle end. A 43X-molded holster will not fit a 48, since the 48's slide is about 0.76 inches longer.
No. The frames are different widths and lengths. A 19 holster will be loose on a 43X, which means poor retention.
The grip dimensions don't change, but some narrow-channel holsters can contact aftermarket baseplates. Test with your actual magazines installed before relying on the holster.
4 o'clock with a 15–20 degree forward cant, or appendix for leaner builds. Both hide the grip effectively. 3 o'clock tends to print on this pistol.
Only if it's optic-cut. The 43X MOS with a micro red dot needs a holster relieved around the optic, or the optic will contact the shell and potentially lose zero.
Veteran-owned. IWB or OWB, left or right hand, red-dot ready. $98.99 with a fit guarantee.
Shop the Original Holster — $98.99