Glock 48 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Thinner footprint than a Glock 19
- Longer grip than a Glock 43
- Can accept micro red dots
- Less snappy than the 43x
- A significant number of aftermarket parts available
Cons
- Mushy stock trigger
- Subpar weapon-mounted light options
- Length might not work for CCW for everyone
- Underwhelming stock sights
The Bottom Line
The Glock 48 is a great concealed carry option, though it truly shines with some aftermarket support.
I’ve been shooting pistols seriously for over 10 years, and when I first started, I hated Glocks.
I found them to be boxy and unappealing compared to the Walthers I was shooting and didn’t see the appeal.
Then I started getting serious about concealed carry and was drawn back to giving Glocks another look.
At the time, the Glock 19 checked every box I needed, and up until the Glock 43x and Glock 48 were released in January 2019, it lived in my appendix holster. I was lucky enough to be working in a gun shop and range at the time and got to test both the G43x and G48 extensively to figure out what I liked and did not like.
At their release, my major hesitation was downgrading how much ammo my gun would be holding, but that too would be addressed later that year, begging the question, why not thin out my gun and possibly be a bit more comfortable while concealing?
The rest, as they say, is history, as I’ve been carrying a 43x or a 48 ever since. Keep reading as we dive into the details and see if the Glock 48 is right for you!
Table of Contents
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Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Specs
- Caliber: 9x19mm
- Width: 1.10″
- Length: 7.28″
- Slide Length: 6.85″
- Barrel length: 4.17
- Height: 5.04
- Weight: 25.12oz (loaded factory magazine)
- Capacity: 10 rounds (standard magazine)
Features
- Slimline frame
- Milled front serrations
- Shorter trigger distance (when compared to Gen 4 and older Glocks)
- Frame has a built-in beavertail
- Black nDLC finish (older models are available with a silver nPVD coated slide)
- Reversible magazine catch
- Glocks Marksman Barrel
Why You Should Trust Us
I am a gunsmith and range officer with a degree in gunsmithing from Sonoran Desert Institute. I’ve been working with firearms since I was a kid.
For this review, I extensively tested the Glock 48 at the range, putting it through its paces to gather data and my opinion.
Glock 48 History
The Glock 48 was released on January 21, 2019, alongside the G43x. Both pistols were unique at their release as they were a different size and footprint than Glock had previously released.
The G43x featured the barrel and slide length of the G43 but had the grip length of the G19 (though slimmer); the G48 was the same design but included the addition of ¾ of an inch in length. Glock classifies the G43x as a subcompact, while the G48 is a compact due to the overall length of the gun.
In their initial release, both the G43x and G48 were only available with the silver nPVD-coated slides. This changed quickly, however, as customer outcry for all-black versions was immediate.
In July 2019, Glock released the MOS (modular optic system) version of both pistols, allowing for the immediate mounting of some micro red dots.
Who Is It For?
The Glock 48 is a concealed carry pistol through and through. Though it can function in some ways just as well as a G19, the 48’s slimmer design was intended for ease and comfort of concealment.
Compared to the G43 and G43x, the G48 will feel like a more balanced gun to most shooters, as the extra weight is the on the muzzle end.
Not only does the extra length (where that extra weight comes from) help to balance the gun inside a holster when worn concealed with a belt, but it also allows for a slightly longer sight radius and a slightly less snappy shooting.
These factors make it an ideal choice for any shooter, from novice to pro. The G48 doesn’t suffer the same learning curve as the G43 or G43x, as it isn’t quite as harsh for people learning the basics of grip and follow through.
It’s a slightly softer shooting gun, which will be more apparent to those who are newer at shooting altogether.
Fit & Feel
The G43x and G48 were game changers in regard to how they felt in the hand. Though they still suffer from “Glock hump” on the rear of the grip, the extended grip length over the G43 gave both pistols a much more comfortable feel to the hand.
This also allows many shooters to get a better grip on the pistol, thus allowing them more control and resulting in better shooting when compared to the G43.
The stock trigger is on par with any other Glock factory trigger; it gets the job done, though it does have room for improvement. Take-up is there, but the wall is a bit mushy. Overall, it is one of the only flaws in the pistol straight out of the box.
The other flaw is the stock sights. Glock sights leave a lot to be desired, as they are neither completely blacked out for use with an optic nor are they great for sight picture/sight alignment on their own.
They can work, and I do know a few people who prefer them over other options, but in my opinion, they are one of the first things to upgrade on any Glock you purchase.
Factory magazines are unique to the G43x and G48; they have a different footprint than any other Glock on the market.
Dubbed “a stack and a half,” the factory magazines sit somewhere between a single-stack and a true double-stack magazine, holding 10 rounds. They lock into the gun nicely and drop free with ease, and as far as factory offerings go, their capacity is their only shortcoming.
How Does It Shoot?
The G48 finds itself in a happy middle ground between the G43 and the G19 in terms of recoil. There is a bit of snap to the gun when fired, but it isn’t as harsh as the subcompacts, which many shooters will find to be appealing.
The slimline design of the grip also allows shooters with smaller hands to control the gun better than thicker designed guns, making the action of shooting the G48 much more enjoyable and less strenuous on the fingers.
In terms of accuracy, the Glock Marksman Barrel provides an increase of 5-7% accuracy over the previous Gen 4 and older barrels (in controlled lab testing per Glock).
Is it as accurate as a KKM match barrel? No, but it also doesn’t demand the premium price a KKM does. To put it bluntly, a Glock Marksman Barrel is likely going to be more accurate than most shooters using it need.
What Sets It Apart?
The Glock 48 is a concealed carry gun with a slim grip, is optic-ready (either through slide milling or the MOS model), and has a wide variety of accessories and aftermarket support to allow the end-user to tailor it to their preferences and needs.
Compared to the other Glocks, the G48 offers some substantial benefits. The longer length helps it sit better on a belt when concealing. Its length also provides some weight in the muzzle, helping to balance out the typical top-heavy concealed carry gun.
This gun will be a little softer shooting too, allowing people with less-than-ideal fundamentals to sharpen their skills without as much jolt.
More companies make parts for Glock pistols than any other brand out there. The G48 will have a multitude of quality parts across the entire platform.
Glock 48 By the Numbers
Accuracy
5/5
For a concealed carry gun, it’s accurate.
Reliability
5/5
Glock is Glock for a reason. These things work.
Customization
4/5
Again, lots of support from triggers to sights to just about anything you can imagine.
Ergonomics
5/5
The G48 loses 1 point for the “Glock Hump, but that can be fixed with some aftermarket love.
Value
5/5
Another area Glock succeeds is price. It’s fairly affordable for most people.
Overall
4.5/5
Upgrades for the Glock 48
Like most Glocks, the 48 has HEAVY aftermarket support.
Rather than go through the entire list, since you can customize it down to the pins, I’ll list what I feel are the most crucial upgrades available. These upgrades are the ones that unlock every bit of potential in the Glock 48 and make it my personal choice for a concealed carry gun.
Glock 48 Upgrades & Accessories
Final Verdict
The Glock 48 is a gun that I’ve been waiting to come across for a long time. It took all of the things I loved about the Glock 19 and shoved it into a thinner, more comfortable gun.
I’ve worn my G48 for up to 15 hours in a PHLster Pro holster mounted on a PHLster Enigma, and at the end of the day, I could have forgotten it was there.
The shape and design of the gun lend themselves to sitting well on the body when carried with a belt. Drawbacks are minimal and easy to overcome, and few options on the market come close to matching it in every category.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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Whether you are new to carrying concealed or looking for something different to change up your EDC routine, the Glock 48 is a gun that sets itself apart from the rest of the pack and is very much worth considering.
What do you think of the Glock 48? Let us know in the comments below. Need more Glock? Check out our favorite models across all calibers and sizes!
47 Leave a Reply
I have shot a Glock 26, and there are three reasons that it could never be my EDC gun:
* No thumb safety. I simply cannot carry a loaded, striker-fired gun that doesn't have a thumb safety. (I could carry a DA/SA hammer fired gun in DA mode: with the hammer forward, and with the heavier and longer DA trigger pull, the risk of an inadvertent discharge is minimal.)
* Empty shells fly in all directions when you are shooting the gun. There will always be one or two which will find their way inside of my shirt, a most uncomfortable experience.
* Extremely difficult to disassemble for cleaning. I have tried many times to disassemble a Glock 26, and have succeeded only once or twice. The spring is very heavy, and you have to line everything up just right in order to be successful.
I know we aren't speaking about a Glock 26 here; but I'm guessing that all Glocks are about the same on these issues.
Glock 26 is a fat, little gun not at all like the 19 or the 48 discussed in this article. Disassembly and cleaning of my Glock 17s, 19, and 48 is easy and uniform among those three models - at training I could do it blindfolded easily and repeatedly- all Glocks apparently are not the same and since I don’t have a 26 and have never fired one, I must admit surprise that the 26 is, according to you, so different from the models I have. I was not a “Glock fanboy” until I bought my first Glock: impeccably reliable, never, ever jamming after tens of thousands of rounds (and that’s in just one Glock 17, gen 5, that I’ve used in classes), my Glock 17s, 19s, and 48 are simply superb! I stake my life on them.
I’m learning a lot if folks are not familiar that Glock 48 exists. My gun permit instructor told me that I must have a 43. A gunsmith (a childhood friend) asked me what type do I have and listed 19, 43, or 20. I told him 48 - he didn’t respond back. The men must think I don’t know my own gun because I’m a woman.
You should get a G28, that will freak them out.
Glocks are the best!!!! So keep glockin on. My 43x is perfect for everyday carry. Thank you Glock
I subscribed to your site on youtube along time ago and completely forgot about. Wow! I absolutely love everything on your website and social media sites. You guys are incredible
"BEST HANDGUNS" for people like me who are shorter than 5'6; plus it's a glock and with a reputation like that what more can I say except it's the best brand out there. Reliability and accuracy are the most important thing.
Have you guys heard of shield firearms and their 15 round flush mag for the g43c or g48?! Who needs a g19 anymore
Hey John
I have been looking at the Shield Arms 15 mags for my 43x. Have you purchased and or tried them out? I have 19s but wanted a slimmer pistol and was carrying a SW shield 45 until they came out w 43X because now the grip is long enough to hold and shoot well w “adequate rounds10. The 43 only had enough to engage 2 targets and a spare round the way I train. Now the new and improved 43X w a 15 round mag would cover all my bases and I bet feel more like my 19 w full mag. Let me know ?
I bought this. First time I held a glock 19 was a gen 4. I didnt like the way it felt in my hand and passed on glock reliability until the 43, which I liked but didn't really enjoy training with . Since I'm a novice shooter and couldn't train with it, I sold it. Now I'm ready to try again with the 48 and think it could be the perfect ccw for me:
- Long sight radius and increased velocity. Hollow points expand better out of a 4" barrel than a 3.x"
- Thin grip for my small hands
- Low profile
In all honesty I'm on a glock run and like getting the flavor of the month. If I had the money I'd buy them all.
I walked into my local small shop (support small business) determined to buy a 19, and they were sold out.
The owner showed me the 43x which just came out at a lower price point that I was unfamiliar with. I live in a state that only allows 10 rounds and was going to use it for concealed carry. Seemed like a no brainer. I'm 6'0" 240 lbs and am not a small guy. My hand fits nice around the entire gun and can easily holster without it being seen. Granted, the 43x is my first pistol purchase, but I love it. Great fit, easily concealed, and a joy to shoot. No hiccups during the 150 rounds I shot through it. Think I would've preferred the 48, but the 43x takes up less real estate. Next up is a 1911 in 45 and a 357 revolver.
I love the new G48. As some would refer to it, it is somewhat akin to a single stack Glock 19, albeit with significantly fewer rounds. Some would argue that "Why not just carry a G19?" Why not? In the summer a lot of folks would prefer to wear shorts and t-shirts that make concealing a larger handgun more difficult than it would be in the winter, when bulkier clothing is more the norm. Even the smallish Glock 26, with it's double stack magazine, makes concealment a little harder than it is with a single stack pistol. Thinner guys may not have to be quite as concerned with concealment while using a larger pistol, but those of us who are a little on the larger side will typically find a thinner handgun to be more useful in this area. At 10 plus 1, the G48 fits the bill for me just fine. Personally, I am willing to compromise a few rounds in order to carry more comfortably and avoid printing. I can always (and I do) carry at least three 10 round magazines.
I happen to be getting a Glock 48 in a week or so. Ive had a couple Glock 23's and I always did the 25cent trigger job; But Im going to want to put some magazine extensions with +2 or higher so im curious what you thought was the best extended mag brands. I really like the HIVE but I know there's a million out there. Love reading your content.
Keep up the good work sir.
Sincerely,
Glock_Lover
Thanks for the review. I bought a P365 about 5 months ago to serve as my EDC. It has never grouped well for me (about 1,000 rnds so far). The G43X is similar to my G19 which I can drive tacks with, so I think I’m going to trade in the P365 for a G43X and get back to that familiar Glock grip angle! The P365’s extra two round capacity isn’t worth the loss in accuracy for me.
I have a Glock 17 Gen 5, a Glock 19, Gen 5 and a Glock 42 (380 just to see); I bought a Glock 48 yesterday and fired it for the first time at the range today. I am very pleased with it. It’s accurate, comfortable (I have smaller hands than those who complain about single stack pistols) and recoil is not at all a problem, even with Critical Duty Hornady +P 135 grain 9 mm. Glock delivered “Perfection” again
i have a g32 (same as the g19 except .357 sig) and a shield in .357 sig. i carry the shield most of the time because i have a damaged hand from the service (1969) and the glock is on the bulky side. i think the 43x and the 48 would be great for carry due to the slightly thinner frame. i just might have to try the g48, even though i would have to change from my beloved .357 sig.
If this had been available a year ago, maybe I wouldn't have bought a Kahr CT-9. I was asking my LGS yesterday if Glock offered a 4" barrel with slim grip yet.
Something I've wanted for years is a full-size Glock 10mm with slim single-stack grip. I have enough 1911s these days that it's not much of a concern, but it would still be a neat gun.
I had a brand new, top line, Kahr that jammed every other round, cut my hand, and was sold with about 500 rounds only run through it. “Break it in”, the store said; “get good ammo”, the store said; I bought premium, nickel plated case cartridges. What crap. I sold it at a loss, and good riddance to Moonie owned Kahr! Glock: our of the box, no problem, NEVER a failure.
I believe it will fit right in for those of us who have smaller hands and don’t want a.380. I can only wait until they get to a gun shop near me to test the fit in hand and maybe add another Glock to my safe.
Yawn...Its nice, but they should have already done this in 2015 when the 43 came out. I expect way better from all companies this day in age. More than a hundred years and we are not shooting lasers yet? Lol
I like that Glock 43X. It's perfect for us whose waists seem to expand each year as we get older. It may become my default Concealed Carry Handgun, replacing my Glock 19, which I have been carrying for a very long time.
I look forward to getting my hands on one and how it actually feel.
Carlos, I empathize! It is a great option.
Doesn't your belt expand also?
Very good review. I own the 43, nice subcompact gun. I own a later model 365, nicer subcompact gun. I don’t see anything in these two Glocks that would lure me away. I’ll get them both to check for sure!
Thanks Robert!
We're fortunate to have so many good options these days.
I would like to offer this suggestion... Purchase a G48. And use the frame with your existing G43 slide. Its badass just like the Glock 45...
Ohh and the longslide on the smaller frame is equally cool...
I would so be down with a full size single stack. My perfect summer carry. A single stack G45 would probably perfect!
The G19/45 has a shorter barrel than the 48 but same slide length... I'm think the shorter trigger reach of the 48 moves the mag back further giving it a longer barrel...
A little late to the party? Kahr's been making this pistol since 1996!
Not with a Glock trigger, they don't. I'm no Glock fan boy who thinks they can do no wrong, but the trigger on my Kahr is far sloppier than the triggers on any Glocks I've ever fired.
A 10 round Kahr? Where?
I want all black
Still not giving up my G19
Me Neither. 15+1 easily concealed for the average size male.
welp... we ain't getting these in commiefornia... more and more i hate this shithole..
We know that feel
I’m getting tired of keeping up with Glock....:) broke too!
Nice info and review. Much appreciated.
Nice review! wonder if polymer80 will come out with a frame set for these?
Thanks Dave!
I have little doubt these are going to be very popular so it only follows that P80 will come out with them at some point.
20mm taller than the p365 with the magazines in. Not really in the same league
Glad someone is catching up on Sig P365. More glad it is Glock! Any idea when it will be released and pricing?
DBX, they should be out by the end of the month, possibly January 21st. It will take a little while to get all the dealers spun up. You may want to get on a list if your local FFL has one.
MSRP is $580.
any word on pricing?
You can see the MSRP on Gallery of Guns (galleryofguns.com). They come with either standard sights, Glock night sights, or Ameriglo night sights.
MSRP is $580