Best Glock 19 Holster – { 15 } Best Holsters for Glock 19 for All Concealed Carry Methods

Which Carry Method is Best for a Glock 19?

This is one of the most common questions and one of the hardest to answer.  Everyone has their preference and with so many body types and proportions, it's hard to get a universal carry position that works best.

The most common and popular carry positions for Glock 19 are IWB, OWB, and Appendix.  This is for the general population.  Some military units may carry differently as well as swat teams.  It's best not to emulate those as they do not work as well for every day carry.

Glock 19 Holsters Purchase Considerations

These are just a few things to consider when looking at a holster.  There are many brand specific features but the below considerations are universal for all holsters.

Materials

There are four basic materials that holsters can be made with. The two most popular are leather and kydex.  The less popular two are nylon and neoprene.  There are a few other materials but these are the most likely to be seen.

Leather is a classic material.  It has the benefit of greater weapon retention as it grips well to the gun.  The weakness is that it is slower to draw from.

Kydex is a very popular option.  It is much faster to draw from than leather because it is slicker.  It may grip the gun well but once the weapon starts to move, it will come free quickly.  This does mean it does not retain a weapon as well as leather does.  Especially in a struggle.

Soft materials are best not used for most holsters.  There are exceptions but for a true carry holster, neoprene, nylon, or other soft materials are best left alone.  The offer nothing over leather or kydex and can be unsafe.

Safety

Speaking of unsafe, what does make a holster safe?  First, it should completely cover the trigger of the weapon in a way that it can not be pulled while in the holster.  This is the first and most important rule of a holster.  Never get a holster that does not cover the trigger.

It should mount firmly to the belt or other location to keep the weapon from falling out or shifting.  Though this is more in the retention category, this is a safety issue.  Your pistol should only come out when you want it to.

Finally, a holster should not have any flanges or floppy leather pieces that could depress the trigger when you are re-holstering.  This is the most dangerous portion of the draw stroke as the weapon is moving in a way that the trigger can be snagged and the gun discharged.  Avoid anything that makes this more likely to happen.

Retention

Though retention is a safety issue, it is also a security issue.  A holster with poor retention can make having your gun taken from you more likely.  This was a real problem for police officers at one point and led to holsters with a snap closure.  Many police forces still use some version of this.

You do what a holster that plays in your favor to retain your gun.  This can be shape, carry angle, or a retention device.  The choice is up to you.  Just make sure that any retention device is not in line with the trigger.  This can create an unsafe situation.

On the opposite side, you don’t want a holster that makes accessing your weapon too difficult.  Though you can often practice to become proficient with most holster designs, stress can kill that practice.  You want a holster that is intuitive to use.  That way when you need your weapon, it is easily available to you.

Carry Angle

When you get down to the minutia of carrying methods, carry angle or cant is hotly contested.  This is less so with many holsters now having adjustable angles.

In truth, it is likely more a factor of how you carry and your body type that will likely make a difference for you.  To make it more complicated, most pistols don’t list the degree of cant but simply state it is canted.

The standard FBI cant is anywhere between 15 and 20 degrees.  For most people carrying on their side, this is a good angle.  For those carrying in different locations, it will be a different angle.  For most positions other than on the side, a vertical carry is the best option with no cant what so ever.

Holster Purchase Tips

First and foremost, get a holster that was made for your specific pistol or that is made to fit your pistol well.  Universal holsters are a universally bad idea.  They offer no safety, less security, and are often less comfortable.  This may be different for a pocket pistol but for something the size and weight of a Glock 19, it is a good idea.

Get a good carry belt to go with your holster.  Your standard belt is not thick or rigid enough for carry.  There is a reason cops have those thick duty belts.  They can handle the weight of their gear.  You can get many options in leather or synthetic that are designed for carry.

A holster is not a one time purchase.  All holsters wear out, this is more true of hybrid holsters.  They get weak and do not support the pistol as well.  Find a holster you like but be prepared to replace it over time.  How often you carry it and how you treat it will determine how long it lasts.

Best Glock 19 Holsters on the Market Review

Because there are so many options and so many methods of carry, to provide a complete view of your options, we are going to need to break this down further into carry types.  These are our recommendations no matter how or where you carry you should find something that works for you.

Top 3 Best IWB Holster for Glock 19

 1   Concealment Express IWB Kydex

The Concealment Express holster is not your standard thin kydex holster that is so prevalent in the gun industry.  It’s is a stout, secure .08” kydex with a positive lock and perfect molding for good retention.  Despite this, it only weighs 2.8 ounces.

You get an adjustable cant from 0 to 15 degrees and adjustable carry pressure.  The belt clip is a wide ABS plastic for a positive hold on your belt.  It even has a sweat guard to keep your gun clean.  It is an easy to service and modify holster.  All you need is a screwdriver.

You can get this holster in either right or left handed models and it will fit all generations of Glocks from the Gen 1 to the Gen 5.  This is a great option for a CCW holster that works well and will not break the bank.  100% hand made in the U.S.A.

 2   Cardini Leather IWB Holster

Cardini makes a great leather holster that is rigid, holds its shape, and is expertly crafted with great a great finish.  This is the sign of true craftsmanship.  Not only does it look good but with its full grain leather, it will hold up for years.

This holster has no cant, meaning it is a vertical carry only.  Depending on your preferences, this could be either a good or bad point.  With the belt across the holster, retention is extremely good.  It has a suede liner which helps hold and protect your pistol and a body shield that keeps sweat from the upper portion of your gun.

This is an extremely comfortable holster to carry despite its thickness.  The leather has a more comfortable feel than kydex.  You can get it in either brown or black for carry right or left handed.  It even comes with a limited lifetime warranty and 100% satisfaction guarantee.  If leather is your style, this is a great IWB holster.

 3   Galco Kingtuk

If you are looking for a great hybrid holster or a holster for deep concealment, the Kingtuk is hard one to beat.  Galco has been making holsters for generations out of leather and has it pretty much perfected. This is apparent with dual Napa and Saddle leather construction.

With a kydex front and leather back, this holster offers a great blend between retention and speed.  It is also an exceptionally comfortable holster to wear by spreading the weight of the gun farther along the belt than a standard holster.

You can adjust the height and cant of the holster by adjusting the belt loops.  This can drop it deeper into the waistline or bring it higher for easier access.  It is one of the most customizable options on the market.  If you want versatility, this is it.  Be aware that hybrid holsters do require replacement more often.  Its just part of how they are made.

Top 3 Best OWB Holster for Glock 19

 1   Gould & Goodrich Three Slot Pancake Holster

What better place to start with an OWB holster than the classic pancake style.  These have been popular since the classic days of the automatic pistol.  They were often issued to police as a primary duty holster.  While they are a little more difficult to draw from with the thumb strap, this is easily overcome with a little practice.

The G&G variant of this holster is made of full grain leather that is premium quality.  Craftsmanship is near perfect.  All around, this is just a kick-ass holster.  These are perfect for the new carrier.  If you just picked up your first Gen 4 or Gen 5 Glock, add one of these holsters to the list.

In addition to the thumb strap, you also get three belt slots so you can carry your pistol vertically or with a 10-degree cant.   With its wide base, it supports the weight of the gun high on the hip and without weighing down your pants.  This is and always has been my favorite OWB holster and is a popular choice for off duty police as well.

 2   Safariland ALS Concealment Paddle Holster

As a company, Safariland has a huge reputation in the firearms community.  They make dozens of holsters, some of which are the best rated and most favored on the market.  Their holsters are made to be comfortable, durable, safe, and easy to use.

If you want an OWB holster that has the security of a lock, the Safariland is much better than most other brands such as the Blackhawk Serpa. With the release on the top of the holster, it avoids the issue of putting your finger in line with the trigger when pressing it.  This is a far safer way to handle things.

The lock is automatic so no effort there and it releases easily with the push of a single thumb button.  The cant of the holster is adjustable by the user.  If you want a great concealed carry holster but one that can be used for open carry as well, this is the way to go!

 3   Bravo Concealment Holster

A great option for a hip holster is the minimalist design of the Bravo holster.  With a high ride, this is a comfortable option to carry with heavier garments and still keep your weapon concealed.  It has the advantage of a quick draw without disadvantage of poor retention.

Made of a combination of Kydex and injection molded plastics, this is a no-nonsense holster that is made to last for years without replacing.  The cant is a fixed 10% while ride height and tension are adjustable.  You can carry this holster however you want with comfort.

If the holster had one issue, it would be the size of the belt clip.  With the weight above the single clip, it can start to pull down on your belt.  Otherwise, this is a great holster.  It even comes with a full lifetime guarantee!

Top 3 Best Appendix Holster for Glock 19

 1   Relentless Tactical Defender

Though a Glock 19 is a little larger than most guns carried in an appendix holster, a good, stiff leather holster makes it quite comfortable.  The Defender by Relentless Tactical is just right for the job.  Made with thick bull hide leather, it will hold its shape and keep your pistol sitting perfectly.

Usually you want to avoid a universal holster but for appendix carry, you can easily get away with one.  The majority of a pistols retention comes from your belt and not the holster its self.  That said, a Glock 19 fits this holster very well and has good retention from the leather alone.

There are no cheap components in this holster.  The leather, clip, and even the stitching are top notch.  It comes with a lifetime warranty so if it should eventually get too soft to hold, you can get it replaced.  For the price, that is a hell of a bargain!

 2   Holster HQ Elite Series

If you want a high-speed holster, the Kydex Elite series by Holster HQ is a good potion.  With a very positive fit and low profile, it is perfect for an appendix carry holster.  The holster can be adjusted for a perfectly smooth draw from a forward position, something many kydex holsters have trouble with.

Usually an appendix holster will have a vertical draw but the HQ Elite has some adjustment so you can cant it to a more comfortable angle if desired.  The positive click when inserting the gun lets you know its fully seated and can be adjusted for a perfect amount of tension to keep your gun where you want it until you need it.

This holster works for appendix carry but can be used in any IWB configuration you choose.  Just be sure to get it in the right orientation for your dominant hand.  They sell out quick!  You may want to keep your eye on them.

 3   CrossBreed Freedom

CrossBreed was a huge name in the holster world for a long time until they began to slowly be replaced by other manufacturers.  The whole hybrid holster has sunk in popularity recently due to their tendency to wear out quickly.  With the Freedom holster, that won’t be much of a concern.

If you carry this holster in an appendix position, the lower cut leather above the trigger makes wearing out less of an issue.  There isn’t as much material to get in the way.  The remainder of the leather above the pistol serves to keep your pistol dry.  Combined with a very well-molded kydex, this holster has great retention and comfort.

With a broad base and two belt clips, this is a larger sized holster for appendix carry but with a heavier gun like the Glock 19, this plays into its favor.  The rest of their holsters may not be up to par with current standards but the Freedom is still a great design!

Other Carry Positions

There are a few other holster types that are less popular overall but deserve a good mention.  Many people choose these holsters for a variety of reasons including lifestyle and health.  If you want something a little different, check these out!

If you want leather, it's really hard to beat G&G and their classic FBI style Gold Line shoulder holster is easily one of the best on the market.  The leather and tooling are top notch with a great fit and look.  It may be a little slower than carrying on the hip but with the right adjustments, this holster will do you well.

Most people who use a shoulder holster do so because of an injury that prevents drawing from another location.  If this is a case, you want a shoulder holster that can be adjusted to fit perfectly with the perfect angle.  G&G does this with an easy slide system that allows you to control every aspect of how the pistol hangs.

Though their popularity has decreased, there is still a small market for a shoulder holster.  If this is what you are after, quality is a primary consideration.  G&G is made in America with great attention to detail.  You couldn’t ask for better!

For those with a more active lifestyle, a belly band holster can be a great choice.  This is especially true of runners who tend to have a hard time with any other holster type.  A belly band holster offers the best retention with a stable platform that keeps your gun where you want it.

In the world of Belly Band holsters, the ComfortTac is king.  It has been cleverly designed to hold your pistol and magazines firmly in place while being as comfortable and lightweight as possible.  The elastic sleeve and strap offer good retention, something many belly band holsters lack.

The best feature of this holster is the clever snap location that covers the pistols trigger guard to prevent anything snagging it.  This is a feature that no other belly band holster offers and is sorely missing in many of them.

The carry location in the small of the back can be a struggle to both have good access to your pistol and good retention.  Anything with a strap is problematic and kydex never seems comfortable enough.  That leaves a superbly molded leather holster as the only good option.  And that brings us back to G&G once again.

This is a stunning holster with a great fit and good retention that manages to be comfortable and functional for those who choose to carry in the small of the back.  The steeply canted holster makes it easier to draw from than a traditional holster and spreads the support over a greater distance.

These holsters are hard to beat.  There are many with a similar design but they lack the details, fit, and finish like the reinforced throat to make re-holstering your pistol safer and easier.

Sometimes the best holster to keep your pistol handy isn’t one on your body.  Some people spend far more time behind the wheel and comfort and access dictate a car mounted holster.  For those, there are several options but none make more sense than the Highway Holster.

This is less of a holster and more of a mounting point for your holster.  It fits most any holster with a standard belt clip so you can get one special or use your personal favorite.  This makes it far easier to move your pistol from your body to your car and back as needed.

This will fit between the seat and console on most vehicles that have a gap.  For cars with bucket seats, you will need to go with something else.  If you do have a center console, this is an amazing and secure system for keeping your pistol close to hand.

The airsoft world has flooded the market with inferior drop leg holsters but the Safariland is the real deal.  This was the holster of choice for years and still should be if it weren’t for all of the cheap options out there that just don’t hold up to real-world use.

The Safariland has its patented Automatic locking system for perfect retention.  The holster isn’t a standard kydex but a laminated material that is far stronger and can take far more abuse.  The light forward cant ensures you have a full combat grip on your pistol before drawing.

All of that is great but the best feature of this holster is the strapping and clips.  These are tough, durable, and oversized to make use with gloves easier.  This is what separates the Safariland from inferior holsters.  If you want a drop thigh rig, this is the only one to own!

Conclusion

If you have a good pistol, which the Glock 19 undoubtedly is, you need the best Glock 19 holster to go with it.  Don’t be one of the novice masses that buy cheap holsters just to show off their pistol.  Get the real deal.  Something that does the job right and keeps your gun safe and where it needs to be should you never need it.