Best Holsters for Your Glock 43 and 43X
Jan 30th 2022
The Glock 43 and 43X are two of the smallest 9x19mm pistols available on the market today. Their dimensions, weight, and chambering make them ideal choices for self-defense and concealed carrying.
If you own one of these excellent compact handguns, you must use a quality holster to carry them safely. Here are the top five holster choices available for the Glock 43 and 43X.
What are the Best Holster Styles?
Holsters come in many sizes and variations. Shoulder holsters, thigh and drop-leg, chest holsters, belly-band holsters, sewn-in holsters, and ankle holsters are just some of the many options available to gun owners. However, the most common holster designs are belt holsters in either OWB or IWB models.
OWB stands for outside the waistband, while IWB stands for inside the waistband. While OWB holsters can be used for concealed carry, IWB holsters are usually easier to conceal. Both gun holster styles demonstrate good results if you have the right holster brand.
OWB works well for those who are licensed for open carry or need to carry a larger handgun (full-size and up). IWB works best for gun owners who wish to conceal their weapons effectively, especially smaller handguns (e.g., single-stack compacts, snub-nosed revolvers). Choose your carry holster based on which firearm you possess and how you want to carry it.
One variant holster style is the paddle holster. Paddle holsters feature a small plate that contours to the shape of your leg that rests between your body and the actual holster. Paddle holsters offer a very comfortable everyday carry experience. Thanks to the extra bit of leverage the paddle provides, they also offer a very smooth draw.
The G43 is a subcompact pistol, which is perfect for concealed carry. A holster that fits the Glock 43 will most likely be an IWB concealment holster. However, if you are not using the G43 for its concealment characteristics, there are also OWB holsters.
Best Gun Holster Material
Holsters come in various materials. The classic holster material is the leather holster. Leather holsters have been used for almost two centuries. They became trendy in military and civilian use in the U.S. in the 1830s.
Before the 1930s, flintlock-style guns would be carried on a shooter’s back, in a belt, or a sash. The advent of the leather gun holster changed the way people in America used firearms and contributed to the legendary myths of the frontier gunfighters in the Old West.
Unfortunately, leather holsters absorb moisture and don’t withstand extreme temperatures. They also do not protect the firearm from blunt force damage. There is a breaking-in period to form the holster to the gun and your body, which can be inconvenient.
Nylon polymer is another popular type of holster material. Nylon is typically cheaper than other holsters of a different material. Much like leather, nylon does not offer much structural protection for pistols. Over time, this nylon material tends to fray and snag on your gun’s external hardware.
Kydex is by far the superior holster material. Kydex is what most modern holsters are made of, and for a good reason. Kydex is a high-performance, lightweight polymer material known for its exceptional durability, superior impact resistance, and excellent abrasion resistance.
Kydex holsters can be molded around virtually any type of firearm, providing more secure retention than even the highest quality leather holsters. They also come with adjustment features, such as retention pressure screws or adjustable belt clips compatible with a 1.5-2 inch belt.
Glock 43 vs. 43X: Pros and Cons
The Glock 43 now features a new model variant, the Glock 43X. Both guns have their pros and cons.
The G43’s highly compact dimensions make it an excellent option for deep-concealed carry. Despite the size, its 9x19mm chambering makes it a competent daily carry option for self-defense. The small grip may be difficult for some to handle, and it has a relatively low standard magazine capacity of six rounds.
The G43X subcompact Slimline, released in July 2019, is an upgrade to the original subcompact 43 series. It’s slightly larger and very comfortable to carry with an easy grip.
It has a large mag capacity for a subcompact pistol, carrying ten rounds. A slightly longer length, width, and height will need a larger holster than a standard G43 pistol. Additionally, it is almost three ounces heavier than the G43.
Top 5 Glock 43 Holsters
We like the versatility of these IWB or OWB holsters for our customers. Here are our favorite types of holsters at Incognito Concealment.
Glock 43 IWB
Inside the waistband, holsters are the most popular choice for concealed carrying, making this product an excellent choice for the Glock 43. The Glock 43 is considered one of the best concealed carry pistols of all time, so pairing it with a quality holster is an excellent choice for optimizing your daily carry setup.
Incognito Concealment models its holsters specifically from a mold of that specific gun, so you can be sure that our G43 holsters will fit your gun properly.
Our IWB holsters are made from high-quality Kydex, durable and lightweight, making for a protective, reliable, and comfortable carry. This holster will easily fit on the inside of your pants, and its low profile design makes it easy to hide even under a light cover garment, such as a dress shirt.
The Kydex material used for Incognito Concealment’s holsters makes them incredibly resistant to extreme temperatures and chemical agents that could cause corrosion.
They also ensure that your gun can sustain significant impacts and fire properly and accurately.
This concealable holster comes with a metal adjustable belt clip so that it can be securely fastened to your gun belt, ensuring superior retention for your firearm. You can also turn the retention pressure screw to tighten or loosen the fit to your preferences, making it the ideal adjustable holster.
The holster also features a sweat guard, protecting your gun’s finish from exposure to sweat, and a molded trigger guard shield, preventing accidental trigger pulls.
These holsters are also available in a large variety of different colors and can be purchased with space for lights and laser targeting. Left- or right-hand variants are available.
Glock 43 OWB
Incognito Concealment’s OWB Glock 43 holster is perfect for those who find carrying in the waistband too difficult or uncomfortable or those with a personal preference for OWB carry in general.
Like all Incognito Concealment holsters, the Glock 43 OWB holster is perfectly molded to fit the Glock 43’s specific shape, ensuring that the holster fits your weapon like a glove without compromising your ability to make a quick draw.
Another benefit of the OWB holster is that it covers up a little more of the gun than the IWB holster does. Since the IWB has to be a little smaller, it protects less of the gun body than the OWB model does. The OWB holster features a larger area of Kydex coverage, so your pistol is very safe.
While the holster is designed to fit your pants’ belt loops, belt clips are also available for the OWB holster if you are looking for additional security. The OWB style holster is also available in many colors and can be ordered to feature space for lights and laser attachments.
This gun holster’s OWB design and contoured shapes allow you to carry your favorite handgun comfortably for an extended period. Whether you need an OWB holster for everyday carry, tactical training, or other applications, the Glock 43 OWB gun holster is a quality product that won’t let you down.
Glock 43 Paddle
Paddle holsters are excellent holsters for shooters seeking the best balance of comfort and convenience. This holster style is designed for easy insertion and removal on your waistband, allowing you to adjust your carry position quickly and effortlessly.
The G43 paddle attachment makes carrying even more comfortable and easy. They take up minimal space inside the waistband and are easy to remove and put back on. The ride height is much more comfortable for many shooters, and it comes in right- or left-handed options.
The G43 paddle holster features a trigger guard shield to protect you from an accidental discharge. It also comes in various colors and patterns to fit your unique personality and style. Paddle holsters are the holster type most popular with law enforcement officers due to their convenient ride height and placement away from the body.
With the G43 paddle holster, you get the great features of a regular IWB or OWB gun holster, plus a comfortable contoured design that fits any body type. Adjustable retention makes this Kydex holster easy to customize for your draw and carry needs.
Glock 43X OWB
Incognito Concealment also features an OWB holster for the Glock 43X, the crossover version of Glock’s smallest 9mm carry gun. This holster has the same great benefits as the standard G43 holster but is perfectly molded for the G43X, making it the ideal choice for daily carry.
The G43X OWB Kydex holster comes in various colors and patterns and features a trigger guard for safety. For those who live in an open carry jurisdiction or prefer outside the waistband holsters under loose garments, the G43X holster is comfortable and easy to carry.
The 43X OWB also comes in right- or left-handed options, making it perfect for the Southpaw or ambidextrous shooter. It has laser and light attachment options, making it the perfect holster for tactical use.
Glock 43X Paddle
If you enjoy carrying the Glock 43X but need a convenient and comfortable holster, the G43X paddle holster is one of the most popular options.
Although the Glock 43X is larger than the standard G43, this holster features a low-profile design, minimizing printing without sacrificing comfort. The ease of removal and attachment of the 43X paddle provides added convenience.
This holster contours to your body for the best feeling carry for the G43X as possible. Like our other G43 and 43X holsters, the G43X Paddle comes with a trigger guard, hand orientation option, laser and light tactical holster options, and a wide range of colors and patterns.
The G43X paddle is a practical and versatile holster that should be comfortable to open carry all day in your jurisdiction or around your homestead.
Carry With the Best Glock Holsters
If you are ready to upgrade your holsters or are looking for a new holster to carry your Glock 43, Glock 43X, or any other Glock pistol, don’t wait. Visit the Incognito Concealment website today to order your new high-performance holster.
We also offer a range of accessories to enhance your everyday carry setup, such as low profile gun belts and single or double magazine holder attachments.
