How to Choose the Best Glock 45 Holster: Everything You Need to Know

The Glock 45 is one of the latest additions to Glock’s catalog of crossover pistols. Initially conceived to meet the evolving demands of law enforcement officers, it integrates many features and engineering techniques introduced in the Glock 19X. The G45 has been accessible to civilian shooters since 2018, providing dependable performance and enhanced features.

Whether you are a civilian enthusiast or a law enforcement officer carrying this unique crossover pistol on duty, here’s how to find the best Glock 45 holster.

How the Glock 45 Came to Be

Glock first announced the Glock 45 alongside the MOS versions of the Glock 17 and Glock 19 in Autumn 2018. It was then showcased at SHOT Show 2019, the largest gun industry trade show in the United States. Despite its name, the Glock 45 (or G45) is not a .45-caliber pistol; the designation is short for Glock Model 45.

This model is a new addition to Glock’s extensive 9mm lineup and can be considered a derivative of the Glock 19X. This makes the Glock 45 a descendant of the Glock 19 MHS that was submitted to the U.S. Army Modular Handgun System competition.

Despite the similarities between the Glock 45 and its predecessors, each pistol is designed to fit a specific niche and suit the needs of different shooters. For instance, the original military trial G19MHS was intended to be a military service pistol, and the G19X was its civilian version.

The Glock 45 is primarily meant for law enforcement agencies, especially those that adopted classic Glocks such as the G17 and G19 as their duty handguns. A version featuring a red dot sight-ready slide cut, the Glock 45 MOS, later joined the Glock catalog in 2019.

As a crossover model, the G45’s basic principle is identical to that of the G19X: it combines the full-sized grip of a Glock 17 with the barrel length of a compact Glock 19. The result is a handgun that combines the G17’s high capacity and comfortable grip with the balance and ease of pointing and aiming of the shorter-barreled G19.

While primarily meant for law enforcement, this design also benefits civilian shooters. The Glock 45’s G19-sized slide and barrel are easier to conceal and make it compatible with a more compact holster than the G17.

Glock 45 Specifications:

• Caliber: 9x19mm Parabellum
• Overall length: 7.44”
• Overall width: 1.34”
• Barrel length: 4.02”
• Height: 5.47” with 17-round magazine inserted
• Weight: 24.48 oz. with empty 17-round magazine inserted
• Trigger pull: Approx. 5.85 lb.
• Magazine capacity: Ships with standard G17 17-round magazines. Accepts all Glock 17 and G17-compatible magazines.

Unique Traits and Features of the Glock 45

At first glance, the G45 and G19X may appear identical, apart from the finish. The G19X is finished in coyote brown, whereas the Glock 45 is the standard Glock black color. However, upon closer inspection, multiple differences distinguish it from its military-derived counterpart.

Lanyard Loop

A lanyard loop is at the bottom of the G19X’s frame, originally included to meet military requirements. It is not present on the Glock 45, making it more similar to other pistols in the gunmaker’s catalog.

Slide Serrations

The G45’s slide features both front and rear slide serrations, modernizing its look and aligning it with the latest Glock Generation 5 pistols. Glock 45 users have access to an additional surface to manipulate the slide, making it easier to use with wet or sweaty hands.

Magazine Well and Front Tang

Another frame difference is the lack of a front tang on the magazine well. While both pistols possess a mildly flared magazine well on the sides to facilitate reloads, the G19X’s front tang extended the flaring to the front of the grip.

When the G19X was released, it was designed to be compatible with every full-sized Glock 9mm magazine produced until then. However, the front tang interferes with the base plate of some later-released magazines, especially Gen 5 Glock 17 magazines. While Gen 5 magazine bodies fit, you must replace the base plate with one from an earlier generation magazine.

Glock eliminated the front tang on the G45 while retaining the Gen 5-style flared magazine well. This choice removes the potential magazine issues caused by the G19X’s design, making it 100% compatible with all Glock 17 magazines, regardless of generation.

What Are the Best Glock 45 Holsters?

Although the Glock 45 is primarily meant as a law enforcement duty handgun, it is also an excellent choice for civilians and enthusiasts. Many concealed carry enthusiasts appreciate the G45 for its comfortable grip, balanced weight distribution, and shorter, more concealable barrel. If you are among these shooters, you may be wondering what is the best Glock 45 holster.

The answer depends mainly on your preferences. Before picking a holster model, review your concealed carry setup and ask yourself these questions:

• Do you prefer to carry inside the waistband (IWB) or outside the waistband (OWB)?
• What is your preferred carry position on your gun belt?
• What is your gun belt size?
• Do you conceal-carry in the appendix position?
• Does your handgun feature an optic, such as a red dot sight?

Glock 45 IWB Holster

The IWB belt holster is the best choice if you primarily carry your Glock 45 inside the waistband and prefer traditional carry positions like strong-side hip carry or behind-the-hip. Incognito Concealment offers a Glock 45-compatible version of the Incognito T3 IWB holster, ensuring maximum compatibility with your handgun.

The T3 is designed from the ground up to be as lightweight, durable, and concealable as possible. It is primarily constructed from two 0.08” sheets of Kydex molded to match the Glock 45’s external slide, frame, and trigger guard dimensions.

The Kydex material is rugged and durable, providing your pistol with better protection from impacts or scratching than soft holsters made of leather or nylon.

The slim sheets are designed with concealment in mind. They provide a lower profile than traditional duty pistols and minimize printing under clothing. They are also more comfortable than designs using thicker Kydex sheets, minimizing the amount of material between your body and your weapon.

Its two-sheet, pancake-style construction features an open muzzle end, preventing lint, sweat, and grime from accumulating inside the T3 holster and making it easier to clean and maintain. This design can also accommodate Glock 45 pistols fitted with a threaded barrel or extensions such as muzzle brakes and compensators.

Glock 45 Appendix IWB Holster

Appendix inside the waistband (AIWB) carry is a popular alternative to traditional concealed carry positions. In the appendix position, the handgun sits directly in front of the shooter’s body instead of the side, typically at or around the 12 o’clock position.

Although the principle behind this carry position has existed for as long as handguns have, the modern trend of AIWB carry rose to prominence during the 2010s. Enthusiasts cite ease of access, draw speed, and enhanced comfort, particularly for slimmer and leaner shooters.

Today, dedicated AIWB carry holsters and rigs are widely available. They are specifically designed to provide better comfort and safety than standard IWB holsters positioned in the appendix position.

If you are a fan of the AIWB carry position or want to try a new rig for your Glock 45, consider trying out the Incognito Concealment 2-Piece Appendix Rig. This AIWB rig comprises four elements to provide you with the best concealed carry experience:

• A dedicated Glock 45 holster shell with the same Kydex construction and open-ended design as the T3 IWB holster
• A single magazine carrier fastened to the holster with a durable shock cord
• Durable twin belt clips designed to keep your holster in place in any position
• An included mod wing on the holster shell provides extra leverage and minimizes printing

Glock 45 OWB Holster

Although IWB carry offers shooters the highest level of concealment, some may find it impractical depending on the dress code or position. For instance, if your job requires you to be seated most of the time, drawing from an IWB holster may require you to bend your body in uncomfortable positions. If this applies to you, you may find it easier to carry your Glock 45 in an outside the waistband (OWB) holster.

Regardless of your needs or preferences, OWB concealed carrying is possible as long as you use a purpose-built holster and a suitable cover garment. The Glock 45 version of the Incognito Concealment Venture was specifically designed to meet the needs of such shooters.

The Venture is fabricated from the same low-profile 0.08” sheets of Kydex as most other holster products on the Incognito Concealment catalog. In addition, the holster shell features a mild curvature to fit your body's natural shapes and is available in both right-handed and left-handed configurations. This design gives the Venture unparalleled versatility, allowing you to use it for concealment, range carry, or open carry as needed.

If your Glock 45 is fitted with a tactical light or a laser sight, you may order a version of the Venture designed to fit your specific combo of pistol and device. We currently offer variants compatible with the following light and laser models:

• Inforce: APL and APLc
• Olight: PL-MINI 2 Valkyrie, Baldr Mini, PL Pro, and Baldr Pro
• Streamlight: TLR-1 HL, TLR-7, and TLR-8
• Surefire: XC1 and XC300

Holster Compatibility with Other Glock Models

A benefit of the Glock crossover system is its effects on each gun’s dimensions. Crossover models like the Glock 45 combine a full-sized grip with a compact model’s barrel and slide dimensions, meaning that holster compatibility is equivalent to a compact pistol. This is because concealment holsters do not cover the grip, which introduces cross-compatibility potential.

Consequently, any holster that fits a Glock pistol with a compact model’s barrel and slide dimensions should also accept the Glock 45. Examples include the 9mm Glock 19 Gen 5, the Glock 19X, and the .40-caliber Glock 23 Gen 5. If your holster includes a cut for a red dot sight, it can also accept the Glock 45 MOS with a sight installed.

Note that due to slight differences between older-generation pistols and current ones, holsters designed to fit a Gen 1-4 pistol may not accept the G45. For example, a Gen 3 Glock 19 has an overall width of 1.26”, meaning that holsters designed to fit this model will be too narrow to fit a G45. This includes holsters intended for the Glock 32 chambered in .357 SIG; this model has not received a Gen 5 version.

Keep Your Glock 45 at Your Side with Incognito Concealment

The Glock 45 and its red dot sight-ready version, the Glock 45 MOS, are part of Glock’s growing selection of crossover pistols. They offer law enforcement officers and shooters a “best of both worlds” alternative to traditional pistols like the G17 and the G19. The Glock 45 is a worthwhile choice for shooters who need a concealable high-capacity 9mm pistol.

Your Glock is a reliable weapon that deserves an equally dependable holster. At Incognito Concealment, you can find the ideal concealment holster for your Glock 45 and hundreds of other handgun models. Shop the best Glock 45 holster for your needs, whether you carry IWB, AIWB, or OWB.

Contact us today if you have questions about our products or concealed carry.