Glock 19x Holsters

First unveiled at SHOT Show 2018, the Glock 19X was one of the most hotly anticipated new Glock pistols ever released at the time of its release.

This variant of the Glock 19 is a pistol of many firsts for the Austrian gunmaker, among which: Glock’s first “Crossover” pistol, the first pistol with a factory-painted and colored slide, and the civilian version of the first Glock product participating to a U.S. military pistol trial.

The G19X’s Military Origins: The MHS Competition

Before the Glock 19X, there was the Glock 19MHS, the name of the Glock pistol that entered the 2017 XM17 Modular Handgun System (MHS) competition, set to replace the Beretta M9 as the official military service pistol in the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force.

Besides Glock, many other prominent handgun manufacturers entered the competition, including Beretta (APX), SIG Sauer (P320), FN Herstal (FNS), CZ (P-07 and P-09), and Smith & Wesson (M&P 2.0). Heckler & Koch was notably absent, despite being a prominent military supplier in other areas (e.g., the M27 IAR rifle).

The G19MHS was designed to meet new military specifications: a non-caliber-specific handgun with higher accuracy, reliability, and overall effectiveness than the then-current M9 pistol.

The U.S. Army also specified a capability to accept different magazine sizes, multiple grips to accommodate various hand sizes, an accessory rail, a non-reflective color, and the possibility to receive a threaded barrel and function reliably with a suppressor installed. Additionally, the new pistol had to feature a manually-operated safety in a more ergonomic location than the M9’s slide-mounted lever.

Glock’s entry into the competition met all these requirements, making history and becoming the first Glock pistol to feature a manual safety lever. It was also notable for being a factory-configured version of what many Glock 19 and Glock 17 owners had done for decades: combining the G17’s full-size frame height with the compact slide, 4-inch barrel, and frame length of a G19.

The result is what Glock termed a “Crossover” pistol (so named for combining frames and slide sizes from different models). The G19MHS was technically the first model in what is now a complete family of Crossover handguns, which, as of July 2022, currently also includes the Glock 43X, Glock 45, and the Glock 45 MOS.

The Civilian Successor to the G19 MHS: The Glock 19X

Glock did not win the Modular Handgun Competition; instead, the Army selected SIG Sauer and the P320 to become the new military M17 pistol. However, the Austrian gunmaker did not scrap the military trial pistol, modifying it slightly instead and making it available for the law enforcement and civilian market.

The new pistol, now titled the Glock 19X, retains the military version’s compact design and all but one feature; the ambidextrous manual safety lever was no longer present, making it similar to all other commercially-available Glock pistols.

The G19X’s release was met with critical acclaim, with Glock announcing in a July 2018 press release that the company had sold over 100,000 units in six months, surpassing the company’s expectations. The handgun has also been adopted by specific law enforcement agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP).

Complete specifications (Glock 19X)

• Caliber: 9x19mm Parabellum
• Product family: Compact Crossover
• Overall length: 7.44”
• Barrel: Gen 5 specification Glock Marksman Barrel
• Barrel length: 4.02”
• Height: 5.47” with standard 17-round Glock magazine inserted
• Width: 1”
• Capacity: 17+1 (with standard 17-round Glock magazine), 19+1 (with included 17+2 extended baseplate magazines), 33+1 (with separately available Glock 18 extended magazines)
• Weight: 24.83 oz. (with an empty 17-round magazine), 31.39 oz. (with a loaded 17-round magazine)
• Trigger pull weight: 5.8 lbf
• Color: Coyote brown
• Finish: nPVD slide coating

What the G19X Offers to Citizens Looking for Discreet Self-Protection

If you’re interested in carrying the Glock 19X in a concealment holster, it is essential to understand its features and specifications and why they differ significantly from the standard Glock 19.

The frame size is the most critical difference between the Glock 19 and the Glock 19X. The G19X features the same frame height as the full-size Glock 17 and accepts the same full-size double-stack 9mm magazines.

The grip height is of particular concern to shooters intending to carry using an inside-the-waistband holster (IWB), as it may be harder to conceal than the shorter Glock 19. However, this also offers the notable advantage of higher capacity and compatibility with commonly-available Glock 17-round 9mm magazines.

Additionally, like the standard Glock 19 Gen 5, the frame features an ambidextrous slide release, meaning it will not fit holster types that do not accommodate this feature.

However, due to the identical slide length and size, any appropriate G19 holster will accept the G19X as long as they fit the ambidextrous slide stop levers. For example, a carry holster model designed for the Glock 19 Gen 5 will also accept the Glock 19X with no modifications.

Besides the unique size characteristics, the Glock 19X offers the absolute functionality and reliability you’ve come to expect from Glock pistols. It is a dependable, reliable, and highly accurate pistol, suitable for all-day carry.

Characteristics of the Best Gun Holsters for Your Glock 19X

If the Glock 19X is your choice of a handgun for daily carry, it is your responsibility as a gun owner to use a quality carry gun holster. Although a wide array of holster designs and materials are available on the market, not all of them guarantee safe carry conditions.

Here are the features and characteristics a decent holster should offer:

• Holster fit : A decent holster must fit your handgun model properly. You must ensure you use a holster compatible with the Glock 19X, either specifically designed for it or a dimensionally compatible model. For example, a Glock-19-specific holster should also fit the Glock 19X due to the identical slide length.

• Secure retention: Although most concealment holsters feature passive retention only, a decent holster model must be able to provide excellent weapon retention using only the shell’s friction and tightness. Ideally, a good concealment holster comes with an adjustable retention feature, helping you combat the effects of bad retention and eliminate the risk of your weapon falling out.

• Concealability: Not all holsters are created equal, and if concealment is a priority for you, you must avoid holsters designed primarily for open carry or duty use. Additionally, quality concealment holsters must employ low-profile materials to achieve optimal concealment. For example, Kydex concealment holsters typically use 0.08-inch Kydex sheets in their construction.

• Protects your gun: A decent holster must employ quality components and durable materials to protect your G19X from damage, such as scratches or impacts. Quality concealment holsters also feature a sweat guard, shielding the slide and finish from the salts of your body sweat and keeping it in pristine condition.

• Protects your body:A critical feature of any standard holster is safety. A decent gun holster must be designed to keep your pistol safe from unintentional discharges by fully covering the trigger guard. Well-designed holsters prevent foreign objects from entering and accidentally pulling the trigger.

• Smooth draw: It is critical for any gun holster, whether for duty or concealment, to let the shooter perform a quick draw with a full-handed combat grip, transitioning from drawing to aiming with little to no hand adjustment.

• Smooth re-holstering:The mouth of a decent holster maintains its structural integrity and doesn’t fold or collapse, ensuring the shooter can re-holster the gun safely and quickly. Kydex holsters exceed the performance and safety of even the highest-priced tight-fitting leather holsters due to the rigidity of the plastic-like material.

• Provides maximum comfort:Most gun owners give up on a holster if it’s not comfortable to carry, regardless of its other features and benefits. The most comfortable hardware is essential for regular carry and effective concealment.

   

Incognito Concealment’s line of Kydex holsters meets or exceeds all these requirements, offering the ideal combination of durability, comfort, and maximum concealment that discerning gun owners need.

Best Holster Styles for the Glock 19X

Gun owners looking for the highest-quality Kydex holsters have multiple choices and styles at their disposal. Whether you’re looking for a Glock 19X concealment holster, an open carry holster, or a versatile option suitable for both, Incognito Concealment offers a wide range of suitable products.

Here is a complete list of Incognito holsters compatible with the versatile Glock 19X.

IWB Holster: Incognito T3

When gun owners seek maximum concealment at all costs, they typically carry their handgun inside a classic inside the waistband (IWB) belt-mounted holster.

IWB holsters are considered the standard holster solution for concealed carry because they offer numerous natural advantages: the inside of the waistline naturally conceals part of the frame and slide, and it takes a single cover garment (e.g., dress shirt) to hide the rest, leaving only the belt clip visible.

If you need a high-quality IWB holster for your G19X, the Incognito Concealment T3 meets the needs of the most discerning concealed-carrying citizens. The T3’s lightweight holster construction takes advantage of low-profile 0.08-inch Kydex sheets to limit the holster’s lateral profile, minimizing printing.

The T3 IWB holster is also compatible with a mod-wing attachment and can be ordered from Incognito with one included. The mod-wing is ideal for gun owners looking to improve the holster’s concealability and further reduce printing from the grip. It functions by pushing the waistline outward from under the belt, creating leverage, and preventing the grip from tilting outwards.

Appendix IWB Holster: Incognito Flex

The appendix carrying position refers to a specific placement of the holster: it rides directly in front of the body, resting over the pelvic area (the 12 o’clock position). Appendix carry is one of the most popular alternatives to the traditional 3- or 4-o’clock position (on or behind the hip).

One of the primary advantages of appendix carry is the possibility to conceal full-size pistols (e.g., Glock 17) and crossover pistols with full-sized grips (e.g., Glock 19X) more effectively than other holster styles. This approach takes advantage of the front end of the shooter’s body instead of one of the sides to conceal larger pistols.

Although you can adapt an IWB holster meant for carrying in these standard positions, the best choice for appendix carry is a dedicated appendix IWB (AIWB) holster. This type of holster features the proper construction and orientation necessary to achieve optimal concealment.

For these reasons, Incognito Concealment’s Flex 2-piece appendix holster rig is one of the most practical solutions for shooters looking to AIWB carry the Glock 19X. This versatile holster comprises a holster shell and single magazine carrier, allowing you to carry up to 37 rounds with two 17+2 magazines.

This model comes out of the box with a 1.5-inch standard belt clip on each element, a mod-wing, and adjustable retention screws on both the holster shell and the magazine carrier, making it the ultimate adjustable holster for AIWB carry enthusiasts.

OWB Holster: Incognito Venture

OWB holsters are the oldest holster style in existence, having been around for nearly as long as firearms have. Although the overall purpose is the same, today’s modern OWB Kydex holsters have come a long way since traditional Wild West-era full-grain leather holsters.

Although they are not designed to ride inside your pants, you can still conceal an OWB holster effectively with a suitable model and an appropriate cover garment, such as an un-tucked shirt.

Quality holster products such as the Incognito Concealment Venture bring together the advantages of a low-profile, high-strength Kydex construction with the comfort and ease of use of the OWB holster, letting you conceal-carry your Glock 19X with confidence and peace of mind.

The Venture’s outer shell is designed to fit the shooter’s body, featuring a contoured design enhancing both concealment and comfort. This holster comes out of the box with a 1.5-inch standard belt clip on each side, although 1.75-inch extended belt clips are also available.

All Venture holsters feature an adjustable retention screw, allowing you to customize the fit and tightness of your holster around the Glock 19X and achieve perfect weapon retention.

Paddle Holster: Incognito ST7-Pro

The paddle holster is a type of holster designed for beltless OWB carry. Instead of belt clips, a paddle holster grabs onto the shooter’s pants using a large plastic paddle fitted with gripping teeth. When worn properly, paddle holsters provide the same natural draw and level of retention as a classic belt holster.

The two primary reasons shooters prefer using a paddle holster are convenience and flexibility. The shooter can press the paddle’s top end to release its grip and change its position within seconds, much faster than most belt holsters. This feature is ideal for civilian gun owners and professionals who need to carry a pistol and frequently change their holster’s position for comfort.

Like classic OWB holsters, the paddle holster is suitable for concealment. The Incognito Concealment ST7-Pro employs the same materials and shell design as the Venture but is mounted on a paddle instead of a pair of belt clips. It is the ideal solution for carrying larger pistols such as the Glock 19X because you can adapt the holster’s position and orientation in under 30 seconds.

Retention Holster: Incognito Aegis

The Glock 19X was initially designed for military use, where the use of retention holsters is required for all personnel carrying handguns. Therefore, it stands to reason that a G19X is ideal for open carry applications with a Level 2 retention holster.

If you carry a Glock 19X for duty use (e.g., police & law enforcement, security guards, etc.) and are searching for the ideal retention holster for use with it, look no further than the Incognito Concealment Aegis G19 holster.

The Aegis for Glock 19 is also compatible with the G19X due to the identical slide dimensions. It features a heavy-duty Kydex shell, a large black plastic belt module that can fit standard police and military duty belts, and Level 2 retention. Texture and color options are suitable for police and military duty holsters: plain black only, with or without basketweave texture.

Level 2 retention holsters combine the passive retention (holster shell friction) of a classic Level 1 OWB holster with a single active retention system to achieve perfect weapon retention. On this model, the active retention feature is a foldable, lockable hood mechanism with a thumb break, preventing unauthorized individuals from grabbing and unholstering the weapon.

Competition Shooting Holster: Incognito Quick Draw

Although the Glock 19X does not feature the long slide and barrel of classic Glock competition-oriented models, such as the Glock 34 or Glock 17L, there are many reasons to do competition shooting with a G19X; the 19-round magazines, the highly accurate Glock Marksman Barrel, or simply the advantage of a full-size grip with a shorter, lighter, easier to point barrel.

Regardless of your discipline of choice (USPSA, IDPA, IPSC, 3-Gun, etc.), competition shooting requires using a dedicated, high-quality holster style that is both safe and designed to prioritize fast drawing. If you are looking for a holster for your Glock 19X, consider the Incognito Concealment Quick Draw.

The Glock 19 version of the Quick Draw can easily accept your Glock 19X, even when fitted with typical competition shooting modifications, such as an optic or an extended magazine. The open-ended “taco” shell also makes this holster compatible with barrel extensions, such as a compensator.

Although similar at first glance to other Incognito OWB offerings, the Quick Draw features two unique design elements: an extended top strap cut, revealing more of the slide than a typical carry holster, and a high-strength adjustable BladeTech Tek-Lok belt clip. The included Tek-Lok belt clip is ideally designed for competition shooting gun belts up to 2.25” in width.