The Glock 48 Pistol [2022 Gun Review]

The Glock 48 is a solid concealed carry pistol. It’s the slimmer version of the ever-so-popular Glock 19.

You see, Glocks have been producing a lot of pistols. Almost one every year or so. And that begs the question, which one to get?

There’s a G42, G43, and G43x, all of which are excellent. Yet today I’m going to show you why the Glock 48 could be the best tiny Glock pistol you could ever have.

We’ll also cover its strengths over the others, how reliable the gun is, and how it feels in the hand.

Glock: The Manufacturer

What do you think makes Glock so popular?

Reliability? High-quality? Versatility? Compactness? Everything! Glock also earned government contracts, including those with FBI agents, and U.S. Army. Glock guns feel great, are simple to use, and are dependable, which is why I chose them.

Glock’s reputation is built on its colorful history, which makes them unique. From being a small home curtain rod manufacturer to one of the largest handgun producers in the world, this Austrian company has grown so much.

As a matter of fact, Glock pistols are used by 65% of law enforcement agencies in the United States. Glock firearms have been tried and tested all around the planet. And that is enough reason for many civilians like you and me to get their hands on one. Their weapons aren’t flawless, but they’re near to perfection. As their saying goes, “Glock Perfection.”

Clearly, Glock has no plans of slowing down and is constantly listening to customer feedback to improve its products. They continue to release new guns. Just this 2020, the Gen5 models were also launched along with a few new variants.

For quite some time, people have been asking for a small full-size 9mm Glock. And it is the whole point of creating the Glock 48, a 9mm pistol designed for concealment.

Introduction to Glock 48

The Glock 48 is a 9mm Luger pistol that was released in January 2019.

If I were to describe, the G48 is a slightly slimmer version of the G19. I had a G19 for years and I can tell the difference.

Loaded with 9mm rounds, the G48 weighs 5 ounces less than a G19. It also has a slimmer slide and frame. The grip is short enough to be concealed in almost any situation. Its smaller shape also fits more easily inside the waistband. Thus, if you’re still looking for a gun that is slightly easier to conceal than the G19, G48 is the way to go.

The Glock 48’s concealability is one of its best qualities. It’s a fantastic self-defense pistol that has a low bore axis and minimal recoil. It has the features that many concealed carriers are looking for in a small functional concealed carry firearm. Yet, there are handguns smaller than the Glock 48 on the market, including the M&P Shield, and Sig P365. But these subcompact guns normally use magazine extensions, therefore the Glock 48 is still totally concealable for most people.

Ultimately, the G48 gives a reasonable amount of firepower with a capacity of 10+1. For a concealed carry gun, 10 rounds are actually fairly enough. The G19, on the other hand, is another choice with a 15-round capacity. However, if you need more capacity and still like the G48, upgrading is easy.

Glock 48 Specs

Let’s now see the pistol’s basic specifications.

What makes the G48 so appealing is the combination of its minor details. The overall features are satisfactory.

Features

Why buy the Glock 48?

If you’re a Glock fan like me, you probably already have different variants of Glock. But why do you think you will buy the Glock 48 or even just add it to your collections?

First, it is a slimmer, smaller, and lighter 9mm compared to the G19. It is nearly a quarter-inch slimmer than the Glock 19 and super concealable. If you need a gun to keep in your holster or quick-access safe, consider the G48. It’s also a great option if you only require a small pistol for concealed carry. The G48’s size falls just in the middle of concealability and shootability.

Second, the Glock 48 has a large capacity. Despite its modest profile and small design, it has a single stack magazine that can hold 10 rounds of 9mm. And in comparison to other Glock Slimline weapons, the G48 has a greater sight radius and is significantly easier to aim. A subcompact handgun is more difficult to shoot and control than this gun. For instance, you can definitely shoot the G48 faster than the G43.

Lastly, with a couple of upgrades, you can transform this gun into an ideal all-around pistol. Upgrade its trigger or sights and this gun will be a perfect and reliable weapon for any situation.

Who is this Gun For?

The market for this gun is the concealed carry community.

Yet, for many years, people have been requesting that Glock manufacture a pistol that falls between the Glock 19 and the Glock 43. The result is the Glock 48. Because the Glock 19 may be too large for everyday carry and the Glock 43 may be too little. As a result, the Glock 48 could be the ideal concealment weapon.

Glocks are also extremely dependable for personal and home defense. They have a solid track record and they appeal to both new and experienced gun owners.

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Glock 48 Hands-On Review

Unboxing

The G48 comes in a black hard case, just like any other Glock. It has all of the features you’d expect from a Glock pistol. Inside, you’ll find your pistol, some paperwork, a few magazines, a bore brush, a cleaning rod, a magazine loader, and a gun lock.

The pistol’s nice coat finish is the first thing you’ll notice. The finish, whether black or silver, gives a smooth, easy-to-grip feel and a basic appearance. The handgun has a polymer bottom, textured grips, and a metal slide, which are all classic Glock features.

Look and Feel

The Glock 48 has a fantastic overall feel. It is still thinner than all other options available.

With a regular 10-round magazine connected, the Glock 48 fits the hand wonderfully. The frame size is comparable to the G19, with the width being the greatest difference.

The G48 also comes with a slide serration which a lot of Gen 5s have now. The slide design is simply comparable to the G43. Its slide is just under an inch longer than the G43’s and roughly the same length as a G19 double-stack pistol.

Grip

Glock did an excellent job of designing a grip that is both comfortable and natural as the one on G48. Its low-profile grip, combined with the pistol’s small size, makes it easy to carry. However, because the grip is thinner, the recoil force is concentrated in a smaller area. As a result, there is a little recoil in your hand’s webbing.

Trigger

The Glock 48’s trigger is another standard Glock trigger. The trigger is smoother and crisper than any factory Glock I’ve seen. There’s a short pre-travel and short reset. It has a total weight of 5.25 lbs. Though some folks despise Glock triggers, I think they’re OK. After all, there are plenty of aftermarket triggers available. What’s important is the user’s ability to control the trigger which is crucial to accuracy. With that said, the G48 is still a capable weapon.

Magazine

The single stack magazine in the Glock 48 only holds 10 rounds. For a concealed carry gun, 10 rounds are actually quite enough. The single-stack magazine allows for a narrow design. Its magazine is textured and has steel inserts for added strength. Depending on your needs, you can get various Glock 48 magazines that are compatible with it. For example, you can get a 15-rounder for your G48.

Glock Safeties

Even with its compact profile, the G48 retains the Glock safety features. It is nice because Glock safeties are simple and easy to operate. Glock Safe Action mechanism includes three internal safety features: trigger safety, firing pin safety, and drop safety.

The trigger safety’s actual purpose is to prevent the trigger from being activated by momentum if the gun is dropped or jolted violently. The firing pin safety is the second safety to be disabled. As the trigger is pulled, the vertical extension on the trigger bar automatically deactivated this safety. The final safety feature is the drop safety. It actually stops the trigger bar from falling until the trigger is fully pressed.

These safeties operate independently of one another, making it possible to disable or bypass one without affecting the other two. The combination of all three of these safeties is the key to the Glock Safe Action System’s proper operation and basic protection.

Concealability

If you’re looking into concealability, you’re looking at the right pistol. The G48 is one of the easiest to conceal pistols because of its low-profile design. It’s similar to carrying a Glock 19, with a thinner profile that is more comfortable to carry.

The Glock 48 was created with concealment in mind. It has a brilliant design that makes it perfect for concealed carry. The Glock 48 is a single stack pistol that is less bulky and its size is precisely in the middle between concealability and firing power.

When it comes to the grip of the G48, it’s short enough to be hidden from almost any angle. It’s also less likely to press through your shirt because the back end of the slide is skinnier. The slimmer shape, therefore, fits more comfortably around the waist.

Those who have a serious need for a very small gun will find that the Glock 48 isn’t the gun for them. Thus, if you seek maximum concealment, go and get a smaller weapon than the Glock 48.

Taking the Gun Apart & Cleaning

Every gun owner should know how to take apart and reassemble their weapons. It is necessary for routine maintenance, repair, or parts replacement. Disassembling a Glock 48 is the same as fieldstripping any Glock.

Before handling or attempting to disassemble your Glock 48, make sure it is unloaded. Once the gun is cleared, you can now field strip the pistol.

Below is a helpful video that demonstrates step by step how to field strip and clean your gun.

Taking the Glock 48 at the Range

The Glock 48 is a fairly accurate weapon and it shoots pretty well. The shooter can make quick and exact adjustments thanks to its adjustable target sights. It could also come in handy in tight circumstances. The front sight contains a white dot on either side that helps you find your target. It is also just simpler to keep your sights on the target when shooting.

The pistol shoots effectively in dry fire at the range, and the trigger is smoother and more responsive than any factory Glock I’ve handled. When it comes to recoil, the G48 seemed to manage it a little more gracefully. The way it handled recoil and performed impressed me. Even after several hundred rounds, you will not feel like you’re shooting a small 9mm.

You can also feed it with a variety of 9mm ammunition and it will not malfunction. As a result, the G48 has proven to be the most self-assured concealed carry weapon you’ll ever own.

Who else in the Market Competes?

Glock 48 And It’s Cousin Glock 43x

Glock expanded again its product line by introducing to us two compact slimline pistols which are ideal for everyday carry. Let’s now talk about a bit of the joint release. The Glock 48 was actually released alongside the Glock 43X in the 2019 SHOT Show.

Both the G48 and G43x are slim and have a low-profile design that makes them ideal for concealed carry. Both guns fire 10 rounds of 9mm, shared the same frame, and are striker-fired.

If you already own a Glock 43, these two are basically Glock 43 variations that have been heavily improved. But what I would exactly want to point out is that you can put the slide of your G43 to the G48 frame, and you will have the G43x. It is like you’re getting three guns in one if you own both G43 and G48.

The ergonomics of the Glock line of pistols are all extremely similar. The two both have a longer grip, making them easier to handle and control. This improves the overall comfort of the setup. Both pistols have a reversible magazine catch and may be configured for right or left-handed use. The slide lock is a conventional Glock design that is actually quite modest for any gun.

I can’t say that one is superior to the other. Regardless of which gun you choose, both will never let you down.

Glock 48 vs Sig P365 XL

SIG and Glock are one of the most fierce competitors on the market. Let’s take a look at both handguns, the G48, and Sig P365 XL.

The G48 and the P365 XL both accept 9mm Luger. The latter fires 12+1 rounds instead of the G48’s 10 rounds. When compared to the 48, the P365XL is a smaller counterpart.

While the G48 has a better grip and is less expensive, the P365 XL has a far better trigger and sights. Another feature of the P365 XL that should not be overlooked is its size and capacity. The Sig P365 XL also has several attractive features, such as a higher grip angle and a flatter firing pattern.

Any option you make between the two is a good one. You will not regret getting each of these guns. It’s simply a matter of personal taste and application. If you need more capacity, the Sig P365 XL is the way to go. If you want an inexpensive concealed carry gun, get the G48 then which is a hundred bucks cheaper than the P365 XL.

Best Upgrades for Glock 48

Your G48 might feel better, shoot more accurately, and be more comfortable to carry all day after a few ounces of tweaks and additions. The upgrades listed below are available for your G48.

BlackHawk Arc IWB For Glock 48

This IWB Holster for your Glock 48 is fully ambidextrous and comes in gray color. The holster’s comfortable and robust construction is ideal for your G48, whether you’re carrying it all day or for duty. Fortunately, it also fits the S&W Shield 9 EZ, so you’ll only need one holster for two guns. It also has two belt clips for cant and height adjustment that suit 1.5″ to 1.75″ belts.

TruGlo Tritium PRO Night Sights

This sight is compatible with Glock 42, 43, 43X, and the G48. This sight is ideal if you want unrivaled visibility in all shooting scenarios. It’s of good quality, with steel construction and a Fortress nitride coating for long-term durability. It also has ideal brightness and PRO level features, giving you the superiority when you need it most.

Talon Grips Adhesive Pistol Grip

This Talon Grip is another wonderful low-cost accessory for your G48. You can invest roughly $20 in these items to improve your confidence and general control of the weapon. Grip options include Granulate, Rubber, and Rubber Moss. What I like best about this non-slip pistol grip is how natural it feels in the hand and how thin it is. The grip is also designed to last three years and is ideal for personal or home defense.

Wrap Up

Is the Glock 48 a flawless weapon? Maybe not entirely, but I’ve not found any major ones while using this tiny powerhouse.

The Glock 48 is an excellent choice. It has a decent trigger, packs a punch, and is easy to conceal.

You might also like to read:

• The Best Glock Suppressor Sights
• Best Glock Pistols: Ultimate Guide for Glock Shooters
• The 4 Best Glock Speed Loaders