Glock 48 Gun Review: One Slim Little Shooter

Since Glock launched the G42 five years ago, the gun world has come to expect single-stacks from the double-stack-centric company. Several models are now in production, but it’s one that falls somewhere in the middle that fascinates me most: the G48. I’ve been running the G48 for a few months now, which isn’t long, granted, but it’s enough for me to have a good idea what the gun is capable of doing.

Glock 48 Creation and Comparison to Other Glocks

The G48 is a 9mm, of course, and a new model addition to the manufacturer’s fifth generation line. It was designed as part of Glock’s Slimline collection — alongside the G43X — and made specifically for concealed carry. Some gun owners are wondering how it could possibly differ from the G43, Glock’s first single-stack 9mm, and I’m here to tell you the differences are significant. In reality, you shouldn’t be trying to compare the G48 to the G43; Glock created the G48 as a Slimline version of the G19. So, how do the dimensions vary?

Where the G19 has the bulk that goes with the territory of double-stacks, its Slimline clone lives up to its design name.

	G48	G43	G19
Overall Length	7.28 inches	6.26 inches	7.36 inches
Overall Width	1.10 inches	1.06 inches	1.26 inches
Trigger Distance	2.64 inches	2.56 inches	2.80 inches
Capacity	10	6	15

These might sound like minuscule differences, but when it comes to concealed carry, every tenth of an inch counts.

Now, if you really want to compare it to the G43, we can. At slightly more than three-quarters of an inch shorter in height and more than 1 inch smaller in length, the G43 is absolutely a more compact pistol. It also has a six-round capacity, which has never thrilled me. The G48, however, has a 10-round capacity. That’s a win in my book.

Glock’s newest carry model isn’t just a Slimline. It’s aesthetically changed as well. Most striking is the contrast of the black polymer frame with the silver nPVD slide. This gun does not look like the plastic pistols we’ve grown accustomed to seeing right out of the box. Aside from its two-tone appearance, the G48 offers a variety of features that make it a welcome addition to the carry world. For improved accuracy, it has the match-grade Glock Marksman Barrel (GMB) associated with the Gen5 G17/19, and for versatility it has a reversible magazine release (magazine catch, in Glock-speak).

Other basic specs include the expected built-in beavertail, front slide serrations and GMB rifling — the rifling and crown of the barrel differ from different generations. The rifling remains polygonal. There are no finger grooves on the grip, something Glock removed in its fifth generation (thankfully).

Glock 48 at the Range

Because I felt like diving right in, I ran playing-card drills with the first few magazines. A playing-card drill typically involves firing five shots at a playing card from a distance of 5 yards. The exercise is not timed; the idea is to take it slow and aim for precision. But I got a bit carried away when I realized just how well the gun was shooting and put all 10 rounds from the first magazine into one playing card. It created a beautifully ragged single-hole group.

Out to 10 yards, the gun continued to produce one-hole groups. To say I’m happy with it is a bit of an understatement. Out past 10 yards, the groups open up, of course. The barrel is 4.17 inches long, and I don’t expect it to do what long slides can at longer distances. Even so, this gun consistently nails steel plates at 50 yards, something the Gen5 G19 does too. The difference is in the precision. Sure, the barrel is only 0.15 inches longer than the G19’s, but it does have a slight edge.

The G48 fits my hands well. My fingers are long, which is why I tend to love double-stacks, but the Slimline design hits the sweet spot between doubles and singles. The trigger is basically what you expect from Glock, although slightly better than the previous four generations (I think). Using my Lyman Digital Trigger Pull Gauge, I measured pull weight five times and got an average of 5 pounds, 1 ounce. This is fractionally lighter than the average pull weight of 5 pounds, 2 ounces I get from my Gen5 G19.

Glock sells this model with three sight options: standard, Glock Night Sights (GNS) or AmeriGlo BOLD sights. Mine has GNS, which have functioned well in daylight and low light. With four Glocks lined up, all with different night sights, I was pleased with the visibility of the GNS in the dark. The front sight is fixed, and the rear sight is adjustable for drift.

Once I ran 500 rounds through the G48 — everything from Remington UMC to Inceptor ARX — I began carrying it. I discovered it will be a good choice when warm weather hits (a carry gun with a slimmer profile is a good thing). I’ve been carrying the G48 in a CrossBreed SuperTuck inside-the-waistband holster. The Crossbreed SuperTuck provides secure retention, excellent concealment and comfort. The company offers several holsters for this model.

Bottom Line on This Glock

If you’re in the market for a slim concealed carry gun, check it out. Personally, I find it far preferable to the more diminutive G43, not only for capacity but also for grip. As for the G19, it’s still a solid pistol, but the G48 is easier to conceal. It’s accurate and reliable, both of which are requirements for a carry gun, and it offers you a little more ammo than some other smaller concealed carry pistols. If you’re concerned about the reduction from the 15 rounds of the G19 to the 10 rounds of the G48, carry a spare magazine. It’s a good habit to have, regardless.

Nicely played, Glock. You got me to like a non-double-stack pistol. Now, how about some more 10mms?

Specs:

Caliber	Capacity	Action	Frame Material	Slide Finish
9mm	10 + 1	Striker-fired	Polymer	Silver nPVD Satin Stainless
Barrel Material	Barrel Length	Grip	Overall Length	Overall Weight
Stainless Steel	4.17 inches	Black Synthetic	7.28 inches	18.48 ounces empty – no magazine

Sources:

Lyman: LymanProducts.com
Glock: US.Glock.com
CrossBreed: CrossBreedHolsters.com