Glock 19 Holsters with Light: A Comprehensive Guide for Concealed Carry & Duty carry
If you're a Glock 19 owner looking to enhance your firearm with a light attachment, you'll need a reliable holster to accommodate this addition. Whether you're carrying concealed, on duty, or participating in competition shooting, having the right holster is crucial for comfort, reaction time, and safety. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the best Glock 19 holsters designs specifically for guns with lights. We'll delve into the pros and cons of each holster to help you make an informed decision. So, let's dive in and find the perfect holster to complement your Glock 19 with a light and hopefully at the end you would know which exact model you would want.
How to Choose the Best Glock 19 Holster with Light for Concealed Carry
Selecting the perfect light-bearing Glock 19 holster isn't just about finding a functional accessory; it's a personal journey that balances your unique requirements and preferences. Whether you're an experienced concealed carrier, a dedicated duty professional, or a passionate competition shooter, the right holster is your steadfast companion. In this section, we'll delve deeper into the key considerations to help you navigate the multitude of options available, ensuring that your choice aligns seamlessly with your specific needs and preferences.
Material Matters
The first and foremost aspect to consider when choosing a light-bearing Glock 19 holster is the material. Holsters come in various materials, made of Kydex, leather, nylon and hybrid.
- Kydex Holsters: Kydex is a durable, synthetic material known for its excellent retention and rigidity. It provides a secure fit for your firearm and light, ensuring that it stays in place during movement. They are resistant to moisture and easy to maintain, making them ideal for everyday carry.
- Leather Holsters: Leather holsters exude a classic, luxurious, timeless appeal while offering comfort, silent operation and style. They conform to your body & handgun over time, providing a snug fit for your Glock 19 with a light.
- Hybrid Holsters: Hybrid holsters combine the best of both worlds, often featuring a Kydex shell for firearm retention and a leather or fabric backing for comfort. They offer a balance between retention and comfort, making them an excellent choice for extended wear.
- Nylon Holsters: Nylon holsters combine durability with flexibility. In case they are made from sturdy, shape-holding nylon material, they offer excellent resistance to wear and tear.
Holster Type
When exploring CCW holster types for your Glock 19 with a light attachment, it's crucial to consider how the holster attaches to your belt. The attachment options can significantly impact your carrying experience, so let's delve into the various methods and their suitability for your needs:
- Plastic Clip: Plastic clips are lightweight and straightforward to use. They offer a secure attachment to your belt while remaining easy to put on and take off. This attachment method is often chosen for its simplicity and user-friendliness.
- Steel Clip: Steel clips provide robust and reliable attachment to your belt. They offer enhanced durability and are less likely to break or deform over time.
- Snaps: Snaps are another attachment option commonly found on holsters. They allow for quick and secure fastening to your belt without taking it off.
Light Compatibility
When selecting a holster for your Glock 19 with a light, compatibility is paramount. Ensure that the holster is explicitly designed to accommodate your handgun & light attachment. An ill-fitting holster can compromise retention and draw speed, potentially leading to safety issues.
Top Glock 19 Holsters with Light for Concealed Carry
Best Kydex Light-Bearing Glock 19 Holster: A903 L 2021
Pros:
- Outstanding retention
- Durable and smooth gun-draw
- Strong and wide belt clip
- Optional holster claw for better concealment
- Custom-fitted for your handgun
- Red dot sight and heigh sights compatible
- Open muzzle design
Cons:
- Limited material flexibility
- Kydex might be uncomfortable for some
The A903 L 2021 from Falco Holsters is a quite comfortable open-top Kydex belt holster designed for concealed carry of guns with rail-mounted laser/light attachments. I appreciate its exceptional retention, durability, and a smooth gun-draw experience. The strong and wide belt clip provided a secure fit on all my belts. Optional holster claw made it easy to hide my Glock 19 under a loose t-shirt or a jacket.
Best Leather Light-Bearing Glock 19 Holster: A122
Pros:
- Reinforced opening and sweat guard
- High-quality Italian leather
- Handcrafted with attention to detail
- Custom-fitted for your handgun
- Red dot sight and high sights compatible
- Slim design
Cons:
- Needs break-in period
- Holster is beautiful, but you would need to take a good care about it
My A122 IWB holster was custom made for a Glock 19 with a tactical light Fenix GL19R. Its reinforced opening and sweat guard definitely helped with a smooth draw and safe one-handed re-holstering. Crafted from natural Italian leather of the highest quality, this holster surprised me with nice leathery fragrance & excellent craftsmanship.
Best Hybrid Glock 19 holster for guns with light: A116 L 2021
Pros:
- Combines comfort with quick gun draw
- Perforated leather platform for ventilation of your skin
- Low-profile design for concealed carry
- Custom-fitted for your handgun
- Red dot sight and suppressor height sights compatible
- Open muzzle design
Cons:
- Not very good in the 4-5 o'clock position
A116 L 2021 is a hybrid IWB holster that combines the comfort of an airflow leather platform with the security of Kydex. It's compatible with rail-mounted lights/lasers and is handmade from genuine Italian leather and U.S. Kydex.
The perforated leather platform helped me to stay comfortable even when I was sweating, making it exceptionally comfortable for extended carry periods. I absolutely love its strong steel belt clips placed on the sides of the leather platform. They made concealed carry of my Glock 19 very stable.
Best Glock 19 Holsters with Light for Duty Use
Best Leather Glock 19 & light Duty Holster: H202
Pros:
- Lowered belt platform for professional use
- High-quality Italian leather
- Thumb-break for added security
- Suitable for 2" to 2.25" duty belts
Cons:
- Break-in might be necessary
- Leather needs care so it lasts longer
- Classic leather thumb-break instead of hood
The H202 duty leather holster is specially designed for guns with laser/light attachments for professional use and special units. Drawing from the lowered belt platform was very fast & easy. It allowed me simultaneous use of tactical/ballistic vests. Although I am not a fan of the traditional leather thumb-break it did its job very well and the holster was very secure. Thanks to its high-quality Italian leather, this holster appeared durable and reliable.
Best Kydex Glock 19 & light Duty Holster: C909 L 2021
Pros:
- Level 2 retention with Self Locking System (SLS) hood
- Strong belt loops for secure carry
- Custom-fitted for your handgun
- Red dot sight and hight sights compatible
- Open muzzle design
Cons:
- Limited material flexibility
- Louder operation in comparison with other materials on the list
The C909 L 2021 is a level 2 duty-rated OWB Kydex holster that features the Self Locking System (SLS). Hood provided perfect security & it worked as designed. After I dropped the hood down I was surprised by the very smooth gun-draw, and durability of the holster. Its two strong belt loops keeped the holster in one position during the whole stay at the shooting range.
Best Nylon Glock 19 & light Duty Holster: C813 Powell
Pros:
- Premium nylon construction
- Reinforced top and thumb break with layer of leather
- Integrated plastic sights rail
- Custom-fitted for your handgun
Cons:
- Lack of customization options in comparison with leather holsters
- Nylon is little bulkier than leather or Kydex
The C813 Powell is a pancake-style premium nylon holster designed for pistols with light or laser attachments. I enjoyed its nylon construction that provides shape-holding effect & comfort. The reinforced top of the holster and thumb break with black leather adds extra security. Integrated plastic sights rail for sights protection is a feature I didn't see with nylon holsters from other brands and it worked as intended. I can clearly see how this holster lasts for decades.
Affordable Glock 19 Holsters with Light
Most Affordable Nylon Glock 19 Holster with Light: A705 Graham
Pros:
- Comfortable and breathable 3D material
- Extended sweat guard to separate the gun from the body
- Custom-fitted for your handgun, but universal within its size category
- Covered gun barrel
Cons:
- Lack of customization options in comparison with leather holsters
- Softer construction
The A705 Graham is a very affordable and comfortable holster designed for concealed carry of your Glock 19 equipped with tactical light. Breathable 3D material prevented accumulation of sweat between the body & holster which is a feature always appreciated. Extended sweat guard effectively protected my Glock 19 from the sweat. While it's custom-fitted for your specific handgun & light, its semi-universal design allows use of other guns in the same size category.
Most Affordable Belly Band Glock 19 Holster with Light: B111
Pros:
- Firm & resistant material
- Good for concealed carry without the use of belt
- Pouch for 2 gun magazines and documents
- Universal fit for various guns & laser/lights
Cons:
- Not suitable for handguns without safety
- Less comfortable than other belly band models
The B111 Belly Band is an affordable belly band holster designed for a wide array of pistols and revolvers with lights. It fits my Glock 19 with TLR7A like a glove. Tight and resistant material provided a firmness and retention for concealed carry during a whole day. It was less comfortable than the belly band B102, but on the other hand I felt more confident wearing it. I found myself using pouches for 2 gun magazines and documents also for other items. Mainly phone & small wallet.
Most Affordable Leather Glock 19 Holster with Light: A222
Pros:
- Reinforced top and sweat guard
- Hand-shaped & lacquered holster
- Custom-fitted for your handgun
- Open top for quick draws
- Suitable for handguns equipped with red dot sight
- Slim & Comfortable
Cons:
- Break-in might be necessary
- Leather needs care so it lasts longer
The A222 IWB leather holster is one the most affordable leather holsters. Mine was custom made for Glock 19 & Surefire X300, however it is available for more than 3000 handguns & more than 50 lights. Reinforced opening and sweat guard helped me with a smooth draw and safe reholstering. I find this model the most comfortable option for everyday concealed carry on this list. Crafted from pre-tanned Italian cow leather, it combines quality with affordability. Plus, you can design your own holster by choosing from the available options.
Reviews of the Best Glock 19 Holsters with Light
Hybrid IWB Holster A116 L 2021 & Belt Hybrid Holster C908 L 2021
Leather IWB Holster A604 L
Belly Band B105 & B115
Q&A
Will a SAR 9 fit a Glock holster?
A SAR 9 will not fit a Glock holster perfectly. Holsters designed for specific firearm models like the Glock 19 are tailored to the exact dimensions of that particular gun. Using a holster that is not designed for the SAR 9 may result in an improper fit and reduced retention.
Will a Taurus G3 fit in a Glock 19 holster?
While the Taurus G3 and Glock 19 have similar dimensions, they are not identical. It's essential to use a holster specifically designed for the Taurus G3 to ensure a secure and safe fit. Attempting to use a Glock 19 holster for a Taurus G3 may lead to an improper fit and decreased firearm retention.
Will a TLR-2 fit in a TLR-1 holster?
The TLR-2 and TLR-1 are both popular weapon lights from Streamlight, and they might have similar dimensions. In some cases, a holster designed for the TLR-1 may accommodate a TLR-2, but it's not guaranteed as there are a lot of variants of these two models. It's always best to use a holster explicitly designed for the specific handgun & light combination you have to ensure a proper fit and retention.
Conclusion
Choosing the right holster for your Glock 19 with a light attachment is essential for safe and efficient carrying. Falco Holsters offers a range of high-quality holsters designed to meet various needs, ensuring you have customization options that combine comfort, security, and accessibility.
Remember to consider your specific requirements when choosing a holster, such as material, design, shape of your body and intended use. Additionally, always use a holster custom made for your specific firearm model and light or laser to ensure a proper fit and perfect retention. With the right holster, you can enhance your Glock 19's capabilities and carry it with confidence in any situation.
Andrew Miller
16.11.2023
