Finding the right holster for your Glock 43

It’s not uncommon for a new Glock 43 buyer to spend hours researching their options on holsters before making a purchase. Unfortunately, many underestimate the important role the holster plays in carrying a concealed handgun. When it comes to selecting a holster, price alone is often the deciding factor and it shouldn’t be.

Your holster is going to be your holy grail when it comes to shooting. You don’t have to spend a fortune on a holster but skimping on this potentially life-saving product is ill-advised. Your choice of holster is deserving of serious contemplation. A great quality concealed carry holster must strike a balance between concealment and accessibility, but must also be comfortable enough to actually wear and carry daily.

Leather or kydex are your typical choices for your Glock 43 holsters. Leather requires a little break-in period and will eventually stretch over time. This stretching molds to the gun and to your body so they become more comfortable as they age

Kydex is molded with heat, so leaving it on a car dash on a hot day may cause it to warp and be ruined. They require no break-in period and will never stretch, but they will never conform or get more comfortable either. If any part of the holster (such as a belt clip) has to flex, it may break there eventually. Plastic holsters can grip parts of the gun such as the trigger guard and click it into place with friction far better than leather. Both leather and molded plastic are excellent material for holsters, but for completely different reasons.

Keeping the gun in the holster is important. We have all heard stories of someone accidentally dropping a gun in a public place. Cops worry about someone grabbing their gun out of their holster. If you carry concealed, you don’t need to worry about this nearly as much as a cop, because no one should know you have it unless you draw on them. An open-top holster is fine for most people. If you are athletic and like to do handstands in the park with your kids, I recommend some type of retention device like a thumb-break snap. Just make sure you can disengage any retention device during your natural drawing motion.

Inside the waistband (IWB) holsters are typically worn at the 1 o’clock position, and anywhere from the 3 o’clock to the 6 o’ clock. They offer the maximum in concealability, but many people find them uncomfortable. As a general rule, you will need to buy pants 2 inches bigger in the waist to wear an IWB.

There are a lot of great companies making Glock 43 IWB holsters in both leather and kydex. Some even allow a shirt to be tucked into the pants, over the holster. Gun grips tend to be lot tougher than skin so wearing an undershirt is a must, unless you buy a holster that has some type of backing that prevents the gun from rubbing against you.

With a little practice, they are easy to draw from. Most have a little tab at the bottom on the front or the back. That tab is supposed to hook onto the pocket as the pistol is drawn to keep it from coming out with the pistol.

So when you’re going to look for the right holster, don’t forget to look at a bunch of different options. Don’t let price be the focus. Make sure you select a comfortable holster made of your preferred material that will work well in your carry position. Also, don’t be afraid to ask people what holster they prefer. Chances are you know someone, but if not, there are forums all over the place and even websites such as ours that list the best Glock 43 holsters. While these are opinionated, you can get an understanding of what your ideal holster will be, and that’s how you’ll find the right holster.

Holster HQ is committed to finding, reviewing and rating the best holsters for various handguns. For all of your holsters needs, turn to Holster HQ and we will help you find the perfect holster.