Which Glock 19 Holster Should You Carry? IWB, Appendix, OWB & Light-Bearing

Quick answer: The best Glock 19 holster is a rigid Kydex holster molded for the Glock 19 that covers the whole trigger guard, has solid retention, and lets you adjust ride height and cant. For concealed carry, choose IWB at about 3 o’clock or appendix (AIWB); OWB needs a cover garment, and a weapon light needs a light-bearing holster.

Glock 19 Dimensions That Decide Holster Fit

From Glock’s published specifications for the G19 Gen5 and the current G19 V, which have identical dimensions:

Source: Glock’s official G19 Gen5 and G19 V spec pages (us.glock.com), checked November 2026.

Will a Glock 19 Holster Fit My Generation?

Usually, yes. Glock’s current G19 V has the same published dimensions as the Gen5, and many holster makers list one Glock 19 holster across generations; Vedder, for example, sells a “Glock 19 (Gen 3, 4, 5, 6) IWB Holster LightTuck®.” Two things change fit much more than the generation does:

• An optic. If your Glock 19 is an MOS model with a red dot, you need a holster with an optic cut, or the dot won’t clear.
• A weapon light. A light changes the whole front of the gun. You need a holster molded for your exact light model (for example a Streamlight TLR-7 or a SureFire X300). A standard G19 holster won’t take one. Glock describes its own GTL II light as “precisely matched to the length and width of the G19/G45 slide.”

Before you buy, check the holster maker’s fit list for your exact generation, optic and light.

The Best Glock 19 Holster Type for Each Way of Carrying

IWB, strong side (3 to 4 o’clock). The classic concealed carry setup, and a good first holster. Look for a rigid Kydex shell, a clip that grips your belt, and adjustable cant so the grip tilts forward into your body.

Appendix (AIWB, 12 to 2 o’clock). An appendix holster needs adjustable ride height, a claw or wing that pushes the grip in, and room on the back for a wedge. PHLster’s appendix guide calls the wing “a wing to convert belt pressure into grip rotation.” Tenicor lists its VELO5 AIWB for the “Glock 19/45.” For a full appendix walkthrough, see our Glock 19 AIWB setup guide and our AIWB holster guide.

OWB (outside the waistband). Nothing presses into you and the draw is easy, but it needs an untucked shirt or jacket to cover it. A pancake or paddle-style OWB holster that rides tight to the body conceals best.

Light-bearing. If you run a light, the holster has to be built for it. Expect a slightly longer, bulkier holster. Ride height and a wedge matter even more here, because the extra length is what digs in when you sit.

What to Look for in Any Glock 19 Holster

• Full trigger-guard coverage. Non-negotiable. Nothing should be able to reach the trigger while the gun is holstered.
• Solid retention. The gun should click in and stay put when you turn the holster upside down and shake it gently (unloaded).
• Rigid material. Kydex holds its shape so you can reholster one-handed without the mouth collapsing.
• Adjustable ride height and cant. This is how you make the holster fit your body instead of fighting it.
• A claw or wing for appendix carry. It rotates the grip in toward your body.
• Room to add a wedge. If the holster prints or digs in, a wedge can angle the grip into your body.

Holster makers sell the Glock 19 by model, so check each one’s fit list for your generation, optic and light. Choose by carry position and the features above.

How to Make a Glock 19 Holster Comfortable

Before you replace a holster, set up the one you have. We make the Cloudster Pillow holster wedge. It mounts to any IWB or AIWB holster with hook-and-loop, angles the grip into your body, and has memory-foam fill you can add or remove to set its thickness, which cushions the holster edge that digs in when you sit or drive.

• Size: for a Glock 19, choose the Deluxe or the Monster.
• Placement: the lower third of the back of the holster. Our wedge placement guide shows exactly where.
• Belt: a stiff gun belt keeps the holster flat against you. We carry Kore ratcheting gun belts; Kore lists “40+ positions” in quarter-inch steps on its tactical belts.

See it set up on an appendix rig in our Glock 19 AIWB wedge setup, or compare wedges in our holster wedge comparison. For the slimmer 43X, see our Glock 43X holster guide. For the Springfield Hellcat Pro, see our Hellcat Pro holster guide. For the subcompact Glock 26, see our Glock 26 IWB holster guide.

Quick Answers

Is the Glock 19 too big to conceal carry?
Not for most setups. Glock lists it at 7.28 in long and 5.04 in tall, the same height as the slimmer 43X. With a good IWB or appendix holster, a stiff belt and a wedge to tuck the grip, many carriers hide it under an untucked shirt. Our Glock 19 concealed carry guide covers the details.

What’s the most comfortable Glock 19 holster?
Comfort comes more from setup than brand: the right position, ride height, a gun belt, and a soft wedge between the holster and your body. See our guide to the most comfortable IWB holster.

Will a Glock 17 fit a Glock 19 holster?
Only some open-bottom holsters, and it depends on the maker. The Glock 17 is longer in the slide and grip. Our Glock 17 vs 19 breakdown has the exact differences.

Do I need a special holster for a Glock 19 with a light?
Yes. Get a holster molded for your exact light model.

What size Cloudster Pillow fits a Glock 19?
Compact pistols like the Glock 19 fit the Deluxe or the Monster. The Monster gives more coverage; the choice is yours. For larger body frames we recommend sizing up: a larger pillow can always be made to feel smaller (take some fill out), but a smaller pillow can’t be made to feel bigger. Our size guide has the full chart.

Written by the Cloudster Pillow team. We make holster wedges. We don’t sell holsters or firearms, and nobody paid to be mentioned here.