Glocks newest 9mm wonder is the 48, perfect for concealed carry. Similar in size tothe Glock 19 but with less width of the pistol is reduced for increased concealability. All the performance of a Glock in a narrow, low profile, ergonomic pistol. is perfect for concealed carry, and brings the rugged dependability shooters have come to expect from Glock.
The Silver nPVD coated slide has front serrations for more options in manipulations. I like the finish and the bold new look.
I wanted the 48 as quickly as I could obtain one. Here are seven reasons why.
1-It’s new. Yes indeed, it is. However, the trigger is not, and that’s the reason I wanted the 48 so badly. Having carried departmental issue Glocks for 26 years, that’s the trigger I’m familiar with. While hordes of owners install after market triggers, this is not an option for most who carry duty guns. Smaller, slimmer pistol, same trigger= good stuff. The 43 is an answer for a lot of people, but even with 3 round mag extensions, it’s not that great for me. The 48 pushes the “minimal grip” for me, but it works, as is.
2-Magazines. The 43X and 48 share the same magazine, so that’s a start. The usual suspects will be making aftermarket magazines soon enough. Right now, spare Glock OEM mags are hard to come by, see Reason 1 above. I’ve got 6- 3 for carry, 3 for practice. This is a start for me, but soon enough I’ll have plenty more.
3-Holsters. Having gotten fed up with the monthly “ultimate holster” for whichever pistol about 5 years ago, I spent the money and did the research to make my own. There is already buzz out there about 43X pistols fitting 43 holsters, etc. I don’t know, and frankly don’t care. I’ll continue to bend my own stuff, so this really doesn’t concern me much, personally.
4-Size. Here’s the first likely area for the “experts” out there to start cackling. My current carry companion is a Kahr CW45, front sight knocked out, using a Mako Tritium Bullseye in the back. This pistol fits my hand, and the sight works for my old eyes. Kahr pistols are utterly reliable, and I have 2 with thousands of rounds through them. I’ve used them for classes outside my profession, with no issues. There are plenty of haters out there, but they likely don’t even own a Kahr, let alone shoot thousands of rounds through…anything. It’s easier to type and snipe, experience be damned. The 48 is quite similar in size to the CW45, so I’m very familiar with the grip, and have the Glock trigger I’m so accustomed to, as mentioned earlier. The 48 has Big Dot sights for the moment, and my old eyes can find them.
5-Finish. Again, the 48 looks a LOT like the CW45, so the finish doesn’t bother me. I can completely understand that some won’t like it, but it’s a departure for Glock to offer it. A side benefit for me, at least, is that it seems to make the sights “pop” into visibility a little better. Another fact that can’t be denied is that like all Glock pistols, the finish is Nitration, and that’s good enough for me. Nitration took the place of Tenifer a few years back, as it’s better for the health of the workers who apply it. Now’s another opportunity for the Web Experts to be hurt in the back side again, Melonite has no chance against Tenifer, or Nitration. Sorry.
6-Training. This is arguably the primary reason I’m tickled the 48 came to be. Here are some more facts for the experts to get wrong. Both the CW45, and the 48 have 5.5 pound triggers, but they are very different in terms of trigger reset. Carrying a Kahr, and training with Glock are 2 different animals. Training means that I’m obligated to work hard with BOTH firearms, not just assume that I’m proficient in one, so I’m proficient with all. That type of thinking puts me in the basement with the Web Experts. Training costs money, takes time, and requires commitment. Making videos and wearing your little brothers tacticool logo tee-shirts…not so much. Training means purchasing items and testing them before pondering using them in harms way. Regurgitating 7th hand myths on social media…again, not so much.
7- The “Why the Hell Not?” factor. I’m lucky enough to meet professional people with worlds of experience in the areas I’m required to be proficient within. I’m also fortunate enough to instruct people as well. This means that I must constantly learn, or I’m of no more use than a lot of the people churning out their dreck far and wide. Believe it or not, Google and Wikipedia do not equal blood, sweat and ability. Aging doesn’t help, either. In order to possess relevant knowledge, you have to spend money, and work hard. No single person can know everything, but if you’re the person your department trusts to keep their people qualified and safe, you can’t achieve that pecking away on your keyboard in the basement, getting orange Cheetos stains on your brothers shirts.
Photo courtesy of Glock.