If concealability is one of your top priorities, you probably carry the Glock 42. As a miniature version of larger Glocks, this firearm offers the same durability and reliability that come with the Glock reputation. Chances are you are using it as a backup or for concealed carry because it is so small.
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For the Glock 42 you have a wide choice of holster types available to you, which includes of outside the waistband, inside the waistband, and other concealed holsters. Because of the Glock 42’s small size, I believe the most practical holster types for this weapon is are concealed carry holsters, such as IWB holsters or ankle holsters. Don’t worry if you are looking for an OWB holsters though, as I make sure to cover all the options available to you!
Quick Answer – What Is The Best Holster For Glock 42 Handguns
Time is money! So let’s get straight to the point. If you want a solid holster for your G42, I recommend the following holsters:
- The best Glock 42 IWB holster: Muddy River Tactical IWB holster
- The best Glock 42 ankle holster: Galco Ankle Glove Holster
- The best Glock 42 pocket holsters: ComfortTac Ultimate Pocket Holster
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Checklist For Choosing The Right Holster
Before I jump into the best holster for the G42, I want to take a quick minute to first review the G42 against the key points we need to consider when choosing a holster that will suit your needs! In my experience, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail!
What are we working with
The G42 is a “slimline” design to make it ultra-compact. The weapon is chambered in .380 Auto and the magazine takes only 6 rounds. If you are looking for a small Glock, this is the smallest option available!
Carry style and concealment
The G42 is a small weapon and is ideal to be carry concealed. This opens the options up to most concealed carry holster options, such as ankle holsters, pocket holsters, belly band holsters and inside-the-waistband (IWB) holsters.
How comfortable the holster needs to be
I don’t know about you, but in my experience the comfort of a holster is a bug deal. Especially I am carrying for longer periods of time!
The G42 is small and it is light – this means the G42 will be comfortable to carry if you have a decent holster for it. There are of course also outside-the-waistband (OWB) holsters available, which might be more comfortable if you are carrying for long periods of time.
How well your weapon is protected
With its black polymer frame, scratches are going to show really quickly. So any studs or abrasive materials in a holster will not be good if you want to keep your weapon looking in good shape over a long period of time.
The Best Glock 42 OWB Holster Options
Let’s first look at the Outside-The-Waistband (OWB) holsters. The G42 is a pretty small and most folks will want to have a holster for concealed carry, however there can situations where you might prefer an OWB option. Some of the OWB options I list below can also be used as a IWB option.
Blackhawk Serpa CQC
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There are people who like Blackhawk Serpa holsters and people who do not regarding the index finger retention system. For some, that is a safety issue. For others, it is not a concern. Wherever you fall in that debate, the Blackhawk Serpa CQC is a well-made holster that will secure your Glock 42.
With some practice, your draw will be smooth and fast. The retention screw is adjustable so you can fine-tune the firearm tension to fit your preferences. You can also decide whether to wear this holster with the belt loop attachment or with a paddle. Due to the Glock 42’s small size, this holster is able to be carried concealed if you wear sweatshirts or bulky clothes.
As a holster designed to ride outside the waistband, it is not usually considered a concealed carry holster. Otherwise, the Blackhawk Serpa CQC lives up to the Blackhawk reputation and is a well-made holster that is perfectly formed to the Glock 42.
Blackhawk Serpa CQC Quick Statistics:
- Holster Type: Outside the waistband
- Retention Mechanism: Auto-lock with index finger button, retention screw
- Material: Polymer
- Mount: Belt loops or paddle
- Concealment: Only with certain clothes
1791 Gunleather
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1791 Gunleather makes a Glock 42 holster that not only is comfortable enough to wear all day, but can also be worn three ways. If you are not sure how you will carry your Glock 42 yet, this holster is a good investment because it will help you figure out your carrying style. That also means you can change your carry position depending on your clothes.
Because each 1791 Gunleather holster is handcrafted from 100% United States steerhide by leather artisans based in the United States, this is a phenomenal holster. A high-quality leather holster can last a lifetime if it is constructed well, and 1791 Gunleather holsters offer first-class craftsmanship.
All leather holsters require a break-in period, and this one is no different. Once it is broken in, your Glock 42 will fit perfectly. Because the belt loop slots tend to stick at first, you may want to break it in with your belt, too. However, that means you will have excellent belt retention.
As an outside-the-waistband holster, 1791 Gunleather’s three way holster is not ideal for carrying concealed. If you are looking for the best Glock 42 holster to carry outside the waistband, the 1791 Gunleather holster is a beautifully crafted and versatile option.
1791 Gunleather Quick Statistics:
- Holster Type: Outside the waistband
- Retention Mechanism: None
- Material: Leather
- Mount: Belt loops, Three ways
- Concealment: Only with certain clothes
The Best Glock 42 OWB Holsters
If you are carrying a G42, you are probably carrying concealed. I will cover some more concealed carry holster options later in the article, but here I am going to list some awesome Inside-The-Waistband (IWB) holster options for you.
Amberide
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Available in either black or a carbon fiber finish, Amberide offers a simple kydex holster that rides inside your waistband. A sweat guard extends the entire length to project your slide and to provide a little more comfort. For some, this holster is comfortable enough to wear all day as-is.
However, others found that attaching leather to some of the edges was required for a comfortable ride. That depends on where the holster sits on your body, which you can only be discovered by trying it out. While the listing shows that this holster’s cant is adjustable, it is not. If a 15 degree cant angle does not work for you, do not pick this holster. Although the cant is not adjustable, the level of firearm retention is.
Firearm retention is very good with this holster, but belt retention could be better. Because the belt clip is made from plastic, it is often the first part that fails. The locking mechanism means that it takes some practice to draw smoothly and reliably. In a self-defense situation, you are more likely to draw the firearm with the holster still attached than to not be able to draw the firearm.
Amberide Quick Statistics:
- Holster Type: Inside the waistband
- Retention Mechanism: Clicking lock system, retention screw
- Material: Kydex, plastic belt clip
- Mount: Belt clip
- Concealment: Yes
Muddy River
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Water buffalo leather gives this holster a lighter weight and a remarkable appearance. Even though this holster is designed to be worn inside the waistband, you are sure to get compliments when it is not inside your waistband. To ensure consistent quality, each holster is handmade in the United States.
A metal belt clip, leather support piece, and the holster are riveted together to minimize accidents. The leather does take time to condition, which means that the holster will mold to your firearm for an exact fit. If done correctly, this also means that your firearm will stay in the holster without the use of a tension screw or other retention mechanism. Drawing is excellent, as long as you practice a little first.
The generous leather flap makes it comfortable to wear all day, and the lightweight leather makes it almost unnoticeable. Because this holster is fixed at a 10 degree cant angle, it may not work for you. If a 10 degree cant angle is something you can work with, the Muddy River holster is a low-profile, high-quality holster that does an excellent job of keeping your Glock 42 holster inside your waistband.
Muddy River Quick Statistics:
- Holster Type: Inside the waistband
- Retention Mechanism: None
- Material: Leather (water buffalo)
- Mount: Belt clip
- Concealment: Yes
Alien Gear
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Alien Gear has a reputation for making good-quality holsters in the United States. This offering is no exception. Holsters with a larger footprint generally work well to distribute the weight over a larger area. Because the Glock 42 is a very light firearm already, you may feel that this holster is a little overkill.
If you will be carrying for long periods of time or if you know that this style of holster works well for you, it is definitely worth considering. However, this Alien Gear holster offers fully adjustable cant angle, ride height, and retention. If you do not want to be stuck with a holster that only has one cant angle or rides at a certain height, this one might be right for you. A neoprene backing is comfortable and helps distribute the weight.
The steel core keeps the firearm in place. While most holsters feature a retention screw, the Alien Gear uses a retention peg that makes it faster and easier to adjust the tension on the firearm. While the Alien Gear holster may be a little much for the lightweight Glock 42, it might be right for you if you do not mind extra bulk and you want to be able to quickly adjust cant, ride height, and firearm retention.
Alien Gear Quick Statistics:
- Holster Type: Inside the waistband
- Retention Mechanism: Retention peg (adjustable)
- Material: Neoprene, steel
- Mount: Belt clip
- Concealment: Yes
Maxx Carry
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Because this holster is available in either black or brown, you are able to choose what works best for your wardrobe. Made from cowhide leather, this high-quality holster offers an extra long sweat guard for your comfort and a suede lining for your firearm’s comfort. As a leather holster, it does take time to condition to your preferred level of retention.
There is no retention mechanism besides how snugly the leather fits. That means this holster is easy to draw from. When you condition this holster, you can choose how snugly or loosely you want your firearm to fit. While a looser fit may be easier to draw, it means that the firearm may fall out under heavy physical activity.
Because the belt clip is made from tempered steel, you know it will not be the first part on this holster to fail. As a holster designed to be worn inside your waistband, it is compatible with concealed carrying.
Maxx Carry Quick Statistics:
- Holster Type: Inside the waistband
- Retention Mechanism: None
- Material: Leather, suede lining, tempered steel belt clip
- Mount: Belt clip
- Concealment: Yes
The Best Glock 42 CCW Holsters
Above I covered the IWB holsters that a lot of folks would be looking at when shopping for a holster to fit their G42. But sometimes you want that specialist concealed carry holster, such as a pocket holster or an ankle holster. So below I list a few options you can consider if you want to carry concealed effectively.
ComfortTac Ultimate Pocket Holster
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If you find belt-mounting holsters uncomfortable or impractical for your wardrobe, you might try checking out a pocket holster. It is not formed to any single firearm, so if you have other small pistols or revolvers, this holster might work for them as well. It can be used in either the right or the left pocket, allowing for an ambidextrous draw.
This holster’s core is constructed from neoprene while the interior and exterior are covered in a “suede-like” material. This pseudo-suede means your firearm will slide out and helps grip the interior of a pocket. A rubberized band on the exterior also helps grip the pocket’s inside. Of course, everyone’s pants fit differently and whether the holster will actually stay in your pocket when you draw depends on how your pants fit.
How tight your pants are also determines whether this holster will sit upright in your pocket. Because your firearm will snag on your pants as you draw, this is not a good holster for a fast draw. However, if you are looking for an affordable way to carry your pistol comfortably and you are not concerned with a slower draw, this may be the best Glock 42 holster for you.
ComfortTac Ultimate Pocket Holster Quick Statistics:
- Holster Type: Pocket
- Retention Mechanism: None
- Material: Neoprene, pseudo-suede lining and exterior, rubberized band on exterior
- Mount: Pocket
- Concealment: Yes
DeSantis Super Fly
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If your pockets are big enough to handle it, the DeSantis Super Fly pocket holster is a fantastic option for carrying concealed. Rubberized outer material keeps this holster firmly in your pocket both during heavy physical activity and as you draw. A smooth lining makes your draw fast and fluid.
One of the best features of this holster is a velcro pocket designed to minimize printing. This panel makes it look as if you have either a paperback book or a very large wallet in your pocket instead of a firearm. If not fastened correctly, the velcro can be noisy when you move.
The advantage to the velcro, however, is that it allows the pocket to be removed according to your preference. It can also switch sides, making this holster ambidextrous. Like most DeSantis products, it is well-crafted and a holster that will stand up to heavy use. Depending on your pockets and how your pants fit, the DeSantis Super Fly does this comfortably. For those who have large pockets and do not mind carrying something a little bulky, this holster offers a durable way to carry your Glock 42 concealed.
DeSantis Super Fly Quick Statistics:
- Holster Type: Pocket
- Retention Mechanism: None
- Material: Rubberized outer material, pack cloth interior material, polymer reinforcements
- Mount: Pocket
- Concealment: Yes
Galco Ankle Glove
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If you are looking for the best Glock 42 ankle holste, the Galco Ankle Glove is in its own tier. At this price point, I would expect premium materials. Galco delivers. Materials like steerhide, sheepskin padding, and neoprene make this a quality holster. Excellent craftsmanship matches those fine materials. Even after heavy daily use, this holster holds up. Unlike cheaper ankle holsters that use velcro closures, this holster uses a more durable hook-and-eye system.
If you are looking to invest in a long-term holster, this is the ankle holster for you. The thumb-break retention strap may slow your draw down at first, but practice will quickly get it back up to speed. When you first receive your holster, it will have a very snug fit. That is so that the retention strap molds to your specific firearm during the normal leather conditioning period.
As an ankle holster, it allows for concealment when your fashion does not allow for a belt-mounted holster. Depending on your ankle size and boot type, this ankle holster may even work in cowboy boots. Overall, if you are looking for a Glock 42 ankle holste that you can use every day for ten years and you are willing to pay for Galco quality, the Ankle Glove is a sound investment.
Galco Ankle Glove Quick Statistics:
- Holster Type: Ankle
- Retention Mechanism: Thumb-break retention strap
- Material: Leather, sheepskin padding, neoprene strap
- Mount: Ankle
- Concealment: Yes
ComfortTac Ultimate Ankle Holster
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The ComortTac ankle holster is a versatile and dependable option. Because it can be used for a variety of small firearms, this holster offers a lot of value. Designed with comfort in mind, neoprene combined with foam padding between the firearm and your ankle make wearing it all day easy.
If you wear it on your ankle, it will generally stay in place. However, if you try to wear it on your calf, it will fall down to your ankle during walking activities. Everyone has a different comfort level, and some are uncomfortable jogging in this holster. For walking and more sedate activities, this holster is comfortable with no chafing.
Because it is designed to have a low profile, the ComfortTac is very concealable. It will take some practice to perfect your draw with the thumb-snap retention strap, but it is still possible to draw quickly. Because it can carry a variety of firearms, this is a great holster to have as a backup. If you are looking for the best Glock 42 ankle holster that can carry other small firearms, the ComfortTac might be the right holster for you.
ComfortTac Ultimate Ankle Holster Quick Statistics:
- Holster Type: Ankle
- Retention Mechanism: Thumb-break retention strap
- Material: Neoprene, foam pad
- Mount: Ankle
- Concealment: Yes
Best Affordable Holster — ComfortTac Ultimate Pocket Holster
If you want a holster that will not break the bank, then I highly recommend this holster. The ComfortTac Ultimate Pocket Holster works well not only for a Glock 42, but also for a variety of small firearms. Even if you plan on purchasing a different holster later, the ComfortTac pocket holster could be useful as a backup holster.
- LIGHTWEIGHT & COMFORTABLE - Made of lightweight neoprene for comfortable concealed carry. The neoprene is covered in a suede like material inside and out to provide protection for your gun while the exterior lining of the holster grips the inside of your pocket to ensure your holster stays in your pocket when you draw your gun.
Best Value for Money — Muddy River
Lightweight and durable water buffalo hide, excellent craftsmanship, and an affordable price make the Muddy River inside-the-waistband holster a great choice. The Muddy River is the best Glock 42 IWB holster because it offers handcrafted quality at a value-level price.
- 100% Hand Crafted for Superior Quality and Attention to Detail!
Editor’s Choice — Galco
My personal choice will be the Galco ankle holster. If the best holster for Glock 42 is the one that carries your firearm is comfortable, and will last a lifetime, the Galco ankle holster is the way to go. It may be at a higher price point, but it will not need to be replaced every few years. Also, it can be carried in combination with other firearms in case your Glock 42 is or ever will be a backup instead of your everyday carry.
