The Glock 42 380 ACP is becoming a very successful handgun since its introduction three years ago, which has lead to many makers large and small rolling out holster rigs for this handgun. The Glock 42 is exceptionally well balanced but light, so it may require a little extra effort to be certain the Glock 42 is sheathed with a balance of speed and retention. Short and light guns sometimes roll out and require extra effort to holster securely. Fortunately, a number of makers offer good designs for this handgun, as we recently found out.
The Glock 42 is every bit a concealed carry handgun, and we think it is too important to go cheap on a holster for this activity, and you probably need more than one holster to cover all the different ways you or your spouse might carry it. Some of the holsters we tested below represent a good deal for the price and seem to do as well as others with more features. Here’s what we thought about ten holsters that may suit your Glock 42 needs:
Jeremiah 20:11 Holsters IWB Joshua 1:9, $65
This is a hybrid holster with good leather backing and a strong Kydex holster. The belt clips are sturdy and the rig is comfortable. This is an IWB designed for use in the kidney position over the right-hand trouser pocket. However, it is adjustable for height and cant. The raters agree the holster is comfortable and fast. If you are carrying the Glock 42, you may wish to carry a more compact holster for greater concealment, but you will not find a faster holster or one more comfortable. Draw angle is particularly appreciated.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A (BEST BUY)
zZz Custom Works UC Stealth Holster, $80
The basic holster in this line is $60 and the goat-leather-back option adds $20, which comes up to the price as tested. A lot of design and effort went into this holster. This holster is intended for the popular appendix carry. However, it is adjustable for other jobs. The holster back is covered in goat skin to make for a more comfortable ride. The skin is soft near the belt, so this is money well spent. The angle is ideal for the draw. The maker claims a tester carried the holster without a belt, using the belt clip alone for stability. We do not recommend this, but the holster-belt clip attachment is solid. The holster is compact and offers good speed.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
Jason Winnie IWB J211,$74
The Jason Winnie IWB is a traditional leather IWB design. The spring-steel belt clip is sewn into a strong attaching component on the face of the holster. The backing is well finished, and the holster edging is excellent. This holster, we believe, offers a good choice for those who carry a larger handgun in the same type of holster and wish to maintain commonality with the larger handgun. The belt clip is strong and the holster, designed for behind-the-hip carry, offers a good, sharp draw. Retention is good.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
Cook’s Holsters Tuckable IWB, $48
This holster features a long belt clip attached toward the bottom of the holster. The spring-steel belt clip is well designed. We tested it as both an IWB and a tuckable. Worn under the shirt with the shirt tucked in, we were able to draw and deploy the Glock quickly. This is a good set-up for a light handgun. At first, we were concerned because very little pressure was felt when holstering the handgun. Yet, when the Glock was drawn, we had to give a good tug on it to get the handgun out. This is ideal. When worn properly, the design all comes together. This is a good choice at a fair price.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
Cook’s Holsters IWB w/Adjustable Belt Clip, $58
This holster is similar to the zZz holster, but with a different draw angle as tested and illustrated. It is also slightly larger. However, this holster and the zZz each have a considerable angle and possibility of adjustment. Cant angle is adjustable up to 25 degrees. The holster is marginally less expensive than the zZz design; however, the zZz is more compact and offers the goatskin option. The Cooks IWB is a good design, perhaps not as impressive as the Cooks Tuckable.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
PJ Holster Pocket Holster, $40
This holster is made of thin Kydex at .060 inch thick. The design seems to follow the curve of the leg when worn. There are two types of pants pockets, jeans that are top loading and crews and khakis that are side loading. This holster seems best in the front pocket of a side-loading design. Fit is good, and the pocket holster was ready to use as delivered. Retention is good, and to an extent the outline masks that this is a gun holster. This holster does not use the molding of the holster to retain the handgun; the pistol will fall out of the holster. Body pressure is used to add retention as the holster is worn. To draw, blade the hand into the pocket and hook the holster lip on the pocket and pull. This is a good design at a good price.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A (BEST BUY, POCKET HOLSTERS)
PJ Holster IWB, $50
This is a solid design — literally. The monolithic design uses a belt loop that does not screw into the holster nor does it offer adjustment. It is one piece with the holster body. The draw angle is what is often referred to as the FBI tilt. The holster’s belt loop is well designed and hooks at the bottom. It is possible to get it over the belt with effort, but we prefer the professional attachment — weave the belt through the loop, catching belt loops properly as well. Retention is good.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
JM Custom Kydex AIWB Standard, $77; AIWB w/Anti-Rollout, $85
This appendix holster was tested in two variations. One is the standard model, which may be obtained with either solid, split, or soft belt loops. The solid loops have great appeal for rigidity and were preferred by our 23-year-cop rater. Others preferred soft loops. As long as they are properly done, it is a matter of preference. The standard AIWB holster works fine with the Glock 42; however, with certain body types (hint, over 40), the handgun suffers a certain roll out. This occurs when a handgun with a relatively short slide or light weight is pressed over at the belt line. Another version of the AIWB was tested with the $10 option of the anti-roll-out feature. This feature is well worth its cost. While everyone will not need it, the anti-roll-out option solves a legitimate problem with short-slide handguns and appendix carry. Speed and retention are good.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
Wright Leatherworks Pocket Holster, $54
Wright is a custom maker, and they use quality leather to craft this holster. The stitching is good, and the design is compact for pocket carry. A Kydex holster of this dimension would probably not work well. The holster body features a welt that covers the body and maintains rigidity and also keeps the holster stable in the pocket. The balance of speed and retention favors retention. The handgun may be holstered and the holster held upside down, and the Glock will not budge from the holster. The Wright Leatherworks holster fits in pockets the PJH holster, as an example, will not. However, the holster requires a considerable break-in period before real speed is available. The holster fit is tight as delivered. After considerable flexing and 100 draws from the holster, it began to offer a level of speed. The raters were split on this. If you order a custom-grade leather holster of any type, IWB or OWB, this is to be expected, one says, while another disagrees. Just the same, the holster is compact and secure, and after the break in, there were no complaints. Consider your needs before ordering a true custom grade leather holster.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
Our Team Said
These holsters all have good points, and though diverse, they do basically the same job. They are well suited to concealed carry. If you use different draw angles, the adjustable IWB should be chosen. If you never wish to tighten a screw, the PJ holster should be your choice. If you wish to jam the Glock into the smallest pocket and do not mind a serious break-in period, the Wright is hard to beat. If you wear crews, the PJ holster is an obvious choice.
Written and photographed by R.K. Campbell, using evaluations from Gun Tests team testers.
