Glock 48 Review
Wondering if we have lavish praises in this Glock 48 review? We certainly have a lot of good things to say about it. It's a very good carry pistol in nearly every regard.
Just like we noted in our Glock 43X review, this gun has a lot to offer if you're interested. Are there a few things that could be better? Sure. However, there aren't too many downsides to speak of.
Overall, the Glock 48 is a fantastic concealed carry gun unless you can't contain yourself from grumbling about certain aspects, which we'll cover. With that said…
Glock 48 Specifications
The Glock 48 is part of the Silver Slimline series, along with its stablemate the Glock 43X. Both pistols share the same frame and trigger system. Basically, it has a new frame architecture, but the guts are from the Glock 43, including the striker mechanism.
However, the Glock 48 has a slimmed-down version of the slide of the Glock 19, and it shares the Glock Marksman Barrel with the Gen 5 Glock 19. Likewise, it also has the same sight options: polymer or steel dot sights, or TruGlo night sights from the factory. However, there is no rail so you're in for disappointment if you're just so, so tacticool. The finish is Glock's silver nPVD finish.
The frame is, as mentioned, just a beefier Glock 43 frame, with stipling on the front, sides and rear of the grip housing, thumb relief cuts
Barrel length is 4.01 inches. Overall length is 7.28 inches, and the pistol stands 5.04 inches tall and 1.1 inches wide at the controls, only slightly wider than the Glock 19 at the slide. Unloaded weight is 18.48 ounces, trigger pull is a manageable 5.4 lbs and the pistol carries 10+1 of 9x19mm.
MSRP is undisclosed by Glock, but presume somewhere between $500 and $575 is what you'll pay in-store.
Glock 48 Review
So, let's start with the good in this Glock 48 review.
The grip is slimmer than the Glock 19, but the palmswell is a little more pronounced at the lower bout of the grip. This actually makes it a bit more comfortable in the hand. For those with smaller hands, that makes it easier to get a hold of than the 19 does.
The beavertail of the frame actually lets you get a good shooting grip. Not quite custom 1911 with the upswept beavertail grip safety, but pretty darn good. It also lacks the finger grooves that drives some people nuts with standard Gen 3 or Gen 4 Glock pistols.
Shooting the Glock 48 is weirdly more satisfying than the 19. That sounds crazy, but this was just my experience.
Shooting a Glock 19 is like driving a Honda Civic. There's nothing WRONG with driving a Honda Civic; it's one of the best-selling passenger cars of all time...but it's not as fun as driving a sports car. The Glock 48, being lighter, snapped a little bit more and as a result felt a little more lively. I like a bit of feedback, so I actually enjoyed it more than when I shoot Glock 19 pistols.
Otherwise, it's every bit as accurate as a Glock 19. Like I said, it is a touch more lively but only slightly. Basically, if you have a pulse you'll be fine.
Is there anything to dislike, though?
IF you were overly concerned with capacity, there are pistols out there that aren't that much bigger and hold more rounds in the magazine. Gen 3 and Gen 4 Glocks (1.26 inches wide) for instance, among others one could mention. Some people are really hung up on it.
Some people are hung up on size, meaning that they want the smallest gun possible that shoots the best and most accurately. The 43X has a shorter barrel and slide and is not really any less accurate for practical purposes. The Sig P365 is smaller than even the 43X and holds the same number of rounds (10+1) with the standard magazine; 12+1 with an extended magazine.
Also, some people are hung up on being able to add certain accessories, specifically a laser or light and/or a red dot optic. The standard 19 can be had ready for both; the Glock 48 cannot, though you could send it off to a machine shop for a red dot adapter plate.
The trigger is the stock Glock unit which is not great. It's not awful, but it's not outstanding either.
So...if you're looking for a rather basic pistol that's not too big but not too small, carries a decent amount of rounds and shoots well, it's a very good gun.
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