Glock 48
The Glock 48 shares the G43X’s slim, single-stack-width frame but adds a longer 4.17-inch barrel and slide for improved accuracy and muzzle velocity without increasing the pistol’s width. For carry shooters who want the concealment profile of a slim pistol with the barrel length and sight radius of a compact, the G48 offers a compelling combination that sits between the G43X and G19 in the Glock lineup. The G48 MOS adds factory optics capability for red dot carry. With Shield Arms S15 magazines, the G48 matches G19 capacity in a significantly narrower package.
Read our full Glock 48 Buying Guide ↓
G48 vs. G43X—Same Width, More Barrel
The G48 and G43X share the same frame, grip, and magazine, differing only in slide length. The G48’s 4.17-inch barrel is 0.77 inches longer than the G43X’s 3.41-inch barrel, adding meaningful sight radius for more accurate shooting at distance and extracting slightly more velocity from 9mm ammunition. The longer slide increases overall length from 6.5 to 7.28 inches. For most carry situations the extra length has minimal impact on concealment—the width, which determines printing against clothing, is identical. For accuracy-focused carry shooters who want the slimmest possible Glock with the most barrel, the G48 is the natural choice over the G43X.
G48 MOS
The G48 MOS features a factory-milled slide accepting standard Glock MOS adapter plates for Trijicon RMR, Holosun 507c, and other popular red dot footprints. The longer G48 slide provides a more stable mounting platform for a red dot than the shorter G43X slide, and the additional sight radius amplifies the red dot’s accuracy advantage at distance. For carry shooters who want a slim optics-equipped Glock, the G48 MOS is arguably the optimal configuration—the balance of the longer slide, slim width, and factory optics cut makes it a purpose-built optics-ready carry pistol that no other Glock model matches precisely.
The Silver Slide
Like the G43X, the standard G48 features a silver nPVD-finished slide on a black frame—the distinctive two-tone appearance that has become synonymous with Glock’s slim carry lineup. The silver slide is more than aesthetic: the nPVD finish provides improved corrosion resistance compared to standard Glock finishes. The two-tone look has developed a strong following among carry shooters who appreciate a distinctive appearance without aftermarket customization. The G48 MOS is available in the same silver/black combination and in a blacked-out configuration for those who prefer a more traditional all-black appearance.
Shield Arms S15 Compatibility
Like the G43X, the G48 accepts Shield Arms S15 15-round flush-fit magazines with a steel magazine catch replacement. The combination of a G48 with S15 magazines delivers G19 capacity in a package 0.2 inches narrower and with a meaningfully different profile that some shooters conceal more effectively. For G48 MOS owners, the combination of factory optics, 15-round capacity via S15s, and the longer barrel creates what many consider the ideal optics-equipped slim carry configuration in the Glock lineup.
Who Should Choose the G48
The G48 suits carry shooters who prioritize accuracy and sight radius over minimal overall length, who want a slim Glock with more barrel than the G43X provides, or who plan to run a red dot and want the most stable mounting platform in the slim Glock family. Shooters who carry primarily IWB at appendix or 3 o’clock typically find the G48’s extra length manageable. Those who carry in tight spaces, pocket carry, or need the absolute shortest possible pistol are better served by the G43X.
Where to Go Next
Explore the full Glock lineup on our Glock brand page. For the shorter slim carry version, see our Glock 43X page. For the full compact G19, see our Glock 19 page. Ammunition is available on our 9mm ammo page.