Your Privacy Choices
With the expansion of the Glock compact line of pistols, there are more options than ever from Glock to fit any occasion. In the past, I’ve looked at the Glock 43 and 43X line of pistols but recently I decided to pick up the new Glock 48 MOS to check out the latest offering from Glock. With the overall dimensions being similar to other models, is there a place for the Glock 48 in the lineup? Well, that’s what I wanted to find out so I purchased an MOS variant and decided to find out for myself. Let’s take a closer look at the Glock 48 MOS pistol.
Glock 48 @ TFB:
- TFBTV: Introducing the Glock 43X and Glock 48!
- New Glock 48 and 43X Basepads for Shield Arms Magazines from Taran Tactical
- Brownells Introduces Glock 48 Slides
- Backup Tactical Introduces New Glock 48 Threaded Barrel
Specs
The newest edition to the Glock lineup is definitely an interesting one. Glock initially released the 48 as a longer barrel variant of the Glock 43X. The Glock 48 MOS (Modular Optic System) is updated to take red dot sights with a plate system that attaches to the slide of the handgun. The Glock 48 really in many ways looks like the Glock 34’s little brother and fits into the same size category as the SIG P365XL and the Springfield Hellcat PRO. The longer 4.17″ barrel offers a longer sight radius than the shorter Glock 43X.
Other features include a slightly flared magwell for easier reloads and the classic Glock Safe Action Trigger System. The lack of finger grooves makes gripping the pistol a bit easier and seems easier to grab than the previous generations with the contoured finger grooves. This Glock 48 MOS came with a semi-glossy nPVD coating which gives a really deep black finish that looks really good while offering a high level of corrosion resistance. Unfortunately, the 48 MOS does not come with any optics plate in the box but they are available for purchase separately. MSRP on the Glock 48 MOS is $582.99 and it is currently available at gun stores nationwide.
Range Time
I’ve been carrying and taking my Glock 48 MOS out to the range probably a dozen times now. For being such a slim gun, it really does shoot more like a compact or full-size handgun. The traditional Glock sights are plastic, which some of you will immediately switch out for metal sights but the overall design is clean and extremely easy to pick up with both eyes open. I wish Glock would include a selection of optic plates for the 48 instead of having the consumer buy the plates separately. I understand their viewpoint and this way the consumer only buys the plate they need rather than having a bunch of spare plates but it’s an extra step once you’ve decided on an optic. The front serrations may not be used by anyone, but for younger shooters who press check, it works effectively.
Trigger And Reliability
The trigger on my Glock 48 MOS is one of the best out-of-the-box Glock triggers I’ve shot in a long time. It’s a clean and crisp 5.5 lbs break with a short predictable reset. There are a few companies out there making aftermarket triggers if you’d like to customize your gun but the factory trigger is really nice for a stock trigger. When it comes to round count, so far I have roughly 725 rounds through the Glock 48 MOS with zero hiccups or malfunctions throughout my testing.
I mostly shot Federal American Eagle 115gr ammo along with Stand1Armory 115gr ammunition and even tried two boxes of Federal HST 124gr self-defense ammo through it all with no issues and it performed flawlessly. The recoil was very manageable and with the factory mags or Shield Arms 15-round magazines, it was 100% reliable. Coming from Glock, this really isn’t a surprise but it’s always good to check out a new carry gun just to make sure it’s completely reliable.
Carrying Concealed
One of the most common carry guns on the market today is the 48’s big brother, the Glock 19. The Glock 19 is a bit thicker than the 48 but relatively the same size so carrying the 48 was incredibly easy if you are used to carrying the bigger Glock 19. The width of the Glock 48 is significantly less than the Glock 19 so the overall bulk when carrying the Glock 48 is drastically less. It creates an incredibly comfortable gun with an ample amount of rounds in it with the Shield Arms 15-round magazines. This offers the same amount of ammo as a Glock 19, with a much slimmer profile.
Despite the thinner profile of the Glock 48, the grip still feels solid in my hand and really is my favorite grip profile from Glock so far. It offers plenty of texture and real estate to get a good grip on the handgun which is a big plus on a smaller gun like this. This is definitely the type of handgun you can carry in an IWB holster all day or just throw on if you’re heading to the store for a quick trip. That ease of carrying is why the Glock 43X/48 series is one of the best-selling models for Glocks currently.
Overall Thoughts
My time with the Glock 48 MOS has been really positive and if you’re looking for a smaller utilitarian pistol, I would most certainly include the Glock 48 MOS in the lineup of potential purchases. Combine that with the amount of aftermarket support for the Glock 48 and you have a ton of options to customize the gun making it truly one of a kind for your daily carry.
Do you guys have any experience with the new Glock 48 MOS or even the Glock 43X? Let me know what your thoughts are down in the comment section below. If you have questions about the Glock 48 MOS or firearms in general, feel free to shoot me a message on Instagram @fridgeoperator. Stay safe out there!
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