Since the Glock 42 .380 was introduced in 2014, it has gained a following in the shooting and concealed carry community as a compact, semi-automatic .380 that was easy to shoot and easy to conceal. While the G42 is not as popular as its larger 9mm cousin, the Glock 43, it’s still an excellent seller for Glock.
However, you didn’t land on this page to hear me talk about the Glock 42. You landed here because you are considering a new Glock 42 holster and were looking for some suggestions. I’m more than happy to talk G42 gun holster options, but before I do that, I’d like to take just a second to delve a little deeper into the history and specifics of the Glock 42.
Some Glock 42 Background
I have to be honest here: when Glock unveiled the G42 model at the 2014 SHOT show, there was some significant head-scratching and questions within the firearms industry. Glock has always been an industry leader for handguns, so why introduce another compact .380 into an already crowded .380 market?
According to Glock, the answer to that question and the logic behind the Glock 42 was simple: They felt they could manufacture a semi-compact .380 pistol that would perform better and offer less recoil than what was currently on the market. And, to a certain point, Glock was successful, as I find the G42 to be one of the easiest shooting compact 380 handguns on the market.
Dimensionally speaking, the 42 is not the smallest or largest semi-auto 380 pistol on the market. The grip is long enough to offer a more than decent firing grip without my pinky finger dangling off the grip, which is a common issue with smaller pocket-size 380 handguns.
Another issue with smaller pistols is the snappier recoil, even from the 380 calibers. The size of the 42 coupled with the design technology makes it one of the less snappy shooting compact 380 pistols on the market.
The 42 ships with a 6 round magazine that offers a 6+1 capacity. Aftermarket extended magazine options for the G42 can get the magazine capacity from 7 rounds all the way to 12 rounds. If you happen to have large hands and find that the 42 grip is still too short for a full firing grip, then an aftermarket extended magazine may be worth investigating.
Enough about the Glock 42; now, let’s talk G42 holsters.
Glock 42 Holster Models
Any conversation about gun holsters has to include a few related topics, and those topics are:
- Holster Materials
- Holster Styles
Let’s talk about each topic individually:
Holster Materials
Typically speaking, gun holsters are manufactured from one of three common materials:
- Leather
- Ballistic nylon
- Thermoplastic (commonly called Kydex)
All three materials have pros and cons, and since that can be an in-depth topic, I’ll save that for a separate discussion of its own.
Since we specialize in leather holsters, I’ll strictly focus on leather holster options made from either cowhide leather or bull hide leather. Currently, we do not carry any kydex holster options for any handgun.
Holster Styles
A holster’s style is really just a way to describe the type of holster or how it’s worn on the body. The most popular holster styles are:
- Inside the waistband holsters
- Outside the Waistband holsters (which are frequently referred to as OWB holsters or belt holsters)
- Ankle holster styles
- Pocket holsters
- Shoulder holsters
For the purposes of this article, I’m going to focus on the holster styles that are most popular for the Glock 42. Also worth noting, all the holster models featured on this page are available in a right hand and left hand configuration.
IWB Holsters for the Glock 42
Our top-selling inside the waistband holsters for the Glock G42 are as follows:
- Don Hume H715M WCS Clip-on Inside the Waistband Holster
- MTR Custom Adversary Clip-on Inside the Waistband Holster
- MTR Custom Tuckable Adversary Clip-on IWB Holster
- Don Hume H715M W/C Clip-on IWB Holster
Let’s discuss each one in more detail:
Don Hume H715M WCS Clip-on IWB Holster
Made from 6-7 ounce cowhide leather, the Don Hume H715M WCS is a clip-on inside the waistband holster that mounts to the inside of the waist using a single metal clip. The clip will fit most any belt up to 1 ¾” wide and features an inside lip that catches on the bottom of the belt. In conjunction with the tension from the belt to the waist, this lip helps keep the holster in place during the draw.
The model is similar to the Don Hume H715M W/C model shown below, but the WCS version features a body shield. The idea behind the body shield is to protect the sharp edges of the Glock 42 from coming into contact with the body.
This holster is available in black or brown leather and is not a one-size-fits-all type of holster, as it’s available in a specific version to fit the Glock 42. However, this model is not designed to accommodate a Glock 42 with a laser or light mounted.
The position of the clip on this holster makes the G42 ride straight up and down in the waistband.
If you’re looking for an affordable leather Glock 42 inside the pants holster with a body shield or sweat guard for the 42, then this holster may be worth checking out.
Shop for the Don Hume H715M WCS Clip-On IWB with Body Shield Holster
MTR Custom Adversary Clip-on ITP Holster
Made from 7-8 ounce bull hide, the MTR Custom Adversary clip-on inside the pants leather holster is built to last. Like most of the inside the waistband holster models featured on this page, the Adversary mounts to the inside of the waist via a single metal clip. This clip is designed to accommodate a belt up to 1 ¾” wide but seems to perform best with 1.5” gunbelts.
This holster also features a body shield to protect the wearer and a reinforced mouth for easier one-handed reholstering of the 42.
This holster model is available in 5 different leather color configurations for the G42, including the Glock 42 with certain mainstream lights or lasers mounted.
As these holsters are made to order, they are available in the following G42 configurations:
- G42 with TLR-6 light/laser
- G42 with Crimson Trace LG-443 or LG-443G (Green laser)
- G42 with Armalaser TR5 or TR5G laser
- G42 with Laserlyte G42/G43 laser
- G2 with LaserMax CF-42-LC laser
- G42 with Viridian E-Series laser
- G42 with Viridian RTL-G42 laser
This version of the Adversary is designed to ride at a 0 cant (straight up and down) on the waist. This holster is versatile enough to be carried at the 3 o’clock, 4 o’clock, or 5 o’clock position, or in the appendix carry position (commonly called AIWB for Appendix Inside the Waistband).
Shop for the MTR Custom Adversary Clip-on IWB with Body Shield Holster
MTR Custom Tuckable Adversary Clip-on IWB Holster
The MTR Custom Tuckable Adversary holster is built very much like the standard Adversary holster listed above, except for one significant detail. The clip used to attach the holster to the inside of the waistband is an entirely different design.
Instead of a traditional metal clip like those found on the Don Hume H715M series of holsters, the Tuckable Adversary features a clip design that attaches at the base of the holster via a screw. This design allows for two features not found on most inside the waistband holsters:
- The holster is a tuckable style where, if desired, the shirt can be tucked in over the holster and into the belt for deep concealment.
- The cant on this holster can be adjusted a bit to the wearer’s specific preferences. Once the cant is adjusted, we recommend that a small drop of blue Loc-tite be applied to the mounting screw to keep the cant position in place.
The metal clip on this holster model can fit any belt up to 1 ¾” but seems to perform best with a 1.5” gun belt.
Like the standard Adversary holster, this model features a reinforced holster mouth for easier one-handed reholstering.
Also, like the standard Adversary holster mentioned above, the Tuckable Adversary model can be manufactured to fit the same Glock 42 specifications and the same Glock with light or laser specifications.
As an added bonus, if you happen to have a Glock 42 with an aftermarket milled slide for a red dot, the Tuckable Adversary can also be built with a cutaway section to accommodate most of the popular red dot options on the market.
Shop for the MTR Custom Tuckable Adversary Clip-on IWB Holster
Don Hume H715M W/C Clip-on IWB Holster
The H715M W/C (with the W/C designation meaning “With Clip”) is Don Hume’s top-selling entry-level clip-on inside the pants holster.
This holster model uses the same single metal clip as all the Don Hume H715 holsters and features a reinforced mouth for easier one-handed reholstering.
The H715M W/C holster works well carried in the 3 o’clock, 4 o’clock, or 5 o’clock position inside the waistband but does not work well as an IWB cross draw model.
Like the Don Hume H715M WCS holster mentioned above, this Glock 380 holster is only available in a version to fit the Glock 42 without a light or laser attached or mounted.
If you are shopping for a nice leather Glock 42 ITP holster that won’t break the bank, then the H715M W/C is worth checking out.
Shop for the Don Hume H715M W/C Clip-On IWB Holster
OWB Holsters for the Glock 42
Let’s face it: not everyone likes inside the waistband holsters or has the physique to wear an inside the pants holster comfortably. As such, you may have to look at other types of holster options.
Given the smaller size of the Glock 42, it’s an ideal candidate for an outside the waistband holster for concealed carry.
Here are our top-selling OWB holsters for the 42
- Don Hume Jit Slide Holster
- MTR Custom Slimline Deluxe Pancake Holster
- Don Hume H721OT Belt Holster
Let’s dive a little bit deeper into each one of these OWB holster models:
Don Hume Jit Slide Holster
The Don Hume JIT Slide belt holster is one of our top-selling holster models. Part of that success is due to the lower price point, and the other part is the overall design and high ride position of the holster.
The JIT (With the JIT meaning “Just In Time”) attaches to the belt using two belt slots. One slot is located directly behind the holster, while the second belt slot is located on the trailing edge of the holster. This design pulls the holster nice and tight to the belt.
The Just in Time holster rides at a very slight cant that ranges from a straight vertical cant (straight up and down) to a slight 5-degree cant. The cant angle is dependent on the specific handgun or revolver that the holster is designed to fit. In terms of the Glock 42, the ride is a vertical cant.
One big selling point on the JIT holster is its high ride position on the belt, making it easier to conceal a G42 with a baggy shirt.
Like most Don Hume holster models, the JIT for the Glock 42 is available in either black or brown leather and is only designed to fit the G42 without a light or laser mounted.
Shop for the Don Hume JIT Slide Belt Holster
MTR Custom Slimline Deluxe Pancake Holster
The MTR Custom Slimline Deluxe Pancake holster is specifically designed for mid-size to compact handguns like the 42. This holster mounts to the belt using two belt slots that can be made to fit any belt width from 1 ¾” down to 1 ¼” wide.
Like most other MTR Custom holsters, the Slimline Deluxe Pancake features several upgrade options that can be added to the holster. Those options include features like:
- A smooth internal liner
- An added body shield
- A retention strap or thumb break
In addition, since this holster is made to order, it is available in a version to fit the G42 only or to fit a G42 with many mainstream lasers or lights mounted.
This model rides at a 10-degree forward cant, and the belt slot configuration pulls the holster tight to the body for optimum concealment.
Shop for the MTR Custom SlimLine Deluxe Full-Size Pancake HolsterDon Hume H721OT Belt Holster
The Don Hume H721OT holster is another of our most popular selling models for the Glock 42. This model is a traditional pancake-style design that mounts to the belt via two belt slots that are located at each end of the holster. This belt slot configuration assists the holster with stability on the belt, and the belt slots conform to the waistline as the holster breaks in.
This model also features an integrated body shield that aids in comfort and helps protect the wearer from the 42 coming into direct contact with their body.
This holster rides at a 10-degree forward cant on the body and is designed to be worn on the strong side (shooting hand side).
This model is available in a version to fit the G42 only, without a light or laser mounted on the pistol.
If you’re in the market for a nice leather OWB holster with a sweat shield for your 42, then the H721OT might be one to consider.
Shop for the Don Hume H721OT Belt Holster
Pocket Holsters for the Glock 42
Another holster approach popular for the Glock 42 includes pocket holsters for the front and rear pockets. Between the two pocket configurations, most everyone on our staff much prefers the front pocket option over a rear pocket model.
Here are our top-selling pocket holster models for the 42:
- MTR Custom Front Pocket
- Don Hume 001 Front Pocket
- MTR Custom Back Pocket
Let’s go over each one individually:
MTR Custom Front Pocket Holster
The main functions of a pocket holster are to keep the firearm in the upright position and ready to draw, coupled with a focus on breaking up the outline of the gun in the pocket. The MTR Custom Front Pocket holster performs each of these functions very well for the G42.
Made from durable bull hide leather, the MTR Front Pocket holster features a leather wing that keeps the holster upright and stable in the pocket and aid in the draw motion.
As well as working exceptionally well in pockets on jeans and shorts, we’ve found that this holster also works well for cargo pockets and jacket pockets.
Something to think about here: While the 42 is a smaller-sized handgun, the pocket carry effectiveness is somewhat determined by the size and type of your pockets. For example, many of our staff have indicated that they struggle to appropriately conceal and draw a Glock 42 from a pocket holster in jeans as the pocket size is a bit on the small size for a 42. Your own mileage may vary, depending on the size of your pockets.
Something else to note on this holster: It is available in versions to fit a Glock 42 with most popular lights or lasers mounted.
Shop for the MTR Custom Front Pocket Holster
Don Hume 001 Front Pocket Holster
Made from cowhide leather, the Don Hume 001 front pocket holster is another popular front pocket holster option for the G42. Like the MTR Front Pocket model, the 001 features a leather hook in the holster design. This hook serves two purposes:
- It helps stabilize the holster and keep it upright in the front pocket.
- It hooks the pocket seam during the drawing process to ensure a clean draw and to keep the holster in the pocket as the 42 is drawn.
The 001 is only available in a version to fit the Glock 42 only, without a laser or light attached.
Shop for the Don Hume 001 Front Pocket Holster
MTR Custom Back Pocket Holster
While most of the staff here at Gunner’s Alley prefer a front pocket model, we sell a number of Glock 42 wallet holsters. Our top selling back pocket holster (also called a wallet holster), for the G42 is the MTR Custom Back Pocket holster.
Made from bull hide leather, this MTR Back Pocket Holster is designed to look like a wallet in the back pocket, so the 42 is hidden in plain sight.
Very much like what the staff has experiences with carrying a 42 in a front pocket holster, the success level of carrying a G42 in a rear pocket holster is typically tied to the size of one’s back pocket. Personally, I cannot successfully carry a 42 in a rear pocket holster of jeans as the pocket sizes are too small for the holster/pistol combo.
However, a 42 can be appropriately carried in a rear pocket holster if you have clothing with larger-sized pockets.
Shop for the MTR Custom Back Pocket Holster
These holster models cover our most popular selling G42 holster models. However, they are not the only popular holsters styles for the G42. In addition to these holster styles, we also see some interest in ankle holster models, shoulder holster models, belly band holster options, and paddle holster models for the G42.
What’s the Ideal Glock 42 Holster for You?
We are routinely asked to suggest the “best” holster for xxx handgun or revolver, and it’s a very challenging question to accurately answer as the best of anything is solely based on opinion and perceptions.
Instead of asking, “what’s the best holster for xxx handgun” try to narrow down what the holster will be used for? For example, best concealed carry holster, best holster for the car, best holster for the range, etc. Narrowing down how you plan to carry the holster will help you narrow down your gun holster options.
The next step we recommend is understanding that there is no universally “best” holster for a Glock 42. There are far too many variables to universally say that one specific holster is the “best.” Earlier in this article, we went over our top-selling G42 holster options, but one of those models is only the “best” if it works for your individual holster needs.
Finally, choosing the best holster for your needs is usually a trial-and-error process that will involve testing out many holster options until you find one that works best for you.
So, here’s our answer to the “what’s the best Glock 42 holster”? It’s the one that works best for you and your specific holster needs. Trust me when I say that’s not a popular answer, but it’s an accurate one.
FAQS
Here are some frequently asked questions that we see in regards to the different Glock 42 holster options:
Will a G42 fit into a holster made for a Glock 43?
While the G42 and the G43 may look similar, they have entirely different dimensions. The G42 frame is thinner and longer than a G43 frame. Because of the frame differences, a G42 will not fit into a holster made specifically for a G43.
Will a G42 with a laser mounted fit into a holster made for a Glock 42?
Unfortunately, it will not as a holster made for a standard G42 is not built to accommodate the 42 with a laser mounted.
Most likely, you’ll have to find a holster that is made specifically for a G42 with the specific laser brand and laser model mounted. Keep in mind that the laser models made for the Glock 42 are not universally sized, so you’ll most likely need a holster made to fit the specific laser you have mounted on your G42.
I have a 42 with a TLR-6 light/laser mounted and cannot find a holster to fit this set-up to save my life. Do you offer anything that might work?
Any of the MTR Custom holsters (which can be seen here) are available in a custom-made configuration to fit a 42 with a Streamlight TLR-6 light or light/laser model mounted.
I saw something on a forum saying that a Glock 42 would fit into a holster made for a Kahr K9? Is this true?
While the G42 and the Kahr K9 are similarly sized, they have completely different frames and dimensions. Our experience has been that a 42 WILL NOT correctly fit into a Kahr K9 holster.
As we come across more questions related to G42 holsters, we’ll do our best to update this page.
