Firearm: Glock G19 Gen5 MOS (MSRP: $745)
We’ve chosen the Glock G19 Gen5 MOS for today’s kit as yet another testament to the robust aftermarket for the Glock line of handguns. We’ve discussed previously how large the aftermarket is for these pistols: triggers, barrels, magazines, slides, holsters and more are plentiful and available from a number of manufacturers. When it comes to selecting a firearm for concealed carry, having a wide variety of gear from which to choose really does make a difference.
It doesn’t hurt that the G19 is one of the most popular handguns out there for concealed carry, and for good reason. Its size is excellent, small enough to conceal without a parka yet large enough that a full grip can be established both with the strong and the support hands. A 4-inch barrel, 7.28-inch overall length, 5-inch height and 24-ounce weight make it well suited for not only carrying concealed but also practice and training.
The MOS feature allows different optics to be attached to the slide, which at first may not seem the most important thing. You’re going to buy an optic, get it squared away on your pistol, Loctite it down and be done with it, right? Well, as the expression goes, yes, but actually no. As we’ve seen in just the past few years, the optics market is constantly changing and getting better, and there’s no end to quality optics you might consider exchanging. With a setup that allows different optic footprints to be attached, your budget is your only limit, not the cut on the slide.
Glock’s fifth generation keeps the interchangeable backstraps from the fourth generation and adds more concealed-carry friendly touches like beveled corners for easier holstering. A Marksman barrel and better trigger make the Gen5 variant better on the range, while an improved finish guards against undue wear. Whether you’re just getting started in your concealed-carry journey, you’ve decided to get into pistol-mounted red-dot optics or are just looking for a solid all-around handgun, there’s a lot to like about the fifth generation of Glock handguns, especially the compact G19.
Holster: Bravo Concealment LINKed IWB holster (MSRP: $70.43)
Today’s kit features a LINKed holster from Bravo Concealment, which is pretty easy to see how it got its name given the attached spare magazine carrier. For those who want to carry a spare mag, whether for extra capacity or simply to guard against a common failure point, adding another piece of gear to the mix can be difficult. Extra weight, plus the real estate on the belt line, can add to concerns about printing. Having the spare magazine and the holster as one unit offers a possible solution.
Both the magazine carrier and the holster itself have separate, single-screw retention adjustment to ensure all gear stays in place. A concealment wing helps tuck the holster into the body to minimize printing, while discreet polymer clips offer tuckability in addition to spreading the weight out over a larger section of the belt. The LINKed system is available for certain Glock, H&K and SIG Sauer pistols.
Optic: Steiner MPS red dot (MSRP: $574.99)
Obviously, one of the reasons we opted for the Glock G19 Gen5 MOS for today’s kit was to include an optic. Steiner’s new enclosed-emitter sight, the MPS (Micro Pistol Sight) represents a new direction for the optics company, recognizing the ubiquity of pistol-slide-mounted optics. Steiner has cleverly opted for the enclosed-emitter version, reading the direction of the market and noting the emerging trend for these weather- and debris-resistant optics over the traditional open emitter variants.
The MPS utilizes the Docter footprint, which makes sense given that it shares that footprint with Burris and both brands fall under the Beretta Holdings umbrella. The MPS offers a 3.3-MOA dot, eight brightness levels, metal housing, glass lenses and a top-loading battery. Steiner claims 13,000 hours of run time, and even builds in a low-battery indicator with a flashing red light. The company also claims this is the lightest enclosed-emitter sight on the market at a lightweight 2.05 ounces.
