Welcome to another episode of "I Carry," Shooting Illustrated's weekly video series covering the guns and gear needed to put together a potential everyday-carry kit. Today, we have a Glock G19X in a PHLster Spotlight holster. We also have a SureFire weaponlight, a Galco magazine carrier, a CRKT folding knife and a 5.11 Tactical belt.
Let’s take a closer look at this gear.
Glock G19X (MSRP: $749)
When Glock introduced the 19X, many wondered why it hadn’t been reversed. When it comes to concealed carry, the grip is often the hardest part to conceal, so most concealable offerings feature a reduced grip. The slide and barrel length, while still needing to be manageable, is less-important, as that’s generally the area hidden under one’s lower garments. Having a full-size grip with a shortened barrel seems to run counter to conventional wisdom. So, why would Glock offer it?
Well, as it turns out, it was part of Glock’s response to the U.S. Army’s MHS program, so the pistols had been designed and produced anyway. So why not sell it to the general public? It’s not like the concept is new, by any means; the full-size grip, shortened slide combo pre-dates the 19X by some 68 years in the Commander-size 1911. Certain OWB carry methods are ameliorated with a shorter slide, and appendix carry greatly mitigates the larger grip.
With the larger grip, too, it’s easier to draw and shoot the 19X. Yes, the standard G19 grip does allow a full, three-finger grip, but the larger 19X offers even greater purchase. It also includes other upgraded components like a flat dark earth slide (a first for Glock), a “Marksman” barrel and a lanyard loop. Even more useful, the 19X ships with two flush-fit 17-round magazines and two 17-round magazines with +2 extensions. It has the rounded edges from the Gen5 series as well as the straight grip without finger grooves from that same iteration.
And, at the end of the day, it’s still a Glock G19. Holster fits are the same, operation is the same, it’s the same reliable pistol as the rest of the offerings from Glock.
PHLster Spotlight Holster (MSRP: $74.99)
Newly released in Q3 2018, PHLster’s Spotlight appendix-carry holster is designed for a Glock G17 or G19 with an attached weaponlight, in this case, the SureFire X300U, which we’ll cover in a moment. Retention is based on the light, so don’t panic if the handgun alone doesn’t fit properly – it shouldn’t. Attach the light and it works really well. The big question you’re probably asking? Yes, it is quite comfortable and you can wear it all day long. If you like having a weapon-mounted light on your handgun, this is an excellent way to carry such a setup.
SureFire X300U Weaponlight (MSRP: $299)
Even newer than the Spotlight is the SureFireX300U we’ve attached. While the light itself has been out for a while, this latest version packs 1,000 lumens – yep, that’s a full grand ‘o’ lumens just sitting out at the end of the muzzle. Dimensions are one and an eighth inches in diameter, 3.6 inches long and four ounces with batteries – this is the same as the less-powerful 600 lumen version (never thought I’d hear 600 lumens referred to as “less powerful”!) It’s even the same price as the 600-lumen model!
Galco Kydex Single Magazine Carrier ($45)
Galco’s Kydex single magazine carrier is an exercise in simplicity, and that’s a good thing. It features two attachment options, either belt loop or clip-on, and is tension-adjustable to fit a wide variety of double-stack magazines. I prefer the clip-on attachment, as it’s just faster at the end of the day.
CRKT Rasp Knife (MSRP: $99.99)
Also new for 2018 is Columbia River Knife and Tool company’s Rasp folding knife. Opening either via reversible thumb stud or a flipper mechanism, the AUS8 steel-construction, three-and-two-thirds inches long blade deploys quickly and is held in place with a standard liner lock. Minimalist stainless steel scales keep the Rasp quite thin, and overall weight is slightly more than 5 and a half ounces.
5.11 Tactical Casual Belt (MSRP: $39.99)
Holding this gear together is 5.11 Tactical’s Casual leather belt. This all-purpose belt is constructed of full-grain leather, reinforced with the company’s PermaStiff insert, and features a finished-brass buckle. This is a casual belt equally suited for the office or for casual use on the weekend, and is barely more expensive than a standard dress belt.
