The Glock 19 has the largest aftermarket of any pistol in the world. That is a feature and a problem. The feature is that whatever you want to put on your G19 probably exists. The problem is that the volume of products makes it difficult to separate gear that makes a meaningful difference from gear that makes your credit card lighter.
This guide covers the accessories that actually improve a carry G19 — not every possible upgrade, just the ones with the highest real-world return.
1. Holster (Most Important Purchase)
The holster matters more than any other accessory. A carry gun that is not in a holster is a gun with no mechanical safety that you are carrying loose in a pocket, bag, or waistband. That is how unintentional discharges happen.
What to look for:
- Kydex construction. Kydex holsters are formed to the exact dimensions of your specific pistol model. The trigger guard is fully covered. The retention is adjustable and consistent regardless of weather or sweat.
- Full trigger guard coverage. The holster must completely cover the trigger and trigger guard — not partially, not mostly, completely.
- Appropriate for your carry position. IWB (inside waistband) for concealment, OWB (outside waistband) for open carry or range use.
Recommended for appendix carry (AIWB): The Glock 19 in an appendix position is the most common carry setup for serious concealed carriers. Look for a kydex AIWB holster with a claw or wing attachment that presses the grip into the body.
Recommended makers: Tier 1 Concealed, PHLster, Tenicor, Dark Star Gear. These are not the cheapest options. They are the most consistently safe and functional.
2. Weapon Light
A carry gun without a light is a gun you cannot safely use in a dark environment — which is when many defensive encounters occur. You cannot shoot what you cannot see, and equally important, you cannot identify a target without light.
The Streamlight TLR-7A and Surefire XC1 are the most popular options for the G19 specifically. The TLR-7A offers more output (500 lumens) at a lower price point. The Surefire XC1 is more compact at the cost of output (300 lumens).
Important: A weapon light requires a light-specific holster. Your existing kydex holster will not fit a light-bearing G19. Plan for this before purchasing.
3. Night Sights
Factory Glock sights are plastic. They will outlast the gun if you never drop them or bang them into anything — but they are plastic, and their non-luminous front sight is difficult to acquire in low light. Night sights solve this at a reasonable cost.
Trijicon HD XR sights are the standard recommendation for the G19. The front sight has a colored ring around the tritium insert that frames it naturally in daylight, while the tritium glows in low light. They are robust and maintain zero under hard use.
Tritium inserts have a half-life of approximately 12 years — plan on replacing sights every 10-15 years as the glow fades.
4. Extended Magazine Baseplate
The standard G19 ships with flush-fit baseplates. An extended baseplate — adding 5mm or so to the bottom of the magazine — provides a more complete firing grip, particularly for medium to large hands, and makes emergency reloads faster.
Taran Tactical, Pearce Grip, and Vickers Tactical (VTAC) all make reliable baseplate extensions for Glock magazines. The Pearce PG-19 (+0, just improves grip) is the most conservative option; the +5 Taran extension adds a round of capacity with a larger profile.
5. Spare Magazine and Carrier
Carrying a spare magazine is a practice that generates debate. The most common carry malfunction is a magazine failure — either a defective magazine or a magazine that was not seated properly. A spare solves that. It also addresses the scenario where 15 rounds is not enough — rare, but the cost of carrying a spare is low.
A kydex magazine carrier on the support-side hip is the most accessible carry position for a spare. Magazine carriers are available from the same makers as holsters and run $30-60.
What to Skip
Red dot optics on a carry G19: Not a bad idea — but it requires a MOS slide or a milled slide, a specifically-fitted holster, and training to build the new skill set. It is a significant investment for experienced shooters to consider, not a beginner purchase.
Extended controls: Extended mag releases and slide stops are popular in competition but on a carry gun can cause unintentional activation under stress or contact with clothing. Leave the controls stock until you have a specific documented reason to change them.
Laser sights: Lasers require the battery to work. Lights and sights do not. Lasers as a supplement to good sights can be useful for specific applications (low-light, non-standard positions) but should not replace the ability to use iron sights under pressure.
Gear up: Streamlight TLR-7A and Trijicon HD XR night sights are both available on Amazon. For OEM Glock magazines and baseplate extensions, Brownells stocks the full parts catalog.
Sources:
- Streamlight TLR-7A specifications — streamlight.com
- Trijicon HD XR sight specifications — trijicon.com
- PHLster holster design documentation — phlsterholsters.com