The fastest race cars in the world are nothing without a crew to support them. You can be the best driver, but the support behind you is what really keeps your car running. A similar statement can be made about the Glock pistol. The Glock is known for its reliability and simplicity. It is also highly customizable without having to replace OEM parts. We’ve compiled a collection of accessories for the Glock pistol to transform it from one purpose to another and extend its capability.

Glock Accessories for Every Scenario

Home Defense

The pistol set up for concealed carry can be converted to more overt use in the home for defensive use. For example, the Glock accessory rail can accommodate multiple weapon lights from major manufacturers.

Weapon light technology has come a long way since the early days of white-light incandescent bulbs, with lumens increasing and candela reaching further. Keep in mind that inside your home, ceilings and walls are typically light-colored. So, the brightness from your weapon-mounted light will be amplified when used inside.

There is such a thing as too much light, and you can bleach your eyes accidentally. Test out the various offerings and do your research to find the right balance of brightness (lumens) and throw (candela).

Even though your weapon light and optional red dot will see minimal use, it is wise to carry spare batteries or charging cables in case they are accidentally activated or left on.

Adding a Suppressor

Tax stamps are being returned at record speeds. So, the average user can’t use wait times as an excuse not to own a suppressor. Unlike other pistols, the Glock can be easily converted to suppressor use with a threaded drop-in barrel.

Some pistols require “minor fitting,” but the loose tolerances of a Glock that aid in reliability also help make it easy to swap barrels. Glock even has factory-threaded barrels for compact and full-size 9mm pistols if you want to keep your accessories OEM.

Suppressors from just about every major manufacturer can be purchased for use with your pistol. Depending on the diameter of the can, you may not even need to swap out your sights. If your pistol is equipped with a red dot and suppressor height sights, you won’t have an issue with the suppressor obscuring your sight picture.

Suppressors reduce the sound signature of your pistol when it is fired. However, you will get the most out of your suppressor when you use ammunition that does not exceed 1100 feet per second.

I recommend subsonic, and in my testing, I put hundreds of rounds of 147-grain Defender Ammunition loaded with Hornady XTP bullets down range. This ammunition runs clean, reliably, and accurately.

Holster Selection

There is no such thing as one holster to do it all. With this understanding, it makes sense to have a few holsters to fit our needs.

For summer carry, the basic IWB holster, like a Blackpoint Tactical FO3, is minimalist and holds the pistol securely with Discreet Carry Clips.

If you intend to keep the threaded barrel installed, you must determine if the holster is open at the muzzle to accommodate the barrel and thread protector. Otherwise, you can purchase a holster for one size up (compact for subcompact and full-size for compact) with the same trigger guard but more room for a longer slide.

If you carry your pistol in the backcountry, a backpack hip belt can get in the way of concealment holsters. When open carry is more practical, chest rigs make sense as do chest-mounted pouches that also hold assorted outdoor kit.

If you carry your pistol with a weapon-mounted light, plenty of options exist for IWB and OWB carry. Finally, you may need to carry your pistol inside of a bag with just the trigger guard protected. For those times, kydex trigger shrouds make sense.

Assorted Magazines

Glock magazines are relatively inexpensive, and having multiple mags pre-loaded means more ammunition at hand. Various magazines are available to meet your needs. The Glock 17 magazine can be found in 10, 17, 24, and 33-round variations. When it comes to home defense, extended magazines can be loaded without concern for concealment.

Similarly, aftermarket base pads are available for competition or to add extra rounds to your daily loadout.

Magazine pouches, like holsters, are available for IWB, OWB, and pocket carry. Of course, magazine loaders come with every pistol, and it makes sense to add one to your range bag, ammo cans, and anywhere you plan to load your magazines.

Cleaning and Repair Kit

Glock has a legendary reputation for reliability despite what their pistols can be subjected to. Even the best pistol in the world is better off with some regular maintenance and care. So, you should carry some basics. A basic cleaning kit includes some patches, a bore brush, and some CLP.

A Glock doesn’t require too much lubrication apart from the suggested application points inside the slide, barrel, and connector. In those cases, Slip 2000 is an excellent option. Additionally, if the pistol is exposed to the elements, simply wiping it down will keep it rust-free.

Spare batteries for red dots and weapon-mounted lights can also be added to the support kit. If you have room, a small screwdriver or sight adjustment tool should be added to help zero dots and firmly affix lights to the rail.

Additionally, a Glock take-down tool is all you need to break the pistol down and replace parts should they break. It doesn’t hurt to carry a spare extractor, recoil rod, or firing pin assembly.

Keeping track of the exact number of rounds you’ve fired before swapping out certain parts is important but not always practical. When you operate on ballpark figures but shoot regularly, you may want to replace parts at timed intervals. Every six months is a good number.

Back-Up Glock

A second pistol is an excellent accessory to your primary. For any number of reasons, having a backup makes sense.

Having a Glock 17 and a Glock 26 allows you to use the magazines from your primary with your secondary in a bind. Likewise, having a Glock 21 and Glock 30 allows you to carry one openly in the field and the other concealed when returning to town after that fishing trip.

Sticking with one type of firearm offers familiarity with the trigger, slide release, and other features. A backup pistol doesn’t have to be a smaller frame pistol, either. It could be the exact same as your primary. One could be equipped with a dot and light at home while the other, left bare bones, could be carried daily. Two is better than One.