919-388-1991
The success of the Glock 17 and the Glock 22 led Glock to introduce the Glock 31 in 1996. The Glock 31 was designed to fire the powerful .357 Sig caliber that was developed by Sig and Federal in 1994. Knowing that the ballistics on the .357 Sig would make it a potentially popular choice for law enforcement, Glock worked diligently to get the G31 to the market by the beginning of 1996.
Although the slide and frame were modified to accommodate the pressures generated by the .357 Sig round, the Glock 31 is built on the same frame and slide size as the Glock 17 and Glock 22. The G31 features the same operation controls found on the other Glock models in this family, and functions exactly the same way.
As the .357 Sig caliber is similar in size to the .40 S&W caliber found the Glock 22, the standard magazine on the Glock 31 holds 15 rounds. Glock also offers a 10-round version for capacity restrictive states, along with a 17 round magazine as well that features an extension to fit flush. As the .357 Sig cartridge is basically a necked down .40 S&W, the Glock 31 will also accept magazines from the Glock 22.
Like most other Glock models, the Glock 31 features 3 passive safeties, and will fire with the magazine removed. With the higher pressure and power associated with the .357 Sig, the Glock 31 recoils harder than the Glock 17 and the Glock 22. However, Glock sought to further reduce that felt recoil by introducing a dual recoil spring system in the Gen 4 version of the Glock 31.
Also, like the related Glock 17 and Glock 22 models, the Glock 31 features a picatinny rail designed to accommodate a light or laser. However, this picatinny rail is a proprietary Glock rail and not a traditional 1913 picatinny rail, so it requires accessories that are specially made to fit a Glock rail.
Here are some commonly asked questions that we see regarding Glock 31 holster models:
#1 – I know that the Glock 17, Glock 22, and Glock 31 are all part of the same “Glock family”, but how can the Glock 31 in .357 Sig be the same size as the Glock 17, which is chambered in 9mm?
A good question. The engineers are Glock are very smart folks, and knew that, it made the most sense to build the Glock 31 in the same frame and slide as the Glock 17. This way, all the holsters and most accessories made for the Glock 17, will also fit the Glock 31. Even though those models are the same size, they are not exactly the same. For example, an unloaded Glock 17 weighs 24.87 ounces, but an unloaded Glock 31 weighs 26.10, with the extra weight on the Glock 31 coming from the more heavy-duty slide and frame.
#2 – Are you saying that a holster for the Glock 17 will fit a Glock 31?
Yes, that is correct. That’s one of the reasons many holster manufacturers advertise or list the Glock 17, Glock 22, and Glock 31 as all fitting in the same holster.
#3 – I recently purchased a Glock 31 Gen 5 and I have a Surefire X400 Ultra on it. Do you have a holster that will fit that?
Most any of the MTR Custom holsters listed below are available in a configuration to fit a G31 with a Surefire X400 Ultra attached.
#4 – I know the Glock 31 is a bigger pistol, but I really want to carry it IWB in my appendix. Do you carry an appendix IWB holster that might work for that?
The most popular IWB holster models that we carry that work for appendix carry (also called AIWB) are these models:
Don Hume H715M WCS Clip-On IWB Holster
MTR Custom Tuckable Adversary IWB
#5 – Do you carry any Level 2 or Level 3 security holsters for the Glock 31?
Unfortunately, we don’t really carry any Level 2 (which means the holster has two integrated security devices built into it) or Level 3 holsters (which have 3 security devices built into them). About the best we could do, would be a Level 1 holster which would have a thumb break (retention strap).
#6 – I have a Glock 31 with Crimson Trace laser grips installed. I see you offer holsters for a number of Crimson Trace laser models, but I didn’t see anything listed for the Crimson Trace laser grips?
Most holsters made for the Glock 31 (without a thumb break) will fit a Glock 31 with Crimson Trace laser grips. However, a holster made for the Glock 31 with a thumb break will not fit a Glock 31 equipped with Crimson Trace laser grips as the laser unit interferes with the action on the thumb break snapping closed.
#7 - I have a Glock 31 in Gen 4, but don't see any holsters on your site that say they are made specifically for the Gen 4 version?
Although Glock has come out with a number of "generations" that feature slight changes or enhancements, the frame and slide dimensions are still the same for all the different Glock 31 generations. The Glock engineers did this by design so all the aftermarket gear for the Glock 31: holsters, aftermarket magazines, sights, etc., would all fit a Glock 31 regardless of the generation. So a Glock 31 in Gen 2, Gen 3, Gen 4 or Gen 5 all fit the same holster made for a Glock 31. That's one of the reasons that most holster brands advertise holsters for the Glock 31 in the same Glock family as the Glock 17 and Glock 22.
#8 – Although this page is supposed to be about holsters for the Glock 31, none of the holsters shown on this page look like they are made to fit a Glock 31 and none of them are shown with a Glock 31 in a holster?
We understand your question and here’s the answer: all the holster models shown below are just sample models so you an get an idea of what the individual holster models look like. If you order a Glock 31 holster, then it will made to fit a Glock 31.
Any of the holsters listed below are available in a Glock 31 holster version.