GLOCK G43X Subcompact Semi-Auto Pistol

DESCRIPTION

The GLOCK® G43X Subcompact Semi-Auto Pistol has been designed with both a comfortable shooting and conceal–carry experience in mind. While carrying the G43X, its compact, Slimline frame feels great in any holster. Its compact grip length, built-in beaver tail, and subcompact-slim slide deliver a balanced, versatile feel while shooting, one that’s great for a variety of users. Its frame combines elements of the Gen5 and Slimline series, including a short trigger distance, reversible magazine catch, and a match-grade Glock Marksman Barrel (GMB) with precision-milled serrations on the slide. The GLOCK G43X Subcompact Semi-Auto Pistol also comes equipped with the Safe Action® system, which boast 3 automatic independently-operating safety that provide consistent trigger pulls. Includes one 10-round magazine.
Manufacturer model #: 113558.

Designed for comfortable shooting and carrying
Slimline frame feels great in any holster
Match-grade Glock Marksman Barrel
Compact grip length
Built-in beaver tail
Subcompact-slim slide
Balanced feel while shooting
Short trigger distance
Reversible magazine catch
Precision-milled slide serrations
Safe Action system
Range Review: Glock G43X

Later this year, the internet was abuzz with rumors that Glock 43 had a new gun on the horizon. At times, it was almost comical as people made guesses about the new pistol and some even claimed to have inside information that it would be this or that. In the end about the only thing they had right was that it was indeed a Glock. The new pistol that emerged from this event was the newest addition to the company’s Slimline series–the Glock G43X.

When Glock released its Slimline series, it was a major hit. People were looking for a Glock that they could even more easily conceal and the Slimline fit that call. Glock had listened to its customers and it drove a design change.

“With the success of the Slimline series in the marketplace and over one million GLOCK 43 pistols sold in just three years, the Slimline series pistols have been tested, trusted and proven,” Glock, Inc. VP Josh Dorsey said. “We listened to the consumers request for a Glock Slimline model with increased round capacity. Glock’s continued pursuit of perfection drives innovation while not straying from our promise of reliability and durability and that is demonstrated in the G43X.”

The Glock 43 for sale has been one of the biggest successes in Glock’s history. As Dorsey mentioned, Glock sold its one millionth unit in April 2018. That is undeniable proof that the small Slimline design is a hit. Like any product though, people began to ask for even more. The “more” regarding the G43 was capacity. With a 6+1 capacity, the gun did seem a little anemic in that category. Even with an extra mag in the pocket, we were still sitting with less rounds than even the Glock G19. GLOCK G43X Subcompact Semi-Auto Pistol

The answer to this puzzle was a continuation of Glock’s crossover design and the launch of the G43X. Side-by-side, the G43 and G43X are close in size, with the G43 being only slightly smaller in height, width and weight. The G43X is only .75 inch more in height and still incredibly slender. The barrel on the G43 is only half a millimeter shorter than the G43X. Even with this minor size difference, the 43X brings an additional four rounds in capacity. BUY GUNS ONLINE

An unfortunate note to G43 owners though. G43X mags are not interchangeable with the G43. It’s not a deal-breaker but worth a note for those who considered grabbing G43X mags and using them. Design-wise, the mags are not a true single-stack design. They are a slender double-stack, known as a 1.5-stack. They all still break down the same and have the same feel as previous mags. BUY GUNS ONLINE

The gun is chambered in 9 mm and features a compact Slimline frame with a black slide with an nDLC finish. When the gun was first introduced, it was a silver-and-black, two-tone pistol. Since then, Glock has phased out that option and gone purely to black. The gun has a 10-round magazine capacity, making it ideal for concealed carry. Designed for comfort, the G43X combines a compact-size grip length and a subcompact-slim slide for a comfortably balanced, versatile grip ideal for a variety of users. The frame incorporates elements of the Gen 5 and Slimline series, such as the short trigger distance, a frame with a built-in beavertail, a reversible magazine catch and the incredibly accurate, match-grade Glock Marksman Barrel, as well as precision-milled front serrations.

I personally faced many of the same challenges as others with the original G43. It is a smaller gun and a little lean on real estate for my meaty paws. While I like the trigger and gun overall, it was still a wrestling match to obtain consistent accuracy. That changed with the G43X. The small addition to the grip length was all I needed to improve the fit for me, personally. The gun felt better in my hands, and I was much faster and accurate with it than I was with its smaller counterpart. GLOCK G43X Subcompact Semi-Auto Pistol

One area where this really helps is in magazine changes. Like many people, my strong-side hand would often interfere with mag changes, because it either held the existing mag in place or it partially obstructed the mag well. This meant either you couldn’t seat the mag or you would end up pinching your flesh as the magazine slid into place. The extended grip solves that. While it is still small and easy to conceal, the added surface area is a game-changer for me and many like me.

Performance–wise, the gun is all Glock. This is one of the major factors that drive many law-enforcement agencies to allow the G43X as a backup. It is simply a smaller version of the officer’s duty weapon. There is nothing new to deal with other than a shorter sight radius and size. The gun performed well for me on the range, and like its larger brothers, fired everything I fed it without hesitation or malfunction. From aluminum-case ball to high-velocity, hollow-point defensive ammo, it never even flinched. BUY GUNS ONLINE

I ran a mix of ball with some more serious sounds such as Hornady 115-grain Critical Defense, as well as Federal Premium 124-grain Hydra-Shok. I have heard some grumblings that rounds like the Hydra-Shok are hard to handle in this small gun, but that is a laughable idea to me. I was able to print excellent groups with both ball and defensive ammo, and I experienced no major, earth-shaking change in recoil. Because of my familiarity with the trigger to begin with, I easily racked up great hits at not only CQB distance targets in the 5-yard range, but at 50 yards on steel as well. GLOCK G43X Subcompact Semi-Auto Pistol

I really like the Glock G43X and believe it is a solid shooter and perfect for concealed carry. I would still urge everyone to still carry an extra mag on them simply because even 10 rounds can evaporate pretty quickly in a defensive shooting. If you are a Glock person already, then this is the perfect bridge to a smaller carry gun. If you are new to Glock, you will enjoy the trigger that runs like a full-size gun. No major press or painfully long reset. In the end, I give it two thumbs up!

Gun Review: GLOCK 43 9mm Pistol

The GLOCK 42 handgun was something between a huge disappointment and cruel joke on expectant gun guys and gals. A .380 single-stack? Been there, done that, bought the Colt Mustang clone (and sold it for a larger-caliber everyday concealed carry gun). BUY GUNS ONLINE

Now that Gaston’s gang has unloaded freight containers of G42s — which they wouldn’t have sold had they started with a proper 9mm single-stack pocket pistol — they’re finally ready to sell train loads of subcompact 9mm GLOCK 43s. Should diehard Glock jocks and pocket-carrying newbies hold a grudge or buy a 43? Let’s start with a simple comparison.

The Glock 42 and 43 are nearasdammit identical twins. To accommodate those larger, higher-pressure rounds, the polymer-frame G43 is slightly longer, wider and five ounces heavier than its .380 ACP predecessor. Ergonomically, it’s a distinction without a difference. Hold each gun in one hand (gangster style) and you’d be hard-pressed to tell them apart. They’re both single-stack everyday semiautomatic carry pistols perfectly designed for stealth and comfort.

Which is not to say they’re perfectly designed. Glock’s utilitarian aesthetic fails the timelessness test; it’s now about as chic as a Volvo 240D. But shrinky-dinking a standard Glock to near soap bar size certainly increases the cuteness quotient — from none to some. Still, there’s not much, visually speaking, to get exited about. GLOCK G43X Subcompact Semi-Auto Pistol

Except the spare magazine! The G43 ships with both a flush-fit and an extended 6-round magazine. The flush-mount mag offers ultimate concealability. The extended mag may play peekaboo in small-pocketed pants, but it gives deep-pocketed owners (in more ways than one) welcome pinky purchase, increasing the 43’s shootability/accuracy by a measurable margin. If only they could fit one more round in the handle … nope. Six round capacity is your lot, no matter how you get a grip. A large magazine release makes quick work of removing the magazine.

I suspect larger-fisted 43 buyers will go with the extended magazine or go home relatively empty-handed. Or hold the Glock 43 like the Three Stooges held a cup of tea (pinkies akimbo). Yes, there is that: The Glock 43 isn’t for our bear-pawed ballistic brethren — unless they like to practice close-up magic with a little gun. In fact, accuracy observations below are void where prohibited by manual dimensions. BUY GUNS ONLINE

The Glock 43’s biggest advantage over the 42 (other than stopping power): The tiny nine is an ammunition omnivore.

There’s no getting around it: The G42 was a picky eater. While the .380 pocket pistol shoots average pressure rounds of various weights all day long, the 42 chokes on loads that fall on the high and low ends of the pressure spectrum. We forgave it this ballistic trespass with the understanding that any armed self-defender who doesn’t test his carry cartridges for reliability, doesn’t get what he deserves. Or maybe he does. GLOCK G43X Subcompact Semi-Auto Pistol

I fed our Kentucky Gun Company-provided pistol several hundreds of rounds of ammo. The count included Winchester White Box, Federal Premium, Remington UMC and Magtech (both 115gr and 124gr weights). I also ran the 43 with Winchester 147 gr Train & Defend (our 2014 Reader’s Choice Ammo of the Year award winner), 124gr Hornady XTPs, and 124gr Remington Golden Sabers. I didn’t experience a single malfunction, failure to feed, eject or throw lead downrange in a hurry.

Shooting

As you’d expect for a gun that’s smaller than a pack of Wet Wipes, the Glock 43 is a snappy SOB, no matter what you feed it. Is this a problem? As RF likes to point out, accuracy is a function of distance. If you’re looking for a self-defense gun that shoots minute-of-bad guy at anything from zero to seven yards, the Glock 43 for sale is your new BFF.

With its very respectable 5.2″ sight radius, you might even want to aim before pulling the trigger.

Which is not to say Jerry Miculek couldn’t use a Glock 43 to shoot the eye out of a newt at 50 paces. Once you get to grips with the 43, literally, slow-firing the gun reveals a firearm capable of 10-ring accuracy at bad breath-and-better distances. The 43’s Glock-standard U-shaped sights — love ’em or hate ’em — seem extra-large on such a small gun, and that’s no small advantage. TTAG’s JWT reckons all self-defense guns should have standard night sights and that makes a lot of sense. But again, the 43’s best deployed as a point-shooting point blank self-defense gun.

The G43’s trigger is no better or worse than any other Glock go-pedal. We’re talking about a 5.5 lbs. pull with a brick wall to bust through and a reset click that’s as hard to miss as Bruce Jenner in a bright blue dress. GLOCK G43X Subcompact Semi-Auto Pistol

That’s supposed to be a selling point (the trigger, not Bruce’s dress). If you can shoot one Glock safe action trigger you can shoot them all. The longer, harder trigger pull on snub-nosed revolvers and some small semis (e.g., Ruger LC9) is probably a better bet for newbies who lack trigger discipline (i.e. all of them). But then there’s carry. BUY GUNS ONLINE

Carry

The G43’s diminutive size, as a 9mm pistol, is its main selling point. It’s the Glock you can holster like a wallet. Not that you should. All guns need to live in a holster that covers the trigger. Here’s one we prepared earlier: A G43 seducing a SHTF Gear inside the waistband rig.

When carried in an IWB holster, the Glock 43 is the very soul of discretion Slap in the flush-bottomed magazine, rack the gun (being extra-careful not to cover the ejection port), holster-up and tuck your shirt over the gun. Unless a sharp-eyed paranoid OCD gun guy spots the clips (not magazines) you’re as stealthy as a cloaked Klingon warship. Outside-the-waistband types are equally well served. Pop the Glock in the slot, untuck your shirt and Bob’s your uncle.

Bonus! The G43 is small and light enough for pocket carry. If you’ve pocket carried a Smith & Wesson hammerless snubbie 642, the Glock 43 is an easy choice for EDC. If you haven’t, pocket-carrying the Glock 43 is well worth the price of admission. Nothing is as discreet and convenient as pocket carry.

As always, you’ve got to practice extraction. But it’s better to have a Glock 43 and not need it, than to not have a full-size double-stack gun because it was too much of a hassle to carry it. GLOCK G43X Subcompact Semi-Auto Pistol

So what’s not to love? It’s not so much a matter of “Do you take this Glock to have and to hold” as the fact that there are lots of other compact single-stack 9mm fish in the sea, most with lower MSRPs. Some with laser sight options.

Think Kahr CM9, Ruger LC9, Springfield XD-S and Smith & Wesson M&P Shield (which offers greater ammo capacity). Not to mention the option of a frame-mounted safety (which the Glock 43 won’t ever possess). Or the siren song of some sexy little snub-nosed revolvers.

At the end of the proverbial day, the Glock 43’s greatest advantage is that it’s a Glock. It’s not some glamorous wish-list gun. Unlike the finicky 42, the G43 eats all ammo, delivering the “it goes bang every time” reliability that’s the brand’s hallmark. Which creates the confidence that is Glock pistol’s advertised attribute. With the added appeal of easy cleaning (clear the gun first) and a predictable (if not prize-winning) Glock trigger. GLOCK G43X Subcompact Semi-Auto Pistol

All in a pocket-friendly package. Who can argue with that? Not me. The Glock 43 is my new carry gun.

Specifications:

Overall Length: 6.26”
Height: 4.25”
Barrel Length: 3.39”
Width: 1.02”
Weight: 17.95 oz. (unloaded) 22.36 oz. (loaded)
Trigger pull: 5.5 lbs.
Capacity: 6+1

Ratings (out of five stars):

Reliability: * * * * *
Perfection, to coin a phrase. Unlike its little brother, nothing made the 43 balk.

Ergonomics (carry): * * * * *
The G43 feels natural in the hand, with a sure grip (with a built-in beaver tail design), particularly while using the pinky extension-equipped mag. Large-pawed shooters who aren’t using the G43 for a back-up gun (probably) need not apply.

Ergonomics (shooting): * * * * *
Comfortable enough to shoot at the range. You know, for fun. More than accurate enough for its intended use.

Customize This: * * *
As a new heater, mods are scarce. That said, there are more holster options sooner than there were for the 42. And given the the number of Glock fans, lights, sights, aftermarket triggers and lasers will be along soon. GLOCK G43X Subcompact Semi-Auto Pistol

Overall: * * * * *
There are less expensive options and a magazine capacity of six rounds isn’t a lot. But the G43 is just the thing for shooters looking for a small, reliable, comfortable, acceptably powerful everyday carry gun.