Long ago, during SHOT Show in January of 2019, GLOCK found itself playing catchup following the release of the SIG SAUER P365. GLOCK would eventually release their take on the latest in compact 9mm concealed carry, but early responses were…muted. Could GLOCK’s formula excite the market again? Would their slightly larger, higher capacity version of the G43 — the G43X — stand the test of time? Looking back from four years in the future, the answer is yes.
The GLOCK 43X (and others in GLOCK’s Slimline lineup) differ a bit from GLOCK’s original models in that they’re, well, slimmer. Clearly the 43X is aimed at the concealed carry market and the more slender profile is intended to keep overall weight down, while reducing “printing,” AKA the shape of the gun visible through clothing.
The Slimline RTF grip texturing is functional and comfortable, without being as aggressive as some other models GLOCK has produced. You’ll find the distance between the beavertail and the trigger will be a bit shorter than on non-Slimline GLOCKs, making the 43X more comfortable for those with smaller hands.
Finally, rather than “modified double stack” designs of its competitors, GLOCK opted for 10-round single-stack magazines within the narrower frame of the 43X. That allowed them to keep approximate pace with the capacities of guns like the SIG P365 and the Springfield Hellcat.
But was keeping capacity down to 10-rounds really necessary? Many, including myself, saw this as a missed opportunity. Almost as we spoke out, the aftermarket jumped in and Shield Arms dropped their S15 magazines, increasing the G43X’s round count within the same space.
Why Choose the GLOCK 43X?
As I mentioned, the two non-GLOCK handguns I see the 43X most often compared to are the Hellcat and the P365. The three pistols are the most popular in the micro compact space so the comparison is natural.
I had hands-on range time with all three guns, and none of them stood out significantly from the others, either in a positive or negative way. Brand loyalty and familiarity were bigger factors than a comparison of features if I were choosing which to buy as there are a lot of similarities.
The G43X is slightly thicker (.1″) and longer (.08″-.2″) than the Hellcat and P365, but only tad more. Maybe it’s my long history with GLOCK handguns, but I find myself shooting the 43X better than the other two. My fingers may not be terribly long, but my hands are as wide as dinner plates and the 43X’s grip just feels more substantial. I dislike needing an extended magazine base to get all my fingers on the gun.
43X Range Days
When looking at a concealed carry handgun, reliability is always the absolute number one factor. Most defensive shootings happen at little more than arm’s length, so precision accuracy is clearly not a necessity. I want my CCW gun to feed JHPs every bit as well as FMJs. GLOCK’s diminutive 43X has been perfectly reliable with every brand and type of ammunition I’ve fed through it, including G9 Defense’s External Hollow Point and Norma’s Monolithic Hollow Point.
While accuracy to shave a gnat’s ass at 100 yards isn’t important in a defensive carry gun, the GLOCK 43x has shown itself to be very predictable when it comes to putting rounds right where you want them. Whether you’re shooting fast or at a more leisurely pace, the 43X does its job well. While my targets aren’t going to be framed in the museum of shooting accuracy anytime soon, the holes are effectively placed.
Federal’s 124gr Personal Defense JHP is what my particular gun likes best, with cheaper American Eagle 115gr as my go-to for high volume practice sessions.
Carrying the G43X
Concealed carry is rarely an enjoyable experience, at least in the physical sense. The GLOCK 43X isn’t much of a burden, owing to both its light weight and relatively small size. This is my only gun for summer carry and it’s usually the one I carry the other nine months of the year as well.
The 43X’s slim frame is key to keeping the gun’s footprint small. The short slide means I don’t have to wear a long overshirt or jacket to keep the barrel from dipping beneath the hem when carrying OWB.
A Mission First Tactical Leather Hybrid holster with a paddle attachment is my go-to CCW vehicle for the 43X, offering outside-the-waistband carry with an incredibly slim profile. The only way to go less conspicuous is inside the waistband (or appendix) carry, which I’m not really disposed to.
Bottom Line
The GLOCK 43X is everything you’d expect from of a GLOCK, and is also nearly everything I’d hope it could be. While the aftermarket has solved the OEM capacity issue, it’s unfortunate that GLOCK is still sticking with those stock sights.
It’s hard to argue with GLOCK’s formula, though, and they’ve executed it especially well in the 43X. Reliable, accurate, and slimmer than pistols like the G19 or G17, the 43X is an excellent choice for an everyday carry gun. With a street price around $450, the 43X is also very competitively priced.
Specifications: GLOCK 43X Pistol
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 10+1 rounds
Barrel Length: 3.4 inches
Overall Length: 6.5 inches
Width: 1.1 inch
Weight: 16.4oz
MSRP: $538 (retail about $450)
I shot a Glock once, blew plastic everywhere.
I’ll stick with HiPoints when it comes to shooting guns.
I’m old enough to remember when blowing a trannie meant car trouble.
LOL.
I also remember an evil motorhead telling me putting STP in my transmission would give me trick shift.
My old man thought he had a bad spark plug wire. He told me, I was 13, to let him start the car and then I could test and make sure each wire was solidly in place. He found the right wire when he saw me dancing a jig next to the fender.
You had to be on your toes around those old timers.
@ jwm
Yep.
as long as you use gender neutral shift juice you’ll be fine.
my pops had an aluminum scoop shop light that when you squeezed the clamp jaws to move it a strong current tickled you. i hated touching that ungrounded lamp; he just didn’t care. muttered something somethin sissy under his breath.
Hi points have never been recalled. But glock has. And Hi Point has passed the drop test. But Sig Saur has not.
And HiPoints are bullet proof.
Watch Demolition Ranches test.
Can I put a switch on this gun???
Or can I put a binary trigger on this gun???
Btw
The Keltec p32 has a 10+1 capacity. And it’s easier to conceal.
But 9 tends to be much cheaper to purchase.
keltec p15 – with a retro fit 20 rounder
Gave up my Sig 239 due to age and started using the Glock 43x. Never jams, accurate and just over all great handgun. After market magazine up the carry to 15 rounds without any issues. Highly recommend!
Glock is fine Sig is fine Springfield is fine Taurus is fine Ruger is fine. Whatever fits your hand budget and risk tolerance. With that said Glock is probably the best for decorating with ceracote if that is your thing.
mmm… hand budget.
LOL. Mutters……effing sissies.