The New GLOCK 43. A single-stack 9mm.
This is not a conjecture or speculation article, the G43 is here and I have shot it at Glock. After pushing around 150 rounds through the G43 9mm I am in love with yet another ugly Glock. There is more, this G43 single stack 9mm is exactly what “we” the public asked for, begged for, and whined about when the G42 .380 ACP was introduced last year. Everyone said that they would buy a single stack Glock 9mm if it was about the same size at the G42, well prepare to pull out your cash and to fall in love with yet another boringly reliable Glock.
The 43 is the latest, and most anticipated gun in a long line of low-capacity 9mms.
With the introduction of the G43, two wondrous things happened concerning Glock. This is one of the first pistols developed almost exclusively to satisfy US market demands/screams of passion. The G43 introduction also coincides with Glock US giving writers a peek behind its factory doors for the first time ever… and I was invited.
The first week of March, I found myself in the midst of ten other writers invited to this exclusive Glock G43 unveiling plus a behind the scenes factory tour, which I must admit was more exciting to me than the “finally” introduction the new G43. For me, being one of the first editors in the world to step behind the previously closed factory doors for a tour was a legitimate and exciting reason to hop on a plane to Smyrna, Georgia. My take on what I saw behind those doors is another article altogether, but I am sure everyone is more interested in the G43 at this point.
None of us were shocked, surprised or stunned about being handed G43 NDAs (non-disclosure agreements). I mean come on, who was Glock kidding. We had all heard the rumors and speculation two months earlier at SHOT show that something else was coming from Glock. In fact, none of us were particularly surprised or animated when Mike Robinson (head of Glock US Marketing) formally announced the new G43 arrival. I was the smart ass in the room who blurted out “well finally, so when do we start the factory tour?”
We all should have been chomping at the bit to get our hands on the G43 at the range, however we weren’t. None of us wanted to rush to the end of the day to start shooting this glorious new pistol which we knew would feel just like every other Glock we had ever shot. It says something about the confidence a group of cynical writers have in Glock to get it right the first time. Once the pistol was in hand, our gut feelings were confirmed that it was exactly as our minds had imagined it. Boringly reliable that felt and shot like a Glock but in a slimmer single stack design. Image a roughly 1” wide G26 and you have the G43.
At this point I am still waiting on my own testing sample G43, however the two hours I spent with the gun during and after the range time was more than enough for me form an initial opinion.
Just a hair bigger than the GLOCK 42 (which is one of the larger .380s).
SIZE, ERGONOMICS & FEATURES
Upon walking into the GSSF shooting range, most of use immediately noted that in fact the 9mm G43 was indeed nearly identically the same size to the mind bogglingly popular G42 .380 ACP.
The G43 looks and feels like the G42 and G26 hooked up one night. From a size perspective the G43 is just over a 1/16″ wider than the G42, only about a 1/4″ longer and about 1/16″ taller. In the naked hand there is a difference, however I doubt many would “feel” the difference between the two guns unless they had shot both. Actually the guns felt and looked so similar that we all were constantly checking ammo, magazine and gun labeling to assure we did not inadvertently stick the wrong round in a G43 or G42. I did try swapping magazines and I am happy to report from a safety perspective that the G42 magazine will not lock up in the G43 and the G43 magazine will not fit in the G42. Still, with all the 9mm and .380 ACP ammo on the tables, it was easy to get a little confused about whether you were stuffing .380 ACP ammo into 9mm magazines.
Considering that the width difference between the new G43 and the G26 is the same 1/8″ increase as there was from the G42 to the G43, I found a little surprising how much fatter in the waist and in the hand the G26 felt after shooting the G43. The G43 proportionally “feels sized better” than the G26.
Compact, concealable, and still easy to shoot.
Glock G42 was not the smallest .380 on the market by a long shot and the G43 isn’t the smallest micro 9mm either, but its a manageable size. For example, Kahr’s CM9 is still smaller than even the G42, 3/4″ shorter length than the G43 and 1/4″ shorter in height. The size of the G43 is what makes the G43 controllable, shootable, and accurate while still delivering a size that you can comfortably stick in your front pocket. I call it the Goldie Locks principle… its just right.
Much the same as the G42 feels like a Glock, the G43 delivers the same feel. The trigger distance, feel, and reset could all be mistaken for a fatter double stack G26. By my estimate, I ran a little over 150 rounds through the G43 as did all the other writers attending the release and no one had a single jam, but we tried. One writer did an extreme limp wrist test, another shot the gun upside down, and I did a full gangsta sideways shooting test; the net were no jams or malfunctions on any of the three test pistol that we hammer on.
Like the G42, the G43 has significantly less recoil that you would expect from a gun that size. The G42 .380 Glock is a delight to shoot with recoil that seems almost like a rimfire even with hotter loads. The 9mm G43 is a bit snappier however far less than I have experienced with my Kahr CM9 or Walther PPS pistols. I did not have the opportunity to shoot the G43 directly against competitors, my initial assumption is that the higher Glock grip is closer to the bore and delivers more control and less felt recoil.
The long-awaited single stack 9mm keeps with the GLOCK aesthetic.
Like every micro 9mm I have ever fired, I did find that my hand moved around from shot to shot to find a better grip. It became a fat stumpy hand around small thing gripping exercise which inevitably leads to swapping between a thumbs forward, Israeli tucked thumbs, support hand finger guard grip which I liked the best. By contrast all the female writers locked in on the G43 and were hammering out rounds. The guys with bigger and fatter hands seemed to all do the unconscious grip shuffle we all do with tiny little guns.
The G43 is very controllable but a bit snappy. After approximately 150 rounds I was done with shooting the G43. This is quite a bit of shooting for a small pistol and I felt it. Comparing the recoil to the fatter double stack G26, the heavier G26 is more controllable and less fatiguing on the shooter. I have and do train all day with the G26 9mm, however I don’t know that I would put past and hour shooting the G43. As much as Glock has done to mitigate recoil and improve control, the G43 still is shooting a hot 9mm round out of a small pistol so Newtonian physics still apply. I did jump back on the G42 .380 ACP and could have shot that the rest of the day due to the low recoil. Given the size, I think it just comes down to a choice of recoil control between the G43 and G42 Glocks for buyers.
It looks like a GLOCK, shoots like a GLOCK, comes apart like a GLOCK. Must be a GLOCK.
From an accuracy perspective, I was able to deliver a number of brisk 6-round 3” groups on the 7-yard line. More conscious target shooting dropped those group sizes down into the 1.5-2” range with the CCI Blazer brass FMJ ammo provided at the range. Across the board, I noted all the writers shot the pistol very well from fast shooting to slow deliberate accuracy shots.
Under the watchful eye of marketing and GSSF range officers, I slipped the G43 into pockets and in the waistband and did a little shooting from concealment. Glock is going to sell millions of these. The G43 is the slim line 9mm we have all been waiting for. Even without a holster it is slim, nicely radiused, and melts into your waistband just like the G42 did. Holster manufacturers will come online fast with options
FINAL THOUGHTS
We live in amazing times of pre-sliced bread, enough technology to product self cooking bacon, and now we have a single stack 9mm from Glock. The Glock 43 9mm will be met with such anticipation and expectation that I will congratulate you for actually reading this far instead of just sprinting to your firearms dealer to place your order after reading the headline. My initial experience with the new Glock single stack 9mm validated that it is everything we all were are hoping for in a Glock produced package, but just like every Glock introduction, I am sure there are many who will wish it was larger, smaller, or offered in a different caliber.
SPECS G43 G42 G26
- Length 6.26″ 5.94″ 6.41″
- Width 1.02″ .94″ 1.18″
- Height Including Magazine 4.25″ 4.13″ 4.17″
- Barrel Length 3.39″ 3.25″ 3.42″
- Length of Twist 9.84″ 9.84″ 9.84″
- Trigger Travel 0.49″ .49″ .49″
- Line of Sight 5.20″ 4.92″ 5.39″
- Pistol Weight w/o Magazine 16.19 oz 13.76 oz 21.71 oz
- Barrel Profile Right Hand Twist Hexagonal
Why does the 43 have such a big gap between the slide and frame? Dirt etc. enters easily.
I own three (3) Glocks, a 43, 27 and a 23. All are great pistols and shoot well. Hoping to round off my collection, plus “wishful thinking”, has me hoping to see a “pocket sized” Glock in .380 sometime in the near future.. Will it happen? Who knows.
I finally got my hands on a G 43 and I must say I’m in love this is a great gun my only complaint it it had a VERRY stiff trigger which is no big deal to me other than that I’d give it a 10/10 it will be my new carry gun until someone can top this awesome pistol
What I would like is a glock 19 slim single stack …. And the European version of the glock 42 with a thirteen rd capacity…. 43 is nice… Got one, liked it , bought a 42… Needs more bullets, lol
Bought the Glock 43 a few months ago. Being a woman with small hands I found it fits my grip perfectly. I can shoot center mass one handed. In comparison to my other 9mm (won’t mention make) this one is a piece of cake as far as handling and accuracy. It’s ugly but I love it!
I know many like myself who really prefer the simplicity and clean design and maybe blockyness of a glock. I hate the busy look of a walther. Also the glock is the most recognizable handgun. I get the difference of opinion but subjective thoughts should never be used because there will be others that dont agree. Glocks are apparently not ugly to many i.e. they are very very popular, KEEP YOUR PINIONS TO YOURSELF
Enjoyed reading the article.
Please hire someone to proofread. I offer my services at an extraordinary discount because I enjoy the topic.
Looks nice, but I already have a Kel-Tec 9mm with a short barrel. If you take an inch off the posted barrel length, you get the actual length of the BARREL minus the chamber. This is strictly a standard pressure weapon, since all you are going to get with a +P or +P+ round is more flash and more noise and a smidgen more velocity. That makes the high-power stuff not worth the extra cost.
Yes, it’s nice for all-day carry IF you live in a place that allows it, but otherwise what I see here is a Kel-Tec 9mm that is bigger, heavier, and more costly. While it’s a nice idea, I’ll stick with my G-17 and G-34 pistols; they don’t weigh that much more and they do deliver more velocity and less recoil.
Close-but no cigar, Glock.
I would have liked to see this article emphasize how the G43 is beneficial for women. I understand the writer is male and is describing his experience as a male – but he could have encouraged women to try the G43 out more. As a women – the G43 is perfect for me! It fits my hand, I can easily handle the recoil, I am comfortable with the grip, and am confident in my ability to handle it. The single stack lack of capacity is easily overcome with accuracy. After shooting approximately 200 rounds on my first outing – I was extremely happy – confident – and pleased with the G43! It fits into my concealed weapon purse and you’d never know it was there. I do agree with the writer that Glock is going to really sell this gun! I encourage all women out there to at least try this gun – and for the men – encourage your women to try it. It is a great self-defense weapon for a female.
I’ll second that. Actually I already did. Great gun for women, too!
Say what you will about accuracy, reliability, capacity, etc… A gun you have with you is better than one you don’t, and a small gun like this will be carried when larger guns will be left at home (or in the car). I carry my Glock model 27 more than all my other guns put together just for that reason. BTW… Fobus paddle holster, easy on, easy off, also helps.
Nice, cute……but still a 9mm! Waiting for the Male version in .45.
Oh boy, aren’t you something, carrying that big ole 45. You’re a man. Maybe we should all pitch in and get you a big ole medal to hang around your big ole head. I still bet you wouldn’t volunteer to take a couple shots of little 9mm in the gizzard would you.
The thought of this pistol in .45acp is scary. It would probably be limited to six rounds and fired six times and then put in the box to await better grips and porting. I’ve fired metal shorties in .45acp with the about the same length barrel and found them to be difficult to manage at best. In 9mm this pistol is okay for small hands, given. In .45acp this would be nearly unmanageable.
Let’s see: Shore barrel, light pistol, heavyweight round with significant recoil kick… Uhh, no. I’ll stick to my lightweight Commander or my CZ97b; at least they’re reasonably controllable in recoil and grip management. This pistol in .45acp would not be unless you have a grip like a gorilla for strength and the hands of a monkey. The only thing worse would be this pistol in 10mm.
Nice try Glock, but I doubt a woman (the obvious market here) would be interested in a .45acp version unless she’s got super strong hands and wrists.
Glock has been making a ccw single stack .45 since 2000. ITS CALLED THE G36. love how people equate machismo with caliber. ‘BUT CAN YEA WIELD IT?’
My wife’s big Xmas gift this year was the G43. It’s her first handgun – ever – at age 58. She likes it and handled it well during our recent CC class. I was pleased that she was willing to step up from the .380 she really liked (SIG) to this G43. I’m a .45 guy who carries a P220. Although I don’t have a small gun yet, I’ll probably stick with SIG (in .45) when I downsize my frame. It’s important to have a strap-on CCW with the same features/controls as your bedside piece. Less confusion when the fire needs fought. Good article BTW.
The “43” (9mm) is only SLIGHTLY smaller physically than the “27” (40 cal), the 27 being heavier and a tad bit wider. Try the “27” after shooting the “43′” for a while and you will think you have a cannon in your hand. (I have and shoot both but carry the 43 most of the time.) Waiting for a .45 cal Glock may take a while but with the right ammo the 27 should fit your needs. It’s where you place the shot that counts.
The latest release ain’t always the best. I will stick with my S&W CS9. Standard Hogue grips, 7round mag, extended single stack 3913 mags work fine at the range.
I was really pissed at Glock….I mean really pissed…They made the 43 announcement exactly 7 days after I bought my M&P Shield…In those 7 days I fell in love with my shield…very light on the waist, good capacity with 7 and 8 round mag’s and is actually one of the more accurate 9’s I have owned. (Ruger, Glock26). Now I have to wait for supply to meet demand before I can trade my M&P for the 43….Yeah….I’m pissed….big time.
Don’t trade it then. The shield is a great gun. It fits the hand very well, is reliable , and is very accurate. In this category of guns I would buy the glock or the shield. Both are great firearms.
I will probably buy a G43. In 2 years. After the Magguts plus one spring comes out. And there are a lot of holsters. And the price comes down, a lot. And night sights are available. And Glock does their first revision to fix a major flaw that made it through testing. However I have not been sitting idly Until then, love my PM9 (6+1 and a lot smaller than the G43), kind of like my LC9 7+1 stock (Galloway precision trigger helped a lot), love my M&P Shield with 8+1 and 9+1 (Magguts) with Pearce extension, love my G42 7+1 (Magguts again), and the Keltec PF9 (which I don’t own but now that I am seeing them for $319 I soon will) is really small with 6+1 (it does take a toll on the had to shoot though.
OMG What a bunch of childish whiners, grow up and while your at it…. a pair
“yet another ugly Glock”. Why not just end the review right there? I’ll stick with my CW45 or one of my CombatMasters – same capacity, twice the lead downrange with each pull of the trigger.
I own the Glock 17 and Glock 26. I have been waiting for the G 43 for a while. This is the perfect gun for my wife and my daughter to fire at the range. They both love the G 42, but I was waiting for a single stack 9mm as it performs better than .380 for self-defense. I am already on the waiting list at my local gun shop!
I would have ran to my LGS to buy this two years ago. But instead Springfield got my business with the XDs. And still I carry my G26 over the XDs. The slightly wider width doesn’t make any difference in concealability. A lump on your side is a lump on your side. And I get 10+1 rounds, can interchange my mags with my G19 or 17. And the grip of my G26 actually fills my hands and allows me to shoot it faster and more accurately than the single stack XDs. I’ll still keep the XDs because it conceals well in my EDC/Gym bag but I won’t be purchasing another single stack 9mm. I think the days of the single stack 9mm will be looked back on much like when everyone was crazy over the pocket .380’s.
wow very cool I own the g42 and love it cant wait to get the g43
Purchased a Kahr PM9 when I obtained my carry permit 7 years ago. Shoot it regularly. It has never malfunctioned
and is sized to fit in a pocket holster. I have compared all commers to the PM9 and as of yet have found none
that surpass it for a concealed 9mm. A Kahr is not cheap but when you divide the cost by the years you carry
it knowing it will not fail if needed, it is a bargain !
Originally ordered a Glock 43. Dealer could not deliver and my authorization was going to expire. I purchased a PM9. Coming from a Colt Det Spl, I liked the idea of a safety and size. First PM9 had a loose trigger pin. Sent back to Kahr. They ultimately sent back with a full replacement frame. It had a new serial number. Had to re-register the weapon and explain. In short this weapon jammed 2x during my last 100 round session. It usually jams at least once a session. My son has one too. He loves it, go figure.
Sorry. Not sold. A single stack is like having a peanut-butter and diet jelly sandwich. Want fries with that?
I bought my wife a Glock 43 and she absolutely enjoyed her range experience. She put 100 rounds through it on are first outing. She was able to rack it with little effort and load it with ease. Her grouping at 10 yards was more than exceptional. I believe after much more time and practice she will be moe confident. She never had a jam and enjoyed the afternoon. What else would a guy want?
They all suit a purpose but I love my North American Arms .22
Love my NAA 22, but not as a CCW, maybe a backup, but not the main CCW.
i had a g42, i traded up to a 30-06 rifle. i got a pm9 black diamond. i have used sw, sig,ruger,a couple others. i have been looking for a g43 for years. not being in law enforcement, i couldnt get my hands on a smll glock for years. i got a real g43 itch…ill get one after i decide what gun i need to get rid of to get the money for the glock. dont care one thing about all you picky yo-yos out there. get what you want, why complain about a gun you havent seen or shot!!!!??? idiots!!!
i had a g42, i traded up to a 30-06 rifle. i got a pm9 black diamond. i have used sw, sig,ruger,a couple others. i have been looking for a g43 for years. not being in law enforcement, i couldnt get my hands on a smll glock for years. i got a real g43 itch…ill get one after i decide what gun i need to get rid of to get the money for the glock. dont care one thing about all you picky yo-yos out there. get what you want, why complain about a gun you havent seen or shot!!!!??? idiots!!!
my 27 stays. might be a nice first weapon.
What exactly are we gaining over a Glock 26 ,mine conceals lovely,holds 11 rounds,14 with the plus 2 magazine ,and the difference in size and weight is miniscule.While I love my Glocks I won’t be scurrying to get one. If I wanted one Glock gives a generous discount to all LEO’S. Great marketing move by Glock though for the naive and misinformed.
The ability to conceal is far greater than the 26 or 27. I agree I edc a 26, but it is a lot thinner and noticeably when carrying. Plus it does have a good feel in the hand. I won’t be trading my 26 in for one, but it is a good firearm.
Want to hold one in my hand to “feel it.” This may finally get me a 9mm to replace my J-Frame for deep concealment.
for all that are disappointed in the Glock 43 the Ruger LC9S is the answer. I am a Glock guy first and foremost but I carry a lc9s. It has a better trigger than any glock and its lighter and more compact and slimmer.
Bill, the LC9s came out after I bought my Sig P938. I didn’t care for the long trigger pull on the original LC9. Is the striker fired version a lot different?
The new version of the Ruger LC9 is a striker – fired pistol, named the LC9 S Pro. The trigger is excellent, the reliability is excellent, the conceal-ability is excellent, the, well, you get the point. Try a Ruger LC9 S Pro. It will put a smile on your face!
LC9s Pro IMHO, is dangerous. Ruger reduced the trigger pull length too much. They went from 1.4″ to .33″. It should be a bit longer at near .5″. Yet they keep the aftermarket gunsmith fixit shops in business.
I agree with Bill. My wife has been eyeing my LC9s and I’ve been thinking she can have it and I’ll get the G43. But now I think I’ll keep my Ruger and maybe buy the G43 for her or maybe a little smaller , the Sig P290RS.
Any thoughts on that.
?
Very poor grip handling shown in the photo with the author’s left thumb up above and along the slide near the ejection port. First rule of shooting a auto – keep your thumbs down out of the way.
How can one do a review of a gun and not give the capacity of the magazine. Someone give me a professional review please.
I like full-size Glocks — I own a 17 and a 22, but I’ve never held a subcompact Glock that felt right in my hand. I note that the 43 is a half inch longer than my Sig P938, about the same height, a couple ounces heavier, 1/8″ wider, and holds one fewer rounds. I’m not seeing any attraction here.
I like new guns and reviews.
I think GLOCKS are great.
So don’t get me wrong when I ask you this.
Why do you guys want a SS 9mm. GLOCK that holds 6?
Glock makes the same size pistol but with superior ballistics .357 magnum round.
The GLOCK 33 Gen4 holds 9 (optional 13/15) http://us.glock.com/products/model/g33gen4
Maybe you haven’t seen what a .357 mag. can do?
.357 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZJSGJqsVFg&feature=player_detailpage
9 mm. – https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=mNfp2LtfTHc
Hornady 9 mm. – https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=jexyDDA3TBU
Uh that’s .357 SIG not .357 Magnum.
Always someone waiting to “endorse”. Not a “bad” gun at all, but far from a new pinnacle weapon or top-line Glock, for that matter.
This G27 owner is not impressed..A little bigger than the 42 and a little smaller than the 26. Must be Little Red Riding Hood’s gun. Look out Big Bad Wolf.
I think you have your fairy tales confused.
Glock might have a winner if it weren’t for limiting this to just 6 rounds of 9mm. If I want to carry just 6 rounds, I’ll stick with my XDs45 which is no harder to conceal. Good to have choices though, and for the Glock fans, I’m sure this is a welcome addition.
A beautiful piston, no doubt, and I would gladly carry this weapon instead of my LC9 and/or LC9s. But I always ask myself, if I had to use the pistol for personal defense (something we all hope and pray never happens) would I be happy about surrendering my gun to the police for the inevitable confiscation!? LC9 ~$350 the Glock ~ $800+. Both are reliable, I’ve never had a failure with any Glock I’ve owned nor either LC9 and both brands fit the various concealed carry criteria; small size and weight, good defense ammo options, and bet your life reliability. Just thinking ahead!
Great review. I do not see myself adding the G43 to my collection. Too small for my hands and not enough capacity. I prefer the G30S as my carry gun. the 43ACP round has tremendous stopping power and G30S can hold up to 9+1.
It will sell. Gun junkies don’t need an excuse to add another pistol.
We see them. We want them. We buy them. Doesn’t matter for a lot of us if we need them. It will sell. If the 42 sold when most didn’t want it, this will SELL IMO.
I would buy one. Why not? It’s a Glock. What’s one more
The older I get, the more I dislike people. Every Glock fan in America wanted a single stack 9. What happens. They produce it. And people complain. Well. Glock, Bravo. I myself can not wait to try and purchase your single stack 9. I am very excited.
Don’t worry about it Brice, the world is full of haters and trolls. The real fans will get theirs and the world will be safer for it. – Take care man.
@Brice, I’m with ya brother, I have four glocks, 19,34,21,and42. The reason I came on here is to check
out the new single stack,43 as I don’t have one yet, but will be getting one very soon. But I just can’t
get over the fact, all these whiners, with all their any kind of gun but a glock, come on here bashing glock,
and saying how ugly they are, and they would never own one, but they are on a glock site reading all
the details along with us glock lovers. Ever go on online ammo sites, and read the comments about
how the ammo always seems to fail in whatever type of gun they happen to be shooting? it’s never
their weapon, its always the ammo. yea right, most of the weapons mentioned were probably about
ninety percent of the weapons mentioned on this site, that seem to be so special. I have other hand
guns besides the Glocks, but out of the four I do have, I have had exactly 0 misfires, or fte, or
stovepipes, or anything else for that matter. I also have heard stories about the g42 that had nothing
but problems, but all of mine are gen4’s, and I clean them when I buy them, and after every range
session, but that’s just me. I love my 19 for concealed carry, but also have the 42 close by. the 21
.45 is a cannon, and the 34 with the longer barrel, can shoot the wings off a knats azz, at seventy
five ft. they can buy what they want, but for me, it always is, and will always be, a Glock. Perfection.
I have carried a Glock 23 almost 30 years ,( sold hundreds not one complant),and love it and it’s stopping power, however it is somewhat heavy and bulky. As a gun dealer this G43 is a welcome sight. I have a G43 in route to me that i will test out every way i can but i have total faith in glocks. As hot weather is here it will be easy to conceal and lighter to carry.The gun you carry everywhere is important. Now what i am after is total reliabilty, each and every time no matter what it is loaded with. As ive read and seen so many other pocket guns feeding and extracting is huge issue and has kept me from obtaining a pocket pistol. Grant you glocks are not great looking but what is? I know no pistol that i can load up with hot,soft or what ever bullet head/shape and have it fire each and every time as i can with any glock. To me this is my only requirement. FYI for those that like a different saftey there is the siderlock from wolf that works off the trigger and exsteaded slides also out there that help. To me im not looking for a target gun ..to me a pistol is two thing.a gun to get me to my rifle . and a good for a firefight in a phone booth. But i can not carry a loaded riflr or shotgun so it a pistol i must carry. I do practice out to 100 yards but thats only to keep the wolfs head down mybe till i can get out alive. i am a usmc vietnam combat vet.
Good comment. My sentiments exactly.
While I’m a big fan of Glocks, this is WAY too late and a dollar short. I covered the need for this gun years ago.
It’s a Glock so it has a following but do very much like my very concealable SIG 938. Hammer guns do put some folks off but it’s typically the post-1911 crowd.
Seems like a lot of Glock haters replying to this article. Listen, I get where everyone is coming from. I’m a traditional revolver guy myself. My EDC’s are a Smith Model 60 .357 and a Model 38 Airweight as a backup (no lock versions). Revolvers are dependable, always go bang and if for some reason it doesn’t fire when you pull the trigger, pull the trigger again. No need to rack a slide and work a round out. But, I was looking for something to carry in a .380 caliber that would be reliable and shoot every time in a semi and good to conceal. Shot the Kahr P380 and it should be a DJ because all it did was Jam, Jam Jam. Shot the Ruger LCP and it shot fine just a long trigger pull. Sig P238 was picky about ammo and the Taurus TCP…..well, you already know. So, I decided to give the G42 a try and voila, ate 150+ rounds of round ball, flat ball, HP’s, steel, brass and aluminum and I had to give it to them, it shot well. Side note, the Kel-Tec P3AT actually did the same and shot fine just was not forgiving on recoil. The G42 was a joy to shoot, easy to get back on target after every shot and felt great in the hand. Easy to carry so I found one on sale for $369.99 and jumped all over it. So, I’m going to assume the G43 will come the same and be a joy to shoot, dependable, accurate and eat any ammo. I’ll definitely wait until the price comes down a bit and not buy new. Also, let all the kinks get worked out as well. But, from a traditional revolver guy, a Glock seems to be a very reliable carry piece.
Just my $0.02
You should have looked at and shot a Bersa Thunder 380. Ever even consider one> They are excellent pistols.
I’ve been waiting to see a review on this gun, but honestly I’m sure it’s a reliable Glock, just like all the others, but the width difference between this and my G26 isn’t enough to change it out for a 43 and the loss of the extra 4 rounds. Nice gun, just not enough there to swap from my G26. Just my opinion though.
I just got a s&w m&p shield because I was tired of waiting
The S&W M&P Shield is proven durable accurate and reliable.
Just like ADAM picking the PPS, you made an excellent decision getting a SHIELD.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=SH9Yl_gmh_Q
I just got a s&w m&p shield because I was tired of waiting
Ah.. too bad the G43 isn’t a bit smaller, I’ll probably stick with my PM9.
Although, despite the Kahr being smaller everywhere, it does have that annoyingly large slide stop that starts digging into my hip after a few hours.
I had decided to switch my daily carry gun from a 380 Ruger LCP to a more powerful 9mm pistol. One of my requirements
was, no manual safety. The other was compact size.
While attending a Dealer show in January I approached the Glock booth and asked one of thier
clearly labeled Reps if they may be considering producing a single stack 9 and if so when, explaining if yes I would be willing to wait for it.
He rather abruptly told me that they were not allowed to hold any discussion on that matter. I pressed him a bit telling him I was a loyal Glock user and was willing to wait if they had one coming in the near future. He seemed pi–ed at this point and I just walked off.
Next day I went to a local dealer and bought the Ruger LC9. I shot it using the Liberty 2000fps 50 grain load and found it to be
Accurate, hand friendly and just what I always was looking to carry on a daily basis.
So no thanks to the Glock rep for his rudeness many thanks to Ruger for producing a fine handgun.
The rep was apparently in a tough position, the (US) SEC makes it illegal for at least certain representatives of a corporation to provide information about new products before they are officially released. (I didn’t quite realized this until I recently came across an article that pointed it out.)
Still, he could have been more polite, and provided some sort of hint–I was going to suggest a wink, but that might be dangerous in this day and age. Maybe he could have said something like “hold your breath” 😉
The Ruger LC9 S Pro is an excellent pistol that beat Glock to the punch. I have one, and I enjoy the heck out of it. Every time I shot it I smile.
Hoorah, Glock fanboys/gals now have a CM9/P938/PPS/LC9/Nano/Shield/XD-S to call their own. A little late to the party but better late than never. An available extended mag in the 8+ rounds range or factory night sites would make it more interesting, but for some (not me), Glock is all that has to be said. I’ve had favorable experiences with the G19 so I would consider one of these as a backup once the supply can support a reasonable civilian price. Not planning to pay Sig with night sites + pretty gun prices at auction for a Glock anytime soon though. M&P Shield still strikes me as the obvious bargain polymer DAO option in the category, even if it’s a little bit Spartan and doesn’t carry the Glock name.
Great Article. It’s a 5+1 or 6+1? Not that it will make much difference. This compact and low amount of ammo gun has it purpose. To be easier to carry concealed. I dont have a problem with 6 or 7 rounds. Its about control and shot placement. This is a gun you would pull out in almost empty parking lots when a suspicious person approach you suddenly or to get out (running) a quick gun fight at your local rob-by-night local store. Its not a gun to conduct a traffic felony stop in LA.
Glock is good, but TANFOGLIO WITNESS 9mm compact remains at the top of my list for conceal carry pistols.
Yes, those Tanfoglio Witness pistols are pretty nice. I think some people cannot think outside of a certain type manufacturer, but they are missing out on some good stuff of which the Witness is one.
Kahr has been doing a great job at single stack guns for years… and with more style.
Gushing over a Glock – typical. Glock missed the bus and is late to the party that has been going on for years. Try a Ruger LC9 S Pro, A Beretta Nano, a Smith and Wesson Shield 9mm, to name three. Glock 43? Ho hum, yawn.
Amen brother late indeed. Seems like even the Glock fans are not impressed.
Yep, there isn’t much I can wear in which I cant conceal the LC9
I already satisfied my need for a micro 9mm with the S&W 9 Shield. Love it and won’t be looking to replace it with the G43. The author’s description of “just right” for the G43 is exactly how I have been describing my Shield. Just making a quick comparasion between the at the G43 and Shield specs I am inclined to lean toward the Shield with it being ever so slightly less in height and length plus having a capacity of 7+1 with the flush mag and 8+1 with the extended mag. Glock has not offered me anything in the G43 that I don’t already have in my Shield. I would have thought Glock would have looked at the competition already on the market and designed the G43 to directly go head to head with other manufacturer’s offerings. Unfortunately IMHO they came up short.
$358 LEO price
$358 LEO proce
Of course I like it! It’s smaller, easier to conceal, but most of all it’s a GLOCK!
I will stay put !!! Really for the difference in size I will stay with my 26 Now lets get serious abt the 9mm carbine
I have the Kahr CM9 and I love it .Its the perfect micro 9 .If I was in the market Id likely get the glock but the kahr is a fine weapon.
You should have gone to the S.S. where everyone saw one !
Hello
Not even a mention of the venerable G-36. I guess I’m in the wrong generation or something, but I’ll take 6 rounds of .45 ACP in the same relative size any day. A few ounces of extra weight ain’t gonna kill me, but they’ll kill the bad guy.
Has anyone ever done a comparison between the 36 and the 43? I am curious
I totally agree. I’ve wanted a single stack Glock in 9mm for so long and also picked up a Walther PPS because, in my opinion, it was the closest thing available at the time. I love the PPS for the same reasons posted above and never feel out-gunned with it. With the factory 8 round magazines, it feels and shoots like a single stack, short(er) barreled G19, which is what I wanted in the first place! I also added Meprolight night sights (with my Jennings Sight Pusher… thanks GA for your great review on an amazing tool!).
I also have a G36! I put a lasermax in it, and reduced the grip size (brownells has instructions, great)—a flawless gun. Also you can reduce the G33 (.357 sig, 10 rounds) grip too—lots of gotcha there. I bought a diamondback db9 recently, fine, small, absolutely IMPOSSIBLE to get a second magazine for it anywhere. Even their own site erased its listing of that mag.
Jeesh… I wish they’d make one in .45ACP (irony). Actually as long as they DON’T bother filling in the space between 9mm (43), & .45ACP (36) ie. a slim 357, 40, or 10mm, I’ll believe that the monolithic Glock (company & product are both described as such) actually did listen to it’s clients. THIS GUN should have been numbered 42, 40, or 35, or even 37…that is to say, what took so long? I bought a Walther PPS out of frustration and dang it, I like the thing! Glock arrived too late to the dance for me.
I’ve had a Walther PPS 9mm for about 5 years now. Between the 6, 7, or 8 round magazine options, the interchangeable back straps, and the single light rail…the PPS offers amazing ergonomics for its size. I replaced the factory (METAL) sights with some Meprolight night sights and carry it in an Alien Gear IWB holster.
Sorry Glock, you’re too little too late.
Walther’s are just a superior product in so many ways.
Your stoked, great decision.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=_BcYy-CktFs
That’s why so many LE’s are carrying the Walther, huh.
6 rounds of .9mm? If I’m going to limit myself to only 6 shots I’ll stick with a .357 mag revolver thank you very much. One of the main advantages of a semi auto pistol is the increased magazine capacity, once you drop this low you’re better off with an old 1911 and 8 rounds of .45.
Even as a back up weapon a 5 shot 357 snub is both easier on the budget and packs more punch, or if you prefer Glock for your back up pistol, (which I can totally understand) there’s a nice variety of G 20’s and 30’s that hold more ammo and are just as easy to conceal.
I totally agree! Now they need a single stack 40S&W or 10mm lol! Another gripe I have with the Glock sub-compacts is that they don’t allow for a rail on the frame for a laser or light. Of course I know they do on the 29 and 30, but why not on the 26 and 27.
The frame is a lot thinner than a 26, 27, 29 or a GEN 4 17, OR 19. you don’t have enough width for a “Spec” rail with the 42, 43.
The Glock is lighter, there is the advantage to most.
Giving us less and charging us more and “we”..each and every one will still be lining up at the altar to pay our tithe and get the crumpet. I’m neither connected enough nor pretty enough to get to the front of the line, so I suspect this will be sold out or sold for premium for at least a year.. I’ll sit and wait.
Looks more and more like an xd
Don’t you mean to say that the XD is looking more and more like the GlOCK? Which came first, the GLOCK or the XD?
6 round magazine ………really
I’ll thake the six + one any day over a J Frame with it’s five and done.
Unsafe in CA for regular (non-LEO) law abiding citizens.
Safety Rosters are ridiculous.
Enjoy this gem in states more equal than others
Move out of the LAND OF FRUITS AND NUTS.
I think I’ll stay and take it back, thank you.
CalGuns is a great source for action.
“Get up, stand up!”
I like your spirit. Keep on fighting for logic, reason, and safety. Those on the fence can come around. I refer them to the gunfacts dot org and also find ways to motive their interest by range days. Once the fence sitters realize how helpful and considerate the majority of firearms owners are it changes things. As in real deal change. Not the perverted doublespeak we are accustomed to experiencing currently.
I have seen many comments on YouTube various firearms related videos that are sound and well reasoned in concrete facts and experiences. Much more so than in previous years. Of course, super control freak channels disable comments. They are seemingly only interested in spreading fear and “feel” an nanny state is enlightened and safer, which couldn’t be further from the truth. Key word is truth (facts). Unfortunately some are not interested in it. But fortunately, many on the fence gravitate to logic.
Sorry im too cynical, and I believe it’s too far gone….lots of luck though.
California-where the fruit pick the people.
Where the Dems cheated the vote and took over.
Where the communist they appeased will be landing soon.
We can’t move, who else will fight for our state?
Your states are next.
PS _ Fruits N Nuts don’t vote. They stare into their free Obama phones all day texting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=hes9aoDELxQ
I am disappointed by the spec’s and at a loss as to any meaningful advantage of this new G43 over the existing G26!
G42 is a great balance of size and caliber that equaled good CCW shootability. The single stack SIZE difference made it. This single stack G43 is so fat that choice of holsters could render it wider then a G26 in a different style holster while having a taller hight and less capacity. GLOCK: I EXPECTED SOMTHING SMALLER!
I have been waiting for this to come out while also watching the G42 prices drop. I’ll pick up a used 42 when someone jumps on the G43 grenade.
Just looked on Glocks page looks like he got a few of his specs mixed up. However still disappointed they couldn’t make it smaller the only category the G43 isn’t smaller than the 26 is its height. All other measurements it’s smaller than the 26.
I used to have G27, which shot like a dream, but would bruise my thumb knuckle with the concave part of the back of the frame. I sold it because of the fit. When I checked the G43 at the shop, the fit and feel was much better. That part of my thumb was beside the frame instead of behind it. I hope to purchase a G43 soon.
Price?? hopefully they are priced same as the 42, otherwise I’ll be going with an XDs.
Good, buy the XDS, means I get one step closer to my 43…
XD is a good pistol. Here are the things that count in a weapon. Accuracy, controllability, functionality and price. The looks of a weapon has nothing to do with how well it functions (unless looks are a psychological thing and it effects your accuracy and then that can go both ways.). I have had some really ugly pistols over the years and this sometimes made me the brunt of a lot of jokes. That is until the shooting is done and the smoke clears, then suddenly the looks of the pistol improves. A good gun is like a good woman, if you go by looks alone you are more than likely to end up with something that is loud, expensive and totally unreliable.
The XDS is an awesome gun. I have carried a Glock 23 for several years and I really like this gun but, the conceal ability is lacking compared to the Springfield. Overall I prefer the XDS for conceal carry and the Glock for open carry. I had the trigger modified on the Glock which made it a lot easier and more accurate to shoot. I have seen the Glock single stacks and they are still larger than the XDS.
Had XDs in 9mm. Loved it. Traded it in for the G43 because it feels better, trigger is crisper, gun is lighter and more concealable. What I lost in the trade: 1 round, the great XDs sights, and the slight reassurance of grip safety when holstering with a round in the chamber. Win for G43 in my book.
Exactly. Not sure why the trolls feel the need to comment anyway. Take care.
What is the capacity? Nowhere in the article do you say the magazine holds_____rounds. You mention a string of 6 shots at 7 yards, but is that a full magazine? Or is it a partial magazine with one in the chamber? Even in your comparison specs, you again leave out capacity. Is this because you automatically assume shooters will know what “single stack” Glocks will hold? A more scientific study would have been better. What are the group sizes at various distances, especially during timed shooting drills.
It’s a 6+1 with the standard flush fitting magazine.
Like CS states: 6 + 1 in the hole.
And it’s kinda hard to do a full on scientific study during an invited facility tour. With that said, shooting distances were more than likely dictated by the Glock range officers. I’m sure they’ll be plenty of “scientific” studies performed on the 43 just as soon as they’re available for purchase.
Frankly, I’m glad it’s finally out. I can’t wait to get one on my ankle as a back up (same ammo as my primary on my hip).
Please ask that guy in the photo to take his left thumb off the top of the slide.
It’s not on top of the slide, it’s tight beside it with a thumbs forward grip!
In an XDs you also get a grip safety, and you can go .45 acp!
I love my Glock 42 and would like to get the Glock 43 but, I have one problem with these small weapons. Each time I shoot, at the range, my grip causes me to release the magazine with each shot. Seems the release button is responsive to the lightest touch and my thumb (s) always are there with the shot. Any suggestions?