Glock 43x vs 43

[IndianaChris322]

Which would you guys recommend the 43 or 43x? I have the shield 9mm performance center and don't like it as much.

 

[bwframe]

The 43x certainly looks cool and I'd love to try it. That said, I think Glock really really screwed the pooch by not making the mags compatible between the G43 and G43x.

There is a lot of competition out there for the G43 mags, extensions, etc. As I understand it, not so much for the newer G43x and G48.

The G43 is a sweet little gun that shoots well, carries well, hides well. I wouldn't be without a G43. That fact that I like it so well takes me out of the loop for having a G43x or G48. Cannot risk that magazine confusion kerfuffle.

 

[Skullglide]

I owned two Glock 43’s until the 43X arrived. I handle and shoot the 43X a lot better. The 43 is a great gun also. I have pretty good size paws. The 43X is my backup gun at work and always on my side off duty. I plan to buy a second 43X in the near future. I am waiting on aftermarket 15rd mags for the 43X.

 

[jsx1043]

I owned two Glock 43’s until the 43X arrived. I handle and shoot the 43X a lot better. The 43 is a great gun also. I have pretty good size paws. The 43X is my backup gun at work and always on my side off duty. I plan to buy a second 43X in the near future. I am waiting on aftermarket 15rd mags for the 43X.

I’m with Skullglide. I love my 43X. Never cared for the 43, just the thin profile of it, and I have regular-sized mitts, medium or large glove depending on brand. 43X is as small as I’ll go out of preference. It shoots and carries quite well.

I do commiserate on the lack of aftermarket accessories, but I think they will come. It will be awful hard to beat a 43X/48 with a 15 round mag for EDC.

 

[SouthernStar25]

Which would you guys recommend the 43 or 43x? I have the shield 9mm performance center and don't like it as much.

Just out of curiosity, which version of the PC Shield do you have? Also, what don't you like about it?

 

[pack-indy]

Ive handled and shot both and for me its a complete toss up since i run extended base plates on my 43. Now if we're talking Sig 365 vs 365xl, ill take to xl all day.

 

[Tactically Fat]

Is your PC shield the 4" version...right? (I'm not even sure if they have a standard barrel length in the PC versions?)

Anyhow: Buy whichever feels better in your hand to hold and shoot. I'm gonna guess that's the 43x due to the length.

OR get a G48 and a G43. That way you can make your own "43x" with the 48 slide atop the 43 frame. That's a win.

 

[VERT]

I would probably go with a G48 over the G43x. Grip is the same size and 3/4 inch of barrel IWB wouldn’t make any difference. Snag a used 43 somewhere and make your own 43x.

 

[rkwhyte2]

Shot a 43X yesterday and found it to be a very nice pistol and I'm not a Glock guy.

 

[STEEL CORE]

Funny at today’s range session I shot both my G-43 and 43x. .9mm 115 gr Winchester FMJ, same distance, G-43x winner hands down for me.
Both good shooters.
Only two problems, G-43 too small for my paw, G-43x magazine base felt in my grip while shooting. A GLOCK + 2 bottom would solve that.
But they don’t make one.

 

[dmazzio]

I went from a Shield to a 43x, Glocks just fit in my hand better. Wife has a 43 but I shoot the 43x better, like the bigger grip. Some more food for thought, Shield Arms just came out with a 15 round flush mount magazine for the 43x/48.

 

[SouthernStar25]

I went from a Shield to a 43x, Glocks just fit in my hand better. Wife has a 43 but I shoot the 43x better, like the bigger grip. Some more food for thought, Shield Arms just came out with a 15 round flush mount magazine for the 43x/48.

They sure did. Unfortunately it's currently out of stock. https://shieldarms.com/glock-43x-48-15-round-mag

 

[NQ9G]

My personal recommendation would be to handle both and see which one fits your grip better, as I think you'll be happy with the reliability of either. I've only handled the 43X at a store, but I believe it fits my hand better than the standard 43 and I don't think you're sacrificing much in the way of concealment with the X. I have fairly average size hands, when it comes to glove sizing I typically wear a size Large for what it's worth...

(I currently alternate between the 43 and a P365 as my daily carry gun, and shoot fairly well with both. Wouldn't hesitate to pick up a 43X if I saw one at a good price)

 

[Sniper 79]

I like the plain 43. Anything larger defeats the purpose. The 43 disappears under a t shirt and shoots almost as good as a full size glock. Want a bigger grip or more ammo stick a longer mag in it. Done!

 

[mwwilkew]

I like the plain 43. Anything larger defeats the purpose. The 43 disappears under a t shirt and shoots almost as good as a full size glock. Want a bigger grip or more ammo stick a longer mag in it. Done!

Im looking at both but this makes a lot of sense to me.

 

[Dmac22]

I too went for a shield to a 43. I actually owned 3 shields over the years but I really enjoy the 43 a bit better. I have a Taran Tactical +2 extension on my mag so I my case the 43x would probably be a better option. I think it just depends if you are okay with 6+1 and smallest package or slightly longer and 4 more rounds. Just really nail down how you are going to carry it. That could make the biggest difference (ie pocket, etc)

 

[bwframe]

[video=youtube;f1M_yZudAtU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1M_yZudAtU&t=457s[/video]

 

[mwwilkew]

9mm in the small 43 package really appeals to me. Sure the bigger grip on the x would make it more grippable, but at the expense of some conceal-ability.

 

[NICKT93]

43X , the extra mag capacity plus the longer grip makes it all that much more better. Plus the 2 tone is cool

 

[tedk]

I have both, the 43x has a bit more area to grip than the 43.