The Powerful and Popular Glock 43X: A Detailed 2024 Review

Find the Glock 43X: An Ideal Carry Handgun

The Glock 43X is a popular choice among concealed carry enthusiasts and professionals, known for its reliable performance and slimline design. If you’re curious about why the Glock 43X stands out, here’s a quick overview:

• Purpose: Designed primarily for concealed carry
• Popularity: Widely favored for its balance of size and capacity
• Key Features: Slim frame, 10-round magazine, lightweight, and 9mm caliber

The Glock 43X bridges the gap between the micro-compact convenience of the Glock 43 and the extended grip comfort of the Glock 48. With its slim, single-stack frame, this 9mm handgun offers improved concealability without compromising on grip or control.

Quick Snapshot of the Glock 43X

• Weight: 16.5 oz (unloaded)
• Barrel Length: 3.41 in.
• Capacity: 10 rounds
• Overall Length: 6.27 in.

Glock 43X Features and Specifications

The Glock 43X is packed with features that make it a standout for concealed carry and everyday use. Let’s take a closer look at its key attributes.

Slimline Frame and Beavertail

The Glock 43X features a Slimline frame that is designed for comfort and ease of handling. The compact-size grip length and subcompact-slim slide provide a balanced and versatile grip, ideal for a variety of users.

The built-in beavertail is a standout feature, protecting your hand from slide bite and enhancing your shooting comfort. This design element ensures that even shooters with larger hands can handle the gun without discomfort.

Glock Marksman Barrel

At the heart of the Glock 43X is the Glock Marksman Barrel (GMB). This barrel combines polygonal rifling and traditional grooved rifling, offering a hybrid that is slightly more accurate than previous generation barrels.

Despite the slightly lower muzzle velocity, the GMB’s precision-milled serrations and nDLC finish contribute to its superior accuracy and durability. This makes the Glock 43X a reliable choice for both new and experienced shooters.

Magazine and Capacity

The Glock 43X comes with a 10-round magazine, which is ideal for concealed carry. This single-stack magazine ensures the gun remains slim and easy to conceal.

For those seeking a higher capacity, Shield Arms magazines offer a 15-round option. However, it’s recommended to replace the stock plastic mag release with a metal one if you opt for these magazines to avoid wear and tear.

Dimensions and Weight

The Glock 43X is designed to be compact yet functional. Here are its key dimensions:

• Overall Length: 6.50 inches
• Barrel Length: 3.41 inches
• Height (including magazine): 5.04 inches
• Width (Overall): 1.10 inches
• Weight without Magazine: 16.40 oz
• Weight with Loaded Magazine: 23.07 oz

These dimensions make the Glock 43X a lightweight and easily concealable option, without sacrificing performance or comfort.

Next, we’ll explore how the Glock 43X performs at the range and in various shooting scenarios.

Glock 43X Performance

Range Performance

When it comes to range performance, the Glock 43X stands out. I took it to the range with some brass-cased FMJs to see how it performs.

Accuracy Testing:
– B8 Target at 15-Yard Line: The Glock 43X punched the black center out easily. The front sight is large but allows for precise aiming.
– 20-Yard Line: The black target area becomes hard to see, but the Glock 43X still managed to hit the mark.
– 25-Yard Line: The target almost disappears, but switching to a 10-round gong, the Glock 43X kept it swinging most of the time. Even slight misalignments in sight meant a miss due to the short sight radius.

Switching to a full-sized IPSC target at 25 yards showed more consistent hits, demonstrating the pistol’s capability at defensive distances.

Recoil Control and Ergonomics

The Glock 43X offers impressive recoil control, thanks to its longer grip. This grip fills the hand completely, providing a solid foundation for repeatable accuracy.

Key Points:
– Longer Grip: Offers better control and reduces recoil. It’s comfortable and helps in maintaining a consistent grip.
– Trigger Pull: The Glock trigger is light and short, contributing to accuracy. It has a plastic-on-plastic feel typical of Glock triggers.
– Slide Bite: For those with larger hands, the slide might hit the web of your hand, causing slide bite. This can be an ergonomic issue for some users.

Reliability and Maintenance

Reliability is a hallmark of Glock pistols, and the Glock 43X is no exception. I put 1800 rounds through it without any issues.

Reliability:
– Feeding Issues: None encountered. The Glock 43X fed all types of ammunition reliably.
– Ammo Compatibility: Tested with various 9mm ammo types, the Glock 43X showed no preference and functioned smoothly with all.

Maintenance:
– Cleaning: Regular cleaning is straightforward. Disassembly is simple, and ensuring the barrel and bolt are free from carbon buildup is key.
– Inspection: Regularly check for wear and tear, especially on the barrel and trigger assembly. Replace worn parts as needed.

The Glock 43X lives up to the Glock reputation for being a problem-free, reliable firearm. It’s easy to maintain and continues to perform well even after extensive use.

Next, we’ll discuss how the Glock 43X fares as a concealed carry option and explore various holster options for daily use.

Glock 43X for Concealed Carry

Concealability

The Glock 43X is designed with concealed carry in mind. Its slimline frame and compact size make it easier to hide under clothing. The slightly larger grip frame can cause a bit more printing, but with the right holster and looser shirts, it’s still very manageable.

• Compact Size: Measuring 6.50 inches in length and 5.04 inches in height, the 43X is small enough for daily carry.
• Grip Frame: The extended grip provides a comfortable hold without significantly compromising concealability.

Holster Options

Choosing the right holster is crucial for effective concealed carry. The Glock 43X has a variety of holster options to suit different needs and preferences.

• Inside-the-Waistband (IWB) Holsters: Popular for their concealability, IWB holsters like the Tenicor VELO4 offer a streamlined profile and precision molding for a comfortable fit.
• Appendix Carry: The 43X works well with appendix carry, allowing for quick access and easy draw. Clip draw options are also available for even slimmer profiles.
• Clip Draw: A minimalist option, the clip draw attaches directly to the gun, reducing bulk and making it easier to conceal.

Defensive Shooting

When it comes to defensive shooting, the Glock 43X excels at average defensive distances, typically within 7 yards.

• Ease of Draw: The larger grip frame makes it easier to draw quickly from concealment.
• Shooting Comfort: The added grip space improves control and comfort, making it easier to handle recoil and aim accurately.
• Average Defensive Distances: Designed for close-range encounters, the 43X performs well in typical defensive scenarios.

The Glock 43X is a reliable and comfortable option for concealed carry, offering a balance of concealability and ease of use. Next, we’ll compare the 43X with other Glock models to see how it stacks up.

Glock 43X vs Other Glock Models

Glock 43 vs Glock 43X

When comparing the Glock 43 to the Glock 43X, a few key differences stand out:

• Size and Grip Comfort: The Glock 43X offers a larger grip frame compared to the Glock 43. This larger grip accommodates all fingers, including the pinky, which often hangs off the shorter grip of the Glock 43. This makes the 43X more comfortable for most shooters.

• Magazine Capacity: The Glock 43 comes with a standard 6-round magazine, whereas the Glock 43X features a 10-round magazine. This increase in capacity can be crucial for defensive situations.

• Concealability: Both models are designed for concealed carry. However, the Glock 43 is slightly easier to conceal due to its smaller grip. The 43X, with its longer grip, might print more under clothing, but it offers better control and comfort.

Glock 48 vs Glock 43X

The Glock 48 and the Glock 43X share many similarities, but there are notable differences:

• Slide Length: The Glock 48 features a longer slide compared to the Glock 43X. This longer slide can improve sight radius and potentially improve accuracy, but it also makes the gun slightly harder to conceal.

• Grip Length: Both the Glock 48 and the Glock 43X have the same longer grip frame, which improves shooting control and comfort. This grip length is one of the main advantages over the smaller Glock 43.

• Concealability: The Glock 43X, with its shorter slide, is slightly easier to conceal than the Glock 48. For those who prioritize concealability, the 43X might be the better choice.

• Shooting Control: The longer slide and sight radius of the Glock 48 can provide better control during shooting, especially for longer distances. However, the Glock 43X still offers excellent control with its longer grip and compact slide.

In summary, the Glock 43X strikes a balance between the compact size of the Glock 43 and the shooting control of the Glock 48. It offers a more comfortable grip and higher magazine capacity than the Glock 43, while being more concealable than the Glock 48.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Glock 43X

Is the Glock 43X a Good Gun?

Yes, the Glock 43X is highly regarded among both new and experienced shooters. Its longer grip and compact slide make it easy to control and shoot, even for those new to firearms. The 10-round magazine capacity provides enough firepower for most defensive situations while keeping the gun light and easy to handle.

Experienced shooters appreciate the Glock 43X for its reliability and ease of control. The Glock Marksman Barrel (GMB) ensures accuracy, and the overall design makes it a practical choice for concealed carry and defensive shooting.

Why is the Glock 43X Illegal in California?

The Glock 43X is illegal in California due to the state’s strict gun laws, specifically the requirement for microstamping. Microstamping is a technology that imprints a unique code on the cartridge case when the gun is fired. This helps law enforcement trace the firearm used in crimes.

California legislation mandates that all new handguns sold in the state must have microstamping technology. However, many manufacturers, including Glock, have not incorporated this feature into their designs due to technical and cost challenges. As a result, the Glock 43X does not meet California’s safety regulations and cannot be sold there.

What is the Difference Between Glock 43 and 43X?

The Glock 43 and Glock 43X are similar in many ways but have some key differences:

• Magazine Capacity: The Glock 43 has a 6-round magazine, while the Glock 43X comes with a 10-round magazine. The increased capacity of the 43X is a significant advantage for those who prefer more rounds without reloading.

• Grip Size: The Glock 43X has a longer grip, which allows for a more comfortable and secure hold, especially for those with larger hands. This longer grip also helps with recoil control, making the gun easier to shoot accurately.

• Concealability: Both models are designed for concealed carry, but the Glock 43 is slightly more compact due to its shorter grip. This can make it easier to conceal, especially in tight clothing. However, the Glock 43X offers better control and comfort, which many users find worth the slight increase in size.

In summary, the Glock 43X offers improvements in magazine capacity and grip comfort over the Glock 43, making it a better choice for many shooters looking for a reliable and easy-to-control concealed carry option.

Conclusion

The Glock 43X stands out as a reliable, easy-to-conceal handgun that balances performance and comfort. Its slimline frame and beavertail design make it comfortable to shoot and carry, while the Glock Marksman Barrel ensures accuracy. The 10-round magazine provides ample capacity for most defensive situations, and its compact dimensions make it a great choice for concealed carry.

Final Thoughts

We tested the Glock 43X extensively, putting 1800 rounds through it without any issues. This handgun has proven to be dependable and user-friendly, even in stressful scenarios. Its slightly larger grip compared to the Glock 43 offers better control and comfort, which many shooters appreciate.

Recommendation

If you’re in the market for a reliable, easy-to-conceal handgun, the Glock 43X is a solid choice. We recommend pairing it with Shield Arms magazines for increased capacity and trying out different types of defensive ammo to find what works best for you. For accessories and customization options, check out our Glock parts and accessories at Daytona Tactical.

In conclusion, the Glock 43X is a premier contender for anyone looking for a dependable and comfortable concealed carry option. Its performance, combined with Glock’s reputation for reliability, makes it a top choice for both new and experienced shooters.