Glock 43X Hands-On Review - Ideal Carry Gun?

GLOCK 43X HANDS-ON REVIEW - IDEAL CARRY GUN?

Source: Breach Bang Clear

Are you looking for an ideal carry gun? Then look no further, as the Glock 43X might be the best solution to everyday concealed carry. Ever since its release, this variation of the famous Glock 43 has received nothing but praise. The reason behind its success is the combination of sub-compact design (making it easy to conceal in a well-fitting holster) and incredible mag capacity and firepower. Moreover, it's Glock, and that means precision.

The Glock 43 X is currently occupying the top spots in virtually any CCW ranking, which server as a testament to how capable this gun really is. Let's now have a closer look at why going for Glock's precision might be your best concealed carry decision.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

For last couple of years I have been using the standard Glock 43 as my main carry gun. Why? I loved its compactness and the general feel of the firearm. For all these years, it hasn't let me down a single time. However, I felt like the pistol was lacking something. And when SIG Sauer introduced its 2018 flagship - the P365 - I quickly realised what the problem was. The pistol's factory capacity.

Now do not get me wrong, 6+1 rounds is more than enough to keep you safe when tending to your daily whereabouts, but having a couple more extra bullets is never bad. Being a huge fan of Glock, I didn't want to switch my G43 for the new SIG. And when I heard the Austrian manufacturer was planning to release a new version of their most popular micro-compact, I couldn't be any happier.

The Glock 43x comes with incredible 10+1 flush magazine, a capacity that can be hardly found in the pistol's main competitors. And I'd say this is also the biggest improvement over the standard 43 model. Sure thing, the higher capacity comes at the cost of slightly thicker and longer grip, but since I'm a big guy and have larger hands, it doesn't really bother me much.

Even though the G43X is a bit bigger than some other popular carry guns, it still conceals well and stands true to its sub-compact characteristics. Overall I could not be more satisfied with what I got for my money.

THE MAIN SPECS AND FEATURES OF GLOCK 43X

Source: BCH Tactical

The Glock 43x is a striker-fired, recoil-operated, semi automatic pistol with polymer frame and signature silver finished steel slide. As mentioned before, the main selling point of the 43X model is its higher than usual magazine capacity. On top of that, the 43x features front slide serrations, which is a great addition to the rear serrations featured on the standard Glock 43.

The slide serrations are meant to help with chambering and ensure better and fuller grip. All of these improvements over the basic model are more than welcome and I'm positive they'll improve the overall shooting experience.

COMPACTNESS IS THE KEY

The Glock 43X is a sub-compact pistol, which means it's quite tiny. With the barrel length of only 3.41”, you can't really expect the accuracy and firepower of an M1911, but what you can expect very convenient carrying. The pistol's overall length is mere 6.5 inch, its height is 5.04'' and it's 1.1 inch wide. The G43X is also quite light, weighing mere 18.7 oz. when unloaded.

The pistol's compact size is a huge benefit, but it wouldn't be of much use if you didn't have a decent holster to carry the pistol in, right? If you want a holster that will let you maximazine the concealed carry potential of the Glock 43X, then don't forget to have a look at the "How to carry Glock 43X" section, I promise it's worth your time.

INFINITE MAGAZINE CAPACITY

As I've mentioned before, the Glock 43x offers undoubtedly one of the highest mag capacities among micro and sub-compact pistols. The pistol's flush magazine comes with 10+1 rounds of the 9x19mm Parabellum catridge, all packed in a single-stack magazine. The only pistol that can beat that is the Springfield Hellcat.

But if you're familiar with the Austrian producer, you know you can always expect Glock to take it one step further. And that's the reason why Glock introduced a vast array of Glock 43X magazine extentions. So, if 10+1 rounds is not enough for you, then feel free to get a Glock 43x extended magazine. There are even 19+1 round magazines available, which is a whopping capacity for a pistol designed for CCW carry, isn't it?

GLOCK 43X VS GLOCK 43

Source: Handgun Hero

The Glock 43X could be easily called Glock 43's bigger brother as the main difference between the two is of course their size. The 43X is a tad bit larger than the original model. This makes the 43 more ideal for concealed carry purposes, but the G43X offers significantly higher capacity. Otherwise the two models are more or less identical (with the exception of the silver finished slide). So, if you intend to carry your pistol concealed and the small size difference doesn't bother you much, you can't go wrong with the Glock 43X. The extra capacity is really worth it.

GLOCK 43X SPECS So, now that you know what the main reasons to make the Glock 43X your primary carry gun are, let's have a look at a summary of the pistol's main specs.

Caliber

9x19mm Parabellum

Capacity

10+1 (flush) to 19+1 (extended)

Barrel Length

3.41 inch

Overall Length

6.5 inch

Width

1.1 inch

Height

5.04'' (w/ flush magazine)

Weigth

18.7 oz. (when unloaded)

MSPR

$700

GLOCK 43X COMPETITION I'd gladly call the Glock 43X the ultimate carry gun, but the problem is that there's a number of other handguns that might deserve this title. The main competitors of the G43x are pistols such as the SIG P365, S&W M&P Shield and Springfield Armory Hellcat. All of these belong to the micro and sub-compact branch of pistols and are as good as (and in some aspects even better than) the Glock 43x.

But there are things the Glock 43X just does better. For example, although a bit smaller, the S&W M&P Shield doesn't offer nearly as much capacity as the Glock. All in all, if you make any of these pistols your new primary carry gun, you will make the right decision. Just keep in mind that Glock promises precision.

CONCEAL CARRYING GLOCK 43X

As the pistol is a relatively tiny pistol, it can be conveniently carried in a Glock 43x IWB holster (inside the waistband). But if you don't like hip holsters, then I strongly recommend getting well-fitting Glock 43X appendix holster. Concealing a gun in OWB or shoulder holsters is generally a bit of a tough one, but the small size of this Glock pistol makes these carry styles

viable options too. So, if you manage to get hold of a custom made Glock 43X OWB or Glock 43X shoulder holster, I'm sure no one will ever you have your Glock on you.

Of course, there are other possibilities of how to conceal carry the Glock 43X, so feel free to pick the one you like best. Just don't forget to pick a well-fitting custom Glock 43X holster.

CONCLUSION - SHOULD I BUY GLOCK 43X?

Absolutely. All things considered, I really enjoyed concealed carrying the Glock 43x. And shooting the pistol just feels right. This model comes with all the benefits of the standard Glock 43 + it offers a couple more convenient (the slide serrations) and long desired features (higher flush capacity).

Although it's difficult to say if the G43X outperforms the competition, the pistol offers a well-rounded package, ideal for anyone who's main interest is safe and comfortable everyday concealed carry. But even if you buy the pistol, you mustn't forget to get a custom made Glock 43X holster for it. Otherwise some of the pistol's potential might go to waste.

SHOP WITH CONFIDENCE