Although it wasn’t the Glock 43X that first brought the slimline/single-stack series of guns to the typically double-stack Glock world, it’s definitely the one that’s gotten well-deserved attention. It’s affordably priced, fantastic for concealed carry, and well-made — what’s not to love? After dedicating the time and ammo into putting the Glock 43X through its paces at the range and for carry use, we’re reporting back to you with our results.
What is the Glock 43X?
Launched in 2019, the Glock 43X is seen by many shooters as hitting the sweet spot between the Glock 43 and the Glock 48 (more on the latter, later). The 43X is a subcompact chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum. This gun’s creation had something to do with one of the things some gun owners don’t always enjoy about the classic Glock design: its thick double-stack style. While that comes in handy for capacity, it adds bulk and weight. Enter the Slimline frame of the Glock 43X. It’s sleek and comfortable, offers decent capacity, and retains the basic attributes of the original Glock line of guns.
Basically, the Glock 43X was created as a modern carry gun operating off Glock’s well-known and popular features. It’s a Gen 5 Glock, which means it benefits from all the improvements of the latest generation. The barrel is better, the grip doesn’t have finger grooves, and it comes standard with better iron sights (among other things).
What are the Glock 43X specifications?
The Glock 43X’s features are optimized for concealed carry. It has a 3.41-inch barrel and compact frame that keep it small enough for truly easy concealment. Coincidentally, the Glock 43X was announced alongside the Glock 48. The 48 is virtually the same gun except for a longer barrel. Because the 43X has that slightly shorter barrel, it’s a lot easier to carry in an AIWB (appendix inside waistband) holster. It’s surprising considering the barrel length difference is less than one inch, but it does make a difference.
The pistol has upright serrations at the back and front of the side to make manipulations smoother. The Gen 5 grip doesn’t have finger grooves, but retains the expected Glock texture for a sure hold during live fire. The 43X has a reversible magazine release. This is useful for left and right-handed shooters, but great for serious shooters working on mirror shooting (which is if you’re right-handed, but shooting with your left, and vice versa). The beavertail on this gun is built-in unlike other models with interchangeable backstraps. However, because it’s already the ideal size, that’s not likely to be a problem.
This gun has a better trigger than previous generations and also benefits greatly from the use of a Glock Marksman Barrel (GMB). The improved barrel does excellent things for accuracy and longevity. The Glock 43X has an overall length of 6.50 inches, width of 1.10 inches, and height of 5.04 inches. It weighs 18.70 ounces empty. With a flush-fit magazine, it has a 10+1 capacity. As with all Glock guns, the 43X doesn’t have an external thumb safety. It utilizes the Glock S.A.F.E. Action system of internal safeties. Over the years, those safeties have more than proven their worth.
How does the 43X shoot?
Testing included a combination of defensive loads and target rounds. This included Blazer 9mm 115-grain FMJ (full metal jacket), Federal Syntech 9mm 124-grain TSJ (total synthetic jacket), Hornady Critical Defense 9mm 115-grain FTX, and Winchester Silvertip 9mm 115-grain JHP (jacketed hollow point). Throughout testing, the Glock 43X cycled everything reliably and had no failures of any kind.
If you’re expecting the usual Glock feel, you’ll find out the Glock 43X is a bit different because it has that slimmer profile. It fits well in my hands and is the right width for me to get a solid grip on it without feeling like it’s undersized or otherwise awkward. This is a well-balanced gun that produces negligible felt recoil and muzzle rise, unlike some subcompacts. The factory sights are great out of the box but, if you prefer to upgrade, there are endless aftermarket options.
The Glock 43X is both accurate and precise. It shines best within 10 yards, which is unsurprising given the barrel length, but remains relatively accurate at 25 yards as long as your shots are slow and deliberate. With its 10-round capacity, you might find yourself wanting a spare magazine for carry purposes. That’s never a bad idea. If you’re going to do that, also spend some time on magazine changes. That spare mag doesn’t do a lot of good if you can’t swap them out quickly.
Overall, this is a nice little gun. It’s not so small that it’s frustrating or difficult to shoot and it’s not so large that it’s bulky. It really is an ideally-sized handgun for defensive purposes — especially if you intend to carry. It’s really no wonder it’s the go-to concealed carry gun for so many people. This is a reliable, durable gun that’s comfortable to shoot and delivers nice groups on target.
Should you get one?
Glocks are great guns for a lot of reasons. They cycle well and remain at an affordable price point. If you don’t want to put the money into a brand new one, odds are high you can find a good used gun. For a solid daily carry, the Glock 43X is a good fit while it also makes a fantastic first gun.
Regarding the lack of an external safety (because that’s something that comes up a lot), it’s worth mentioning how the S.A.F.E. Action works. It features three different safety mechanisms including a trigger safety, firing pin safety, and drop safety. According to Glock, these mechanisms are designed to continue functioning reliably in temperatures ranging from -40 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. While external safeties can certainly be nice features, there’s no situation in which a safety is a replacement for following the rules of gun safety and proper handling. The lack of that external thumb safety on a Glock shouldn’t stop you from getting one.
If you love the Glock 43X but wish it was just a little bigger, try the longer-barreled Glock 48. Generally speaking though, the 43X is perfect for most shooters. Slimline, subcompact, ridiculously durable, reliable, and fun to shoot. What’s not to love about the Glock 43X?
