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Absolutely Unsure.

2K views 42 replies 31 participants last post by  Red Rook 
#1 ·
I have been a very happy G23 owner for 18ish years. I am now in the market for a new carry gun and have always thought the G27 was the logical choice. This past weekend, I hit 3 gun shops to find a G27 Gen3 in stock and during my search discovered the G43 and now I am completely unsure what to do.

G27 Pros - Same ammo, swap able mags, lots of accessories, on my wish list for some time, Not much smaller than 23
G43 - Small, easy to conceal, different ammo

Thoughts on what direction to take?
 
#2 ·
I find the G43 a bit easier to carry compared to the baby Glocks.
 
#3 ·
Honestly, in my opinion, I don't realize that significant amount of different between my 23 and 27 when I carry. The only advantage I have with my 27 is ankle carry ability. I know it's really popular to dump .40 and pick up a 9mm for carry and more power to those who do but I'm not convinced yet to do so even though I own 9mm handguns also. High end .40 JHP performance in tissue inspires my confidence. If you haven't shot a Gen4 G23 I'd suggest you give it a try.
 
#20 ·
If you haven't shot a Gen4 G23 I'd suggest you give it a try.
What? The OP stated that he has owned a G23 for 18 years. Going to a Gen 4 is not like some kind of completely different gun.

I would agree that the difference in size between a G23 and G27 is not a lot. If you really are looking for something different go for the G43.

Or you could go with a G29. A little smaller then the G23 (but larger then the g27). But it is in 10mm.

I like me some 10mm.
 
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#4 ·
I prefer the 26/27/33 platform. I also have pg39 extensions on (40) mags that I carry or compete with. Never had or needed the 23/19/32 platform. I am tall enough to pocket carry with the extensions, smart carry or appendix. The extensions in a 26 give me (13) rounds.

Practicing for (3) years and (45k) rounds in that period I found accuracy as well as the larger 17/22/31 platform.

The 43 a smaller platform and different caliber offers just that. If you are needing smaller, and want different, you have your answer. I a shooter,prefer less platforms and consistency. I also do not need smaller and less capacity.
 
#5 ·
In fact, the G43 is almost identical in size to the G26, G27, or G33 except for thickness. The maximum thickness of those pistols is 1.18 inches, while that of the G43 is 1.02 inches. Here are the details:

Length x Height x Width (inches)
6.41 x 4.17 x 1.18 (G26/27/33)
6.26 x 4.25 x 1.02 (G43)

Weight with empty magazine
(ounces)
21.7 (G26), 21.9 (G27, G33)
18.0 (G43)

SIZE: The G43 is 2 percent shorter, 2 percent taller, 13 percent thinner.

WEIGHT: The G43 is 18 percent lighter.

VERSATILITY:
1. The G27 can be converted to .357SIG. The G33 can be converted to .40SW. The G43 can be converted to no other caliber.
2. The G27 can use a G23 barrel. The G33 can use a G32 barrel. The G43 can use no other barrel.
3. The G26/27/33 have a greater variety of OEM sights, connectors, and magazines available. The G43 has only two OEM sights, two OEM connectors (33215, 33564-brand new), and one magazine.

The G43 does "feel" good in the hand, but it is hard to categorize and quantify that advantage for comparison to the G26/27/33. The G43 wins for weight and thickness...perhaps not decisively if balanced against all the G26/27/33 advantages in other characteristics.
 
#6 ·
If you've been carrying the 23 for eighteen years without issue, then indeed the 27 is the logical choice for all the reasons extrapolated on this forum countless times.

And while I'm all for the little 43, the truth is you've felt the 23 necessary for carry all these years and if nothing has changed in your risk assessment, then the 27 is the better choice as it's a common platform with your 23 for mags, parts and caliber you are familiar with.
And if you want to shoot different ammo, you can shoot 357 sig with a simple barrel swap and 9mm with a conversion barrel and bits in the 27 and not lose the other advantages listed above.

Boy that 43 is a fun little gun though.
Good luck and enjoy.
 
#8 ·
#16 ·
I never make decisions about "which gun is better" until I shoot all the choices. Preferably directly against each other.....all other criteria is second to me. How does it shoot...usually against a timer from concealment.

If I don't shoot 'em I'm making subjective and emotional decisions and that most always proves to be a bad thing for me. I buy and train with what I shoot best right out of the box.

VooDoo
 
#18 ·
If you have a shop or range that has these you can rent then it would be easy for you to decide.

Frankly I found the 26/27 did not fit my hands right. I can't shoot them that well at distance because of that. I've seen some that could shoot them as well as a full sized gun.

The 43 I have already seen close to 15 officers qualify as off duty weapons. I was amazed at ho well they could shoot them. I borrowed a friends at the range but only put a mag through it. It did feel very good in my hand though.
 
#19 ·
I've tried to like the baby glocks. Just can't. The hump on the backstrap is too high up the grip for me. I can conceal my 23 just as easy as my former 26 and 27. Of the 2 choices, I'd go with the 43. If you want to stick to 40, you might want to look at the Springfield XDs. There's a 40 version now.
 
#26 ·
Get the Glock 27 now...and the Glock 43 on layaway. Now wasn't that easy?:supergrin::devildance::woohoo:
 
#28 ·
G27 all the way, Power, Capacity, and size all in a small package that is about the same size as the G43 (G43 is much much thinner) I will concede that the 43 is more "Comfortable" to carry than the 27. But I also feel the 27 is just as easy to conceal as the 43. And the ability to reload with a higher capacity magazine is a plus. With the 43 you have 7 rounds on Tap and can only reload with another 6 round mag, unless of course you have a mag extension which thus far I have found unreliable with my 43. I have used Taran +1 and 2 and the Pierce +1 and all have been unreliable. However, I have heard on this forum where the Taran and Pierce have been 100% reliable with other shooters. My 27 has been 100% reliable for several years now, I'd say I carry that 90% of the time and its 24/7. Its amazingly accurate and utterly reliable I have the EMS claw all black rear sight and the ameriglo front sight real nice combo. Carries well in a Alpha Concealment IWB holster.
 
#30 ·
Stick with the .40 caliber platform and I'll tell you why.

I was a G26 fan for years but jumped all over the G43 last summer when I bought my first one and then a second one in the fall. I alternated pistols every month in IDPA matches and I kept having issues with my right thumb forcing the slide catch/release down, which often prevented the gun from going to slide lock ... it cost me several seconds in competition but could have cost me even more dearly in a shooting.

Hard as it was, I made the decision to sell the G43s and go back to a Gen 4 Model 26 (this time in FDE). Nearly 700 rounds and two IDPA matches later, I'm delighted with the choice and I expect you would be similarly happy with a G27. Personally, I've grown to like the Gen 4 frame texture even against my bare skin, and with only the addition of an Ameriglo Proglo tritium front sight (orange ring), I'm shooting very well against much bigger guns in competition with essentially a stock G26.
 
#31 ·
I went through this already.
Get the 27.
For me it conceals better IWB than my 23 and your mod choices are endless and applicable to your current carry gun.

I've also been seeking an excuse to get a 43, but that wouldn't be it [emoji16]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#32 ·
Get both.

I carry a 26 all the time, and it's not difficult to conceal beneath a t-shirt. I wouldn't mind having a 42/43 for pocket carry or the like, but IMO the 27 would be a no-brainer if you're not keen on adding a new caliber (though why wouldn't you want to add 9mm?)
 
#33 ·
I find the 43 a little too small for my hand, so the sub-compacts are a better choice for me. I'm partial to Gen 3s also, but I'm a righty with largish hands. Plus, I still have a warm spot for S&W J-Frames which conceal easier than 43s and have a few other advantages. It's really all academic, though. We all have our own preferences with sidearms...what works for me may not work for others.
 
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