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Unbiased opinion on G43?

22K views 308 replies 113 participants last post by  FLA45fan 
#1 ·
I have a G26. I also have 12 other Glocks. I am interested in getting a G43, but I don't want something I can't shoot decently. Seems like on the internet there are two kinds of people when it comes to the G43.... Those that bought one and say it is the best Glock ever made, and those that have a G26 or G19 and say that the G43 is subpar for whatever reasons they have come up with.

Anyways, looking for unbiased opinions from people who have experience with the G43 and other smaller 9mm Glocks. This would be a carry gun for me when the G26 feels too big. It will also get time at the range for fun.

Thanks
 
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#3 ·
Agreed-rent one and see how it works for you. Anyone else's opinion has zero value. Just because some folks like it doesn't mean all will, as is the case with every other gun on the planet. Just look at all the G36/30/21/etc threads here.
 
#4 ·
I have a 19 and love it. I also love shooting my wife's 43; it's easy and comfortable to shoot well. Interestingly, I have shot the 26 on several occasions and have not cared for it. I felt like firing it stung my hand in a way the 19 and 43 don't.
 
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#5 · (Edited)
If you are considering the G43, I highly suggest shooting one first. It conceals very well and is barely noticible vs a G19 IWB.

The trigger is significantly different than you're G26 with a longer pull and more stiff. I would say it's similar to a Kahr PM9 but not as long of a pull. Grip size and texture is excellent and my big mitts fit around it very well for a small pistol.

I'm disappointed in the finish as it seems to scratch easier than the older finish Glocks. Rust isn't an issue, just the resistance to scratches. Reliability is great and typical glock. Mine has fired Federal, Perfecta and Gold Dots reliably with no issues. The G43 is a back up gun for me and stays mostly in the console, nightstand and occasionally in my cargo pocket while the G29sf is 24/7 IWB.

As far as shooting and comparisons, I like the G26 more and shoot it better than the G43. The G43 isn't bad by any means, it's just different and takes some practice getting use to it.
 
#6 ·
The difference for me is in training, I point shoot my 43 with +3s, way better than a 26. The 43 also conceals better, even with magazine extentions than 26. Especially, where I work which they have zero tolerence, I would be fired on the spot and escorted out. FOF, is training I'm talking about. I always choose capacity, but I'm not crying over 10 rounds of 9mm. My main carry outside of work and winter is the 19.
 
#7 ·
I really like my G43.

It isn't quite as easy to shoot well for me as my G42 and G26, but it certainly isn't terrible. Like all my Glocks, it has been trouble free. Going on 1300 rounds since new, without a stoppage, other than my thumb hitting the slide stop inadvertently as I was learning to shoot it. Some people complain about the trigger, but mine is fine.

It is very thin, so very easy to conceal.
 
#9 ·
I have all models of Glocks...as most of us do...I love the 43 for it's size. It is the most comfortable Glock I have ever carried. I shoot the G30 better than any other Glock I own. But I shoot the 43 well enough for carry duty, and it just disappears in a carry role. Love it.

Only you can decide what level of accuracy is good enough for your carry pistol. I carry the 43 with a back up mag+2 and feel fine.
 
#11 ·
after the 1st mag fired any real "shooter" should be able to handle any pistol (setting aside factors as the shooter's hand is too small)...its all about your technique and platform...

that being said, I'll repeat my mantra of the G43 is horrible for what its supposed to be...my PF9 is notably smaller and lighter and narrower (0.88" wide) and is 7+1 instead of 6+1...
 
#12 ·
I found the G43 pretty easy to get used to and it is a bit easier to conceal than the G26.
 
#16 ·
You make it sound as though we were waiting in the weeds to jump in and kick the G43 around. I was seriously interested in one. I waited an extra year before buying a G42 for it to come out. After shooting it, I kept my G26 as my carry and bought a G42. I did not shoot it as well as a G26 or a G42. It was not enough smaller than a G26 to warrant buying one for the waist and too big for a pocket. I'm also noticing an awful lot people talking about how great it is and listing round counts in the hundreds. That is telling me most people are not shooting it much and its their carry. That is not a good combination.
 
#17 ·
The only issue I have with the G43 is that it's too small for my hands. I have to adjust my grip to release the magazine. A G26/G19/G17 grip puts my thumb right where it needs to be without adjusting my grip. Where my trigger finger touches the trigger on the G43 also feels a bit weird. I still love my G43 despite it's small size. It's small size and lightweight makes it a really easy gun to carry in Georgia's heat and humidity. I can put on a thin white tee shirt and shorts without worrying about printing. I like having the freedom to wear any clothing I want and still have a gun. That's what the G43 give me.
 
#18 ·
The G43 is easy to carry. I especially like it during the summer time in shorts. I have shot the G43 in an IDPA classifier and I was about 15 seconds slower than my G26 and 30 seconds slower than my G19.

I do fine with it 10 yards and less, but really have to work with it farther out. I shot my double stacks better, but I am competent with the G43.

I was glad that I bought the G43 and it is nice to have it as an additional carry option.
 
#19 ·
that being said, I'll repeat my mantra of the G43 is horrible for what its supposed to be...my PF9 is notably smaller and lighter and narrower (0.88" wide) and is 7+1 instead of 6+1...
Well, you might be missing the point on what the G43 is "supposed to be."

Even the carry Glocks are to be reliable first, shoot well enough to fight well with second, and be as small and light as possible third. People don't usually buy a G43 to get the smallest carry pistol they can find; rather, they buy the G43 to get one of the most inherently reliable shooters they can that happens to be small enough to fit in a large pocket or disappear IWB.

The PF9 is pretty much the opposite. It is the least comfortable and controllable pistol I have ever shot (and I have put thousands of rounds through various magnum handguns), and it is hardly what anyone would call truly reliable. But, it sure is tiny and cute! *rolleyes*
 
#22 ·
Well, you might be missing the point on what the G43 is "supposed to be."

Even the carry Glocks are to be reliable first, shoot well enough to fight well with second, and be as small and light as possible third. People don't usually buy a G43 to get the smallest carry pistol they can find; rather, they buy the G43 to get one of the most inherently reliable shooters they can that happens to be small enough to fit in a large pocket or disappear IWB.

The PF9 is pretty much the opposite. It is the least comfortable and controllable pistol I have ever shot (and I have put thousands of rounds through various magnum handguns), and it is hardly what anyone would call truly reliable. But, it sure is tiny and cute! *rolleyes*
it aint comfy to shoot, but ultra subcompacts aren't supposed to be...

shoots fine, even my 5 & 6yo shoot it- never had a malfunction

more capacity than 43 and good grouping, however it is a long trigger pull which may be your issue- but I hit head shots consistently w/ it...
 
#21 ·
Is it time to trot out my old, tired dog again, the Khar PM9. Shorter, not as tall, almost as slim and weighs about the same. Same round count in flush and extended mags.
Has been around for almost twenty years. so it is a proven performer.
Had mine since about 2000 with Crimson Trace laser, carried in a Desantis holster in my front pocket in all kinds of weather. I don't have to change my EDC to suit what I am going to wear that day. Hides in tight jeans, dress pants and shorts. I don't have to conspicuously reach under my shirt to access my pistol as it is very natural to take a firing grip while still in my pocket.
Has less than 1,000 flawless rounds thru it. Shoot it maybe once a year to cycle out my carry ammo for fresh and couple of mags of target ammo to keep my familiarity with the trigger. The only disadvantage is there is not a short reset of the trigger for more precise followup shots.
The CM line is cheaper than a Glock. I am a Glock fanboy but don't see that the G43 offers any advantages. This is the SS 9mm that Glock should have made.
 
#23 ·
I have both, love the G26, like the G43. The G26 gets carried 95% of the time with the G43 filling in for the quick errand. I shoot the G26 so much better, perhaps because I've been shooting it longer and do train more with it. I also have a G19, find the trigger comparable to the G26 but, as other's have pointed out, the trigger on the G43 is a bit different. Shoot it and see. Good luck.
 
#24 ·
It's like a J-frame S&W. It is for close-quarters defense. I got my right hand wrapped up in surgical tape, so I had to shoot left handed only yesterday. I did surprisingly well with the G43 in that situation. I could put six on a paper plate at 18 yards at an average pace. Really they shoot much better than a little revolver, but not as good as a G17 or Government Model.
 
#25 ·
I've not found where a G43 will serve me any better than my G26 or my Kahr CM-9, depending on the situation. The XD-S .45 gets some carry love, too.


Sent from my ball & chain.
 
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#27 ·
I love it with the taran tactical +2 basepads or something similar. Easy to shoot and control. I'll never be more accurate with it than I am with my 17, but it's much easier to carry.

I personally couldn't shoot it well without grip extensions. It's a near perfect gun for me with about an inch extension on the mag for me though. I love it and think given what it was trying to accomplish it's probably the 2nd or 3rd best glock out there.
 
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