[bcj128]

OK, since the 43 has been out for so long I was curious, what do you think the longevity or round count lifespan of these guns is? Does anyone have any high round counts? Or experiences?

Also, do people think the 43X will have a longer lifespan due to the slightly thicker frame?

Thanks!

 

[SASI]

43 with almost 3500 rds and all is well. Recently got a 48 so 43 round count will dwindle to a few every now and then.Thinking only reason to keep the 43 is it is a bit smaller, especially, for pocket carry. The 48 conceals well in my TrueSpec pants. Neither does well in dress slacks.

 

[Deputydave]

I have no doubt that the 43 and 43X will be able to go tens and tens of thousands of rounds without issue as long as they are properly maintained. Although I'm not partial to either platform, they are a very solid pistol that I doubt most if any shooters will shoot till it breaks.

As I've mentioned before, we have G21.3's in our training section with 300K rounds through them. Glock has a few drawbacks overall, but durability isn't one of them.

 

[powernoodle]

Our best data on the 43 and 43X comes from the Glock bloodline that goes back 30 years.

 

[Rick Poage]

I don't know about long term use. I had 11603 rds thru mine in April when the slide cracked at the ejection port. Glock put on a new slide with most of the other parts and Ive shot another 300 rds since then with no other problems. I don't know why the slide cracked. Ive always replaced the RSA at 3500 to 4000 rds and it was due for a new one when the slide let go. I don't carry the gun much anymore. Ive kinda given up on little guns and mostly carry a 17 or 23 now.

 

[GlockyQ]

One of my G43s has 35,745 rounds (or which 818 rounds are +P rounds) as of 10/15/2019. With only basic maintenance and small parts replacements, it is still going very strong. I would expect it to last 70K rounds before any major part replacement.

 

[Nutty Professor 188]

One of my G43s has 35,545 rounds (or which 818 rounds are +P rounds). With only basic maintenance and small parts replacements, it is still going very strong. I would expect it to last 70K rounds before any major part replacement.

Hail Mary! Where to do you get the time to shoot that many rounds? What parts have you had to replace?

 

[GlockyQ]

Hail Mary! Where to do you get the time to shoot that many rounds? What parts have you had to replace?

At every 10K rounds or so I have replaced the following parts:
*Extractor
*Extractor plunger spring
*Firing pin safety and spring
*Firing pin spring (somewhere around 10K rounds just once)
*Firing pin cups and sleeve
*Slide lock and spring (i.e., firing pin safety spring)
*Slide stop/release spring (i.e., firing pin safety spring)
*DPM recoil reduction system w/ longer spring

In addition to those, the original OEM “-“ connector’s plating started peeling off after about 15K rounds. So I’m now using a NP3 coated version of Glock OEM “-“ connector sold by Overwatch.

Except for the DPM system, those OEM parts are very inexpensive like $3 each from MidwayUSA. There is no reason not to replace them even though they seem to last more than 10K rounds.

 

[GlockyQ]

I’m fortunate to have access to two local ranges - one outdoor and one indoor, so I can shoot 4 - 5 times a month. (I don’t play golf or fish.) Since I acquired my first G43, I hardly shoot anything else. I quit shooting rim fire during the ammo drought, my revolvers because I hate cleaning the cylinders, and my .45s because the ammo costs too much... So only shoot 9mm now.

Some asked me how I could afford the ammo. Well, I used to smoke cigarettes and pipe tobacco for many years. But I quit smoking when I had a major heart attack several years ago. It was one of the best decisions that I have made in my entire life! (Also, I hardly drink my favorite Scotch or wine any more.)
Now I could afford bulk 9mm ammo from TargetsportsUSA or SGAmmo.

 

[mongo356]

I’m fortunate to have access to two local ranges - one outdoor and one indoor, so I can shoot 4 - 5 times a month. (I don’t play golf or fish.) Since I acquired my first G43, I hardly shoot anything else. I quit shooting rim fire during the ammo drought, my revolvers because I hate cleaning the cylinders, and my .45s because the ammo costs too much... So only shoot 9mm now.

Some asked me how I could afford the ammo. Well, I used to smoke cigarettes and pipe tobacco for many years. But I quit smoking when I had a major heart attack several years ago. It was one of the best decisions that I have made in my entire life! (Also, I hardly drink my favorite Scotch or wine any more.)
Now I could afford bulk 9mm ammo from TargetsportsUSA or SGAmmo.

Bravo Sir!! I have found the G43 to be my favorite carry gun and enjoy shooting it as well. I don't have much to say I'm just impressed all around (round count and your outlook on life). Outdoor and indoor range, a summer and winter range-lol Awesome!!

 

[hawki18]

The 43 is going no where it will conceal easier than 43x or 48 do to the length of the grip. Lots of people like small grip size it is here to stay.

 

[texasKA]

so far my 43 / 48 have been 100% reliable at 1k rounds.

 

[michael_b]

43 with almost 3500 rds and all is well. Recently got a 48 so 43 round count will dwindle to a few every now and then.Thinking only reason to keep the 43 is it is a bit smaller, especially, for pocket carry. The 48 conceals well in my TrueSpec pants. Neither does well in dress slacks.

Swap the 48 slide for 43 slide and you have a 43X. Put the 48 slide on the 43 frame and and you have a 43L.

 

[BigMoneyGrip]

I have about 8K through my 43. I put Dawson sights on it and nothing else. Never any problems.

 

[bac1023]

I see no reason either of them wouldn’t last tens of thousands of rounds.

 

[ReaPer105]

I would any 9mm Glock should last 50K rounds or maybe more. I won't find out, mine is more carry than shoot. 50K is a LOT of ammo for a carry gun.

 

[glockenturm]

Swap the 48 slide for 43 slide and you have a 43X. Put the 48 slide on the 43 frame and and you have a 43L.

Exactly.... Kills me when someone with a 43 buys a 43X...
Next one will be a 48 for me....

 

[uofaengr]

Only have 2200 through mine but has been 100% reliable with a mix of factory, remanufactured, steel case, and my own reloads. Almost every round fired has used a magazine with a TTI +1, +2, or Vickers +2 extension.

 

[Chaos Cosmonaut]

I hope my G 48 last long enough to pass down to one of my daughters some day. Since I have two daughters I guess I’ll have to get another G 48 to be fair.

 

[ithaca_deerslayer]

Exactly.... Kills me when someone with a 43 buys a 43X...
Next one will be a 48 for me....

I have a 43 and bought a 43x. I love them both. Great carry guns.

Personally, for me, I have no interest in a 48. I have a 17 with two slides, one as iron sight, one as red dot. So if I want a bigger range gun for some reason, I go from the 43/43x straight to the 17.

With the 43 and 43x, I don't want to mix and match parts. I leave them as complete guns. One nice thing is they share holsters. Makes it very easy for me to CCW one of them to the range, then pocket that one out of the way (safely) while I work on practice stuff with the other.

I do the same thing with my 642 and 637 revolvers