[ASE Master]

Besides the ammo, what are the ins and outs comparisons of these? Plus and minus. Thanks

 

[CanyonMan]

I own and like the 43X over the 43 because of grip length, and capacity...
Don't like 380.'s. Not for primary carry.

43X shoots great YMMV. I also have two 48's, and like them much better than the 43X, again, for me, I like the extra length on the 48....


CM
🐴

 

[MTTX]

The G42 is slightly smaller and really a pocket gun with big gun features. The G43 is slightly larger and doable as a pocket gun as well.

My take on this is likely short sighted by some accounts, but I am a simple minded kinda gun guy. If it works, don't mess with it.

1) if you already have one or the other then keep what you have and be content. (.380 or 9mm is not much difference in my mind out of a pocket pistol)

2) if you have ammo stocked for either, take your pick as to what fits the hand. (having ammo is important)

3) if you want to have commonality in calibers then pick what caliber you have the most ammo stocked. (I would hate to try to break in and stock .380 right now because of cost)

I have both, I am a fan of Glocks and my dept makes me carry them. I recently added the 43 when we were issued the Gen5 17. I can now use 9mm that I already carry.

I was perfectly fine for the past several years carrying my G42 in a back up and off duty role.

 

[snowbird.40]

I've owned both, but sold the 43s for a pair of Sig Sauer P365s. I had some issues with the Sigs and sold them, replaced them with two G42s ... so I now have a G26.5 (arriving today, I hope), a G23.4 with a 9mm conversion barrel and the 42s.

The 42 will replace a Ruger LCPII for the few times I pocket carry, even though it's a bit bigger and prints somewhat. Mostly it gets carried IWB at 3:30 or abdomen and it's a joy to shoot due to the mild recoil and the speed with which I can make follow-up shots. What tipped the scales and why I bought another 42 at Blue Label pricing, was my 4th place finish in a BUG match where I was shooting with 36 other people. That's as good as I've ever placed in any recent pistol match and I credit the recoil for that.

Now, I understand the deficiencies of the .380 ACP, but the Lucky Gunner gel tests made me a believer in the 99-grain Federal HST hollow points for both penetration and consistent expansion through four layers of fabric. That was reassuring and I don't fret much about the power factor. However, in colder weather, I'll stick with the G23 or G26, both stoked with HSTs (124 standard pressure and 180-grain) simply because it's easier to conceal a larger gun with heavier clothing.

(As an aside, my LEO friends and a shooting buddy who is a forensic scientist all agree that shot placement is king in the world of gunfights, so being accurate with a .380 probably beats poorly placed shots in a larger caliber.)

I'm all done dabbling with other brands and, hopefully, other Glock models. As was pointed out, it's a major investment these days shooting enough ammo to verify reliability in ANY caliber, especially .380, so I plan to stick with the status quo for the foreseeable future.

 

[alnicoG22]

I have a bought and paid for G43. This gives it a huge advantage over the 42 and 43X.

 

[ASE Master]

I have an LCPII but will be selling it. I thought about another .380, the 42, but am leaning toward the 43 for the 9mm. I have gobs and gobs of 9mm. I used to never leave any gun shop without buying at least 200 rounds of 9mm. I have about 100 rounds of .380. I believe that eventually I will have nothing but 9mm pistols.

 

[QNman]

Honestly, the differences come down to size and caliber.

If small size is your primary concern, get the 42. If you prefer 9mm and small size is your primary concern, get the 43. If you can comfortably conceal the longer grip (and/or you prefer it), get the 43X.

All of them are Glocks. Therefore, all of them are reliable.

 

[ASE Master]

I did use my LCPII as a pocket carry. I want a small pocket carry that is 9mm. I also was considering the 42 but wanted opinions. I am gonna take my LCPII .380 with me tonight when I look at the 43. Another reason I want to go to strictly 9mm is that I have a friend that passed and his wife is giving me 5000 rounds of plinking 9mm for free. Plenty of 2nd amendment theme park rounds and can now use my PP 9mm strictly for that.

 

[RMTactical]

I've owned all 3. Sold the 43, keeping the 43X, but I almost always carry the G42.

I never thought I would love the G42 but it is just so small and easy to carry.

 

[ASE Master]

Yea, I am not locked in to the 43 but will compare the size to my pocket carry LCPII tonight. I would really like to have a pocket carry 9mm. I am also looking at a new 19 Gen 3 tonight to take the place of my LC9S. One member here said I would be sorry to get rid of the LC9S but when I commit, I am all in. He said is interested in buying the LC9S and I gave him a price for it.

 

[ASE Master]

The LCPII

 

[shadowlands]

Owned all three. Still have the 43. Even owned the Sig P365. Why did I stay with the 43? Personal preference, I guess.
Didn't long like long grip on the 43X. Didn't like the Sig, period. Loved the 42, but preferred 9mm.

 

[NoComp]

Size matters. 🤣 If you have one gun, the G43x would be my pick. I've had all three and I only have the 43x left. There are better solutions for pocket carry than the 42, but it sure does shoot better than all .380s I've tried.,

 

[sourdough44]

Yes, throw the P365 with the safety in the mix too.

 

[Bren]

42 is too big fom the caliber (it I drop down to .380, it's because I need a very small gun, like an LCP) and not enough smaller than the 43 to justify the caliber, so everything relates back to the ammo. The 43X is too big for my purposes. I recently decided to get one, because I wanted the MOS model, but when I got the the gun shop I compared the Springfield Hellcat OSP and found it was a MUCH better option. Now I have a gun with red dot capability, 10-13 rounds (or more with after-market mag bases) and the size of my 43.

 

[GlockFan7]

We a 42 and 43. No complaints with either. Both are very compact, but the advantage with the 42 is it is a very soft shooter for someone that may have issues with recoil, thought the 43 isn't bad. Zero interest in the 43X. Unless you bring a set of calipers with you to the gun shop, the Sig P365 is virtually indistinguishable in size from the 42.

 

[Walter3]

Never could shoot the 43 well. Got a 42 and it shoots very well for me.

I recently purchased a 43X and am learning how to run it better...not quite there yet. It feels great in hand, much better grip for me than the 43.

Bought a 365 some time ago and did not like it. I could not shoot it well either. It went down the road.

More recently I picked up a 365XL and it shoots very well.

Different guns work differently for different folks. You have to put some rounds downrange and see what fits you the best.

If they work for you, you will not go wrong with any of these pistols.

 

[James Dean]

I owned both the G42 and the G43. I sold the G43 and kept the G42. The G42 is a true pocket gun. Shoots like a dream. I traded my G43 for a Sig P365. I carry the P365 most days and the G42 my wife really likes. The Sig P365 shoots much nicer than the G43 and has better capacity. I carry the P365 with a 12 round mag and a 15 round backup mag in my pocket. IMO the G42 for its size, weight, and how nice it shoots is a better choice than the G43.

 

[ASE Master]

Ended up getting both the 43 and the 19 Gen 3. I can pocket carry the 43 but since I am selling my LCPII I will be buying a 42.

 

[Glockresistor]

too late but the 43x with 15 rd shield mags is the perfect set up for me, capacity of a 19 and conceals and shoots like a dream.