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Make the 43 shoot like the 42

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#1 ·
I Love my 42 it shoots so nice and easy it's just a real pleasure to shoot compared to the more snappy 43. Since I reload and I'm set up for 9 mm and don't really want to spend a few hundred on a conversion, I'm just wondering if anyone has shot lighter loads in the 43 to tame it down a bit? what bullet weight powder charge did you use. I know its a carry gun but for the most part I enjoy plinking.

Thanks !!
 
#33 ·
I don't need to relax lol, I have been shooting pistols for 45 years, and have owned dozens of different ones. maybe snappy was the wrong term but it's what I used, I like my 43 and have the extension etc just looking for a way to make it like the 42 that I love that is all. I appreciate all the great suggestions little surprised on the bullet weight of going heavier though, I thought just the opposite. for that I'm glad I asked, In all fairness maybe my 9 mm loads that I shoot out of my 19 , 43, mp5 could be a little hotter then normal they are loaded with aa7 and a 125 grain round nose extreme bullet , never checked just used a recipe out of the loading manual and like it for my other guns so I never messed with it. Ursa novis hit it right on the head. as he has the same basic thought about the 42. I also have a 23, 32 30s and I expect the recoil on them. Thanks for the reply's.
 
#35 ·
Glockresistor,
I totally get what your trying to do here... i shoot my own manufactured 88gr jacketed hollow points in ALL my 9mm single stacks, loaded down just enough to cycle the slide, (i`m only killing paper plate targets @ 10yds) and my recoil is ALOT lighter than a factory loaded standard pressure 9mm ammo in my G43, and certainly alot lighter (recoil vs push) than a 147gr bullet. My 88gr reloads put me right into the lighter side of the .380 load arena, no snap so to speak of and a just a joy to shoot. So take it with a grain of salt when someone says a heavier bullet will produce lighter recoil... in a sense, yes, lighter recoil is perceived, as heavier bullets are slower, take more time exiting the barrel, have more of a push rather than a quick snap of say a lighter 115gr bullet that is loaded hot. Its a balance shall we say. Alot has to do with timing... how quick a bullet leaves the barrel, the amount AND type of powder being used. A light charge and a quicker burning rate of powder behind a much heavier 9mm bullet is usually the ticket to softer recoil. You only need enough of a charge to send the bullet out of the barrel and to get to the target, and still make your slide cycle properly as well... plinkers as we say in reloading world. Do be careful with working up 147gr light loads... many have lodged bullets in the barrel to achieve this scenario of lighter 9mm recoil. Bullet weight and powder energy plays a roll, a huge roll, to make it all happen perfectly. Now toss in the light weight of a tiny plastic gun, different recoil spring weights, slide travel during cycling, things CAN change dramatically and with extreme quickness. Especially take notice of 147gr loads where you dont have that broad of a range with powder charges, as simple as one tenth of a grain can make a huge change in what happens. The lighter the bullet, the broader the powder weight options become, usually. Like i said, there is a balance to making it all work together.

Take into consideration as well, a gun that can hold 15+ rounds in the mags, is certainly going to absorb some recoil. The G43 is a snappy gun, no two ways about it, especially when its only loaded up with just 6rds of 115gr factory produced ammo. Factory ammo is always hot, it has to be, so that it will cycle in most all guns made out there today, especially plastic guns which are already way lighter than the old steel guns of yesterday. Its the way it is, so we have to work a little harder to find something each of us is happy with, even with ammo choices.

I have a G43, and a Shield9, the Shield9 is by far a much softer shooting gun over the G43 with the same load. It dosent mean i like the G43 any less, it just means i would rather shoot a gun with less recoil while doing practice shooting but still stay within the same realm of a defense gun that i normally carry. My G43 is my normal EDC weapon of choice. Under stressful conditions, recoil is one thing i`m not even thinking about. But when your on a gun range, recoil is ALL we think about. Mainly because we arent under any stress, we have time to think about alot more things.

There is a link below that shows differences in quite a bit of ammo. Look at the table charts, speed vs energy. Not sure if this will help you or not, but its just food for thought anyway.
http://www.ballistics101.com/9mm.php

Guys please,
lets try to help the OP by not giving other experiences of bigger calibers.
Lets just stick with the 9mm recoil & ammo factors.
 
#34 ·
I have a G43, GREAT shooter, but it is FAR snappier than my Shield 9mm with the same loads.
Maybe if the OP is worried about snappiness, he might want to consider a Shield 9mm instead.

Now if some of you are into all that 9mm snappiness (to please your testosterone levels),
i would suggest you go grab yourself a ruger LCP9 or a Keltec9, or even a SCCY9.
 
#36 ·
I Love my 42 it shoots so nice and easy it's just a real pleasure to shoot compared to the more snappy 43. Since I reload and I'm set up for 9 mm and don't really want to spend a few hundred on a conversion, I'm just wondering if anyone has shot lighter loads in the 43 to tame it down a bit? what bullet weight powder charge did you use. I know its a carry gun but for the most part I enjoy plinking.

Thanks !!
I added a tungston guide rod to my 43 and it is pleasant to shoot with that extra weight up front. I’m 73 and can comfortably shoot all I want with amazing accuracy. Currently shoot one-handed with my left because of a brooken right wrist and have no cycling problems nor grip shift, double taps a little slower with my left but effective. 2 full mags in a silhouette head at 15 yards now possible with left hand only. Enjoy your 43!
 
#38 ·
The G43 is "snappy". However, it's not a range gun. It's designed as a CC weapon, It doesn't need to be comfortable. Just shoot it enough so you're proficient with it and call it a day. Shoot factory loads. If you get in a SHTF situation, the recoil will be the least of your problems.
 
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#61 ·
I was about to post exactly this, but was reading down the thread, and Detectorist beat me to it.

If the OP wants a softer shooting range gun, lots are available, even from Glock. The idea of the 43 is to make it as small as possible for CC defensive use. That is always going to have tradeoffs, and higher recoil than a bigger gun is one of them. And if you are going to train with it, use full power range ammo specifically so that you get used to dealing with it's recoil.
 
#39 ·
You may find the 43 will run into cycling problems trying to load it down to .380 levels. Not sure if the aftermarket has anything to offer in reduced recoil spring rates for the 43. You might be able to get the reduced loads to function by going that route. If the 43 is your carry gun, it might be a good idea to practice with ammo that runs in the same velocity range as your carry ammo. It would likely shoot close to the same point of aim as well. Another option might be reducing your current load in small increments to the minimum loading that cycles the slide. Be careful if you choose this route, it's easy to get to a point where you can lodge a bullet in the barrel. It's a real possibility when trying to make a .380 out of a 9mm. Good luck.
s45
 
#42 ·
I love my G43, shoot it weekly on plate rack and GSSF practice every Tuesday nite at our local club. I specifically loaded 115gr RN Xtreme with 5.3g Power Pistol, this load is approximately 1000fps +/- 25fps yielding a power factor of 123,000 avg out of a Gen 3 G17, so should be even slower in the G43. A tad light for IDPA and USPSA but a absolute dream on plate racks and very accurate for the 5 to Glock stage. I have never had any issues with this load in any 9mm. I also run stock springs. Hope this help! Definitely works for me.
 
#47 ·
I Love my 42 it shoots so nice and easy it's just a real pleasure to shoot compared to the more snappy 43. Since I reload and I'm set up for 9 mm and don't really want to spend a few hundred on a conversion, I'm just wondering if anyone has shot lighter loads in the 43 to tame it down a bit? what bullet weight powder charge did you use. I know its a carry gun but for the most part I enjoy plinking.

Thanks !!
I’ve never shot a 9mm that l felt needed “taming down”. Even my 43 can be shot for hundreds of rounds at a time without being uncomfortable and I have the beginning effects of Arthritis in my hands.
 
#49 ·
My 43 isn't snappy at all. The only thing I did to the internals was swap in a Ghost connector. I usually shoot 124 grain FMJ for range trips though rather than 115 grain. My daughter is 5' even and weighs 120 lbs soaking wet. She loves her 43 and shoots it like a champ.

Another thing that will make the 43 more pleasurable to shoot is to do a nice trigger undercut. It will allow a better grip on it. Also, add a Pearce grip extention to allow your pinky finger to have a place to rest, thus allowing a better grip. But the trigger undercut is in my opinion a crucial way to maintain a better purchase on the grip. Each to their own, but it sure does work great for us. It's actually a very easy modification. Use a Dremmel to initially shape the cut, then use sandpaper to form it the way you want. Swipe and feel, swipe and feel, etc..... Then use a wet sandpaper to finish and make it smooth. It makes a world of difference. There are you tube videos that will help guide ya. I've done a trigger undercut to all of my Glocks. Best of luck to ya.
 
#52 ·
My 43 isn't snappy at all to me or my daughter. The only thing I did to the internals was swap in a Ghost connector. I usually shoot 124 grain FMJ for range trips though rather than 115 grain. My daughter is 5' even and weighs 120 lbs soaking wet. She loves her 43 and shoots it like a champ.

Another thing that will make the 43 more pleasurable to shoot is to do a nice trigger undercut. It will allow a better grip on it. Also, add a Pearce grip extention to allow your pinky finger to have a place to rest, thus allowing a better grip. But the trigger undercut is in my opinion a crucial way to maintain a better purchase on the grip. Each to their own, but it sure does work great for us. It's actually a very easy modification. Use a Dremmel to initially shape the cut, then use sandpaper to form it the way you want. Swipe and feel, swipe and feel, etc..... Then use a wet sandpaper to finish and make it smooth. It makes a world of difference. There are you tube videos that will help guide ya. I've done a trigger undercut to all of my Glocks. Best of luck to ya.
Fixed it for you. :)
 
#53 ·
I Love my 42 it shoots so nice and easy it's just a real pleasure to shoot compared to the more snappy 43. Since I reload and I'm set up for 9 mm and don't really want to spend a few hundred on a conversion, I'm just wondering if anyone has shot lighter loads in the 43 to tame it down a bit? what bullet weight powder charge did you use. I know its a carry gun but for the most part I enjoy plinking.

Thanks !!
Try the Hornady 115gr Critical Defense load. I think U'll like it. It's well with-in the FBI's penetration requirements. Not bad at all in the 43. Not too loud, not too kicky [snappy] as U say.
 
#54 ·
I Love my 42 it shoots so nice and easy it's just a real pleasure to shoot compared to the more snappy 43. Since I reload and I'm set up for 9 mm and don't really want to spend a few hundred on a conversion, I'm just wondering if anyone has shot lighter loads in the 43 to tame it down a bit? what bullet weight powder charge did you use. I know its a carry gun but for the most part I enjoy plinking.

Thanks !!
The reason it has that snappier recoil and maybe not as pleasant to shoot is it is better for defense. Get used to it! You have it to save your life. Paladin47
 
#57 ·
Had a small epiphany thinking about this thread. The 42 is a little large for the caliber (compared, say, to an LCP), and relatively lightly stressed. They should run forever. What would make the 43 easier to shoot would be to make it bigger...an alternative that really doesn't suit! ;)
Moon
 
#63 ·
Lots of replies and suggestions contrary to what the original question was. Some people just don't get it.
As an example: If I asked how could I make my new Chevy truck ride a little smoother, I'd get the following replies.
Ride a Harley hardtail for a month and it'll seem softer.
Get a Ford, it's already perfect.
I changed the fuel filter on my Cat and it's much smoother.
Go to the gym and work out.
Man up, it's a truck.
And so forth. Probably 75% of the replies won't even pertain to what the question was.
Does this amaze anyone other than me?
 
#64 ·
I Love my 42 it shoots so nice and easy it's just a real pleasure to shoot compared to the more snappy 43. Since I reload and I'm set up for 9 mm and don't really want to spend a few hundred on a conversion, I'm just wondering if anyone has shot lighter loads in the 43 to tame it down a bit? what bullet weight powder charge did you use. I know its a carry gun but for the most part I enjoy plinking.

Thanks !!
G42 with a Galloway Precision -10% guide rod and cheap range ammo, Silver Bear etc. is a nice reliable soft-shooting setup, still makes 95PF for IDPA BUG. G43 with a Galloway -10% and 2.8g TiteGroup under 147g Bayous is pretty soft, but still not G42 soft. For all the 'train as you fight' shooters, yes I use the OEM RSAs and practice with carry ammo (Speer GDHPs in G42 & Federal 147 HSTs in G43) monthly, but multiple right-sided nerve injuries (CTS, shooters elbow, brachial impingement C6-7) precludes more than 100-120 rounds of full-power ammo if I want to be able to shoot anything at all...so there's definitely a use for softer (& cheaper) loads. IDPA BUG only requires 95PF and 2.8g TG 147g BB makes 120+PF from a G34, haven't chrono'd G43 but should easily make PF... however the lighter loads aren't reliable with OEM RSA, the minus 10% is needed. You can go lower than 2.8g TG but accuracy will suffer, at least with the Bayous.
 
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#65 ·
Lots of replies and suggestions contrary to what the original question was. Some people just don't get it.
As an example: If I asked how could I make my new Chevy truck ride a little smoother, I'd get the following replies.
Ride a Harley hardtail for a month and it'll seem softer.
Get a Ford, it's already perfect.
I changed the fuel filter on my Cat and it's much smoother.
Go to the gym and work out.
Man up, it's a truck.
And so forth. Probably 75% of the replies won't even pertain to what the question was.
Does this amaze anyone other than me?
Where is the fuel filter located on your cat (???)
That one kinda confused me... i have a dog, so i was just wondering... do dogs have fuel filters?
 
#68 · (Edited)
I have no problems with how snappy my 43 is, although it did take about 500 rounds to get used to it. Now, I hardly notice it. Before I bought the 43, I used a Walther ppk/s for years, and it is a heavier steel frame blowback, but it's every bit as snappy in .380 with ball ammo as is the 43. Purchased a new 19/4 about 6 weeks ago, and I'm really enjoying it. When I switch back and forth between the 19 and the 43 (which is my AIWB EDC) I really notice the extra muzzle flip from the 43 over the 19. I shoot 124- and 147-grain from the 19, and have shot several boxes of 147 Winchester Train and Defend from the 43, and it tames the pistol well. I'm headed to the range Sunday with the 43 and am going to try some Browning 147 in it for the first time.
 
#70 · (Edited)
Shot a 42 range pistol just before choosing to purchase a 43 and I really didn’t notice how the 42 shot against the 43 because at 7 yards, the 42 was wildly inaccurate. It was very dirty and probably had a worn out barrel. I was so frustrated shooting the 42 I didn’t really notice how soft it shot. I would need a clean 42 with a good barrel before I could discern which was the better shooter. I’m quite sure the 42 is a fine pistol. But, I’m not giving up my 43 for a 42. I greatly prefer 9mm. If I want to carry a .380, I’ll use my ppk/s. Nothing against the 42, just personal preference and 9mm ammo just cheaper than .380.
 
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