I’m no expert by any means but from what I’ve gathered in my experience is I can use the flush 6 round mag in my Glock 43 for ultra concealment or my normal edc the taran tactical plus 1 and if I’m feeling like I need it I have a taran tactical plus 2 as a extra. Way I look at it is I can make my 43 bigger but I can’t make my 43x smaller


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

I’m no expert by any means but from what I’ve gathered in my experience is I can use the flush 6 round mag in my Glock 43 for ultra concealment or my normal edc the taran tactical plus 1 and if I’m feeling like I need it I have a taran tactical plus 2 as a extra. Way I look at it is I can make my 43 bigger but I can’t make my 43x smaller


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I remember people saying that about the 26.

 

+1 for the 43. Quite simply, it’s smaller. I have larger hands, yet I shoot the 43 pretty well. I have one of the early, 1st year mfg guns yet have only started ccw’ing it in the past 4 months (in a Foxx IWB).

 

43X all the way.

Better balance, capacity.

 

43x you wont regret it

 

I went back and forth between the two for a few years. My main issue I had with the 43 was the short grip and round count so I went with the 43X. I was not wanting to use mag extensions, different mag springs, or different non OEM mags, I have faith in Glock OEM mags.
I have no problem concealing the 43X but if your main purpose is a very deep concealing gun the 43 may be a better choice. I wanted a small lightweight gun for general carry, after carrying the 43X (IWB appendix) for a couple of weeks I know I made the right choice for me.

 

I've carried both.

with the 43 for pocket carry, I couldn't get use to the flush mounted mag and needing to curl my little finger under it so I add a Pierce +1 which gave me a full hand grip but, of course add to the grip length, which made pocket carry less than optimal. adding Pierce + 1s to spare mags made them less than optimal for pocket carry as well, they became more difficult to with draw from my pocket for a mag change.

got a Comp Tac Infidel holster with snap straps and a Sticky Holster's dual mini mag pouch to carry spare mags off hand back pocket, my preferred holster and carry carry mode I've used in the past with double stack Glocks.

carried as described, in short order I came to the realization that the 43, carried IWB, was the most comfortable all day carry set up I'd tried, I found myself occasionally touch my weapon to make sure it was still there, literately forgot it was there a couple times, never experienced that with the 23 I carried for years.

seeing that I had reverted back to IWB and would no longer pocket carry, why have only 7 rounds when I could have 10 in basically the same package so I sold the 43 and got a 48, but it wasn't as comfortable to carry as the 43, longer slide just hit my hip in the wrong place.

so I sold the 48 and got a 43X MOS, mounted a Holosun 507K X2 and added a Hogue beavertail grip sleeve with finger grooves (which I think is the single best accessory for the 43X/48), used the same holster and dual mag pouch and I was set.......until I found Shield mags that held 15 round, so why have 10 rounds when I could have 15 in basically the same package, so I ordered the 3 mag/steel mag catch combo and TA-DA my perfect carry rig to date. I have over 2000 rounds fired and, until something better comes along that can address MY specific needs, I'll keep the 43X MOS as described.

SO........

if your set on pocket carry, the 43 is really the only one that will work of the two, if your going to holster carry, get the 43X.

and I'll go one step further......

evern if you have no plans on mounting a RDS or a WML get the 43X MOS, it does everything a 43X can do with the addition of one very important feature......options.

 

43x or 48. No contest. Even if you aren't into the metal mags.

Glock minus well cancel the 43. Make a 42x, and cancel the 42.

 

I carry a 43. Smaller has all the advantages in an EDC. Capacity in a carry gun is overrated.

 

Agreed. And carry extra mags - capacity problem solved.

 

Bought the 43, then the 43X. Tend to carry the X more often. Fits my grip near perfectly. If I need to go smaller, the more recently purchased 42 goes in the summer shorts pocket.

But still keeping the 43. And carry it occasionally. Once they’re in my family - they tend to remain there.

Good luck in your choice.

 

I had a hard time deciding, so I bought a 43X and a 43 frame.

 

El Pistolero,

I like what you did there. have you considered adding a 48 upper? for a brief time before selling my 43 and vetting my 48 I mounted the 48 slide on the 43 frame, never fired it but it did make for and interesting combination.

can't really see a need for a "long slide pocket carry" but I find the mix and match aspect of it intriguing.

 

I never could see pocket carrying 9mm guns, they seem too heavy and flop around on my leg when I walk, the little 380 Ruger is about as big and heavy as I can pocket carry.

 

I have carried EDC the 43 and 43x. For some time now. Short thoughts. The 43x has capacity and a more comfortable grip, but for me, 6’ slender, it doesn’t conceal as well in the summer when i carry IWB. the grip of the x is just a tad too long. The 43 fits the cc bill and I don’t care about the extra 4 rd capacity of the x. The shorter 43 grip is ok. Not perfect, but its designed for concealed carry. Both are slim, the x weighs a small bit more. weight difference is inconsequential on a decent belt but the 43 is a delight To carry. The longer x grip, however, makes it more shootable in terms of comfort and good, firm, grip…things that may not be critical to many in a short distance SD pistol. If i was buying a range gun, it probab wouldn’t be either, but it would be the x over the 43 due to shooting comfort and ergonomics of the longer grip. You asked to steer away from this, but regardless…where in the past i would reach for the 43x ,I now grab my sig 365 due to the smaller grip height; that includes winter OWb and summer IWB. The 43x has become the third wheel. There are lots of reasosns to go for the 365 or 43x over the other but for me the sig taps out the x due to size.

 

I tend to want to get a full grip on my little pistols so the 43X made sense to me + I get 10 round capacity or 15 if you go with the Shield Arms magazine

 

I tend to want to get a full grip on my little pistols so the 43X made sense to me + I get 10 round capacity or 15 if you go with the Shield Arms magazine
View attachment 1088316
View attachment 1088317 View attachment 1088318

I started with the Shield because the 43 was overpriced when I first looked at them and the Shield was about 300.00. I have carried it for years in a Vedder Light Tuck. Now I carry the 43X in a Vedder Light Tuck but I was surprised that the little thinner grip of the Shield makes a difference in concealing with certain clothing. Also, the Shield with the seven round mag is my ankle carry and it does that very well.
The grip on my 43X with the rubber Talon grip is the best I ever felt with a small 9mm, and as far as speed on drawing with a good grip my 43X is tops in the small 9mm class of guns.

 

If you didn't own any other the 43x would be a decent all around gun. But you have a 26 and 19. So 43 all the way. I really like mine.

 

43X..I did the exact same thing 43, 43x or 48..ended up with the 43X... realized as a 90% of the time CC pistol I want a full grip...the 43 just sint small enough for me like say a Ruger LCP size .380 to get me to go to a non full grip.. I will always own/have a small pocket pistol in .380 for times im sitting here like this exact instant///if i want to run to the store dressed as I am..gym shorts and or sweatpants and a t shirt(or winter hoodie or long sleeve T)...in not going to go put on a gun belt, pants..no im just wearing what I am now and slipping the .380 in my pocket...I cant do that with a 43...

point was CC gun full time style(or most of the time style) for me = full grip..43 doesn't have that without special mags or adaptors so no thanks.

 

I have both.

The 43 conceals better.

The 43x is easier to shoot.

 

The 43 conceals better.

The 43x is easier to shoot.

The second part of your statement is the KEY - my opinion of course. Why I am considering picking up a 43X possibly. I really don't need one at this time, but one never knows.... I just have to get up to my indoor range, they have one on the rental wall to try out. During this time of the year, we go out to the outdoor range, so I have to make an effort to get to the indoor one.

I've shot the 43 enough (had 10 of them total) and I have shot the 48 a bit (my friend has one and I have shot it a handful of times now). I just want to see for myself how the 43X shoots.

 

I got the 43 (my first Glock, I ordinarily shoot 1911s in competition and EDC a somethingelse .380) a month ago alongside a Phlster Enigma appendix-carry holster for EDC. Given IDPA rule changes allowing appendix carry, and wanting to start Production/Limited/CarryOptic classes (and their IDPA equivalents), I just got a 43X MOS as well. My intention is to put an optic on the 43x slide, and swap out that and the iron-sight 43 slide on the 43X frame for competition and on the 43 frame for EDC as appropriate (if I'm shooting a match, the EDC will be whichever slide and frame I'm not shooting in the match, but ordinarily 43/43). First unpleasant surprise: The 43X MOS does fit in the Enigma holster I got for the 43, but for most kydex holsters it appears that it does not.

 

My opinion is biased in favor of the G43.
The obvious advantage of the G43X over the original G43 is capacity. If you think you will ever need “10 or more rounds” in you CCW, do not buy a G43 simply because you will not get that from the G43 even with a popular “+2” mag extension.

Now, the single most important advantage of the G43 over the G43X is the G43’s superb concealability, which comes from the shorter overall length of the grip when compared with an appropriate OEM magazine is inserted in each gun. As other members have already pointed out, you can never make your G43X’s grip shorter, but you can always “extend” the length of your G43’s grip while also increasing the capacity at the same time. This makes the G43 far more versatile as a CCW when both guns are equal in reliability and durability.

[Note that most +1 and +2 magazine extensions for the G43 seem to work very reliably in most G43s out there including my two G43s. I have personally tested several popular magazine extensions rather extensively in my two G43s, and they have all worked reliably with JHPs even when “rapid-fire mag dumping” with one hand or weak hand.]

Here are my two G43s with MagGuts+2. MagGuts+2 extends LESS than Pearce+1 or the OEM “pinky rest,” but still allows me to carry 8+1 = 9 rounds of 124gr HST +P (or Underwood 124gr JHP +P) in my G43. When I carry my G43, I also carry a spare mag with MagGuts+2 loaded with 8 more rounds of the same ammo. I’m not an LEO. If I can’t do with 17 rounds of potent 124gr +P, I probably cannot do even if I had 21 rounds.
So my choice would be the G43 over the G43X.

 

I had thought about picking up a 43 frame also but not sure what the cost would be. If it could be had at a decent price it would be a nice option for ankle carry.

 

I just bought a G43 stripped frame from Big Tex Ordnance for $59.99 + shipping. (No FFL transfer fee because I am a member of the local range/FFL.) Sometimes you see them having a sale for those Glock frames, so you may be able to get it for less….

 

Which ever you get, just make sure to get a G48 sized holster. The extra length really helps to keep the “keel” effect down. Better concealment for either.

 

Lot's of helpful info in your replies .....thanks to everyone. I'm leaning towards the 43 for the concealability advantage and +1 and +2 capacity increase options with minimal dimension change. I do like the 43X but if I feel a need for "10" I have the 26. thanks again GF

 

I like the 43X. No experience with the 43. If the X is small enough for you, I would go with it: full grip and more capacity.

 

I have and like the 43. It’s smaller so I am more likely to carry it.

 

My wife and I carried 43s for a few years, but when the LGS had a pair of 43Xs with Red Dot sights in place, I bought both of them. After a couple magazines, there was no doubt that it was the right choice. They carry beautifully and the red dot seriously enhances the speed and precision of my shots. I am as accurate with the 43X as I am with my Glock 17 with iron sights.
Due to the vagaries of the aftermarket, we were able to sell the 43s for more than we paid for the 43Xs.

 

I carry a 43x and really like it. I also just bought a Shadow Systems CR920 which gives you ten rounds with the flush mag. That is the same size as a 43. Use their extended mag which makes it the same size as a 43x and you have 13 rounds. Many other nice features of the CR920 including the optic mount. Sits directly on slide without adapter and the gun comes with good sights that make it a lower 1/3 co-witness.